It's All About the Upsell - Where does DCL try to "Getcha"?

[Impromark]

I understand that the "upsell" is a common and necessary evil of the cruise industry... So I'm wondering where these things happen with DCL? For example, on my very first cruise we were pressured into a free "information session" for our ports of call, which ended up being a high-pressure sales presentation for "rare" tanzanite jewelry. Never again!

So far, I've noted that in the spas you'll be given a pitch to buy spa stuff during the treatment. As annoying as this sounds (in the middle of a period where you're supposed to be maximally relaxed), I'm glad that a polite-but-firm "no thank you" is enough to ward them away. What else is there in this category?

I'm not really talking about the photo packages, internet access, or other things which already tend to be exorbitant in price. At least I'm hoping this cruise won't have people buzzing around the top deck selling timeshares..!

Mark

 

[disneyholic family]

i didn't really notice any of what you're referring to..

yes, there is a DVC representative on the ship - i remember passing by him.....

but there's no hard sell.......if you want info you ask, if you don't want info you don't ask...

 

[YawningDodo]

They had a shopping guide session that was supposed to give you advice on where to buy jewelry and that kind of thing in Cozumel, and there were a couple of DVC info sessions they tried to bribe people into with an offer of a trading pin, but I didn't go to either. I didn't use the spa services; I took a quick tour on embarkation day and it felt like too much of an upsell, so I never went back. My general impression was that there were certainly things here and there they were trying to sell you, but it was easy to walk past or say no thank you and not be pestered. I also noticed that if you want things like the beer packages, etc., you actually have to be the one to approach the salesperson.

 

[Shanti]

I understand that the "upsell" is a common and necessary evil of the cruise industry... So I'm wondering where these things happen with DCL? For example, on my very first cruise we were pressured into a free "information session" for our ports of call, which ended up being a high-pressure sales presentation for "rare" tanzanite jewelry. Never again!

So far, I've noted that in the spas you'll be given a pitch to buy spa stuff during the treatment. As annoying as this sounds (in the middle of a period where you're supposed to be maximally relaxed), I'm glad that a polite-but-firm "no thank you" is enough to ward them away. What else is there in this category?

I'm not really talking about the photo packages, internet access, or other things which already tend to be exorbitant in price. At least I'm hoping this cruise won't have people buzzing around the top deck selling timeshares..!

Mark

There are DVC presentations you can go to, but naturally that's optional and there are no pressure tactics used at all. If you have kids, they might encourage you to buy a souvenir mug for your child's drink during dinner, but they take no for an answer. No one is buzzing around the top deck selling anything. Well, a server will walk around who you can buy drinks from, but that is just a service & not an aggressive nuisance in any way.

Some people prefer DCL because there are fewer upsells onboard than on other mass-market cruise lines.

 

[lbus42]

There are Palo and Remy restaurants, BBB, Princess Tea, beer and wine tastings, mixology, etc.. but all of these you will have to initiate yourself. I never once had anyone try to sell me something aboard a Disney ship, other than offer drinks on the pool deck or the theater.

 

[Spork24]

We experienced the spa products up sell after our massage, but I’ve since learned on the info card you fill out to give to your masseuse if you write no product presentations please, they will skip it.

Also they wanted to sell the kids a light up pirate mug at dinner one night but it was really cool and I think it was like $6 so we bought them. ( brother in law bought them for his kids so what could I do?)

Other than that, Disney seems to get enough on the front end that they don’t have to push stuff more than normal.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

IMHO, DCL does not upsell the way other cruise lines do (RCCL, NCL, etc.). There are no tacky flyers left in the staterooms or laundry package offers. Even the gift shops are much classier. The only place I've experienced the upsell is in the spa (as you've mentioned) and the fitness center, which are not managed by DCL but by Steiner (who manages the spas and fitness centers for many cruise lines). After some very bad experiences in DCL spas (including the upsells), I just don't go to them anymore. I can get better massages and facials at better prices at home.

 

[NS8VN]

They "getcha" when you book a DCL cruise at a considerable premium compared to RCCL, NCL, or CCL. They got you on the boat at that price, what more do they really need?

Last week on the Magic we attended the member DVC preview for the free drinks, had fun, and when we left they asked if we wanted to set up a time. We said "no thanks" and they said, "alright, have a great cruise". When I stopped by the desk the next day for some hats they gave me two and just asked if I had any questions. I even chatted with them a couple more times about things happening in the Atrium and they never pushed us for more points during those conversations.

My wife had a massage, got the standard pitch, and didn't buy anything. Pirate night they had the light up skull mugs, everyone at our table said no thanks and that was the last we heard about them. I got more sales pitches in 10 minutes in Nassau than I did in 5 days on the Magic.

 

[FigmentSpark]

IMHO, DCL does not upsell the way other cruise lines do (RCCL, NCL, etc.). There are no tacky flyers left in the staterooms or laundry package offers. Even the gift shops are much classier. The only place I've experienced the upsell is in the spa (as you've mentioned) and the fitness center, which are not managed by DCL but by Steiner (who manages the spas and fitness centers for many cruise lines). After some very bad experiences in DCL spas (including the upsells), I just don't go to them anymore. I can get better massages and facials at better prices at home.

What sort of upsell did you get at the fitness center?

 

[Pens Fan]

The only time on DCL (or any cruise line, actually) that I felt the upsell push was in the spa. And it was bad, really, really bad (this was on Disney). You are sitting there all calm and relaxed and then the hard sell comes on to buy product, product and more product. I've pretty much signed off on cruise line spa treatments as I've never once experienced that in land based spas - and gotten much better treatments for a much better price.

 

[lorimay]

I have never been "pushed" to purchase anything on DCL in 16 cruises.

The most annoying thing is on embarkation day around the ship. It drives us crazy that 37 different times we are asked if we want to purchase a case of water or beer mugs or wine package. Its not being pushy, but over and over gets old really fast. Of course nothing you can do, thats these poor crew members job, they probably hate doing it as much as I hate hearing it.

 

[aggiedog]

We've only done 2 DCL cruises, and I did use the spa for a manicure and massage. I really didn't get much upsell, more 'I used this product, do you want to buy it?" And we went to a DVC presentation, but even that wasn't a hard sell and we truly were interested to see if it would work for our family. Turns out it really wouldn't, not for how we travel, and the rep was very nice about it.

I think the bigger upsell is just the cost of the cruise itself. No "gotcha" since the price is all up front, but they've already got their money from you. I did like that there wasn't tables of "great deals" for shopping that I've seen on other cruise lines. I feel like once you're on board, it's easy not to spend any more money.

 

[over50visits]

Although most aren’t pushy up sells, there are plenty of opportunities to spend more money on your cruise. Hold on to your wallet

DCL Cruise Expenses (other than cruise fare and automatic gratuities):


1. Alcoholic drinks at the bars and from roving servers (welcome aboard)

2. Wine by the glass or wine packages at meals

3. Spa treatments

4. Shore excursions (including cabanas and rentals at CC)

5. Purchases from the stores: clothing, sundries, jewelry, souvenirs, etc.

6. Adult dining (Palo, Remy)

7. Bottled water

8. Photos (individual and packages)

9. Onboard booking for future cruises

10. Disney Vacation Club membership (you can purchase on board)

11. Art (thank goodness those "auctions" are gone, but you can still purchase art)

12. Candy and snacks outside theater

13. Tips for room service

14. Internet

15. Room upgrades (usually at port, sometimes GS)

16. Bingo

17. Parking/transportation

18. Port porters gratuity

19. Alcohol and cigarettes for delivery at end of voyage

20. Welcome aboard packages (flowers, candy, etc waiting in your cabin)

21. Adventures by Disney (you can purchase on board)

22. Cameras from photo shop

23. Cellular phone calls (although it will be billed later to your phone bill)

24. Medical care

25. Cigars (Meridian bar)

26. Arcade

27. Hair Braiding

28. Nursery care for children under 3

29. Tastings and Mixology

30. Excursion tips

31. Soft drinks from room service or bar

32. Specialty coffee

33. Meeting room rental

34. Onboard or Castaway Cay wedding (currently $3000/$4000)

35. Vow renewal ceremony

36. Sports simulator

37. Laundry room

38. Send-out laundry and dry cleaning

39. Room service sodas and candy (these have a charge)

40. Additional tip (over the automatic) for bar servers

41. Required gratuity added to spa services

42. Pins sold at trading pin sessions

43. Extra wave phone rental

44. Duties at customs at end of cruise if you've made a LOT of purchases abroad

45. Ship to shore calls from your room phone

46. Fuel supplement charge if the price of oil is above a certain level

47. Popcorn at theater

48. Fish Extender program gifts

49. Kids’s club magic bands (if you want to keep them, you lose the deposit)

50. Stamps from Post Office at Castaway Cay

51. Tip for Castaway Cay cabana host (you’ll need cash for this one)

52. Sparkling or still (plain specialty) water with your meal

53. Upcharge food items at the adult clubs

54. Candy and ice cream from Vanellope’s on the Dream

55. Smoothies from the bar in Senses Spa on the Dream

56. Required tip at spa (not optional)

57. Extra wave phone

58. Tuxedo rental

59. Corkage fee for your wine in MDR

60. Scooter rental (for handicap us on ship)

 

[iZon]

Six Disney cruises and never had anyone try to sell us water, wine or beer. Had a massage once and no attempt at product upsell. Maybe I look destitute!

 

[squirk]

I agree that they “getcha” right at the beginning, when you pony up that cruise fare that’s 25%-50% higher than the rest of the cruise industry.

The spa upsells are annoying in that they seem to deliberately not tell you how much that stuff costs. Are all spas like this (I don’t do spas very often)? I made a mistake in not asking the cost of the 5 oz. jar of Elemis face moisturizer my technician was pushing on me. I never dreamed it would be $200 until I saw it on my folio at the end of the cruise. I could have taken it back, I suppose, but the fault was mine for not asking the price before agreeing to buy. In subsequent visits to Senses, a simple “no, thank you” was all that was needed.

It also bugs me how they present the novelty cups in the MDR. Your server brings them out, turns on the flashy-lights that immediately grab the kids’ attention, and then ask if the kids want them. Of course they want them; the cups were designed for kids to want them. It’s crappy to dangle them in front of the kids, baiting them into an impulse buy and putting a parent in a position to have to be the “bad guy” in refusing the sale.

Overall, though, while there are plenty of opportunities to rack up a big folio, as @over50visits detailed, I’ve really not found it to be very pushy.

 

[mevelandry]

Photographs will want to take you picture when you get on board and in the MDR every single night.

 

[brewcrew]

Not spending on a cruise is all about "self control". If I (and you) don't want to spend money, DONT. Everywhere you go (cruises, malls, web sites, grocery stores, etc), someone tries to sell you something, If you don't want to spend money, DONT.

 

[CM Dad]

The most annoying thing is on embarkation day around the ship. It drives us crazy that 37 different times we are asked if we want to purchase a case of water or beer mugs or wine package. Its not being pushy, but over and over gets old really fast. Of course nothing you can do, thats these poor crew members job, they probably hate doing it as much as I hate hearing it.

To me it seems as this embarkation day pushing of drink packages seems to be much less than in the past. I don't think anyone approached us on our last couple cruises.

 

[Shanti]

The most annoying thing is on embarkation day around the ship. It drives us crazy that 37 different times we are asked if we want to purchase a case of water or beer mugs or wine package.

Interesting. In three DCL cruises in the past two years I have never had this happen, nor seen it happen to anyone else.

 

[lorimay]

Interesting. In three DCL cruises in the past two years I have never had this happen, nor seen it happen to anyone else.

To me it seems as this embarkation day pushing of drink packages seems to be much less than in the past. I don't think anyone approached us on our last couple cruises.

It was crazy on our Fantasy Cruise in October, it was like every corner we turned..........