Justifying CA cruise?

[MATTERHORN]

Hi all,

I got through to DCL at about 11:15 am. on May 5, and I am just wondering how everyone is justifying paying almost double for a 7 day cruise out of CA? I mean they want $950 dollars for my just turned 3 year old. She hardly eats. I really really want to go and I am trying to convince myself, help me. Here is our breakdown:

CA cruise:
Adult - $1480 x 2 = 2960
Child - $950 x 1 = 950
Infant - $200 x 1 = 200

Total = $4110


FL cruise:
Adult - $800 x 2 = 1600
Child - $399 x 1 = 399
Infant - $139 x 1 = 139
Airfare - $250 x 4 = 1000
Transfers / Hotel = 300

Total = $3438

We live in Las Vegas so we would drive to LA, but to go all the way to Florida (and have better ports in my opinion, we live out here and have done the Mexico thing) it would be cheaper. So how is everyone justifying paying double for a cruise that is the sam length of time? HELP?

Andrea

Wanted to add that I know the total cost is not double, but the actual cruise is! Still $700 is a lot more too!

 

[mmouse37]

After checking the West Coast prices...I could not justify it!!!! I decided instead to hold a ressie on the 14 day repo cruise CA to FL.....much cheaper overall than the one week West Coast 7 days!!!


MJ

 

[Mickeyhugger]

We're not justifying it Matterhorn.

We're booked for a DCL CA cruise next summer, but I think I'll call and voluntarily cancel. I wanted a few days to think about it as we have until the 10th, but DH and I decided last night there's just no way.

We're going to try for spring break 2006 so we can sail out of Port Canaveral. (We may even try for 2005, but we have a deposit paid on a Carnvial cruise out of Galveston. We're still deciding.)

I think you're going to have a lot of company on this thread.

(No, I'm not bashing DCL. They are our favorite, but everyone has a place where they have to draw the line, and unfortunately, this is it for us.)

 

[GrumpyMom1]

I had a hard time swallowing the amount too. But due to 15yo DD being in high school and involved in band/colorguard activities throughout the school year, we have to travel during the summer. The CA cruises during the summer really aren't any more than the FL cruises during the summer. If we could travel off season I definitely would do it.

I could do the same itinerary on another cruise line for much less but we really love Disney. I tried to convince my DD's that maybe we could try another line but they (even the 15yo) insists it must be Disney. Boy are they spoiled!

 

[MermaidsMom]

We have a cabin on hold, but I keep looking at the price too! It's around $7500 for a 6 night in a cat.4 for 2 adults and 1 teen. It really seems high..

 

[cruzin'gain]

My first POST to the forum, when my TA called with the price, I was surprised....we are in the same cabin as we were 6/2003 western cruise and my ds will be 15. The cruise is only $300 more. I haven't see the confirmation yet.

Randy

 

[two-foxes]

I have a feeling when a few weeks pass, DCL will be overrun with cancellations as soon as people realize they are being taken. It is plainly insane! We are going to book the eastbound repo, but I have a gut feeling that we will look at the numbers in a few months and think..."what are we thinking??" If I have to attempt to rationalize the cost, which I have been doing, I probably shouldn't be doing it! I bet we will end up having 5 days or so at DLR, save a few grand and read the trip reports of those who went....only time will tell!

 

[AnnaS]

We were set on doing another Caribbean from Florida and were disappointed when it was official and the Magic would be in CA. We were thinking about the 4 day Wonder but everyone was not too happy and disappointed. We did not want to wait to cruise til 06 so far now we decided to go ahead and reserve the rooms, we can always get our deposit back. At first though, we did not think there was much of a difference from the 7 day cruises out of FL. I got the quotes on Wed. night. I discussed it with my dh and my friend and last night decided to reserve only to find out the price within 24 hrs. went up to almost $800 for all of us. Yes, I was mad/dissapointed - but for now we are booked so we have no regrets later.

 

[Julia M]

We actually ended up with 2 ressies, as I submitted info to an internet travel agency, and I booked myself. Interestingly, the ressie I booked myself was a better deal!

But I will be releasing both. The cost is just too great to justify. It's over $5500 for our family of five!

On the other hand, I am looking into another cruise line or Hawaii for the same week

Julia

 

[goingbacksoon]

We cannot justify it either. GF and I say we may end up doing an NCL cruise, or RCCL. Both leave from CA I believe, so not much of a plane flight. We are paying less this August to fly and cruise, stay the night, and also have some change left for a spa treatment for her.

At the same time, the dates when prices are historically low have been taken up by the "repo" cruises, so that makes it seem even more expensive than normal.

goingbacksoon

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I was terribly disappointed when I saw the price structure. I have been waiting patiently for the opportunity to make a reservation but just couldn't bring myself to do it. With the money it would cost for the four of us to go on a week long cruise, we could fly cross-country to Orlando, spend a full week @ WDW, and still take a 3 or 4 night cruise!

I am afraid the only way we will be on one of the west coast cruises is if we can take advantage of some last minute specials when a whole bunch of other people realize they booked on an impulse and cancel.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Thanks everyone for your honest opinions. DCL is also the first choice for us, and I am sad, but like most of you, I can't pay $1480 for myself when I woudl normally be $800-900, and I definitely can't pay $950 for DD3 when she would normally be $300-400. It just seems silly even though I REALLY, REALLY want to! Well let's all hope for some specials coming out when all the cancellations happen!! Even though I know it is good business sense, it sucks that the prices are that crazy. Oh well, I just booked the Disneyland Hotel for July 16-20, so that is some consulation. Have a great day.


Andrea

 

[trishy]

DCL is so overpriced for the Mexican Riviera cruises, it's hysterical to see how many people are falling for their ploy. You can go on any other cruise line (yes, most do have kid programs also) and save anywhere from $2,500 (Cat 4 equivalent) to $4,000 (lower Cat's)*. If DCL eventually does put a ship out here permanently, there's no way they could compete and stay in business with their current price structure. Needless to say, I've cancelled our DCL Xmas cruise. The reason for that is we were waiting to see the prices for the Panama repo cruise - we really wanted to do that cruise also. However, we were astonished to see the prices skyrocket so quickly. Our Plan B was to do the Panama Canal over the Xmas/New Year's on a different line. We saved $2,500 for a 15 day Panama Canal over Xmas and New Year's over the DCL price for a 10 day Xmas - and, the savings versus the 14 day repo is over $1,200.

I love DCL as much as the next person, but there's no way to justify their pricing on these "special" cruises. After all, they're not the first line to ever go through the canal. It would be wise to do a little bit of research before making those final payments - especially on those 2005 summer Mexican Riviera cruises.


*all of my comparisons are for a family of 5 - 2 staterooms.