Lots of Restricted *GT Rates this Summer

[slvc1996]

Thanks for this thread, I hadn't priced anything in a while so wasn't aware and just scored a great deal to jump on the Dream in May!

 

[brentm77]

The other reality is that some travelers from Canada and the UK are canceling previously booked DCL cruises.* Additionally, some are choosing not to book at all right now. I’m sure this applies to travelers from other countries as well, but these two nations likely represent a small percentage of passengers on an average DCL cruise. Still, this could be enough to have an impact. While it may not be substantial, it might be pushing the numbers down in addition to people's reservations about the economic uncertainty.

*Please remember that political discussions aren’t allowed here, so let’s avoid discussing the reasons, whether its justified, or any related politics. My intent is simply to acknowledge this trend based on posts I’ve seen elsewhere, as well as the widely reported expected decline in travel from these countries to the U.S.

 

[brentm77]

We are in this exact same place. Out of the 7 cruises we have planned over the next couple of years (can't believe that number, but I digress), only one of those is currently planned on Disney. (To note: 3 are on Virgin Voyages, 1 on HAL, 1 on DCL, 1 on Carnival, and 1 on Viking River).

For us, now that our DD is out of college, we just like Virgin better. And the itineraries are just better. Just got off of Resilient Lady and we went from San Juan, hitting Tortola, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Maarten. We first did Greek Isles with DCL, but going back, we will again be on Virgin. Mainly for 2 reasons. First, you sail from Piraeus, which means you don't have to deal with Civitavecchia, and second, the itinerary is just so much better. For instance, you are in Santorini from 8am-10pm and you overnight in Mykonos (so you are there 2 days), so when everyone else loads up around 3pm to get back to the ship, we'll have the island to ourselves for most of the afternoon and evening. Plus, it hits other interesting ports like Kotor, Dubrovnik, Bodrum, and Corfu.

Just for comparative purposes, I looked at the Fantasy sailing late June on a 9-night (out of Civitavecchia, of course) and it only stops in Crete, Athens, Santorini, and Rhodes. A Veranda for 2 was $8,100. Conversely, the 10 night on Virgin for 2 in a regular balcony was around $5,500. That doesn't include the great deal we got with the old Virgin placeholder deal, so on top of that we had $300 off the booking, $600 in "Sailor Loot" (OBC), plus the status match (with our Disney, ironically) got us an additional $200 in "Bar tab", 2 included Specialty Coffees daily, and free laundry. And, to top it off, remember, Gratuities, Wi-Fi, soft drinks, all dining, and fitness classes are included on Virgin, so no extra expenses except Booze and Shore Excursions! It was a no-brainer.

And... I'll have that awesome hammock on my balcony...

I still want to try Virgin, partly inspired by your previous posts. I priced it out for our party of five over New Year's, but the pricing didn't work well compared to an Edge class Celebrity ship, which we know we love. However, my wife and I plan to try it soon.

As for DCL, their itineraries in the Mediterranean have really declined. Most are fairly generic now and still somehow often exclude some of the best of the generic ports, in my opinion. My DCL cruise in the Med was hands down the best vacation we’ve ever taken, but if I were booking a Mediterranean cruise today, I wouldn’t choose them. My biggest hope is that they realize the reliable repeat cruisers may not be as reliable as they once were and they need to be a little more creative to bring some of us back more often.

 

[sadiecatie]

I'm showing a few Treasure sailings during that time that as of now are showing over 200 staterooms available (yes I counted- I'm not sure why I am the way I am either).

I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this

 

[WannaBeImagineer]

Too many short Bahamas only sailings. Wish, Fantasy, dream, destiny and the magic some of the time. Just don’t believe there are enough people willing to pay the Disney premium for all these Bahamas only sailings 52 weeks per year. Too many lower priced alternatives doing the same thing.

DCL needs another ship doing full time 7+ night sailings. Give people alternatives to Bahamas only sailings or sailing longer sailings on the Treasure.

We are on the 10 night this July. Too good a deal to pass up! We needed the savings for our 2 cruises on the treasure this year. We are paying a premium to sail on the new ship.

I agree also! We do not like short cruises or B2B we want a seven day cruise, I don't understand all the short cruises to the Bahamas or a single stop. I know it makes them more money but some variety would be nice.

 

[cvjw]

I agree also! We do not like short cruises or B2B we want a seven day cruise, I don't understand all the short cruises to the Bahamas or a single stop. I know it makes them more money but some variety would be nice.

I wonder if it makes enough money if they have to offer Disney + discounts and numerous *GT rates?

 

[DCLMP]

I wonder if it makes enough money if they have to offer Disney + discounts and numerous *GT rates?

Those cruises are still way overpriced compared to the competition. I don't think you have to worry about DCL not making money.

 

[bakerworld]

I agree also! We do not like short cruises or B2B we want a seven day cruise, I don't understand all the short cruises to the Bahamas or a single stop. I know it makes them more money but some variety would be nice.

We love the 4D cruises but I'm tired of the Bahamas. Back in the day they went to Key West. Even that would be a change. I'd love the 5D to Bermuda to return.

 

[cvjw]

Those cruises are still way overpriced compared to the competition. I don't think you have to worry about DCL not making money.

Indeed, they are overpriced compared to the competition. Just wonder if they could make more money with anything but Bahamas only cruises. And make guests happier with some variety in the itineraries.

 

[DCLMP]

The other reality is that some travelers from Canada and the UK are canceling previously booked DCL cruises.* Additionally, some are choosing not to book at all right now. I’m sure this applies to travelers from other countries as well, but these two nations likely represent a small percentage of passengers on an average DCL cruise. Still, this could be enough to have an impact. While it may not be substantial, it might be pushing the numbers down in addition to people's reservations about the economic uncertainty.

*Please remember that political discussions aren’t allowed here, so let’s avoid discussing the reasons, whether its justified, or any related politics. My intent is simply to acknowledge this trend based on posts I’ve seen elsewhere, as well as the widely reported expected decline in travel from these countries to the U.S.

Unless you work for DCL and have some inside knowledge of who is canceling cruises that is all opinion based on nothing factual.

 

[DCLMP]

Indeed, they are overpriced compared to the competition. Just wonder if they could make more money with anything but Bahamas only cruises. And make guests happier with some variety in the itineraries.

I think the issue is they have more cruises doing the same itinerary. It's very common among cruise lines with multiple ships in the Caribbean to offer discounts to fill them. When they put the Magic and the Wonder in Alaska next Summer you will most likely see the same outcome. It isn't a bad thing for the consumer. It's simple supply and demand.

I agree with you though they really need to offer more variety especially out of FLL that's where most of the discounts are. I would not fly to Florida for a short cruise unless I was going to the parks and FLL is not exactly convenient.

Europe sailings have been discounted for the last few Summers, but when you compare the prices and itineraries to other cruise lines it's easy to see why.

 

[dreamer17555]

Unless you work for DCL and have some inside knowledge of who is canceling cruises that is all opinion based on nothing factual.

Are you not also speculating on why DCL has many summer restricted discounts? None of us know 100% for sure what the cause is, all of us are applying our best educated guess.

 

[SL6827]

The May 5th cruise, on the Dream, has a nice discount on it. But it is going to Lighthouse Point.

 

[dreamer17555]

The May 5th cruise, on the Dream, has a nice discount on it. But it is going to Lighthouse Point.

Oh that one is Nice! Trying to resist but that is a really good deal.

 

[DCLMP]

Are you not also speculating on why DCL has many summer restricted discounts? None of us know 100% for sure what the cause is, all of us are applying our best educated guess.

I'm not making assumptions about who may be cancelling cruises. We don't know even know people are cancelling cruises.

 

[Cfabar1]

deleted

 

[cvjw]

The May 5th cruise, on the Dream, has a nice discount on it. But it is going to Lighthouse Point.

We’re on the Treasure May 5th. We looked at this Dream cruise and the ones surrounding it - they were all on discount. But ultimately decided we had rather pay more and try something new. We weren’t excited about doing multiple Bahamas only cruises.

 

[brentm77]

Unless you work for DCL and have some inside knowledge of who is canceling cruises that is all opinion based on nothing factual.

It's not opinion, it's reality. I have read multiple posts on different forums where individuals from those countries canceled actual DCL cruises. Various Disney parks forums also have multiple posts of people from those countries canceling already booked trips. There is also data from hotels showing bookings are already down from Canadian tourists. Some travel associations have expressed concern that the lost revenue in the industry could reach into the billions. Canadians are the number one source of foreign travelers to the U.S., with Florida and California as two of the top destinations. It's a reasonable conclusion that even a small percentage change in travel habits will affect the cruise industry and DCL.

As I stated, I have no idea how much of an impact it will have on DCL, but at least some cancellations are happening. I don't know that it is a huge factor, but it certainly doesn't help DCL overcome other headwinds like decreased consumer travel spending (see Delta's lowered forecasts) and DCL's increasing inventory.

 

[SL6827]

Well if there is a higher uptick in discounted cruises verses what is the norm, something is up. Common sense will tell you that. And it could be more than just cancelled cruises, but I'm sure that is a factor.

 

[DCLMP]

It's not opinion, it's reality. I have read multiple posts on different forums where individuals from those countries canceled actual DCL cruises. Various Disney parks forums also have multiple posts of people from those countries canceling already booked trips. There is also data from hotels showing bookings are already down from Canadian tourists. Some travel associations have expressed concern that the lost revenue in the industry could reach into the billions. Canadians are the number one source of foreign travelers to the U.S., with Florida and California as two of the top destinations. It's a reasonable conclusion that even a small percentage change in travel habits will affect the cruise industry and DCL.

As I stated, I have no idea how much of an impact it will have on DCL, but at least some cancellations are happening. I don't know that it is a huge factor, but it certainly doesn't help DCL overcome other headwinds like decreased consumer travel spending (see Delta's lowered forecasts) and DCL's increasing inventory.

So your basing your evidence off a few posts on social media? If your theory is correct that's great. Lower prices for those of us that live here. The ships will still sail full. Prices went up a lot since 2021 a correction to the downside would be great. Wages haven't kept up with the prices.