No Deluxe Inside staterooms?

[SL6827]

Why did Disney forgo the Deluxe Inside staterooms on the Wish class ships?

 

[wnissen]

Seems like a continuation of a long term trend over at least the last couple decades where the mass wealthy have been the ones spending the majority of the money. A middle-class family might be willing to upgrade up a bit from the cheapest room, but someone in the 5% of income wants a balcony, minimum. Just like they are adding concierge very quickly.

 

[DWillowBay]

You know...why did they not include a Promenade deck, why did they make the Adult area so small, why are the elevators so narrow, why are the high-end diamond, purse, etc stores enormous and the Disney merch stores so small and sparse, and why are there so many Concierge rooms now? That's why. Though these ships are beautiful, they are not my favorite class.

 

[SL6827]

Seems like a continuation of a long term trend over at least the last couple decades where the mass wealthy have been the ones spending the majority of the money. A middle-class family might be willing to upgrade up a bit from the cheapest room, but someone in the 5% of income wants a balcony, minimum. Just like they are adding concierge very quickly.

Excellent points that seem to really line up with the direction that Disney and more companies are going. That is unfortunate for those who would like to sail DCL but prefer to have more affordable options.

 

[SL6827]

You know...why did they not include a Promenade deck, why did they make the Adult area so small, why are the elevators so narrow, why are the high-end diamond, purse, etc stores enormous and the Disney merch stores so small and sparse, and why are there so many Concierge rooms now? That's why. Though these ships are beautiful, they are not my favorite class.

I actually agree with you. They will never be my favorite class either, even though I haven't sailed them. But I will admit, I wouldn't mind sailing the Wish once, just for the theming. I feel like the Destiny is going to be the least desirable ship they will have, could be wrong, but that's my gut. Them putting just one hot tub on these ships for the general public is one of thier greediest moves. Want a hot tub, pay for concierge!

 

[DCLMP]

Seems like a continuation of a long term trend over at least the last couple decades where the mass wealthy have been the ones spending the majority of the money. A middle-class family might be willing to upgrade up a bit from the cheapest room, but someone in the 5% of income wants a balcony, minimum. Just like they are adding concierge very quickly.

That pretty much sums it up in a nutshell.

 

[Flossbolna]

Want a hot tub, pay for concierge!

Or get a pass for the Rainforest Room. Also

 

[John VN]

Seems like a continuation of a long term trend over at least the last couple decades where the mass wealthy have been the ones spending the majority of the money. A middle-class family might be willing to upgrade up a bit from the cheapest room, but someone in the 5% of income wants a balcony, minimum. Just like they are adding concierge very quickly.

Excellent points that seem to really line up with the direction that Disney and more companies are going. That is unfortunate for those who would like to sail DCL but prefer to have more affordable options.

That pretty much sums it up in a nutshell.

I've posted before and am sorry for the comparison AGAIN but you can receive much MUCH more for your $$$$ if taking a chance -- e.g. --

WISH - 4 night - 6/1/2026 - INSIDE 2 adults for $4,169.00 for the Disney Experience - Nassau + CC + day at sea

Our cruise line - 4 night - 6/7/2026 - DeLuxe Balcony 2 adults $4,304.00 for NOT HAVING the Disney Experience but instead --

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise/msc-yacht-club

Nassau + 2 days at Ocean Cay (overnight stay)

NOTE - Interior cabin $3,444.00 @ 224 sq/ft compared to WISH 169 sq/ft still with the YC All Inclusive

 

[Tigger's ally]

Seems like a continuation of a long term trend over at least the last couple decades where the mass wealthy have been the ones spending the majority of the money. A middle-class family might be willing to upgrade up a bit from the cheapest room, but someone in the 5% of income wants a balcony, minimum. Just like they are adding concierge very quickly.

IN other words, their sample base for the data they collect are those that exit the ship. The data they collect leads them to make decisions based on that same data.
It really isn't rocket science, the people that can afford to go on Disney Cruises are telling them what is important to THEM. And to a certain extent, Disney is listening and driving their decisions that way.

I know when booking my cruise next summer, a balcony is a must. I will be in the minority saying Concierge is not a must.

 

[DCLMP]

IN other words, their sample base for the data they collect are those that exit the ship. The data they collect leads them to make decisions based on that same data.
It really isn't rocket science, the people that can afford to go on Disney Cruises are telling them what is important to THEM. And to a certain extent, Disney is listening and driving their decisions that way.

I know when booking my cruise next summer, a balcony is a must. I will be in the minority saying Concierge is not a must.

The people that book concierge are still a minority. Most likely you're looking at the top 1% earners.

 

[Mle8308]

I actually agree with you. They will never be my favorite class either, even though I haven't sailed them. But I will admit, I wouldn't mind sailing the Wish once, just for the theming. I feel like the Destiny is going to be the least desirable ship they will have, could be wrong, but that's my gut. Them putting just one hot tub on these ships for the general public is one of thier greediest moves. Want a hot tub, pay for concierge!

I'd NEVER use a public hot tub. Not even Disney owned/maintained.

 

[Mle8308]

The people that book concierge are still a minority. Most likely you're looking at the top 1% earners.

Top 1% have their own private yachts!

 

[SL6827]

I've posted before and am sorry for the comparison AGAIN but you can receive much MUCH more for your $$$$ if taking a chance -- e.g. --

WISH - 4 night - 6/1/2026 - INSIDE 2 adults for $4,169.00 for the Disney Experience - Nassau + CC + day at sea

Our cruise line - 4 night - 6/7/2026 - DeLuxe Balcony 2 adults $4,304.00 for NOT HAVING the Disney Experience but instead --

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise/msc-yacht-club

Nassau + 2 days at Ocean Cay (overnight stay)

NOTE - Interior cabin $3,444.00 @ 224 sq/ft compared to WISH 169 sq/ft still with the YC All Inclusive

Oh ya, no doubt what so ever. I have just like three grand in Disney gift cards I was going to use on a Disney vacation next year. If cruised regularly, it wouldn't be with Disney.

 

[SL6827]

Or get a pass for the Rainforest Room. Also

If I could get a one day pass, I might.

 

[SnowWhite2]

I’m probably close to higher earner/wealth and sail in Inside Deluxe cabins. Just did on my last DCL cruise to Hawaii for 10 days. I don’t use my balcony even when I get one so no reason it get one (except in Alaska). My next DCL cruise is an oceanview for 15 days. I usually sail the OG two. You won’t catch me in concierge. Did it once on the Dream and there was no value in the extra cost for us. I prefer to sail more than get fancy extras. To each their own. That’s why there are several types of cabins available.

 

[AquaDame]

I'd be happy with an OV but my husband wouldn't... more and more he hangs out on the balcony while I happily run around the ship. I can only be out there for an hour or so before I get antsy and want to go walk around. We were in an 11B last December for old times' sake as we sailed the Dream for only the second time and our very first was on her and it felt... cramped. The resolution on the porthole was not as high as it is in my memory either...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Seems like a continuation of a long term trend over at least the last couple decades where the mass wealthy have been the ones spending the majority of the money. A middle-class family might be willing to upgrade up a bit from the cheapest room, but someone in the 5% of income wants a balcony, minimum. Just like they are adding concierge very quickly.

While I agree with your overall assessment I think your percentage is off at least to assume balcony. It certainly isn't the top 5% who are wanting a balcony at minimum (meaning it doesn't take someone earning that high to want that or have the means to pay for it).

But the cruise industry themselves has evolved over the years to recognize that a balcony is more and more desired which I think has a lot to do with the design of what cruise ships have evolved from. What also has diverged is just what that means. If you take Royal Caribbean for example they have balconies facing into the ship, which is a more non-traditional usage of a balcony on a ship.

 

[DCLMP]

Top 1% have their own private yachts!

Some, but not that many since it starts at about 600k. Yachts cost millions.

 

[DCLMP]

While I agree with your overall assessment I think your percentage is off at least to assume balcony. It certainly isn't the top 5% who are wanting a balcony at minimum (meaning it doesn't take someone earning that high to want that or have the means to pay for it).

But the cruise industry themselves has evolved over the years to recognize that a balcony is more and more desired which I think has a lot to do with the design of what cruise ships have evolved from. What also has diverged is just what that means. If you take Royal Caribbean for example they have balconies facing into the ship, which is a more non-traditional usage of a balcony on a ship.

On the newer ships the difference in cost between a inside and a balcony is minimal. On the older smaller ships the cost difference is pretty substantial. I see this a cross all cruise lines. I agree with you that you don't need necessarily need to be high earner to be in a balcony. On my upcoming Utopia cruise the cost difference between an inside and GTY balcony was 50 dollars a person.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

On the newer ships the difference in cost between a inside and a balcony is minimal. On the older smaller ships the cost difference is pretty substantial. I see this a cross all cruise lines. I agree with you that you don't need necessarily need to be high earner to be in a balcony. On my upcoming Utopia cruise the cost difference between an inside and GTY balcony was 50 dollars a person.

I think the balcony thing is just less of a "ooohhh fancy" type feature than it would have been years back.

I don't attribute a balcony to wealth like the PP said. The cruise industry doesn't much either with the designs of the ships over the years. Just is the evolution of passenger interests. It's certainly not something a household making several hundred thousand dollars a year is only able to attain. It's now something that cruise lines heavily put in with newer ships across all different levels of cruise lines. Some are "creative" I would say in where they put them like having them very exposed to a walking track or where chairs are on the other side of the balcony wall, facing into the interior of the ship, obstructed views more or less, or in some cases the balcony is very large but not private in the least. Then of course your more traditional old school thought of a private balcony.

Regardless the cruise lines aren't treating balconies as a high end feature any more. The upper lines (luxury/ultra luxury) do treat them as more a standard feature most especially on newer built ships.