Price comparison DCL vs. other lines

[mikewdw]

Samily
would you mind telling me what type itinerary? I called and checked Allure yesterday and it was 8100 before anything like taxes, soda cards, etc

any more info greatly appreciated
mikewdw

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

just thinking of trying a different line than DCL if we could find one for a good savings
our situation is 5 people, 2 adults, 3kids (14, 12, 12) . We really can only go for about 7-10 days in late may or early june(both teachers) its difficult trying to price it on other websites with 5 (have to call)
We love DCL but we have already done their western & eastern carribean itinerary.
are other lines an option for us or is that time about the same price wise? especially considering the size of rooms, we have always done balcony on DCL

any info appreciated
mikewdw

I would look into the 8 night Southern Caribbean on Carnival Vista, (if 2018, if you're looking at 2019 it would be on the Horizon), we paid $5400 for 4 of us in 2 connecting insides for our cruise a couple weeks ago, which included prepaid gratuity and insurance. As a point of comparison, our upcoming 8 night cruise on the Disney Magic in October is $6700+ for the 4 of us in 1 ocean view cabin and that does not include gratuity and insurance.

We ended up booking the 6 night Western Caribbean too so we did a B2B for 14 nights total. Stayed in the same inside cabins for a total of $10,000, including gratuity and insurance. I looked into doing the 11 night Southern Caribbean that the Disney Fantasy did this summer, that cruise would have cost $17,000 for 2 connecting insides, not including gratuity or insurance. Yes the Disney staterooms are bigger but we spend very little time in them so I care more about the ship amenities.

I just priced out CCL Vista, (8 night Southern), vs DCL Fantasy, (7 night Eastern), for 6/16/18, for 5 people. Vista is $8912 for 2 connecting balconies including gratuity and insurance. Fantasy is $11,655 for 1 balcony not including gratuity and insurance.

I believe the room size argument can be thrown out the door since it's 2 rooms, 2 full bathrooms and 2 full balconies. You could also add on the soft drink package, $7/kid/day, and the cheers package, (alcohol), for $55/adult/day and still spend less. Even adding on dinner in the steakhouse, dinner at the Italian place and dinner at the Asian place will take you to only $10,283.

Our teens love CCL, it's definitely not the same experience as DCL, but we enjoy equally as much and actually have more fun and laugh a lot more on CCL.

 

[RedSox68]

just thinking of trying a different line than DCL if we could find one for a good savings
our situation is 5 people, 2 adults, 3kids (14, 12, 12) . We really can only go for about 7-10 days in late may or early june(both teachers) its difficult trying to price it on other websites with 5 (have to call)
We love DCL but we have already done their western & eastern carribean itinerary.
are other lines an option for us or is that time about the same price wise? especially considering the size of rooms, we have always done balcony on DCL

any info appreciated
mikewdw

We did an oceanview (giant picture window) on Carnival and it was by far the largest stateroom we have ever had on any of the lines. Granted, Disney is the only one with split bathrooms in standard rooms, but I can forego that for saving thousands. We have done NCL (Breakaway), Princess (Royal -- by far our favorite ship), Carnival (Glory and upcoming Sunshine cruise) and Holland America (Eurodam and Zaandam). We have loved them all, and each and every one had excellent itineraries that were literally thousands cheaper than Disney. The Royal Princess 12-night cruise around the British Isles was $7,000 cheaper for the same room type! We do mostly balconies and find the rooms very accommodating. Only "issue" we experienced as far as convenience and floor space is that some of the couches open out and block the verandah doors once set up. We just have our room steward show us how to set up the bed and then ask him to leave it closed when he sets up the room so we have access to the doors and the couch itself.

Carnival does allow you to bring any canned soda onboard -- one 12-pack per person. Their soda package is now $7.50/day with a 15% gratuity added to that.

Every cruise line we have sailed -- we have gotten their credit card. We use it to pay off the cruise, groceries, everything in our monthly budget. With the reward points we earn, we get a $200-$400 onboard credit -- that more than pays for our drinks, photos and specialty dining (we pre-pay our gratuities before we board). [Of course, the secret is to pay off the credit card balance each month. If you get charged interest, then it defeats earning the rewards.]

 

[samily]

Samily
would you mind telling me what type itinerary? I called and checked Allure yesterday and it was 8100 before anything like taxes, soda cards, etc

any more info greatly appreciated
mikewdw

If I am remembering correctly, I think it was a Western Caribbean cruise. It was 60% off the 2nd passenger and maybe a discount on 3 & 4? That total included taxes etc. It was a couple of weeks ago - I had posted it originally in this thread:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/other-cruise-lines-not-as-cheap-as-i-was-expecting.3612488/page-3

 

[bumbershoot]

2. Disney doesn't have anything equal to the $20 steakhouse selections on Carnival (Carnival also offers and everyday steak included in your cruise fare - the Steakhouse Selections are way above any "normal" MDR steak);

Disney doesn't have steakhouse selections... Carnival does have steaks that are not an extra fee, just like Disney does.

Agreed. I mean, I don't eat steak, but I've bever seen anything in the little exteancoat section of a rccl menu that you could get on any old night on Disney. If you're will to pay extra you can get that. If you want to have the same food experience as in the Disney mdrs, then don't pay extra.

Disney doesn't have an IMAX theatre or the Thrill Theatre on board their ships - just a regular movie theatre.

Exactky. If you're comparing with only cost in mind, you need to make sure the experiences are the same.

If a cruise isn't the same without IMAX then you won't be enjoying a Disney cruise anyway.

You'll pay taxes on a Disney ship as well.

Yeah, I didn't get that one either.

 

[quickcat]

If I am remembering correctly, I think it was a Western Caribbean cruise. It was 60% off the 2nd passenger and maybe a discount on 3 & 4? That total included taxes etc. It was a couple of weeks ago - I had posted it originally in this thread:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/other-cruise-lines-not-as-cheap-as-i-was-expecting.3612488/page-3

We got an amazing deal a few weeks ago on Royal, it was 60% off plus under 13 sailed free. The cruise we got for 3A (2A and one 17 year old) and an 8 year old was $2624.00 for a balcony cabin on the Oasis in December. We were reserved on the Fantasy for just over 6k in a balcony cabin. I couldn't pass it up! This week the same cruise is $3200 for just an inside cabin on Royal so some of their "sales" are actually really good! I was shocked the price for the same cabin is over $1000 more than what I just paid.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

As a comparison we are booked for an 8 day Southern Caribbean on Vista June 2018 4 people, 1 inside for $3986 includes taxes, port fees and gratuities. The DCL cruises I looked at were over $8000 without gratuities for an inside on a 7 day. No thank you.

 

[mevelandry]

I recently priced out cruises for next year for mid June for our family of 5. We like to stay in 2 cabins (at least one being a balcony) unless it is a large enough suite. The Fantasy was 12,800 for a balcony and inside room or 11,600 for a family balcony (I won't smoosh into this cabin though, was just pricing out of curiosity).

The Oasis of the Seas was 6400 for 2 boardwalk balconies - each cabin included a soda package for 2 and a complimentary meal at Johnny Rockets for everyone.

MSC Seaside was 5300 for 2 connecting balconies. If I am remembering correctly it also included 12 coupons each for free drinks (including alcoholic for the adults), free drinks at mealtimes, and free wifi.

So all that to say yes, we have found significant price differences for that time of year

Wow. MSC is really making an effort these days. Can't wait to read the reviews.

 

[mikewdw]

What kind of things are you charged for on other cruise lines that are included in a DCL cruise.
Mikewdw

 

[cmwade77]

1000$ for a 3 nights on a Carnival ship? Which ship? Which itinerary? That is strange.

Disney doesn't have steakhouse selections... Carnival does have steaks that are not an extra fee, just like Disney does.

The soda package is just 7$/pp per night on Carnival. I don't know where you get that 150$ price from...

You'll pay taxes on a Disney ship as well.

When you count taxes out of Long Beach, it is $950, close enough to $1,000 for me a d that is pretty.much any itinerary out of Long Beach, CA, although some are higher. And that's what I get for trying to do.math in my head, but even compared to $1,000 without the extras, it makes Disney about $500 more. Add in any extras, like the soda package, etc. And the price difference becomes even less.

And the taxes I was referring to was that when you are in U.S. waters and order a soda on Carnival you will pay taxes on that drink. This doesn't happen with Disney since the sodas are included.

As for the stealhouse menu items, looking at the menus I can find, I have seen comperable things, such as the Lobster tail, some great steaks. My point for the movies was it appeared the only.place that had first run movies was the IMAX, Disney offers first run movies for free. I was getting as close as possible in comparison as I could.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

What kind of things are you charged for on other cruise lines that are included in a DCL cruise.
Mikewdw

Soda.

We did pay for the steakhouse on Carnival this last cruise because I wanted to introduce my kids to what a steak from Flemings or Ruth's Chris taste like. It was cheaper for us to do that on the ship at $30/person that pay the a la carte price at either of the land restaurants.

Other than that we pay for Bingo on each, tropical drinks you have to pay for on each, premium coffees you pay for on each, pictures etc.

As far as food goes, the Carnival ships with the 2.0 upgrades have a better selection than DCL. The one exception to this is at the buffet, DCL has crab and shrimp, that's not found on CCL. The 2.0 upgrades have Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana Mexican, (great breakfast burritos), Asian stir fry for lunch, a pasta bar for lunch, plus pizza, 24 hour ice cream and room service.

With Carnival you pay for excursions when you book them so that bill doesn't get added on at the end of the cruise. Our bill at the end of our 8 day cruise the first time we cruised CCL was $85.

After cruising DCL I really never thought we would cruise Carnival but I fell in love with the Vista while she was being built. I'm so happy we tried them, we've spent 22 nights on her and loved every minute of it. We're also looking forward to going g to Bermuda next year on her sister Horizon.

 

[cmwade77]

What kind of things are you charged for on other cruise lines that are included in a DCL cruise.
Mikewdw

It depends on the cruise line, some are:
Soda
Room service
Certain menu items
Movies
Live theatre shows
Water slides
I even saw one that charges for Amenities, such as shampoo, etc. And a other that charges a mandatory daily fee for housekeeping
Various classes, workshops and speakers
Character buffet breakfast


As I said this varies from cruise line to cruise line.

 

[FigmentSpark]

It depends on the cruise line, some are:
Soda
Room service
Certain menu items
Movies
Live theatre shows
Water slides
I even saw one that charges for Amenities, such as shampoo, etc. And a other that charges a mandatory daily fee for housekeeping
Various classes, workshops and speakers
Character buffet breakfast


As I said this varies from cruise line to cruise line.

Can you decline the amenities? I assume you can't decline the housekeeping.

Who charges for Water slides? I want to be sure to avoid them. Imagine paying a premium (on that line) for a ship with a water slide and then being charged for it too? I'd be livid.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

When you count taxes out of Long Beach, it is $950, close enough to $1,000 for me a d that is pretty.much any itinerary out of Long Beach, CA, although some are higher. And that's what I get for trying to do.math in my head, but even compared to $1,000 without the extras, it makes Disney about $500 more. Add in any extras, like the soda package, etc. And the price difference becomes even less.

And the taxes I was referring to was that when you are in U.S. waters and order a soda on Carnival you will pay taxes on that drink. This doesn't happen with Disney since the sodas are included.

As for the stealhouse menu items, looking at the menus I can find, I have seen comperable things, such as the Lobster tail, some great steaks. My point for the movies was it appeared the only.place that had first run movies was the IMAX, Disney offers first run movies for free. I was getting as close as possible in comparison as I could.

I got a little lost when you mentioned Long Beach since DCL doesn't sail out of there, so I did some price comparing myself. Honestly, if I could find a Disney cruise for only $200 more I'd hop on in a second.

I looked into a pretty inexpensive time as far out as possible and found these options for a 3 night Bahamian out of Porr Canaveral. These are the 2 closest apples to apples I could find.

10/25/18, Carnival Liberty, 2 adults, deck 8 mid ship balcony, $825 total

10/26/18, Disney Dream, 2 adults, deck 7, mid ship balcony, $1850 total

You can add on the alcohol package, steakhouse dinners every night, internet package and a photo package and still be under the DCL price.

If sticking on the west coast is important, their are a couple options for a 7 night Mexican Riviera, both have the exact same ports of Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta:

10/7/18, Disney Wonder, (out of San Diego), Balcony rooms start at $2030/person

10/6/18, Carnival Splendor, (out of Long Beach), balcony rooms start at $879/person.

On both examples, DCL is over double what CCL is and the only things you have to pay extra for on Carnival that you don't have to pay extra for on DCL is soda and a movie. However, if you watch a movie on deck at night you have to pay extra for popcorn on DCL, but on CCL it's included so those kind of wash each other out.

 

[cruiser21]

Can you decline the amenities? I assume you can't decline the housekeeping.

Who charges for Water slides? I want to be sure to avoid them. Imagine paying a premium (on that line) for a ship with a water slide and then being charged for it too? I'd be livid.

I would love to know what cruise line charges for water slides. Charging for housekeeping? Do they mean the gratuity. Shows? Never seen that either. I know the big three that (NCL, RCCL, and Carnival) don't charge for any of those things. I've never seen charges for poolside movies either. The Vista has an Imax they charge for,but that's the only Imax at sea. Sodas yes...except DCL. Room service and upcharges on the menu are optional. DCL steaks are terrible. If I'm going to eat steak I want it to be good otherwise I'll just order the chicken. Classses and workshops...DCl charges for some of those too.

 

[cmwade77]

I would love to know what cruise line charges for water slides. Charging for housekeeping? Do they mean the gratuity. Shows? Never seen that either. I know the big three that (NCL, RCCL, and Carnival) don't charge for any of those things. I've never seen charges for poolside movies either. The Vista has an Imax they charge for,but that's the only Imax at sea. Sodas yes...except DCL. Room service and upcharges on the menu are optional. DCL steaks are terrible. If I'm going to eat steak I want it to be good otherwise I'll just order the chicken. Classses and workshops...DCl charges for some of those too.

Both were small lines and I kept moving. They did mean housekeeping, gratuity was extra. And yes you can decline some of these things, but the point is they are included on Disney. If you are ordering steak as the lighter fair they are terrible, but if you order them from the main menu, many of them are delicious.

Disney charges for certain alcohol classes, other lines charge for culinary and other classes.

Again the point is that these things are included with Disney, so you have to factor that value into the cost.when comparing lines, especially if you are going to use them.

 

[mevelandry]

When you count taxes out of Long Beach, it is $950, close enough to $1,000 for me a d that is pretty.much any itinerary out of Long Beach, CA, although some are higher. And that's what I get for trying to do.math in my head, but even compared to $1,000 without the extras, it makes Disney about $500 more. Add in any extras, like the soda package, etc. And the price difference becomes even less.

And the taxes I was referring to was that when you are in U.S. waters and order a soda on Carnival you will pay taxes on that drink. This doesn't happen with Disney since the sodas are included.

As for the stealhouse menu items, looking at the menus I can find, I have seen comperable things, such as the Lobster tail, some great steaks. My point for the movies was it appeared the only.place that had first run movies was the IMAX, Disney offers first run movies for free. I was getting as close as possible in comparison as I could.

The "free" steaks you're going to have on Carnival (you should see them on the menu as well) should compare to the ones you get in Disney's MDR... It's just that on Carnival you also have the possibility to upgrade for better cuts. On DCL you don't have that option.

Like we said, for 3 nights, a soda package (with taxes), should cost you around 50$... Not 500$.

EDIT: There is no DCL 3 nights cruise from Long Beach. If you compared to a Bahamas 3 or 4 nights, you would notice a big difference in pricing. Otherwise, it feels like we are comparing apples to oranges.

While the price difference can be obvious when you compare 3-4 nights (for us, it was about 950$ for a balcony room on the Carnival Victory vs 1800$ on the Disney Dream), it's on longer cruises that it gets worst.

 

[mevelandry]

Both were small lines and I kept moving. They did mean housekeeping, gratuity was extra. And yes you can decline some of these things, but the point is they are included on Disney. If you are ordering steak as the lighter fair they are terrible, but if you order them from the main menu, many of them are delicious.

Disney charges for certain alcohol classes, other lines charge for culinary and other classes.

Again the point is that these things are included with Disney, so you have to factor that value into the cost.when comparing lines, especially if you are going to use them.

EDIT: I answered to all the things you mentioned in my following comment.

 

[RedSox68]

Both were small lines and I kept moving. They did mean housekeeping, gratuity was extra. And yes you can decline some of these things, but the point is they are included on Disney. If you are ordering steak as the lighter fair they are terrible, but if you order them from the main menu, many of them are delicious.

Disney charges for certain alcohol classes, other lines charge for culinary and other classes.

Again the point is that these things are included with Disney, so you have to factor that value into the cost.when comparing lines, especially if you are going to use them.

But you must also consider that many other cruise lines offer free drink and specialty dining as an incentive, along with sales and discounted fares -- which Disney rarely offers. We've done Disney 10 times and obviously love them, but for an identical itinerary on another cruise line in an identical room category, I can save thousands. And as Disney's prices are nowhere near reasonable (for us) anymore, those thousands I save more than make up for paying for soda and a few drinks

 

[mevelandry]

It depends on the cruise line, some are:
Soda
Room service
Certain menu items
Movies
Live theatre shows
Water slides
I even saw one that charges for Amenities, such as shampoo, etc. And a other that charges a mandatory daily fee for housekeeping
Various classes, workshops and speakers
Character buffet breakfast


As I said this varies from cruise line to cruise line.

Here is what I know about Carnival...

Soda -Carnival does but the package is not expensive
Room service - Only certain items. Breakfast, sandwiches and salads are free. Other options like chicken wings and pizza have a fee. On DCL, you pay for certain snacks.
Certain menu items - Those items are an upgrade, though. Better cuts and lobster, which is an option you won't have on DCL. As far as I know, DCL doesn't offer lobster at all on cruise shorter than 7 nights and for only one night on a 7 nights cruise.
Movies - Only the Vista and Horizon charge for them, because they're IMAX (the most recent movies + some extra movies). Other cruiseships have free movies in front of the pool or inside a theater and those are free. The movies are pretty recent. The popcorn is free. DCL charges you for pop corn.
Live theatre shows - On Carnival, the shows are free.
Water slides - On Carnival, the water slides are free.
I even saw one that charges for Amenities, such as shampoo, etc. - Carnival shampoo and soap are free (but the shampoo is not very good).
And a other that charges a mandatory daily fee for housekeeping - Carnival does not charge for housekeeping, however, your room get serviced only once a day. You get to pick if you want during the day (just like a hotel) or turndown service.
Various classes, workshops and speakers - I've paid a fee for Mixology classes and wine tasting on DCL, but I did not subscribe to any other classes so I wouldn't know.
Character buffet breakfast - Carnival has Green Eggs and Ham breakfast and it's 5$/pp. DCL doesn't offer Character breakfast on cruises shorter than 7 nights.