Price comparison DCL vs. other lines

[samily]

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

Yes, they can be a great deal. Kids 11 and under are free. They also status match your loyalty level with other lines so that provides extra perks.

We had read mixed reviews before our MSC Divina cruise so were a little nervous going in. In fact, as we were walking in to the terminal, my 19yo daughter said she was going in with low expectations so she wouldn't be disappointed, lol. Well, it turns out she really enjoyed it and wants me to book again so we can try the new ship!

As we have found with every line we have sailed, there are some things that are done better than DCL, and some things that DCL does better.

 

[cmwade77]

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.

Now Mexican Riviera, there is one we did check.

We paid for the Mexicans Rivera on Disney for 7 nights about $1,500 per person on Disney with our 10% onboard booking discount and for the same sized room (without the split bath of course) it was about $1,200 per person for our dates on Carnival (Although Carnival is one week earlier) with taxes and fees once you went to check out. Sorry, just not seeing how that is double what Carnival charges. The $879 per person is before taxes and fees on Carnival's site, the prices Disney lists is including taxes and fees. You did prove a point though, people see the price on Carnival's site and forget about the fact that the price listed doesn't include taxes and fees while Disney's listed price does.

Now you also have to ask what are the characters worth to you? Not having a casino on board worth? Not having the party atmosphere that Carnival does? Really from what I have seen Carnival wouldn't be our thing and for a $600 difference for two people, I am not willing to risk that. And with Disney, there are more at Sea days and one less day in Cabo, which we thought the port was nice the last time we went, but hated the tenders so much that we now refuse to get off at any port with a tender. But in general, I LOVE at Sea days on Disney. Additionally, using Disney Gift Cards purchased online from BJ'S when they were on sale combined with a cash back site and purchased with a card that offers rewards netted us about an additional 10% off Disney, which saved another $300 and I haven't found a similar deal for Carnival, making the price difference closer to $300 for two people. Add in the Disney Vacation Savings Account bonus program and we saved another $60. Bringing it down to $240 difference. Now since we did it with an onboard booking offer, we have a $200 room credit, now we are at a $40 difference. I am assuming though that we probably could use a travel agent on Carnival and get some OBC, but then again with Disney ours was offering $75 OBC since it was an onboard booking. And don't forget the onboard discounts we can get with DVC membership and even the Debit card version of Disney Visa. Sorry, but add in the soda package on Carnival and I really don't see how Disney is more expensive than Carnival. Now these are both real numbers from our upcoming cruise in October as of when we decided to book Disney in October of last year.

Yes San Diego is a two hour drive instead of a 30 minute drive for us to the Port of Long Beach, but I can still get someone to drive me down there as easily as I can to the Port of Long Beach, in some cases easier, no big deal. Although I do miss Disney sailing out of the Port of Los Angeles.

 

[cmwade77]

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.

I never said all of these were true for Carnival and while the soda package is not expensive, it is a factor, see my previous post about what the real difference in cost between two almost identical cruises, one on Carnival and one on Disney actually are, not even factoring in the soda package or other extras. My point was that each cruise line charges for some of these things that are included with Disney at the same quality level as Disney offers. An none of them charge for all of these things, but they are hidden costs to watch out for if it matters to you. And they only service your room once a day on Carnival? How sad, part of being on a ship to me is being pampered a bit.

As for room service, on DCL you pretty much only pay for prepackaged snacks (except Mickey Bars).

As for the movies, I don't believe they have the movies the same day they come out on land like Disney does except on the ships with the IMAX theaters, they might.

But again, not even counting these things, done right your cost difference can be under $100 for two people to go on Disney vs. Carnival when all is said and done.

 

[RedSox68]

But again, not even counting these things, done right your cost difference can be under $100 for two people to go on Disney vs. Carnival when all is said and done.

Not for any of the itineraries I am interested in! I have never found any itineraries, when compared to what Disney charges lately, to even come close to deals we can get on other lines! When the cost difference for two between Disney and other cruise lines is several hundred to several thousand dollars, then (for us) it's a no-brainer. Just by comparison, Disney's New England/Canada cruises compared to Carnival are several hundred more for same category rooms and itinerary. I can get a 7-day cruise of this itinerary on Carnival for hundreds less than a 5-day on Disney -- and have -- twice! Our Princess 12-night British Isle Cruise and our Holland America Alaska cruise were literally thousands less than Disney's! Not sure what lines and itineraries you are able to get for a difference of $100, but kudos to you for finding them. I've never found them.

 

[cadien]

This isn't the first time I've seen Disney's Mexican Riviera cruises being more competitive than their others. But most cruisers would have to fly to the port.

 

[mevelandry]

You did prove a point though, people see the price on Carnival's site and forget about the fact that the price listed doesn't include taxes and fees while Disney's listed price does.

Not me. When I check cruise prices, I complete the reservation until the taxes and fees are applied. I only stop when they ask for payment.

 

[mevelandry]

I never said all of these were true for Carnival and while the soda package is not expensive, it is a factor, see my previous post about what the real difference in cost between two almost identical cruises, one on Carnival and one on Disney actually are, not even factoring in the soda package or other extras. My point was that each cruise line charges for some of these things that are included with Disney at the same quality level as Disney offers. An none of them charge for all of these things, but they are hidden costs to watch out for if it matters to you. And they only service your room once a day on Carnival? How sad, part of being on a ship to me is being pampered a bit.

As for room service, on DCL you pretty much only pay for prepackaged snacks (except Mickey Bars).

As for the movies, I don't believe they have the movies the same day they come out on land like Disney does except on the ships with the IMAX theaters, they might.

But again, not even counting these things, done right your cost difference can be under $100 for two people to go on Disney vs. Carnival when all is said and done.

Yes, but you priced it out for one itinerary. (And 300$/pp difference is a lot of money for some people).

Try for cruises departing from the East Coast, there you will notice a big difference.

Here's a copy-paste of our Carnival - DCL comparison thread. This is what I experienced:


THE CABIN

With DCL (Dream) we booked a 5E cabin with a verandah (5E balcony are extended) on Deck 7 that cost us $1,658.06 (for 2). Since we were assigned an reassigned handicapped room on the Disney Dream, I wouldn’t compare square size with our cabin but according to cruisedeckplan, the square footage of a “Deluxe verandah Stateroom” is Cabin: 203 sqft (19 m2) including separate bathroomsand the Balcony: 43 sqft (4 m2) or more if you pick an extended balcony cabin. Some cabin have split bathrooms. They all have a mini-fridge and a safe.

With Carnival we went for a 8D on Deck 8 (which is a regular verandah, they had no extended verandah available when we booked) that cost us 934.12$. According to cruisedeckplan, the square footage of “Balcony Stateroom” cabin is 185 sqft (17 m2) but with only one bathroom, and the balcony: 35 sqft (3 m2). You have a safe but there are NO mini-fridge on the Victory (you need to order ice buckets).

Please take note that they are currently (until december 2016) refurbishing cabins, one deck at the time. They are replacing carpets (going from red to blue), replacing old tv's with flat screens and remodeling the bathrooms (from old pink to white and blue). Since we are going in October, our chances of having a refurbished room is about 50-50%. If you plan on going in 2017, your cabin should be updated.


I'll get back to you with the price of my first cruise if I can find it, with a regular verandah. But I believe it was around 1600$. (April 2015)

 

[RedSox68]

Not me. When I check cruise prices, I complete the reservation until the taxes and fees are applied. I only stop when they ask for payment.

 

[mevelandry]

Here it is, just for you @cmwade77... I priced out two cruises:

Exhibit A - Carnival - Departing from Port Canaveral on October 8, 2017 - 4 nights - 2 adults - Verandah room:

*Please note that I circled the mention that the price you see actually includes the taxes, fees and port expenses.




Exhibit B - Disney Cruise Line - Departing from Port Canaveral on October 8, 2017 - 4 nights - 2 adults - Verandah room:



Conclusion: DCL asks 1645.52$ more than Carnival for that itinerary, with a similar room category. Of course, you get Freeport instead of Castaway Cay... But there are alternative itineraries that will bring you to princess cays instead of Freeport. They are a bit more expensive but nowhere near the prices of DCL.

 

[cmwade77]

Here it is, just for you @cmwade77... I priced out two cruises:

Exhibit A - Carnival - Departing from Port Canaveral on October 8, 2017 - 4 nights - 2 adults - Verandah room:

*Please note that I circled the mention that the price you see actually includes the taxes, fees and port expenses.

View attachment 249183


Exhibit B - Disney Cruise Line - Departing from Port Canaveral on October 8, 2017 - 4 nights - 2 adults - Verandah room:
View attachment 249184


Conclusion: DCL asks 1645.52$ more than Carnival for that itinerary, with a similar room category.

Except that the prices were different when we booked our Mexican Rivera cruise, our total on Disney for the same category listed here was about $3,000 (I think the exact was something like $3,025 and some change) for two people by going on October 15th instead of October 7th and we were flexible enough with dates that going October 15th on Disney was quite a bit cheaper when we booked. Also, don't forget to deduct 20% from the Disney price with the cost savings you can get with onboard booking, gift cards, etc.

When we booked in October of last year, the price per person including taxes on Carnival was something like $1,195, again close enough to $1,200 per person and the the price on Disney was really close to $3,000 for both.

Again, this is for an actual cruise we are taking, the trick is we had to wait an extra week to get the better savings. Yes, a one week difference saved us almost $1,000, so as long as you can be a little flexible on dates and not insist on the exact same dates, you CAN find cheaper on Disney, especially if you watch for price drops, which is what we did, we watched and waited until the price was at a point we were willing to pay, never did see Carnival drop that much until just recently.

But the reality is west coast cruises are more expensive no matter which cruise line you go on, but by the time we add in airfare the prices are cheaper here. And perhaps the price difference just isn't as great on the West Coast as it is on the East Coast, I don't know, as if we are going to spend the money to travel to the East Coast for a cruise, chances are we will end up going on Disney anyway because it is a product that fits our preferences better.

 

[mevelandry]

Exhibit C: - Carnival - Western Caribbean - Departing from Miami on December 3, 2017 - 5 nights - 2 adults - Verandah room (deck 7):



Exhibit D: - DCL - Western Caribbean - Departing from Miami on December 8, 2017 - 5 nights - 2 adults - Verandah room (deck 7):


Conclusion: DCL ask 1633.90$ more than Carnival for that itinerary. Of course, you get Ocho Rios with Carnival, instead of Castaway Cay. But for that price difference, you can definitely afford the excursion that gives you the VIP treatment at Bamboo Beach.

 

[mevelandry]

Except that the prices were different when we booked our Mexican Rivera cruise, our total on Disney for the same category listed here was about $3,000 (I think the exact was something like $3,025 and some change) for two people by going on October 15th instead of October 7th and we were flexible enough with dates that going October 15th on Disney was quite a bit cheaper when we booked. Also, don't forget to deduct 20% from the Disney price with the cost savings you can get with onboard booking, gift cards, etc.

When we booked in October of last year, the price per person including taxes on Carnival was something like $1,195, again close enough to $1,200 per person and the the price on Disney was really close to $3,000 for both.

Again, this is for an actual cruise we are taking, the trick is we had to wait an extra week to get the better savings. Yes, a one week difference saved us almost $1,000, so as long as you can be a little flexible on dates and not insist on the exact same dates, you CAN find cheaper on Disney, especially if you watch for price drops, which is what we did, we watched and waited until the price was at a point we were willing to pay, never did see Carnival drop that much until just recently.

But the reality is west coast cruises are more expensive no matter which cruise line you go on, but by the time we add in airfare the prices are cheaper here. And perhaps the price difference just isn't as great on the West Coast as it is on the East Coast, I don't know, as if we are going to spend the money to travel to the East Coast for a cruise, chances are we will end up going on Disney anyway because it is a product that fits our preferences better.

To my knowledge, you only get 10% if you book a cruise shorter than 7 nights on DCL (7 nights or more, you get 20%)... Apply it to the numbers I gave you and you still save over 1000$ with Carnival.

It is very possible that the price difference is closer when you sail from the west coast. I know Galveston is know to have the best rates on DCL too. But for most itineraries, as you may see in the two examples I just gave you, the price difference is huge and it's going to be the same for Bermuda and Alaska.

Now, when it comes to preferences, you will never really know for sure unless you try other cruise lines... I did and I like them both equally for different reasons.

 

[LSUfan4444]

(for reference) Here is the example I have given on Royal Caribbean vs DCL recently...In short, DCL is $3k more for a family of three for a 7 night western than a 7 night eastern on RCI (same week, same room type)


Next May (same week as this year) on the Allure we booked 7 nights to St Maarten, Labadee and San Juan with an ocean balcony and the cost was $3200. If I sail that same week in 2018 on the Dream a 4 night cruise for a verandah is $1000 more (for 3 less nights)

Dream

Now, if I book a 7 night cruise to the Caribbean (westerm, not eastern) the same week I have RCl booked a ocean view balcony room with DCL is $3000 more.

Same week, same type of room, similar (Caribbean itinerary), same guests and DCL is $3k more for a family of 3.

 

[mikewdw]

we are a little hesitant about trying another cruise line. we love WDW and and truly loved our 3 cruises on DCL but between our kids getting older (14, 12, 12) and not into characters near as much, possibly trying new itenerary and possible savings willing to check out other options. We would NOT like a party atmosphere, can anyone speak on the atmosphere of the ships compared to DCL? also any other intangible things people have notices on other lines.
also we are pretty much locked into only ports in south east within driving distance for us. air fare for 5 not a friend!
thanks

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Except that the prices were different when we booked our Mexican Rivera cruise, our total on Disney for the same category listed here was about $3,000 (I think the exact was something like $3,025 and some change) for two people by going on October 15th instead of October 7th and we were flexible enough with dates that going October 15th on Disney was quite a bit cheaper when we booked. Also, don't forget to deduct 20% from the Disney price with the cost savings you can get with onboard booking, gift cards, etc.

When we booked in October of last year, the price per person including taxes on Carnival was something like $1,195, again close enough to $1,200 per person and the the price on Disney was really close to $3,000 for both.

Again, this is for an actual cruise we are taking, the trick is we had to wait an extra week to get the better savings. Yes, a one week difference saved us almost $1,000, so as long as you can be a little flexible on dates and not insist on the exact same dates, you CAN find cheaper on Disney, especially if you watch for price drops, which is what we did, we watched and waited until the price was at a point we were willing to pay, never did see Carnival drop that much until just recently.

But the reality is west coast cruises are more expensive no matter which cruise line you go on, but by the time we add in airfare the prices are cheaper here. And perhaps the price difference just isn't as great on the West Coast as it is on the East Coast, I don't know, as if we are going to spend the money to travel to the East Coast for a cruise, chances are we will end up going on Disney anyway because it is a product that fits our preferences better.

I just priced out a mid ship Lido deck Balcony on the Carnival Splendor for October 6 2018 and the total price for 2 people is $2024.50 - so that's about $1000 less than DCL or about 66% of the cost of your Disney cruise. And you can save 10% off that price by buying Carnival gift cards at a discount (just like Disney gift cards - through a number of locations like AARP, Verizon, Ebay, etc.).

 

[PrincessTrisha]

we are a little hesitant about trying another cruise line. we love WDW and and truly loved our 3 cruises on DCL but between our kids getting older (14, 12, 12) and not into characters near as much, possibly trying new itenerary and possible savings willing to check out other options. We would NOT like a party atmosphere, can anyone speak on the atmosphere of the ships compared to DCL? also any other intangible things people have notices on other lines.
also we are pretty much locked into only ports in south east within driving distance for us. air fare for 5 not a friend!
thanks

As long as you don't book a 3 night week-end cruise, you're pretty safe that it's not going to be a big, drunken party.

On the big 3 cruise lines (NCL, Carnival and Royal) families are their target audience.

 

[mevelandry]

we are a little hesitant about trying another cruise line. we love WDW and and truly loved our 3 cruises on DCL but between our kids getting older (14, 12, 12) and not into characters near as much, possibly trying new itenerary and possible savings willing to check out other options. We would NOT like a party atmosphere, can anyone speak on the atmosphere of the ships compared to DCL? also any other intangible things people have notices on other lines.
also we are pretty much locked into only ports in south east within driving distance for us. air fare for 5 not a friend!
thanks

I don't like party atmospheres either. Drunk people make me uncomfortable.

When we have tried a 4 nights to the Bahamas (during a long week-end!) I was very worried. DH and I are "In bed at 10 PM, up at 5 AM" type of people... If there was any partying, it must have happened during our sleep because we only noticed noise in the hallways on the first night, probably because we were mid-ship near the elevators. I was told by many Carnival cruisers that longer cruises tend to be more quiet. I'm cruising with Carnival again in October. Can't wait.

 

[cruiser21]

To my knowledge, you only get 10% if you book a cruise shorter than 7 nights on DCL (7 nights or more, you get 20%)... Apply it to the numbers I gave you and you still save over 1000$ with Carnival.

It is very possible that the price difference is closer when you sail from the west coast. I know Galveston is know to have the best rates on DCL too. But for most itineraries, as you may see in the two examples I just gave you, the price difference is huge and it's going to be the same for Bermuda and Alaska.

Now, when it comes to preferences, you will never really know for sure unless you try other cruise lines... I did and I like them both equally for different reasons.

It's 10% off on any length cruise. 10% deposit on 7 days or longer. 20% deposit on cruises shorter then 7 days. Not sure how pp got 20% off.

 

[mevelandry]

It's 10% off on any length cruise. 10% deposit on 7 days or longer. 20% deposit on cruises shorter then 7 days. Not sure how pp got 20% off.

I think you might be right on that one. I haven't booked on board for a while.

 

[RedSox68]

As long as you don't book a 3 night week-end cruise, you're pretty safe that it's not going to be a big, drunken party.

On the big 3 cruise lines (NCL, Carnival and Royal) families are their target audience.

I agree with the families being a target audience on many other cruiselines and really giving Disney some competition.

I do not, however, agree that a 3-night weekend cruise is a drunken party cruise. We sailed a 4-night on Carnival over Labor Day Weekend and we ran into no problems with loudness, drinkers or large groups. It seems that Carnival can't shake that reputation, but on that one cruise we didn't experience any of it. We sail again in September, so we shall see -- but that is a 7-night cruise.

we are a little hesitant about trying another cruise line. we love WDW and and truly loved our 3 cruises on DCL but between our kids getting older (14, 12, 12) and not into characters near as much, possibly trying new itenerary and possible savings willing to check out other options. We would NOT like a party atmosphere, can anyone speak on the atmosphere of the ships compared to DCL? also any other intangible things people have notices on other lines. also we are pretty much locked into only ports in south east within driving distance for us. air fare for 5 not a friend!
thanks

I would remind you that any other cruise line you do has a casino. We don't like casinos -- we neither smoke nor gamble. They can be smelly with cigarette smoke -- but they are easily avoidable! That has never deterred us from cruising other lines and as long as you are aware of it, figure out the location and how to avoid it, it's easy to have a great cruise without any disappointments or problems. So many cruise lines now are offering so much to do for both adults and families and many are getting kudos for great kids clubs, too. I can tell you that one thing we have noticed on other lines is that Disney is not locked in with the only good food options and buffets. NCL and Carnival offered us great free options for alternate dining like Irish pubs, taco and hamburger stands, Italian and Asian and much better buffet food (we felt) than Disney. Just some obervations. Hope it helps.