Priced out

[Amw1064]

This just saddens me. That is it!!!!! We have been cruising Disney for the last 13 years and I have to say I think we are priced out. My daughter has practically grown up Disney cruising and we so much want to get back on the Fantasy but I just don't think I can justify the price.

 

[Hundredacre]

On our last Disney cruise in March, our cruise director made two comments (that I heard, maybe there were more) making fun of, putting down, other cruise lines. I had never noticed that before on dcl, and it really caught my attention. I think dcl has a bit of "the emperor without clothes" going on. Obviously there is some insecurity over other cruise lines. Why, if you're so awesome do you need to put down other cruise lines?

 

[gismo1554]

Your Disney cruise is twice the price? I'm still getting over the fact that our DCL cruise was almost twice the price of our RCL cruise, but given the opportunity I'd rather take a longer vacation (ie another cruise line and a week at WDW) over paying double any day. No way I'd pay anywhere close to double, and we got a good VGT rate

yep! It's 4 extra nights but even taking that into account last year 11 nights were $1350 ($115 per night) and this year 15 are $2980 ($200 per night) roughly

 

[soniam]

We aren't priced out. However, I don't think I can justify the DCL Alaskan cruises. I was hoping to do that in 2018, and we will do Western Caribbean in summer 2017. We have more sailings on RCCL, and the prices are amazing. So, that's probably what we'll do for Alaska. If we didn't have a kid, I wouldn't bother with DCL at all. Although, I do love Remy

 

[Floridatinaherb]

mine are growing *(8/12) next year. We were all excited yesterday about the 11 day cruise as school will just be getting out. But it's double our spring break Fantasy price...literally double...for yes..4 extra days. but still about $2100 more than i wanted to pay. if only $2100 grew on trees.

If you find that money growing tree you can send it my way!!

 

[Justin91]

My wife and DS who is 9 will be doing our first DCL 7 night this Spring. I knew the cost, and was having a really hard time justifying it. But this is our 20th anniversary and we wanted to have the Disney experience for our first cruise while my son was at an age he would enjoy the Magic. If we all enjoy the cruise as much as we hope to, we may try RC next time, the price is more reasonable for us to justify.

 

[isabellea]

The canadian dollar and DCL priced me out. DH is really not convinced that DCL is worth the premium we pay after our first cruise on the Wonder and I was hoping on trying DCL once more on the Dream or Fantasy before calling it quit for good with DCL but I don’t think it will happen. I just compared pricing with RCCL and it’s crazy! A 7 nights on the Fantasy 7/22 (Western) for 2A/2C cat 7A is 10 878$CDN. A 7 nights on Oasis 7/16 (Western) for 2A/2C for a better stateroom (oversized oceanview balcony) is 7689$CDN!!! Since we were not totally impressed by DCL in March, the choice is easy to make for us!

 

[DnA2010]

The canadian dollar and DCL priced me out. DH is really not convinced that DCL is worth the premium we pay after our first cruise on the Wonder and I was hoping on trying DCL once more on the Dream or Fantasy before calling it quit for good with DCL but I don’t think it will happen. I just compared pricing with RCCL and it’s crazy! A 7 nights on the Fantasy 7/22 (Western) for 2A/2C cat 7A is 10 878$CDN. A 7 nights on Oasis 7/16 (Western) for 2A/2C for a better stateroom (oversized oceanview balcony) is 7689$CDN!!! Since we were not totally impressed by DCL in March, the choice is easy to make for us!

My DH is the same, and I do understand and kinda agree. We LOVED our cruise on the Fantasy, however all 3 of us LOVED our cruise on Oasis too..Oasis was half the cost (although we had an interior balcony which we really liked) vs an oceanview balcony.

 

[Mskay1216]

I think everyone posted some great responses and insight... my version of "priced out" is more so, " they are charging more than I'm willing to pay"... as other have posted..

it made me stop and think.. "ok we can do this" .. but "does it make sense"..

(I have taken the advise of others and looked into April vs August )

with that being said.. I already know without even waiting for opening day pricing, that, for me "it doesn't make sense" to pay what they are asking for a 7 day cruise on DCL... but to each is own

if you want to do it,
if you can do it..
do it!

you only live once

 

[MunFam]

This is an apples to steak comparison. And you forgot to include the cost of the RV... Does your RV have unlimited food with waiters and chefs preparing all your meals? Or a kids club, shows, entertainment, etc.... Of course, whether one is a better use of money is completely subjective and both have valid arguments. But they are hardly comparable experiences...

Valid argument that it is subjective. I do not go on vacation to be "served". I do not need someone bringing me drinks or making my bed. Unlimited food makes me fat. I go on vacation to make memories with my family and see new places. Shows and entertainment, yes...we drive to them. We go on excursions every single day. So for me, it is apples to apples. And the cost of the RV is zero. We own it and have a family policy of zero debt. We paid for it in full the day we bought it. So I guess for some, they go on a cruise for the convenience of it all and to be waited on and treated like a VIP. Our goal is quality family time and seeing new places and its achieved for a lot less in our RV.

 

[MamaBear58]

There are some cruises that came down in price...the 7 day Med cruises. They are actually down quite a bit from 2016 especially the Sept cruises. They are actually not a bad price at least by DCL standards.

It is the safety issues in Europe. Until resolved these are going to be reasonable and northern Europe, British Isles and Alaska will be in demand and higher.

 

[bcwife76]

We're not quite priced out but we're getting there. We have DCL#2 in January 2017 and just booked #3 for August (the 5 night Alaskan - we WERE priced out, at least in my mind, for the 7 night). Getting my DH to agree to a cruise was difficult enough, now that he's been on one Disney cruise when I ask him about other lines he's not thrilled. But I honestly think after #3 that might be it for DCL. Of course, never say never (and I'll probably book a placeholder on that cruise just in case )

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Disney currently isn't that interested in rewarding loyalty. they don't have to be. They don't have any really threatening competition for what they offer at this time.

It does not make me sad that people are saving. The way to get what you want is to save for it. I don't blame them for wanting a Disney cruise. Some of them may have even researched other lines and then come to the conclusion that it is a Disney cruise they want.

 

[Ofinn]

It is the safety issues in Europe. Until resolved these are going to be reasonable and northern Europe, British Isles and Alaska will be in demand and higher.

Weren't the last two terrorists incidents in Northern Europe? I don't see Italy or Spain to be dangerous at all. London has had it's share of incidents over the years. I think 7 day Med cruise are just a dime a dozen. Every cruise line does them every week. There is a lot of competition in that market.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Disney has dropped Greece and Turkey as ports. That recently happened. They've fallen back on the traditional Med cruise ports and they only have one ship in Europe, so they have no other options. Guests on other lines that have multiple ships in Europe have options to go to those ports if they want to. Disney has to put its one ship where the majority prefers it to be.

Large ships don't dock in London. DCL uses Dover which is a couple hours drive from London.

 

[Ofinn]

Disney has dropped Greece and Turkey as ports. That recently happened. They've fallen back on the traditional Med cruise ports and they only have one ship in Europe, so they have no other options. Guests on other lines that have multiple ships in Europe have options to go to those ports if they want to. Disney has to put its one ship where the majority prefers it to be.

I don't think they would have a problem selling a cruises that went to Greece.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

They dropped Greece and Turkey from previously scheduled cruises that were already booking. And they have not been restored as DCL ports.

Apparently they don't think anybody will cancel because they are afraid to go to Italy or Iceland or Spain. But some who prefer Disney cruises might move to other lines because the same ports are getting boring, leaving the bookings to those who don't want to go back to the same ports. And any line will go to those same ports, usually with more than one of their ships. So Disney must remain competitive on Med cruises, but also fill their ship as much as possible. Prices go way up on their "special" itineraries.

 

[MamaBear58]

Weren't the last two terrorists incidents in Northern Europe? I don't see Italy or Spain to be dangerous at all. London has had it's share of incidents over the years. I think 7 day Med cruise are just a dime a dozen. Every cruise line does them every week. There is a lot of competition in that market.

I think the issues in Turkey and Greece affect Med itineraries, whereas the risk of flying in and out of London is about the same as it has been for years. Personally, I'd go to any of those places--it's just that my kids are too young to benefit from the cultural experience of Europe. But I know a LOT of people who love to travel but are a little gun-shy about southern Europe right now.

 

[Ofinn]

I think the issues in Turkey and Greece affect Med itineraries, whereas the risk of flying in and out of London is about the same as it has been for years. Personally, I'd go to any of those places--it's just that my kids are too young to benefit from the cultural experience of Europe. But I know a LOT of people who love to travel but are a little gun-shy about southern Europe right now.

The Med cruises go nowhere near Turkey or Greece. If that's peoples reasoning its a little silly. I won't complain thought I'm always happy to see lower prices whatever the reason.

 

[Ofinn]

Disney has dropped Greece and Turkey as ports. That recently happened. They've fallen back on the traditional Med cruise ports and they only have one ship in Europe, so they have no other options. Guests on other lines that have multiple ships in Europe have options to go to those ports if they want to. Disney has to put its one ship where the majority prefers it to be.

Large ships don't dock in London. DCL uses Dover which is a couple hours drive from London.

You do have to fly into London to get to Dover. Were spending 2 days in London before our cruise.