Priced out

[TXAKDisneyFan]

I doubt we will ever sail DCL again. Here is the perfect example of why...this summer, we are going on a 30 day (personal, not rental) RV roadtrip. We are going to Grand Canyon NP, Mesa Verde NP, Durango Silverton Train ride, Pagosa Hot Springs, Colorado Springs, Rocky Mountain NP, Black Hills: Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Badlands and surrounding areas, Calgary for the Stampede, Banff, Jasper, Glacier NP, Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, Redwood NP and Napa. Our full hook up campground costs are just under $1000. Our fuel cost is just over $1000 and our activities are right around $1000. So with a $500 buffer, we are going on a 30 day vacation for $3500. Or...I can sail in an inside room for 3 nights...if I am lucky, and I have to add airfare to that cost. I just cannot bring myself to spend that kind of money.

Next year we are cruising to Alaska and then spending an extra week in the Kenai and Denali areas of Alaska. Predicted cost with airfare is about $3000.

We did the WBPC cruise last year and it was amazing. It was worth the $4200 for 3 people in an oceanview room. It worked out to be $100 per person per day. That was not too bad for all the Disney magic. I am a corporate travel agent and I see what hotels and cruise lines are willing to discount for large groups, so it usually makes me ill to think of ever paying full retail for travel.

Edit to add: The specific reason I will not do personal travel is because I just cannot plan a trip for someone knowing that they are not getting the best deal/price...but commission is a percentage of the price, so if I get them the best deal...I make no money.

Yeah, I also have a hard time believing the AK trip is only $3,000 for a cruise AND a week on land, including flights.

I'm from AK, grew up in a family that owned a motor home and boat, and the costs just for servicing an RV, gas, etc, are not cheap. If you're staying in hotels during the week on land, that's a couple hundred a night (and if you're paying less, I can pretty much guarantee they're flea bags that any Alaskan would steer you clear of). If you're renting an RV, there's also the cost of rental, servicing, parking,... There's also food for the week, and food in AK (even fast food), also isn't cheap (there are no "dollar menus").

If you want to go fishing, especially for halibut, that'll be a couple hundred dollars per person, just for the afternoon (plus freezing and shipping of any fish). Any flight seeing tours can be in the thousands. Tour buses into Denali NP range from $66.50 to $194.00 per adult. Etc etc etc...

 

[dcassetta]

The US government has issued a travel advisory to US citizens for all of europe citing especially terrorists attacks on transportation and tourist infrastructure. Saw that delta has suspended all flights to Brussels. In England specifically, Isis has threatened large attacks on London.

Delta has suspended some flights, and part of that is due to the fact the Brussels airport will not be fully functional again until July.

 

[IncredibleboysMom]

We're priced out too! I know that people have been saying this for a while, but now we sincerely agree. We have 15 DCL cruises under our belt with three more booked in the next year (probably only taking two, have to wait for sports schedules). Loved the double dips, but the cheapest I could get our family of 5 on a 4 night double dip in 2017 was over $6,000! Could we afford it? yes, but there are many more things we would rather do with that much money. Hoping the off season remains reasonable. In the meantime, we are going to Alaska on Carnival this summer (their Glacier Bay itinerary was $3500 cheaper than Disney's non-Glacier Bay for the same dates AND with worse rooms) and looking at the snazzy new Vista for next summer. To each his own, but we are finally saying enough to the mouse!

 

[Hundredacre]

Delta has suspended some flights, and part of that is due to the fact the Brussels airport will not be fully functional again until July.

Delta has cancelled all Atlanta to Brussels flights for a year.

 

[gotomu212]

My decision comes down to our vacation dollar and what it will get us. Last month our family of 3 (including grade school son) went on a 2 1/2 week safari in South Africa. This was 4 and 5 star lodges, all food/drink/alcohol included, with daily tips to our Safari guides, twice daily safari drives, plane transfers, international flight, absolutely all costs included... for $16k (the Rand is really cheap against the dollar right now). We spent nothing else out of pocket. This was also during spring break pricing.

Once in a lifetime insane experience compared against a Disney cruise it's really shocking to me. Comparing next March same time on the Fantasy-and looking at concierge since that's the closest level of service I could get to what we experience...$14,500...AND THATS ONLY 1 WEEK. (Comparing a b2b in a veranda is $12k and that doesn't include airfare/excursions/alcohol).

Before that trip I would have never imagined everything I could get -and after a bunch of Disney cruises i feel like I can adequately compare service and experience. When a DCL is the same price OR MORE than an African 4/5 star vacation we have jumped the mouse.

 

[Amanda129]

I fall in the category of I can afford it but Im not paying it. I'll admit I'm super cheap, but I blame that on my parents never having any money so I try to hold on to every cent I have.

If I come across something that interests me I might jump on it, the panama canal trip is enticing. Considering my $3k 4 night Bahamas cruise has turned into a $9k vacation the $9k for that doesn't seem that bad.

Me too! Don't get me wrong, I live and breathe Disney, but if I can't find some good deals to have Disney magic for a vacation, I can certainly find something that's at least just as entertaining at a better price. I've nearly always sailed at the lowest priced categories, and that's even getting to be ridiculously priced. I'm flying across the country this fall and staying in one of my favorite cities for 4 nights and will be spending $1700+ LESS per person than if I drove to the port, went on a Disney cruise for the same week, and didn't do any 'extras' (excursions, spa treatments, or anything else that you still have to pay for onboard).

I have what's going to be my last DCL trip for quite awhile booked for January 2017, and the only reason I've kept it is because my sister has her heart set on that trip for her birthday (her first cruise too!). Whenever I decide to cruise again, it'll likely be on another line, unless Disney starts coming down in price significantly (which is not likely, based on their pricing history).

 

[Ofinn]

My decision comes down to our vacation dollar and what it will get us. Last month our family of 3 (including grade school son) went on a 2 1/2 week safari in South Africa. This was 4 and 5 star lodges, all food/drink/alcohol included, with daily tips to our Safari guides, twice daily safari drives, plane transfers, international flight, absolutely all costs included... for $16k (the Rand is really cheap against the dollar right now). We spent nothing else out of pocket. This was also during spring break pricing.

Once in a lifetime insane experience compared against a Disney cruise it's really shocking to me. Comparing next March same time on the Fantasy-and looking at concierge since that's the closest level of service I could get to what we experience...$14,500...AND THATS ONLY 1 WEEK. (Comparing a b2b in a veranda is $12k and that doesn't include airfare/excursions/alcohol).

Before that trip I would have never imagined everything I could get -and after a bunch of Disney cruises i feel like I can adequately compare service and experience. When a DCL is the same price OR MORE than an African 4/5 star vacation we have jumped the mouse.

I couldn't agree more. What people are willing to pay to go on a Caribbean cruise is shocking. Maybe I've just been to the Caribbean to much, but I just don't get it. I can kind of understand paying the mouse's prices on a once in a lifetime European cruise, but on one of Summer Caribbean cruises????Your trip to Africa sounds amazing I would love to do that one day.

 

[Kimberly9701]

The US government has issued a travel advisory to US citizens for all of europe citing especially terrorists attacks on transportation and tourist infrastructure. Saw that delta has suspended all flights to Brussels. In England specifically, Isis has threatened large attacks on London.

List of places I have been while under a warning or advisory-

Turkey. Israel. Columbia. Egypt.

None of which were a cruise- all land extended stays. Turkey and Israel multiple times.

Here's how I look at it- There's a higher statistically probable chance of me being in a serious car accident than in a terrorist attack.

 

[mevelandry]

I checked the price for fall 2017. DH and I would love to try new port of calls after April 2017 (3rd time in the Bahamas)...

Unfortunately, nothing is lower than 1500$/pp (Alaska -5 nights-inside stateroom).

AKA DCL just showed us the door.

 

[Kimberly9701]

List of places I have been while under a warning or advisory-

Turkey. Israel. Columbia. Egypt.

None of which were a cruise- all land extended stays. Turkey and Israel multiple times.

Here's how I look at it- There's a higher statistically probable chance of me being in a serious car accident than in a terrorist attack.

Oh, I forgot- Venezuela, 10 years ago. That was too.

Doesn't mean that I'll travel to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, or Sudan. But as far as most Europe/Central America/South America destinations.. The chance is so slim. Just be aware of your surroundings.
Cruise travelers have even less to worry about in my opinion.

 

[FJS961]

Its a shame what they are doing and makes me sad. DCL was my first cruise. I have done 11 of them. We have a few non refundable deposits that I'm stuck with. Sadly I will have to use them on short cruises off season without the kids.

How is this for lunacy ... we have a deluxe owners suite (over 1000 sq ft in front of ship with large wrap around balcony) on the NCL Escape for early summer 2017 for 6 people (2A,4C) for 16K and it includes ultimate dining, beverage packages, $300 OBC and prepaid gratuiites .... priced out Fantasy for the same 7 night caribbean cruise same time frame, in a T and an R (one bedroom and royal, considering the NCL room closer to royal in size and amenities) ... was quoted 27K and 43K respectively - and that's for FIVE, the other passenger would have to go in our friends room and I'd cover that ... absolutely insane ... value for the money? poor, VERY poor

 

[bethy]

Me too! Don't get me wrong, I live and breathe Disney, but if I can't find some good deals to have Disney magic for a vacation, I can certainly find something that's at least just as entertaining at a better price. I've nearly always sailed at the lowest priced categories, and that's even getting to be ridiculously priced. I'm flying across the country this fall and staying in one of my favorite cities for 4 nights and will be spending $1700+ LESS per person than if I drove to the port, went on a Disney cruise for the same week, and didn't do any 'extras' (excursions, spa treatments, or anything else that you still have to pay for onboard).

I have what's going to be my last DCL trip for quite awhile booked for January 2017, and the only reason I've kept it is because my sister has her heart set on that trip for her birthday (her first cruise too!). Whenever I decide to cruise again, it'll likely be on another line, unless Disney starts coming down in price significantly (which is not likely, based on their pricing history).

That is really sweet of you to keep the booking for your sister's sake. Especially since it's her first cruise

 

[dcassetta]

Delta has cancelled all Atlanta to Brussels flights for a year.

Fine, Delta has suspended all flights from one airport.

 

[gismo1554]

The US government has issued a travel advisory to US citizens for all of europe citing especially terrorists attacks on transportation and tourist infrastructure. Saw that delta has suspended all flights to Brussels. In England specifically, Isis has threatened large attacks on London.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html

The official travel alerts website does not list UK hence asking where your information was coming from. I live in the UK and work for the government. The alert level is the same as it has been for years. ISIS has threatened loads of countries including the US but that doesn't mean you are any more at risk than anywhere in the world.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Its a shame what they are doing and makes me sad. DCL was my first cruise. I have done 11 of them. We have a few non refundable deposits that I'm stuck with. Sadly I will have to use them on short cruises off season without the kids.

How is this for lunacy ... we have a deluxe owners suite (over 1000 sq ft in front of ship with large wrap around balcony) on the NCL Escape for early summer 2017 for 6 people (2A,4C) for 16K and it includes ultimate dining, beverage packages, $300 OBC and prepaid gratuiites .... priced out Fantasy for the same 7 night caribbean cruise same time frame, in a T and an R (one bedroom and royal, considering the NCL room closer to royal in size and amenities) ... was quoted 27K and 43K respectively - and that's for FIVE, the other passenger would have to go in our friends room and I'd cover that ... absolutely insane ... value for the money? poor, VERY poor

Not to mention that for all that extra money Disney doesn't offer the same level of service or premium offerings you'll get on Escape. I'm thinking of looking into an upsell to Haven last minute for the 2nd leg of our upcoming Escape b2b but only if they'll hit the price I want.

 

[China Expat]

I have always had fabulous experiences on RCCL

 

[misseulalie]

I think it's stretching it to say "just for the brand name", when Disney cruises are so different, in style, quality and content, than other mass market cruises. You're also paying for the characters, the classic style of the ships, the service, and the family-friendly atmosphere.

None of those things you mentioned makes an 11 day cruise to the Baltics worth $15,000 for 2 rooms cat. 11 (which we were just quoted). We could afford this but why when we can take this money any go on 3 RCCL cruises on ships just as nice. I love DCL as much as anyone but this is out of control.

 

[Hundredacre]

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html

The official travel alerts website does not list UK hence asking where your information was coming from. I live in the UK and work for the government. The alert level is the same as it has been for years. ISIS has threatened loads of countries including the US but that doesn't mean you are any more at risk than anywhere in the world.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/worldwide-caution.html
See link above. I am on the same site you are. I am not saying I would be worried about traveling to Europe. Or anywhere. You just asked where the travel warnings were coming from. But you have to recognize that there are crazy people threatening to blow things up all over the world right now. London has been threatened. They are threatening the US too. Does this scare me? No. Frankly, I find them very ineffective with their terrorist goals (if you leave out the world trade center). Do I place a lot of stock in US government alerts? No, the US government couldn't even hack into an iphone. But, their warnings did catch my eye because I have never seen Europe on US travel warnings before.

 

[gismo1554]

Agree with all the comments on pricing. I've been sad and done some calculations on the EBTA for the last 4 years:

$1771 for 2 adults cat 11b 2014 (14 nights)
$1843 for 2 adults cat 11b 2015 (15 nights)
$1820 for 2 adults cat 11b 2016 (14 nights)
$3392 for 2 adults cat 11b 2017 (15 nights)

Now what has happened here? Really still shocked it was so high this time. If DCL are having to discount so many cruises this summer why price so high next summer?

 

[gismo1554]

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/worldwide-caution.html
See link above.

Right so its not from the actual list of Warnings as in Imminant threat which is what I was reading it as. It was the bit about UK being higher risk than other countries in Europe and places like Serbia I didn't understand and I don't think this actual says that anywhere that I can see. This is a general Caution the world is unsafe. I was looking specifically for where its saying the UK is more unsafe than other countries. We have a similar warning over here too about the US and all the other countries listed on there. I still wouldn't claim the US was more unsafe than anywhere else.

Anyway this is off the point was just trying to clarify the source of the specific UK threat as being here we haven't heard anything other than the usual.

Back to moaning about pricing