Priced out

[ruadisneyfan2]

What on earth?? What was the theme in that area, may I ask? My mind is all over the place, and nothing is vaguely appropriate...

The name of the the bar is called The Crypt IIRC.
I don't NEED Mickey on a cruise but we love DCL's atmoshere.
For now we're not priced out but it's getting harder to justify.

 

[River Country]

Who says it's downgrading or sacrificing? An oceanview room with a massive porthole that has its own built-in seating is awesome. So are the beautiful Disney classic ships, with their classy ocean liner style, plethora of activities and excellent service. I also don't happen to be interested in a long Caribbean cruise, as the ports are relatively repetitive. In Europe I'd happily sail for a week, given the variety of ports, but there's only so much sandy beach I want to lay on during a trip, especially if I'm combining the cruise with a WDW visit.

The people "downgrading" are the ones switching to lines that offer lesser service, fewer family activities/entertainment and less attractive ships, to save money. Nothing wrong with downgrading to save money, of course- it's a logical response when money is tight. I just thought I'd clarify since the term was used towards me in a negative way.

If a person complains about being "priced out" of DCL's most overpriced offering: a 7-day cruise in a mid-ship balcony stateroom on the Fantasy in summer season, yet could afford many other great DCL options but chooses not to, then they're throwing a pity party that I'll choose not to attend.

So let the OP address your remarks

1. I have cruised DCL on the Dream in off Peak Season just sayinn
2. I have sailed NCL and RCL as well. I didn't feel the service or the ship was any less than DCL
3. I am not throwing a pity party
4. I would love to travel off peak non summer. I was simply making a comparison but its quite obvious that you have been hittin the Disney Kool-Aid a little too much.
5. I love Disney, and will continue to travel to and with Disney, and its not a question of affording it but a question of what am I getting for my money.
6. Have you ever been on another Cruise Line?

 

[tinkerone]

Oh no I was just on carnival's site. Spring break 2018 eastern Caribbean. 7 night eastern Caribbean with 4 ports. $4200 two rooms with balcony. We were planning on dcl... but their lousy schedule is not out yet. Same cruise on dcl 2017 $12000 ( 2 rooms inside not balcony). I have it on hold. What should we do?

I'm not sure if this is a serious question or not. If it is, I don't see what the question really is, LOL. For me its a no brainer......Carnival here we come!

For me I'll say it again, its the value I get for my money. DCL is nice but is it that nice? And how long will it be that nice? At what $$ value do I say pass. For us it came with the 2016 prices. There were a few years where there was not a Military or Florida rates to be had, no discounts for anyone, now its on almost every sailing. That tells me something. DCL may be selling their ships out but not at the everyday low prices they offer the general public. I don't see saying they can charge what they want because they are selling out as a valid comment. They are sailing full because they are discounting close to sailing dates. If people choose to spend the cruise fare and don't mind the cost, have at it. Keeps the cost of other cruise lines down a bit and that makes me happy.

 

[Hundredacre]

I'm not sure if this is a serious question or not. If it is, I don't see what the question really is, LOL. For me its a no brainer......Carnival here we come!

For me I'll say it again, its the value I get for my money. DCL is nice but is it that nice? And how long will it be that nice? At what $$ value do I say pass. For us it came with the 2016 prices. There were a few years where there was not a Military or Florida rates to be had, no discounts for anyone, now its on almost every sailing. That tells me something. DCL may be selling their ships out but not at the everyday low prices they offer the general public. I don't see saying they can charge what they want because they are selling out as a valid comment. They are sailing full because they are discounting close to sailing dates. If people choose to spend the cruise fare and don't mind the cost, have at it. Keeps the cost of other cruise lines down a bit and that makes me happy.

It is serious! We had decided to do disney that week in march2018 because it is kind of the "least expensive" time of year we could do dcl. We are on dcl this upcoming spring break. Summer and christmas break are our other options: not good options. Well... we will be going on our first carnival next summer (vista 8 night southern carribean) and so I was on their site last night and could not believe the price. This is a 7 night on the magic which is rated 4.5 on cruise critic (same as the wonder) and 71% of cruisers loved it (verses 75% on the wonder) and stops at grand Turk, san Juan, amber cove, and st.thomas. I am also a little annoyed that dcl waits so long to release their dates for booking. We are leaning towards doing it. I think we have another 24 hours on the hold.

 

[Ofinn]

Oh no I was just on carnival's site. Spring break 2018 eastern Caribbean. 7 night eastern Caribbean with 4 ports. $4200 two rooms with balcony. We were planning on dcl... but their lousy schedule is not out yet. Same cruise on dcl 2017 $12000 ( 2 rooms inside not balcony). I have it on hold. What should we do?

I wouldn't expect DCL's 2018 rates to be any less than 2017. Just keep in mind if your booking Carnival with the reduced deposit early saver rates those deposits are non-refundable, but it price of the cruise goes down they give you OBC. The "more for merrior" rates are usually the lowest at the time and the deposits are refundable. Sorry if you already know all this. It was a little confusing for me when I first started looking at Carnival. I wasn't used to all the different rates with different cancellation policies. I personally won't book a cruise with a nonrefundable deposit, but if your someone that never changes their mind (I'm not one of those people)then those rates can be really great especially if the price drops.

 

[Hundredacre]

I should add that is carnival's magic not dcl magic.

 

[Hundredacre]

I wouldn't expect DCL's 2018 rates to be any less than 2017. Just keep in mind if your booking Carnival with the reduced deposit early saver rates those deposits are non-refundable, but it price of the cruise goes down they give you OBC. The "more for merrior" rates are usually the lowest at the time and the deposits are refundable. Sorry if you already know all this. It was a little confusing for me when I first started looking at Carnival. I wasn't used to all the different rates with different cancellation policies. I personally won't book a cruise with a nonrefundable deposit, but if your someone that never changes their mind (I'm not one of those people)then those rates can be really great especially if the price drops.

I find their deposits confusing too. And we do change our minds sometimes so it is kind of a bummer. It would probably motivate us to stay the course. I might call them before booking and ask if it is possible to change to the refundable deposit.

 

[Ofinn]

I find their deposits confusing too. And we do change our minds sometimes so it is kind of a bummer. It would probably motivate us to stay the course. I might call them before booking and ask if it is possible to change to the refundable deposit.

As long as you haven't put any money down it won't be a problem. I have put rooms on hold and switched rates before I paid the deposit. I've booked twice before and cancelled. The one nice thing about Carnival is that you can cancel online. They send you a cancellation email, and they refund money faster than DCL. 48 hours both times for my money to be back in my account.

 

[Shanti]

its quite obvious that you have been hittin the Disney Kool-Aid a little too much.

Since you insist on speaking in cliches, I'll respond in kind and say that my "Disney Kool-Aid" tastes a lot sweeter than your sour grapes.

 

[Sanchez]

Read the post I was responding to. It was quite harsh towards me- telling me I was "downgrading & sacrificing for the sake of Disney", just because I'd suggested some more affordable DCL options, so I defended myself.

Like I said, there's nothing wrong with downgrading, economizing, sailing different lines like RCL or Carnival, or making different choices other than a 7-night summer mid-ship balcony cruise on the Disney Fantasy (which I myself neither could afford nor want). But this "Priced Out" thread is based on the OPs anger that he can't afford only DCL's most overpriced cruise option, & he wants sympathy/commiseration, instead of other options. So in that case, I don't think it's out of line to call it a pity party.

The bolded just cracks me up. I guess there is overpriced, more overpriced and most overpriced.

Reading these overpriced fare threads is a bit depressing. Not because I am concerned with what DCL chooses to charge, but because of the way some people are willingly accepting less to stay on DCL. Length of cruise, cabin class and itinerary are very important considerations for many cruisers. To willingly accept that you will need to cruise fewer days in a lesser cabin is simply not comprehensible to me.

I think DCL has a good product and likely the best I have experienced when traveling with young children. However, in the last four years we have experienced the DCL Fantasy, Regal Princess and RCCL Oasis. We preferred RCCL and Princess over Disney. The notion that other lines are considered downgrading is absurd. It IS, objectively, downgrading to go from balcony to interior and from a seven day to a four day cruise. I wonder whether the ardent DCL defenders have even tried another cruise line.

 

[jahber]

Read the post I was responding to. It was quite harsh towards me- telling me I was "downgrading & sacrificing for the sake of Disney", just because I'd suggested some more affordable DCL options, so I defended myself.

Like I said, there's nothing wrong with downgrading, economizing, sailing different lines like RCL or Carnival, or making different choices other than a 7-night summer mid-ship balcony cruise on the Disney Fantasy (which I myself neither could afford nor want). But this "Priced Out" thread is based on the OPs anger that he can't afford only DCL's most overpriced cruise option, & he wants sympathy/commiseration, instead of other options. So in that case, I don't think it's out of line to call it a pity party.

I can't afford DCL's prices anymore and I only ever sail in the most "off" of off seasons. The two inside cabins I was looking at were $4500 more - yes, four THOUSAND five hundred dollars more - than two comparable insides on the Freedom of the Seas, a comparable ship. More than double. In early/mid September. Hahahaha. No. How anyone could defend that type of nonsense price is beyond me. Pay or or don't pay it, but let's not pretend that DCL is "affordable" anymore. If you can pay those prices, that's fantastic, but most people would consider DCL's prices any time of the year to be unaffordable. And believe me, it used to be relatively affordable before for us. We sailed 6 times om DCL in two years. We haven't sailed at all in the past two years because the prices are absurd. But no need to pity me. I've got $4500 to make up for the lack of "free soda" on Royal. Woo hoo!

 

[Ofinn]

The bolded just cracks me up. I guess there is overpriced, more overpriced and most overpriced.

Reading these overpriced fare threads is a bit depressing. Not because I am concerned with what DCL chooses to charge, but because of the way some people are willingly accepting less to stay on DCL. Length of cruise, cabin class and itinerary are very important considerations for many cruisers. To willingly accept that you will need to cruise fewer days in a lesser cabin is simply not comprehensible to me.

I think DCL has a good product and likely the best I have experienced when traveling with young children. However, in the last four years we have experienced the DCL Fantasy, Regal Princess and RCCL Oasis. We preferred RCCL and Princess over Disney. The notion that other lines are considered downgrading is absurd. It IS, objectively, downgrading to go from balcony to interior and from a seven day to a four day cruise. I wonder whether the ardent DCL defenders have even tried another cruise line.

That is funny. I Didnt even notice the bolded. I guess we should start ranking dcl cruises by how much they are overpriced.
Ive noticed the biggest defenders of dcl on these boards are the ones that havent even cruised dcl that much....much less another line. I see more and more platinum cruises that have watched the prices go up and up start looking elsewhere They are the ones that are more open minded. There is one big dcl cheerleader on this boards, and when I asked the poster if he/she was platinum. Their response was well no Im not rich.. kind of proved my point.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I've done 3 Carnival cruises, 2 RCCL, & 17 DCL and another next month.
We do what works for us and others should do what works for them. It's not a matter of right or wrong.
We all have certain aspects of vacation that are a must and other parts you don't mind tweaking to make it affordable. It really shouldn't matter to anyone what aspects someone else is not willing to budge on.

Some would rather only cruise if they can get a suite, even if that means less often, others may prefer to cruise more often in an inside cabin or have a longer cruise on a cheaper line.

No different than if I choose to stay 5 nts at BC/YC but someone else would prefer 2 weeks at Pop for the same money. Or yet another would rather have season passes to Six Flags for less money than 2 days in WDW.
Like politics & religion, for some reason people feel the need to convince others that their way is the best/right way.

 

[disneybass]

I've done 3 Carnival cruises, 2 RCCL, & 17 DCL and another next month.
We do what works for us and others should do what works for them. It's not a matter of right or wrong.
We all have certain aspects of vacation that are a must and other parts you don't mind tweaking to make it affordable. It really shouldn't matter to anyone what aspects someone else is not willing to budge on.

Some would rather only cruise if they can get a suite, even if that means less often, others may prefer to cruise more often in an inside cabin or have a longer cruise on a cheaper line.

No different than if I choose to stay 5 nts at BC/YC but someone else would prefer 2 weeks at Pop for the same money. Or yet another would rather have season passes to Six Flags for less money than 2 days in WDW.
Like politics & religioin, for some reason people feel the need to convince others that their way is the best/right way.

Thanks, I agree

 

[DisMommyTX]

I guess it makes me feel a little better to know that prices have gone up so much lately. I've been surprised to learn that many of our acquaintances have sailed on DCL in the past, and I couldn't imagine how they could all afford these prices. Makes more sense to know that they didn't pay these prices.

We wanted to go on our first Disney cruise next summer, but $12K was just not going to happen. We are instead going over Thanksgiving, and the relative costs seem much more reasonable to me.

For a family of 4 in OV, 7 night Western Carib over Thanksgiving, we found the following options:

Disney Magic, $5700
Oasis of the Seas $4700
Norwegian Getaway $3800
Carnival Breeze $3600

So, Disney's cruise is not twice as much as the others, more like 20-60% more. Yes, it is more expensive, but we have tried the other lines, and I am willing to pay to see if it is 'worth it' to us. There is no way I can justify paying 2x more than comparable itineraries during the summer months.

Hopefully, the launch of their new ships in a few years will help lower costs based on supply and demand.

 

[DnA2010]

We can afford DCL- and I'm sure we will cruise it again, but once you factor in the exchange (we are Canadian) we just don't see the value in the extra thousands- we tried DCL fantasy last year and while we did love it, we loved our RCL Oasis just as much - maybe the hype was too big for us? That was a VGT rate too, can't imagine paying the rack rates, even in the early release dates.
That's just us though..

 

[cmph]

I guess it makes me feel a little better to know that prices have gone up so much lately. I've been surprised to learn that many of our acquaintances have sailed on DCL in the past, and I couldn't imagine how they could all afford these prices. Makes more sense to know that they didn't pay these prices.

We wanted to go on our first Disney cruise next summer, but $12K was just not going to happen. We are instead going over Thanksgiving, and the relative costs seem much more reasonable to me.

For a family of 4 in OV, 7 night Western Carib over Thanksgiving, we found the following options:

Disney Magic, $5700
Oasis of the Seas $4700
Norwegian Getaway $3800
Carnival Breeze $3600

So, Disney's cruise is not twice as much as the others, more like 20-60% more. Yes, it is more expensive, but we have tried the other lines, and I am willing to pay to see if it is 'worth it' to us. There is no way I can justify paying 2x more than comparable itineraries during the summer months.

Hopefully, the launch of their new ships in a few years will help lower costs based on supply and demand.

Same here... we booked for late Dec back at the beginning of the year, then sorta freaked that everyone was talking about the high prices. Thing was I HAD price-compared, and it wasn't that much worse, at most $1k for comparable dates/length of cruise (didn't check Carnival, though, tbh). I'm totally cool with the price difference, b/c we have kids, and it's a Bahamian that is heavy with at-sea days so we're going to get the most out of the ship... and we really want to visit Castaway Cay while the kids are young. I wouldn't necessarily be able to justify a ports-heavy trip, or an adults-only trip, but for us - it will be worth it.

However, I'm taking a lot of mental notes on everything I read here for future trips, that's for sure!

 

[heather4Disney]

We are going on our first Disney cruise -- first ever cruise later this year. We just spent $5000 on an all-inclusive resort in Mexico for the 5 of us and we were SOOOOooo disappointed. i wish i could have taken back that money and spent a bit more to have a more memorable experience. We will definitely try other cruise lines after this one.

 

[Ofinn]

I guess it makes me feel a little better to know that prices have gone up so much lately. I've been surprised to learn that many of our acquaintances have sailed on DCL in the past, and I couldn't imagine how they could all afford these prices. Makes more sense to know that they didn't pay these prices.

We wanted to go on our first Disney cruise next summer, but $12K was just not going to happen. We are instead going over Thanksgiving, and the relative costs seem much more reasonable to me.

For a family of 4 in OV, 7 night Western Carib over Thanksgiving, we found the following options:

Disney Magic, $5700
Oasis of the Seas $4700
Norwegian Getaway $3800
Carnival Breeze $3600

So, Disney's cruise is not twice as much as the others, more like 20-60% more. Yes, it is more expensive, but we have tried the other lines, and I am willing to pay to see if it is 'worth it' to us. There is no way I can justify paying 2x more than comparable itineraries during the summer months.

Hopefully, the launch of their new ships in a few years will help lower costs based on supply and demand.

Rest assured prices have gone up a lot. I just saw the VGT rate for the Oct 15 was around 4600 for a family of four on the Fantasy. Two years ago we paid 3200 for VGT rate in the Fall on the Fantasy. Now 4600 may not sound like a bad price for the Fantasy, but it is hurricane season and you could sail on other cruise lines for half that. Prices on the Off season Winter and Spring cruises are shocking to me. 3k more than I paid just 18 months ago with GT rate. They may offer the GT rates, but it's going to be no where near what I paid in 2014 and 2015.

Just to give you a comparison before I switched to the Med cruise on the Carnival Vista I had booked the Vista Thanksgiving week.11 night Southern Caribbean cruise on the Carnival vista an Ocean view room for 2,700. So DCL is more than twice as much as that cruise and its 4 nights longer.

I hope you enjoy your DCL cruise. We have have always had a wonderful time. We will continue to sail on them when we find a good last minute deal, but my yearly raises are not keeping up with DCL's price increases.

So when your acquaintances talk about sailing on DCL 2-3 years ago remember they paid a lot less.

 

[CesD]

Rest assured prices have gone up a lot. I just saw the VGT rate for the Oct 15 was around 4600 for a family of four on the Fantasy. Two years ago we paid 3200 for VGT rate in the Fall on the Fantasy. Now 4600 may not sound like a bad price for the Fantasy, but it is hurricane season and you could sail on other cruise lines for half that. Prices on the Off season Winter and Spring cruises are shocking to me. 3k more than I paid just 18 months ago with GT rate. They may offer the GT rates, but it's going to be no where near what I paid in 2014 and 2015.

Just to give you a comparison before I switched to the Med cruise on the Carnival Vista I had booked the Vista Thanksgiving week.11 night Southern Caribbean cruise on the Carnival vista an Ocean view room for 2,700. So DCL is more than twice as much as that cruise and its 4 nights longer.

I hope you enjoy your DCL cruise. We have have always had a wonderful time. We will continue to sail on them when we find a good last minute deal, but my yearly raises are not keeping up with DCL's price increases.

So when your acquaintances talk about sailing on DCL 2-3 years ago remember they paid a lot less.

agree.
sailed last year and sailing the same week this year was double the price. Trying out RC instead. Taking into consideration that they visit some of the same ports, it is hard to justify the price. Been to Castaway Cay twice and while it is amazing, it isn't worth 2x the price and it isn't even guaranteed.

I say DCL prices are goin up like the housing market pre recession. Makes no sense why sailing the same week the following year would double in price and I doubt amenities will be twice as good. They'll probably be pretty much the same, so what's the extra $$ for?