Spring Break Cruise DCL vs. RCCL

[lds0191]

I have been so discouraged with the extreme fares on DCL so I compared a 2016 Spring Break cruise between DCL and RCCL on Costco's website. This is the result:

3/13/16 - 3/20/16 RCCL 7nt Inside 1736.16 (deck 2)
-95.00 OBC thru Costco
$1641.16

3/12/16 - 3/19/16 DCL 7nt Inside 4631.00 (deck 5, 6 or 7)
- 380.00 Costco Gift Card
- 445.00 10% OBB discount
- 400.00 approx. savings using Raise/Target/Redcard
- 350.00 OBC (platinum level)
$3056.00
-1641.16 RCCL cost

$1414,84 Difference (extra) to cruise Disney

Initially, it seems like it is so much more to cruise RCCL but after figuring in the discounts/savings I am able to utilize I would have to decide if it is worth cruising DCL to spend an extra $1414.84. In my opinion, it is. But, we are Disney Nerds For someone who is a frequent cruiser on RCCL I am sure the bottom line cost would be much less on RCCL. However, in my case we are cruising in December on DCL and would book onboard to get the discount and OBC. Also, we do shop at Costco so the GC would definitely be used. Each cruisers situation is different but this really gives me something to think about. Does anyone see any errors in my calculations? Truthfully, I am amazed at the results...

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Have you looked at other ways to save with RCCL like you did with DCL?

 

[Quellman]

That is a fair assessment for your family. I however do not have a costco near my home, the savings using raise/target takes effort (so I'll leave that alone provided I feel motivated enough to do it), and I certainly don't qualify for platinum OBC. So the difference to me is $2,144 more to sail on Disney. I also thought that the Platinum OBC was only $200 now? If that is the case, add another $150 to my total.

The fact that an inside room is $4600 by itself is a big old nope. $330 per person per night is a bit much. I would prefer to take a land vacation somewhere for those prices (again we may have different budgets allotted for vacations). With our current family (a little who needs naps) a verandah for us is 100% necessary to still enjoy cruising, especially since we know we spend a bit more time in the room 5-6 hours a day (an hour in the morning, 2 hours for being in the room at naps, a few hours after he goes to bed at 8pm), . Later as we grow older, a large porthole would be more appropriate since we wouldn't need to be in the room as frequently, for solo cruises an inside can be appropriate.

But the issue remains, on DCL the rack rate is $2,895 more than RCCL. Does Disney provide $2895 more value or additional benefits versus the other cruiseline? The answer is different for everyone.

 

[Ofinn]

I think they go rid of the extra OBB for platinum? If your waiting to Dec to book onboard don't you think the price will have risen significantly by then?

 

[Mickey4me!]

One thing I found when comparing cruises is to make sure I'm comparing the the correct rooms based on square footage. For example - DCL vs RCCL

DCL
Magic/Wonder Inside - 184sf
Dream/Fant Inside - 169sf
Magic/Wonder Deluxe Inside - 214sf
Dream/Fant. Deluxe Inside - 200sf
RCCL
Adventurer of the Seas - Standard Inside - 150 sf
Adventurer of the Seas - Prom.Inside - 160sf
Adventurer of the Seas - Family Inside - 324SF
Adventurer of the Seas - Prom Family Inside - 327sf

 

[emilymad]

I do agree that DCL does offer more incentives with the 10% off plus OBC. It has helped our price to only be a few hundred different than RCCL. When RCCL has promotions you often can't combine the discounts which makes it more challenging.

 

[lds0191]

Have you looked at other ways to save with RCCL like you did with DCL?

Only obc with Costco but did not check other travel agencies. Possibility there for discount.
Can't get RCCL gift card discounts with target but maybe another way? Not sure.

 

[lds0191]

I think they go rid of the extra OBB for platinum? If your waiting to Dec to book onboard don't you think the price will have risen significantly by then?

I looked at the FAQs on this forum for $$ amount. Do they need to be updated?

 

[Ofinn]

I looked at the FAQs on this forum for $$ amount. Do they need to be updated?

Unless you book today the price your looking at is not accurate. At three months out you could be looking at price increase of 1k or more over todays price. Might as well wait for GT rates at that point.

 

[lds0191]

I looked at the FAQs on this forum for $$ amount. Do they need to be updated?

That is a fair assessment for your family. I however do not have a costco near my home, the savings using raise/target takes effort (so I'll leave that alone provided I feel motivated enough to do it), and I certainly don't qualify for platinum OBC. So the difference to me is $2,144 more to sail on Disney. I also thought that the Platinum OBC was only $200 now? If that is the case, add another $150 to my total.

The fact that an inside room is $4600 by itself is a big old nope. $330 per person per night is a bit much. I would prefer to take a land vacation somewhere for those prices (again we may have different budgets allotted for vacations). With our current family (a little who needs naps) a verandah for us is 100% necessary to still enjoy cruising, especially since we know we spend a bit more time in the room 5-6 hours a day (an hour in the morning, 2 hours for being in the room at naps, a few hours after he goes to bed at 8pm), . Later as we grow older, a large porthole would be more appropriate since we wouldn't need to be in the room as frequently, for solo cruises an inside can be appropriate.

But the issue remains, on DCL the rack rate is $2,895 more than RCCL. Does Disney provide $2895 more value or additional benefits versus the other cruiseline? The answer is different for everyone.

Good point!

 

[lds0191]

Unless you book today the price your looking at is not accurate. At three months out you could be looking at price increase of 1k or more over todays price. Might as well wait for GT rates at that point.

I thought of that after the original post, lol. This could definitely change the totals.

 

[afyoung]

We lucked into a good price for a verandah stateroom on our first cruise. Now I don't know if I would ever want to cruise without one. And Disney has the split baths that are so wonderful, that you can't get on any other line in the "basic" rooms. I have spent the same amount of money at a beach house (with travel expenses and food/entertainment) for a week during peak season as I spending for a 7NWC on the Fantasy this fall. I am finding it worth it for the Disney-ness of everything and not having to do any cooking/cleaning/mom stuff like I do at a beach house. But, I would like to try another cruise line at some point. Maybe as my kids get older (or without kids). I worry that the kids clubs on other lines are not as awesome as Disney for the under 12 set. Any thoughts on that?

 

[aprincessatlast]

I have been so discouraged with the extreme fares on DCL so I compared a 2016 Spring Break cruise between DCL and RCCL on Costco's website. This is the result:

3/13/16 - 3/20/16 RCCL 7nt Inside 1736.16 (deck 2)
-95.00 OBC thru Costco
$1641.16

3/12/16 - 3/19/16 DCL 7nt Inside 4631.00 (deck 5, 6 or 7)
- 380.00 Costco Gift Card
- 445.00 10% OBB discount
- 400.00 approx. savings using Raise/Target/Redcard
- 350.00 OBC (platinum level)
$3056.00
-1641.16 RCCL cost

$1414,84 Difference (extra) to cruise Disney

Initially, it seems like it is so much more to cruise RCCL but after figuring in the discounts/savings I am able to utilize I would have to decide if it is worth cruising DCL to spend an extra $1414.84. In my opinion, it is. But, we are Disney Nerds For someone who is a frequent cruiser on RCCL I am sure the bottom line cost would be much less on RCCL. However, in my case we are cruising in December on DCL and would book onboard to get the discount and OBC. Also, we do shop at Costco so the GC would definitely be used. Each cruisers situation is different but this really gives me something to think about. Does anyone see any errors in my calculations? Truthfully, I am amazed at the results...

You seem to be like me. I am all about finding a way to make it work as far as stacking discounts. However I think your numbers really are subject to change. I definitely think a spring break cruise is only going to go up significantly by December. Also the OBC platinum level discount is old so it is now only $200. The thing with Target is that could all change. It is so much work and there is no guarantee in the end. I used to love to do the Target thing but after having loads of problems with it 2x, I find it best not to rely on that discount. Target has changed their policies overnight plenty of times. Personally I would count on maybe 5% but after that it just seems like the risk/trouble maybe not worth the reward. However that is subjective and you might find it worth it. In the end only you can decide but I agree 1400 is not too bad for a nice experience you know you will love but I would imagine the end number is just higher than you are thinking.

Have you sailed RCL before? FWIW it was about 1k for us to go on DCL vs Princess for Alaska. It was tough but we chose to pocket the 1k and go with Princess. I was nervous but honestly we ended up loving it so you never know unless you try.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Only obc with Costco but did not check other travel agencies. Possibility there for discount.
Can't get RCCL gift card discounts with target but maybe another way? Not sure.

Yes, there are a lot of TAs that offer better deals for RCCL than Costco (free gratuities and higher onboard credit). RCCL also offers different discounts throughout the year such as kids sail free, BOGO, or free balcony upgrades.

And yes, your platinum OBC is off. There is no different between CC levels now, everyone gets the same.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

With those dates and prices, I assume you're looking at the Freedom of the Seas out of PC (western) vs. Fantasy (western). Normally, I would go with RCL because it does more ports (Labadee, Falmouth, George Town, and Cozumel) vs three (Cozumel, George Town, and CC), and I would look at the Promenade interior cabins (a bit larger, and they have a picture window that overlooks the promenade).

Also, there is quite a bit more public space on Freedom, and the pool deck is huge compared to Fantasy.

However, (and this is only significant if you're traveling with children) that week is the peak of the college spring break season, so there will likely be quite a few college kids on board. Not sure that is worth the extra $200/day to cruise on Disney, but for some people, that would be a deal killer.

BTW, for the cost of the Fantasy cruise, you could get a Junior Suite on Freedom, and have $$ left over