** The Official Priced Out Thread **

[Pens Fan]

But what I will miss about DCL though Is the whole fish extender community. Spending months before a cruise getting those Ready is part of the fun.

Have you checked out Cruise Critic's Roll Calls? They are very hit or miss. You may have 3 or 4 people talking to each other or 100 +. If you get lucky, you could end up with a terrific group to bond with pre-cruise. No, they don't do the FE thing, but they sometimes plan lots of other on board activities. The Roll Call for our Oct Eastern Med cruise has over 100 cruisers and we've been active for over a year now. There are multiple excursions planned in most ports together, get togethers on board and pre cruise in Rome planned, etc. Maybe you will get lucky and can find something like that for your cruise.

 

[Pens Fan]

We are platinum cruisers who have sailed only Disney until last summer. 16 cruises in 8 years. BUT I could not pay Disneys pricing for Norway. We tried Holland Americas M.S Konningsdam and what a wonderful surprise.
A beautiful 2 year old ship with a retraceable roof. MY DH,DD and I were so surprised how much we loved it! I was expecting it to be not as good as Disney but it blew them out of the water. It was the best cruise food we have had! And the food options...The itinerary was Fantastic, we actually crossed the Artic Circle into Honningsvag. So there is many other Great options out there. Our price for 14 nights (3 people) was $12 455.00 Canadian with a drink package for 2, in a verandah room. In a room we never would have been able to have on Disney. My daughter just used my card for anything she wanted. Loved it so much we are hoping to sail them again very soon.

Thanks for posting this! My husband is dying to do this itinerary. We've been waiting for NCL to release their version for 2020 (we've got a couple of their Cruise Next certificates burning a hole in our pockets), but I hadn't thought about HAL. When we were in Vancouver a couple of years ago, we stayed a couple of blocks from Canada Place for three days prior to our cruise and spent a lot of time just hanging out checking out the ships. HAL's just blew us away (at least from the outside). They were so beautiful and so well maintained. I need to take a look at their offerings.

For anyone upset over being priced out of Disney - don't despair! Sometimes it takes a gentle push to get you out of your comfort zone. For us it was Disney's limited itineraries that pushed us elsewhere. But once we tried it we discovered that while we thought we loved Disney Cruises, what we actually loved was just cruising. We also quickly discovered that mainstream cruises (and, yes, that is where Disney falls IMHO) are all more alike than different. If you can forgo the Disney characters and touches and keep an open mind, you can have a wonderful experience on other lines. For us, it was quite liberating, actually.

 

[tidefan]

You sound very triumphant. I'm really not sure what this is or what it means - no context - could have been any number of reasons. I've been on the Serenade twice and either it didn't happen when I cruised or it happened and it wasn't a big deal to me. Sorry this ruined your cruise.

I said "Found It" because if you look above in the thread, I mentioned to the poster that I was going to try to find the picture when I got home, and thus, I found it.

Your experience on the Serenade may have been wonderful. Ours was not. I can definitely say we apparently had a much better experience than you did on Carnival.

 

[pixiedustedme]

In the spirit of not starting a new thread, let me know if I should, I have some questions.

For those now paying the higher prices...

For those that expect the same DCL, are you either
A. Huge Disney fans?
B. Have the impression the DCL is the best service and other lines service is poor?

Here are my answers to your query:

A. We are Disney fans, and enjoy the Disney characters and theming- those little touches of whimsy all through the ship that DCL does so well. Even the bus ride (with cute portholes) to the ship has Disney cartoons showing, and we like that kind of thing. We don't cruise DCL just for the characters, though. There is more to Disney than characters, including a baseline of quality that I'm comfortable with, an orientation towards kids and families, and wholesomeness. I don't want a grown-up party atmosphere on a ship, but I don't want it to be sedate, either. I like wholesome fun on the cruises I take with my son.

B. I do not have an opinion that DCL offers the "best" service, because I don't have personal experience with other lines. I'm sure that very good service on many other lines is out there. But I have been quite satisfied with the service we're received on DCL and consider it to be very good.

We like the entertainment DCL offers: the shows, of course, but also the fun way they run Bingo, and all the family game shows. We also really like Disney on-demand programming in our stateroom- it's a great way to relax, and no, it's not something we can replicate in our hectic lives at home. We like the onboard scavenger hunts like Midship Detective Agency and Anna's Chocolate Chase.

There are a lot of other features we enjoy, as well. We like participating in a Fish Extender group. We like the Aqua Duck. And I really like the old-fashioned ocean liner style of the ships, with an old-fashioned promenade deck. I like to walk that and take in the view, and savor the sense of being at sea. We also love Castaway Cay.

I totally understand why people branch out and leave, to seek better pricing and different itineraries. We've sailed four cruises with DCL, three of them with different itineraries, so we haven't yet felt stifled by DCL's more limited itineraries. I'd like to travel to Cuba someday, and would be willing to cruise on another line to do so.

But in short, while I'm aware that other options are out there, DCL remains worth paying for right now for us. To each his own. Happy travels!

 

[jtntx34]

For anyone upset over being priced out of Disney - don't despair! Sometimes it takes a gentle push to get you out of your comfort zone. For us it was Disney's limited itineraries that pushed us elsewhere. But once we tried it we discovered that while we thought we loved Disney Cruises, what we actually loved was just cruising. We also quickly discovered that mainstream cruises (and, yes, that is where Disney falls IMHO) are all more alike than different. If you can forgo the Disney characters and touches and keep an open mind, you can have a wonderful experience on other lines. For us, it was quite liberating, actually.

I will have my first Disney Cruise in December, but I am already seeing it might have to be a one and done cruise. I’d like to go more places than just the Bahamas or Caribbean, and Disney seems to have convinced enough people to keep their ships full to pay premium/luxury line prices for a mainstream product.

Disney does not offer many perks that are found on other cruise lines, mainstream or luxury, (no onboard credit unless OBB, no free gratuities, no free specialty dining, and no free drinks other than sodas), and ther loyalty program offers much less than other lines as well.

I find myself completely baffled by the frenzy they create with their unorthodox cruise releases. I think perhaps it’s just that old familiar marketing ploy of keeping things scarce enough to “justify” higher prices and then because of the supposed scarcity creating a sense of something being worth more (the diamond industry does this too).

Don’t get me wrong, I am excited to try Disney Cruises. I just think the Disney touches are more important in an itinerary where I plan to stay on the ship more. I personally do not understand paying for those on port intensive cruises. Before reading all of these posts, I had imagined I might find myself falling in love with Disney after my cruise and being brand loyal, but I doubt it now.

 

[minnie4ever]

The new Virgin Voyages line has single cabins, some with a balcony.

I would like to see this on DCL, maybe the new ships will have a few.

Good to know!

 

[Madame]

We are checking NCL & RCCL for Europe 2021. I’m sure if we could cruise during off or shoulder season, or even if we weren’t a family of five we would continue to sail exclusively DCL. We can’t and aren’t, so we won’t.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Call me shocked on recent pricing, too! I was in love with the Greek itineraries and thought we may snag one for next year - um, at $30,000 for a verandah for a family of 5? We could fly first class to Australia for less than that. I think my jaw hit the floor when I tried to dummy book. I was prepared for it to be expensive but just couldn't imagine a cruise for $30k!!!

RE: the Greek island itineraries, Ouch, yes, I was amazed at the current prices...we were able to snag 2 attached rooms during the “gold” booking window, but originally, I was going to wait a week, not knowing how popular the itinerary was going to be. I think the June 22 is even more popular than the June 13, as it allows for university “kids” in the US to come as well (many have finals week just before June 13).

 

[NancyIL]

We are checking NCL & RCCL for Europe 2021. I’m sure if we could cruise during off or shoulder season, or even if we weren’t a family of five we would continue to sail exclusively DCL. We can’t and aren’t, so we won’t.

Assuming you do mean 2021 rather than 2020 - I expect RCI's 2021 Europe cruises will be released by mid-December 2019.

 

[Madame]

Assuming you do mean 2021 rather than 2020 - I expect RCI's 2021 Europe cruises will be released by mid-December 2019.

Thank-you! Yes, I did mean 2021.

 

[bbel]

 

[lklgoodman]

RE: the Greek island itineraries, Ouch, yes, I was amazed at the current prices...we were able to snag 2 attached rooms during the “gold” booking window, but originally, I was going to wait a week, not knowing how popular the itinerary was going to be. I think the June 22 is even more popular than the June 13, as it allows for university “kids” in the US to come as well (many have finals week just before June 13).

Wow, colleges get out late where you live. I live in Ohio, most colleges are done early of May here. My dd will start middle school next year, she won't get out until the very end of May. Have a great trip, I'd love to do a Greek cruise someday.

 

[tinkerone]

View attachment 387531

That's a great comparison chart.
I am able to say that our last sailing with RCCL we paid $11.95 Canadian ($8.85 US equivalent) daily for our internet package. That was to Surf and Stream and we had no issues with speed at any time. It was unlimited so we didn't have to watch our usage, which was a bonus. I hate to think what that would cost with DCL.
We also bought a BOGO dinning package with RCCL for $49.95 P.P. Canadian ($37 US equivalent) which again was a huge bargain compared to DCL and there were a lot more than two restaurants to choose from.
The only other thing I think DCL could learn from other lines is the inclusion of the ability to purchase a drink package. It was nice to have that taken care of before we traveled and not have to wonder what the final bill is at the end of a cruise. I suppose they don't want that in case it encourages drunkenness on a family cruise? Don't know why but it was great to have on RCCL.

 

[oufpat]

I was so excited when I saw DCL was going to the Greek Isles, until I saw the prices, yikes!! I've been researching other cruise lines and just put a deposit on a RCCL Greek Isle cruise. The money I save will pay for another cruise!

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for posting this! My husband is dying to do this itinerary. We've been waiting for NCL to release their version for 2020 (we've got a couple of their Cruise Next certificates burning a hole in our pockets), but I hadn't thought about HAL. When we were in Vancouver a couple of years ago, we stayed a couple of blocks from Canada Place for three days prior to our cruise and spent a lot of time just hanging out checking out the ships. HAL's just blew us away (at least from the outside). They were so beautiful and so well maintained. I need to take a look at their offerings.

For anyone upset over being priced out of Disney - don't despair! Sometimes it takes a gentle push to get you out of your comfort zone. For us it was Disney's limited itineraries that pushed us elsewhere. But once we tried it we discovered that while we thought we loved Disney Cruises, what we actually loved was just cruising. We also quickly discovered that mainstream cruises (and, yes, that is where Disney falls IMHO) are all more alike than different. If you can forgo the Disney characters and touches and keep an open mind, you can have a wonderful experience on other lines. For us, it was quite liberating, actually.

This.

Also, if you need your dose of Disney and are cruising from PC, it's so easy to get it by adding a few days in WDW before or after the cruise! That's what we'll be doing in April.

 

[SDJEL]

We booked a week on the Fantasy Western Caribbean itinerary for next April last week when we were on the Dream. Even with the 10% discount it came to $7500. My husband and I are in a balcony and the kids are in an inside cabin across the hall. For kicks, I just went to the Royal Caribbean website. Very similar itinerary, same week, same departing port, same cabin placement on the ship: we could be in 2 adjoining verandah rooms for $3000 less or a one bedroom suite for the same money on one of the newer ships with many more amenities.

We are taking a 9 day cruise on the Anthem this summer to see if we like it. We did a RC cruise a few years ago on one of the older ships and swore we would never get back on RC. We did 2 cruises last summer on Norwegian and weren’t thrilled either. But, the pricing really has become outrageous.

We take cruises because they really are an excellent value for the money and because we can all be happy. I’m curious to see how our experience is this summer.

 

[lilsonicfan]

We are checking NCL & RCCL for Europe 2021. I’m sure if we could cruise during off or shoulder season, or even if we weren’t a family of five we would continue to sail exclusively DCL. We can’t and aren’t, so we won’t.

I still haven’t sailed RCCL and one big reason is that you can’t search rooms for 5 online even though they have such rooms on some ships. You have to call. And the calling is fine but painful. I didn’t give any info but they obviously have my number now because I’ve been called several times already.

NCL does allow you to search rooms for 5 which is how I found out some of their ships have a family inside in concierge level and a family ocean view not in concierge. Handy.

Of course searching two rooms is also an option.

 

[Madame]

I still haven’t sailed RCCL and one big reason is that you can’t search rooms for 5 online even though they have such rooms on some ships. You have to call. And the calling is fine but painful. I didn’t give any info but they obviously have my number now because I’ve been called several times already.

NCL does allow you to search rooms for 5 which is how I found out some of their ships have a family inside in concierge level and a family ocean view not in concierge. Handy.

Of course searching two rooms is also an option.

Yes!! I can’t stand RCCL’s site. It gives me anxiety thinking about it. & when I try for connecting cabins it tries to upcharge me for the 2nd cabin, for the same section of the ship that IS available. & then it greys out the cabin that was open 2 mins earlier.

& I thought Dis tech was crap. Makes me break out in hives. I literally avoid booking with them because I can’t navigate their site. What a waste.

 

[pspookyc]

We are taking a 9 day cruise on the Anthem this summer to see if we like it. We did a RC cruise a few years ago on one of the older ships and swore we would never get back on RC. We did 2 cruises last summer on Norwegian and weren’t thrilled either. But, the pricing really has become outrageous.

We’ve done NCL four times, including the Breakaway (my favorite ship) and RCL five times including the 9 day Anthem and 7 day Allure (western and eastern) so if you have specific question I’ll do my best to be helpful.

In a nutshell, the 9 day on the Anthem was amazing. We do like the RCL Vision and Radiance class ships for Europe, which is very port intensive, and those ships can dock in many ports that larger ships need to tender.

Paul

 

[mevelandry]

We booked a week on the Fantasy Western Caribbean itinerary for next April last week when we were on the Dream. Even with the 10% discount it came to $7500. My husband and I are in a balcony and the kids are in an inside cabin across the hall. For kicks, I just went to the Royal Caribbean website. Very similar itinerary, same week, same departing port, same cabin placement on the ship: we could be in 2 adjoining verandah rooms for $3000 less or a one bedroom suite for the same money on one of the newer ships with many more amenities.

We are taking a 9 day cruise on the Anthem this summer to see if we like it. We did a RC cruise a few years ago on one of the older ships and swore we would never get back on RC. We did 2 cruises last summer on Norwegian and weren’t thrilled either. But, the pricing really has become outrageous.

We take cruises because they really are an excellent value for the money and because we can all be happy. I’m curious to see how our experience is this summer.

So... Are you going to book RCCL instead?