What can DCL do to make their pricing "worth it"?

[Dug720]

I hate to break it to you, but DCL isn't immune to norovirus. There have been outbreaks on Disney ships too!

I personally haven't noticed DCL to be above any of the lines I've cruised in cleanliness. Different ships, different crews I guess.

I hate hate hate buffets and don't patronize them land or sea, but I do wish that the cruise lines would have staff served buffets from the beginning.

But then it is not a buffet. It is a cafeteria. Buffets by their very nature are self-serve.

If you like the cafeteria style, you should check out HAL. Their "buffet" is cafeteria style for the first 48 hours - only I never saw a difference (beyond not having salt and pepper in packets - they actually trusted us with shakers after 48 hours) even after that. All cafeteria style all the time unless in the MDR or specialty dining.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

One day I'd like to do a Viking river cruise but that will probably be once I have an empty nest.

The good news is in a couple of years you'll be able to take an over-priced Disney River Cruise when they finish building the two ships that they have on order to compete with Viking

 

[bobbiwoz]

I will continue to go on DCL as long as I like their cruises. I was on a 9 night RCCL cruise last December and spent much time wishing I were on DCL. That is not to say I do not like RCCL or Princess or even Carnival cruises. I chose by itinerary, friends I travel with and price.

 

[TifffanyD]

The kids clubs at DCL are the nicest looking and have the longest hour of any cruise line I've looked into. A lot of lines the clubs close for lunch and dinner times, aren't open while in port, etc. They also, from the pictures, look a lot less interesting. I looked at princess, but my middle child, at the time 7, would have been stuck in a club for 3-7 year olds. He would have hated it. Also, a lot of the kids clubs on other lines do group activities, not the free structure of activities like Disney. There are also perks like Cinderella and Olaf actually coming into the clubs and participating in activities with the kids that you are not going to get on other lines. If you have younger kids, the clubs are a HUGE perk!

I'll also say, as someone with a food allergy, I have yet to find a line that will accommodate that like Disney does. This may change in the future, but as of now, DCL is the only line I trust with my allergy and who can offer me a wide variety of options. I'm not stuck with salad at every meal!

Speaking of food, I wasn't super impressed on the Fantasy, but I found the food on the Magic to be a whole lot better. I'm guessing it's just less people per night. But I didn't think it was average, it was above average mostly. Of course, maybe a European sailing is the difference? I don't know.

Personally, I still find DCL is "worth it" when sailing with my kids. As they get older we'll see. I am considering Princess for AK at some point with just my husband, as long as I can eat. But it doesn't look like one I'd enjoy taking my kids on or that they would enjoy.

I'm not sure why you quoted me as none of the things you mentioned have a cost. So not really nickel-and-diming

 

[DahliaRW]

I'm not sure why you quoted me as none of the things you mentioned have a cost. So not really nickel-and-diming

You asked "What are all the places where these other cruise lines nickel-and-dime you that DCL doesn't? Soda... ok. What else do you really get free on DCL that you don't get elsewhere?"

On other lines they charge extra for kids club hours and such (I believe on RCCL it's after 9pm). FOR FREE you get the extended kids club hours, better clubs, better activities in the clubs, etc. And, while it may not be an extra cost on DCL, it's added value to what they offer over other lines (which while not other lines nickel and diming, it's offering less for the money you pay, if that makes sense). I was only addressing your post with my first paragraph. The others were just other reasons DCL is worth it to me. But I could relate them to my post. I can't get the food allergy accommodation on other lines, I get that for free on DCL, see what I mean?

 

[TifffanyD]

On other lines they charge extra for kids club hours and such (I believe on RCCL it's after 9pm). And, while it may not be an extra cost on DCL, it's added value to what they offer over other lines (which while not other lines nickel and diming, it's offering less for the money you pay, if that makes sense). I was only addressing your post with my first paragraph. The others were just other reasons DCL is worth it to me.

Ah ok... I know nothing about kids clubs since we are DINK's. Which is another reason why we are finding less value in DCL (paying for things we don't use)... haha

 

[lisamarie12]

Aside from lowering the price, the only thing that I can think of which would make it close to "worth it" is to add some sort of complimentary drink package and perhaps some more (free) personalized character interactions. Not necessarily 1 on 1, but something more than a 30 second hello and picture in the lobby. What makes it hard for me is the price is so high. The character interactions and the Disney brand are what makes Disney a standout to me. But I have my price. I am willing (when life permits) to pay more for better quality. But only so much. Right now when I could save over $1000 for a week on Oasis vs. Disney Fantasy, I just can't justify the price difference. (And imagine the price difference on a more budget friendly ship than the Oasis). Now if it were $500 difference, I would do it. They just have me priced out right now.

 

[The Sasquatch]

Ah ok... I know nothing about kids clubs since we are DINK's. Which is another reason why we are finding less value in DCL (paying for things we don't use)... haha

Just like everything else, everyone has their own things that make something worth it or not. For those of us with kids, I would say the clubs are one of the top 3 reasons to go DCL. Nobody does it like Disney

Someone made reference to not buying cars or booking hotels because of appearance. Really? I would say that would be the number one criteria, I really cant relate to picking something solely on price.

Topics like this are what makes the forums go round!

I still want the Dream to go to Key West and I would like more NYC sailings

 

[jahber]

In terms of kids' clubs, yes, other cruise lines charge sometimes for extended hours. For example, Carnival has night owl parties. But they are actual parties and the kids come back with swag--and the counsellors will deliver your kids to you if the party is one of the late ones. We are cheap skates, but we always spring for a Night Owls party. It's totally worth it. And anyway, given the thousands of dollars in price difference, other cruise lines would have to charge all day for clubs to "nickel and dime" us up to DCL prices. As for the clubs being better on DCL, not so much. Don't assume from pictures. Other cruise lines' clubs are stepping it up majorly.

In terms of cleanliness, the cleanest ship I've ever been on was the Carnival Breeze. I sailed her right after the Wonder (can you say peeling paint and rust stains???). One night I was returning to my room on the Breeze quite late, and I saw a crew member down on the floor with a scrub brush cleaning the carpet. And of course people cleaning all over, all the time. Until you've sailed on the other lines' newer ships, you really can't compare. You just can't. You can say you prefer something, based on appearances, but as for boots on the ground, physical comparisons, you need to see the dozens of chips in the Fantasy and Dream's pool deck and the rust and paint and carpet and leaking bathrooms and ceilings that jiggle and make noise ALL NIGHT and then see how other newer ships compare. You might be surprised.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I'll also say, as someone with a food allergy, I have yet to find a line that will accommodate that like Disney does. This may change in the future, but as of now, DCL is the only line I trust with my allergy and who can offer me a wide variety of options. I'm not stuck with salad at every meal!

What other lines have you sailed with that weren't able to accommodate your allergy? We've not had problems on Carnival, Royal or Celebrity.

 

[The Sasquatch]

In terms of kids' clubs, yes, other cruise lines charge sometimes for extended hours. For example, Carnival has night owl parties. But they are actual parties and the kids come back with swag--and the counsellors will deliver your kids to you if the party is one of the late ones. We are cheap skates, but we always spring for a Night Owls party. It's totally worth it. And anyway, given the thousands of dollars in price difference, other cruise lines would have to charge all day for clubs to "nickel and dime" us up to DCL prices. As for the clubs being better on DCL, not so much. Don't assume from pictures. Other cruise lines' clubs are stepping it up majorly.

In terms of cleanliness, the cleanest ship I've ever been on was the Carnival Breeze. I sailed her right after the Wonder (can you say peeling paint and rust stains???). One night I was returning to my room on the Breeze quite late, and I saw a crew member down on the floor with a scrub brush cleaning the carpet. And of course people cleaning all over, all the time. Until you've sailed on the other lines' newer ships, you really can't compare. You just can't. You can say you prefer something, based on appearances, but as for boots on the ground, physical comparisons, you need to see the dozens of chips in the Fantasy and Dream's pool deck and the rust and paint and carpet and leaking bathrooms and ceilings that jiggle and make noise ALL NIGHT and then see how other newer ships compare. You might be surprised.

We can agree to not agree. I have seen plenty of ships parked next to DCL in ports and every time, I am grateful I am sitting on a Disney boat. I have yet to experience any of the rust, paint, carpet, leaks, on the Dream and just as you were so impressed about someone scrubbing a carpet, I was equally impressed with the guys walking around with tiny paintbrushes on DCL touching everything up and the guys scrubbing the lifeboats at every stop. In regards to the clubs, feel free to research it here and the vast majority of people will tell you the kids prefer DCL hands down. They have plenty of parties and "swag" and its all free. The cast members come to the MDR's every night to pick up all the kids, etc.

You see, thats what makes America great, I dont have to agree and neither do you. You are free to take your money wherever you like but for me its DCL.

 

[DahliaRW]

What other lines have you sailed with that weren't able to accommodate your allergy? We've not had problems on Carnival, Royal or Celebrity.

I emailed the CS team of several lines and all of them said that there was no guarantee my allergy could be accommodated nor that they could make safe food for me. Without that, I'm not going to even try. Can't be stuck at sea not able to eat! It has been a couple of years since I last checked, however. I've never had a reaction DCL, though!

 

[jahber]

We can agree to not agree. I have seen plenty of ships parked next to DCL in ports and every time, I am grateful I am sitting on a Disney boat. I have yet to experience any of the rust, paint, carpet, leaks, on the Dream and just as you were so impressed about someone scrubbing a carpet, I was equally impressed with the guys walking around with tiny paintbrushes on DCL touching everything up and the guys scrubbing the lifeboats at every stop. In regards to the clubs, feel free to research it here and the vast majority of people will tell you the kids prefer DCL hands down. They have plenty of parties and "swag" and its all free. The cast members come to the MDR's every night to pick up all the kids, etc.

You see, thats what makes America great, I dont have to agree and neither do you. You are free to take your money wherever you like but for me its DCL.

Oh, I agree that the Dream is a lovely ship. She'll always be my favorite, since she was the first (and second and fourth) ship I ever sailed on. But how does she and the older DCL ships compare to other lines' ships you've sailed? That was what my post was about.

 

[MunFam]

I swear the guy was making fresh popcorn outside the movie theatre. This was on the Wonder in Alaska. Maybe it's different on the other ships. Or I was tricked by the Disney magic.

Yes, there was definitely fresh popcorn on the Wonder in May.

 

[MunFam]

I emailed the CS team of several lines and all of them said that there was no guarantee my allergy could be accommodated nor that they could make safe food for me. Without that, I'm not going to even try. Can't be stuck at sea not able to eat! It has been a couple of years since I last checked, however. I've never had a reaction DCL, though!

I think those answers are based on liability reasons. I have yet to come across a restaurant or cruise line that will guarantee no cross contamination/safe dining.

Disney actually gave us the same answer you got from other cruise lines when I was dealing with their shore-side dining team prior to our WBPC cruise. (eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, so nothing too out there). On the actual ship we had quite a few cross contamination issues (that we caught prior to consumption) and know of 2 different families that ended up in medical due to anaphylactic reactions from cross contamination. We have NEVER had issues on HAL. EVER! So please be careful assuming that just because its Disney you are guaranteed to be safe. I know they have a wonderful reputation, but based on our experience and a few other's reviews recently, it seems like they are falling behind compared to their in park dining.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

Oh, I agree that the Dream is a lovely ship. She'll always be my favorite, since she was the first (and second and fourth) ship I ever sailed on. But how does she and the older DCL ships compare to other lines' ships you've sailed? That was what my post was about.

I believe you'll find that for a statistically significant percentage of posters on this board, that total would be asymptotic to zero.

 

[squirk]

Yes, there was definitely fresh popcorn on the Wonder in May.

And the Fantasy this June outside the WD Theater (Preludes?).

 

[TifffanyD]

Hooray for fresh popcorn! My last (and probably last) DCL was last October and I didn't have time for a movie so don't recall popcorn but I know before that it was bagged

 

[AquaDame]

Just like everything else, everyone has their own things that make something worth it or not. For those of us with kids, I would say the clubs are one of the top 3 reasons to go DCL. Nobody does it like Disney

Someone made reference to not buying cars or booking hotels because of appearance. Really? I would say that would be the number one criteria, I really cant relate to picking something solely on price.

Topics like this are what makes the forums go round!

I still want the Dream to go to Key West and I would like more NYC sailings

That would be me for part at least - I didn't say anything about hotels, just cars, and I certainly didn't mention price in relation to beauty. I look for things like gas mileage, amenities on the INSIDE of the car where I actually am, reviews, price (yeah, it does eventually come into it) and then maybe which one is prettier. As long as you mention it though I would certainly choose an uglier on the outside hotel if the reviews and price were better and it was nice on the inside.

 

[jahber]

I believe you'll find that for a statistically significant percentage of posters on this board, that total would be asymptotic to zero.

Well, yeah. And I know that. I do. And yet, I keep trying to have discussions about comparing actual experiences on other lines. What's the definition of insanity again?