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

[TifffanyD]

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?

 

[perditax]

beg to differ. DCL has the most beautiful ships and cabins of any cruise line out there, and thats worth a premium

Which new ships/cruise lines have you been on recently?

Sincere question.

To answer the original question: I don't think DCL could do much to make their current prices worth it to me. "Become a luxury cruise line" is the closest answer, but there are already other options out there. Disclaimer: I haven't been on DCL yet (27 days to go) but I strongly suspect it's going to be my last DCL cruise. Since I booked this cruise, quite a few things have happened, including my first cruise on the Norwegian Getaway; my favorite place on that ship was the thermal suite, and DCL doesn't have anything like it. Nor the library. And in the seven months since I booked, I have seen nothing but reports of the DCL food going rapidly downhill. I know cruise food is cruise food, but at the prices one pays for Disney, I can go for one of the more upscale lines like Celebrity or Crystal AND get my quiet water features, libraries, and good food. In fact, my next cruise after DCL will be Celebrity.

Bigger-picture answer: not sure DCL *needs* to change. It's got a niche and people are willing to pay loads for it. I suppose no need to fix what's broken, at least until those of us who feel the prices are ridiculous become more than a vocal minority. Someone wake me up when the sailings stop selling out.

 

[smiths02]

I am glad you mentioned this. I never see these 1/2 or 1/3 prices on the other lines and when I price out a similar trip on a similar boat its about the same plus they nickel and dime for everything else. I am glad you brought this up because I always scratch my head. I will caveat this with we intentionally look for the cheapest times to go DCL and I havent spent all that much time comparing.

In reference to the OP, the things that would excite me the most are new ports and new ships. I would like to see more New York so we dont have to fly but I would love to see the Dream go to Castaway and maybe Key West instead of Nassau

The other lines offer discounts, and Disney rarely does.
When I looked, I was looking at a busy time and current pricing (vs. opening day) for DCL compared to a discount price for someone else.
For instance, a family of 4 sailing June 6, 2016 4 night Bahamas
RCCL Oceanview $1934
DCL Oceanview $4988

 

[perditax]

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?

Nothing. The nickel-and-diming thing is often a straw-man argument, even on other forums where DCL isn't even mentioned. All mass-market cruise line fares basically include the same stuff: Buffet, MDR, some sort of basic beverage service, your room, live entertainment, a deck party or two, and maybe some poolside 'grill' food and activities. Most lines (including DCL) have some free room service foods and some a la carte room service pricing.

Sky's the limit on everything else.

 

[TifffanyD]

Nothing. The nickel-and-diming thing is often a straw-man argument, even on other forums where DCL isn't even mentioned. All mass-market cruise line fares basically include the same stuff: Buffet, MDR, some sort of basic beverage service, your room, live entertainment, a deck party or two, and maybe some poolside 'grill' food and activities. Most lines (including DCL) have some free room service foods and some a la carte room service pricing.

Sky's the limit on everything else.

Right. What Disney does offeris less choices to upgrade your experience. So while people may think it seems more inclusive - it actually has less total options. And you pay more for that. How is that better?

 

[momof2n2]

I am glad you mentioned this. I never see these 1/2 or 1/3 prices on the other lines and when I price out a similar trip on a similar boat its about the same plus they nickel and dime for everything else. I am glad you brought this up because I always scratch my head. I will caveat this with we intentionally look for the cheapest times to go DCL and I havent spent all that much time comparing.

In reference to the OP, the things that would excite me the most are new ports and new ships. I would like to see more New York so we dont have to fly but I would love to see the Dream go to Castaway and maybe Key West instead of Nassau

I 100% promise you on 3/11 we booked NCL for two verandah rooms; one a Family balcony, and one family mini suite. The total for the eight of us (mom/dad/6kids) was $5400.

A week or two later on the opening day to book DCL we looked for a cruise the same week (5-15-16) on the Fantasy. And for two inside state room it was $11,000.

The itinerary was not the exact same, I admit. Under NCL we are getting Honduras, Beilize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

It really was less than half price for my family. We also got the Ultimate dining plan for booking at that time.

 

[TifffanyD]

I 100% promise you on 3/11 we booked NCL for two verandah rooms; one a Family balcony, and one family mini suite. The total for the eight of us (mom/dad/6kids) was $5400.

I believe you! We sailed on 3/1 on NCL and booked a package that included: aft balcony cabin, all alcohol, all specialty dining, tips, a hefty excursion credit, tons of photos, bottled water, internet, and a few other things. It was a couple hundred less than sailing DCL in a veranda (no bonuses)

 

[smiths02]

The other lines offer discounts, and Disney rarely does.
When I looked, I was looking at a busy time and current pricing (vs. opening day) for DCL compared to a discount price for someone else.
For instance, a family of 4 sailing June 6, 2016 4 night Bahamas
RCCL Oceanview $1934
DCL Oceanview $4988

And with this difference, 4 people could easily spend a few days in WDW to get those characters and shows, and then go on the RCCL cruise.

 

[Dug720]

You go by yourself on a Disney cruise? How is that experience?

Amazing. I can chill on the adult decks with my book, do the tastings and stuff I want onboard, eat at Palo and be treated like a princess, eat in the MDRs and have fantastic service, get to know my coffee makers and bartenders, meet the characters I want, see the shows, and have a great vacation.

Just like the time I was with my sister and parents celebrating the parents' anniversary.

 

[JTBE]

I pay more because of Disney's cleanliness.

 

[Happy100]

Back to OP question....

I would like to see more emphasis on tween and teens. In a nontraditional innovative Disney way. Of course my son would love a rock wall, water slides, etc. However, Disney is all about innovation/Imagineering and that is what sets them apart and demands a premium.

Currently, I feel the premium is worth it when you have small kids. I think the premium begins to devalue as the child ages.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Just curious as to what your thoughts are.

Honestly, we've never felt like DCL was that expensive for what we get. Granted, we only travel in the off season, and we typically only cruise every other year in favor of other types of trips. We enjoy the food on DCL, and have always found the service to be excellent.

The only thing I'd really appreciate seeing is more variety in itineraries, preferably with more departures from the west coast.

If we stop seeing prices we like, we'd probably just skip cruising in favor of other vacations. I like the Disney aesthetic over the other lines, so I really can't see us switching. Now I'm very excited about the Virgin Cruise line, and we'll probably give that a try.

 

[MousseauMob]

I'm not sure there is a lot they can or would be willing to do. I have to say, I don't understand the "all other lines nickle and dime you" comments. I've sailed a few lines, but comparing just HAL and DCL since I've done Alaska on both of those:

• Specialty Coffee (both lines charge)
• Specialty Restaurant (both lines charge)
• Alcohol on board (both lines charge)
• Bringing Alcohol on board (DCL 2 wine/champagne allowed(6 beers), $25 corkage - HAL 1 wine/champagne no corkage each additional bottle $18 corkage no limit)
• Soda (DCL free at fountain, charged for cans - HAL charged for cans, offer $50 dollar card for $25)

Looking at the above, it seems pretty sixes to me! Now for my family in Alaska in a 4A on DCL we can book a suite on HAL and have Concierge lounge with all the goodies including free cappuccino, bottled waters, fresh flowers, corsages on formal night, priority boarding, priority dining, free laundry (my personal favorite), and they gave us OBC, 3 premium bottles of wine, and dinner for 2 at their specialty restaurant (similar to Palo).

Having said all of that Disney is well.... Disney! People will pay for it like they will pay for Apple products. They know this and they know they don't need to "prove" value - they just have to imply pixie dust and magic. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney and will sail DCL when I want/need to get my Disney fix on, but I do it with my eyes wide open to what I'm really paying for.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Currently, I feel the premium is worth it when you have small kids. I think the premium begins to devalue as the child ages.

I disagree... we don't have kids, but we've never considered any other cruise lines.

 

[The Sasquatch]

Which new ships/cruise lines have you been on recently?

Sincere question.

Sincere Answer.

In my opinion, the DCL ships are the nicest ships in the industry in terms of fit, finish, cleanliness, size of the rooms, decor of the rooms, public spaces, etc.

I get there are new boats out there with more "things" but to me they all look like a bad 80's casino. Not a knock but not my style and i dont want to sit around in a floating mall.

 

[Plaid Princess]

In my opinion, the DCL ships are the nicest ships in the industry in terms of fit, finish, cleanliness, size of the rooms, decor of the rooms, public spaces, etc.

I get there are new boats out there with more "things" but to me they all look like a bad 80's casino. Not a knock but not my style and i dont want to sit around in a floating mall.

This. Yes!

 

[TifffanyD]

This. Yes!

But you haven't been on any others to accurately compare, right?

 

[Ofinn]

I 100% promise you on 3/11 we booked NCL for two verandah rooms; one a Family balcony, and one family mini suite. The total for the eight of us (mom/dad/6kids) was $5400.

A week or two later on the opening day to book DCL we looked for a cruise the same week (5-15-16) on the Fantasy. And for two inside state room it was $11,000.

The itinerary was not the exact same, I admit. Under NCL we are getting Honduras, Beilize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

It really was less than half price for my family. We also got the Ultimate dining plan for booking at that time.

IMO thats a better itinerary then DCLs Fantasy.

 

[AquaDame]

Sincere Answer.

In my opinion, the DCL ships are the nicest ships in the industry in terms of fit, finish, cleanliness, size of the rooms, decor of the rooms, public spaces, etc.

I get there are new boats out there with more "things" but to me they all look like a bad 80's casino. Not a knock but not my style and i dont want to sit around in a floating mall.

But... you haven't been on any of them. Whatever happened to not judging things by their outward appearance? Personally, I would never buy a car based on looks, so I'm looking forward to actually giving another line a try despite also thinking the Princess (currently my frontliner since Celebrity isn't offering what we need in Alaska next year) ships are a bit drab on the outside.

 

[gotomu212]

This is so subjective and no one is going to be "right" on this but my husband and I have put a premium value of $1500 on a 7 day cruise. That means for us we're willing to pay $1500 MORE than NCL or RCCL (newer class ships) for 2A1K.

When the price differential is over that (and just yesterday compared the Getaway with Fantasy for Sept and Oct -7 day Carribean sailings both balconies and NCL was $2200 with included speciality dining and DCL was $4200......for grins also compared Thansgiving week NCL was $4300 with speciality dining and DCL was $7500- both Carribean and both balconies again) anyway over $1500 I need better food and more evening adult activities plus way more outdoor activity (slides, zip lines, ice skating rinks) to add value for our family.