Why are Disney cruises still so expensive?

[John VN]

I can't find the MSC cruise that you describe. The closest is 6/2 - 6/6 2024. The price seems to check out, though.

OOPS -- Yes 6/2, should have NOT made that error since DW booked it and it's our 51st anniversary.

 

[European]

I find the European versus American discussion, fascinated because I’m an American that’s living in Germany for the past 20 years. The main reason why Disney has mainly Americans, and quite a few British on European Sailings is the fact that even well-paid Europeans can’t afford it. Americans make more money. ( I know, I know not everyone makes good money in the) but I work in the travel industry on the commercial side and the fact is Americans have a WTP - willingness to pay more, which increases our yields.

A good example is I’m on FB and Disney will do sponsored ads for Disney cruise line in German for the German market. EVERY comment to these ads are basically “who the heck can afford” does Disney not know how much families have to spend each month.?

For the German market, they prefer familiar lines like Aida and Meinschiff as though many Germans can speak English they prefer native language on their ship. . AND and I mean a huge AND ——these cruise lines either are all inclusive when it comes to alcohol and drinks ( Meinachiff) or include beer and wine during dinner ( Aida) I’m not implying that Germans are cruising just to get drunk they actually don’t but they just want to have a dignified glass of beer or wine at dinner. And a decent coffee or cappuccino for the afternoon coffee and cake break

Believe me, I know many rich Germans, but they are to practical as many Europeans. they will not allow themselves to be pulled under the table in their minds of by paying 3x for a cruise yet they have to pay for a beer at dinner.

I’ve been on quite a few Disney, European Sailings, and to be honest the only Europeans I have met are truly Disney fans , a Disney experience or maybe a flight to Orlando and parks would actually cost more than a cruise

, I will say that Americans once they do have money many like to spend it as fast as they earn. . Europeans are more conservative with the money.

Do you see a lot of adds, though? I thought a big reason why so little Europeans go on DCL was that DCL hardly makes publicity in Europe. When I talk about DCL to non Disney fans they are surprised Disney has its own cruise line.

 

[lanejudy]

Americans make more money.

I think this is such a gross generalization. You work in the travel industry and therefore are familiar with the Americans who can afford to travel. MOST Americans (63%) don't even own a passport, so far from doing international travel and spending that level of money. Most kids in my daughter's school have rarely been outside of our own state to say nothing of flying to WDW or overseas.

But "make more money" is hardly an apples-to-apples comparison. Americans have a higher cost of living and are required to foot the bill for a lot of things that Europeans and others don't have to pay -- one very large one is healthcare (including insurance premiums and cost for care). I would argue that the average American household has less disposable income than those in other countries.

While it may seem Americans can spend more for vacations, remember that most Americans have far fewer days off from work so what is spent on 1 week of vacation for a US family might be equivalent to 4 weeks of vacation time for a European family.

 

[John VN]

And yet I would wonder why they are selling it so cheap. You would think that if it was such a great product at an amazing price, that it would sell out instantly, almost like Disney concierge rooms do. If MSC was comparable to Disney, but selling at such a low price, why doesn't it sell out quickly like Disney does? From what I have seen MSC suffers from very poor food quality and service. Maybe that is why they have to price their rooms so low.

r.e. - bold MSC has always offered reasonable pricing in Europe and expanding into the US market (2013) it continued to hold true to that business model. By offering lower cruise fares the enjoyment of cruising the seas becomes available to many more people. The ships are clean and beautiful, the quality of the food has not disappointed us nor has the attention of their personnel.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

We booked a cruise for later this year about 5 months out. Eyeballing it, verandahs were at least 80-90% booked from what was available at the time. For whatever reason, Disney isn’t having trouble filling their ships, so no need to pull the discount lever just yet.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

While it may seem Americans can spend more for vacations, remember that most Americans have far fewer days off from work so what is spent on 1 week of vacation for a US family might be equivalent to 4 weeks of vacation time for a European family.

There was a poster who lives in Wales IIRC and she was discussing not too long ago how her son was spending 9 days in Greece with his girlfriend. The 9 days got me as well as being able to spend that in Greece. That's not the norm for many Americans. Our vacation time is often the biggest barrier never mind the costs and logistics to get to places.

 

[JM_97]

Because Disney could sell a bag of dirt for $200 and people would buy it.

 

[Kwami]

I think this is such a gross generalization. You work in the travel industry and therefore are familiar with the Americans who can afford to travel. MOST Americans (63%) don't even own a passport, so far from doing international travel and spending that level of money. Most kids in my daughter's school have rarely been outside of our own state to say nothing of flying to WDW or overseas.

But "make more money" is hardly an apples-to-apples comparison. Americans have a higher cost of living and are required to foot the bill for a lot of things that Europeans and others don't have to pay -- one very large one is healthcare (including insurance premiums and cost for care). I would argue that the average American household has less disposable income than those in other countries.

While it may seem Americans can spend more for vacations, remember that most Americans have far fewer days off from work so what is spent on 1 week of vacation for a US family might be equivalent to 4 weeks of vacation time for a European family.

It's not so bad as all of that.

1. California is farther from here than London. Hawaii and Alaska are even farther. I can travel to all kinds of places without a passport. That's much less true in European countries. Many of those countries are smaller than some of our states, even if you exclude Alaska and Texas.

2. According to the Bureau of Labor & Statistics, the average American worker gets 10-14 vacation days per year and that number increases to 15-19 days per year after 10 years of service. That's not too far off from most European countries, which offer around 20-25 days.

3. Americans actually do have more disposable income than anyone else. Here's a simple chart: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disposable_household_and_per_capita_income

 

[diablodancer]

There was a poster who lives in Wales IIRC and she was discussing not too long ago how her son was spending 9 days in Greece with his girlfriend. The 9 days got me as well as being able to spend that in Greece. That's not the norm for many Americans. Our vacation time is often the biggest barrier never mind the costs and logistics to get to places.

I’m in Scotland and 5-6 weeks is the norm in my sector plus around 11 days of public holidays (some places additionally shut between Christmas and New Year giving further time off), for reference.

 

[Kwami]

I’m in Scotland and 5-6 weeks is the norm in my sector plus around 11 days of public holidays (some places additionally shut between Christmas and New Year giving further time off), for reference.

I get 5 weeks + 11 paid holidays (including the week off between Christmas & New Year). I guess that's not typical for the US overall, but it's probably fairly typical for skilled jobs. It's mostly unskilled and lower-level jobs that don't get paid time off, unfortunately.

 

[Disneyfan628]

Our youngest is 7 and I will begrudgingly pay for a Disney cruise for now because you can’t get the same theming and characters other places. We really enjoy ourselves and are currently gold members. However I couldn’t justify the cost difference without young children. Just my opinion.

 

[Lilsia]

I think this is such a gross generalization. You work in the travel industry and therefore are familiar with the Americans who can afford to travel. MOST Americans (63%) don't even own a passport, so far from doing international travel and spending that level of money. Most kids in my daughter's school have rarely been outside of our own state to say nothing of flying to WDW or overseas.

But "make more money" is hardly an apples-to-apples comparison. Americans have a higher cost of living and are required to foot the bill for a lot of things that Europeans and others don't have to pay -- one very large one is healthcare (including insurance premiums and cost for care). I would argue that the average American household has less disposable income than those in other countries.

While it may seem Americans can spend more for vacations, remember that most Americans have far fewer days off from work so what is spent on 1 week of vacation for a US family might be equivalent to 4 weeks of vacation time for a European family.

I think that it is more fair to say that the economies are different.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I’m in Scotland and 5-6 weeks is the norm in my sector plus around 11 days of public holidays (some places additionally shut between Christmas and New Year giving further time off), for reference.

My husband gets 4 weeks but after 5 years will get a 5th and max amount. His prior job he had been with the company 15 years and had 6 weeks per year which was the max.

I had 19 days and after 5 years would bump up.

These were all to be used for everything meaning vacation, appointments, sickness,etc.

For Americans it's more common to have to work for quite a while to earn more weeks or you're far into your career that you can negotiate that in. My husband's present company started at 3 weeks but he negotiated that 4th week due to his tenure with the prior company.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I get 5 weeks + 11 paid holidays (including the week off between Christmas & New Year). I guess that's not typical for the US overall, but it's probably fairly typical for skilled jobs. It's mostly unskilled and lower-level jobs that don't get paid time off, unfortunately.

I disagree with your unskilled and lower-level jobs comment. It's a rather presumptuous way of speaking about the work culture we have in the U.S.

 

[mousefan73]

Do you see a lot of adds, though? I thought a big reason why so little Europeans go on DCL was that DCL hardly makes publicity in Europe. When I talk about DCL to non Disney fans they are surprised Disney has its own cruise line.

Yes, answer everywhere online on social but to be honest only since this past year. I think they’re trying to fill the dream in the ads. I’m referring to social are German language too. They don’t do TV but I know in their travel agency channels they are represented too. They are just too expensive for the typical German family. Germans do spend a lot of money on vacations but they won’t spend it on a Disney cruise. They can get a cruise that is basically just as good just without the Disney for a fraction of the cost. I would say an average a middle class family for four people budget around 5000 a year for vacation at Disney meds sailing you’re looking at 8 to 10,000

 

[mmouse37]

I have never had drinks pushed on me on any cruise line. And I have sailed Carnival and Royal. Yes, anyone Is subject to the dining and drinks package offers, especially on Day 1, but it is OK to shake your head and keep walking. This is a hard lesson in life - you can say No and not have to feel you are being rude. (It can take decades to master.)

A good salesman wants to make a sale. If you show no interest, they will move on to the next person. Knowing you are not interested in a drink, do yourself and the server a favor and politely decline. Better yet, just wave them away and save them the Hope of a sale.

(There is another thread right know dealing with this similar situation. Did you also watch a video about this?)

Have a great honeymoon, wherever, however you decide to do it.

There was a point a few years ago where DCL was aggressively pushing drinks by the pool. My husband was actually woken up from a nap out by the pool on two different times asking him if we wanted a drink. Thank goodness that didn't last too long. I bet people complained.

MJ

 

[mousefan73]

We booked a cruise for later this year about 5 months out. Eyeballing it, verandahs were at least 80-90% booked from what was available at the time. For whatever reason, Disney isn’t having trouble filling their ships, so no need to pull the discount lever just yet.

Actually, Disney’s sailings are highly discounted at the moment with industry rates- these aren’t public, but I’ve never seen such a selection.

I also have to come up that MSC have beautiful ships and the people on board were lovely. We did find out the MDR was not as good as Disney’s and that’s actually a USP for me as I actually like the rotational dining and being assigned on Disney I am on vacation sometimes I like to have decisions made for me so I don’t have to think lol so I have to say we didn’t eat most nights in the MDR because we enjoyed the Buffet. We were in the virtuoso.awesome ship. Indoor pool!!!
We are doing a seven night Norway from
Germany on Fantasia. We have two Stateroom’s balcony- the inside across five people. My daughter who is 16 is free because she’s a child in a double room and our total cost was under €5000.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

Actually, Disney’s sailings are highly discounted at the moment with industry rates- these aren’t public, but I’ve never seen such a selection.

Can you clarify that for me, the part about industry rates? As far as I know our cruise is not discounted and has only gone up in price.

 

[mousefan73]

Can you clarify that for me, the part about industry rates? As far as I know our cruise is not discounted and has only gone up in price.

For employees and travel industry. Kind of like people who work for airlines, get to fly at reduced rates. It’s a benefit for working in the industry. But it does have its drawbacks. I’m just saying in the past I never really saw Disney having any availability but now they do on certain sailings it’s not across-the-board. and in most cases, you would be able to get a guaranteed rate to that is highly discounted.

It’s also way for travel, professionals to experience the product and be able to sell it

 

[mousefan73]

To answer OP DCL is more expensive as they have many USPs primarily total immersion in DIsney. Whether it’s Disney themed dining, shows, movies or character m M&Gs you cant get this in any other cruise line. And people are willing to pay for this.

No other line has people standing in line in day 1 for the shops to open and buy merch. It’s simply a niche. But a huuuge niche