Why are Disney cruises still so expensive?

[MomOTwins]

Haven’t read all

Sailed last week on the fantasy. 3200 people. All cabins but a few inside were booked. Sailed in January. 3600 people. All cabins booked.

Our head server told us the week before Easter, the fantasy had 4200 guests. The week after Easter had 4500 guests. He said it was nuts. They were struggling to find tables for everyone to eat dinner.

The sailings are full, that is why Disney can charge what they do.

We also had 4000 guests on the fantasy this March. It was by far the most crowded of our 7 DCL cruises. But virtually everyone on that sailing was using the “kids sail free” disney plus promotion. I am curious is cruises the rest of the year will be as crowded after that the promotion is over next month.

 

[The Sasquatch]

Because they fill the boats at the prices they have….

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

I tend to book the lowest fair available. I don't see the value in a lot of things and as much as I enjoy Disney I'm not a diehard fan. We also have kids and while there maybe a thing or two Disney can do better they are the hands down most family friendly of all lines.
1. Best in kids clubs with variety of activities. Wide availability and open all day
2. Set meal times with serving crew that follow you and interact with LOs (eg: magic tricks, "squeaky" arm band) Consistency is so important for kids
3. Poolside movies that you can actually see and hear
4. G rated game show type of entertainment kids can actually participate in
5. Trivia facts that kids can relate to or have a familiar point of reference
6. No having to walk through, around, or near smoke
7. Split bathroom set up in most cabins
8. A room that not only "accommodates" 4 but has actual comfortable beds for all 4, one of which can be shared without the awkward split from two twin beds joins together.
9. The "magic" and the priceless experience of your kids believing in it

I'm sure there's more than that but for us this is all worth the little extra premium Disney charges and we don't miss any of the add-ons those other lines charge.

Besides that, going off season or finding a GT rate makes it not so much more. I find that I can even save by booking an inside on DCL. Inside room on other lines might say they sleep four, but bonk your head on a pullman above your bed or trip on the ladder more often than not from smaller cabins and housekeeping that doesn't store these on a daily basis, and you start to question whether those rooms in practicality sleep 4.

I appreciate your point about the staterooms that accommodate four guests comfortably. On so many cruise lines, the standard and even more "deluxe" or "spacious" balcony rooms have a layout that means your child (or two children) are dangling above your heads at night. To me, this is not ideal. We much prefer the layout on DCL where our DD has her own bed on the other side of a curtain for some privacy.

Now, I can get this on other lines - booking a Mini Suite on Princess or an Ultra Spacious room on some RCCL ships, for example. The cost for those is pretty high, so I can often book a GT rate on DCL for about the same and not worry about the assigned stateroom layout because they will all give DD her separate space. So part of the premium comes from families just feeling more confident knowing that they'll be comfortable on Disney rather than booking something specific at a premium price that hopefully meets their needs on another line.

 

[o&smom]

All covid FCC expired 9/30/22. There were lots of complaints about this in the late summer, but there shouldn't be any left. However, maybe some people might still have cancelled Wish 50% off...but that wouldn't account for that many.

Yes, we have multiple cruises this year in order to use up our discounts from the Wish being postponed.

 

[DCLMP]

I tend to book the lowest fair available. I don't see the value in a lot of things and as much as I enjoy Disney I'm not a diehard fan. We also have kids and while there maybe a thing or two Disney can do better they are the hands down most family friendly of all lines.
1. Best in kids clubs with variety of activities. Wide availability and open all day
2. Set meal times with serving crew that follow you and interact with LOs (eg: magic tricks, "squeaky" arm band) Consistency is so important for kids
3. Poolside movies that you can actually see and hear
4. G rated game show type of entertainment kids can actually participate in
5. Trivia facts that kids can relate to or have a familiar point of reference
6. No having to walk through, around, or near smoke
7. Split bathroom set up in most cabins
8. A room that not only "accommodates" 4 but has actual comfortable beds for all 4, one of which can be shared without the awkward split from two twin beds joins together.
9. The "magic" and the priceless experience of your kids believing in it

I'm sure there's more than that but for us this is all worth the little extra premium Disney charges and we don't miss any of the add-ons those other lines charge.

Besides that, going off season or finding a GT rate makes it not so much more. I find that I can even save by booking an inside on DCL. Inside room on other lines might say they sleep four, but bonk your head on a pullman above your bed or trip on the ladder more often than not from smaller cabins and housekeeping that doesn't store these on a daily basis, and you start to question whether those rooms in practicality sleep 4.

We've booked insides many times I'm not that fussy. Since we have cruised so much I am getting fussy about the itinerary and that's the only area Disney falls short. Other than that I agree with most of what you said.

 

[Carohs]

We've booked insides many times I'm not that fussy. Since we have cruised so much I am getting fussy about the itinerary and that's the only area Disney falls short. Other than that I agree with most of what you said.

I'm not that fussy either. My point was more about the value added in a stateroom on DCL for a family of 4 as compared to other lines. These were the sleeping arrangements on a "family inside" for four which we worked around but were less than ideal. If I have to book a balcony, or suite, or concierge level to have the same overnight comfort then it negates much of the cost savings booking elsewhere.

 

[DCLMP]

I'm not that fussy either. My point was more about the value added in a stateroom on DCL for a family of 4 as compared to other lines. These were the sleeping arrangements on a "family inside" for four which we worked around but were less than ideal. If I have to book a balcony, or suite, or concierge level to have the same overnight comfort then it negates much of the cost savings booking elsewhere.

You wouldn’t need concierge, but a balcony is a must. Carnival is the only cruiseline I know of that has very spacious family ocean view rooms with the double bathrooms. Carnivals newer ships are very nice and well designed for families. I’m not sure what the entertainment is like on these family oriented ships. I would like to try the Mardi Gras just haven’t done it yet.

 

[Kwami]

You wouldn’t need concierge, but a balcony is a must. Carnival is the only cruiseline I know of that has very spacious family ocean view rooms with the double bathrooms. Carnivals newer ships are very nice and well designed for families. I’m not sure what the entertainment is like on these family oriented ships. I would like to try the Mardi Gras just haven’t done it yet.

There's a trip report about the Mardi Gras on the DCL Blog here:
https://disneycruiselineblog.com/cruise-planning/trip-reports/

Currently, it's the top report. So far, I'm not impressed with that ship or with Carnival. Maybe they'll turn it around for days 6 and 7.

 

[MomOTwins]

I'm not that fussy either. My point was more about the value added in a stateroom on DCL for a family of 4 as compared to other lines. These were the sleeping arrangements on a "family inside" for four which we worked around but were less than ideal. If I have to book a balcony, or suite, or concierge level to have the same overnight comfort then it negates much of the cost savings booking elsewhere.

We have a similar problem—we have 3 kids and on other lines you typically need two rooms (and it is hard to find connecting) or a big suite. I frequently price it out and is the same price or less to do a family room disney, and the family entertainment and kids clubs on disney are worth more to us than suite perks on other lines.

 

[DCLMP]

There's a trip report about the Mardi Gras on the DCL Blog here:
https://disneycruiselineblog.com/cruise-planning/trip-reports/

Currently, it's the top report. So far, I'm not impressed with that ship or with Carnival. Maybe they'll turn it around for days 6 and 7.

Have you personally sailed Carnival?

 

[Calantha]

There's a trip report about the Mardi Gras on the DCL Blog here:
https://disneycruiselineblog.com/cruise-planning/trip-reports/

Currently, it's the top report. So far, I'm not impressed with that ship or with Carnival. Maybe they'll turn it around for days 6 and 7.

I do like their balcony though.

 

[Kwami]

Have you personally sailed Carnival?

Nope. But I've seen enough of that ship to know that it's not for me. The balcony and price are nice, though.

 

[DCLMP]

Nope. But I've seen enough of that ship to know that it's not for me. The balcony and price are nice, though.

What do you not like about it?

 

[DCLMP]

I do like their balcony though.

Our Cruise on the Vista, when it was new, was one of the best cruises we've taken. I know we all need to validate Disney prices by convincing ourselves other cruise lines are horrible, but it's not always the case. You really don't know until you try something. I'm looking forward to my cruise on Odyssey next week.

 

[Kwami]

What do you not like about it?

The trip report keeps mentioning how loud and busy everywhere seems to be. Also, while the reviewer enjoyed some of the food, quite a lot of it seems to be mediocre to bad. Same for the drinks. They have a weird system of paying for towels and bringing them to a specific place to get new ones and... why? There's no self-service laundry. Carnival charges to board the ship early. They also charge for a lot of the entrees at the "included" main restaurant. Rooms are serviced only once per day, which means that folded out beds never get folded back up into couches and the room spends most of the day in a "not tidied up" state. You have to pay for the chat feature in their app. Instead of paper straws, they have straws made from animal gelatin, which is not vegetarian- or vegan-friendly. I sure hope that they mention it somewhere! The onboard Internet service doesn't permit VPNs, which means that you're always connected to an unsafe, public WiFi network. That's what comes to mind, anyway.

I do like the large balcony with the hot tub and I do like that they were able to get that room, which also alleviates the early boarding and somewhat alleviates the laundry problem, for a great price. And I like the increased food options, though it seems that many of them aren't great and many of them aren't free. Otherwise... eh.

 

[DCLMP]

The trip report keeps mentioning how loud and busy everywhere seems to be. Also, while the reviewer enjoyed some of the food, quite a lot of it seems to be mediocre to bad. Same for the drinks. They have a weird system of paying for towels and bringing them to a specific place to get new ones and... why? There's no self-service laundry. Carnival charges to board the ship early. They also charge for a lot of the entrees at the "included" main restaurant. Rooms are serviced only once per day, which means that folded out beds never get folded back up into couches and the room spends most of the day in a "not tidied up" state. You have to pay for the chat feature in their app. Instead of paper straws, they have straws made from animal gelatin, which is not vegetarian- or vegan-friendly. I sure hope that they mention it somewhere! The onboard Internet service doesn't permit VPNs, which means that you're always connected to an unsafe, public WiFi network. That's what comes to mind, anyway.

I do like the large balcony with the hot tub and I do like that they were able to get that room, which also alleviates the early boarding and somewhat alleviates the laundry problem, for a great price. And I like the increased food options, though it seems that many of them aren't great and many of them aren't free. Otherwise... eh.

Carnival has self service laundry on all ships except the three new ones. I don’t know why they omitted it on the new ships no more than I know why DCL omitted a running track.
Princess, Disney and Carnival are the only lines I know of that have self laundry. Royal has the stuff a a bag for 35 dollars. Being that I’m saving about 7k over Disney they could do my laundry everyday. Doing laundry on DCL in Europe is always a battle. I prefer self-laundry, but it’s never easy.
The poolside food is better on carnival. MDR food in my opinion is mediocre on every cruise line. I don’t expect much in that department.

I believe Royal is also going to once a day service. I actually prefer it. I get your point about the beds being down if there’s three or four in cabin. I like that the beds split to 2 twins on the other cruiselines. It’s much more convenient if your traveling with a kid. If DCL can get enough help I’m sure they’ll keep the twice a day.

I don’t like the towel thing either, but they are nice big beach towels. Royal and NCL have the same system.

I thought all hotels Wi-Fi systems were public.

The straw thing is interesting. I’m not vegan or vegetarian so no comment on that.

There’s good and bad on all ships. It comes down to price and where it’s sailing to for me. I felt differently when we first started cruising and my kids were young.

 

[Kwami]

Carnival has self service laundry on all ships except the three new ones. I don’t know why they omitted it on the new ships no more than I know why DCL omitted a running track.
Princess, Disney and Carnival are the only lines I know of that have self laundry. Royal has the stuff a a bag for 35 dollars. Being that I’m saving about 7k over Disney they could do my laundry everyday. Doing laundry on DCL in Europe is always a battle. I prefer self-laundry, but it’s never easy.

I don't like having other people do my laundry. I like choosing my own detergent and softener and I like having control over where my clothes are. It's not a money thing for me. I just want options.

I believe Royal is also going to once a day service. I actually prefer it. I get your point about the beds being down if there’s three or four in cabin. I like that the beds split to 2 twins on the other cruiselines. It’s much more convenient if your traveling with a kid. If DCL can get enough help I’m sure they’ll keep the twice a day.

I sure hope so! And, I don't like the two beds pushed into one arrangement. It leaves an uncomfortable gap in the middle. This arrangement was common in German hotels when I spent time there, too, and I never liked it. I understand that it gives guests more flexibility, though.

I thought all hotels Wi-Fi systems were public.

Sure, but if I connect to a trusted VPN, then my connection is secured from eavesdropping. I run a VPN server at my home that I can connect to from anywhere in the world. Doing so encrypts all of my data and it allows me to access my home network to transfer pictures and update documents. Plus, if anyone is working on vacation, then they might need to connect to a corporate VPN.

There’s good and bad on all ships. It comes down to price and where it’s sailing to for me. I felt differently when we first started cruising and my kids were young.

Sure. You asked what I didn't like, so I told you. But everyone has different preferences!

 

[DCLMP]

I don't like having other people do my laundry. I like choosing my own detergent and softener and I like having control over where my clothes are. It's not a money thing for me. I just want options.

I sure hope so! And, I don't like the two beds pushed into one arrangement. It leaves an uncomfortable gap in the middle. This arrangement was common in German hotels when I spent time there, too, and I never liked it. I understand that it gives guests more flexibility, though.

Sure, but if I connect to a trusted VPN, then my connection is secured from eavesdropping. I run a VPN server at my home that I can connect to from anywhere in the world. Doing so encrypts all of my data and it allows me to access my home network to transfer pictures and update documents. Plus, if anyone is working on vacation, then they might need to connect to a corporate VPN.

Sure. You asked what I didn't like, so I told you. But everyone has different preferences!

If you don't like other people doing your laundry then you are pretty limited when it comes to cruises. I don't like it either, but if I get to go to places like Turkey, Israel, Asia, or a multitude of other places then I'll suffer through some strange person washing my undies. I'm not going to cancel my bucket list over laundry.

As far as the VPN thing most people don't work on cruises and honestly, I don't think most people worry about it.

Don't get me wrong I love DCL and for years that was all we did, but I do like to visit new places laundry, internet, and straws be damned.

 

[Toulou]

Finding joy!!!

 

[Skittlesmom]

There's no doubt that DCL is expensive compared to the competition. However, the service, safety, comfort, and overall experience are far above expectations than other cruise lines (IMHO). Other cruise lines nickle and dime customers. The service with other cruise lines can be substandard. The cleanliness of the ships may be less and some cruise lines are packed with people who prefer to drink or gamble versus have an enjoyable time. DCL caters to families, have excellent youth and child counselor staff, don't overcrowd, and have exceptional customer service.