Why DCL cost more

[Rogillio]

I know the subject of DCL costing more than other cruise lines had been discussed ad nauseam but Iread something the other night (posed by Nancy) that I've never seen discussed that I'm sure is a factor for DCL's higher prices.

The issue is school! Since DCL's primary market is towards families with children, the 'peak season' is summer break and Christmas break when kids are out of school. During the spring and fall, when other cruise lines can still fill their ships, DCL might not be able to fill their ships or has to really reduce prices to do so.

So, in addition to the lack of casino revenue, I think "school" is a big driver as it keeps demand really high during the summer months and over Christmas break.

Thoughts?

 

[sissy_ib]

I know the subject of DCL costing more than other cruise lines had been discussed ad nauseam but Iread something the other night (posed by Nancy) that I've never seen discussed that I'm sure is a factor for DCL's higher prices.

The issue is school! Since DCL's primary market is towards families with children, the 'peak season' is summer break and Christmas break when kids are out of school. During the spring and fall, when other cruise lines can still fill their ships, DCL might not be able to fill their ships or has to really reduce prices to do so.

So, in addition to the lack of casino revenue, I think "school" is a big driver as it keeps demand really high during the summer months and over Christmas break.

Thoughts?

I'm glad I don't have kids and can travel whenever I want!

But seriously there is a high season and a low season for any travel destination. Summer is high season for most family destinations.

 

[JD&LYD]

But what really confuses me (among many other things) is certain dates or weeks that for unknown reasons the prices double or triple. e.g. the middle week in Feb. Is Valentines Day that big of a get away week? Many other Weeks jump up and down for no reason that I can see. Maybe i should go to Travel Agent school

 

[sissy_ib]

But what really confuses me (among many other things) is certain dates or weeks that for unknown reasons the prices double or triple. e.g. the middle week in Feb. Is Valentines Day that big of a get away week? Many other Weeks jump up and down for no reason that I can see. Maybe i should go to Travel Agent school

That could be February break week. I know schools in the northeast have it. Not sure where else.

 

[Chee Chick]

There are many parents (like myself) that are willing to pay the high price tag to cruise during school breaks in order for their children to have the Disney experience without having to take them out of school. As long as this is true, DCL will continue to price these cruises higher than other lines.

If DH and I cruise alone or with other adults, it is not with DCL. We want the casino and a more adult environment.

 

[bahacca]

But what really confuses me (among many other things) is certain dates or weeks that for unknown reasons the prices double or triple. e.g. the middle week in Feb. Is Valentines Day that big of a get away week? Many other Weeks jump up and down for no reason that I can see. Maybe i should go to Travel Agent school

It isn't Valentine's Day driving the price up that week. Again-what the OP stated holds true-SCHOOL. President's Day is Feb 17 and kids have that day off.

 

[mcd2745]

It isn't Valentine's Day driving the price up that week. Again-what the OP stated holds true-SCHOOL. President's Day is Feb 17 and kids have that day off.

Not just that day...the whole week. At least that's the case here in NYC. So you get a lot destinations basically doing a lot o price gouging for that week. It could be DCL, WDW, I'm sure Universal does it, the airlines definitely do it, even a lot of "local" places do it. The Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos (2 hour drive from NYC for those not familiar with the area), charges $600+ per night for their cheapest rooms that week when the week before and after are probably around $200. Preety much the same goes for all other "family" destinations anywhere within driving distance of NYC.

 

[kcashner]

In our city, most of the private schools take off the entire week of President's day (it is prime time for skiing, cruising, etc). And the public schools all have at least Monday off, so it makes a time when a family can travel without the kids missing an entire week of school. Which puts us right back to the school schedule.

Costs on DCL seem to have a couple of issues--lack of casino revenue, the "first two" rate subsidizes the kid programming, and the specific dates.

We recently decided to not book on DD's college break. Prices were three times the rate of the week before or after the break!

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

I know the subject of DCL costing more than other cruise lines had been discussed ad nauseam but Iread something the other night (posed by Nancy) that I've never seen discussed that I'm sure is a factor for DCL's higher prices.

The issue is school! Since DCL's primary market is towards families with children, the 'peak season' is summer break and Christmas break when kids are out of school. During the spring and fall, when other cruise lines can still fill their ships, DCL might not be able to fill their ships or has to really reduce prices to do so.

So, in addition to the lack of casino revenue, I think "school" is a big driver as it keeps demand really high during the summer months and over Christmas break.

Thoughts?

While I think you've made some compelling arguments, I am inclined to disagree. While DCL doe not have a casino, they do have bingo that they make a nice chunk of change from and the payouts seem to be few and far between from what I read on here.

Not to mention, I think many cruise lines try to offer something to people with families that probably also do suffer when school is in session yet they are more competitively priced.

The reason I beleive DCL costs more, is the very same reason that AP's for Disney theme parks cost more (e.g. a seasons pass at Knotts Berry farm is less than ONE day at Disneyland) is that people are willing to pay it because of the iconic character experience. It's reminiscent of our childhoods and something that we also want to share with our own children.

 

[mmouse37]

It has always been known on DCL that summer is peak season or any time kids are out of school the cruise price is higher so not sure what is new about this. Anytime kids are out of school the price of cruise or even airfare tend to be higher.

MJ

 

[justmestace]

While I think you've made some compelling arguments, I am inclined to disagree. While DCL doe not have a casino, they do have bingo that they make a nice chunk of change from and the payouts seem to be few and far between from what I read on here.

Not to mention, I think many cruise lines try to offer something to people with families that probably also do suffer when school is in session yet they are more competitively priced.

The reason I beleive DCL costs more, is the very same reason that AP's for Disney theme parks cost more (e.g. a seasons pass at Knotts Berry farm is less than ONE day at Disneyland) is that people are willing to pay it because of the iconic character experience. It's reminiscent of our childhoods and something that we also want to share with our own children.

I agree. I was going to say most of this myself, but you said it first, and better.


And I'll add.....having cruised at all different times of the year, on DCL and other lines, there are ALWAYS plenty of kids on all of them. At capacity.

One needs to remember that it isn't only U.S. citizens who cruise. People from other countries cruise with their kids, and they might possibly have a different school schedule than the U.S. does.

With any vacation, resort or cruise, there are "Peak" seasons and "Value" seasons. I have to wonder, if DCL relies on filling their ships with families, is their "Peak" season when kids (U.S.) are out of school?
Summer is often high season for family destinations, but it's usually "Value" season for the Caribbean....because it's hot there while it's also hot in the States.
I guess what I'm getting at is that although for most Caribbean destinations, summer is a "Value" season, is it a "Peak" season for Disney?

 

[justmestace]

It has always been known on DCL that summer is peak season or any time kids are out of school the cruise price is higher so not sure what is new about this. Anytime kids are out of school the price of cruise or even airfare tend to be higher.

MJ

You answered before I even asked!! You must have ESP.

 

[Rogillio]

It has always been known on DCL that summer is peak season or any time kids are out of school the cruise price is higher so not sure what is new about this. Anytime kids are out of school the price of cruise or even airfare tend to be higher.

MJ

My point was that DCL has to make more money than say HAL during school break because they make less during he school year. HAL, that a lot of senior citizens sail on, can charge less because they are no AS susceptible to the peak off-school season.

I'm probably don't communicating well.

 

[FJS961]

That could be February break week. I know schools in the northeast have it. Not sure where else.

Presidents week vac, mid februrary is pretty big. Airfare out of our local airport is crazy! Example, the week before and after to Orlando is in the $200's but on that week it spikes 700-800!!! Insane.

 

[tajz90]

While I think you've made some compelling arguments, I am inclined to disagree. While DCL doe not have a casino, they do have bingo that they make a nice chunk of change from and the payouts seem to be few and far between from what I read on here.
.

What do you mean that payouts seem to be few and far between?

Disney does lose revenue on alcohol and casinos that other ships make a killing off of.

I am willing to pay the premium because I don't want to sail on a floating casino. I also sail high time because I won't take my kids out of school for vacation. Me, I'm their target

 

[FJS961]

My point was that DCL has to make more money than say HAL during school break because they make less during he school year. HAL, that a lot of senior citizens sail on, can charge less because they are no AS susceptible to the peak off-school season.

I'm probably don't communicating well.

Disney caters to families, families mean children, children are in school. Prime time is summer and school holidays. Sail to caribbean in summer and its peak for DCL with highest prices, yet for the caribbean it is SLOW season. Other lines pull their ships for Europe or Alaska, etc. When we got off at St Thomas there were only 3 ships in port and we got to dock. The dude for our excursion said Disney usually doesn't get a slip and needs to tender in. He said there are usually at least 7-8 ships in port but he has seen up to 13.

Isn't it grand to pay peak prices to go to a place in off-season?? Nature of the beast.

 

[mmouse37]

My point was that DCL has to make more money than say HAL during school break because they make less during he school year. HAL, that a lot of senior citizens sail on, can charge less because they are no AS susceptible to the peak off-school season.

I'm probably don't communicating well.

I do understand what you are trying to say but I don't think DCL loses that much during school times either. On any DCL cruise I have been on (except last week's Magic) the ships have had a ton of kids on them. Many people do pull their kids out of school so they can take advantage of lower prices during non school holiday times. Very rarely do the ship sail with little to no kids.

The Sept. 7-12th Magic out of NYC was the first cruise in 28 that I saw marked reduction in kids. I think the cruise director said there was only 300 instead of 1000 onboard due to the first full week of school being in session in these parts. I have to say it was very strange to walk by the Goofy and Mickey pool and see hardly any kids. Adults were sunbathing in all the loungers at both the Goofy pool and Quiet Cove pool. There always seemed to be seats around the Goofy pool.

Parents don't normally like to take them out of school right at the beginning of the year. We have sailed in all months of the year and there are always still a ton of kids on DCL.

MJ

 

[melwill530]

But what really confuses me (among many other things) is certain dates or weeks that for unknown reasons the prices double or triple. e.g. the middle week in Feb. Is Valentines Day that big of a get away week? Many other Weeks jump up and down for no reason that I can see. Maybe i should go to Travel Agent school

Most often is Mardi Gras week as well and often Gulf Coast schools are out for a week for the MG holiday.

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

What do you mean that payouts seem to be few and far between?

Disney does lose revenue on alcohol and casinos that other ships make a killing off of.

I am willing to pay the premium because I don't want to sail on a floating casino. I also sail high time because I won't take my kids out of school for vacation. Me, I'm their target

What I mean is, rarely is it heard about someone winning the bingo grand jack pot. I have only read about it happening once, on the ALK sailing and from what I can recall, it was mentioned that even the CM's were in shock because it very rarely happens. While this is not a criticism of you, as I can fully appreciate how a casino might not be a draw for you (It's not for me either, if I want to really gamble, I will go to Vegas) bingo is still gambling and it's still a source of revenue for DCL.

DCL still makes plenty of money off of alcohol, dispute allowing some to be carried on. They make $20 just for pulling a corkout which is literally money for nothing since they aren't supplying the product, not to mention any pecialty drinks that are bought. Despite bringing some wine, champagne and beer aboard, with specialty drinks for the kids and adults, my family and my friends family probably spent about $700 between the two cabins on a 4 day cruise.

As pointed out, peek season is peek season for every cruise liner, theme park and airline.

IMO DCL doesn't charge more because of the missed opportunities mentioned (casino and booze) , they charge more because people are generally willing to pay it (although as others have mentioned, they might soon be in danger of pricing themselves out of reach of most folks).

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

Thank You.

I agree. I was going to say most of this myself, but you said it first, and better.


And I'll add.....having cruised at all different times of the year, on DCL and other lines, there are ALWAYS plenty of kids on all of them. At capacity.

One needs to remember that it isn't only U.S. citizens who cruise. People from other countries cruise with their kids, and they might possibly have a different school schedule than the U.S. does.

With any vacation, resort or cruise, there are "Peak" seasons and "Value" seasons. I have to wonder, if DCL relies on filling their ships with families, is their "Peak" season when kids (U.S.) are out of school?
Summer is often high season for family destinations, but it's usually "Value" season for the Caribbean....because it's hot there while it's also hot in the States.
I guess what I'm getting at is that although for most Caribbean destinations, summer is a "Value" season, is it a "Peak" season for Disney?