Why DCL cost more

[zealandsmom]

I wanna add that people fly from all over the world to pay $90 just to get into wdw gate. Not to mention hotel and food.

That being said....their cruise prices are actually cheaper than a resort stay!

I go to wdw once a week...and almost half of the character lines are adults only, without kids. People love that mouse

 

[acourtwdw]

First of all, Mardi Gras dates change from year to year depending on when Ash Wednesday is. In 2011, it was the first week of March. I have never seen so much LSU purple at WDW before that. A lot of people told us they escape New Orleans by coming to WDW that week.

Secondly, I believe that some areas of Canada have their "spring break" the same time we have presidents week.

I love my Disney vacations and will continue to pay the premium price for them. We have cruised other lines and found we love the Disney level of service and are willing to pay the extra.

 

[justmestace]

The discussion has gone off track, back on track, and off again so many times that I'm dizzy now.


But I have a funny feeling that's why the thread was started in the first place....because someone knew they'd see a lot of action and reaction.
Has the OP even been back on the thread?

 

[tvguy]

My grand kids get more time off school than I did, but they start school in early August, so the total number of school days is the same. The rationale is that students who get three months off during the summer won't remember as much as the admin would like, so they have to spend the first month reviewing. So now they're shortening the summer break by offering more breaks throughout the school year.

Interesting. My school year was 200 days (I'm 55) . Public school. Now it is 180, and here in California they are threatening to cut it to 160 due to budget cuts. Private schools for the most part are still 200 days.
We used to start the Tuesday after Labor day, and go until the 3rd week of June. Now they do start 2 weeks earlier in August, but they get out the second week of May now, 5 weeks earlier. They also take a week for Thanksgiving now instead of just Thursday and Friday when I was in school, and they take a week at President's Day instead of 1 day. And every Thursday is a half day, out at Noon. We had 4 minimum days in a school year in my day, the last day of each quarter to give teachers time to work on grades.

 

[tvguy]

Personally, I'm and Acura girl Marketing has nothing to do with the upholstery of a seat being nicer(or standard leather for that matter) or the dash just carrying a nicer appearence with more bells and whistles that come standard. You are paying for a nicer product. Yes, the engine may be comparable, but the appearance is hands down better. If a Camry is at a stop light next to a Lexus ES...all eyes will probably be on the Lexus. Just like when a Disney ship is in port next to a Carnival...all eyes are on the Disney ship. And like I said before...the service. Can someone please point me in the direction of a Chevy dealer that will drive a loaner vehicle to my house and pick up my car so it can be taken in for a routine oil change, and return it same day fully detailed free of charge. Hey, I don't need to go to the auto parts store. Their "marketing" has kept me from having to do that. They handle all that for me That is what we pay more for!!

You made my point and gave a great example of perceived value. Giving you the feeling and appearance of value when they haven't really given you anything more or better.

 

[mcd2745]

not sure about supply and demand, given the massive discounting DCL has had to offer this fall in an attempt to fill its ships...
without the discounting, most of the dream cruises in the fall would be going out more than half empty.

Had they priced the cruises more reasonably to begin with, maybe they wouldn't be having so much trouble filling them.


As it happens, i just priced an Allure cruise for next August.
The exact same week costs $2,000 more on the Fantasy for the equivalent cabin.
How can it cost $3,000 for the Allure and $5,000 for the Fantasy?

Is the Fantasy worth $2,000 more?

For the bolded sentence. I posted basically the same exact sentiment in another thread recently. Their pricing strategies are a real head-scratcher to me sometimes. They basically raise the prices every time someone books a stateroom. Then, they must always get a lot of cancellations when the pay in full date arrives. And as a result, they are left to scramble with discounts (GTY rates, CM discounts, FL resident, etc.) to replace those cancellations and fil the ships. If they charged a more competitive rate from the beginning and didn't steadily raise them from the moment they are released, they probably don't get as many cancellations around the PIF date and won't have to resort to deep discounts replace them. And a byproduct of all that also, is that you get people who booked very early at "full" price get a little bitter towards DCL when they find out people are booking last minute and paying a lot less than they did.

We're booked on the Fantasy for next August. We just booked it while onboard the Dream a few weeks ago - so you know we didn't get a very good rate even with the onboard discount. However, we'll probably switch it to a 2014 cruise once they are released and we can get a better rate. We are looking at the other cruise lines for the same timeframe and seeing the same thing as you - Oasis that week is $2,100 less. The new Norwegian ship debuting next year - the Breakaway - would be $1,400 less (plus since it will sail exclusively out of NYC, no airfare will be needed).

We love Disney and may be willing to pay a small premium for them, but not a $2000+ premium.

 

[Clotho]

Had they priced the cruises more reasonably to begin with, maybe they wouldn't be having so much trouble filling them.

For the bolded sentence. I posted basically the same exact sentiment in another thread recently. Their pricing strategies are a real head-scratcher to me sometimes. They basically raise the prices every time someone books a stateroom. Then, they must always get a lot of cancellations when the pay in full date arrives. ..

This is typical of ALL travel industries. Ever tried to figure out how airlines price their seats? And the fact they can actually legally OVERSELL flights?! Me neither! LOL

It's a case of what the market will bear. If they CAN sell it at full "rack rate", which is exorbitant, they will. They will simultaneously offer various discounted rates and specials alongside rack rate. Yet some people will never look for or otherwise see these discounts and will pay full price--they can afford it and they don't care to scrounge for deals. Still others consider it their mission in life to book the cheapest rate possible and won't rest unless they are sure they found every pricing loophole they can. The many ways of pricing a travel package are to appeal to the largest cross-section of buyers, while keeping the highest price in effect for as long as possible.

And just like an airline, if the departure date is approaching, they will drop the price in hopes of getting more butts in seats. And of course the best deals are often at the wire, for those who love to plan last minute and aren't picky about what they get.

 

[boogabuzz]

You made my point and gave a great example of perceived value. Giving you the feeling and appearance of value when they haven't really given you anything more or better.

To each their own. I've been on both Carnival and RCL. they were great. But Disney just has that extra greatness to it. To you it's just a different name. To me, the Disney name means a gorgeous ship, delicious food, a stress free vacation, a happy child( that means happy parents) and exceptional service. I don't see it as "perceived value" since I know I am getting more for my money sailing with DCL.

 

[TXDCLfan]

To each their own. I've been on both Carnival and RCL. they were great. But Disney just has that extra greatness to it. To you it's just a different name. To me, the Disney name means a gorgeous ship, delicious food, a stress free vacation, a happy child( that means happy parents) and exceptional service. I don't see it as "perceived value" since I know I am getting more for my money sailing with DCL.

Well said

 

[tvguy]

To each their own. I've been on both Carnival and RCL. they were great. But Disney just has that extra greatness to it. To you it's just a different name. To me, the Disney name means a gorgeous ship, delicious food, a stress free vacation, a happy child( that means happy parents) and exceptional service. I don't see it as "perceived value" since I know I am getting more for my money sailing with DCL.

That's perfectly okay. You're seeing a wider gray area than most folks.

 

[tajz90]

To each their own. I've been on both Carnival and RCL. they were great. But Disney just has that extra greatness to it. To you it's just a different name. To me, the Disney name means a gorgeous ship, delicious food, a stress free vacation, a happy child( that means happy parents) and exceptional service. I don't see it as "perceived value" since I know I am getting more for my money sailing with DCL.

I agree

 

[justmestace]

To each their own. I've been on both Carnival and RCL. they were great. But Disney just has that extra greatness to it. To you it's just a different name. To me, the Disney name means a gorgeous ship, delicious food, a stress free vacation, a happy child( that means happy parents) and exceptional service. I don't see it as "perceived value" since I know I am getting more for my money sailing with DCL.

That's still just YOUR feelings, your "perceived value" no matter how many times you say it, or how many different ways you say it.


Everyone is going to have different feelings, perceptions, tastes......and I never can quite figure out how this becomes such a great debate on here.

To each his own.

 

[justmestace]

you are a gal after my own heart.

disney has a premium product, its up to the consumer if they want to spend more for it.

the car analogy makes me chuckle. I don't even want a Lexus or Acura because I like a connected sporty visceral drive and not a detached primarily luxurious one. My stable includes BMW, Porsche and Ferrari. The service you mention is wonderful.

Maybe a better comparison would be your Ferrari or Porsche to a Bugatti Veyron?

Still, it's perception. I think BMW makes a good, solid product. We have two. My "personal" feelings/perception are that the Ferrari and Porsches are not a good product.

Like I said up above, everyone has a different idea of what rocks their boat. And that's a good thing.

 

[FJS961]

Maybe a better comparison would be your Ferrari or Porsche to a Bugatti Veyron?

Still, it's perception. I think BMW makes a good, solid product. We have two. My "personal" feelings/perception are that the Ferrari and Porsches are not a good product.

Like I said up above, everyone has a different idea of what rocks their boat. And that's a good thing.

These boards are so addicting sometimes. I should be researching as I am trying to make some decisions and plans for our April Hawaii trip but I wind up here

There is no comparison to a Bugatti Veyron. At 1.6-2.8 million, it is a very small niche market.

BMW does make a solid product and you must feel (as I do) the extra cost is worth it over a chevy, toyota, etc. I must say that I think BMW over the years has softened up and leaned more toward luxury and less toward sport.

I am curious why you perceive Porsche and Ferrari as not being a good product. In recent years I have seen Porsche rated much higher than BMW for reliability and customer satisfaction surveys. I have even seen that data in the Roundel (BMW's magazine) that goes to owner / members of BMW car club of america.