Why do disney cruises cost more than other cruise lines?

[peachygreen]

Thanks for giving us some prices, but these are 7-night cruises and not 4-night. In other words - you need to edit the dates!

For what it's worth - I consider the Disney Fantasy and the Carnival Dream to be comparable cruises that depart from the same port. The Allure departs from Ft. Lauderdale, is a western Caribbean cruise, and there are less expensive balcony cabins than the superior oceanview you quoted.

**I don't know where you got your price for the Allure of the Seas cruise, but the price of the superior oceanview cabin (cat. D1) on Allure of the Seas for March 10-17, 2013 is $4855.88 for 2 adults/2children.

***One more! The March 9-16, 2013 Disney Fantasy cruise in the least expensive balcony cabin available (5A) for 2 adults and 2 children (I used ages 7 and 8) is $4891.88.

****The $5855.88 price you quoted for Allure of the Seas is for a family oceanview stateroom with balcony @ 372.4 total sq. ft. - including the 81.8 sq. ft. balcony! The Cat. 5A on DCL has 246 sq. ft. including the balcony. It helps to specify the category you are quoting.

Sorry I fat fingered the dates.
Yes they are night night cruises. I quoted the prices from the respective websites. I went to oceanview balcony's with comparatable location to where I booked on the Fantasy. I did not see any less expensive oceanview balconies on Allure. I saw the next one was boardwalk view and then central park view and as I really want an ocean view I stopped looking. I guess if I was really going to book a RCCL cruise I would have done a little more research. I can't quote an eastern on RCCL on a similar class ship for the same week and that is the only week we could go as it is spring break. If I look at the other weeks in March 2013 that have Eastern Cruises though they are actually more expensive than the western I quoted. I did not realize I went with the family stateroom. I went with the oceanview I could find. Going for a standard oceanview balcony it still isn't more expensive to book Disney.

If you want to split hairs I could book a 4D (or family stateroom) today for my family on the Fantasy on the Mar 9, 2013 sailing for $4684.88. I guess I should add that my family is a 6 and 2 year old so the 2 year old is only about 1/4 the price of an adult.

Yes I agree that the closer you get the more expensive it is. This is because they are selling the cruises which goes back to supply and demand. Either way the starting points for the new ships amongst the 3 cruise lines are fairly similar.

 

[IrenicMom]

And I've had great service on other cruise lines (better than DCL), great cabins, great bedding, great adult only areas and great all ages activities and a great teen club.

DCL was good but I can't honestly say it was better than cruises which cost me half the price.

I may keep my October 2013 DCL cruise to give the Fantasy a try but between then and now, I will be sailing on other lines that give a better value and a great product.

I guess I'm just stumped as to why you would cruise the DCL Fantasy, then?

There are ways to give your opinion to build up what you support with out tearing down what you disdain.

I don't think I can justify paying that much for a 4 day cruise anymore.

So it sounds like you've made your decision.


********

Again, my point is this - some people find it to be a reasonable price, some people don't. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and to manage their finances as they see fit. Some people enjoy the food on board. Others don't. Those who don't, seem very emphatic in trying to change the opinion of those who do. I like brussel sprouts. Many don't. They're not wrong. I'm not right. We just have a difference of opinion. I spend my money on them. I choose to do so. I'm not brainwashed. They're not uniformed. We just like different things.

For some, it's a good fit. For some, it's not. Some try it once, say "nope, didn't meet our value for cost expectations", and never go again. I was only questioning those who go on and on about how awful it is, but still go again. To me, that seems, they *are* finding a value in it. Maybe not the highest value, but value enough to spend their money. And yet, still the negativity persists.

Why is this a fight?

 

[KingRichard]

Doesn't it cost extra for the kids clubs on other cruise lines after 10pm or while in port or even during meal times?

Being able to take your own drinks onto DCL sure does save you some money.

The better the drink the more you save.

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks for your review, but disney is not checking their guests backgrounds.Price is not my # 1 consideration. I will already of done 2 disney cruises by the time I take this cruise. I appreciate everyone responses. I understand supply and demand lol. I guess I should have phrased my question "Why are people willing to pay more for a disney cruise"....

I have been on three 4-night Disney cruises: Wonder in 1/08 and 12/09; and Dream in 2/11. The least expensive was, surprisingly, the Dream! That was booked as soon as the rates came out in Nov. 2009, then rebooked ("reshopped") onboard to get the 10% discount and OBC. I am also booked on a Dec. 2012 cruise on the Fantasy using an onboard booking discount plus OBC. That cruise plus the previous two Wonder cruises were group cruises with folks from different Disney fan sites. Although all of them were among the lowest-priced DCL cruises, they still cost more than cruises on Carnival and RCI out of Port Canaveral for the same dates. I am willing to pay a little more on DCL to do a fun adult cruise with other Disney fans.

DCL occasionally has some great deals on cruises with itineraries that appeal to me - such as the 2010 Mediterranean and Transatlantic cruises. On the other hand, during the same summer season - DCL's prices for their 12-night Baltic cruises were very overpriced, IMHO! If DCL offers an itinerary I like at a price I'm willing to pay, I might book it. However, unlike the folks who will sail only on Disney, I like HAL, RCI, Princess, and Celebrity, and I have future cruises booked on each of them. I am in no hurry to sail with DCL again.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Just wanted to thank you two for doing the legwork on this. There are some posters on this thread (NOT the OP, but a few follow ups) that just seem to want to trash DCL, and can't seem to grasp the concept of differing opinions.

So now, maybe with some cold hard facts, they'll chill a little bit.

There are expensive times to cruise DCL, and there are some less expensive times to do so.

Yet again, I find myself wondering why it is people feel so compelled to argue about how an individual chooses to spend his or her own money. It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round, folks.

(And to those who really truly despise DCL as much as you say you do? Maybe Cruise Critic or other general cruising boards might be a better fit for you. This is a Disney based board, and as such, tends to be a tad overpopulated with Disney-philes. So yes, you're going to meet some resistance to the bad mouthing. It's one thing to say "we did it once, didn't see the value, and won't be going back", and the continual negativity, and the claims that people who DO enjoy it are "brainwashed".)

Totally agree with the above......


Its not so easy to explain in Dollars and cents....but DCL has encredible and unquic vessels, totally unlike the box cutter/ Las Vegas floating busses the other lines have, excellent service and food (of course now and then its not perfect or a cast member isnt excelelnt.it happens everywhere) and lastly and most important they have the Disney Magic, the pixie dust and Magic no other line can match!.

The *brainwashing* crack was a cheap/low blow crack*, totally without merit!


Some people just have to take every chance to try and knock down DCL........plainly if its not your thing........if you don't get the Disney Magic.....then fine.......its not your thing......but to keep pounding it, that is not right.

PS.I have started reading other line bogs the last few months and I find they have the same problems in people pounding away over and overat whatever line is featured.This is not productive to anyone.

I have also found that is most (not all) cases where the featured line is set up againist a different line..it seems Disny is the one they are trying to out do..*trying* the key word.

Just IMO

AKK

 

[Patrickprincess]

Disney has the free soda drink fountains on all of their ships. On other cruise lines you have to pay for your soda drinks.

I have never been on any other cruiseline nor will I one because many are snobs and remember what happened on a other line where the crew left the passngers to take care of theemselfs durring a fire? Yes disney is pricer than princess and yes the parks are expesive however i feel they really try and put a better product out there and when people stop paying then mabey the price will come down. Just like anything eles when the new wears off perhaps the cost will come down. Mabey it's me but i for one do not like having those stupied casnios on the ships. I worked at one and they rip you off. There are those out there that just like to tear down good things

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

The only other cruise line I have ever sailed on is "The Big Red Boat" back in 1987 when it was the official cruise line of Disney.

So I can't compare dollar for dollar value with other cruise lines. But the reason DW and I have chosen to sail ONLY DCL is because they have never disappointed. DW and I love the theming of the ships, we find the CM fantastic, we love the entertainment especially the Disney themed shows, and even if this would reduce the cost of a cruise we like that there is NO casino. I would rather see the space used for either more kids club and/or family activities.

 

[NancyIL]

I have never been on any other cruiseline nor will I one because many are snobs....

And you know this how?

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

OK.I am the world biggest Disney fan, but it is not at all fair or true that everyone on other lines/parks/venues are snobs!

AKK

 

[NancyIL]

OK.I am the world biggest Disney fan, but it is not at all fair or true that everyone on other lines/parks/venues are snobs!

AKK

To read some people's opinions about other cruise lines, it is the Disney cruisers who come across as snobs.

 

[Patrickprincess]

Personally, If I were you, I would book the Allure Cruse.
They have a great kid's program and so much more to do for kid's and the food is better. They have so many other places to get food with kid's allowed other than the MDR, unlike DCL.
Character wise, they have the Dreamwork's Character's so Donkey and Shrek take care if that!

Ex Techie

I for one do not like Donkey or shrek they are the worst charcters i've seen,my upcomming cruise will be my seound with disney and yes the cost is high. I wish posters would quiit picking on disney. My cruise price is $2,378.02 for a seven night eastern caribbean inculded is my around trip air around trip traster and a free night's stay in the orlando hyatt i'm told this hotel is a wonderfull place to stay

 

[NancyIL]

I for one do not like Donkey or shrek they are the worst charcters i've seen,my upcomming cruise will be my seound with disney and yes the cost is high. I wish posters would quiit picking on disney. My cruise price is $2,378.02 for a seven night eastern caribbean inculded is my around trip air around trip traster and a free night's stay in the orlando hyatt i'm told this hotel is a wonderfull place to stay

I assure you that you are paying for the room at the Hyatt, and it is included in the price of your DCL air package!

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

I wish posters would quiit picking on disney.

Hi Patrickprincess,

You may not of understood my post, nor know my background.
I'm and ex DCL CM, and one of the biggest advocates of Disney and DCL.
Even to the point of defending the company and down right arguing their case against people that have criticized the service or challenges they have had onboard the ships. Warning's and infraction's included!

I recommended that padawans book the RC cruise rather than the Fantasy cruise as she stated that she didn't think the food on the Dream was up to par, her kid's couldn't care less about Characters, and she wished there was more to do for the tweens and teens.

Hence recommending the Allure rather than be disappointed with the expectations of the Fantasy.

Ex Techie

 

[Patrickprincess]

Hi Patrickprincess,

You may not of understood my post, nor know my background.
I'm and ex DCL CM, and one of the biggest advocates of Disney and DCL.
Even to the point of defending the company and down right arguing their case against people that have criticized the service or challenges they have had onboard the ships. Warning's and infraction's included!

I recommended that padawans book the RC cruise rather than the Fantasy cruise as she stated that she didn't think the food on the Dream was up to par, her kid's couldn't care less about Characters, and she wished there was more to do for the tweens and teens.

Hence recommending the Allure rather than be disappointed with the expectations of the Fantasy.I

Ex Techie

I'm sorry i get too wrapped into disney sometimes. Right now i'm a little frustred becasue my formal dress is mia and the store is closed for the day Also my fantasy cruise is the first vaction that i've had in nearly four years. I had horrible 2010 i lost both my sister and mom with in six months of each other and i also got kicked out of my mother's home by my brother. Again sorry for being too wraped up in disney. what was trying to say about some of the other lines beeing snobs is they do not fit me.

 

[mickey2000]

I have never been on any other cruiseline nor will I one because many are snobs and remember what happened on a other line where the crew left the passngers to take care of theemselfs durring a fire? Yes disney is pricer than princess and yes the parks are expesive however i feel they really try and put a better product out there and when people stop paying then mabey the price will come down. Just like anything eles when the new wears off perhaps the cost will come down. Mabey it's me but i for one do not like having those stupied casnios on the ships. I worked at one and they rip you off. There are those out there that just like to tear down good things

Guess I'm a SNOB ????
I agree that " stupied casnios "

 

[EPCOTatNight]

I assure you that you are paying for the room at the Hyatt, and it is included in the price of your DCL air package!

I find it funny that you're very active on a Disney cruise board, yet you don't seem to like their product very much.

 

[padawans]

I for one do not like Donkey or shrek they are the worst charcters i've seen,my upcomming cruise will be my seound with disney and yes the cost is high. I wish posters would quiit picking on disney. My cruise price is $2,378.02 for a seven night eastern caribbean inculded is my around trip air around trip traster and a free night's stay in the orlando hyatt i'm told this hotel is a wonderfull place to stay

Picking on Disney. I am sure disney can handle some constructive critisim. I am also sure they like to know what people like and dislike about there product so they can improve on it.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

I'm sorry i get too wrapped into disney sometimes. Right now i'm a little frustred becasue my formal dress is mia and the store is closed for the day Also my fantasy cruise is the first vaction that i've had in nearly four years. I had horrible 2010 i lost both my sister and mom with in six months of each other and i also got kicked out of my mother's home by my brother. Again sorry for being too wraped up in disney. what was trying to say about some of the other lines beeing snobs is they do not fit me.

No worries!

I'm so sorry for your loss, no one should have to got through that, and to add the horrible home life situation is just dreadful.
I hope you are managing to get thing's together and get yourself back on your feet.
All the best for your cruise, that dress will turn up and I hope your truly have an amazing fantastic cruise and vacation, you really deserve it after all you have been through!

Ex Techie

 

[MTmomma]

Bottom line is that every cruise line has good points and bad points. Each family has to decide what is best for their family needs, wants, and desires. To the OP, based on your own statements, DCL does not sound like it would be a fit for your family. That's okay! Book the Allure, and enjoy your time Onboard.
Also, as for snobbery, well, there are certainly groups of sniffing nay-bobs with their noses so high in the air, they risk toppling onto their backsides with every step. Every experience in life contains a certain measure of these people. Don't let them bother you, and be sure to help them off the floor. After you stop giggling of course.

 

[NancyIL]

I find it funny that you're very active on a Disney cruise board, yet you don't seem to like their product very much.

I like DCL's product just fine; their prices...not so much! However, Patrickprincess is under the impression that her hotel night is FREE because she booked her air through Disney. It isn't.