Why do disney cruises cost more than other cruise lines?

[PoeticMoe]

 

[jilljill]

Enough with the park references.....this is the DCL board.

OP has asked a valid question, even if it's been asked many times, so let's keep it on track with DCL/other cruiseline responses.

Any more park references will be deleted - either direct posts or quoting past posts.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Ah, but you DID pay for those sodas.....when you paid your cruise fare.
I can buy an awful lot of soda on another cruise line with the average $1000 savings.

To quote myself earlier:

Ok semantics aside, it really doesn't make a difference if XYZ company say the air fare is $200 and the Hotel is $100.
And ZXY company say the air fare with free hotel is $300.

If your happy with the price, then great. If not book your own choice of airline and hotel.
Whether it is listed as free or included is incidental, if your happy with the price, then
What it's called is neither here nor there, and if you think it is value for money is too subjectional to discuss on a forum.

Ex Techie

 

[justmestace]

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.

We know that Disney reads these Boards. Maybe if they see some of the negative comments that are made, or some of the problems people have had, they'll be more inclined to FIX it.

Look at what happened when DCL suddenly announced that they were no longer going to allow people to carry liquor onboard....it went like wildfire on the DIS Boards, people wrote emails, and DCL back-tracked.

(Of course, I thought it was kind of funny that Disney cruisers talk about how Carnival is full of drunks, but yet they were OUTRAGED at the thought of not being able to carry on all the liquor they wanted.)

 

[justmestace]

And what difference does it make whether it is free or included?

If Patrickprincess is happy with the price, then it's all good!

Ex Techie

Remember the title of the thread????
One reason that DCL is more expensive is that they hide charges in the original fare. NOTHING is free.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Remember the title of the thread????
One reason that DCL is more expensive is that they hide charges in the original fare. NOTHING is free.

Got it! And everyone has said their piece about the prices, what's included, what they think is free. what is hidden in the price.

Enough said by everyone me thinks! Mod's?

Ex Techie

 

[justmestace]

To quote myself earlier:

Ok semantics aside, it really doesn't make a difference if XYZ company say the air fare is $200 and the Hotel is $100.
And ZXY company say the air fare with free hotel is $300.

If your happy with the price, then great. If not book your own choice of airline and hotel.
Whether it is listed as free or included is incidental, if your happy with the price, then
What it's called is neither here nor there, and if you think it is value for money is too subjectional to discuss on a forum.

Ex Techie

That's true....but.....the OP wanted people's ideas/opinions about why DCL is more expensive.
Some people have said that on DCL, at least they get free soda. But it isn't free.....by paying more to cruise on Disney, as opposed to cruising on another less expensive cruise line, you're paying a LOT for that soda.

I'm sorry if I am not saying it so that you understand what I mean...and no, I'm not being sarcastic, I really mean that.

 

[justmestace]

Got it! And everyone has said their piece about the prices, what's included, what they think is free. what is hidden in the price.

Enough said by everyone me thinks! Mod's?

Ex Techie

Maybe the OP doesn't want the thread closed.....you don't have to post or read any more.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

That's true....but.....the OP wanted people's ideas/opinions about why DCL is more expensive.
Some people have said that on DCL, at least they get free soda. But it isn't free.....by paying more to cruise on Disney, as opposed to cruising on another less expensive cruise line, you're paying a LOT for that soda.

I'm sorry if I am not saying it so that you understand what I mean...and no, I'm not being sarcastic, I really mean that.

I just think there are too many variables, and people have too many opinions, and it should be left up to the person looking to cruise on a cruise line to decide if DCL is worth the extra money as no one can decide but them until after their cruise. And then that is still their opinion.


Ex Techie

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Maybe the OP doesn't want the thread closed.....you don't have to post or read any more.

Behave yourself. You know that wasn't what I was saying.

Ex Techie

 

[keaster]

I've said this on similar threads about the cost of Disney cruises...it is simply a numbers game.

DCL has 3, soon to be 4, ships. Carnival, RCCL and other cruiseline have 20+ ships in their fleets. Those cruiselines can offer discounts without really hurting the bottom line. Plus, as others have said, they have casinos which bring in a huge amount of revenue.

DCL is charging a premium price and people are obviously willing to pay it. When cruises are not filling up like DCL would like, the deals do come like KSF and 25% Cdn. discounts on the MR cruises currently being offered. There were also some discounts on some Med cruises in both 2010 and 2011.

If people start to balk at the prices that have been outlined on the 2013 Fantasy cruises, some deals may come later...but it seems DCL has had no problem filling the Dream and Fantasy.

 

[DundasDad]

The statements about "FREE" soda and other little things (which I've never seen anyone name these other little things)...is so laughable.

It isn't FREE if you're paying $1000 to $2000 MORE to cruise on Disney.


Obviously I like to cruise with Disney, since I've gone with them 12 times....but I really love to cruise, and love seeing a lot of different places, and up until recently, Disney was going to the same old places over and over and over.....for a lot more money than most of the other cruise lines.

If you go on another cruise line with the thought that you won't enjoy it because it isn't Disney...then you know what?? You probably WON'T enjoy it.
If you go in thinking you're going to have a great time, regardless, you'll probably have a great time.


People need to remember that Disney is a BUSINESS. And they are in business to MAKE MONEY....plain and simple. The days of Walt just wanting to see people enjoy themselves are long gone.

Wow ... harsh.

I like to think that the spirit of what Walt was trying to achieve is still around. I felt like when my family went on our Magic cruise that our experience REALLY mattered to every employee we ran into.

 

[padawans]

Remember the title of the thread????
One reason that DCL is more expensive is that they hide charges in the original fare. NOTHING is free.

Some people stay club level and think they are getting free wine, beer, and snacks. Maybe its the same thought process with the sodas.

 

[TXDCLfan]

]Ah, but you DID pay for those sodas.....when you paid your cruise fare.[/B]
I can buy an awful lot of soda on another cruise line with the average $1000 savings.

Correct

 

[justmestace]

Some people stay club level and think they are getting free wine, beer, and snacks. Maybe its the same thought process with the sodas.

Could be....

 

[PrincessTrisha]

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?

Now, I KNOW you're not talking about the Carnival Splendor fire, right? Because the crew did not leave passengers to take care of themselves during that - there are many stories where crew went far above and beyond to do for the passengers on that cruise.

What I find ironic is people who've never sailed another line saying DCL has better ______________ (fill in the blank).

Better is a comparative statement - unless you have experienced how do you know?

Again, I think that DCL charges more because they can - because people hear Disney and expect a premium price - just like the deluxe hotels at WDW or club level service at WDW or merchandise.

I would never pay $15 for a set of salt and pepper shakers but make them in the shape of Mickey and Minnie and it seems like the right price.

I would not consider $3800 for a balcony cabin for a week a good price for a cruise, but again, make it a DCL ship, and for some reason, I'm still considering paying that for a cruise.

 

[over50visits]

To quote myself earlier:

Ok semantics aside, it really doesn't make a difference if XYZ company say the air fare is $200 and the Hotel is $100.
And ZXY company say the air fare with free hotel is $300.

Ex Techie

Actually it makes a big difference. It's marketing. DCL charges more, and often part of the response is "free sodas." Logically, of course they are not free, their cost is rolled into the higher fares of DCL, but such benefits as sodas are critical to helping people justify to themselves paying more. It makes a big difference.

Emotionally, such packaging matters a LOT to people who are paying more, as DCL is well structured to make you feel you are receiving more (such as free sodas). Don't discount the power of the good feelings people get when they think about how Disney has been a part of their lives - and their willingness to pay to continue that experience. Presentation is everything.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Lets be frank, ALL the LINES are Marketing thier cruises in the way they feel will fill the Ships and make the most money.

When all is said and done, Disney is able to charge more becuase they provide a PRODUCT that thousands feel is worth the Money. IE they are filling the ships! Thier problem is that thier prouduct costs more....and it's something they need to do, Disney Quality is a big part to what keep the thousands booking cruises.

All the other lines are providing a product at a satisfaction level where they are making to most money possible IE the number of passingers.vs..costs. Really the same thing.

There have been many comments about dissatisfaction with DCL in the limited number of vessels and itinaries. I feel DCL has been smart and that is part of their game plan........slow steady growth, with intense study of the best size vessels and routes etc. DCL is still a infant in the cruise biz!


This is the business bottom line! short and sweet.

AKK

 

[NancyIL]

Actually it makes a big difference. It's marketing. DCL charges more, and often part of the response is "free sodas." Logically, of course they are not free, their cost is rolled into the higher fares of DCL, but such benefits as sodas are critical to helping people justify to themselves paying more. It makes a big difference.

Emotionally, such packaging matters a LOT to people who are paying more, as DCL is well structured to make you feel you are receiving more (such as free sodas). Don't discount the power of the good feelings people get when they think about how Disney has been a part of their lives - and their willingness to pay to continue that experience. Presentation is everything.

Exactly! The word "free" is very powerful. Just think how many people say they won't go to Disney World unless they can get "free" dining! Whether it's Kids Sail Free (usually when you book a certain category stateroom), "free" [included] soda, or "free" [included] hotel with DCL air - people need to do the math to see if they are really saving money with the so-called "free" things. For the folks who drink a lot of soda, bring a lot of alcohol onboard, and leave their kids in the clubs until the wee hours of the morning - the included (not "free") items on DCL may make financial sense for them. Those included things are irrelevant to me.

 

[ksucats]

I didn't read through this entire thread, so I am sure this has been said in some form.

We are willing to pay a little extra for the excellent Disney service, but can justify more of the $ difference in this manner. (we know it isn't free, but rather are paying extra to have) Soft drinks are included (savings of roughly $100), can bring our own alcohol (We still buy some from Disney, but estimate this to save us about $400 on a 7 day cruise), & no casino (obviously could win money here, but on average I would be willing to gamble $50 a day, so $350 savings here). Just these 3 items to me equate to the difference in Disney versus the other lines I researched.