Why do disney cruises cost more than other cruise lines?

[bunnyman]

Excuse me moderator, but where did you read that into my post. I liked the Dream so much I am going again in May. I was asking if it was better than other cruises. I don't know if it was worth the extra money I have never been on another cruise line. That why am asking the question. Is disney better or is it just more expensive. I never said I did not enjoy my cruise( other than the food). Now that I am starting to shop around I am starting to question the cost.

I'm not sure who your traveling party is, but mine is my wife and two kids. Together we've done 2 Carnival, 1 RC, and 1 Celebrity, with 1 DCL booked for next summer. DCL is by far the most expensive line we've seen. Prior to this it was Celebrity several years ago from NYC to Bermuda, with Celebrity in the premium category. Carnival has been the cheapest, and I think they're quality has actually been improving over the past few years (first Carnival cruise pre-kids was 1992). We go to WDW almost every year, and are willing to pay more to get the convenience offered by the various deluxe hotels (i.e. Poly, Beach Club, etc.), but have always been reluctant to book DCL as it is significantly more expensive than the other lines. However, that changed for 2012 with their sailing out of NYC and we don't need to fly. That being said, it is still about $2k more than what we could pay for other lines, but we're willing to do it next year to say we've at least given it a try.

 

[padawans]

The OP asked why Disney cost more than other cruise lines....and I think that asked for fairly simple responses....nothing like what's happened on here, with huge debates and nasty remarks.


The fact is that Disney IS more expensive, in most cases.

Of course, you'll find times when it's less expensive, but for the most part, it isn't.

Some people are willing to pay extra for Disney, and some people aren't.

Some people will have great experiences on Disney and won't want to try other cruise lines.
Some people will have great experiences on Disney (like me) but will still want to try other cruise lines, for a variety of reasons.

Some people will have bad experiences on Disney....**GASP**!!! Yes, it CAN happen. They may or may not want to try Disney again.

LUCKILY, THERE IS A PRODUCT OUT THERE FOR EVERYONE.

THERE IS NO POINT IN DEBATING WHICH ONE EACH OF US FEELS IS BETTER.....people are far too different for anyone to ever come around to another person's thinking, once their minds are made up.

Yes I thought it was a fairly simple question. Which really never got answered. This may have been the wrong place to ask. Too many people on these boards get defensive if you question anything disney does. They even get mad if question how much disney charges. I enjoyed my cruise on the Dream, and am looking forward to going again. I was hoping some people on here that had cruised other lines. Could give me some honest comparisons between disney and other lines regarding food, staterooms, pool area etc. Instead it turned in soda wars and people getting defensive. 200 posts, and I still have no idea why people are willing to pay so much more for a disney cruise.

 

[NancyIL]

Yes I thought it was a fairly simple question. Which really never got answered. This may have been the wrong place to ask. Too many people on these boards get defensive if you question anything disney does. They even get mad if question how much disney charges. I enjoyed my cruise on the Dream, and am looking forward to going again. I was hoping some people on here that had cruised other lines. Could give me some honest comparisons between disney and other lines regarding food, staterooms, pool area etc. Instead it turned in soda wars and people getting defensive. 200 posts, and I still have no idea why people are willing to pay so much more for a disney cruise.

You asked why Disney cruises cost more than other cruise lines, and that has been answered over and over. You asked why people are willing to pay more for DCL. Some people did post why they are willing to pay more for DCL than other cruise lines, and others posted why they don't think DCL is worth the premium price. I don't recall that you asked people to compare the food/staterooms/pools on DCL vs. other cruise lines. Personally, I think your initial questions have been answered. I suggest you reread the responses again if you disagree.

 

[keaster]

Excuse me moderator, but where did you read that into my post. I liked the Dream so much I am going again in May. I was asking if it was better than other cruises. I don't know if it was worth the extra money I have never been on another cruise line. That why am asking the question. Is disney better or is it just more expensive. I never said I did not enjoy my cruise( other than the food). Now that I am starting to shop around I am starting to question the cost.

Hi there OP!

The bolded part of your post is what this all boils down to...better is in the eye of the beholder And what some people consider better they are willing to pay for.

In other words...what I may consider a good meal may be something you think is downright rancid...while I may enjoy lounging by the pool with my iPod and a good book, you could be bored out of your mind...while I may like to do some shopping in Nassau, you may not want to set your foot on the island...while my child may love the kid clubs and never want to leave, your child may be too overwhelmed and not want to be a part of it.

As I said before I believe the reason DCL cruises are usually higher priced is because they have four ships to make money on while the other cruise lines have 20+ ships to spread the wealth. And until there is a full out boycott of DCL by the buying public, the prices are not likely to move much. Just be on the lookout for the deals when they do happen (Kids Sail Free, Cdn. discounts, last minute VGT discounts, etc.).

If you are flexible with dates, you can grab a decent price!

 

[ksucats]

Yes I thought it was a fairly simple question. Which really never got answered. This may have been the wrong place to ask. Too many people on these boards get defensive if you question anything disney does. They even get mad if question how much disney charges. I enjoyed my cruise on the Dream, and am looking forward to going again. I was hoping some people on here that had cruised other lines. Could give me some honest comparisons between disney and other lines regarding food, staterooms, pool area etc. Instead it turned in soda wars and people getting defensive. 200 posts, and I still have no idea why people are willing to pay so much more for a disney cruise.

And I will offer my point one more time. My point is that I am not paying more to sail on Disney than another line. When I booked my cruise, it wasn't quite $1000 more than what other lines offered for a similar itinerary. (it helps that I booked my Fantasy sailing when it went on sale last year - it is $3000 higher today) I estimated that I would've spent that $1000 on items that on the other cruiselines that I would not have spent while onboard DCL, so the cost to me was the same.

My point is that you need to consider what you will spend onboard of each cruise as part of the difference in price. That will be different for every family.

Now, if I were to compare the price of booking the same cruise today. The difference between Carnival & Disney appears to be $4000. I would NOT be able to justify spending the extra on Disney and would choose the Carnival cruise (or more than likely choose not to cruise and go to an all-inclusive resort).

 

[Rogillio]

People just insist on comparing apples and oranges. Disney is unique. The atmostphere is unique.

Here are 48+ reasons why no other cruiseline has anthing comparable to DCL:


24) Pongo, 101 Dalmatians (1961)
23) Flik, A Bug's Life (1998)
22) Shang, Mulan (1998)
21) John Smith, Pocahontas (1995)
20) Eric, The Little Mermaid (1989)
19) Sulley, Monsters, Inc. (2001)
18) Jim Hawkins, Treasure Planet (2002)
17) Marlin, Finding Nemo (2003)
16) Stitch, Lilo & Stitch (2002)
15) Tramp, Lady and the Tramp (1955)
14) Bambi, Bambi (1942)
13) Robin Hood, Robin Hood (1973)
12) Woody, Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999)
11) Peter Pan, Peter Pan (1953)
10) Mickey Mouse, Fantasia (1940), Fun and Fancy Free (1946), The Three Musketeers (2004) and much more
9) Prince Phillip, Sleeping Beauty (1959)
8) Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999)
7) Quasimodo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
6) Tarzan, Tarzan (1999)
5) Mr. Incredible, The Incredibles (2004)
4) Hercules, Hercules (1997)
3) Beast, Beauty and the Beast (1991)
2) Simba, The Lion King (1994)
1) Aladdin, Aladdin (1992)



24) Mia Thermopolis, The Princess Diaries (2001) and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)

23) Jessie, Toy Story 2 (1999)

22) Perdita, 101 Dalmatians (1961)

21) Wendy Darling, Peter Pan (1953)

20) Lady, Lady and the Tramp (1955)

19) Miss Bianca, The Rescuers (1977) and The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

18) Violet, The Incredibles (2004)

17) Alice, Alice in Wonderland (1951)

16) Dory, Finding Nemo (2003)

15) Lilo, Lilo & Stitch (2002)

14) Snow White, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

13) Jane, Tarzan (1999)

12) Aurora, Sleeping Beauty (1959)

11) Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins (1964)

10) Nala, The Lion King (1994)

9) Elastigirl, The Incredibles (2004)

8) Cinderella, Cinderella (1950)

7) Esmeralda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

6) Megara, Hercules (1997)

5) Pocahontas, Pocahontas (1995)

4) Jasmine, Aladdin (1992)

3) Ariel, The Little Mermaid (1989)

2) Mulan, Mulan (1998)

1) Belle, Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Just Missed the Cut: Winnie the Pooh, Pinocchio, Capt. Jack Sparrow, Baloo, Mufasa, Bernard, Basil of Baker Street, Goofy, Dumbo, Dash.

 

[justmestace]

People just insist on comparing apples and oranges. Disney is unique. The atmostphere is unique.

Here are 48+ reasons why no other cruiseline has anthing comparable to DCL:


24) Pongo, 101 Dalmatians (1961)
23) Flik, A Bug's Life (1998)
22) Shang, Mulan (1998)
21) John Smith, Pocahontas (1995)
20) Eric, The Little Mermaid (1989)
19) Sulley, Monsters, Inc. (2001)
18) Jim Hawkins, Treasure Planet (2002)
17) Marlin, Finding Nemo (2003)
16) Stitch, Lilo & Stitch (2002)
15) Tramp, Lady and the Tramp (1955)
14) Bambi, Bambi (1942)
13) Robin Hood, Robin Hood (1973)
12) Woody, Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999)
11) Peter Pan, Peter Pan (1953)
10) Mickey Mouse, Fantasia (1940), Fun and Fancy Free (1946), The Three Musketeers (2004) and much more
9) Prince Phillip, Sleeping Beauty (1959)
8) Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999)
7) Quasimodo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
6) Tarzan, Tarzan (1999)
5) Mr. Incredible, The Incredibles (2004)
4) Hercules, Hercules (1997)
3) Beast, Beauty and the Beast (1991)
2) Simba, The Lion King (1994)
1) Aladdin, Aladdin (1992)



24) Mia Thermopolis, The Princess Diaries (2001) and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)

23) Jessie, Toy Story 2 (1999)

22) Perdita, 101 Dalmatians (1961)

21) Wendy Darling, Peter Pan (1953)

20) Lady, Lady and the Tramp (1955)

19) Miss Bianca, The Rescuers (1977) and The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

18) Violet, The Incredibles (2004)

17) Alice, Alice in Wonderland (1951)

16) Dory, Finding Nemo (2003)

15) Lilo, Lilo & Stitch (2002)

14) Snow White, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

13) Jane, Tarzan (1999)

12) Aurora, Sleeping Beauty (1959)

11) Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins (1964)

10) Nala, The Lion King (1994)

9) Elastigirl, The Incredibles (2004)

8) Cinderella, Cinderella (1950)

7) Esmeralda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

6) Megara, Hercules (1997)

5) Pocahontas, Pocahontas (1995)

4) Jasmine, Aladdin (1992)

3) Ariel, The Little Mermaid (1989)

2) Mulan, Mulan (1998)

1) Belle, Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Just Missed the Cut: Winnie the Pooh, Pinocchio, Capt. Jack Sparrow, Baloo, Mufasa, Bernard, Basil of Baker Street, Goofy, Dumbo, Dash.

ANYONE can see those movies at any time.....what the heck does that have to do with cruising?? Holy guacamole!!

 

[Rogillio]

ANYONE can see those movies at any time.....what the heck does that have to do with cruising?? Holy guacamole!!

You will not see any of these charactes on any other cruise line in the world. This is part of the Disney atmosphere.....

On no other curise will you ever look up from your dinner table and see Belle and the Beast come waltzing into the dinning room or see Mrs Potts or see Tarzan walking down the hall.

This is precisely why DCL commands a higher price than other cruise lines. It has nothing to do with having to pay for Cokes or lack of casinos. It's all about the atmosphere that Disney provides.

Now, pass me some chips for that guacomole, thank you very much.

 

[justmestace]

You will not see any of these charactes on any other cruise line in the world. This is part of the Disney atmosphere.....

On no other curise will you ever look up from your dinner table and see Belle and the Beast come waltzing into the dinning room or see Mrs Potts or see Tarzan walking down the hall.

This is precisely why DCL commands a higher price than other cruise lines. It has nothing to do with having to pay for Cokes or lack of casinos. It's all about the atmosphere that Disney provides.

Now, pass me some chips for that guacomole, thank you very much.

It's true that you won't see that....and if you have little kids who like Disney, or you're an adult who likes Disney, and it's worth it to you to pay an extra $1000 or more to see someone dressed in a Mickey Mouse costume, then that's great. But debating whether or not people in costumes make Disney BETTER....or that they have a ton of movies and characters ...well, it just isn't worth debating.

Like I've said before....to some people it's worth the extra, to others it isn't. There's something for everyone.

I guess no one can really truly answer what makes Disney worth the extra money....because everyone values different things.

I personally think my Yukon XL runs just as well and rides just as nice as a Cadillac Escalade, and am glad I had an extra $10,000 to spend on cruising.......but I bet someone who owns a Cadillac Escalde wouldn't agree with me.

 

[DisneyOHFan]

Like I've said before....to some people it's worth the extra, to others it isn't. There's something for everyone.

I guess no one can really truly answer what makes Disney worth the extra money....because everyone values different things.

Actually, I think you did answer it. The value is different for everyone. There is no right or wrong answer here, so I am not sure why people are getting their undies in a knot and finding the need to debate. DCL is for some and not for others. We just happen to be the category that loves it and are willing to pay for it.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

Yes I thought it was a fairly simple question. Which really never got answered. This may have been the wrong place to ask. Too many people on these boards get defensive if you question anything disney does. They even get mad if question how much disney charges. I enjoyed my cruise on the Dream, and am looking forward to going again. I was hoping some people on here that had cruised other lines. Could give me some honest comparisons between disney and other lines regarding food, staterooms, pool area etc. Instead it turned in soda wars and people getting defensive. 200 posts, and I still have no idea why people are willing to pay so much more for a disney cruise.

Your questions have been answered multiple times.

 

[Rogillio]

It's true that you won't see that....and if you have little kids who like Disney, or you're an adult who likes Disney, and it's worth it to you to pay an extra $1000 or more to see someone dressed in a Mickey Mouse costume, then that's great. But debating whether or not people in costumes make Disney BETTER....or that they have a ton of movies and characters ...well, it just isn't worth debating.

Like I've said before....to some people it's worth the extra, to others it isn't. There's something for everyone.

I guess no one can really truly answer what makes Disney worth the extra money....because everyone values different things.

I personally think my Yukon XL runs just as well and rides just as nice as a Cadillac Escalade, and am glad I had an extra $10,000 to spend on cruising.......but I bet someone who owns a Cadillac Escalde wouldn't agree with me.

You just don't get it. It's not the Mickey that I enjoy seeing it's the elation of the children who cannot wait to meet Mickey. It's the attention to detail that made Disney is famous for and has made them the number one entertainment company in the world. I grew up watching Disney movies and raised 2 kids watching another generation of movies. We've have tons of memories of the Magic Kingdom....

Getting on a Disney ship is like 'going home again'.


BTW, my wife has a Yukon XL Denali...and that aren't exactly cheap.

 

[lovethedream]

Well then how is disney 2000 dollars better. This thread has turned into soda wars. I am getting a larger stateroom, and the play area and pool look better than what was on the Dream. Pleas don't telll me disney has the best food of any cruise line because I will never go on another cruise again. We really enjoyed the Dream, but now that I have started shopping around I am shocked at the deals I can get on other lines.

It is a personal choice and for me, I feel it is worth the extra money. I spelled out some of the things in my original post, but I loved our DCL cruise while I just liked our Carnival cruise.

I can only speak for me personally. I loved the food on the DCL cruise. I loved the rotational dining. I really do not like to go to the same restaurant night after night and being on a cruise ship eating at the same place every night does not change that. I did not care for the main dining room food on either RCCL or Carnival. Even to the point of pushing the plate away and leaving to go to the buffet.

In the end, I am not going to try and convince anybody that they should or should not try a DCL cruise. I will only say that go on the cruise which you feel best fits you and your family. For us, that happens to be DCL cruise.

We are currently looking at sailing on the Carnival Magic to give it a try. Who knows, we may come back and like that one better, but for now, I am looking forward to our next DCL cruise sometime next year.

 

[bonnielynn]

I think it is supply and demand. If Disney couldn't get people to go on the boat at those prices, they would lower the price.

If there was a like button, I would hit it..

 

[justmestace]

You just don't get it. It's not the Mickey that I enjoy seeing it's the elation of the children who cannot wait to meet Mickey. It's the attention to detail that made Disney is famous for and has made them the number one entertainment company in the world. I grew up watching Disney movies and raised 2 kids watching another generation of movies. We've have tons of memories of the Magic Kingdom....

Getting on a Disney ship is like 'going home again'.


BTW, my wife has a Yukon XL Denali...and that aren't exactly cheap.

Yeah, I really do get it. I like all of those things too...and I can't wait until my grandbabies are old enough so that I can take them. But what I AM saying is that it isn't always worth the extra money to only cruise Disney exclusively. Since we don't have little ones anymore, those things don't factor in. We gave our 18 year old son a choice of the Disney Fantasy or any other cruise or trip, and he chose a different cruise line.
It's just good that there are alternatives, that's all.

My Yukon XL isn't the Denali and it isn't new by any stretch...but it's been a really great vehicle, and we live in the middle of nowhere, where we have to use 4 wheel drive a lot. It takes a licking and keeps on ticking!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

On no other curise will you ever look up from your dinner table and see Belle and the Beast come waltzing into the dinning room or see Mrs Potts or see Tarzan walking down the hall.

This is precisely why DCL commands a higher price than other cruise lines.

Then I guess DCL owes me a refund cause I didn't see any of that on my cruises Sorry but I didn't see princesses at dinner, or characters walking around the halls.

In my experience, a lot of the things that people point to as the reason why Disney comands more $$$, didn't materialize.

Superior Service - nope, it was the same as other lines
Superior Stateroom - maybe a little (mostly due to the huge balcony for wheelchair accessibility) but the beds, bathrooms, etc were very similar
Great food - only outside of the dining rooms. I liked the food better on Carnival
Rotational dining - maybe it's just not my thing; moving dining rooms every night didn't really enhance my experience. I actually like knowing where my table is each night and not having to find it (or worry about how my mother's wheelchair will fit).
Adult only areas - again, about the same as other lines but the adult pool on the Dream wasn't very good (it was on the Magic though) and there were limited hot tubs.

I still maintain, DCL charges what it does because it can because of the brand. Just like Nikes are $200 a pair but the walmart gym shoe designed to look like Nikes are $40. It's branding.

 

[lovethedream]

Yes I thought it was a fairly simple question. Which really never got answered. This may have been the wrong place to ask. Too many people on these boards get defensive if you question anything disney does. They even get mad if question how much disney charges. I enjoyed my cruise on the Dream, and am looking forward to going again. I was hoping some people on here that had cruised other lines. Could give me some honest comparisons between disney and other lines regarding food, staterooms, pool area etc. Instead it turned in soda wars and people getting defensive. 200 posts, and I still have no idea why people are willing to pay so much more for a disney cruise.

With the number of posts, they may have been hidden, but several have, I believe, answerd your original question. in any case, it comes down to personal opinion. I for one, do not have a problem paying the "higher" price because I feel I get a better deal for my money on DCL that I do on other cruise lines, even with the higher prices. As in my previous post, here are some of the things I really like about DCL.

I really enjoy the production (name announcement) when you board.
I enjoy the DCL characters.
I love the ship and the atmosphere.
I enjoy the shows.
I love the food and the rotational dining.
I absolutley love the pirate party.

I forgot to mention the fireworks, liked our stateroom better with the split bath (and tub) (I absolutely hated taking a shower in a tube!!!), felt the cast members on board had bigger smiles. Nobody has ever beat our servers, and our room steward from our first DCL cruise, even topping our second DCL cruise.

As far as the soda, (did I really go there), what I was trying to convey is that there are some additional costs on board other cruise ships that are free on DCL. Does it make up the difference, no, but it is just one more little thing that for me adds to the overall picture of my enjoyment and to why I enjoy a DCL cruise more.

If it is within my budget, then I am going to go on the cruise that I think I will enjoy the most. It is as simple as that.

I can only speak for myself...

 

[justmestace]

I was thinking about the soda thing. It is nice to have the soda fountains on DCL....but....if I'm in one of the clubs and decide I want a soda, I'm not going to run all the way up to Deck 9 or Deck 11 (depending on the ship) just to get a "free" soda. I'll end up ordering and paying for one.
And most of the time, that's what seems to happen for me, anyway. When I want one, I'm nowhere near the fountains. I think it would be a much bigger plus if they also had a few in different locations.

 

[mickey2000]

 

[padawans]

You will not see any of these charactes on any other cruise line in the world. This is part of the Disney atmosphere.....

On no other curise will you ever look up from your dinner table and see Belle and the Beast come waltzing into the dinning room or see Mrs Potts or see Tarzan walking down the hall.

This is precisely why DCL commands a higher price than other cruise lines. It has nothing to do with having to pay for Cokes or lack of casinos. It's all about the atmosphere that Disney provides.

Now, pass me some chips for that guacomole, thank you very much.

I never saw Belle and the beast or Tarzan. Just mickey and Donald with huge lines. I am so glad my kids are not into disney charachters. I would hate waiting in those lines. I never saw chips or guacomole on the cruise either. Free chips and guacomole would probably convince me to be a disney loyalist for the rest of my life.