Why is DCL worth the extra cost?

[TiggerBouncy]

Also, based on your signature, you've only sailed on Disney, so you can't be expected to know this, but the service, cleanliness, and atmosphere (sans mouse) are comparable across all the mainstream cruise lines. Having sailed numerous times on HAL, Princess, RCL, Disney and Carnival, I would rank those three criteria with Princess first, RCL, HAL, and Disney tied, and Carnival last.

This just shows how experience differs. I would never rate RCL as cleaner than DCL. My wife was on Enchantment of the Seas a few years ago (and we saw her in dock last week). Carpets are old and worn. Walls were a little dirty. She was definitely showing her age. And you aw that's cleaner, better service and atmosphere compared to DCL?

I cannot disagree with you more.

I would rate them at: HCL / DCL tied. NCL, then RCL. Carnival is just an embarrassment.

 

[mreasier]

It's a personal choice. If you are happy with the Coral Princess, than by all means - pay your cheaper fare and enjoy your cruise.

For me, it's about trust, and show.
I trust Disney (and DCL) more than I trust the other cruise lines (and to be clear, I have sailed Carnival, DCL, NCL, PCL, And Holland. A long time ago I even sailed Homelines when they existed). I wouldn't step foot on a carnival ship if it were free and as a bonus they were putting my kid thorough college. that's my opinion. Others swear by them. I have had good times and bad times on every cruise line, but I saw this from my personal opinion - DCL of all the lines (and Disney in general) never lets a cruise end poorly. They go out of their way to correct any wrong and have the most sincere (again in my experience) desire to make sure you are happy. They are the only line I know of where the waiter in the main dining gets involved and wants to do something to correct an issue that you had during a show or a character meet and greet. Or your stateroom host wants to help with a problem with the pool.

And it's about Showmanship. Everything on DCL is spick-spec. Always. Everytime. If you get on the ship it's first sailing, 21st or 351'st, it always looks like it's right out of dock. The shows are amazing broadway style. Everything is with a flair that you just don't get on other ships.

I quip all the time (but it's true) we were just as Nassau last week. the lineup with Carnival Fascination, Carnival Fantasy, DCL Dream, Enchantment of the Seas and the NCL Sky. The other ships showed definite wear and tear. Each one needed a paint job. Except the Dream. They were out there hosing her off - like they do every time to keep her clean as a whistle.

Again - these are MY reasons. Each person makes a personal choice. It sounds to me like you have made yours. I won't try to change your mind. I will say that in general, you get what you pay for. That's been my experience as well.

Thank you for sharing your reasons for preferring Disney even if it costs more. I'm not sure what personal choice you think I have made. We have chosen to cruise on both Disney and Princess in January. I am really interested in the reasons why people are willing to pay the extra price on Disney. Ours was that the kids and grandsons wanted us to go with them. You and others have stated other reasons for preferring Disney. I may or may not agree with them but they are very informative.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

As for unhappy people, my dad once told me that when I get to the gates of Heaven, I will surely find people complaining about the accommodations.

Cruise related: I read a book that was about the hearings on the Titanic disaster. A survivor who testified, but spend most of her testimony complaining about the size of her stateroom and the service.

I pay for Disney but I'm splitting with friends when I cruise so I am not paying full freight. Have not and likely never will cruise with children.

Am I wrong as to thinking that the OP isn't trying to decide whether or not to cruise on a Disney ship? They're already cruising on one, because that's what the grandkids want. They just want to know how those of us with no kids to consider justify spending the money on Disney rather than going with some other lines, because well, Disney is for kids. Some adults like Disney. I like Disney. It's fun to cruise with Disney. I'll be trying other lines but I have always cruised Disney (and no kids).

 

[eskimoinparadise]

This just shows how experience differs. I would never rate RCL as cleaner than DCL. My wife was on Enchantment of the Seas a few years ago (and we saw her in dock last week). Carpets are old and worn. Walls were a little dirty. She was definitely showing her age. And you aw that's cleaner, better service and atmosphere compared to DCL?

I cannot disagree with you more.

I would rate them at: HCL / DCL tied. NCL, then RCL. Carnival is just an embarrassment.

I never said they were cleaner, I said they were comparable. And we were on Magic in May and there was rust everywhere, the pool deck had the same trash on the floor all week (they never swept it up), the ceiling in our cabin leaked and the carpet was soaked and musty, two of the drawers in the dresser were broken, and you could have read a newspaper through the fabric on the couch it ws so warn. I guess I just leave my rose colored glasses home when I cruise.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I don't have kids and sail only with another adult so I'm sure that makes a difference. I enjoy Disney to a point and love cruising.

I've done a couple of Disney cruises and found them comparable to the other mass market lines I've tried (RCL, HAL, Celebrity, love love love windstar but not exactly mass market). I had a few serious issues with my Disney cruises regarding cleanliness and service. I was not feeling the Disney "magic" so it's not a brand I trust any more than the others.

I was researching for a cruise in Feb. and has picked a great itinerary on RCL, unfortunately no feb. or March sailings had the type of cabin we wanted. So I started looking at other lines. I figured I'd check Disney-a slightly less great itinerary for the two of us was going to be $8150 on Disney and a substantially smaller room. We settled on princess at $5500.

Now Disney is the only line that I haven't sailed in a suite so maybe their concierge is worth that much more than anybody else's. For me, even though I enjoy Disney and the Disney ships, it's not worth an extra cruise fare for their brand.

 

[mommary]

In February I am going on my 8th disney cruise out of Puerto Rico on the Wonder. I love cruising with Disney and have never had a bad
experience. That being said when it came time to book an Alaskan cruise for our 40th anniversary we decided to try Princess.
Total for a mini suite, gratuities included, airfare, transfers and hotel came in a tad under $7,000. When I priced DCL the price for the cruise only was almost
$9,000 ( balcony room) not including any thing else. Since we had been on the Wonder several times we felt it was time to try something different.
Princess also has a cigar bar for my husband who does like to have the occasional smoke and won't have to sit in a corner to do so.
I will let you know how it turns out but I'm sure I will be back on DCL again too!

 

[dsdeleon]

My kids are the perfect age for the clubs at 7 and 10. I see them aging out of DCL just like they did with The theme park transition from Disney to Universal. I will be just as heartbroken.

 

[xlxo]

Every cruise line on the planet offers picture packages, and NONE of them are worth the price.

Princess does NOT offer a picture package where you can walk away with all pictures taken at a max price.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

There are really lots of reasons why DCL is worth the extra money.

The Disney Magic and Pixie Dust is the whole product, the superior designed, and built vessels with the classic lines and feel, the art deco and Nuevo deco feel and just enough Disney touches to bring a smile to peoples faces.

A ship crew that is excellent and the best trained and I know that for a fact, because I know all the special training they get on American Maritime schools. Add to that how they have rescued many at sea, including being able to get the rescue boat in the water and save a person who fell off another cruise ship when the other cruise ship could not even get their boat in the water.

Their own special designed terminal and Bus service where the magic begins with videos on what's coming and Disney cartoons.

The excellent service,, yes other lines may have great service, but twisting that into saying its Disney Pixie Dust, doesn't work, Add great food and good family entertainment. The DISNEY characters that bring joy to the kids, young and old. Mickey and Minnie. Things like Animators Pallet MDR, food and mixers events and that is just starters.

One of my special examples of what make DCL so special happened when we were taking the design of the Magic tour, (which by itself is a great tour) when Belle came around the corner and a young girl on the tour with her MOM, just cried out in joy. Belle spun around, flopped down onto the deck, lifted the girl into lap and calmed her down. She finally told the child that if she was at a door down the passageway at 1830, she could walk with Belle to a greeting session. Mom nodded ok, Belle got up waved good bye and I would bet a week pay that child was at the door at 1830 and had a memory that would last a lifetime.

Almost everyone in the modern world knows Disney and Disney magic and Pixie dust, not only from DCL, but also the Disney parks and many other venues.

I will repeat if DCL is not for you, please find a line your happy with. If you feel DCL cruise are not world the money or your not willing to pay for it........please don't pay it, find another line your happy with and enjoy there product.

However the bottom line is the Disney cruises are special with real Disney Magic and Pixie dust only found on their ships.


AKK

 

[aggiedog]

My kids are the perfect age for the clubs at 7 and 10. I see them aging out of DCL just like they did with The theme park transition from Disney to Universal. I will be just as heartbroken.

FWIW, one our one and only cruise, all my kids, ages 10-16, loved their respective clubs. None of them are Disney character fanatics, they just liked the activities and other kids there.

We are going on the Dec 24 Merry Time cruise next week for what is really a stupid amount of money. That said, I hope it will be worth it for us.

 

[perdidobay]

OP: for many people it is not worth the cost anymore and they have moved on to other cruise lines, as for adults without kids, I have to guess that an overwhelming love of all things Disney keeps them cruising on DCL. I guess they feel safer only vacationing with Disney due to the way Disney keeps their entertainment sqeaky clean and g rated.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I agree with Perdidobay, the fact that the entertainment is g rated and clean is a reason we enjoy Disney. I don't need a 2nd rate comic of a show yelling cuss words and dirty jokes/comments at the guests. We handle that type of trash in the real life world all the time and don't need it on a vacation.

As a moderate in life I find this covered all types of life styles.

Now for those that need and enjoy that kind of thing to be entertained, they are free to go elsewhere!


AKK

 

[bethy]

It's worth to me so far for all of the above reasons (especially the well trained crew - ahem). PLUS their attention to food allergies which for our family - and especially on a cruise ship where food options are limited - is absolutely critical.

I can see myself trying other lines once my kids are grown and gone. BUT one reason I would love to still do DCL and also Disneyland is for the nostalgia and the memories of when I had my kids living at home. I know I'm going to be so sad when they are gone and that Disney will be a refuge for me when that happens.

 

[Ofinn]

My kids are the perfect age for the clubs at 7 and 10. I see them aging out of DCL just like they did with The theme park transition from Disney to Universal. I will be just as heartbroken.

My kids liked DCL even more when they moved up to the Edge. They are 11 and 13 and like yours have outgrown the theme parks, but they still love DCL. DCL does a great job with the teens. They started disliking the lab starting around age 9. I think it has to do with being thrown in with the really little kids. I was able to move them to the Edge at age 10, and they still love it.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

FWIW, one our one and only cruise, all my kids, ages 10-16, loved their respective clubs. None of them are Disney character fanatics, they just liked the activities and other kids there.

We are going on the Dec 24 Merry Time cruise next week for what is really a stupid amount of money. That said, I hope it will be worth it for us.

I just wanted to say enjoy your Christmas cruise. I would love to be able to take time off from my restaurant to take a cruise next week so I'm super jealous!

We've done Disneyland a couple times on Christmas and it's absolutely the best, so I can only imagine what DCL would be like. Have fun and I wish you safe travels.

Take care,

Jack

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Thank you for sharing your reasons for preferring Disney even if it costs more. I'm not sure what personal choice you think I have made. We have chosen to cruise on both Disney and Princess in January. I am really interested in the reasons why people are willing to pay the extra price on Disney. Ours was that the kids and grandsons wanted us to go with them. You and others have stated other reasons for preferring Disney. I may or may not agree with them but they are very informative.

Happy to share my reasons. Although, your tone in your oriinal email made it clear you had made a personal choice.

"In our minds there is not enough on Disney to justify the additional cost other than the name."

 

[eskimoinparadise]

I agree with Perdidobay, the fact that the entertainment is g rated and clean is a reason we enjoy Disney. I don't need a 2nd rate comic of a show yelling cuss words and dirty jokes/comments at the guests. We handle that type of trash in the real life world all the time and don't need it on a vacation.

As a moderate in life I find this covered all types of life styles.

Now for those that need and enjoy that kind of thing to be entertained, they are free to go elsewhere!


AKK

Considering that Disney only has ~3% of the mainstream cruise market, I guess ~97% of the cruising public have already made their choice. Disney is a niche line with limited capacity and a fanatic fan base. It costs more because they only have fours ships to fill, and a seemingly never ending supply of Disney lovers to fill them - even if they are "one and done". And, even that becomes problematic every time they move a ship away from a home port connected to a theme park, because they closely tie the cruise experience to the theme park experience. If you like Disney, you cruise Disney. If you like cruising and want to take a cruise more than once every few years (or as a once in a lifetime experience), there is a world of comparable (and often superior) choices out there.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I agree with Perdidobay, the fact that the entertainment is g rated and clean is a reason we enjoy Disney. I don't need a 2nd rate comic of a show yelling cuss words and dirty jokes/comments at the guests. We handle that type of trash in the real life world all the time and don't need it on a vacation.

As a moderate in life I find this covered all types of life styles.

Now for those that need and enjoy that kind of thing to be entertained, they are free to go elsewhere!

AKK

On one of our Disney cruises a comedian commented that it's more difficult to be funny without the filth. We appreciated his efforts.

 

[cruisehopeful]

If you like Disney, you cruise Disney. If you like cruising and want to take a cruise more than once every few years (or as a once in a lifetime experience), there is a world of comparable (and often superior) choices out there.

I think this sums it up nicely. We do often look at other cruise lines and consider them, but it turns out that we really don't like the idea of cruising in general, even though we love taking Disney cruises.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

On one of our Disney cruises a comedian commented that it's more difficult to be funny without the filth. We appreciated his efforts.

Well my friend, I would beleive that is where talent, material, skill and practice come in.

I have seen many acts on different lines that had great shows, without the dirt.

AKK