Why is DCL worth the extra cost?

[Tonka's Skipper]

I wish you were right about the prices being sometimes cheaper on DCL for 2017. In years past I would agree with you, in fact I would always be on the price threads saying that we honestly got a better deal on DCL. We did an apples to apples price compare an DCL was much higher in 2017. We will still stop on board and inquire about pricing in case of any deals and will see about a placeholder in case of better pricing in 2018.

For us that Pixie dust really doesn't apply, my DD has never in the eight years we cruised stood in line for a character picture, we like Disney, just don't love Disney. I am surprised that you are defending them so much, nobody is bashing the product, just the price increases that year to year are larger than the other lines, we know this because we researched other lines each year even though we always have sailed DCL, 2017 was the first year that we couldn't find a trip that was a decent deal compared to others. Since we didn't price out every month, there may be some where this is true, but based on people's responses, I am guessing that it is similar to what we saw.

Hi Cgolf,

I always lol at the price comparisons some (not you) make on line, with the hundreds of ships, thousands of cabin classes and time of years, anyone can get a comparison to show DCL twice as costly, yet others could find price similar. I have not checked 2017, but I know our Fantasy cruises, early April 2016 and the end of march 2017 are only $160.00 apart. As I have posted in the past, to us and obviously thousands of others as the ships rarely seen to have a problem filling, the cruise is worth the price. DCL offers a product no other line can.

I would love to pay less for DCL, but times are changing. Read the other line forums, the complaints are there saying prices are raising there as well. NCL, CEO at a stock holders meeting flat out told them, he has been building the new ships, making amenity cut backs, with the intention to make large increases in NCL cruise rates over the next few years.

Pixie Dust and Magic, are not just for kids. We have never been on a DCL cruise that did not have a lot of older couples like ourselves onboard. Yet I have seen posts saying that if you have to be mentally handicapped to cruise DCL. If you like the clean DCL entertainment your odd or afraid of the world in some way.

We sail RCCL and enjoy their good standard cruise, but DCL is still number 1 for us.

The bottom line is still if someone doesn't feel the DCL cruise is worth the money, go to another line!

AKK

 

[cgolf]

Hi Cgolf,

I always lol at the price comparisons some (not you) make on line, with the hundreds of ships, thousands of cabin classes and time of years, anyone can get a comparison to show DCL twice as costly, yet others could find price similar. I have not checked 2017, but I know our Fantasy cruises, early April 2016 and the end of march 2017 are only $160.00 apart. As I have posted in the past, to us and obviously thousands of others as the ships rarely seen to have a problem filling, the cruise is worth the price. DCL offers a product no other line can.

I would love to pay less for DCL, but times are changing. Read the other line forums, the complaints are there saying prices are raising there as well. NCL, CEO at a stock holders meeting flat out told them, he has been building the new ships, making amenity cut backs, with the intention to make large increases in NCL cruise rates over the next few years.

Pixie Dust and Magic, are not just for kids. We have never been on a DCL cruise that did not have a lot of older couples like ourselves onboard. Yet I have seen posts saying that if you have to be mentally handicapped to cruise DCL. If you like the clean DCL entertainment your odd or afraid of the world in some way.

We sail RCCL and enjoy their good standard cruise, but DCL is still number 1 for us.

The bottom line is still if someone doesn't feel the DCL cruise is worth the money, go to another line!

AKK

I think why this is frustrating for some of us, is that we have never sailed another line before so we don't have anything to compare DCL against. We are looking at Celebrity next year to try something new, but will probably still get a DCL placeholder too next year when we are onboard. I am guessing that DCL will still probably be our number 1, but we will have to see if it is number 1 enough to possibly pay more for on a yearly basis or just sometimes. In talking to my wife this morning about this very topic, we will be doing some more research tonight on the pricing to see how the prices have shifted. When onboard we will have our price list with us and see what happens, maybe some of that pixie dust will land in our chair

Now if DCL would just build those two other ships, then they the prices might ease a bit being that they would have to fill 6 instead of four, one can Dream

I did want to add that there is nothing wrong with sailing DCL because of clean comedy. I think that it is actually harder to do clean comedy well, just dropping random F bombs does not make someone funny. Saying that Robin Williams was one of the best at making raunchy seem funny and actually did a good job at it. We just enjoy watching talented people perform and DCL seems to find a decent group to put on stage. I don't understand where those comments are coming from.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I think why this is frustrating for some of us, is that we have never sailed another line before so we don't have anything to compare DCL against. We are looking at Celebrity next year to try something new, but will probably still get a DCL placeholder too next year when we are onboard. I am guessing that DCL will still probably be our number 1, but we will have to see if it is number 1 enough to possibly pay more for on a yearly basis or just sometimes. In talking to my wife this morning about this very topic, we will be doing some more research tonight on the pricing to see how the prices have shifted. When onboard we will have our price list with us and see what happens, maybe some of that pixie dust will land in our chair

Now if DCL would just build those two other ships, then they the prices might ease a bit being that they would have to fill 6 instead of four, one can Dream

I did want to add that there is nothing wrong with sailing DCL because of clean comedy. I think that it is actually harder to do clean comedy well, just dropping random F bombs does not make someone funny. Saying that Robin Williams was one of the best at making raunchy seem funny and actually did a good job at it. We just enjoy watching talented people perform and DCL seems to find a decent group to put on stage. I don't understand where those comments are coming from.

Your post makes total sense to me. I maybe wrong on this , but where the big price differences are, is in the concierge cabins and suites levels. We are not the type that likes having a butler or need high maintenance service, so its not something we look for. To each their own.

We sailed Carnival a number of years ago..............never again........we as I said sail RCCL, in fact I am trying to talk my wife n RCCL, NY to Bermuda this year. I have sailed by Bermuda many times but never landed there. In a few years I want to try the Cunard QM II, I really want to see the dining room wood work that was from the RMS Titanic sister ship, the RMS Olympic.

I agree on the comedy., I just though those posts were really just odd. Robin was just so talented, clean or raunchy, he was amazing!

6 ships would be nice........and may lower prices as well! The trouble is even if they sign contracts now it would be 4 years to see the 1st new one in PC.


AKK

 

[keaster]

We LOVE DCL and it is always our first choice as we enjoy the service, decor and atmosphere on board all the ships. However with our Canadian dollar in a free fall, we are looking at other cruise lines as the current exchange rate means adding on an extra 30-35 percent on to the cost. I wish DCL would allow us the ability to book in Canadian funds. RCL, Princess and Celebrity all give the option of Canadian pricing on their websites which takes some of the sting out of it.

 

[ludari]

Personally for me DCL is worth the extra cost. I've sailed on Holland America before Disney and I can definitely noticed the difference in the service, shows, and ship to name my top three reasons why I continually sail with Disney. In March 2016 I will sail with friends on RCL for the first time, although I would have preferred to sail with Disney it took my friends a lot of persuasion to get me to finally sail with them on RCL. I did like the lower cost of the RCL cruise but the cost alone will not convince me to change cruise lines in fact I have a placeholder on Disney that I look forward to finalizing.

 

[Ofinn]

Yet DCL has little problem filling their vessels so I doubt it one and go.

I will not debate what has to done over and.over on the dis, the prices for dcl are well below 10,000. In fact depending on the time of year, the cabin and the.vessel DCL is sometimes cheaper.then the other lines and provide thier specail.and unique cruises.none of the other lines can offer. The Disney Magic and Pixie dust, classic liner vessels, better trainer crews and service etc etcake.the DCL cruises well worth theoney.


Again ,if.you don't feel.they are are worth the price, please find a.line you like.

ALK

Do you not read my post? It's like you argue the exact thing I said.
Why do you keeps saying that when you see how many times I have sailed on DCL and how many cruises I have booked. I have stated I don't think they are worth the price during peak times. I get asked all the time by co workers and other parents that aren't willing to pull their kids out of school if it's worth it. I tell them no. My situation is completely different because my kids are homeschooled. At the current time I don't need to find another cruiseline, but thanks for the advice. I do believe a lot of people are one and done on DCL, but people keep having kids so the ships will always be full. Thank goodness they can't fill their off season cruises or I would never cruise since I always book with the 60 day out discounts.
I have never understood why you get so defensive about DCL?????

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Do you not read my post it's like you argue the exact thing I said.
Why do you keeps saying that when you see how many times I have sailed on DCL and how many cruises I have booked. I have stated I don't think they are worth the price during peak times. I get asked all the time by co workers and other parents that aren't willing to pull their kids out of school if it's worth it. I tell them no. My situation is completely different because my kids are homeschooled. At the current time I don't need to find another cruiseline, but thanks for the advice. I do believe a lot of people are one and done on DCL, but people keep having kids so the ships will always be full.

Saying what?.. You said DCL was 10,000 and I know they are usually well below that. If you don't think its worth the 10,000........your free to not think so. It fact I don't either.

You are free to believe the *one and done thing*.I totally disagree.........just like the parks/WDW, families/ couples are usually many visits over the years.


Well I really don't know what your point is and in any case we are not going to agree.so best to drop it.




AKK

 

[Ofinn]

Saying what?.. You said DCL was 10,000 and I know they are usually well below that.


Well I really don't know your point is t and in any case we are not going to agree.so best to drop it.




AKK

Look at prices in the Summer for a family of four Alaska, Europe, caribbean? I will drop it you make no sense to me.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

O finn, ......I was not in discussion with you when you popped up talking about 10,000 for a Caribbean cruise and you need a lot of Pixie dust.........I didn't even know what you wre talking about, all I did was to say a lot of DCL Caribbean cruise are cheaper ..I was of course referring to year around.

So apparently we were having 2 different discussions, no wonder we both were confused.


AKK

 

[COASTIEandMATE]

We LOVE DCL and it is always our first choice as we enjoy the service, decor and atmosphere on board all the ships. However with our Canadian dollar in a free fall, we are looking at other cruise lines as the current exchange rate means adding on an extra 30-35 percent on to the cost. I wish DCL would allow us the ability to book in Canadian funds. RCL, Princess and Celebrity all give the option of Canadian pricing on their websites which takes some of the sting out of it.

I am so glad that you mentioned this!! Disney does monitor these boards and that is an excellent suggestion!!

 

[eskimoinparadise]

YMMV, but...
Picked two cruises for March 2016 (Fantasy and Freedom), and the reason I hold the view that I hold is that Disney's pricing when comparing the same itineraries in the same month is the only valid way to compare prices.

IMO there are two issues with Disney's pricing model:
1) lack of price separation between categories, and
2) the huge gap between standard categories and Concierge

These are today's prices

Disney Fantasy (March 12, 2016 Eastern:
Interior starts at $4623
Oceanview starts at $4725 (a $102 difference)
Veranda starts at $4931 (a $206 difference)
Concierge starts at $14199 (a $9261 difference )

RCL Freedom (March 6, 2016 Eastern)
Interior starts at $1740 - Disney 265% higher
Oceanview starts at $2194 (a $454 difference, and Disney is 215% higher)
Balcony starts at $3034 (an $854 difference and Disney is only 162% higher)
Concierge (starts with a Grand Suite on RCL) $5212 (a $2178 difference and Disney is 272% higher)

We're actually on Freedom march 6, and we booked a D1 balcony on opening day for $1802.

 

[mcd2745]

We absolutely love DCL, and I'd say that DCL is worth some extra cost - just not as much extra as they charge.

We look at the time we want to cruise, and take the prices for RCCL and consider that "the floor", if you will. We'll be willing to go above that cost for DCL - to a point. Maybe even up to 30% higher. Problem is, DCL is always at minimum 80-120% higher (at least the weeks we always look at - and granted, we're constrained by the school calendar). We can afford it, but we can't justify it in our minds.

 

[DnA2010]

For us- simple answer is no. We cruised Fantasy last year as we got a good VGT rate, but I can't see us cruising DCl again in the near future as I don't think it was worth double the cost- we prefer more vacations and doing DCL again would limit things due to cost. We have talked about WDW combined with another line (we've enjoyed RCL) to get the Disney fix. Our travel budget (we don't gather debt for vacations) would be exhausted quick with another DCL cruise, however we will consider it again when the Canadian dollar recovers and if we can get a good rate again

 

[TXDCLfan]

YMMV, but...
Picked two cruises for March 2016 (Fantasy and Freedom), and the reason I hold the view that I hold is that Disney's pricing when comparing the same itineraries in the same month is the only valid way to compare prices.

IMO there are two issues with Disney's pricing model:
1) lack of price separation between categories, and
2) the huge gap between standard categories and Concierge

These are today's prices

Disney Fantasy (March 12, 2016 Eastern:
Interior starts at $4623
Oceanview starts at $4725 (a $102 difference)
Veranda starts at $4931 (a $206 difference)
Concierge starts at $14199 (a $9261 difference )

RCL Freedom (March 6, 2016 Eastern)
Interior starts at $1740 - Disney 265% higher
Oceanview starts at $2194 (a $454 difference, and Disney is 215% higher)
Balcony starts at $3034 (an $854 difference and Disney is only 162% higher)
Concierge (starts with a Grand Suite on RCL) $5212 (a $2178 difference and Disney is 272% higher)

We're actually on Freedom march 6, and we booked a D1 balcony on opening day for $1802.

WOW nice comparison ...#'s do not lie!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Sailed RCCL to Hawaii in September, because DCL cost quite a bit more and I knew the friends we travelled with would never have paid the difference DCL wanted. It was a nice cruise, but our 5 night DCL Merrytime cruise that we just got off of gave us more smiles than that 10 night RCCL cruise. We are booked on a Princess cruise in 2 weeks and we will see how we like that. It's been 6 years since we cruised Princess, this will be our 6th Princess cruise, and we picked it because of itinerary. It's a partial crossing of the Panama Canal, and it has different ports that we would like to try. We will compare the lectures and the common ports to what we experienced on DCL's PC crossing.

So, we have 3 DCL cruises booked for 2016, 1 RCCL and 1 on Princess. We are retired so have the vacation time, and we love cruising. DCL continues to be our favorite.

 

[KingRichard]

YMMV, but...
Picked two cruises for March 2016 (Fantasy and Freedom), and the reason I hold the view that I hold is that Disney's pricing when comparing the same itineraries in the same month is the only valid way to compare prices.

IMO there are two issues with Disney's pricing model:
1) lack of price separation between categories, and
2) the huge gap between standard categories and Concierge

These are today's prices

Disney Fantasy (March 12, 2016 Eastern:
Interior starts at $4623
Oceanview starts at $4725 (a $102 difference)
Veranda starts at $4931 (a $206 difference)
Concierge starts at $14199 (a $9261 difference )

RCL Freedom (March 6, 2016 Eastern)
Interior starts at $1740 - Disney 265% higher
Oceanview starts at $2194 (a $454 difference, and Disney is 215% higher)
Balcony starts at $3034 (an $854 difference and Disney is only 162% higher)
Concierge (starts with a Grand Suite on RCL) $5212 (a $2178 difference and Disney is 272% higher)

We're actually on Freedom march 6, and we booked a D1 balcony on opening day for $1802.

WOW nice comparison ...#'s do not lie!

Yes they can be made to say what ever we want!

Open day price Fantasy 02/27/16 Eastern

Veranda.

Price Created Updated
$ 1,519 2014‑10‑30 2015‑02‑25

From Cruise Fish.

 

[Ofinn]

Yes they can be made to say what ever we want!

Open day price Fantasy 02/27/16 Eastern

Veranda.

Price Created Updated
$ 1,519 2014‑10‑30 2015‑02‑25

From Cruise Fish.

Hmm....She quoted March cruises.... you know Spring break time. The last 2 weeks of Feb are offseason so I don't get your point. I think you need to look at Freedom the same week before you say her comparisons aren't accurate. It's like pulling up a Sept cruise on DCL, and saying look it's the same price as RCI in March.

 

[cgolf]

YMMV, but...
Picked two cruises for March 2016 (Fantasy and Freedom), and the reason I hold the view that I hold is that Disney's pricing when comparing the same itineraries in the same month is the only valid way to compare prices.

IMO there are two issues with Disney's pricing model:
1) lack of price separation between categories, and
2) the huge gap between standard categories and Concierge

These are today's prices

Disney Fantasy (March 12, 2016 Eastern:
Interior starts at $4623
Oceanview starts at $4725 (a $102 difference)
Veranda starts at $4931 (a $206 difference)
Concierge starts at $14199 (a $9261 difference )

RCL Freedom (March 6, 2016 Eastern)
Interior starts at $1740 - Disney 265% higher
Oceanview starts at $2194 (a $454 difference, and Disney is 215% higher)
Balcony starts at $3034 (an $854 difference and Disney is only 162% higher)
Concierge (starts with a Grand Suite on RCL) $5212 (a $2178 difference and Disney is 272% higher)

We're actually on Freedom march 6, and we booked a D1 balcony on opening day for $1802.

While I totally agree about the price jump for concierge, it happened for the 2015 season, I was just amazed at the prices on the Fantasy overall. When we researched cruises for 2017 we found that an inside room is only a 1000 less then a Cat 5 concierge room 3 years ago. Of course the cat 5 is now 3000 more for a 70% price jump since 2014. I am really curious how much the inside rooms have jumped in the three years. I know when we were on in 2014 the concierge hosts were complaining about the huge price jumps and how the repeat bookings in concierge were way down because of this.

 

[aggiedog]

Hmm....She quoted March cruises.... you know Spring break time.

Like I stated in the other recent thread about cost and affording DCL, if you are constrained by a school calendar, you are at the mercy of DCL pricing. When our kids were younger, I wouldn't think twice about taking them out of school for a week. Now, it would take a free trip to the moon to make it worthwhile. I have two highschoolers with 7 AP classes and 3 honors classes between them. That much make up work just isn't worth most vacations. DCL knows exactly what the school calendar looks like, and prices accordingly. Captive audience, for those that will accept only pixie dust.

So for us, DCL is not worth the extra cost it would cost US to vacation with them WHEN we can vacation. On average, I'd rather spend my vacation dollars on more frequent, less expensive vacations. Not that I don't love DCL. We're leaving on the Dec 24th Merry Time cruise in a few days, but it will most likely be our last for a good while.

 

[Savikins]

Like I stated in the other recent thread about cost and affording DCL, if you are constrained by a school calendar, you are at the mercy of DCL pricing. When our kids were younger, I wouldn't think twice about taking them out of school for a week. Now, it would take a free trip to the moon to make it worthwhile. I have two highschoolers with 7 AP classes and 3 honors classes between them. That much make up work just isn't worth most vacations. DCL knows exactly what the school calendar looks like, and prices accordingly. Captive audience, for those that will accept only pixie dust.

So for us, DCL is not worth the extra cost it would cost US to vacation with them WHEN we can vacation. On average, I'd rather spend my vacation dollars on more frequent, less expensive vacations. Not that I don't love DCL. We're leaving on the Dec 24th Merry Time cruise in a few days, but it will most likely be our last for a good while.

I can totally understand this. I've only ever cruised in the off-season using FLR and GT discounts. If my only option was to cruise during peak season, no discounts, there's no way I'd be able to cruise with DCL. The price difference is nothing short of incredible. Summer and holiday cruise prices make my head spin.