Why is the prices higher than other line?

[Kimmysmom]

We are looking to book the 5 day, 2 castaway cay in July. The price seems high to me. We have been on other cruises and paid for a 7 day balcony room for the cost of 5 day inside/ oceanview room. Does Disney Cruise line have something that the other cruise lines don't.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Disney is a great cruise line,but it is expensive, I love RCCL and cruise with them also, I have a 4 year old son and he insist that we cruise on Mickey's ship. So what we do, is do Disney for the shorter crusies and RCCL for the longer ones.

 

[tvguy]

You do get more, however you are paying for the Disney name too.

 

[justmestace]

You do get more, however you are paying for the Disney name too.

Not being snarky....but WHAT more do you get? Besides the characters?

Decided to edit this to add.....we love DCL, but we've also cruised several other cruise lines, for the most part, because the price was better, and we discovered that we "got" just as much as we did on DCL, and in the case of suites and concierge, that service is much better than DCL.

 

[hgon76]

We are looking to book the 5 day, 2 castaway cay in July. The price seems high to me. We have been on other cruises and paid for a 7 day balcony room for the cost of 5 day inside/ oceanview room. Does Disney Cruise line have something that the other cruise lines don't.

Never been on any other cruiseline to compare, but after our 1st DCL cruise I remember a girl on the plane ride home telling us that this was her 1st DCL cruise & it officially ruined her for any other future cruise on any other line. So, now I'm afraid to ever book anotherI think I'll play it safe & just stick w/ Disney.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

DCL does not earn profits from casinos. The large number of guests under 21 is likely to mean less alcohol sold per passenger. Also, DCL does not have the economy of scale as the larger cruise lines.

But those aren't the real reasons.

It's supply and demand. DCL charges what people will pay. They try to fill each stateroom on each sailing at the highest price possible. That means high prices during times of peak demand, and more reasonable prices when fewer families are seeking Disney Cruise vacations.

Actually, all the cruise charge as much as they can. But they usually just can't charge as much. There's too much competition. And the mainstream cruise lines offer products that are at least somewhat interchangeable.

DCL, on the other hand, is the only line selling a Disney experience at sea. They do a great job, so there's plenty of demand from new and repeat DCL passengers.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

I like the family atmosphere.

 

[insureman]

Here's some more reasons.

2010

Condé Nast Traveler readers named Disney Cruise Line the no. 1 cruise experience in the Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
Condé Nast Traveler recognized Disney Cruise Line in its 10th Annual Cruise Poll. In the mega ship category, the Disney Magic was rated No. 1 for activities and facilities, and the Disney Wonder was No. 1 for crew and service.
Travel + Leisure named Disney Cruise Line the Top Family-Friendly Large-Ship Cruise Line in the 2010 World’s Best Awards poll

 

[AlexandNessa]

Not being snarky....but WHAT more do you get? Besides the characters?

Decided to edit this to add.....we love DCL, but we've also cruised several other cruise lines, for the most part, because the price was better, and we discovered that we "got" just as much as we did on DCL, and in the case of suites and concierge, that service is much better than DCL.

ITA. We love DCL too, but Disney has certainly not set the standard in sailing concierge. Other lines have *MUCH* better suite perks at much better pricing. Last October, we did a B2B on HAL for 14 nights for less than what one week would cost at the same time on DCL. Granted, DCL suites are much nicer, but the perks are much, much better on HAL.

 

[mesaboy2]

It's supply and demand. DCL charges what people will pay. They try to fill each stateroom on each sailing at the highest price possible. That means high prices during times of peak demand, and more reasonable prices when fewer families are seeking Disney Cruise vacations.

This. Otherwise known as capitalism.

 

[calmpets]

DCL pricing is always higher, but it's at a super-premium this coming summer because there will only be one ship there, and she will be brand new. I just got off Royal Caribbean a few days ago and can tell you that some pricing difference is warranted, but not as much as they are charging right now.

 

[iloverags2]

Just adding another reason here, outside of one of the main ones (being the lack of casino, which is a HUGE moneymaker for other lines). The double dips, although only 5 nights, tend to be priced higher than the 7 night cruises. This could be due to many factors, including the fact those double dips are during the peak summer months and also the fact many Disney cruisers like that the ship stops at Castaway Cay twice (I'm not one of those...I prefer to visit as many different ports as possible).

 

[tvguy]

Not being snarky....but WHAT more do you get? Besides the characters?

Decided to edit this to add.....we love DCL, but we've also cruised several other cruise lines, for the most part, because the price was better, and we discovered that we "got" just as much as we did on DCL, and in the case of suites and concierge, that service is much better than DCL.

Atmosphere I guess. Disney themes everywhere.

Why do people buy a Lexus instead of a comparable Toyota? A $50,000Cadillac Escalade instead of an identical $34,000 Chevy Tahoe?
Brand name milk instead of cheaper store brand milk?

 

[Page4]

Atmosphere I guess. Disney themes everywhere.

Why do people buy a Lexus instead of a comparable Toyota? A $50,000Cadillac Escalade instead of an identical $34,000 Chevy Tahoe?
Brand name milk instead of cheaper store brand milk?

Perceived value.

 

[skiingfast]

Here's some more reasons.

2010

Condé Nast Traveler readers named Disney Cruise Line the no. 1 cruise experience in the Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
Condé Nast Traveler recognized Disney Cruise Line in its 10th Annual Cruise Poll. In the mega ship category, the Disney Magic was rated No. 1 for activities and facilities, and the Disney Wonder was No. 1 for crew and service.
Travel + Leisure named Disney Cruise Line the Top Family-Friendly Large-Ship Cruise Line in the 2010 World’s Best Awards poll

This a big reason why DCL can charge high prices. They have the recognition and a first time cruiser will expect to pay for it.

 

[lmhall2000]

We had always hoped one day we'd be able to cruise, and really only wanted Disney b/c we just don't want the nickel and dime experience and try to avoid casinos..not knocking them, just not our style.

But with 5 in our family, we just gave up on ever finding a deal...until last year about this time! I was looking at it again...we'd had 2 house mortgages for 28 months and we had not had a vacation in 4 years...I knew we needed one...and there it was, kids sail free....then paying passengers were only $999..got 10 nights for 4k and managed over $1300 OBC...long story, but it was amazing! So, we went! Had a blast!

Now we're going again in March....the house sold 5 months before we took the cruise in May.. again it's kids sail free... Disney has two new ships coming out that are about twice as large as the two they have...you will see DEALS coming out...I'm sure the other lines will have some amazing deals as well, but I'd rather sail on a deal with Disney even if it's higher than another cruise line..super clean ship, super friendly workers, family has a blast...that alone is worth the extra!

Tara

 

[diznefamily]

They have a mouse!

 

[Gigi22]

DCL is expensive. I agree with the PP who stated that the concierge perks are not comparable with those offered on HAL--and I would have to extend this observation to the perks offered to Castaway Cay members as well. I get much more valuable perks on HAL (free laundry for example). But, different cruise lines have different strengths. Castaway Cay is the only ship line private island where the ships dock, rather than tender passengers ashore, a huge benefit. (I can only imagine how much that dock cost). And, I get to go dancing with lots of little kids on DCL, which just brightens my day!

 

[irishdadx4]

allowed to bring your own alcohol...as much as you want. No casinos, a large percentage of the guests are under 18. They have the Disney name and characters. Lots of reasons. Try a cruise, if you don't think the costs warrant what you received then don't cruise with DCL again.

Mike

 

[grits98]

Here's some more reasons.

2010

Condé Nast Traveler readers named Disney Cruise Line the no. 1 cruise experience in the Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
Condé Nast Traveler recognized Disney Cruise Line in its 10th Annual Cruise Poll. In the mega ship category, the Disney Magic was rated No. 1 for activities and facilities, and the Disney Wonder was No. 1 for crew and service.
Travel + Leisure named Disney Cruise Line the Top Family-Friendly Large-Ship Cruise Line in the 2010 World’s Best Awards poll

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