#1 Reason for Increased Cost IMHO

[pepsicruiser]

There was a thread a few weeks ago where some complained about cost of Disney cruises. We just returned from our first Disney Cruise. It was a wonderful family cruise. Definitely worth every penny. Although the cost is significantly higher if you match cruise for cruise of other lines I believe a big reason is there are no casinos on Disney. It's not a bad thing although I am a slot nut but it gives you more time for Family Time which is what Disney is all about. But the revenue generated by casinos can definitely bring the cost of a cruise down in price and I believe this is a major reason for higher costs for Disney. In the end the money I would have lost at a casino more than covers the difference in cost of Disney vs. any other line. Plus I wasn't tempted to spend time in casino rather than with family.

[Friend100]

It could be, but I think it is just the general premium for the Disney brand: there are people who demand it, and Disney can supply it. Disney just charge a price that the market can take, and they don't really care what the rest of the cruise lines are doing.

[Tonka's Skipper]

I agree to a point, but you have to add in the higher quality of the vessels, the services and entertainment. It's head and shoulders above most lines.

 

In so many words, its the *Disney Expreience*

 

AKK

[declansdad]

I agree to a point' date=' but you have to add in the higher quality of the vessels, the services and entertainment. It's head and shoulders above most lines.

 

In so many words, its the *Disney Expreience*

 

AKK[/quote']

 

 

That is a matter of opinion. If you are not looking for that type of experience they wouldn't be head and shoulders above most lines.

[miched]

Am curious why with all of the theme casinos and slot machines that are in Vegas why Disney doesn't enter into that or any other studio?

[Tonka's Skipper]

That is a matter of opinion. If you are not looking for that type of experience they wouldn't be head and shoulders above most lines.

 

 

sporry I disaree......every one knows the disney Expreince and how specail the disney magic and pixedust is.......that is why so many are happy to pay for it.

 

Teh Las Vages floating buses are no longer considered a prime cruise anymore. Some lines have realized this, changed to a more gracious vessel and updated their service and styling.but they cannot match the DCL line.

 

AKK

[declansdad]

sporry I disaree......every one knows the disney Expreince and how specail the disney magic and pixedust is.......that is why so many are happy to pay for it.

 

Teh Las Vages floating buses are no longer considered a prime cruise anymore. Some lines have realized this' date=' changed to a more gracious vessel and updated their service and styling.but they cannot match the DCL line.

 

AKK[/quote']

 

 

Google highest rated cruise lines and DCL comes out on top in only one category - family with young children.

 

If you are not in to the disney magic and pixie dust, you are not going to find that they are head and shoulders above other cruise lines. Their are plenty of lines that can match their style and service; Regent, Crystal and SilverSea to name three.

 

They may be head and shoulders above everyone else to you but that is your preference.

[UNV-IT!!!]

I excited to try dcl too see the difference for myself. I don't have kids. I'm 29 gf 25. We just love Disney. Always have. It's about experience for us.

[Tonka's Skipper]

Google highest rated cruise lines and DCL comes out on top in only one category - family with young children.

 

If you are not in to the disney magic and pixie dust, you are not going to find that they are head and shoulders above other cruise lines. Their are plenty of lines that can match their style and service; Regent, Crystal and SilverSea to name three.

 

They may be head and shoulders above everyone else to you but that is your preference.

 

 

The major cruise line industrygroup (not google) magic, dream and wonder rated the vessels as 1, 2 and 3. The only reson the Fanstney wasn't rated was that she was just out. this last year....

 

It only your opinion to say that is is only The *Disney Exprience*. DCL is haed and shoulders above the major lines.

 

There are of course the ulter high end lines, but that is a different catagory totally.

 

AKK

 

PS. Of course it is becoming VERY APPEARENT, (as ANOTHER carnivail line vessel had a major fire in the Gulf of Mexico and is in need of towing in) why Carnivail Line (and some other Carnival line Inc. line vessesl) are able to offer bargain basement cruises, they aren't putting the money in the operation or maintiance of their vessels and acoading to the carnivail bog...........many pasingers are saying they are cutting passingers perks and servces again and again.

[Redsfan]

The major cruise line industrygroup (not google) magic' date=' dream and wonder rated the vessels as 1, 2 and 3. The only reson the Fanstney wasn't rated was that she was just out. this last year....

 

It only your opinion to say that is is only The *Disney Exprience*. DCL is haed and shoulders above the major lines.

 

There are of course the ulter high end lines, but that is a different catagory totally.

 

AKK

 

PS. Of course it is becoming VERY APPEARENT, (as ANOTHER carnivail line vessel had a major fire in the Gulf of Mexico and is in need of towing in) why Carnivail Line (and some other Carnival line Inc. line vessesl) are able to offer bargain basement cruises, they aren't putting the money in the operation or maintiance of their vessels and acoading to the carnivail bog...........many pasingers are saying they are cutting passingers perks and servces again and again.[/quote']

 

yet people fill their boats on a regular basis. We would love to try Disney and might if some sort of Promo becomes available for later this year. For a Family of 5 we are way priced out to even think about it right now. CCL hits our budget and yes some cutbacks are evident. I don't think there is any shock factor when choosing a Vacation. If you have the money and choose to spend it for an enhanced experience than there are lines to try....when we sail CCL we know what to expect...

[Tonka's Skipper]

yet people fill their boats on a regular basis. We would love to try Disney and might if some sort of Promo becomes available for later this year. For a Family of 5 we are way priced out to even think about it right now. CCL hits our budget and yes some cutbacks are evident. I don't think there is any shock factor when choosing a Vacation. If you have the money and choose to spend it for an enhanced experience than there are lines to try....when we sail CCL we know what to expect...

 

 

I agree......they do give bargian basement rates on cruises and the reson so many take them is as you pointed out. I do wonder if they would if they knew all the histoy of fire and problemsand incedents????

 

With all due respect............would you like, with your family, to be on the Truimph right now, adrift and waiting a 4 day tow?....the Spendour off the MR..on fire?.....the allergo?.QMII when they had their fires,all Carnivail Inc vessels....the desteny last week, with major mechcanical problems?.etc.etc.etc...

 

I fully understand a budget and the facts be known I would not have been able to effort DCL when my kids were young.

 

I would suggest RCCL or even NCL as a less expensive cruise and IMHO.safer.

 

AKK

[declansdad]

The major cruise line industrygroup (not google) magic' date=' dream and wonder rated the vessels as 1, 2 and 3. The only reson the Fanstney wasn't rated was that she was just out. this last year....

 

It only your opinion to say that is is only The *Disney Exprience*. DCL is haed and shoulders above the major lines.

 

There are of course the ulter high end lines, but that is a different catagory totally.

 

AKK

 

PS. Of course it is becoming VERY APPEARENT, (as ANOTHER carnivail line vessel had a major fire in the Gulf of Mexico and is in need of towing in) why Carnivail Line (and some other Carnival line Inc. line vessesl) are able to offer bargain basement cruises, they aren't putting the money in the operation or maintiance of their vessels and acoading to the carnivail bog...........many pasingers are saying they are cutting passingers perks and servces again and again.[/quote']

 

 

I have an opinion and so do you, that doesn't mean yours is right. Please show me the link that says DCL is head and shoulders above the rest.

 

 

Why did you decide to add piece about Carnival, I didn't say anything about Carnival.

[Tonka's Skipper]

I have an opinion and so do you, that doesn't mean yours is right. Please show me the link that says DCL is head and shoulders above the rest.

 

 

Why did you decide to add piece about Carnival, I didn't say anything about Carnival.

 

 

1. Do a google on it.I dont have the name of the orginazation here. Show me in black and white where they aren'T! or some other line is!

 

 

2. Carnivail is the cheap line.I was offering one reason as why.

 

AKK

[UNV-IT!!!]

I agree......they do give bargian basement rates on cruises and the reson so many take them is as you pointed out. I do wonder if they would if they knew all the histoy of fire and problemsand incedents????

 

With all due respect............would you like' date=' with your family, to be on the Truimph right now, adrift and waiting a 4 day tow?....the Spendour off the MR..on fire?.....the allergo?.QMII when they had their fires,all Carnivail Inc vessels....the desteny last week, with major mechcanical problems?.etc.etc.etc...

 

I fully understand a budget and the facts be known I would not have been able to effort DCL when my kids were young.

 

I would suggest RCCL or even NCL as a less expensive cruise and IMHO.safer.

 

AKK[/quote']

 

I agree 100%. Carnival seems like a complete wreck. I wouldn't touch their ships. That's just my opinion. My sister cruised out of PC with some friends and got noro right off the bat. Most of the ship did. Locked it all down as everyone was throwing up all over the place. Thankfully I stood by Rccl and haven't had a problem. Not saying any line is immune by any means. Some just have higher standards then others.

[meatloafsfan]

There was a thread a few weeks ago where some complained about cost of Disney cruises. We just returned from our first Disney Cruise. It was a wonderful family cruise. Definitely worth every penny. Although the cost is significantly higher if you match cruise for cruise of other lines I believe a big reason is there are no casinos on Disney. It's not a bad thing although I am a slot nut but it gives you more time for Family Time which is what Disney is all about. But the revenue generated by casinos can definitely bring the cost of a cruise down in price and I believe this is a major reason for higher costs for Disney. In the end the money I would have lost at a casino more than covers the difference in cost of Disney vs. any other line. Plus I wasn't tempted to spend time in casino rather than with family.

 

I think there are a lot of reasons why the DCL prices are higher than many main stream lines.

 

There's the casino, allowing people to bring alcohol on board, the Disney brand, the ratio of space allocated to kid's clubs but most of all, I think it's because DCL is a niche market - it's not a mainstream line.

 

Up until a few years ago, DCL had two ships, discounts were few, and they seemed to have little trouble filling the ships (especially during no school times). Now with the addition of 2 ships, discounts seem a little more common and deals can be found on cabins after the final payment date and DCL introduces their guarantee rate (IGT, VGT, etc).

 

If the park hotels are anything to go by, it seems that Disney would rather have a high "rack rate" and then offer specific discounts than to lower their regular cruise fares.

 

Not a business plan that I'm particularly happy with (because we need an accessible cabin so don't qualify for the guarantee rates nor do we qualify for kids sail free rates). But it has allowed me to branch out to other lines and realize that I can have a very similar experience for a much lower cost.

 

There will of course be another family right behind me, willing to book (and pay for) the DCL cruise I now consider too high. So no loss for DCL, and no loss for me.

[declansdad]

1. Do a google on it.I dont have the name of the orginazation here. Show me in black and white where they aren'T! or some other line is!

 

 

2. Carnivail is the cheap line.I was offering one reason as why.

 

AKK

 

 

http://www.cntraveler.com/gold-list/2012/best-cruise-lines-gold-list-2012 NO DCL

 

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-large-ship-cruise-lines/1 DCL listed as #4 in the category not overall

 

From http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Travel-Weekly-honors-2012-Readers-Choice-Awards-winners/

 

Posted on: January 22' date=' 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Travel Weekly honors 2012 Readers Choice Awards winners

 

Travel Weekly is proud to present the winners of our 2012 Readers Choice Awards. What sets this annual competition apart is that it is our readers, and our readers alone, who determine the nominees, the finalists and, ultimately, the winners in each category. And as producers, sellers and consumers of tourism product and services, those readers are, we feel, the best arbiters of not only taste but talent and top-notch delivery. (View the complete list of nominees here and a slideshow from the gala event here or by clicking on the photo.)

 

"These awards identify the industry's finest," said Arnie Weissmann, editor in chief of Travel Weekly. "The professionals who rely on Travel Weekly have insider knowledge and the expertise to select those businesses and destinations and hotels that provide the highest level of service to their clients. Consumers can be confident that recipients of a Travel Weekly Readers Choice Award have received a very important seal of approval."

 

 

 

Cruise

 

Royal Caribbean International and sister line Celebrity Cruises each took top honors in four categories this year, dominating the cruise category.

 

Royal Caribbean repeated its top honor selection for the Cruise Line: Overall; Cruise Line: Domestic; Cruise Line: Caribbean; and Sales & Service categories. The cruise line has held the overall and Caribbean titles since the first Readers Choice Awards in 2003 and has held the Sales & Service crown since 2008.

 

Celebrity picked up Cruise Ship: Rookie, for the Celebrity Silhouette, along with best Cruise Ship: Premium, with the Celebrity Solstice wining that category for the third straight year. Celebrity also took honors for the third year in a row for best Cruise Line: Europe and best Cruise Line: Premium, for a fifth time.

 

Princess Cruises was once again voted best Cruise Line: Alaska, a title it's lost only once, in 2006.

 

Princess' sister company Cunard Line won Cruise Ship: Luxury with the Queen Mary 2, for the ninth consecutive year.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line took top honors for Cruise Ship: Overall Individual category, with the Norwegian Epic grabbing the award for the second year in a row.

 

Also for the second year in a row, the Yachts of Seabourn took top honors in the Cruise Line: Luxury category.

 

Viking River Cruises won the Cruise Line: River Cruising category for the seventh year in a row.

 

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection's ship the S.S. Antoinette was victorious in the best Cruise Ship: River Cruising category, Uniworld's first win in that category.

 

No DCL in that one either.

 

 

And the only reason you threw in the bit about Carnival was to take another shot at your favourite target. This thread is about DCL and why it costs.

[Mary Ellen]

There was a thread a few weeks ago where some complained about cost of Disney cruises. We just returned from our first Disney Cruise. It was a wonderful family cruise. Definitely worth every penny. Although the cost is significantly higher if you match cruise for cruise of other lines I believe a big reason is there are no casinos on Disney.

I agree that the part I've bolded is a major factor - besides the Disney brand of course. On another thread on the CC a while back one frequent poster (who has worked for a number of cruise lines over his long career) said that the average cruise ship makes $800,000 in the casino during a 1 week cruise. That amount was doubled if the ship was sailing in Asia. That is a lot of revenue that DCL isn't taking in as part of onboard spending. That revenue has to be made up for somewhere and increasing the cruise fare is a logical place to do so.

[Tonka's Skipper]

Here you go!

 

 

 

http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/53124/conde-nast-traveler-readers-name

 

Porthole Magazine Cruise Readers Name Disney Cruise Line the Most Family-Oriented Cruise Line in 2012

 

Published November 13, 2012 | By Scott Sanders

Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers add to the growing list of accolades for Disney Cruise Line. Disney Cruise Line earned three awards in Porthole Magazine’s 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards. Porthole Magazine Reader’s recognized Disney Cruise Line as the Most Family-Oriented Cruise Line and the line with the Best Children’s Programs. Readers did not just focus solely on the Family aspect, as they also awarded Disney Cruise Line as having the Best Spa Facilities.

“We love to delight and surprise families sailing aboard our ships, giving them experiences and entertainment they can’t get anywhere else,” said…

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Disney Cruise Line Ranked #1 For Families for the Fourth Consecutive Year by Travel+Leisure

 

Published September 12, 2012 | By Scott Sanders

For the fourth consecutive year Disney Cruise Line has been recognized as the number 1 Large-Cruise Line for Families in Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards for 2012. Rounding out the top five were Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises. Disney Cruise Line extended their streak to eight years being ranked among the top five overall Large-Ship Cruise Lines with Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Azamara Club Cruises, and Ocenaia Cruises according to Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.

The annual “World’s Best” list recognizes the best in travel for hotels,… Continue reading →

 

 

 

 

I trust you will understand when your refernce is based on readership...EI the number of guests, on lines with many many more vessels...........seems likely those lines would win.

 

You will note Carnival is no where to be seen.........sxcept as the cheapo line.

 

As for Carnival.........I agree..I consider carnivaL Line and Inc. A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AFLOAT AND AFTER YESTERDAY.THEY PROVED IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

 

Good Day

 

AKK

[ducklite]

If you poll the readers of the Wall Street Journal you'll get a different result than if you poll the readers of People.

 

Conde Nast offers this as their list of the top five large cruise ships:

 

DISNEY MAGIC, DISNEY, 90.7

CELEBRITY ECLIPSE, CELEBRITY, 88.8

DISNEY DREAM, DISNEY, 88.8

DISNEY WONDER, DISNEY, 88.8

CELEBRITY EQUINOX, CELEBRITY, 88.3

 

Travel + Leisure ranks them by line, not ship.

 

1. Crystal

2. Regent

3. Oceania

4. Disney

5. Cunard

 

 

 

One thing no one has yet mentioned is that compared to the mass market lines, DCL has a lower passenger to crew ratio and a significantly higher passenger space ratio--in fact some of the highest in the industry overall. These factors greatly affect the cost or operating and maintaining the ship, and are reflected in the cruise fare.

[declansdad]

Here you go!

 

 

Disney Cruise Line Ranked #1 For Families for the Fourth Consecutive Year by Travel+Leisure

 

 

 

Thanks for proving my point, I said earlier they were tops in that category but that one only. You keep arguing that they are heads and shoulders above everyone else. I think that has been proven not to be true.

 

As for your Carnival comments, I won't respond as your hatred for Carnival is well documented so their really isn't any point and this thread is about DCL.

 

As has been pointed out the chief reasons for the price difference would seem to be the lack of casinos and the premium price you pay for the Disney brand.

[Loonbeam]

There is no such thing as a top cruise line. There is only a top cruise line 'for you'. Different passengers have different needs and wants. If your needs and wants align with Disney, then Disney is the top ship for you. (Side note - Disney has an insane - and I do mean that word - amount of brand loyalty which often affects people's ability to make practical decisions in terms of cost benefit ratio).

\

Different lines have different emphasis and style - Disney has great entertainment, but it's very kid oriented. They have far and away the best kid and teen program facilities I have seen on any ship anywhere. Honestly though, their MDR food is just average. Service was very good on our Wonder cruise, but I've had equally good on other lines.

 

Their decision to target certain markets with resources has resulted in a higher cost point and price point and so far people are willing to pay it. They also have the resources of the Disney empire to draw on, which is nothing to sneeze at either, which gives them the flexibility to decide to forgo revenue to keep the price point up.

[Tonka's Skipper]

Thanks for proving my point, I said earlier they were tops in that category but that one only. You keep arguing that they are heads and shoulders above everyone else. I think that has been proven not to be true.

 

As for your Carnival comments, I won't respond as your hatred for Carnival is well documented so their really isn't any point and this thread is about DCL.

 

As has been pointed out the chief reasons for the price difference would seem to be the lack of casinos and the premium price you pay for the Disney brand.

 

 

please go back and read the post.........as noted and as Ducklite pointed out Dcl offer beeter service and cabin space.etc.......As noted the awards you mentioned were nothing more a vote by passingers for their line and since their is more vessels in RCCL and the other lines...they win........well........they get more votes.

 

Somehow if you and your family were adrift on the Trumiph now you would be singing a different story......If fact go read the Canrival line blogs today...seems many of them have finnially had it with Canrival.

 

aKK.

 

AKK

[Talex831]

We have cruised DCL exclusively, but will be sailing on the Carnival Magic this Easter. Why the change? $4000 is why. It would have cost that much more for the equivalent DCL 7 night cruise. Does DCL do amazing job, of course, but is it enough to justify $4000 more for two people for a week--no freakin' way.

 

Why would Carnival's cruises be so much cheaper? Well, they have a lot more supply that DCL. DCL could charge whatever they wanted with the two ships, but now they have to discount to fill four of them. Carnival has 24 to fill.

 

What I aprompt impressed with is that Carnival gives their guests options when there is an anticipated problem with a future sailing and they keep them informed. DCL didn't do this for us when we sailed during Hurricane Irene. In fact we had absolutely no information about where we were going, what ports we would make, etc. No accommodations were made for the disruptive cruise. Carnival has a very rich history of giving OBCs.

 

DCL is not immune to problems....the Magic caught fire in 2002, the Dream had a very rough TA crossing and a lot of damage was done. The Fantasy got some bad PR when she sailed during Hurricane Sandy. How many times have staterooms been reclassified because passengers paid for something they didn't get?

 

I am not a cheerleader for any team, but we really need to look at all of the facts before making assumptions. Everyone has their opinions, likes, dislikes, etc. it doesn't mean you should bash someone else's.

[declansdad]

please go back and read the post.........as noted and as Ducklite pointed out Dcl offer beeter service and cabin space.etc.......As noted the awards you mentioned were nothing more a vote by passingers for their line and since their is more vessels in RCCL and the other lines...they win........well........they get more votes.

 

Somehow if you and your family were adrift on the Trumiph now you would be singing a different story......If fact go read the Canrival line blogs today...seems many of them have finnially had it with Canrival.

 

aKK.

 

AKK

 

 

I will give you credit for one thing, even when given evidence that shows that you are wrong, you keep to your story.

[ducklite]

Having sailed DCL and a populat mass market ship that also attracts many families, I feel that DCL offers a dramatically superior product.

 

DCL is a hybrid blend of mass market and premium that is really it's own niche.

 

I've also sailed a premium ship that is often put into the luxury category, and while the two were night and day in terms of clientele, ship size, and itinerary, they were also a lot closer than DCL was to the mass market cruise in terms of service, food, space, and amenities.

 

That said, DCL isn't for everyone. It is more expensive than other family oriented lines, although I don't believe the lack of a casino has as much to do with it as some might think. Again, the well above average space per passenger and the high crew to passenger ratio play into it significantly.