Why is Disney more expensive than others

[forloveoftravel]

I think, as many have mentioned, that Disney can charge more because they are Disney. But really, there is a reason that the Disney name is synonymous with a quality family vacation. Full disclosure -I love Disney, and have been to their resorts, on their cruise ships, etc, many times. But each time there are Disney qualities that keep drawing me back: the attention to detail, the little touches, the smiling and happy cast/crew members who go out of their way to make your vacation magical, the over the top customer service, and the focus on the kids and family, make for a truly one of a kind experience if you are traveling with kids (even if you are not . . .). Its a much different atmosphere on board than on any other cruise ship (family entertainment, no casino, etc). On my upcoming May cruise to Alaska I am traveling on Princess, mostly because I am traveling with an elderly aunt who is an Elite member of Princess' reward program (and who doesn't care for the Disney vibe), and because we have no children traveling with us (plus, better itinerary for us, Glacier Bay, etc, etc). But if I were traveling with my nieces and nephews in the mix, Disney would be the hands down winner, despite the cost. NO ONE does it better than Disney when it comes to kids. They gear the local sights to your kids level and get them interested. The kids have a ball, whether on board or on land. So that is pretty much what you are paying for.

[elstyne]

This ship is the only one that in every cabin there are 2 bathrooms. Which makes the regular cabin size larger than other ships. Also yet service is VERY good. We have been on Holland America And Princes and service so far on Disney has been the best hands down. They don't just cater to kids. They cater to everyone (grand parents ,single parents,adoptive parents ,). Everything. They even have people that at dinner time cut the food up for our kids while you eat dinner

[OurDogCisco]

Disney charges more because they can. We love Disney cruises but we are going to try something different for Alaska and sail NCL. Our last 6 cruises were Disney. So, this will be an adjustment. One reason we picked NCL as it sails out of Seattle which works better in our schedule. I won't know until June if I made the wrong decision but I'm looking to go to new ports and Disney just doesn't have the variety anymore. So, I'm going to have to jump ship lines. I was able to get a Suite on the Pearl facing FORWARD for about the same price as a Verandah on the Disney cruise. I really wanted my own private place to view the glacier at Glacier Bay and all the trip reports for Disney cruises people were either fighting for a spot and had to hold it for a long period of time or they were super cold. Even though, I'm paying the same price for the suite vs Verandah, I'm getting a better cabin on NCL though. The suites on Disney are double in price compared to NCL. I'm really bummed to miss all the character photo ops in their Alaskan Clothes. There are tons of pros and cons to all ship lines. You just have to find the one you can live with.

[lovetotraveltx]

Our "kids" are 24 and 21 and we just did an 8 night cruise on DCL in may. It was our third. It is disney, imagine the parks. You are surrounded by CM's, it is very clean. They hand you a wipe before every restaurant, and your drink in the buffet.

 

The shows are spectacular. The private island is awesome. A lot of things are free, such as all soda and other soft drinks and coffee. On the top deck as well as any restaurant. Not at bars or from room service. Ice Cream all day. 1st run movies owned by Disney.

 

Love their adult restaurant, Palo. Great dinner and brunch!

 

We also find the quality of food better. I haven't done Princess yet, nor HAL as an adult. But, it blows Carnival and Costa away. Even, never having used the kids clubs!

[ckelly14]

I'm still leaning towards Disney, but the price difference is becoming more of an issue, and I have a pretty significant travel budget. Priced out Disney vs others for a July 2014 trip. Disney- $10,2015 vs $6000-6400 for NCL, HAL, Celebrity. Not considering Carnival or RCCL. This is for a balcony room(5c) vs veranda category on the other lines. $4000 buys a lot of soda!

 

I was planning to book Disney for 2015 the first day available, but especially with the complaints about price increases compared to 2014, I'm doing my due diligence!

[lovetotraveltx]

I'm still leaning towards Disney, but the price difference is becoming more of an issue, and I have a pretty significant travel budget. Priced out Disney vs others for a July 2014 trip. Disney- $10,2015 vs $6000-6400 for NCL, HAL, Celebrity. Not considering Carnival or RCCL. This is for a balcony room(5c) vs veranda category on the other lines. $4000 buys a lot of soda!

 

I was planning to book Disney for 2015 the first day available, but especially with the complaints about price increases compared to 2014, I'm doing my due diligence!

 

Disney also can't do glacier bay. I love Disney but IMO wouldn't use them for Alaska

[ckelly14]

Well, still looking for suggestions. Princess would require a mini-suite to get the same bed configuration an room as a base Disney veranda, still less expensive but not as much of a difference. Also, the Pacific goes to Tracy Arm, not Glacier Bay. Would have to go from Seattle to get Tracy Arm.

Norwegian has only a sofa bed, no upper bunks. Don't thin that will work for us.

That leaves HAL, Disney and Celebrity.

Still looking at HAL, but Zuiderdam ship reviews have me concerned. R-class would require me to have a suite to get a balcony, so increasing price significantly.

Celebrity has the Century from Vancouver and Solstice from Seattle. My wife has a nose like a bloodhound and hates smoking. Celebrity and Disney have great smoking policies. Not sure about HAL.

 

Complicated!

Edited January 14, 2014 by ckelly14

[elstyne]

You get what you pay for. I think that answers it. If all that you want is cheep then that is what you will get

It is like buying a t shirt. All depends on the quality of cotton You get a chap thin shirt it does not last long but when

You pay for good quality it will last for years You get what you pay for

[ckelly14]

You get what you pay for. I think that answers it. If all that you want is cheep then that is what you will get

It is like buying a t shirt. All depends on the quality of cotton You get a chap thin shirt it does not last long but when

You pay for good quality it will last for years You get what you pay for

 

True, but there are some that think you get what you pay for in a Disney cruise, where some feel you don't quite get what you pay for. I'm still trying to figure out which group I will belong to!

[lovetotraveltx]

Well, still looking for suggestions. Princess would require a mini-suite to get the same bed configuration an room as a base Disney veranda, still less expensive but not as much of a difference. Also, the Pacific goes to Tracy Arm, not Glacier Bay. Would have to go from Seattle to get Tracy Arm.

Norwegian has only a sofa bed, no upper bunks. Don't thin that will work for us.

That leaves HAL, Disney and Celebrity.

Still looking at HAL, but Zuiderdam ship reviews have me concerned. R-class would require me to have a suite to get a balcony, so increasing price significantly.

Celebrity has the Century from Vancouver and Solstice from Seattle. My wife has a nose like a bloodhound and hates smoking. Celebrity and Disney have great smoking policies. Not sure about HAL.

 

Are you stuck on veranda? When we travel with our girls we usually get 2 connecting inside rooms and leave the door open in between during the day!

Edited January 14, 2014 by lovetotraveltx
Spelling

[bones774]

I usually get inside rooms too, and I love them but thats all been traveling in the Carib, Alaska may be a bit different. Going to bed and waking up with glaciers outside your windows may be once in a lifetime unless i'm mistaken, someone correct me then. I'm planning my first Alaska this summer also.

[ckelly14]

I usually get inside rooms too, and I love them but thats all been traveling in the Carib, Alaska may be a bit different. Going to bed and waking up with glaciers outside your windows may be once in a lifetime unless i'm mistaken, someone correct me then. I'm planning my first Alaska this summer also.

 

i see that you sailed the Wonder previously, as well as Princess. What line are you planning for Alaska, if you don't mind me asking...

[ckelly14]

Are you stuck on veranda? When we travel with our girls we usually get 2 connecting inside rooms and leave the door open in between during the day!

 

Balcony or bust, according to my wife...

[bones774]

i see that you sailed the Wonder previously, as well as Princess. What line are you planning for Alaska, if you don't mind me asking...

I'm looking at HAL Zuiderdam, it's a difficult choice. I have sailed many more lines than I have listed but have not sailed HAL and looking forward to them but there are some big issues with the Zuiderdam as you can read in this forum. I like the r/t from vancouver, does the inside passage and that it goes to Glacier Bay, covers all the bases, not many other choices that do the same.

Just to show my perspective, I have enjoyed all my cruises but to be frank i was most disappointed in Carnival.

Edited January 15, 2014 by bones774

[epixx]

I usually get inside rooms too, and I love them but thats all been traveling in the Carib, Alaska may be a bit different. Going to bed and waking up with glaciers outside your windows may be once in a lifetime unless i'm mistaken, someone correct me then. I'm planning my first Alaska this summer also.

 

 

Unless you're a really late sleeper, you don't have to worry about missing "waking up with glaciers outside" the window. All of the glacier view sailing is during the middle of the day.

[bones774]

Unless you're a really late sleeper, you don't have to worry about missing "waking up with glaciers outside" the window. All of the glacier view sailing is during the middle of the day.

That's good to know.

[tee_harbor]

And considering that the sun rises about 3AM, you will have those curtains closed tightly until you want to get up.

 

Those cruise ads really do give a distorted view of vessel travel in Alaska. No, the ship won't be snuggling up to the glacier face so you can enjoy the calving from your balcony. If you're wise, you choose the vessel that spends most of its travel time at night and get as much port time as possible. It's about the ports in Alaska. Many people on this board would argue against wasting your money on a balcony and spend it on shore excursions instead and I'd have to agree, having never been on a cruise ship though.

 

One of our favorite things to do in Juneau is sit in the downtown library with its view straight into the cruise ship balconies of whichever vessel is berthed beside it. Just remember, sometimes, someone's looking back... ;)

[Illbcrusn]

You can always buy Disney gift cards at Target and get 5% off your fare (if you have a Red Card). If you get pharmacy rewards you get an additional 5% off. Disney includes soda's. Kids programs are great. My kids were not impressed with Costa's program at all. My 15 year old son actually refused to go after one visit. The characters add to the charm and if you book onboard you get a nice On Board Credit for future sailing. We are actually paying less for our cruise this June than we would have for Celebrity once I took into account on board credit and 10% off because I booked while on a different cruise and my wonderful 10% off with Target's gift cards. So actually like 20% off and on board credit..... We get Disney's service too boot:)