Help me to understand (Disney cost)

[Johalla]

We are planning our next cruise. I have been making my own nerdy spreadsheet comparing cruises in October. Help me to understand something.

 

Comparing 2 cruises out of Port Canaveral, FL. Both close to the same cost, both get pretty good ratings from here and another site I look on from time to time.

 

So for essentially the same cost I can do 7 nights on the Carnival Valor or 3 nights on the Disney Dream. I am stunned. 7 nights vs 3!

 

Why? How in the world are they the same cost? (Outside room $569.00 Carnival vs. $651.00 Disney)

 

I am about ready to try a Disney cruise but the difference is so immense I just can't wrap my brain around it.

[Texas Tillie]

Disney does not have a casino. Also, many passengers are younger than 21, so no alcohol consumption. These are 2 ways the other lines can make up for low initial fares.

[Shorex]

Disney charges what people are willing to pay for the Disney brand and experience. Econ 101.

[BlueRiband]

...I am about ready to try a Disney cruise but the difference is so immense I just can't wrap my brain around it.

 

As TT pointed out Disney has a high ratio of children and thus lower non-fare revenue. Children to not order drinks, do not spend money in the shops, nor do they book spa treatments. Parents however do want age-appropriate child care well into the evenings so they can spend some adult time together. (I'm also told that Disney rigorously enforces adult-only areas and show times.) Disney also has actors on board to play the different characters. In a nutshell, Disney is providing a level of service and entertainment that is not provided on Carnival.

 

As with any product or service you get what you pay for and have to pay for what you get.

Edited April 3, 2015 by BlueRiband

[spookwife]

you are paying for the brand name.

 

also, Disney lets you bring as much alcohol on board as you want. and have no casinos.

 

other lines get their profit by selling booze on board and rigging the odds in the casino and getting people on board to do that by selling the cabins at a much lower rate.

 

personally i found Disney's food to be the worst of all the lines we have sailed despite being 'worth' the price in all other aspects. since food is a major deal breaker for us we no longer feel the over all cost is a good value.

[Flatbush Flyer]

We are planning our next cruise. I have been making my own nerdy spreadsheet comparing cruises in October. Help me to understand something.

 

 

 

Comparing 2 cruises out of Port Canaveral, FL. Both close to the same cost, both get pretty good ratings from here and another site I look on from time to time.

 

 

 

So for essentially the same cost I can do 7 nights on the Carnival Valor or 3 nights on the Disney Dream. I am stunned. 7 nights vs 3!

 

 

 

Why? How in the world are they the same cost? (Outside room $569.00 Carnival vs. $651.00 Disney)

 

 

 

I am about ready to try a Disney cruise but the difference is so immense I just can't wrap my brain around it.

 

 

You're comparing the equivalent of a Best Western motel (Carnival) to a Westin or Hyatt Regency (Disney). Food wise, think of Olive Garden or Chili's (Carnival) vs something on your area's major daily newspaper's 2.5-3.0 star rated restaurants (Disney).

Basically, while they're both "cruises," there's a world of difference in quality, not to mention the "Disney Experience."

 

As you come to learn more about cruising, you'll find premium and luxury lines, often with somewhat similar itineraries, at a "stated" cabin cost of 3 or more times the mass market line's price tag. Those folks who can afford the price tag often do so because of the better food and service (as well as the avoidance of nickel/diming, bogus art shows, hordes of people, etc.). For the most astute among them who are also "on a budget," they will comparison shop using a top producing TA for the lines they are considering. With that right TA and the appropriate itinerary, along with basic and added cruise line perks (plus TA perks), savvy consumers will find that those premium lines having a bottom line daily cost (including things like airfare and specialty restaurants) that compares favorably to the better mass market lines.

 

Throughout your comparison work, which could be done by a good cruise specialist TA who has interviewed you to find out your preferences and means, remember that: if you're paying the published fare, you haven't done your homework. At the same time, however, don't expect a 3-4 star experience at a 1-2 star price.

 

On the other hand, if all you're interested in is getting away from home, seeing someplace new, having a place to sleep and food to eat, the seemingly cheaper line may work for you.

[paul929207]

Enough people are willing to pay for the Disney name.

[fendbass]

ummm...because they can

 

Been to a Disney theme park recently? Not exactly cheap

 

After taking my wife's grandson on a Disney cruise, we haven't been back. Too expensive. We ar Balcony snobs, but, we couldn't afford a balcony on Disney

[moopig]

The food on Disney is better than the food in the upcharge specialty restaurants on Carnival IMHO. You also get free soft drinks on Disney. Disney has better quality shows and also has fireworks. Disney is expensive but worth it.

[Beachdude]

Kind of a funny question; like asking why is the price of a Cadillac higher than Honda and not have rode in either one.

 

You get what you pay for with Disney, it's just a matter if that is what you are willing to pay.

[Friend100]

I just checked early June for a few nights at Orlando. Hilton Bonnet Creek is $160/night. Disney's Polynesian Village is $600/night for the same period. Help me to understand also. :rolleyes:

[Capt_BJ]

some folks like to drink Korbel ... and in my fridge I have Dom Perignon

 

my cousins like Bush Natural Light and I buy 'craft beer'

 

You drive a Mercedes or a Honda; new or 10 years old?

 

 

Disney hotels and cruise ships are a 'premium' brand and they cost more. You can go to Disney World and save a TON by staying off site . . . at a 'not premium' hotel

 

Disney is far from the only or best premium cruise line. They may be the ONLY kid friendly premium line tho . . . Want premium and don't have kids ... Cunard, Windstar, several of the EU river cruise lines . . . all VERY NICE but stop just short of saying 'no kids please'

 

Bottom line ... want the MOUSE experience in your hotel or on your cruise ship? Then you PAY the mouse! I think today's one day price to visit WDW Magic Kingdom is CRAZY - and they still zap you for parking, and food and drinks and and and .... a one day visit for a family of four is gonna break $500 ain't it? When I crunch the numbers a week on a DCL ship for 2 adults and 2 youngsters costs less than a week in the park staying at a WDW hotel . .

 

 

 

(Disney stock holder btw - as are the kids . . . part of the portfolio started for each at birth)

[navybankerteacher]

You will only get what you pay for (and sometimes not even that); just make sure you know what it is that you are buying. Do you really want it enough to pay more than bottom dollar? The same decision process as exists between lines (mouse or casino) also applies on a particular ship (inside or balcony or suite).

[BullDawg91]

I just checked early June for a few nights at Orlando. Hilton Bonnet Creek is $160/night. Disney's Polynesian Village is $600/night for the same period. Help me to understand also. :rolleyes:

 

 

Hilton Bonnet Creek: can't see the Magic Kingdom from there. No fireworks or electric water parade. No monorail over. Limited shuttle service to parks (I would assume) compared to Disney Resorts' bus line.

 

Depends on what you want. Maybe worth it to you, maybe not.

[Laughing Angel]

You are talking about two different cruise experiences. One is a little more family oriented with less emphasis on alcohol and gambling, and more on the characters, fireworks and the Disney brand. It all depends on the experience you're looking for.

 

BTW, I've done the Disney cruise once, and I thought it was fabulous, but unless I win the Powerball, I probably won't get the chance to do it again.

[perditax]

Isn't Bonnet Creek the one where you have to sit through a time share presentation to get your parking pass?

[Friend100]

Hilton Bonnet Creek: can't see the Magic Kingdom from there. No fireworks or electric water parade. No monorail over. Limited shuttle service to parks (I would assume) compared to Disney Resorts' bus line.

 

Depends on what you want. Maybe worth it to you, maybe not.

 

Thanks for your response. I hope the OP gets the point now. :rolleyes:

[Lerin]

Enough people are willing to pay for the Disney name.

 

This is not true at all. Very few people are paying for the Disney name.

Disney has only 4 ships vs. Carnival's 25 or so.

[Flatbush Flyer]

This is not true at all. Very few people are paying for the Disney name.

 

Disney has only 4 ships vs. Carnival's 25 or so.

 

 

Econ 101: demand exceeds supply. More than enough people to fill four ships.

[navybankerteacher]

This is not true at all. Very few people are paying for the Disney name.

Disney has only 4 ships vs. Carnival's 25 or so.

 

"Enough" means "enough" - Disney seems to find enough people to fill their ships - it is easier for Carnival to find more passengers because they offer less and charge less. Cunard also finds enough passengers to fill their 3 ships - while offering more (of what they offer) and charging appropriately more than their sister Carnival under the Carnival corporate umbrella.

[BullDawg91]

Isn't Bonnet Creek the one where you have to sit through a time share presentation to get your parking pass?

 

 

Bonnet Creek is actually an area with multiple establishments. The one you are thinking of is Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort. We stayed there once (rented from an owner). It was great! If I wanted a kitchen, it's about the only way to afford it. We drove to the parks which was a little bit of a pain and costly at $14 (now $17) a day.

 

Give me a choice (with money no object, trip of 4 days or so) and I'm staying at the Polynesian.

[slidergirl]

The Hilton Bonnet Creek has a courtesy shuttle service to WDW. Just adding a little info.

 

Staying at a non-WDW hotel isn't a bad idea - you don't have to go whole Mouse. Only if you want to have the WHOLE MOUSE experience at the price they command… Just like the Aulani on Oahu - it's far away from anything, it's terribly expensive, but people pay because it is THE MOUSE. The hotel is created and curated just like a mini Disneyland. For a whole lot less money, a family can stay down in Waikiki at a high-end hotel and have access to more activities and more (and less expensive) dining alternatives.

Edited April 4, 2015 by slidergirl

[SantaFeFan]

ummm...because they can

 

Been to a Disney theme park recently? Not exactly cheap.

 

Using the Disney theme park idea, a Disney cruise would be like going to one of their parks, while a Carnival cruise would be like going to one of those carnivals that show up in your town for a week during the summer. It is no accident why Carnival calls themselves that name. :D

[MrsPete]

I've sailed Disney. We chose it for our first-ever cruise because we wanted a short cruise as a "trial", and so many cruise lines push their older ships with fewer amenities to the shorter cruises.

 

Disney was great, but the price was not a good value in comparison to the other lines. We liked our Disney room LESS than other rooms we've had on other lines. Food was good, and we liked the three rotating restaurants concept -- but I can't say those things were superior to other lines. Disney's entertainment was good, but so is Royal's ice show and other things we've enjoyed on other lines. Disney has the corner on family sit-down shows, but they're lacking in other entertainment venues. The other thing where Disney has it right is their private island.

 

Disney is great, but it's not really better than the other lines.

 

Yes, they're definitely charging more "because they can". Disney is a company with master marketers, and they know that by keeping a small number of ships, they can keep demand (and prices) high. They could double their ships next year ... and then they wouldn't be able to fill them and would have to drop prices.