Another Disney pricing post

[axelskater]

Stating that Disney does not offer "value" is pretty darn subjective too!:rolleyes:

 

I sailed almost nothing but Cunard's Queen Mary 2 until recently - so to put it bluntly, I will not be setting foot on Carnival, RCCL, or any of those, because huge crowds of people going to flo-rider surfing lagoons and hot tubs over the water do not interest me at all, and neither do jeans in the Main Dining Room. Other cruisers might hate daily afternoon tea and nightly big-band ballroom dancing in a cocktail dress but I love them. So someone else might find Cunard boring, but it has great "value" for me, regardless of whether I can take 2 or 3 other cruises on another line instead. To each their own cruising pleasure - someone else's "value" in a ship isn't mine.

 

I sailed Disney on a whim but found out I loved their "value" - which to me was their beautiful staterooms and very top notch service. Their adult areas & restaurants were great and I spent all of my time there (stayed away from The MDR after one time since I found the food pretty bad - so maybe it is crowded and noisy). It doesn't matter to me if Carnival offers "more activities" because I don't want what they are offering - it isn't of any "value" to me to spend my money on it.

 

Others may feel Disney or Cunard or both are a special form of torture they will only sail under duress either by small children or their stodgy grandparents, respectively. The beauty of cruising is that there are ships of every price and every taste - for every person.

[cyclenut]

Since I started the thread I think I'll take a stab at answering some of the critics of my complaints. I'll start first by saying that value is absolutely subjective. That's the whole point of discussing value vs. talking strictly about price. However, value starts with price. When I see such a large price gap, I start to look at the extras that Disney offers and consider whether those extras provide enough value to offset the price difference. I believe a lot of people find greater value in meeting the characters than I do and there are several that see negative value in the lack of a casino. Each cruiser is going to attribute a different value than the other.

 

So what's the point of having a pricing thread at all then if everyone looks at value differently? The point is to have that discussion of value. What is it that drives so many people to the Disney ships? How much value is the Disney brand?

 

Another element of price is most certainly the demand, hence my comment at the end that I hope when more capacity is added, price will normalize. I think that demonstrates my understanding of basic microeconomics. :D

 

I found the banter about capacity to be interesting as well. I've noticed crowding to be more subjective than you'd think. I don't mind crowds too much, having spent many a Christmas holiday at Disneyland. I know many others who differ with me. A ship that is near capacity may seem crowded to one person and just busy to another. I will have to say though that if a ship is near capacity it is defiantly going to feel a bit crowded at times. I don't care what line it is. The notion of crowding is an important factor is determining relative value.

 

Perhaps a more productive discussion can be had on the topic of what makes a Disney cruise worth it for you? What are those things that give you enough perceived value that you are willing to pay the price?

 

Here are some of my top items.

1) Disney and everything that brand stands for. This can be so hard to quantify but for me it holds a special place and set of memories that really can't be found anywhere else. I've spent memorable moments in Disneyland growing up and raising a family in Orange County, CA.

2) Ports and Destinations. It really doesn't matter how much I love Disney or what it offers if the Ports and Destinations are not convenient and exciting.

3) Shipboard experience. Very important since you'll spend a lot of time there. Because Disney caters to families and they know Mom and Dad need their time too, they do an outstanding job of providing adult only areas. They pay more attention to that than most and it shows. I lump everything from staterooms to entertainment in this category. For what it's worth, I put Royal Caribbean higher on the list in the entertainment category with Disney a close second.

4) Price. Is this cruise within the price range that I consider reasonable, in terms of total cost per person. What I mean here is total cost not value. There is a limit for me and for most people where you just can't spend that kind of cash.

5) Schedule. Can I find the right itinerary at a time when I can get the time off work (for those with kids, off school) and when the weather will be acceptable? Can I coordinate schedules? There are times when I think I would have rather sailed with Disney but the schedule just didn't line up. Other lines that have far more ships can offer many more choices.

 

Yes, price is a factor. It will always be a factor. I love the Disney experience but I'm lamenting the fact that the continued rising price for the cruise is pushing me away more and more often. Because I understand basic microeconomics, I know there is a price that is too high. I've also seen what happens when that price is reached and people start to find alternatives. Sometimes it means that the product ends up disappearing. You can't deliver on the promise at a heavy discount and once you've lost the loyalty, getting it back is expensive. I don't know where that price point is for Disney but it sure feels like we're getting close.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

I don't even know why I'm going to enter this fray, but I *really* don't understand these "Disney is too expensive" threads.

 

Okay, Disney costs more than "mainstream" cruise lines on most itineraries. They also offer more. (If you disagree that Disney offers more, then choose another line that offers a similar product for a lower price and be happy.)

 

On the other hand, they cost less than "luxury" lines. They don't reach that level of service--makes sense to me.

 

Also, complaining about the price of an item demonstrates a shocking lack of understanding of basic microeconomics. If you're not willing to pay for something, then don't pay for it, but don't complain that the item costs too much for you! Clearly there are enough people who *are* willing to pay the higher price, and Disney would be stupid not to charge the prices they do. Don't lament that the road is full of BMW's but that you used to have one and now they cost too much for you to afford. Don't whine that it seems like every woman is carrying a Louis Vuitton purse but the price has gone up out of your reach.

 

Finally, DCL of years past, where they offered discounts and rained lavish benefits on their frequent cruisers, is indeed a thing of the past. They have learned that they do not have to offer those kinds of incentives and, in fact, prefer a clientele that does not NEED such enticements. A new cruiser who pays top dollar is also probably more likely to spend on board, whether it's on souvenirs (that a frequent cruiser has already bought), wine (that a high-spender is more likely to fork out for), or any other expense.

 

I get that there are exceptions to any rule. But the fact that people repeatedly come on internet message boards like this to complain that Disney's cruise prices have gone up simply and absolutely baffles me.

 

Amen!!! No one is forcing you to cruise Disney! And by pretty much everyone who complains about the price's own words, they have found other cruise lines that work for them, so it's kind of a moot point how much DCL is.

 

(I feel the same way about people who complain about how expensive Disney World is - people who get all "But what about the people who can't afford to take their kids?" about it. Yes, it's an awesome place to go (IMHO), but the last time I checked, the inalienable rights of US citizens were not "life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and a trip to Disney World".)

[moki'smommy]

Magic/Wonder normally sail at 2400-2500 on a "full" ship. Max capacity is 2700 (and yes, I've been on one of those...possibly the only one that ever sailed).

 

Full for the Dream and Fantasy is 4000. Sorry, I don't know what their max is.

 

Yes, DCL would rather have a new cruiser than a repeater simply because new cruisers spend more. They want the stuff in the gift shops, they book excursions thru the ship because they don't know the ports or are anxious about missing the ship, they buy more photos, etc. Obviously this is a generalization, but the numbers bear out that first time cruisers spend more and people on shorter cruises spend more on a per diem basis. The logic there is stuff like you might want to go to the spa once on a cruise whether the cruise is 3 or 7 nights.

 

DCL's repeat cruiser benefits and chances to get OBC have never been up there with some other lines, but they don't need to be. With a few exceptions, they are not having a problem filling the ships at normal rates. On those occasions, they offer FL res, *GT, or military rates which are still considerably higher than other lines and are higher than standard DCL rates of a few years ago. The prices will drop if they ever have difficulty getting people to pay the current rates.

 

The people who are hurting are TAs who were depending on their repeat business. There are a lot fewer repeaters than there used to be.

[FM]

Very well written response cyclenut ... my comments follow below

Since I started the thread I think I'll take a stab at answering some of the critics of my complaints. I'll start first by saying that value is absolutely subjective. That's the whole point of discussing value vs. talking strictly about price. However, value starts with price. When I see such a large price gap, I start to look at the extras that Disney offers and consider whether those extras provide enough value to offset the price difference. I believe a lot of people find greater value in meeting the characters than I do and there are several that see negative value in the lack of a casino. Each cruiser is going to attribute a different value than the other.

 

Price point for DCL is indeed a bit high! For example, we are also looking at a B2B aboard RCL Anthem of the Seas (9 night Canada/New England + 5 night Bermuda). When we compare it to a 2 week Panama Canal cruise aboard the Wonder, DCL comes out $2200 more expensive! But wait you say, I'm comparing apples to oranges re: itinerary. However, I DID take a look at the Magic's Canada/New England cruise - for the 7-night cruise, the MAGIC costs MORE than the B2B Anthem for 14 nights! Ridiculous to say the least ...

 

So what's the point of having a pricing thread at all then if everyone looks at value differently? The point is to have that discussion of value. What is it that drives so many people to the Disney ships? How much value is the Disney brand?

 

Here we come to the crux of the matter - value. As mentioned before, value is subjective. Why did we do a B2B aboard the Fantasy a few years ago when we were not travelling with any kids? Why did we introduce my DW's sister to the Fantasy as her very first cruise experience last year when it was just the three of us? It certainly wasn't the value of the cost of the cruise as she had to pay the single supplement for her own stateroom - it certainly wasn't the fact that there weren't plenty of other choices that would have presented better value for the money. The value of cruising aboard the Fantasy for us was in the experience of cruising with DCL. We've cruised with Princess (Platinum), Celebrity, Holland America, NCL and Carnival - DCL remains one of our top choices.

 

Another element of price is most certainly the demand, hence my comment at the end that I hope when more capacity is added, price will normalize. I think that demonstrates my understanding of basic microeconomics. :D

 

I found the banter about capacity to be interesting as well. I've noticed crowding to be more subjective than you'd think. I don't mind crowds too much, having spent many a Christmas holiday at Disneyland. I know many others who differ with me. A ship that is near capacity may seem crowded to one person and just busy to another. I will have to say though that if a ship is near capacity it is defiantly going to feel a bit crowded at times. I don't care what line it is. The notion of crowding is an important factor is determining relative value.

 

Perhaps a more productive discussion can be had on the topic of what makes a Disney cruise worth it for you? What are those things that give you enough perceived value that you are willing to pay the price?

 

Here are some of my top items.

1) Disney and everything that brand stands for. This can be so hard to quantify but for me it holds a special place and set of memories that really can't be found anywhere else. I've spent memorable moments in Disneyland growing up and raising a family in Orange County, CA.

2) Ports and Destinations. It really doesn't matter how much I love Disney or what it offers if the Ports and Destinations are not convenient and exciting.

3) Shipboard experience. Very important since you'll spend a lot of time there. Because Disney caters to families and they know Mom and Dad need their time too, they do an outstanding job of providing adult only areas. They pay more attention to that than most and it shows. I lump everything from staterooms to entertainment in this category. For what it's worth, I put Royal Caribbean higher on the list in the entertainment category with Disney a close second.

4) Price. Is this cruise within the price range that I consider reasonable, in terms of total cost per person. What I mean here is total cost not value. There is a limit for me and for most people where you just can't spend that kind of cash.

5) Schedule. Can I find the right itinerary at a time when I can get the time off work (for those with kids, off school) and when the weather will be acceptable? Can I coordinate schedules? There are times when I think I would have rather sailed with Disney but the schedule just didn't line up. Other lines that have far more ships can offer many more choices.

 

Initially we had taken a look at the EB Panama Cruise aboard the Wonder for fall next year ... but ruled it out not primarily due to cost ... but due to an itinerary that pretty well had no interest for me - other than transiting the Canal - which for DW is not that important at all. The "value" just wasn't there for us. But then I took a look at it again in a different light - celebrating Halloween aboard the Wonder on Oct 31st / combining it with a stay at Disneyland and celebrating Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party / going one step further AND adding a stay at Universal Hollywood and celebrating Halloween Horror Nights ... well the value of the overall itinerary/experience just became more exciting for us.

 

Yes, price is a factor. It will always be a factor. I love the Disney experience but I'm lamenting the fact that the continued rising price for the cruise is pushing me away more and more often. Because I understand basic microeconomics, I know there is a price that is too high. I've also seen what happens when that price is reached and people start to find alternatives. Sometimes it means that the product ends up disappearing. You can't deliver on the promise at a heavy discount and once you've lost the loyalty, getting it back is expensive. I don't know where that price point is for Disney but it sure feels like we're getting close.

 

So the value, dollar wise, for DCL is reaching into the stratosphere for a couple like us. The value of a Disney cruise is in what we want for our trip ... that's why we go Disney for special celebrations/birthdays/Anniversaries etc. Because we love the Disney experience. But as an every day regular holiday ... the value isn't there for us because of the price ...

 

Bottom line is that along with everything else, Disney is getting a bit darn expensive. But that did not stop me from putting a deposit down yesterday on the EB Panama Canal cruise for next year as one of several options for our Anniversary celebration. Time will tell over the next few months as to what our final decision will be ...

Edited September 4, 2016 by FM

[S.S.Oceanlover]

OK, I know I started this but as you note, I still have a DCL cruise booked. This is just for my wife and I. I have been sold on the Disney vacation experience and find that to be worth it, but only on occasion.

 

Our cruise on the Freedom of the Seas to the Western Caribbean was pretty amazing. Then I sailed on the Fantasy and it was magical. I had the Fantasy booked and cancelled that cruise in favor of the Freedom after a mediocre experience on the Wonder in Alaska. I don't regret doing that but I am so glad I went back and eventually sailed on the Fantasy.

 

Here is the thing with me though. I've been on the Wonder twice. The second time was a deal that was just too good to pass up. This time it is because we've moved to Texas and wanted to try a sailing out of Galveston where we're not paying airfare to boot. I like to try different things so three times on the Wonder is an exception. Bonus that the Wonder is coming out of dry dock with several changes before we sail.

 

Disney has two new ships coming out. I sure hope that once they get the capacity they'll see demand drop enough to let the pricing catch up.

 

I was saying the same thing when it was just the Magic and Wonder and the Fantasy,and Dream were not yet built.

 

Unfortunately for us the prices went the opposite direction once the 2 new ships were built.

 

It was nice to have cruised on DCL 3 times but for us the prices are just too far out of our league.

 

Bill

[NoCellNoWebMeHappy]

After a couple Carnival cruises before children, we decided to splurge on a Disney Wonder 5 day cruise from our home port to see if it was worth it before flying to Florida for a 7 day Caribbean cruise. For us, with little girls, there was really no comparison. The general experience, amenities, and service were worth it to us. Now, for our next cruise in 2018, we may consider the savings on an RCL cruise as our girls get a little older and outside the prime Disney age range, but we will not be heading back out on a Carnival cruise. The downside to the cheaper fares on Carnival was the result of the cheaper fares. Anyone can travel which included college age kids. Now I want college kids to enjoy their vacation too, but I'd rather not have them enjoy it on the same cruise I'm on. There are no college kids, boozing it up, and partying at all hours on a DCL cruise. A bit like taking kids to Chuck E Cheese. Sure there are screaming kids everywhere, but no one is falling over you drunk either. While some can't stand screaming and laughing children and I certainly understand that feeling, I've exhausted on the sound and experience of partying twenty something's long ago. Not sure how that'll differ on an RCL cruise. I'm sure a key differentiator is the date of our sailings. We steer clear of Spring Break and mostly look to our girls' Fall break in October to cruise which generally gets us a good discount.

Really hope my post doesn't sound elitist. My wife says I've become a bit of a food snob as I've gotten used to fine dining (though I can still enjoy a cheap buffet too), but value is what you're willing to pay for something and DCL currently has value for us. That being said, we won't buy in to DCL vacation club because of the cost and the limited age range where our girls will be in love with all things Disney. We looked at the Aulani Resort in Hawaii to own, but preferred to save a ton and stay at the Marriott down the beach. We also just cancelled our Disneyland season passes because the old Southern California discounted pass all but disappeared.

[moki'smommy]

After a couple Carnival cruises before children, we decided to splurge on a Disney Wonder 5 day cruise from our home port to see if it was worth it before flying to Florida for a 7 day Caribbean cruise. For us, with little girls, there was really no comparison. The general experience, amenities, and service were worth it to us. Now, for our next cruise in 2018, we may consider the savings on an RCL cruise as our girls get a little older and outside the prime Disney age range, but we will not be heading back out on a Carnival cruise. The downside to the cheaper fares on Carnival was the result of the cheaper fares. Anyone can travel which included college age kids. Now I want college kids to enjoy their vacation too, but I'd rather not have them enjoy it on the same cruise I'm on. There are no college kids, boozing it up, and partying at all hours on a DCL cruise. A bit like taking kids to Chuck E Cheese. Sure there are screaming kids everywhere, but no one is falling over you drunk either. While some can't stand screaming and laughing children and I certainly understand that feeling, I've exhausted on the sound and experience of partying twenty something's long ago. Not sure how that'll differ on an RCL cruise. I'm sure a key differentiator is the date of our sailings. We steer clear of Spring Break and mostly look to our girls' Fall break in October to cruise which generally gets us a good discount.

Really hope my post doesn't sound elitist. My wife says I've become a bit of a food snob as I've gotten used to fine dining (though I can still enjoy a cheap buffet too), but value is what you're willing to pay for something and DCL currently has value for us. That being said, we won't buy in to DCL vacation club because of the cost and the limited age range where our girls will be in love with all things Disney. We looked at the Aulani Resort in Hawaii to own, but preferred to save a ton and stay at the Marriott down the beach. We also just cancelled our Disneyland season passes because the old Southern California discounted pass all but disappeared.

 

You mentioned some key points. It really isn't fair to compare Carnival to DCL (and you realized that). Carnival Cruise Line is the low end of the wide range of cruise lines owned by the Carnival Corporation. They've been working hard to eliminate their "booze cruise" image, and have to some extent been successful on their longer cruises...but that said, it's Carnival. And you are right that for kids up to about age 10, no one beats DCL. But as kids enter that 10-teen range, Royal Caribbean is a very reasonable competitor. But again, they are not the top cruise line of their corporation and you will notice some charges and other things that don't exist on DCL.

 

One big point in DCL's favor is that they do not offer any sort of "unlimited alcohol" package. There are a few ways to get some discounts on beer and the "drink of the day," but there is no encouragement to drink till you drop as there is on some other lines. I may be naive, but I don't think most parents would drink enough to justify such a package, at least while their kids are present.

 

We've been exploring other options for a couple of reasons. We aren't pleased with the increased prices and decreasing quality of DCL cruises. Yes, we've noticed a marked decrease in food quality over the years. And the itineraries on DCL are a huge "been there, done that" for us. We may cruise on DCL again at some point. We miss some features of DCL when we are on other lines. But at this point, it is not the best fit for our family.

 

FWIW, our most recent cruise was 20 nights around Japan. There's a market that would snap up DCL cruises in the blink of an eye!

[NoCellNoWebMeHappy]

With two more Disney ships coming, they gotta be thinking about Japan. My wife and I were talking about making a cruise like that our first foray into European soil and would definitely consider it for an Eastern Asia focused trip.

 

A price to value determination is all based on an individual's perception and needs. For me, in most things, I'm frugal but splurge when I know the value of truly enjoying my purchase is worth more money. In general, I buy cheap clothes because they don't matter to me, but really spend on where I live and my car, because I'm happier making those monthly payments if I love the purchase.

[CELTICGIRLCRUISER]

.......

 

We've been exploring other options for a couple of reasons. We aren't pleased with the increased prices and decreasing quality of DCL cruises. Yes' date=' we've noticed a marked decrease in food quality over the years. And the itineraries on DCL are a huge "been there, done that" for us. We may cruise on DCL again at some point. We miss some features of DCL when we are on other lines. But at this point, it is not the best fit for our family.

 

.................[/quote']

 

I think this sums it up nicely for a lot of folks who have taken numerous DCL over the years.

 

Plus for us travelling as adults the kids side of life holds no value as such. The change in alcohol policy was another factor for us as that did hold some value for us, but I get that doesn't bother a lot of folks.

Edited September 10, 2016 by CELTICGIRLCRUISER

[moki'smommy]

With two more Disney ships coming, they gotta be thinking about Japan. .

 

We just returned from a 20 night cruise around Japan in one of the "big white hulks." Based on the reception we received at each port, DCL could do very well here. In fact, we talked about this while on board. First, all of the summer cruises were sold out on the line in question. I looked at this several times before our cruise as on one leg we were in an inside cabin and waitlisted for some sunshine.

 

At most ports we were greeted by entertainers--dancers, musicians, etc. It was common for another group to perform during the exit from the port. We had high school level bands, etc. People were coming just to see the ship. NOTE--it was not the first time this ship had been to these ports!

 

The city provided a free shuttle bus at the ports, either into town or to the nearby train station. This was in addition to excursions thru the cruise line and private excursions. They also set up a tourist info, free wifi, and vendor area at each port. Yes, they wanted our business, but they were good to us too. And there were many people wearing Disney character shirts, etc. You could tell how much the Japanese people are into Disney. They would have gone totally nuts over a DCL ship.

 

Obviously there could be tie ins with Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea, but the agreements between these parks and Disney are not the standard park deal...so maybe DCL doesn't care and would be more interested in China.

 

Guess we'll see what happens in 4 or 5 years when the new ships are launched.

[swatts1]

This is a very interesting discussion. We have just returned from our 2nd DC (Panama Canal) and had a fabulous time. We were told that the 2 new ships will have the same number of cabins as the Dream and Fantasy, but much larger public spaces as Disney is listening to the guests' concerns. We have been very happy on the two classic ships and aren't particularly interested in the bigger ships. We have cruised on three other cruise lines and think that Disney does it better than anyone. We don't care about the casino. Everyone gets to get to do what they can afford and what they like. Right now we like Disney. When our 5 year old granddaughter is older we may return to some of the other lines. I booked our next cruise while on board. I'd like to see better prices, but at this point I don't even care. The whole experience from check in to disembarkation is so much better than any line we've ever sailed on.......

[cyclenut]

I was chatting with our neighbors about this the other day. They've sailed Carnival a few times and Royal once but have not yet sailed Disney. The wife said that there is no way she could get her husband to sail Disney because there was no casino and he liked his BlackJack. The husband chimes in and says he'd like to do a Disney cruise and didn't care about the casino much. I LOL'd.

 

It made me wonder how many families would fall into this situation. Wife wants to go but won't book because she doesn't think hubby would want to (maybe it's casino, maybe something else), but she doesn't ask.

 

I completely agree that Disney does it better. That's why I continue to sail on Disney, but it won't be exclusive. If the price were more attractive or even if they had more interesting places to sail, I'll definitely cruise Disney.

[bear3412]

Wow, is all can say. Great comments from all.

 

I know now why we sail all multiple lines.

 

And when possible sail none. ;)

 

Thanks to all for their contributions to this thread.

 

May you all have wonderful sailings, and smooth seas, regardless of company.

 

:)

 

:D

[gismo1554]

I think next year might be my last DCL cruise unless the pricing stabilizes a bit. I travel solo so pricing is always an issue anyway but the WBTA for 2014 was over 35% cheaper than the 2017 WBTA and was 3 days longer. That's a large increase in 3 years even if you take into account different ports and fuel cost changes. The 2014 to 2015 change was only around 5% so the increase seems to be going up and up each year. Its a shame as they were already quite high price wise without increasing the prices so much each year.

[bear3412]

I think next year might be my last DCL cruise unless the pricing stabilizes a bit. I travel solo so pricing is always an issue ....

 

I trust you have looked into the solo cabins available on a few lines?

 

They can offer a great value at times. Ironically those lines also offer last minute upgrades too. Which could ......

 

Happy sailing.

Edited September 15, 2016 by bear3412

[blondietink]

We tried to drink the DCL Kool-Aid once 2 years ago. We are DVC members and have gone to WDW over 20 times and also tried out Disneyland. the price was OK at the time, but twice what I would have spent on a similar Carnival cruise. We hated it (even my kids). Way too crowded, way too noisy, small cabins, food was mediocre, no adult activities, crew was not friendly at all and often could not find anybody to ask a question of, etc. The best part of the cruise were the shows (excellent) and Castaway Cay. If we could find a Castaway Cay double dip that was reasonable in price I would do that again, but that is asking for a miracle I believe. We can honestly say we tried it, but didn't like it. For the prices they are charging now compared to even 2 years ago is outrageous.

[moki'smommy]

I trust you have looked into the solo cabins available on a few lines?

 

They can offer a great value at times. Ironically those lines also offer last minute upgrades too. Which could ......

 

Happy sailing.

 

Sometimes DCL reduces the single supplement on *GT bookings. It might be worth looking at if you are really interested in a DCL cruise. The prices are still outrageous but at least you aren't paying for 2 people while only one cruises.

 

Be sure to check out the size of solo cabins on other lines before you book them. On some lines they are barely closet sized!

[moki'smommy]

I think next year might be my last DCL cruise unless the pricing stabilizes a bit. I travel solo so pricing is always an issue anyway but the WBTA for 2014 was over 35% cheaper than the 2017 WBTA and was 3 days longer. That's a large increase in 3 years even if you take into account different ports and fuel cost changes. The 2014 to 2015 change was only around 5% so the increase seems to be going up and up each year. Its a shame as they were already quite high price wise without increasing the prices so much each year.

 

You nailed it. We did the WBTA in 2014. I looked at the 2015 pricing and was not happy to see a price increase for a shorter cruise. When the 2016 pricing came out, I just said "forget it."

 

We had actually booked 2 British Isles cruises in 2016. When I learned that I could book a balcony on Princess for half the price of an inside on DCL, we canceled the DCL. I think many others did the same because the cruises went from "sold out" to *GT status after the penalty date. The Princess cruises had 2 ports different than DCL. Otherwise it was essentially the same cruise.

[cyclenut]

We tried to drink the DCL Kool-Aid once 2 years ago. We are DVC members and have gone to WDW over 20 times and also tried out Disneyland. the price was OK at the time, but twice what I would have spent on a similar Carnival cruise. We hated it (even my kids). Way too crowded, way too noisy, small cabins, food was mediocre, no adult activities, crew was not friendly at all and often could not find anybody to ask a question of, etc. The best part of the cruise were the shows (excellent) and Castaway Cay. If we could find a Castaway Cay double dip that was reasonable in price I would do that again, but that is asking for a miracle I believe. We can honestly say we tried it, but didn't like it. For the prices they are charging now compared to even 2 years ago is outrageous.

 

We used to live just 15 minutes from Disneyland. We'd go 20 times a year so needless to say, we are huge Disney fans. We had a similar first time experience on the Disney Wonder for our Alaska cruise and really thought we wouldn't sail Disney again, although we thought most of the food was pretty good. We tried Disney again on the same ship and it was far more impressive. Our best Disney experience came sailing on the Fantasy. Wow what a beautiful ship.

 

The one thing that surprises me with your post is the comment about the cast members not being all that friendly. That's one of the things that has ALWAYS been there for us. Every time. I can't imagine what was going on with your particular sailing that caused the crew to be less than stellar for you.

 

As for crowds, I have to say that might be difficult for us to relate to. Being from Southern California we're kinda used to crowds and when it comes to Disney, anything between Thanksgiving and New Years is going to have the heaviest crowds. I don't think a crowded ship would phase us.

[alaska_planner]

DCL charges high prices because it can.

As with any product, a company can charge whatever the market will bear.

 

DCL has only 4 ships and clearly high demand for the space on those ships.

 

If demand falls, then the prices will drop.

There is no other reason to drop prices other than if demand falls.

 

Any executive who does otherwise should be fired.

 

As with any company, DCL is in business to make profits for its owners/stockholders.

Edited September 18, 2016 by alaska_planner

[gismo1554]

I trust you have looked into the solo cabins available on a few lines?

 

They can offer a great value at times. Ironically those lines also offer last minute upgrades too. Which could ......

 

Happy sailing.

 

I did and they are definitely better value hence after next year this will be my plan! I do love DCL but without the discount then I wouldn't be going. I had 20% off for a problem on last years which brought it back inline but its still way more than a single cabin on other lines! I will definitely be looking at this in the future.

Edited September 19, 2016 by gismo1554

[gismo1554]

You nailed it. We did the WBTA in 2014. I looked at the 2015 pricing and was not happy to see a price increase for a shorter cruise. When the 2016 pricing came out' date=' I just said "forget it."

 

We had actually booked 2 British Isles cruises in 2016. When I learned that I could book a balcony on Princess for half the price of an inside on DCL, we canceled the DCL. I think many others did the same because the cruises went from "sold out" to *GT status after the penalty date. The Princess cruises had 2 ports different than DCL. Otherwise it was essentially the same cruise.[/quote']

 

Its mad isn't it? It just seems like you are now paying at least double the price which just isn't justifiable

[moki'smommy]

Its mad isn't it? It just seems like you are now paying at least double the price which just isn't justifiable

 

Yeah--the EBTA, cheapest cabin available for 2017 is more than triple what I paid for that cruise in 2010. I do understand the concept of rising costs for fuel, etc. but you know they had to at least be "breaking even" in 2010. Triple the cost makes no sense to me, especially when I can get a very similar cruise on another line for half of what DCL is charging.

Edited September 19, 2016 by moki'smommy

[gismo1554]

Yeah--the EBTA' date=' cheapest cabin available for 2017 is more than triple what I paid for that cruise in 2010. I do understand the concept of rising costs for fuel, etc. but you know they had to at least be "breaking even" in 2010. Triple the cost makes no sense to me, especially when I can get a very similar cruise on another line for half of what DCL is charging.[/quote']

 

Exactly! Yes the service is great as are the shows and entertainment but you get this on other ships now too. I accept you are going to pay a premium for the "Disney" brand but I don't see how the difference can be justified any more. Its so sad.