Why is Disney so much more than Carnival?

[Hoosierpop]

Basic economics. People are paying those rates. And thank god for capitalism that enables that to happen.

 

Never been on Disney, and never will since they don't have casinos. But i haven't met anyone who didn't have fun. Better at that price.

 

 

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[deborahjo]

We have 11 Carnival cruises under our belt. Disney was our 2nd cruise we ever took.

Total cruises 14.

 

Disney Wonder

Our kids were young teens and we did have a lot of fun. We had balconies next to the boys. Rooms were awesome. Loved that on the first night the boys ordered milk shakes. Every night after that their milk shakes were waiting on them no matter what dining room were in.

 

There were great kids activities to keep them busy the boys wanted. They were never at a loss for something to do.

 

For DH and I. We had and adult pool plus adult areas on the ship. We also had all inclusive drink package. Drink what ever we wanted when ever we wanted.

 

Evenings were fun for all four of us. We went to the kids zone area and had a lot of fun. Kind of like karaoke kicked up. We also went to dueling pianos 2 nights. We all enjoyed it

 

There was always food day and night. I mean big chicken strips or fish strips with fries that we ate in the afternoon several times. Enjoyed the different types of food.

 

Now for the kicker. This cruise cost over $12000 and it was a 4 night. No we did not pay that but we should have had to pay the taxes. DH won thru his then employer.

 

Would I do it again. Not if I had to pay for it.

 

Love Carnival. I am platinum and DH will be our next cruise.

 

Don't have kids to worry about. They are grown up.

 

Don't need all the alcohol. I rarely drink. But will a few each cruise.

 

We don't need balconies anymore. We have 4J cabins. Love them.

 

Love the entertainment. Do the shows, piano bars, casino and sitting in the atrium dancing to the music.

Yes age may play a role in it but I am to cheap these days.

 

We looks for cruises on sale. Must be at least 7 days. All this because we have to fly to our ports.

 

We pay between $900 to $1300 for a cruise. The only exception was on Princess in 2015. Booked inside for Alaska. Was to be approx $1600. There were major mistakes made by Princess so to make up for their errors they moved us to the balcony across the hall plus obc.

 

We will stay with Carnival because we are comfortable and happy.

 

 

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[CheapieD]

I have been on more carnival cruises than Disney cruises but without a doubt Disney was an excellent experience. If you can find cruises for a smaller difference in price definitely go for it. Hard to

justify 7k more though if you are booking comparable cabins and cruise length. If you can be a little flexible just watch cruise fares and you can book for a smaller difference. We sailed 5 day 4 night for the price of a similar 6 day carnival cruise.

 

Try it once and see what you prefer. When I have grandkids I will definitely take them on a Disney cruise but for now we have chosen Carnival (and a Princess cruise-yuck).

 

Is Disney a better experience- absolutely but you have to weigh the cost imho

 

 

 

 

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[iluvcruises]

I have cruised many times, just got off my 27th cruise, all different ships, all different cruise companies. Every year we say we should try a Disney cruise but when it comes time to do the bookings, I just cannot hit that "book" button because of their outrages over prices. I love cruises too much and would much rather cruise twice, in a year rather then one time Disney for the same price. I'll get my magic when we go to the parks. :)

[bUU]

Oh, yes they would. It's called "prestige", and these people wouldn't be caught dead on Carnival, because it's Carnival.

Nonsense. I've been on Disney and am going to be on Carnival.

 

You seem to have a baseless grudge against Disney.

 

 

This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

[MissMarmalade]

I have sailed on the Disney Magic in 2004 as my very first cruise and then have been a very loyal regular sailer with Carnival. DCL has much better entertainment with the Disney characters roaming around plus their evening shows are just WOW! Food on DCL is better than Carnival's too. I can see why DCL is more expensive well because..... it's Disney and Disney always charges an arm and a leg for anything. Keep in mind DCL also has their Pirate night party with fireworks on ship so that is part of the price you are paying for too

[caryatid]

We just took a Disney Cruise in the beginning of June, and even as a die-hard Disney fan (100+ vacations, member of the Disney Vacation Club (timeshare) and annual passholder ), I don't think I will be back. We had a wonderful cruise, and while I thought that the service was really good, I wasn't wowed, which I expected for the price paid. The ship was beautiful and everything was in perfect repair and spotless, I really enjoyed the entertainment, and we enjoyed our "magic porthole", but our final takeaway was that it just wasn't worth the price.

 

To give you an example, when we got off the ship we decided that we wanted to take another cruise, we priced out the Disney Dream for next April and for the 4 of us in a porthole room, we'd be paying $5400. I also priced out the Carnival Liberty for the same dates and basically same itinerary and it was $1600. You'd be crazy not to book the Liberty, so that is exactly what we did! We could cruise Carnival almost 3.5 times for the price of a Disney Cruise, and we certainly did not enjoy Disney 3.5 times more than our previous Carnival cruise. I mean, I loved the Disney entertainment, but with the money saved we could go into NYC for a weekend and see a Broadway show and still have money to spare.

 

I also found the service good, but not unbelievable, on the Disney cruise. Our waitstaff was very nice and they even did some magic tricks for the kids, but our drink of choice was not on the table waiting for us, and no one cut up my kids food (both which I have heard of happening on Disney). I also found the communication to be pretty poor overall, we had really bad weather so many of the outdoor parties had to be moved inside, which would have been fine if there was any communication. It just seemed really disorganized during many points, which isn't something I usually associate with Disney. It also just didn't seem to leave us with that "magic" feeling you get at the parks, it just seemed like a really pretty ship with some Disney details, which certainly didn't make our vacation or make it worth the price.

 

Overall I'm really glad we tried it, and we did have a really nice vacation, but the fact that my family (the Disney obsessed), is coming back to book another Carnival cruise, speaks volumes about the value.

[cruisebabe50]

It's outrageous. It's like $3500 compared to $8000 to $10000 for an upcoming cruise the 4 of us are looking at. Is the food quality , entertainment, atmosphere really worth the 3 times the price?

 

 

 

Nope! You gotta pay if you want to hang with the mouse! Lol.

 

 

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[Thorncroft]

Google.....he's my friend, Chuck, not so much.

 

 

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Ironic. I found Chuck on Google. The other site I found on Google had Carnival as a 4 star line, but Disney was also 4 star. I'm guessing that one is at the lower end of 4 stars and the other at the higher end. You had to really step up to get 5 stars and then really reach for that

6th star.

 

http://www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au/cruiselines/type:4

 

That rating compared to Chuck's just shows how subjective ratings can be, and how they're not really useful for anything other than ego stroking and other general BS.

[grest]

Our last cruise was with Disney, primarily because we were taking our daughter and her family. The grandkids loved it! We thought it was okay, but agreed that we would never do one without the kids. It was way too much money, and to us, except for the whole kids thing, just not that great...

[Nic6318]

It's outrageous. It's like $3500 compared to $8000 to $10000 for an upcoming cruise the 4 of us are looking at. Is the food quality , entertainment, atmosphere really worth the 3 times the price?

 

 

I am not sure what you feel is outrageous.

 

Is it that you think that spending that much on a vacation/cruise is too much or is it outrageous that other people think it is worth the cost?

 

Is it just the fact that you can get a cheaper cruise on Carnival? There are other cruise lines that do charge more per day, are they outrageous?

 

The fact is, they are different. If you want to go on a cruise line where you or your children can interact with Disney characters, you don't have choice. Oh! Is that your point, it is outrageous that they can charge whatever they want because people are willing to pay. Sorry, that's the way it works in a capitalist society. The good thing is that you do have choices and it is not for example like the drug companies that might do the same with drugs that people might need to live.

[jimbo5544]

I am not sure what you feel is outrageous.

 

 

 

Is it that you think that spending that much on a vacation/cruise is too much or is it outrageous that other people think it is worth the cost?

 

 

 

Is it just the fact that you can get a cheaper cruise on Carnival? There are other cruise lines that do charge more per day, are they outrageous?

 

 

 

The fact is, they are different. If you want to go on a cruise line where you or your children can interact with Disney characters, you don't have choice. Oh! Is that your point, it is outrageous that they can charge whatever they want because people are willing to pay. Sorry, that's the way it works in a capitalist society. The good thing is that you do have choices and it is not for example like the drug companies that might do the same with drugs that people might need to live.

 

 

 

The mouse's house is unique, of that there is no doubt.

 

 

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[jimbo5544]

Ironic. I found Chuck on Google. The other site I found on Google had Carnival as a 4 star line, but Disney was also 4 star. I'm guessing that one is at the lower end of 4 stars and the other at the higher end. You had to really step up to get 5 stars and then really reach for that

 

6th star.

 

 

 

http://www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au/cruiselines/type:4

 

 

 

That rating compared to Chuck's just shows how subjective ratings can be, and how they're not really useful for anything other than ego stroking and other general BS.

 

 

 

I would tend to agree with all of that.....by the way I asked Siri and Alexa also, but they got into a fight with each other....

 

 

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[Towel Critter]

Me, I'd rather go on three good cruises than one great one. Of course, if money wasn't a concern I'd prefer three great ones. :-)

[Thorncroft]

Nothing wrong with "good enough".

[evandbob]

You can also ask why a Mercedes is more than a Chevy, or why the Ritz Carleton is more than the Days Inn.

 

I've only sailed Disney once, on the Dream, just a few months after it started sailing. I was thoroughly impressed with the ship, from the keyless cabin, to the size and comfortability of the cabin and balcony.

 

We had baby Lamb Chops, Alaskan King Crab legs and Jumbo Shrimp during the sail away buffet. No standing in lines either. The MDR's rotate so the kids don't get bored. One of the MDR's has interactive walls that talk to individual kids to divert their attention and keep them amused. The Dream had interactive computer screens on different decks for a solve the mystery game that older kids could play.

 

The deck party, with the pools covered was large enough to hold the 1000- 1500 people dancing and singing to Pirates of the Caribbean themes, role actors doing a Pirates skit, followed by fireworks at sea, simply amazing. My youngest grandson was up on my shoulders for the fireworks, his mouth opened in delightful wonder. This was the largest deck party I've ever attended at sea. The most I've seen on Carnival is maybe 100 tops for maybe a 1/2 hour.

 

The entertainment characters that roam the ship are great for the kids, and went out of their way to notice the little ones. I didn't attend any of the shows, but my kids told me they were very entertaining and kept their kids amused.

 

The Disney Private Island has different sections for adults and families, and is just as nice as some other private isles.

 

I visited the adult only section on the ship and was amazed how nicely it was laid out and uncrowded. There certainly were no kids jumping in the hot tubs there, as the adult only policy was enforced.

 

You can tell I thoroughly enjoyed being on the Disney Dream, and would sail it again if a suitable date comes up that my twins and grandkids could all book. Some memories are indeed priceless.

 

I can also tell you that the sense of discovery I felt on that new ship was way above the wow factor I experienced on the Vista. By the way, why is the Vista so much more than the Fascination?

[joeyancho]

I would think Carnival would be a 3 or 3 1/2 star

2 to 2 1/2 max.

[Shmoo here]

Disney is a five star cruise line. As a reference point, RCCL, Celebrity, Carnival are 4 star. Certainly the entertainment is different and you are with the Disney characters. Disney cruises have fireworks every night (just like when you stay on property). Disney does rotational dining where you (and your wait staff) rotate to different dining rooms every night. They have a wonderful kids program. Each cabin has a tub. All that said, I think it is overrated.

 

 

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No. Fireworks are only on Pirate night, or Star Wars night. On those cruises that have Pirate night and/or Star Wars night.

 

There are a few rooms that don't have tubs. Primarily the accessible rooms. And some "tubs" are just a round one, about 3' across. Certainly not large enough to stretch out in and relax.

[coevan]

You're paying for the "Disney experience", with the characters and atmosphere, fancy Marvel Academy and kids activities. (Which also explains why the park prices are so high). The entertainment is good and so is the food, but it's not really any better than any other cruise line, IMO. There is no casino on any of their ships, and soda is included rather than paying extra.

 

IMO it's not worth the extra money. It's basically an extension of the parks in that it caters more towards children, but does offer some 'adult' things.

 

 

You have not been on Disney since 2009. We have not sailed Disney, but we have a friend who works for Disney. She says the adult only restaurants and relaxing areas are far superior to CCL. Disney has upped their ante to dismiss the kids only factor. My friends do not have kids and have sailed CCL and Disney many times. You are also allowed to bring on your own booze. The no casino is a deal breaker for us.

[jimbo5544]

2 to 2 1/2 max.

 

 

 

Actually you impressed me, your normal answer would be.5....you being such a Carnival supporter and all.

 

 

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[jimbo5544]

No. Fireworks are only on Pirate night, or Star Wars night. On those cruises that have Pirate night and/or Star Wars night.

 

There are a few rooms that don't have tubs. Primarily the accessible rooms. And some "tubs" are just a round one, about 3' across. Certainly not large enough to stretch out in and relax.

 

 

 

Well that is it, I am def out now. No fireworks, no cruiseee.

 

 

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[jimbo5544]

You can also ask why a Mercedes is more than a Chevy, or why the Ritz Carleton is more than the Days Inn.

 

I've only sailed Disney once, on the Dream, just a few months after it started sailing. I was thoroughly impressed with the ship, from the keyless cabin, to the size and comfortability of the cabin and balcony.

 

We had baby Lamb Chops, Alaskan King Crab legs and Jumbo Shrimp during the sail away buffet. No standing in lines either. The MDR's rotate so the kids don't get bored. One of the MDR's has interactive walls that talk to individual kids to divert their attention and keep them amused. The Dream had interactive computer screens on different decks for a solve the mystery game that older kids could play.

 

The deck party, with the pools covered was large enough to hold the 1000- 1500 people dancing and singing to Pirates of the Caribbean themes, role actors doing a Pirates skit, followed by fireworks at sea, simply amazing. My youngest grandson was up on my shoulders for the fireworks, his mouth opened in delightful wonder. This was the largest deck party I've ever attended at sea. The most I've seen on Carnival is maybe 100 tops for maybe a 1/2 hour.

 

The entertainment characters that roam the ship are great for the kids, and went out of their way to notice the little ones. I didn't attend any of the shows, but my kids told me they were very entertaining and kept their kids amused.

 

The Disney Private Island has different sections for adults and families, and is just as nice as some other private isles.

 

I visited the adult only section on the ship and was amazed how nicely it was laid out and uncrowded. There certainly were no kids jumping in the hot tubs there, as the adult only policy was enforced.

 

You can tell I thoroughly enjoyed being on the Disney Dream, and would sail it again if a suitable date comes up that my twins and grandkids could all book. Some memories are indeed priceless.

 

I can also tell you that the sense of discovery I felt on that new ship was way above the wow factor I experienced on the Vista. By the way, why is the Vista so much more than the Fascination?

 

 

 

LOL, Mercedes to to Chevy and Ritz to Days Inn....and here I thought for sure it was going to be another Walmart reference....phew, was I wrong.

 

 

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[Shmoo here]

You have not been on Disney since 2009. We have not sailed Disney, but we have a friend who works for Disney. She says the adult only restaurants and relaxing areas are far superior to CCL. Disney has upped their ante to dismiss the kids only factor. My friends do not have kids and have sailed CCL and Disney many times. You are also allowed to bring on your own booze. The no casino is a deal breaker for us.

 

Um...that changed about 2 years ago. You may only bring onboard wine or beer now.

[jimbo5544]

Um...that changed about 2 years ago. You may only bring onboard wine or beer now.

 

 

 

Another cutback!!!!!!! This is going downhill faster than Royal stock

 

 

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[Swampbabe]

Um...that changed about 2 years ago. You may only bring onboard wine or beer now.

 

 

 

I believe you can do it at each port, though.