Disney Cruise Prices - ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?

[William Marsden]

I just got a price quote for a 7 day Disney Cruise - Western Caribbean - departing 5/5/07 - catagory 9 outside cabin (cheapest outside catagory) - 2 adults, one child - $3,775.40. That's with a supposed early booking discount. That's about $1500.00 more than any of the other big six cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian). I know that Disney is a bit more expensive BUT $1,500.00!!!!! Now technically Celebrity and HAL aren't sailing the Caribbean in May. Most of their ships will be in Europe or Alaska during that time, but still, you can get a far better deal on any other cruiseline when you book early. So my question is quite simple. WHY DOESN'T DISNEY BUILD MORE FRICKIN' SHIPS?!?!?

Who is the idiot in charge of DCL. I want a name. I want a reply. I want him or her to be taken out and beaten senseless.:lookaroun OK I may be going a little too far but tell me why are we expected to pay an extra $1500.00 for "Disney Magic"? The cuisine is comparable if not better on other cruiselines. The entertainment is about the same. The ports are the same. What's goin' on here?:hammer:

 

[napnet]

Part of the reason for the higher fees for the Disney Cruise is because there is no gambling on the boat. I heard this from both a Disney Cruiseline Specialist and a Carnival one. Carnival cruises have casinos on them and that helps cover the boat fees, not the number of boats.

The other part is the quality and simple economic elasticity

 

[SallyShine]

I agree! DCL is sooooo expensive. We've been on the 4 day cruise twice, because I couldn't afford a 7 day for 5 people (that's 2 cabins). Now that my kids are older 9, 13 & 15 I would consider a 7 day on RC. I won't like it and I'll complain, but I'm to the point that I want 7 days more than I want Disney!

 

[Craig & Lisa]

I think another reason is because the DCL's are geared more to accomidate families, a ship with gambling is not family oriented. Could you imagine mickey at the craps table, " C'mon minnie needs a new pair of shoes"!!!:lol:

 

[tnemgif]

I have been on Disney, Royal Carribbean, and Carnival cruises. Disney is about 5 times better than Royal Carribbean and Carnival just sucked, which helps explain the higher prices. Now I know that doesn't justify the prices, but with the quality of evrything I understand why the prices are high, but I still won't be able to go on a Disney cruise again because of their outrageous prices. I would suggest Royal Carribbean/Celebrity for another cruise option, just DON"T DO CARNIVAL, it stinks.

 

[bluefaery]

I would suggest Royal Carribbean/Celebrity for another cruise option, just DON"T DO CARNIVAL, it stinks.

For my HS graduation I wanted to go on a disney cruise but b/c the price was so high my family and I went on a western caribbean cruise on carnival. On the high side, I won $110 playing bingo and $75 playing texas hold 'em. I was 19 at the time and I had a blast. Carnival was great. We left out of New Orlans (SP?). Mind you this was back in 2001. But carnival was so sweet to my family and I. We would do it again in a heart beat.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I just got a price quote for a 7 day Disney Cruise - Western Caribbean - departing 5/5/07 - catagory 9 outside cabin (cheapest outside catagory) - 2 adults, one child - $3,775.40. That's with a supposed early booking discount. That's about $1500.00 more than any of the other big six cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian). I know that Disney is a bit more expensive BUT $1,500.00!!!!! Now technically Celebrity and HAL aren't sailing the Caribbean in May. Most of their ships will be in Europe or Alaska during that time, but still, you can get a far better deal on any other cruiseline when you book early. So my question is quite simple. WHY DOESN'T DISNEY BUILD MORE FRICKIN' SHIPS?!?!?

Who is the idiot in charge of DCL. I want a name. I want a reply. I want him or her to be taken out and beaten senseless.:lookaroun OK I may be going a little too far but tell me why are we expected to pay an extra $1500.00 for "Disney Magic"? The cuisine is comparable if not better on other cruiselines. The entertainment is about the same. The ports are the same. What's goin' on here?:hammer:

Economics 101:

Disney ownes these big boats.
Disney charges what they want to.
People pay it.

On a side note, just because I think its stupid for anyone to go out and buy a $5 cup of coffee, I dont get on a message board and rant about it. If you think its too much money to spend, dont go.

 

[Timothy Q Mouse]

Unfortunately, I think it's a result of the Walmart-ification of America: we've gotten ourselves so used to looking for the low prices and often neglect the quality aspect of merchandise. Yes, you can book a crappy Carnival cruise just as easily as you can buy most of the crappy stuff at Walmart. But true quality just costs more and I think the DCL is an example of that.

 

[Scooter]

Disney Cruise Line charges a lot for their cruises for the same reason Starbucks charges $2.50+ for a cup of coffee...

...because they CAN.:animwink:

 

[scorp111]

Economics 101:

Disney ownes these big boats.
Disney charges what they want to.
People pay it.

On a side note, just because I think its stupid for anyone to go out and buy a $5 cup of coffee, I dont get on a message board and rant about it. If you think its too much money to spend, dont go.

Exactly.

Same reason Disney doesn't really discount their cruises.
They don't need to.

 

[Laura]

I have been on Disney, Royal Carribbean, and Carnival cruises. Disney is about 5 times better than Royal Carribbean and Carnival just sucked, which helps explain the higher prices. Now I know that doesn't justify the prices, but with the quality of evrything I understand why the prices are high, but I still won't be able to go on a Disney cruise again because of their outrageous prices. I would suggest Royal Carribbean/Celebrity for another cruise option, just DON"T DO CARNIVAL, it stinks.

I don't agree with you about RC. I think Royal Carribbean is an all-over better cruise experience than Disney. After all, it is their specialty.

Disney was enjoyable too, just not as fancy as RC.

I just hated Carnival though. Cheap and tacky.

 

[William Marsden]

Economics 101:

Disney ownes these big boats.
Disney charges what they want to.
People pay it.

On a side note, just because I think its stupid for anyone to go out and buy a $5 cup of coffee, I dont get on a message board and rant about it. If you think its too much money to spend, dont go.

Barnum 101 - There's a sucker born every minute.

There are several luxury cruise lines. People on these cruises pay extra for all outside cabins, luxurious suites, gourmet cuisine and shore excursions which are, for the most part, included in the cruise fare. They're also paying for complimentary alcohol and champagne, caviar and most of all exclusivity. Disney offers none of this. It bills itself as a family cruiseline but prices itself beyond the reach of 99% of families.
Read any objective review from the Unofficial Guide to any of the cruise review websites and everyone is in agreement - Disney Cruise Line is not above the rest of the standard cruise lines when it comes to cuisine, entertainment, shore excursions, or even in most cases service. They certainly cannot present themselves as a luxury cruiseline, able to compete with Crystal, Silverseas, Radisson, or Seabourne.

A side to your side note; I don't drink coffee. I think that people who pay $5 bucks for coffee are bloody idiots. I won't go on a Disney Cruise at the price they're asking. I think people who do pay that price are idiots. Idiots are keeping the prices high - AND most importantly - I love to rant. :lol:

 

[Heatherbell]

I agree, I think DCL prices are outrageous I myself have been on quite a few cruises and I canot figure out why Disney charges so much for their cruises. Originally I was going to book a Disney Cruise for mine and my husbands first anniversary and when I started to look at the prices versus the other cruises I quickly reconsidered.
I will say though I have been on several cruises on different cruise lines and I will say Carnival was my favorite. For my honeymoon last Apil I went on Princess which is supposed to be the best out there and I'll tell you I wasn't blown away. I was far happier on Carnival and I liked the ship much better. I didn't find it cheap and tacky at all.

 

[Floridasunshine]

Maybe check out discounter travel companies like vacationstogo.com instead of booking thru traditional methods? I have seen DCL cruises often on there for 25% to 50% in non peak seasons .... BUT I have never booked through them, so I cannot vouch for their services. But the prices are often good.

 

[fngoofy]

I just got a price quote for a 7 day Disney Cruise - Western Caribbean - departing 5/5/07 - catagory 9 outside cabin (cheapest outside catagory) - 2 adults, one child - $3,775.40. That's with a supposed early booking discount. That's about $1500.00 more than any of the other big six cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian). I know that Disney is a bit more expensive BUT $1,500.00!!!!! Now technically Celebrity and HAL aren't sailing the Caribbean in May. Most of their ships will be in Europe or Alaska during that time, but still, you can get a far better deal on any other cruiseline when you book early. So my question is quite simple. WHY DOESN'T DISNEY BUILD MORE FRICKIN' SHIPS?!?!?

Who is the idiot in charge of DCL. I want a name. I want a reply. I want him or her to be taken out and beaten senseless.:lookaroun OK I may be going a little too far but tell me why are we expected to pay an extra $1500.00 for "Disney Magic"? The cuisine is comparable if not better on other cruiselines. The entertainment is about the same. The ports are the same. What's goin' on here?:hammer:

If I were going to be on this cruise I would suggest that you look into one of those other cruises, they seem to be more your speed. Share and enjoy.

 

[mkt]

Just say no to Carnival. If I see the boat is registered in Liberia or Panama, I don't get on and cash in my travel insurance.

DCL all the way

 

[napnet]

Book in September... its like 750 for inside room on a 7 day cruise... just beware of 'canes

 

[SpenceMan01]

I've never been on a cruise, and neither has my fiancee. We've booked a 4 night Disney cruise (coupled with a week at WDW) for our honeymoon. I figure, if I'm going to spend 4 days on a boat, I'd love to be surrounded by Disney Magic. It's going to be around $1800 for the two of us (Cat 5 with a private verandah). I'm sure part of that figure pays for the Magic.

It's the same thing with the Disney Resorts at WDW. Sure, you can get a hotel offsite for cheaper, and though it may be nicer, you lack the Disney experience. Why does Disney command a higher price? They have a reputation for service and for going above and beyond. I want that Magic and I'm willing to pay for it.

As far as your comment, William Marsden, about checking out the Unoffcial Guide: I did (its always within reach of my desk), and they make NO SUCH COMMENTS. The only negative comments about DCL in the Unofficial Guide are:

1. The layout of the ship keeps you centered inward, away from the sea.
   and
2. There's a whole lot of plexiglass onboard.

There are no comments comparing DCL to any other cruiselines. Get off your soapbox and stop misrepresenting books with your opinions. This may seem harsh, but if you think Disney is so expensive, take your money elsewhere. I wouldn't want you to ruin the experience for the rest of us.

 

[Hakunamatata]

It bills itself as a family cruiseline but prices itself beyond the reach of 99% of families.

Marketing 101:

* Identify your target market.

Economics 102:

* If the demand continues to be high, cotinue to charge what you are charging.

 

[bgraham34]

I was looking to do a cruise and the prices were to high for me. I really want to do it but for my first cruise i dont want to spend to much. If I hate it I will be mad I spent so much money.