How does Disney Cruise Compare to other Cruise Lines?

JenTen1585

Active Member
My first cruise ever was on my honeymoon 15 years ago, on Princess Cruise Line. It was a Mediterranean Cruise and I was blown away! I loved every single day and every single moment. We did anytime seating so we didn't have a close waiter/passenger relationship, but we had nothing to compare it to at that time, and were pleased with the food and service. We enjoyed the shows; although they seemed a little cheesy, I am easily pleased. The itinerary was AMAZING! My first time out of the country, and I loved touring Europe, especially Italy. I loved the whole cruise experience - unpacking once, playing in the casino, eating and sleeping peacefully while travelling from port to port rather than being stressed trying to find another bus, car, train, or plane. Cruising is for me. Period. We went on two other Princess cruises after that. Then we threw in a couple of Norwegian cruises and a Royal Caribbean long weekend cruise. The quality definitely went down on those cruises, but the price was right. THEN ... we tried Disney. Our first was a 7 night cruise on the Disney Magic in the Norwegian Fjords. The itinerary was magical and so was the cruise. Everything is better - the rooms, the entertainment, the food, and the service. I still love Princess Cruise Line and their feel as well, but Disney is magical for my little girl (and for me and my husband) and I do appreciate their extras (little things add up - like free soda, a movie theater, and the character experiences). Our second Disney cruise was a 12 night British Isles cruise on the Disney Magic again and I fell in complete love. We had the BEST server we have ever had. He took such amazing care of us - providing us with good advice, humor, and exceptional food. He knew the best thing on the menu and was always encouraging us to try new things. He charmed my little girl and kept us all smiling. the shows were amazing and I loved the itinerary! When we pulled into Liverpool, they had planned a celebration just for the Disney Magic coming into town. There was a big screen playing Disney movies and thousands of Liverpool residents all crowded near the wharf just to see the boat and take pictures of it. The Magic sent down characters who were taking pictures with the locals. I pointed out the crowds to my daughter from the 7th floor deck and said "Just look how lucky we are. Those people are out in the cold and rain just to take a picture of the boat you get to sleep on and eat on and see shows on!!!" I really felt blessed. It was an amazing experience and my best trip yet. After that I took a 7 day cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line. It was a fabulous itinerary. The price was certainly right. It was a ladies trip with my family and we shoved 4 people into an inside room, so part of it was my fault. But ... I forgot how different the non-Disney cruises were - from food, to service, to shows, to bed, to room ... everything. BUT, I always say, there is no such thing as a bad cruise! And any day I'm on a cruise ship on any line is a good day. I just had to keep repeating to myself "You get what you pay for. You get what you pay for." We're booked on the Disney Wonder for Alaska this June and I look forward to returning to it's magical atmosphere! LONG story short. I'm sure I will still continue to cruise other lines, especially my favorite non-Disney cruise line, Princess, if the price is right ... however, Disney is the best, and when I can find money to splurge on it, I will enjoy every second of the extra!
 

fantasy08

Member
I've never been on a cruise before,but I want to go sometime next year. Maybe next December. This topic interest me greatly because of that. How pricey would a Disney cruise be for one person, and also if I wanted my voyage to be to the Bahamas and the Caribbean?
 

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
I've never been on a cruise before,but I want to go sometime next year. Maybe next December. This topic interest me greatly because of that. How pricey would a Disney cruise be for one person, and also if I wanted my voyage to be to the Bahamas and the Caribbean?
Disney is pretty pricey for just one person. The best way to get hard data will be to go to the DCL web site and start looking at itineraries.
 

disney4life2008

Well-Known Member
These people are ridiculous. The only difference between Carnival and DCL is you paying a significant more amount of money on DCL for the exact experience you can have on carnival. I have done both and prefer carnival. Now the difference is children. If you have kids, DCL is the way to go. But teens and older, carnival.
 

Santa Raccoon 77

Thank you sir. You were an inspiration.
Premium Member
The only difference between Carnival and DCL is you paying a significant more amount of money on DCL for the exact experience you can have on carnival.
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tk924

Well-Known Member
We've been on 5 DCL cruises thus far. Never cruised another line at this point. Every cruise we've always met and talked with friendly guests who have cruised other lines. I would say 90% of those we've spoken with about other cruise lines say they'll never set foot on another non-DCL ship again. Now, take that for what you will, but as the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for."
 

ChuckElias

Well-Known Member
The only difference between Carnival and DCL is you paying a significant more amount of money on DCL for the exact experience you can have on carnival.
This is laughable. Ludicrous. Demonstrably false. Intentionally misleading.

You want to spend less money? There's NOTHING wrong with that. You want to claim that DCL and Carnival are the EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE? You have no credibility.
 

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
These people are ridiculous. The only difference between Carnival and DCL is you paying a significant more amount of money on DCL for the exact experience you can have on carnival. I have done both and prefer carnival. Now the difference is children. If you have kids, DCL is the way to go. But teens and older, carnival.

I have long said that I don't believe the DCL is worth the extra cost in most cases. But to say there is no difference between Carnival and DCL except for cost, that is just not true.
 

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
DCL charges a 100% single-supplement. That means that if the fare is $1,000 per person, a person traveling alone will be charged $2,000 for the cruise.

So you might as well invite someone to go with you and split the cost.


While not all cruise lines charge 100% supplement, it is pretty standard for the price of 1 adult and the price of 2 adults in the same state room to be pretty close.

The cost to the cruise line of adding second person to the room is pretty low - mostly just food costs. They have already sized their staff and amenities based on double occupancy. In addition to their ticket, the "missing" passenger is not spending money on drinks, events, gifts, etc.

They have to make up for that lost money somewhere, so they charge the heck out of the single passenger.
 

DisneyJoe

Well-Known Member
While not all cruise lines charge 100% supplement, it is pretty standard for the price of 1 adult and the price of 2 adults in the same state room to be pretty close.

The cost to the cruise line of adding second person to the room is pretty low - mostly just food costs. They have already sized their staff and amenities based on double occupancy. In addition to their ticket, the "missing" passenger is not spending money on drinks, events, gifts, etc.

They have to make up for that lost money somewhere, so they charge the heck out of the single passenger.
I saw a show on cruises once, they are considered at 100% occupancy when there are 2 people in each stateroom, anything over that is considered extra - thus, they base the majority of their calculations on those 2 passengers - so when 1 is not there, they need to make it up. You'll then see the 3rd/4th passengers priced much lower.
 

disney4life2008

Well-Known Member
This is laughable. Ludicrous. Demonstrably false. Intentionally misleading.

You want to spend less money? There's NOTHING wrong with that. You want to claim that DCL and Carnival are the EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE? You have no credibility.

LOL nice try as well. DCL is expensive and a waste of time of money. You have been shut down, accept and move on.
 

disney4life2008

Well-Known Member
I have long said that I don't believe the DCL is worth the extra cost in most cases. But to say there is no difference between Carnival and DCL except for cost, that is just not true.

Im sorry but that is my opinion and experience. Carnival wins for me. Nice attempt though.
 

disney4life2008

Well-Known Member
That's fine. Carnival wins for you. Nobody begrudges you that. That's what you like and what fits your budget. That's absolutely your prerogative. But that doesn't mean that the Carnival experience is "EXACTLY" the same as DCL. It's just not the same.

And again, that's ok.

Unfortunately, yes
 

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