Is a Disney Cruise worth the money?

[Jessie&Buzz]

I had a friend tell me that Disney cruises are so expensive and that I should look into a different cruise line when we decide to take one. We would like to do a land/sea package so I was wondering what everyone else thinks. This won't be happening for several years.

 

[davewasbaloo]

It's all relative I suppose. The Animal Kingdom Lodge or Polynesian is expensive compared with a Motel 6 or a Days Inn.

They are pretty much in live with the Princess Cruises or P&O who offer quality cruises, and the Royal Caribbean is only a little cheaper. Those are the only 4 lines I would sail with. And they are cheap compared to the Cunard line.

They are expensive compared to the Carnival Line however, but there is a huge difference in quality.

Carnival vs. Disney is like 6 Flags vs Disney - you decide.

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

Thanks! It was Carnival that she said we should try. I like the idea of it being a Disney cruise. I would feel comfortable letting my kids go to the kid's deck and stuff knowing that it's Disney quality. Oh well, I'm worrying about something that won't be happening for several more years if at all if my husband has something to do with it. He doesn't want to take a cruise.

 

[palmage]

I've sailed Princess, Carnival and Disney.

Carnival is 10th out 3. Stay far far away from Carnival.

I think princess is by far the best cruise for the price.

The accomodations on Disney were fantastic but not worth the money IMHO.
No Casino, and too many kids for my taste.

 

[napnet]

Carnival is 10th out 3. Stay far far away from Carnival.

I think Carnival has its place as the cheaper end of cruises geared towards the younger crowds... we are mid 20s and had a great time on the Carnival Glory (one of their newest and nicest ships though)... but i have never been on another ship so really cant compare

 

[GoofyGuySouthFl]

It all depends on your personal preferences. If money is a huge obstacle in planning your cruise then I would not suggest Disney as they are quite a bit more expensive in my opinion for what room you get compared to say Royal Caribbean or Princess (and I have sailed on all of these plus Carnival which I agree w/ previous poster who said stay far away). When we were comparing for next summer we got a minisuite on Princess for what it cost for a standard outside cabin on Disney (these are based on a 7 day cruise in the caribbean). I consider that a big difference. And yes their is no casino if that matters to you. The entertainment however makes up for it IMO. Do your research and you'll find the cruise that best fits your needs.

 

[westie]

We have done 3 Disney cruises. Each for a longer stay. Its well worth it. They have the worlds greatest daycare. Our kid never wanted to leave! I was very sceptical about a cruise because I need a lot to do, which DCL has. There were 2-3 things going on constantly and they all sounded like fun. I'm just saving my money for a two weeker!

 

[slappy magoo]

I think some major qualifying factors would be stuff like:

Do you have kids, or do you think you would have kids by the time you're ready to take the cruise?

How "adult" would you like your vacation to be? Would you like to be imbibing a good chunk of the time without frightening younger passengers? Would either of you want to gamble? (If you don't, you can factor in the fact that, for all the money you'd PROBABLY lose gambling, you can pay for a Disney Cruise. )

What kind of amenities would the two of you want? With DCL, you have many optional activities, but if you're just looking for a more sedentary, lounge poolside with a book or nap type of cruise, you're spending a lot of money for options you'll never use.

Just some stuff to think about. BTW, the Travel Channel often repeats a special about the Disney Cruise Line. If you have a Tivo, you might want to set up a Wishlist under "Disney," then keep looking for the special until it's back on. If you don't have Tivo, make friends with someone who does, and have them do it for you. :lol:

 

[Hakunamatata]

For the most part, any vacation is a luxury, so, getting value for your vacation dollar is speculative at best. What one person values over another is just as speculative. Are there some cheaper cruises, yes. Are there some cheaper theme parks, yes. But if you want to have the mouse on your boat, you are going to have to pay more, just like if you want to have the mouse in the theme park you visit you are going to have to pay more.

 

[lpet11984]

No kids in our party and yet we had an amazing time- one of the best vacations we'd ever been on. Definitely worth every penny. Next time, looking to go for at least a week. :wave:

 

[maelstrom]

My grandparents cruise a lot and my grandma has said that she likes Norwegian and I think Princess.

 

[celticdog]

I've sailed on Cunard (Queen Mary 2) and Disney (Wonder). Disney does sailing so much better. The rooms are larger, the twin bathroom is a godsend. The atmosphere is unbeatable. I thought the food was much better. Boarding and leaving is much easier on Disney. Cunard was grand, but it was missing something. Sure, there was a casino, but I spent one afternoon and became bored.

For those who fear that they will be overrun with kids, don't worry, Disney has segragated the ship to such an extent, that you'd really have to actively search out the children.

Disney is easily worth the money.

 

[MaXXimus]

My brother just booked a 4 day Disney Cruise and 4 day Disney World for 2 adults 3 children and cost him a little over $16,000... whereas my 7 night 8 day Disney World for 4 adults only cost $8,200... his 4 day cruise actually came out to more then my trip, I think it was somewhere around $8,600 and then another $6,000 or so for the 4 days at WDW.

 

[Hakunamatata]

My brother just booked a 4 day Disney Cruise and 4 day Disney World for 2 adults 3 children and cost him a little over $16,000... whereas my 7 night 8 day Disney World for 4 adults only cost $8,200... his 4 day cruise actually came out to more then my trip, I think it was somewhere around $8,600 and then another $6,000 or so for the 4 days at WDW.

He must be staying in the highest cost rooms at both.

We have a 4 day/3 night Disney Cruise booked in Oct 2007 for two adults and two children, and its less than $4000.

 

[tink rules]

read here and see if this helps...
http://www.allearsnet.com/cruise/issue307.htm

I'm thinking of doing Disney next October and it's because I know that Disney is tops in service, etc. I'm not intersted in gambling and I'm impressed by the size of the rooms as opposed to the other ships.

There's one out there for everyone - Carnival is known for being the party ships the food isn't as good and they are more crowded... - cheaper, but also less luxury, etc...

BTW... Cunard is owned by Carnival... Funny - they have the top and the sort of bottom of the cruise industry...

 

[tink rules]

My brother just booked a 4 day Disney Cruise and 4 day Disney World for 2 adults 3 children and cost him a little over $16,000... whereas my 7 night 8 day Disney World for 4 adults only cost $8,200... his 4 day cruise actually came out to more then my trip, I think it was somewhere around $8,600 and then another $6,000 or so for the 4 days at WDW.

Go to www.passporter.com and read the cruise section.

They say if you book the land and sea separately you will save alot of money and you can decide where you want to stay, etc...

here's the direct link...http://www.passporter.com/dcl/

 

[lscott933]

well i have been on two disney cruise for just 3 days. it cost a little over 1000. for inside stateroom. it is just my daughter and me. we go around thankgiving time. then we go to disney for a week and it is around 1500 for the week there including food. if your planning on staying in your room alot then you need room, but when your at disney i don't think your there for the room i think your there for the fun which is not in your room. why spend the money on a room when your only there to sleep. the bed are the same in the top room as in the bottom room. why give it too disney for your room when you can have more money to spend and have fun for yourself.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

There really isn't aything wrong with Disney Cruises. They are a bit overpriced for what they are. I just would not advise the land-sea package. I think it is rushed unless you extend your stay at Disney. You might be better off taking a long cruise or doing the parks. Either is a great experience, and both really require some time to get them right.

 

[JimboJones123]

If you have kids you might be better off W/Disney too. They have better rates for "add a guest". Lots of cruises will charge full rates for 3rd and 4th guests in a room. Disney charges a much discounted rate for kids. It basically pays for the food.

 

[tink rules]

well i have been on two disney cruise for just 3 days. it cost a little over 1000. for inside stateroom. it is just my daughter and me. we go around thankgiving time. then we go to disney for a week and it is around 1500 for the week there including food. if your planning on staying in your room alot then you need room, but when your at disney i don't think your there for the room i think your there for the fun which is not in your room. why spend the money on a room when your only there to sleep. the bed are the same in the top room as in the bottom room. why give it too disney for your room when you can have more money to spend and have fun for yourself.

oh...

take it from someone who went from ASMusic to the GF last year...

THE BEDS ARE DIFFERENT....

Pillow top at the GF... and more pillows... lots more pillows... and they put the blankets between sheets... and well... there was a big gingerbread house in the lobby... and a monorail at the front door... and a big castle near by...