By that definition a Carnival cruise is a luxury vacation, but I don't think you'll ever here anyone use those words to describe them. Carnival may have some issues, but at least they know who their demographic is. Disney wants their demographic to be upper class families who wouldn't give a second thought to paying out for multiple desert parties and extra hour events. Truth is, their bread and butter is the middle/upper middle class.
Taking a Carnival, or any, cruise IS a luxury that not everyone can afford.
Carnival is not under the marketed "luxury vacation" canopy, nor is DCL. Seaborne is a "luxury" cruise, but someone could spend the same or more fare in a concierge suite on an Iceland itinerary on DCL- still doesn't place DCL in that luxury group..yet still is a luxury.
A Luxury is something that is non essential.
A luxury vacation/car/apartment/home is something that is also non essential, but steps it up a notch.
Same word, different meanings, both correct.
As far as Disney's demographic- if Disney only wanted upper middle class families then things like the value resorts and Disney vacation accounts wouldn't exist.
^This is at the heart of the whole issue. From a business standpoint, they're looking at income potential from upcharges and the upper class customer supports that model. The reason for all the "Disney haters" is that we remember the old model, which was "Your Pass is Your Key to the Magic" (a slogan they used) - once you were in the door, you didn't really have to worry about anything. Disney took care of everything and treated all guests like VIPs.It didn't matter if you had an AP or single day pass, if you were staying on 192 or the Grand Floridian, whether you had dinner reservations at Victoria & Albert's or were just planning to grab a dog at Casey's.
If the new thinking wins out, we'll be asked to pay for things that used to be included as part of your pass - which makes me very sad. I refuse these things on principle, it's honestly not even a financial decision.
All of that is optional.
That's what drives me crazy about that rants!
You can go to WDW and not do any of those things.. And still have a wonderful vacation!
I am going on an NCL Alaska cruise in June. Would I like to stay in a Haven suite? Yes! Am I willing to spend the money on the Haven? No.
Do I think my cruise will be less awesome because I don't have a butler, special pool, etc?
Not in the least.
In fact it was. Back in the day when my kids were young, tickets to WDW actually cost less than our local amusement park.I was a stay-at-home Mom and my husband was a teacher, so our income was very limited, but we would drive to FL every summer and stay at my mom's place a half hour away. We did stay on property when my son was a baby, for the convenience of not having to drive back to Mom's for naps, and even that was affordable back then before the "Value" resorts were built. I seriously doubt that we could afford to do that now on a single teacher salary.
When was this? I've been going to WDW since 1978. If you ask my parents I assure you that they will never describe a trip to WDW as a budget friendly stay. We went annually, but there are millions of people who have never been able to afford it. Yes it's more expensive now, so is everything else. Life is more expensive across the board.
I take it by your avatar that you are a Buckeyes fan. Have you ever yelled at the tv for a bad game, or an individual play call? And if your a true sports fan, please dont try and say no. So, does that mean you hate (The) OSU if you get upset about something? Should you sell all your jerseys, hats, shirts? Should you stop talking about them with other fans and never watch another game? Or do you get upset because you care? And Because you want to see them perform at their best level.
Of course I have been upset and screamed at my tv. I even shed a tear or two after the National Championship with UF. I didn't go online and rant and rave about them. I had a moment of anger and said "we'll get 'em next year". There is a difference between short lived aggravation and constant whining and complaining.
I have a few issues with Atlantis the past few years, so I stopped going. The end. I don't need to go on trip advisor and rant and rave and criticize everything they do.
Speaking of Atlantis.. They have opened their own version of "value" rooms to capitalize on the middle class market. Companies are moving in the direction. It's why BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Buick etc all offer "affordable entry level models" now. It's why Vera Wang has a collection at Kohls and Missoni at Target.
More people want to feel like they have something that is considered luxury, and others want a greater distinction. It's mostly a mind game..but it's seemed to work. Bottom line, all of it is technically a luxury regardless.
