Sell me on Disney cruises vs others! About This Page:

[lablady]

Don't get me wrong, I really want to go on a Disney cruise. I just compare prices and get a major case of sticker shock!! What is so wonderful about Disney that justifies the huge price difference? I checked the prices on 4 day Western Caribbean cruises and I could get a MUCH bigger room (suite actually) on Royal Caribbean. There will be me, my DH, and my 11 yr old and 3 yr old DDs. I must have a veranda, no inside room with no window will do. Please help me convince my DH that Disney is worth it!
Thank you!!
Shawna

Hey, this is my 200th post!

[WDWLVR]

Well my DH and I have done 6 Disney Cruises and have two more booked. I've been on other lines as well but that was years ago. Here's what makes Disney best for us:

1) The shows are Disney quality. Disney Dreams and Golden Mickeys to me are equal to what you might see on Broadway.

2) We love the rotational dining. You go to one of three resturants and your waiters come with you. So you have the same great service night after night, but in a different setting.

3) Great kids areas and dedicated adult areas. Yes you are traveling with many many children but sometimes you don't even know they are there. Disney does a great job of keeping the adult areas (Quiet Cove pool, Cove Cafe, Serenity Bay) adults only. The kids have their own areas as well and everyone seems happy.

4) I love the room set ups with the split bath. Really makes getting ready very easy.

5) Even though it is everyones least favorite part of a cruise I think Disney has the fastest and easiest disembarkation process in the business.

6) Disney characters. This 48 year old still gets a thrill having a picture taken with Mickey.

Disney isn't the cheapest, but it is the best for us!

[lablady]

Thanks for the info! I've never cruised at all, so I have no basis for comparison! I like that it is family oriented, as I am a kid at heart and don't feel as comfortable in a strictly upscale, starched shirt atmosphere! The presence of lots of kids doesn't bother me unless they are completely out of control! My DH is rather unexcited about the prospect of a cruise so I'll keep working on him!

[Tink and co.]

My DH wasn't terribly interested in cruising either, until we went on our 3 day Disney cruise last November, and now he claims it's his favorite vacation! I have already booked us a 7 day cruise for 2006, and I was looking into an Alaskan cruise this time, and DH said, "just wait til Disney does it." So, we will.

And on another note, we have lots of friends and family who've taken other cruise lines, and none of them ever cared to go again. They enjoyed it, but it just wasn't "magical" like our vacation. I'd second everything Mary said. It's awesome!

[Belle*]

In your case the single biggest selling point is the kids programming! There is simply no other cruise line that can compare. Add to that the service, the food, the beauty of the ships, etc, etc, etc - I could go on and on!

I have also cruised Royal Caribbean and enjoyed it. I can't say anything bad about them - Disney is simply FAR better!

[Dave Marx]

As far as sticker shock goes, Disney includes several things that many other lines treat as extras. Do the math, and you'll find Disney isn't quite as expensive as it seems.

I'll mention a few extra-cost items that we've encountered on an upcoming Carnival cruise:

Port fees: Disney includes these in the base price. Carnival's initial quotation did not include the port charges, which added over $200 per person on a 7-night cruise.

Infants and child rates: Disney's charge for infants is just about equal to the port charges (roughly $200 on a 7-night cruise). In other words, they barely charge a cent for infants. Carnival is charging us adult fares for infants and children, plus port charges.

Third and fourth guest in stateroom: Again, Disney charges a much lower rate for the third and fourth guest, whether adult or child. Some cruise lines charge much closer to full rate for everyone in the stateroom. It's meaningless for couples, but families are another matter.

Soft drinks: Disney has free soft drinks at meals, regardless of age, and free soft drinks at all times at the beverage station on deck 9. Carnival has free soft drinks at meals for children, but charges for all others.

Now, for 3- and 4-night cruises during summer 2005, Disney rates are through the roof. With the Disney Magic temporarily repositioned to the west coast, all demand on the east coast is funneled into just one ship. Rates should be a bit better in 2006, with both ships back in the Caribbean/Bahamas itineraries.

Another factor in Disney's cost is that demand for Disney cruises keeps growing, but the number of ships has not. Carnival and the other lines keep adding more (and larger) ships, which means their average occupancy level on each cruise is lower. This "softens" fares on those lines.

In short, from a business standpoint, Disney is making a lot of good moves. They're providing a very attractive product that generates a very loyal repeat business and great word-of-mouth (much like the theme parks). And, they're not increasing capacity, which means there are few surplus rooms they have to "liquidate" at low rates. I'm sure Carnival and other lines are making up in volume sales what they may lack in scarcity-driven higher rates.

[lablady]

Thanks for the info, Dave! I'll make sure to look at all the fine print! I need all the ammo I can get to convince my Dh. I'm already sold on DCL. One question..why are you taking a carnival cruise?

[smatterchu]

Dave, thanks for all of the specifics. It makes me feel better to put it into perspective like that.

DH and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary this year at Mousefest. I had also gotten a bit of sticker shock, but I knew this would be worth it.

Looking forward to our first adventure on DCL.