What makes disney superior over other lines out there?

[Tonka's Skipper]

DCL has little problem filling their ships at premium prices during the summer and holiday periods. DCL does resort to discounting (military, FL resident, cast member, *GT rates, etc.) to fill their ships when schools are in session.

 

Until DCL does a better job of marketing itself to adults who don't cruise with school-age kids - I don't think they can fill additional ships during low season. The most exotic itineraries in the world won't fill the ships during the school year - as long as families with children remain DCL's bread and butter.

 

Sorry my friend I disagree..............all lines from the cheapest to the ultra expensive use some promotions to fill their ships in the off seasons.

 

I do agree they could do a better job marketing for adults, but we find cruise after cruise many adults cruising DCL.

 

I do have to wonder what the next 2 ships in around 2107 or 18 will be like.

 

AKK

Edited August 25, 2014 by Tonka's Skipper

[meatloafsfan]

Yup, that's the one (but you better board on 11/20 ;)) Maybe we're neighbors!

 

Honestly I don't see how anyone could turn down a deal like this!

 

Oops, 2014 or 2015? We're on the 2015.

 

We're 2014. I'll let you know how this year's cruise goes so you can plan accordingly :p

[MizDaisy]

Diasy I am not going to debate this over and over' date=' BUT I will point out the following:

 

!. Yes carnival is cheaper, because the cruise product they offer does not demand a higher price. Their clientele is looking for cheap. am sure their are some folks who feel DCL is to expensive for them, more power to them I would suggest RCCL or NCL, not Carnival. IF you read the carnival forums you will note even the die heart carnival fans are not happy with the massive cut backs. Some others don't care as long as the price does not go up.

 

 

 

2. DCL has little problem filling their ships and still charge a premium price because they have a better cruise product........vessels, service and presentation.

 

AKK[/quote']

 

We just have to remember that you and I need to agree to disagree. I think if you took away Mickey Mouse and the other "Disney" touches, you come down to a cruise ship. JUST a cruise ship, where food, service and everything else is subjective. There are some things on Disney that are better, but some things, even on Carnival (especially their newer ships) that a lot of people, including myself, think are better.

 

 

This thread wasn't one of the "Is it worth it" threads, where it's TOTALLY subjective and dependent on what's worth something to one person may not be worth it to another. Rather, it was "Is Disney SUPERIOR".....and in my opinion, they're only superior in the fact that they're the only ones who have everything "Disney".

 

How much something costs really shouldn't be used to judge the type of people who go there, or travel, or shop at a certain place. Just because something is less expensive, doesn't mean the people to partake are less classy or whatever, and just because something is more expensive doesn't mean those people who partake are better than anyone else. Life's experience has taught me a few things, and this is one of the biggies.

Edited August 25, 2014 by MizDaisy

[NancyIL]

Sorry my friend I disagree..............all lines from the cheapest to the ultra expensive use some promotions to fill their ships in the off seasons.

 

I do agree they could do a better job marketing for adults' date=' but we find cruise after cruise many adults cruising DCL.

 

I do have to wonder what the next 2 ships in around 2107 or 18 will be like.

 

AKK[/quote']

 

I never said other cruise lines don't discount in the off season, but you seemed to imply that DCL always commands premium prices.

[Ex techie]

You mean until DCL offers their "Fire Sale" in the form of IGT, OGT, VGT rates? And filling only 4 ships of less than 15,000 berths.

 

Oasis and Allure have a maximum capacity just under 6300 each so filling those two ships every week is like filling the DCL fleet.

 

I get that, but DCL are charging what they want now and filling up, the quotes that orville99 stated are for a 3/8/15 (FOS) and 3/7/15 (DF) but get RCI have already offered a Buy One Get One Half Price deal over 6 months out from sailing?

 

DCL usually dispose of the cheapest Staterooms with heavy discounts after upgrading those that booked them at around 75ish days before sailing is my understanding (I may well be wrong).

I don't know which cruise line sells the most Staterooms at the price they initially want?

And as for having a larger fleet to fill. That's the companies problem.

Yes the Oasis and Allure can swallow up the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy's Guest count in one together.

If RCI had the demand to cruise on the Oasis and Allure as DCL has with their ships they would be charging as high of a price a absolutely possible.

 

But none of this makes either superior, just that one can charge more than the other, some/most/always.

Your dollar value is subjection as to what you perceive to be value for money, what they offer, service etc etc etc.

 

 

ex techie

[bear3412]

 

.... I do have to wonder what the next 2 ships in around 2107 or 18 will be like.

 

 

We too wonder. Unfortunately none of will likely be around to find out though, in 2107. :p

 

:D

[moki'smommy]

If DCL has a ship that isn't filling as much as they'd like, they will offer the IGT/OGT/VGT, FL res, military, CM rates typically a few days after the penalty date. The set one price for each special as well as they number of cabins they will sell at that special price, and that's it. Only once have I ever seen the *GT rates re-issued at a lower price a month or so later.

 

When I cruised Celebrity, we literally watched the price change every Tuesday as the cruise approached. I was ready to book, called my TA, and was told to wait--they already knew there would be a better rate the next Tuesday! It seemed that the deal was to cut $50 or so off each week until they reached whatever point they wouldn't go below. It was a very different concept than the DCL special rates.

 

Each line will do what they think best to fill their ships. True, DCL has fewer cabins to fill, but I suspect that each company has a fairly good handle on what it takes to fill their ships.

[Ex techie]

We too wonder. Unfortunately none of will likely be around to find out though, in 2107. :p

 

:D

 

Come on Bear!

We all know it will look like this!

 

 

ex techie :p

[bear3412]

We all know it will look like this!

 

Lol. Nice work. Love it. :D

[orville99]

I kind of understand what you are saying to a point, but if they have saturated their market to the point they are struggling to fill their ships, how come they can still charge $1500 more for the same cruise itinerary and dates on FOS?

 

DCL are not having to offer a BOGOHO deal, and are commanding $1.5k more than what you paid and you missed the deal?

Surely RCI are the ones struggling to fill their ships, not DCL?

 

ex techie

 

True, but then I purposely compared the top priced balcony cabin on FOS with the lowest priced cabin on Fantasy. You can continue to get wrapped around the "but one was on sale in the past" axle and miss the main point, so I'll make it simple. The undiscounted price on the D1 FOS cabin was $1799/pp (before taxes, fees and insurance). The undiscounted price for a CAt7A on Disney was $1995. Now if I took a comparable Disney cabin (Cat 5A), the Disney undiscounted price is $2534/pp.

 

Sure, I got a good deal on FOS (they'll probably get that back in the casino) - especially during spring break weeks, but there is no way - even without factoring in the discounts - that a Disney ship doing the same ports on the same week in a comparable cabin is worth an extra $735/pp. I'm not even sure that downgrading to the lowest priced balcony cabin on Disney is worth the extra $200/pp - That's a lot more "free" soda than I'm capable of drinking;)

Edited August 26, 2014 by orville99

[orville99]

I love the debates going on here and so Im going to jump in.

 

 

I think an important element of the "Disney only has 4 ships vs the relative colossal fleets of CCL and RCL et al, and its effect on pricing", is being missed.

 

 

I theorize that the average DCL guest is not a perrenial cruiser that goes

from one cruise line to the other looking for a better or different cruise experience such as Orville99 who cruises frequently on multiple cruise lines.

 

Rather, I think the average DCL guest is, like myself, a Disneyphile. We go for the Disney experience - theming events characters etc. That is, what the value is of DCL vs all the others. Also, because of that niche market, it may be that only 4 ships is currently supportable. Having only a small amount of ships also drives up demand and if anyone knows Disney geeks, its Disney or bust, so they are willing to pay the higher fares.

 

Building off of that theory, we must also realize that for all the other cruise lines, its the cruise and thats it. There are no Carnival theme parks, movies, touring Carnivals On Ice, Carnival stores in malls etc. They have to make all their money on the cruise experience and thats it. Perhaps thats why they need to have that many more ships and as such, a more affordable fare to get people onto the ships.

 

Disney is marketing unto itself and one experience supports and grows interest in the other. At the end of the day, a DCL guest will opt for another kind of Disney experience for their next vacation, not for another cruise experience. The vacation dollar stays within the Disney family

 

For Disneyphiles, its the Parks vs DCL, not the FOTS vs Fantasy.

 

I think we have a bingo:):):)

[moki'smommy]

Great picture, Techie!

[MizDaisy]

Come on Bear!

We all know it will look like this!

 

 

ex techie :p

 

LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I heard Star Wars music when I saw it! Or...for the Disneyphiles....Star Tours.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

[Ex techie]

True, but then I purposely compared the top priced balcony cabin on FOS with the lowest priced cabin on Fantasy. You can continue to get wrapped around the "but one was on sale in the past" axle and miss the main point, so I'll make it simple. The undiscounted price on the D1 FOS cabin was $1799/pp (before taxes, fees and insurance). The undiscounted price for a CAt7A on Disney was $1995. Now if I took a comparable Disney cabin (Cat 5A), the Disney undiscounted price is $2534/pp.

 

Sure, I got a good deal on FOS (they'll probably get that back in the casino) - especially during spring break weeks, but there is no way - even without factoring in the discounts - that a Disney ship doing the same ports on the same week in a comparable cabin is worth an extra $735/pp. I'm not even sure that downgrading to the lowest priced balcony cabin on Disney is worth the extra $200/pp - That's a lot more "free" soda than I'm capable of drinking;)

 

So how come DCL can charge so much extra just for "free soda" since their market is saturated, but not offering a half off discount more than 6 months before the cruise date from the same port region, going to the same ports with ships they cannot fill and still are charging an extra $1500 dollars?

 

There cannot be that many Disney Die Hard Fans over and over and over again to fill the ships and pay that much more?

 

ex techie

 

EDIT TO ADD:

I haven't seen or been on RCI's ships so wonder why the price is lower, and not saying DCL is superior in anyway.

Edited August 26, 2014 by Ex techie

[Ex techie]

This makes more sense!

 

Magic Bands or Wow Bands?!?

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/quantumoftheseas/technology/smart-check-in/

 

ex techie

[MizDaisy]

So how come DCL can charge so much extra just for "free soda" since their market is saturated, but not offering a half off discount more than 6 months before the cruise date from the same port region, going to the same ports with ships they cannot fill and still are charging an extra $1500 dollars?

 

There cannot be that many Disney Die Hard Fans over and over and over again to fill the ships and pay that much more?

 

ex techie

 

EDIT TO ADD:

I haven't seen or been on RCI's ships so wonder why the price is lower, and not saying DCL is superior in anyway.

 

Depending on the stateroom, some of RCI's prices are higher. The balcony rooms surrounding their large pool that has the diving show (can't remember what they call it) can be really expensive.

 

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[orville99]

Depending on the stateroom, some of RCI's prices are higher. The balcony rooms surrounding their large pool that has the diving show (can't remember what they call it) can be really expensive.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

 

 

True, and it also depends on the ship and the itinerary. The only way to do a fair comparison is to compare ships of similar size and age doing similar itineraries at the same time of the year. Of course, it also helps to keep the discussion rational and as unbiased as possible. Freedom of the Seas and Disney Fantasy are very close in terms of capacity, routes, and age. Freedom has amenities that Fantasy lacks (ice rink, surf simulator, etc.) and Fantasy has amenities that Freedom lacks (Aquaduck, teen zone, etc.). If you factor those things out of the equation (because they only serve to introduce systematic bias), and look at what's left, the differences in price really come down to what a particular target audience is willing to pay for the experience. Disney knows where the on/off buttons are for its target audience better than almost any company in the industry, and they are experts at wringing every last dollar out of those customer's wallets. That doesn't make Disney "superior" (what the OP was asking), just different.

[MizDaisy]

True, and it also depends on the ship and the itinerary. The only way to do a fair comparison is to compare ships of similar size and age doing similar itineraries at the same time of the year. Of course, it also helps to keep the discussion rational and as unbiased as possible. Freedom of the Seas and Disney Fantasy are very close in terms of capacity, routes, and age. Freedom has amenities that Fantasy lacks (ice rink, surf simulator, etc.) and Fantasy has amenities that Freedom lacks (Aquaduck, teen zone, etc.). If you factor those things out of the equation (because they only serve to introduce systematic bias), and look at what's left, the differences in price really come down to what a particular target audience is willing to pay for the experience. Disney knows where the on/off buttons are for its target audience better than almost any company in the industry, and they are experts at wringing every last dollar out of those customer's wallets. That doesn't make Disney "superior" (what the OP was asking), just different.

 

This is probably the best post, in regard to what the OP was asking, that I've seen on this whole thread.

Thank you for being rational.

[Tonka's Skipper]

We just have to remember that you and I need to agree to disagree. I think if you took away Mickey Mouse and the other "Disney" touches, you come down to a cruise ship. JUST a cruise ship, where food, service and everything else is subjective. There are some things on Disney that are better, but some things, even on Carnival (especially their newer ships) that a lot of people, including myself, think are better.

 

We always agree to disagree.......:D...As to the Disney touch's, service and style, that is what your paying more for so we agree However the style and design of the Disney Vessels with their liner feel does make them special.......Disney or not.

 

As to things like food and shows...............yeap..........very subjective.............no line pleases everyone all the time.

 

 

This thread wasn't one of the "Is it worth it" threads, where it's TOTALLY subjective and dependent on what's worth something to one person may not be worth it to another. Rather, it was "Is Disney SUPERIOR".....and in my opinion, they're only superior in the fact that they're the only ones who have everything "Disney".

 

 

Well that is the point you pay more for the Disney experience. That includes service, pixie dust etc........that is what makes them superior to the run of the mill cruises on most (not all) other lines

 

How much something costs really shouldn't be used to judge the type of people who go there, or travel, or shop at a certain place. Just because something is less expensive, doesn't mean the people to partake are less classy or whatever, and just because something is more expensive doesn't mean those people who partake are better than anyone else. Life's experience has taught me a few things, and this is one of the biggies.

 

Agreed! Just because some folks can pay more doesn't mean they are any better then the next folks!

Edited August 26, 2014 by Tonka's Skipper

[Ex techie]

True, and it also depends on the ship and the itinerary. The only way to do a fair comparison is to compare ships of similar size and age doing similar itineraries at the same time of the year. Of course, it also helps to keep the discussion rational and as unbiased as possible. Freedom of the Seas and Disney Fantasy are very close in terms of capacity, routes, and age. Freedom has amenities that Fantasy lacks (ice rink, surf simulator, etc.) and Fantasy has amenities that Freedom lacks (Aquaduck, teen zone, etc.). If you factor those things out of the equation (because they only serve to introduce systematic bias), and look at what's left, the differences in price really come down to what a particular target audience is willing to pay for the experience. Disney knows where the on/off buttons are for its target audience better than almost any company in the industry, and they are experts at wringing every last dollar out of those customer's wallets. That doesn't make Disney "superior" (what the OP was asking), just different.

 

Totally agree with the above!

 

ex techie

[bear3412]

So in conclusion, Disney is superior ........ at sucking you wallet dry. :p

 

:D

[Ex techie]

So in conclusion, Disney is superior ........ at sucking you wallet dry. :p

 

:D

 

Don't stir the pot Pooh Bear! :p

 

Edited August 27, 2014 by Ex techie

[Tonka's Skipper]

Seems it still comes down to every line sucking as much as they can............its still comes down to the what people will pay for a particular cruise line product...........Every line will suck all they can and the more superior cruises will demand and get a higher rate.

 

Like we all do in our jobs, what we get paid and businesses do in general.

 

No one here seems to think Seaborne or other ultra lines should charge less?

 

Of course it more fun to pick on Disney.

 

AKK

Edited August 27, 2014 by Tonka's Skipper

[Muushka]

I don't think DCL should charge less. Why should they if people will pay their prices?

 

Now for myself, I will not pay their prices. Actually as I look back at our history with Disney, and in a way I can thank them for their desire to drain the max out of anyone and everyone.

 

First, we are DVC owners. We started going at least twice a year since 1994. We loved everything about Disney.

But as the years passed, things changed. Dining became something that was no longer enjoyable. Dumbed down menus, expensive time consuming instead of enjoyable. Fine. I'll be happy to cook and dine off site. Parks becoming more and more crowded. Ticket prices soaring. So it gets down to the fact that our visits to WDW will have to change. Oh, and two words MAGIC BANDS. You have got to be kidding. Anyone seen the YouTube of Hitler and the Magic Bands??:D

 

We sold one of our DVC contracts. We rent out some points to pay the maint fees. Plan on 1 week every other year. Go into the parks maybe 2 days out of 7. Buy non-expiring passes. Learn what is enjoyable to cook at the resort.

 

This is why I can thank them for their greediness. Because of it we have found a whole new level of enjoyment, cruising. And because DCL is so expensive (except fo that Panama Canal cruise and one other) we looked into other cruise lines and have found that we enjoy cruising as much on Celebrity as we did on DCL. Maybe a little bit more than DCL.

 

We achieved Gold status on DCL this past cruise. I looked up the benefits.

meh.:rolleyes:

We achieved Elite on Celebrity. Now there are some benefits.;)

 

In the free market, a business can charge any price they want.

In a free country, we have the freedom to not pay them.

[Tonka's Skipper]

I don't think DCL should charge less. Why should they if people will pay their prices?

 

Now for myself, I will not pay their prices. Actually as I look back at our history with Disney, and in a way I can thank them for their desire to drain the max out of anyone and everyone.

 

First, we are DVC owners. We started going at least twice a year since 1994. We loved everything about Disney.

But as the years passed, things changed. Dining became something that was no longer enjoyable. Dumbed down menus, expensive time consuming instead of enjoyable. Fine. I'll be happy to cook and dine off site. Parks becoming more and more crowded. Ticket prices soaring. So it gets down to the fact that our visits to WDW will have to change. Oh, and two words MAGIC BANDS. You have got to be kidding. Anyone seen the YouTube of Hitler and the Magic Bands??:D

 

We sold one of our DVC contracts. We rent out some points to pay the maint fees. Plan on 1 week every other year. Go into the parks maybe 2 days out of 7. Buy non-expiring passes. Learn what is enjoyable to cook at the resort.

 

This is why I can thank them for their greediness. Because of it we have found a whole new level of enjoyment, cruising. And because DCL is so expensive (except fo that Panama Canal cruise and one other) we looked into other cruise lines and have found that we enjoy cruising as much on Celebrity as we did on DCL. Maybe a little bit more than DCL.

 

We achieved Gold status on DCL this past cruise. I looked up the benefits.

meh.:rolleyes:

We achieved Elite on Celebrity. Now there are some benefits.;)

 

In the free market, a business can charge any price they want.

In a free country, we have the freedom to not pay them.

 

 

 

I totally agree and you do indeed not have to pay for a cruise if you feel the rate is to high. Add to that, every line can and DOES drain every dollar they can out of every passenger. If you feel Celebrity gives you a air rate for their cruise product, more power to you.....enjoy.

 

Of course you will find cruisers who like and dislike every line for any number of reasons including rates and the cruise amenities. To each their own!

 

(We just bought a additional 100 points at DVC. We find it still is a great value and have been cooking some meals in our units every vacation.)

 

AKK

Edited August 27, 2014 by Tonka's Skipper