Why is Disney so much more than Carnival?

[DCLCrazy]

why is that rude???????????

 

 

 

You need a thicker skin around here if that's going to upset you.:)

 

 

 

Bill

 

 

 

Watch the posted video. It'll demonstrate the ridiculousness of ill-placed exclamation points.

 

 

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[schittenden]

Wait! I thought! If you added enough exclamation points! You can turn your opinion! Into objective fact!

[cruzeluver]

Why are people being so rude on this board thread? There's no reason for the multiple exclamation points. That's another selling point to DCL. Class of people.

 

 

Oh the irony and hypocrisy represented in this post. Too lovely for words.

[trvlgirlmq]

Here's the thing, DCL is crazy expensive in comparison to the other mass-market cruise lines. If you can afford it that is great. If your family prefers to only vacation every 2 years in order to be able to cruise DCL then great. I don't think my kids only cruising on Carnival has ruined their childhood.

 

We are a Disney family. I grew up in California and was raised on Disneyland. I started taking my oldest when he was a baby. We have been to WDW many times. In fact, we chose WDW this year over a cruise because we had not been in a long time. We love the movies and the merchandise and the music. But, I would never pay the inflated price for a DCL cruise no matter how much I love all things Disney. We have spent less on a week in Paris (including our flights) than the price of a summer cruise (which is the only time we can travel) without all the add-ons required.

 

I get it, they are a business and can charge what they want and if people are willing to pay then good for them. I don't think coming here and telling people who cruise on Carnival that they are less-than is OK. We are all very privileged to be able to travel on whatever cruise we choose. There are people out there, children out there, who will never travel from their state or city due to finances. Are they less than you or me? I would hope you don't think so.

[jimbo5544]

Here's the thing, DCL is crazy expensive in comparison to the other mass-market cruise lines. If you can afford it that is great. If your family prefers to only vacation every 2 years in order to be able to cruise DCL then great. I don't think my kids only cruising on Carnival has ruined their childhood.

 

We are a Disney family. I grew up in California and was raised on Disneyland. I started taking my oldest when he was a baby. We have been to WDW many times. In fact, we chose WDW this year over a cruise because we had not been in a long time. We love the movies and the merchandise and the music. But, I would never pay the inflated price for a DCL cruise no matter how much I love all things Disney. We have spent less on a week in Paris (including our flights) than the price of a summer cruise (which is the only time we can travel) without all the add-ons required.

 

I get it, they are a business and can charge what they want and if people are willing to pay then good for them. I don't think coming here and telling people who cruise on Carnival that they are less-than is OK. We are all very privileged to be able to travel on whatever cruise we choose. There are people out there, children out there, who will never travel from their state or city due to finances. Are they less than you or me? I would hope you don't think so.

 

 

 

Nice post.

 

 

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[S.S.Oceanlover]

Nice post.

 

 

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On this one Jimbo I agree 100%.:)

 

Bill

[BearJim]

Disney offers a very good product that often "feels" inclusive (it's not - they have many of the same add ons as other lines like photos, alcohol, adult specialty dining, shopping, etc.).

 

There are some big plusses to DCL:

 

Onboard Movie theatre which shows first fun movies (no additional charge);

In their staterooms they have either on demand movies or multiple channels running newer movies;

Split baths in most staterooms, and privacy curtains between the main bed and the couch/bunk area (great for many families);

Many more cabins for 3, 4 and even 5 guests which makes booking a single stateroom for a family very simple;

Instead of 2 twin beds pushed together, DCL has an actual queen bed;

Character meet and greets and Character theming throughout the ships;

Kids clubs that open early in the morning (I think it's 8 or 9am) and stay open until midnight with no charges (i.e. no late night charges like most other lines) and their kids clubs don't close during the day (they also offer unsecured play during the day but there is also one part where you can drop your kid off);

Adult only areas which offer both hot tubs and pools;

Disney themed evening shows on their stage;

Fireworks one night each cruise;

Pirate party or Frozen party or other themed evening deck party;

Included Soda both in the MDRs, Buffet and on the pool deck;

A welcome aboard buffet including crab legs, peel and eat shrimp and lamb chops;

Rotational dining rooms;

They were one of the first to offer a wide selection of pool side eateries in addition to their buffet offerings (not just hamburgers and hot dogs but wraps, fruit, salad, chicken fingers, pizza, tacos, etc.).

 

 

All that being said, I feel that DCL started strong but has become much more mainstream in recent years removing many of the "perks" that made DCL really stand out from the pack.

 

On our first DCL cruise in 2010, service was impeccable; it's been down hill from there. Don't get me wrong, service is still great but it's become very much in line with what we experience on Carnival, Celebrity and Royal. There's less and less "above and beyond".

 

And there are some downsides to DCL:

 

If you're not a couple, that queen bed is a pain - it means that one person has a big bed and the other is sleeping on a couch or a bunk.

 

After the first day, the buffet doesn't feature those "wow" things - it's much more of a regular buffet.

 

They don't offer a buffet dinner. They turn the buffet into a sit down place for dinner as well. If you're looking for quick - it's pool food (and it's more limited in the evening - so pizza or burgers).

 

On the new ships, kids walk through the adult pool area all the time and some parents bring their kids into the coffee shop which is located in the adult area. Unless you say something, there's very little enforcement.

 

The interactive screens featuring the talking turtle Crush in the one MDR, he only talks to certain tables. If you're not sitting close to a screen, you kids might be disappointed that crush didn't talk to them.

 

Although some people report spontaneous character interaction, more likely is you spending a lot of time waiting in a bunch of lines to see them.

 

Popcorn is extra charge and if you get a soda from anywhere on the ship that's not the fountain dispenser, there's a charge for that too.

 

They've started adding in lots of "for fee" items to align with what they've said is "industry standards" - they have a for free ice cream place on the new ships, the dining servers sell light up glasses in the dining room (and some quite aggressively), they've now limited alcohol (used to be a free for all), and they've reduced the quality of food and increased the number of for fee adult dining options.

 

The ship basically closes down at 10pm.

 

Like I said, DCL offers a good product - their pricing has just increased past their worth. I had a 7 night on the Disney Fantasy booked for this fall but the price point was more than I wanted to pay (and that was with an onboard booking discount and generous OBC from our TA). Instead of a 7 night eastern Caribbean cruise in a balcony, we're doing a 10 night partial Panama Canal in a window suite on Princess - and for a little less money actually.[/quote

 

Excellent post.

[Bernardo62]

You pay for the name (DISNEY) and the fire works every night!!! The crazy thing they sell out every cruise !!!!

[Shmoo here]

You pay for the name (DISNEY) and the fire works every night!!! The crazy thing they sell out every cruise !!!!

 

Again, there are NOT fireworks every night. Only on Pirate night. And on Star Wars night (for those themed cruises).

[Birdie1410]

The big difference is... Mickey Mouse. I can see him at the Magic Kingdom! Sorry, we are just over DCL and laugh at their prices now. Trying to warn others that the emperor has no clothes.

 

Our friends who have always been staunch Disney cruisers now cannot afford to go. Not because their income has changed but because prices are through the roof. Even as DVC members, they can't afford it. Most of the big incentives are gone,too.

[jacksmom09]

You get what you pay for! For us the extra bath space in the balcony rooms, Krispy Kreme donuts at breakfast, Castaway Cay, rotating through 3 different themed/ beautiful restaurants, and exceptional Disney service are just a few of the things that make Disney an exceptional experience .

[trevette1981]

Here's the thing, DCL is crazy expensive in comparison to the other mass-market cruise lines. If you can afford it that is great. If your family prefers to only vacation every 2 years in order to be able to cruise DCL then great. I don't think my kids only cruising on Carnival has ruined their childhood.

 

We are a Disney family. I grew up in California and was raised on Disneyland. I started taking my oldest when he was a baby. We have been to WDW many times. In fact, we chose WDW this year over a cruise because we had not been in a long time. We love the movies and the merchandise and the music. But, I would never pay the inflated price for a DCL cruise no matter how much I love all things Disney. We have spent less on a week in Paris (including our flights) than the price of a summer cruise (which is the only time we can travel) without all the add-ons required.

 

I get it, they are a business and can charge what they want and if people are willing to pay then good for them. I don't think coming here and telling people who cruise on Carnival that they are less-than is OK. We are all very privileged to be able to travel on whatever cruise we choose. There are people out there, children out there, who will never travel from their state or city due to finances. Are they less than you or me? I would hope you don't think so.

 

Good post. I actually had a 3 night cruise booked for April 2017. I found 3 round trip tickets for $1294 (total)to Paris. I moved the cruise back since it actually cost more than our hotel and plane tickets combined. We'll go April 2018, but It'll be our last one. I know it'll be nice, but I could do an 8 day one for the price I'm paying for this 3 night. I'm also a teacher, so I HAVE to go at high times.

[DCLCrazy]

I might add, as a Floridian, it is much cheaper for me to be a DCL addict than it is for anyone else in the other states. We get Florida resident rates plus there is no airfare to purchase if you leave from a Florida port.

 

 

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[S.S.Oceanlover]

You get what you pay for! For us the extra bath space in the balcony rooms, Krispy Kreme donuts at breakfast, Castaway Cay, rotating through 3 different themed/ beautiful restaurants, and exceptional Disney service are just a few of the things that make Disney an exceptional experience .

Just not an exceptional value.

 

Bill

 

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[TruckerDave]

You get what you pay for! For us the extra bath space in the balcony rooms, Krispy Kreme donuts at breakfast, Castaway Cay, rotating through 3 different themed/ beautiful restaurants, and exceptional Disney service are just a few of the things that make Disney an exceptional experience .

 

 

Being served Krispy Kreme would be reason enough to NOT cruise them. yuck. ;)

[schittenden]

Just not an exceptional value.

 

Bill

 

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I haven't seen anyone argue that Disney is an exceptional value. They've just said it was a fair price for what it provided their family. As I said, we've done a number of cruises on different lines. Whenever my son hears we are going on another cruise, his first question is always... is it a Disney cruise ship? We're fortunate that we can afford to do a Disney cruise now and then. Not so fortunate that we can do it all the time. My wife and I also enjoy spending time in the casino. It's important that he know it's not all about him all the time. That said, I don't mind the money we have spent on the Disney cruises. Sure, I could have gone on more Carnival cruises, but we don't have that much vacation time anyhow. The price premium is worth it to us because of the joy he gets out of it. As he gets older, I suspect the magic that is Disney will diminish. Perhaps then, we'll find ourselves looking for rock climbing walls and surf simulators. I don't know what the future will bring, but the nastiness of some on here in implying that it is a waste of money or financially irresponsible to take a DCL cruise is misplaced.

 

 

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[Cafedumonde]

Being served Krispy Kreme would be reason enough to NOT cruise them. yuck. ;)

Well, after day two, the pulled from the refridgerator Krispy Kremes are pretty much inedible. They are only fresh on day one. After that, they are just your average cold, rotten donuts. I am not sure what Disney is thinking with this.

[Cafedumonde]

Why are people being so rude on this board thread? There's no reason for the multiple exclamation points. That's another selling point to DCL. Class of people.

 

 

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This is another thing that turned us off from dcl. There is a large majority of people who cruise dcl (and who work for dcl) who really think they are better than people who cruise other lines. When we realized our eldest child had picked up some of this attitude-- just yuck.

[trevette1981]

This is another thing that turned us off from dcl. There is a large majority of people who cruise dcl (and who work for dcl) who really think they are better than people who cruise other lines. When we realized our eldest child had picked up some of this attitude-- just yuck.

 

I'm in a couponing group---Couponing to Disney actually--and some behave this way about other cruiselines. Thankfully my TA who I used for our Disney cruise isn't like that, but it makes me wary. Especially if I comment about Carnival cruises I have taken and the replies I get.

[Doggielover68]

Disney cruises are expensive because people will pay to go on them. No reason to drop the prices if they sell out every time.

 

 

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[coevan]

It's outrageous. It's like $3500 compared to $8000 to $10000 for an upcoming cruise the 4 of us are looking at. Is the food quality , entertainment, atmosphere really worth the 3 times the price?

 

 

I have to comment on this. I did 3 mock bookings on Disney and balconies ran from $1500-$1800, so at the high end that would be $3600 plus the kids. Where are you getting $10,000? Yes we rarely pay more than a $1000 for a balcony.

[coevan]

It's outrageous. It's like $3500 compared to $8000 to $10000 for an upcoming cruise the 4 of us are looking at. Is the food quality , entertainment, atmosphere really worth the 3 times the price?

 

 

I have to comment on this. I did 3 mock bookings on Disney and balcony cabins were running $1500-$1800. So at the high end Disney would be $3600 plus kids, so where are you getting $10,000? We rarely pay much more than $1000 for a balcony on CCL. Carnival with Cheers runs us about $3000 a week +++

[DCLCrazy]

It's outrageous. It's like $3500 compared to $8000 to $10000 for an upcoming cruise the 4 of us are looking at. Is the food quality , entertainment, atmosphere really worth the 3 times the price?

 

 

 

It sounds to me like you were trying to book concierge maybe?

 

 

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[madiaka]

I have to comment on this. I did 3 mock bookings on Disney and balcony cabins were running $1500-$1800. So at the high end Disney would be $3600 plus kids, so where are you getting $10,000? We rarely pay much more than $1000 for a balcony on CCL. Carnival with Cheers runs us about $3000 a week +++

 

 

 

Disney prices increase a lot for summer, school break times and holidays. I priced the Dream on 12/29 - balcony cabin. $5700 for 3 people for a 4 night Bahamas. Carnival Magic for 7 nights leaving on 12/30 in a balcony was $3500. Disney Fantasy 7 night - same time period and cabin is over $8000.

 

I was booked on Disney Fantasy on 6/10 this year. Onboard booking discount from Disney wonder cruise last April. Price was $6400 for balcony cabin for 3 people. I eventually cancelled. I just got off the Allure of the Seas 6/11 $3600 for oceanview balcony for 3 people.

 

 

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[meatloafsfan]

Being served Krispy Kreme would be reason enough to NOT cruise them. yuck. ;)

 

Well, after day two, the pulled from the refridgerator Krispy Kremes are pretty much inedible. They are only fresh on day one. After that, they are just your average cold, rotten donuts. I am not sure what Disney is thinking with this.

 

Worse is Disney stocks frozen krispy crème donuts and then thaws them each day. There are no fresh donuts ever (not even on day 1 of the cruise).