What makes Disney worth the price?

[cdillon23]

I don't ask this to be mean, I ask this to understand. What is it about DCL that makes the extra price worth it? I would love to take my kids on a Disney cruise but they are more expensive than Carnival or RCL. Thanks for your opinions and again, I ask to understand.

[GottaLuvCruising]

Disney Cruise Line is a unique experience. The characters are more accessible than in the parks, the ships are beautiful with great theming, staterooms are especially well designed, Castaway Cay is fabulous and the children's programming is excellent. With any other line, you get a cruise...sometimes a great cruise. But DCL is the only way to get Disney-at-sea.

 

Shop far in advance for the best savings and try to go when your kids are out of school, but most (or at least many) other schools are in session.

[Host Mick]

It's the same as the difference between Disneyland and Great Adventure, Great America or Six Flags.

[gatour]

I have now taken two Disney cruises and can now finally put my finger on to the age old question to "is Disney worth it over (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess)?"

 

My answer is that this is a bad question. You are trying to compare apples to oranges and not because of the characters etc. You should be comparing it to more upmarket lines.

 

Disney ships are imaccuately kept, the food is good, the crew members are among the happiest at sea. The bed's even before the recent upgrades were great. The entertainment in the main showroom is among the best afloat (admittedly Disney oriented). The embarkation/disembarkation process is great. When we got back to Port Canerval, we ate breakfast and litterly just walked off the ship with no lines and no need to wait for our color to be called.

 

Would I sail on Disney for every cruise, no, for my "everyday" cruising I like to take Princess as it is "good enough", but for special ocassions or when they offer special cruises like the recent 10/11 day cruises, I would take them. Although I have no plans to take one of the Med cruises, since those type of cruises are port intensive and people tend to treat the ship as floating hotel. I have read that after spending all day on shore excursions, most people just want to have dinner and then get some sleep.

[GottaLuvCruising]

My answer is that this is a bad question. You are trying to compare apples to oranges and not because of the characters etc. You should be comparing it to more upmarket lines.

 

I definitely agree that the original question is faulty. You cannot compare apples to oranges.

 

However, I strongly disagree that Disney can fairly be compared to the premium or more upscale lines. Neither the service and certainly not the food are comparable to that on Princess or Celebrity. Disney's entertainment and staterooms are the absolute best in the industry for gearing towards families, but that is not the primary demographic of the premium lines.

 

But the Disney experience is truly unique and deserves its own "niche" market category. It's a great experience, though IMHO not worth the super premium prices it commands during high seasons. But there's only one place to experience Disney at sea and almost everyone should try it once.

[KKB]

DH & I felt from an ADULT standpoint, that Disney & Princess were fairly equal in most comparisons---service, cleanliness, amenities, etc.

Princess has superior dining room food, but Disney's PALO is arguably some of the best food I have had anywhere! Therefore we would never spend 30% more to cruise Disney as a couple.

 

BUT Disney GETS kids. Of course they do. And because of that we will likely take our children on Disney again in 5 years or so. It was amazing for them. I am not a huge Disney buff, but certainly want to take the kids to DisneyWorld soon (MIL sprung for the Xmas cruise:) ). Those who are all Disney all the time of course feel the extra $ is worth it.

One thing I was pleasantly surprised about was the fact that it is NOT in your face Disney like the parks. Yes, Disney decor abound, but subtly. Very appreciated.

 

The adult areas on Disney are very nice...and quite uncrowded.

 

I do not have experience w/ kids experiences on any other ship. And being the bargain hunter I am, I may find another line to be so much cheaper when we take the cruise that I can't help myself! We shall see...

 

Happy cruising!

Kris

[Jeanne B]

I think everyone here has summed it up pretty well so I can't add much more. DCL has fireworks on their ships the night of the pirate party, definitely something unique that no other cruise line offers. And then there's Castaway Cay...paradise!! (with the exception of the 10 days I spent in the Virgin Islands this summer:D )

 

With that said DH, DD13 and I will be trying RCCL for the first time next December and I'm really looking forward to that cruise since it will be a different experience than Disney (and it will be a 5-day cruise at the same price as the 3-day DCL cruise I must say!!). We'll be going on the Navigator which will offer things that we don't get on DCL such as the casino, rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, etc, etc but as everyone else has said, they're apples and oranges.

[cdillon23]

I think all of you have helped me very much with your answers. We are currently looking at a 4 night cruise to take our kids who will be 5 and 8 when we go next year if we go. I think the extra cost for something that gets the kids so excited will be worth it. Also, I hear really, really good things about Castaway Cay. Thank you all for your answers.

[Majesty Fan]

I have cruised RCI 22 times and just took our first DCL on the Magic. We have no kids. I am a huge Disney Fan. I had concerns over booking a DCL cruise would there be enough to do for me and hubby? Could I be occupied for the seaday knowing there are no rock walls, mini golf and ice skating. My first impression on seeing the ship was WOW! How pretty it was! The Embarkation was immaculate no sitting in chairs etc. From the time we got upstairs to the time we were onboard was less than 20 minutes! Food options are plenty. On boarding day there was the buffett, Pinocchois Pizza, Pluto's Dog house. For Adults there is both the family pool and Goffy's pool. The staterooms were much bigger! The dinning rooms are beautiful and not filled with 1500 people. You rotate every night or you can do the buffett or Palo's. Movies on the jumbo tron at sea. Stage shows with a disney theme. Disney characters! Pin trading. Debarkation was a breeze it is color coded and done by stateroom! No hangingf around. Free cokes, tea and coffee up on deck 9 24 day. We just like the service and the fact we do not have to drive 12 hours to S. Florida. This is a 7 hour drive but we uusally go a day early at Stay at Disney.

Lexi

[metrowon]

From the get go, Disney gives you more. Their own transfer buses, to their own terminal. To a quick and simple check in, with their own employees. Fireworks on the only ships at sea, and their own island. An immaculate and pristine beach environment. Thet own it, you pay fot it. Disneys on-board entertainment is actually un-surpassed industry wide. No they don't have gambling, or alot of hard core drinkers to subsidize their cruises either. So you don't have to worry about loosers at the casino, or the drunks leaving the casino's. Disney just offers the top top of the line for everthing, within reason of most persons budgets. They are not inespensive, but for 25 to 35% more, than other lines, there are few if any surprizes, or dissapointments. As an example, just the other day, at St. Martin, November 1st, the Royal Caribbean ship was berthed next to the Disney Magic. What happened was 300-400 Royal Caribbean passengers looked on the Magic, and the wonderful outdoor big screen tv. No-one was rock climbimbing any rock wall on the Royal Carib. They were all rooting for Goofy. I'll give you more later. Metrowon

[Tupelo Honey]

last Jan... we did the land and sea package.. 3 nights at AKL and 4 night cruise.. we'd never cruised before. My husband, a workaholic, our daugther then 5 (first time to DW) and I went. We knew midway thru the cruise that we wanted to book again. To know our daughter was safe and so happy she cried when we picked her up from the kids club.. she always wanted to be there... the graduation ceremony they do on stage with the characters, the shows, the beautiful staterooms.. the stunning ship.. we had the time of our lives.. we really didn't expect to enjoy the cruise so much.. as were so enchanted with the AKL.. needless to say, I asked my daughter.. if you could go to DW next year again or the cruise again.. which would you rather do.. she said, duh.. let's do the ship! So we are doing the 7 day trip this coming Feb.. to the virgin islands.. Castaway cay is a dream... there are some real bargains on the ship if you pay attention.. As stated before.. everything was done like clockwork.. every experience wonderful.. I can't wait til Feb..

[OceanLiner]

The issue of Disney being worth the extra price is very subjective. Our kids were about the same ages as yours when we took our first Disney Cruise, which was also a four day cruise, and they had a blast.

Like much of Disney, everything is of added value. You need to look at a Disney Cruise as the sum of its parts. The ability to have a wonderful time at the parks with a hopper pass included, with seamless transfers to the ship. (Traveling with little kids makes this invaluable!) Rooms on board with split baths to accommodate a busy family. Great family entertainment. The Oceaneers Club which is really amazing and possibly worth the total amount extra that you pay for this cruise; it is so well thought, kid safe, and parent accessible that everyone can really relax. Add to all of this the very innovative dining arrangements and Castaway Cay, and the Disney fee seems more than worth the cost.

But……you do pay more, and if all things Disney don’t add up for you and your family the value might not be there. The food on the ship is good to very good, but not as great as on other ships, there is a concentration of kids that could be overwhelming, other ships do have kids programs (though maybe not so elaborate), and other cruise lines have their own islands.

Disney provided a great value while my kids were younger. But now they are 8 and 10, and they have reached that brief point in time when Disney has very little interest to them, so the Disney brand value added proposition is quite flat. The kids really want to play ping pong, swim, and explore the ship. So for us our money is best spent elsewhere. We have moved to Holland America which is less expensive with much better food, and Cunard (QM2) which is the same price as Disney.

It really is difficult to compare, but if all things in cruising were equal, with the exception of the DCL horn, Disney for all of us kids really does make a difference. (Don’t worry if you don’t understand this last sentence, when you take your first Disney cruise you will know exactly what I’m talking about!)

[SunFunCruiser]

I've been on my fair share of DCL cruises. I don't necessarily think they are better cruises than other lines. I also don't agree that the charcarters are more accessable. My kids never wanted to wait in those lines on the cruise ships. It's much easier to catch a character in a park IMO. The food is just okay compared to other lines, and I have yet to receive that *magical* service. I'm also very sick of the same old shows. For a line with only two ships and many repeat cruisers, you would think they would change the shows every couple of years. I can even give you the winning answers to the Not so Newlywed game @@, because I know the questions. Hasn't changed in 9 years.

 

Three things I think are *better* IMO on DCL cruise is the split bathrooms, rotating dining rooms and The kid's clubs. Other than that, no big deal IMO.

 

Personally I find that people that rave about a DCL cruise and how much better they are than other CL's have never been on another good CL to be able to compare. If you have a young family, it's a cruise you must try at least once!

 

I have found now that my youngest is almost 10, he's not as willing to be on a Disney Cruise. So, we will continue to cruise other lines. My oldest didn't even come on our last DCL cruise, her choice.

 

Anyway, that's my opinion.

[MusicMan]

I've never cruised Disney before, because other cruise lines offer me exactly what I want at a cheaper price....NORMALLY! But June 2007 my wife and I are taking our 5 1/2 year old granddaughter (and out of necessity her mother and father LOL!) to Sea World, Magic Kingdom and the 4-day Disney Wonder cruise. To me what makes a Disney cruise worth the extra money in this case is (as described elsewhere) the difference between other theme parks and Disney parks. They do kids VERY WELL. This is a treat for a very special young lady (and for those of us who get to see the excitement and joy on her face). Unless our son and DIL have another child this will probably be our only Disney cruise, but we're sure looking forward to it.

[logan1_2000]

One thing I was pleasantly surprised about was the fact that it is NOT in your face Disney like the parks. Yes, Disney decor abound, but subtly. Very appreciated.

 

The adult areas on Disney are very nice...and quite uncrowded.

 

Kris

 

I've done 4 DCL cruises, w/ #5 booked, and have done 3 RCI cruises, w/ #4 and #5 in the next 55 days, so I can do a bit of comparison between mainstream, family marketed cruises and DCL. And Kris makes one of the most significant points--while Disney ships have Disney touches, the ships are elegant, not garish like the budget all star resorts on the property. the better comparison is to the grand floridian, a classy hotel with disney touches. They characters are not in your face if you dont want them there.

 

There is a premium to pay--a global brand combined with a bahamas or caribbean (usually; sometimes there are special itineraries like the '07 mediterranean or the '05 california cruises) cruise experience, and just two ships on which to get that experience. supply and demand.

 

i also think the disneyworld vs. great adventure analogy is well presented as a comparison.

[greatdanemom]

We've cruised both DCL and RCCL with our 11 yo daughter. Overall we've found the food, activities, and accomodations to be equivalent.

 

The greatest difference I've noted between DCL and RCCL is how my daughter is treated. She's small for her age, but very polite and mature as the youngest of 6. On DCL she is literally treated like a princess. The staff goes out of their way to acknowledge her and to do things for her. They take the time to learn (and remember) her name and age and treat her age appropriately.

 

On RCCL the staff doesn't seem to really notice her at the dinner table, etc. For example, on a recent cruise we sat with another family with a daughter who was the same age but taller than my daughter. The RCCL server gave the other girl adult menus and gave my daughter the kiddie menu with crayons. While this may seem a small thing to us as adults, my daughter was embarassed and uncomfortable each time it happened. This isn't a huge thing and certainly not a cruise wrecker. But it is enough of a difference for me to periodically book a DCL for her so she can feel special. I'll even pay the extra $$$. :eek:

 

The other difference I've noticed is among my fellow passengers. On DCL you'll find most everyone is accepting of the kids presence. You won't deal with the stares and disapproval from people who booked their cruise as a romantic adult holiday and got on the ship only to find there were actually children on board! When I was on DCL I felt we fit in much more with a child. Again, a small thing but it all adds up to your overall impression of each cruise line and what you want to book.

 

Cheryl

[mikeythemars]

Disneys on-board entertainment is actually un-surpassed industry wide.

 

I strongly disagree. Unlike most lines, DCL does not have a live band in the main showroom, instead using recorded music (read: cost cutting). The actual productions -- which don't change often enough -- are basically the same was what you see at their theme parks (ergo, generic shows focused on -- what else? -- their characters).

 

Trust use seasoned cruisers: plenty of competitors surpass that.

[Host Mick]

I strongly disagree. Unlike most lines, DCL does not have a live band in the main showroom, instead using recorded music (read: cost cutting). The actual productions -- which don't change often enough -- are basically the same was what you see at their theme parks (ergo, generic shows focused on -- what else? -- their characters).

 

Trust use seasoned cruisers: plenty of competitors surpass that.

 

OK, I'll bite.

What is inherently better about having a live band in the showroom.

It's not the quality of the music. The studio band can be much larger, bringing a larger selection of instruments. And the performance can be flawless, having performed it until they get it perfect.

The shipboard band is smaller and possibly made up with less experienced musicians.

The band is only one part of the show and in the case of the cruise theater, a smaller part. Bands like the Golden Horseshoe and the Disneyland Band the band IS the show but not on the cruise line.

I'll vote for the recorded music and take that extra space for more good seats.

Also, can you name a Panamax ship with a larger or more elaborate theater?

 

BTW, with what do they season those cruisers?

[hank56]

I strongly disagree. Unlike most lines, DCL does not have a live band in the main showroom, instead using recorded music (read: cost cutting). The actual productions -- which don't change often enough -- are basically the same was what you see at their theme parks (ergo, generic shows focused on -- what else? -- their characters).

 

Trust use seasoned cruisers: plenty of competitors surpass that.

I tend to agree with Host Mick, I do not see the great advantage of a live band, tho it does seem to be the odd hot topic from time to time here and on other boards.

 

Question, explain to me like I'm a six year old, how can the shows be generic yet focus on their characters? I may be mistaken but generic basically means off brand...

[mikeythemars]

OK, I'll bite.

What is inherently better about having a live band in the showroom.

It's not the quality of the music. The studio band can be much larger, bringing a larger selection of instruments. And the performance can be flawless, having performed it until they get it perfect.

The shipboard band is smaller and possibly made up with less experienced musicians.

 

Well, employing this logic, as soon as technology allows, DCL should replace the entire cast of all their shipboard productions with free-roaming, self-contained animatronics. After all, unlike human beings, they never blow cues or misread lines, don't get sick, never complain and -- most importantly -- consistently present the same flawlessly "perfected" pre-programmed performance. Heaven forbid we ever expose an audience to anything that's even a wee bit spontaneous or improvisational.... :rolleyes:

[Host Mick]

Well, employing this logic, as soon as technology allows, DCL should replace the entire cast of all their shipboard productions with free-roaming, self-contained animatronics. After all, unlike human beings, they never blow cues or misread lines, don't get sick, never complain and -- most importantly -- consistently present the same flawlessly "perfected" pre-programmed performance. Heaven forbid we ever expose an audience to anything that's even a wee bit spontaneous or improvisational.... :rolleyes:

 

That would be awesome! Westworld meets Country Bear Jamboree!

 

I've seen enough shipboard "entertainment" to know that they are not all live. On a NCL cruise, during a lousy small-stage version of A Chorus Line, the sound suddenly died. Music, singing and everything. The mouths and feet kept moving but it was creepy silent for a long 10 seconds.

 

Even the Disney shows have room for a little improv. (There was an entire improv theater but it dies a slow and painful death.) On my first Magic cruise, the paint in the Mickey pool had never fully cured and if you walked around in the pool long enough, the bottom of your feet turned blue. There were a lot of blue feet on the ship. During the Hercules show, when Hades rose from the depths, the left side of the audience saw that he had painted the bottom of his feet blue. They were laughing but the right side didn't get it. He turned around iand hung is feet off the top of his couch so that the right side could see them also. A little improv and very funny.

[MusicMan]

Well, employing this logic, as soon as technology allows, DCL should replace the entire cast of all their shipboard productions with free-roaming, self-contained animatronics. After all, unlike human beings, they never blow cues or misread lines, don't get sick, never complain and -- most importantly -- consistently present the same flawlessly "perfected" pre-programmed performance. Heaven forbid we ever expose an audience to anything that's even a wee bit spontaneous or improvisational.... :rolleyes:

 

 

Bravo! Bravo!! As a former "gig" musician, I never understood how club owners would pay a DJ practically the same thing he paid 5 piece band. From my perspective "live" is a very definite plus (not just as the performer but as an audience member). Yes, if recorded correctly, it's always "perfect", but it's always the same, mechanical with no life to it. Some musicians (and others) will understand what I'm talking about... others, perhaps not.

[metrowon]

I've never cruised Disney before, because other cruise lines offer me exactly what I want at a cheaper price....NORMALLY! But June 2007 my wife and I are taking our 5 1/2 year old granddaughter (and out of necessity her mother and father LOL!) to Sea World, Magic Kingdom and the 4-day Disney Wonder cruise. To me what makes a Disney cruise worth the extra money in this case is (as described elsewhere) the difference between other theme parks and Disney parks. They do kids VERY WELL. This is a treat for a very special young lady (and for those of us who get to see the excitement and joy on her face). Unless our son and DIL have another child this will probably be our only Disney cruise, but we're sure looking forward to it.

WHY IS THAT WORD EVEN ONE YOU WOULD WANT TO ASS CIATE WITH? METROWON

[MusicMan]

WHY IS THAT WORD EVEN ONE YOU WOULD WANT TO ASS CIATE WITH? METROWON

 

Because in the REAL world "cheaper" is used as a synonym for "less expensive" (especially with used in conjunction with the word "price"). If I get the experience that I prefer, while paying less money, then I will get to have that experience more often. Certainly makes sense to me!

[Mommy40]

I don't ask this to be mean, I ask this to understand. What is it about DCL that makes the extra price worth it? I would love to take my kids on a Disney cruise but they are more expensive than Carnival or RCL. Thanks for your opinions and again, I ask to understand.

 

Well if your looking to have some alone time without the kids their kids club is by far the BEST and there is no extra fee. They are open until 1 AM each evening.

The shows and movies on board are all Disney, no cheesy Cruise-type shows.

I have been on RC. Celebirty, NCL and Carnival and Disney is the best IMO if you have smaller children. My kids are now 8 & 12 and we now think that RC suits our needs better with the rock wall, ice skating etc.

Disney just caters to the kids like you can't believe. They will cut their food at dinner and go out of their way.

Their private Island is the nicest out of all the ones I have been to.

Book it and you will not be sorry.