We were thinking the same thing until we tried Carnival - Breeze (2 years ago) and then Norwegian last month! It is now crystal clear for us, Disney Cruises are worth every penny. We are done trying a cheaper line to see if Disney is REALLY worth it. For us, it is... Better service, better rooms, cleaner and WAY better food! Doing Disney again in January 2019 and we'll NEVER try another cruise line again!
We sailed the Breeze out of Galveston and LOVED it. To each his own I suppose. I round the Breeze offered superior options in the buffet and poolside. Guys burgers was awesome as was the Burrito place (loved the breakfast burrito too). We paid for a Jr. Suite on the Breeze for a September Western Caribbean 7 day in 2016 and then sailed the Wonder 7 day out of Galveston to the Bahamas in January 2017. This was after the Wonder refurbishment in November 2016. We loved both cruises and the Wonder definitely reminded us we were sailing Disney in all the great ways. However, the Breeze was almost half the price for what turned out to be a very wonderful experience. Given the price difference again, I'd choose Carnival, so long as it was one of their newer ships.
I have to disagree with you there. On DCL in the rooms all you are getting extra is a double bathroom, our room on RCI was just as good, we even had a kettle and the we could have twin beds. Our mini suite on Princess is bigger than DCL staterooms (and a lot cheaper) and once again we can have twin beds. The service was just the same although i must admit we are not high maintenance people and don't cause any problems. The food on our cruise with RCI was for me better than DCL. I do miss the shows but then i am a big fan of Disney but RCI do have an Ice Rink and those shows are amazing.
I can't wait for our Princess cruise, apparently they serve free popcorn and cookies and milk while you watch films on deck.
Generally agree, but I did notice a few other differences that matter to me.
1) Disney staterooms with verandah have a sliding door and not a swinging one. They ask that you not leave it open, but you can and I love to do that (not for extended periods). It's nice to get that fresh air into the cabin. The smell of the ocean is cathartic.
2) The way they arrange the rooms is better. On Disney you can pull the privacy shade and cut off the main bed from the sitting area (and door to the verandah. I like to go out on the verandah in the morning while my wife sleeps. With Disney, I just pull the privacy curtain and I can sit in the room or out on the verandah and not bother her. The other ships we've been on put the main bed next to the window, making it difficult to separate the two areas.
3) The beds are more comfortable. In every way possible.
Also i wonder how many truly can "afford" it ...meaning they are paying it in full with disposable income.
I saw a recent article about how many american are carrying big credit card debt..or any credit card debt
and the amount was staggering.
I made the decision long ago if i can't pay the bill immediately or in full with no interest. We don't go!
I have seen people struggle with credit card debt and its not pretty.
Disney cruises are wonderful but not enough to sink under.
Best advice I heard from a financial planner a few years back is that any vacation should be paid for in either cash or low interest, short term (a few months) loan. Preference is to save in advance. If you can pay off your vacation over two years on a credit card, then save for it in advance and take it after you have the money (not before). I know a lot of people that use credit cards to do things with the belief that their earnings will eventually increase to the point where they can pay them off faster in the future, failing to realize the cost of living will also go up and the interest on the credit card debt will eat them alive.
Ritz Carlton is kicking one off in 2019.
Stayed at a Ritz for the first time last month. The service reminded me a lot of the service on a Disney cruise. I even commented to the lady at the front desk when she asked me about Disney Cruises (was wearing a DCL shirt) that the service at the Hotel was a familiar experience. I don't view Disney as a luxury cruise line, but after experiencing the service at the Ritz, I can see why some do.
Maybe. Interest rates have been low for years which makes using credits cards easy and even beneficial at times. Some people carry credit card debt, but still have large 401k's and savings. I think you have to look at person overall financial health. The statistics don't really look at that. I never automatically assume because a person has a large credit card balance that they are not well off financially. I'd rather pay off a disney cruise in 6 months with the interest free offer then pull money out of my savings.
Most of the people I meet on DCL cruises seem to be college educated and have careers that would support a disney cruise. True a lot of people in this country live paycheck to paycheck, but there's just as many that don't, and there's a lot of people in this country making a lot of money. I'm astounded at the amount of money being spent onboard. I went to a DVC lecture on our last cruise and couldn't believe the number of people that were making appointments to buy DVC. I don't think Disney will ever have a problem filling their ships.
I agree. Disney won't have a problem filling their ships. What's sad though is that when
Disneyland was created, it was intended to be a place where families could get together and enjoy experiences. It wasn't intended to be exclusive. With the news that park admission is increasing again, it's obvious Disney is continuing to go for the high end.
What I think a lot of people miss is that Disney will do just fine if you only sail Disney or visit Disney once every 5 years or so. Families that choose a variety of vacation experiences over time are much more common. Enjoy a cheaper vacation such as a road trip or staycation and save for the big Disney trip. Choosing the "big event" vacation every summer has always been for those that earn more.
Disney is a mass market. They are even charging more for some the deluxe then the four seasons or ritz. The problem is if Disney wants to run a more expensive cruise do that run a private yacht or boat for Alaska and charge what you want. But if you are competing for the mass market then they do not know their own market. Having said that Four Seasons does charge far too much for some of its hotels they think they are the worlds best chain and they are not
