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Old 17 Nov 18, 04:16 PM  
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stecee
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We’ve cruised with NCL x2, RCI, Princess and P & O and have enjoyed them all. NCL now offer All Inclusive which means all gratuities and drinks are included in the price.
Extras you would usually have to pay for are a daily service charge, which is around $13 per person per day, (including children) though this varies slightly with each cruise line. A service charge of 18% is also added to any alcoholic drinks, I’m not sure if this charge is added to soft drinks.
There are other ”for a fee” things, such as any spa treatments and WiFi.
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Old 17 Nov 18, 05:32 PM  
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Another question on the Disney cruise. How ‘Disney’ is it? Is it just character meets or is it more than that?
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Old 17 Nov 18, 11:18 PM  
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Originally Posted by papasmurf View Post
Another question on the Disney cruise. How ‘Disney’ is it? Is it just character meets or is it more than that?
Have a look on YouTube at some blogs that people have posted, it will give you a good idea?

In general the shows are mostly Disney depending on the length and which boat you are on. The restaurants are themed, again it varies depending on the boat? Character meets, Disney activities in the kids club etc.

The shorter cruises tend to be very expensive compared to longer ones I always think
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Old 19 Nov 18, 03:42 PM  
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Originally Posted by duchy View Post
I have a friend who is a lifelong Disney nut , she's now converted two more generations with her kids and grandkids. (She is the one who first convinced me the Beachclub was "good value" many years ago )
Part of the reason they retired to south Florida was proximity to cruise ports as they now cruise several times a year. They started cruising with Disney then also tried other lines and her take is that although they enjoy the bubble the premium for that bubble and the limited number of ports just isn't worth the significant difference in cost.
Even when they take the grandchildren Disney isn't the automatic choice now and the kids are the perfect ages.
It isn't like the on site/off site debate as companies like Celebrity are offering a far superior product for less money.
Disney cruises don't seem to generate the same mass loyalty that the onsite hotels do. Whilst a good product the feeling seems to be its poorer value. I think I agree that a few character meets don't justify a 30% premium on an already expensive holiday.
Personally if I had to choose between a non balcony Disney cruise or a balcony with most of the others for the same money, Disney would probably lose.
Don't generate the same mass loyalty? You are joking right? You obviously haven't seen the FB groups if someone dare mention another line.
I don't think what you've written is true at all, in fact, I'd go so far as to say it's very untrue ... poorer value? Who says? Where do you see that? Have you actually sailed with DCL? I find it hard to believe you have as you say 'just a few character meets' and that's such a tiny part of the DCL experience.

There is, of course, a cruise line for everyone and every pocket. It would be pretty rubbish if everyone liked the same thing, but it's always best to only comment on cruise lines you have sailed on yourself.

For the OP, what cabin have you chosen? You say an upgraded one, but that could mean anything.
You're also booking late for DCL as they bring their cruises out 18 months in advance generally. Prices only ever go up as they don't offer last minute deals (they have no need to), apart from military and Florida residents.

I have sailed DCL and Cunard. DCL wins for me hands down on many different aspects. Each person will have their favourites though for their family make up. Cheap and Disney are words that don't go together I'm afraid, not in any aspect of their business.

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Old 19 Nov 18, 03:59 PM  
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Originally Posted by papasmurf View Post
Another question on the Disney cruise. How ‘Disney’ is it? Is it just character meets or is it more than that?
It's as Disney as you want it to be. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the Disney bubble, you can and there are plenty of opportunities to do that. But if you prefer it to be a 5 star floating hotel that caters to your every whim, then it can be that too.

There are always character meets going on around the ship, the details of which are given each day in your daily newspaper (called a Navigator). The Broadway style shows win multiple awards and there are 3 of those on each ship. For longer cruises, you will also have variety acts like comedians etc.

There are no casinos on DCL, so if that is a big factor for you, then another cruise line may be better. There are also no big drink packages, but there are a few 'deals' to be had. Alcohol is very reasonably priced and all soft drinks are free 24/7. Other free things are room service (tip only), ice cream, cinema, all shows, all food from restaurants and quick service places, mini golf (not avail on all ships) and all character interactions.

Childrens clubs are out of this world and are open all day until 2am for the older group (14-17), or midnight for the youngest (3-12). There is a middle group too but I can't remember what time they shutdown each night. The youth spaces are truly inspiring and you can pop in yourself during the Open House events they hold each day. The youth spaces (for over 3's) are all free, all day and they'll feed them for you too if you want. The nursery is the only chargeable area.

Each restaurant is themed and will have their own 'shows' depending on which ship you go on. They are technically advanced and offer exclusive experiences not seen on other cruise lines.
My BIL and his family came with us in 2014 and hates Disney, he was dreading everything about it. But he now has a g/son and his waiting until he is 4 or 5 before booking him on as he enjoyed it so much. It was not like he expected at all despite us telling him it wasn't overwhelmingly Disney.

They are more expensive than other cruise lines and only you can decide the 'worth' of it. By trying lots of different cruise lines, you will be able to gauge a better opinion though.
Once you do one cruise, it tends to factor into most holidays after that!

If you have a read of the Everything You Need To Know About DCL sticky thread at the top, it will give you more ideas of what it's like.

Joa
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Old 19 Nov 18, 06:10 PM  
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Originally Posted by Bats View Post
Don't generate the same mass loyalty? You are joking right? You obviously haven't seen the FB groups if someone dare mention another line.
I don't think what you've written is true at all, in fact, I'd go so far as to say it's very untrue ... poorer value? Who says? Where do you see that? Have you actually sailed with DCL? I find it hard to believe you have as you say 'just a few character meets' and that's such a tiny part of the DCL experience.

There is, of course, a cruise line for everyone and every pocket. It would be pretty rubbish if everyone liked the same thing, but it's always best to only comment on cruise lines you have sailed on yourself.

For the OP, what cabin have you chosen? You say an upgraded one, but that could mean anything.
You're also booking late for DCL as they bring their cruises out 18 months in advance generally. Prices only ever go up as they don't offer last minute deals (they have no need to), apart from military and Florida residents.

I have sailed DCL and Cunard. DCL wins for me hands down on many different aspects. Each person will have their favourites though for their family make up. Cheap and Disney are words that don't go together I'm afraid, not in any aspect of their business.

Joa
I don't think anyone equated Disney with cheap however there is for most people a decision to be made for whether DCL offer value for the extra they charge. Unlike onsite which offers some clear USPs that other hotels can't offer , with cruising it's a lot less clear.
Disney are only just starting to address the lack of range of ports they offer (less important to the first time cruiser but more important to the cruising converts)
Food, A bit like onsite dining, you can find good quality dining on Disney but nothing the other lines can't match or in some cases leave Disney far behind.
Cabin standards , again Disney aren't exceptional, nice yes but nothing unique ( not even towel animals )

Entertainment , great shows, kids clubs but again nothing head and shoulders above. Obviously the Disney theme to entertainment

Once cruisers try other lines (something many inevitably did due to the lack of new ports) the difference in cost for the same or better with the other lines becomes very noticeable .
30% is a lot on a cruise fare and Disney aren't see as offering anything more for the extra above a few character meets ... that's an e expensive bubble .

With your own experience of just Cunard and Disney I understand your standpoint but comparing DCL with someone like Celebrity for example you might find a different perspective. ... or even Royal or Norwegian . You might decide Disney is still for you or you might decide as many have that Disney is no longer the automatic choice.

Edited at 06:16 PM.
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Old 20 Nov 18, 11:01 AM  
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Originally Posted by duchy View Post
I don't think anyone equated Disney with cheap however there is for most people a decision to be made for whether DCL offer value for the extra they charge. Unlike onsite which offers some clear USPs that other hotels can't offer , with cruising it's a lot less clear.
Disney are only just starting to address the lack of range of ports they offer (less important to the first time cruiser but more important to the cruising converts)
Food, A bit like onsite dining, you can find good quality dining on Disney but nothing the other lines can't match or in some cases leave Disney far behind.
Cabin standards , again Disney aren't exceptional, nice yes but nothing unique ( not even towel animals )

Entertainment , great shows, kids clubs but again nothing head and shoulders above. Obviously the Disney theme to entertainment

Once cruisers try other lines (something many inevitably did due to the lack of new ports) the difference in cost for the same or better with the other lines becomes very noticeable .
30% is a lot on a cruise fare and Disney aren't see as offering anything more for the extra above a few character meets ... that's an e expensive bubble .

With your own experience of just Cunard and Disney I understand your standpoint but comparing DCL with someone like Celebrity for example you might find a different perspective. ... or even Royal or Norwegian . You might decide Disney is still for you or you might decide as many have that Disney is no longer the automatic choice.
'Worth' and 'value for money' is subjective.
We'll have to agree to disagree as you again have said 'a few character meets' is the extra when it's not even close.

My mum has sailed multiple lines and consistently says that although one may be better for food or entertainment, or something else, DCL wins as a whole package.
My sister who sails DCL, P&O and Celebrity says very similar - she is not a massive Disney fan but says the customer service wins hands down with DCL.

I think it's really important to compare like for like, but to do that, the full facts must be known for each cruise line (or at least more than 'a few character meets')

As I said before, there is a cruise line for everyone and every pocket and it matters not to me if people want to book DCL, or find it too expensive, but any comparison should be with the full facts.

Joa

p.s. I may be trying Celebrity in 2020 as our TA is doing a group booking for Alaska. We've done it with DCL, but as my sister likes Celebrity, we may join that group with her.
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