Disney cruise... is it worth the price

[FreckledOne]

I am struggling with this right now. To celebrate her transition from middle to high school, I told my daughter we'd do a mother/daughter cruise. I did my research and thought it would be cool to sail on the Disney Magic, specifically the Lookout Cay Preview cruise in June. I mentioned it to my girl, showed her videos of the ship and whatever information I could find on the new island, and she's now excited about the trip. I though I could stomach the cost, but I am starting to break out in small sweats just thinking about it. She's only graduating 8th grade once (I hope) and she's a good egg who's worth it, but man it's quite a bit of . My husband thinks I am insane and doesn't think it's worth the duckets. The two of them are spending six weeks in Greece over the summer visiting his family while I stay behind working, so that's how I am justifying the cost of the cruise. Yeah. I deserve it, too.

 

[Cheburashka]

I am struggling with this right now. To celebrate her transition from middle to high school, I told my daughter we'd do a mother/daughter cruise. I did my research and thought it would be cool to sail on the Disney Magic, specifically the Lookout Cay Preview cruise in June. I mentioned it to my girl, showed her videos of the ship and whatever information I could find on the new island, and she's now excited about the trip. I though I could stomach the cost, but I am starting to break out in small sweats just thinking about it. She's only graduating 8th grade once (I hope) and she's a good egg who's worth it, but man it's quite a bit of . My husband thinks I am insane and doesn't think it's worth the duckets. The two of them are spending six weeks in Greece over the summer visiting his family while I stay behind working, so that's how I am justifying the cost of the cruise. Yeah. I deserve it, too.

Yeah, if the family can afford a 6 week trip to Greece, a Disney cruise probably isn't going to break you. Treat yourself.

 

[Karin1984]

Yes, this is a Disney board, but that there are several people saying "no, it is not worth the cost/hype", is saying something.

I am also in the category, no, not worth the hype. I thoroughly enjoyed my 3 Disney cruises, but I know I get better value for money elsewhere. Will I never sail Disney again? No, but my vacation money is limited, and I can only spend it once. So, going on a Dis.ney cruise again means it has to be a special occasion, route or a good deal.

 

[DisneyDad0315]

Is the high cost worth the hype?

Yes. My wife and kids love the characters. My wife and I do not drink (I have 10+ years of sobriety) and there is not "all you can drink package" on DCL. This keeps the amount of visibly drunk people down, which I enjoy. My wife and I do not gamble and DCL does not have a casino. That is a plus for us. We sailed Thanksgiving week. Food, service and the shows were all great. We are sailing again.

If I am sailing with a bunch of people our family, we will sail Carnival or Royal. Many of the older folk love to gamble and and some of the younger people want to pay as little as possible. There is nothing wrong with that.

 

[John VN]

There is a premium for the Wish (the newest ship) that you wouldn't pay on any of the other 4 ships, so that comparison is a little lopsided. Also, the price on DCL would be much less 2 weeks earlier, as DCL prices spike sharply over school holidays.

A standard 7 night Western without the WISH Premium -

7/13/2024 Fantasy 7 night Western P.C. - Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah CategoriesExtended Verandah (DF-04E) $7,225.22 USD --- BTW - Concierge $15,219

7/7/2024 MSC Seashore 7 night Western P.C. with OVERNIGHT at Ocean Cay - Yacht Club DeLuxe Suite $6,980

 

[FreckledOne]

Yeah, if the family can afford a 6 week trip to Greece, a Disney cruise probably isn't going to break you. Treat yourself.

Cost is minimal. The two of them are visiting his family and crashing with them the whole time. Only way we can afford it.

We are frugal creatures and always looking for the best deals. The cost of the three day Disney cruise, when compared to similar cruises, is not. I know Disney is a different type of cruise experience, so I need to stop doing that. Just enjoy it.

 

[brentm77]

A standard 7 night Western without the WISH Premium -

7/13/2024 Fantasy 7 night Western P.C. - Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah CategoriesExtended Verandah (DF-04E) $7,225.22 USD --- BTW - Concierge $15,219

7/7/2024 MSC Seashore 7 night Western P.C. with OVERNIGHT at Ocean Cay - Yacht Club DeLuxe Suite $6,980

My impression is that MSC has a mixed, and often low, reputation. U.S. customers seem to like it less than Europeans. Have you sailed MSC, and what is your opinion? If so, have you also sailed DCL and how did the two compare in your opinion? I am not sure it would be a good fit for many who love DCL.

 

[Kwami]

A standard 7 night Western without the WISH Premium -

7/13/2024 Fantasy 7 night Western P.C. - Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah CategoriesExtended Verandah (DF-04E) $7,225.22 USD --- BTW - Concierge $15,219

7/7/2024 MSC Seashore 7 night Western P.C. with OVERNIGHT at Ocean Cay - Yacht Club DeLuxe Suite $6,980

But the MSC one only goes to their island and Mexico. That's not really a "Caribbean" cruise, is it?

For $300, I'd rather drop the unnecessary butler service, the casino, and the unlimited drinks packages and pick up a bunch of Disney theater shows and Disney theming.

 

[peder]

But the MSC one only goes to their island and Mexico. That's not really a "Caribbean" cruise, is it?

For $300, I'd rather drop the unnecessary butler service, the casino, and the unlimited drinks packages and pick up a bunch of Disney theater shows and Disney theming.

The Yacht Club, for me, is more about the exclusive space. The Yacht Club restaurant has great service and food, but the pool area has two hot tubs and a larger pool that are rarely busy. An MSC cruise is more about the sunshine and fresh air, relaxing poolside. They also have an excellent thermal spa that's included in Aurea/Yacht Club experience levels. There's really nothing that needs to dictate the pace of your day. It's the least stressing type of vacation I've found.

Our Disney Wish Concierge experience felt very go go go all day, and the pools were very crowded and small. I wouldn't even call them pools TBH, more like something to dip your feet in. And the Concierge space on the Wish really needs its own pool.

Shows on the Wish were fantastic, both in the theater and up by the pool. Dinner shows were very distracting and overwhelming, however.

I really enjoyed our DCL experience, I just wouldn't pay the premium for DCL and prefer a trip a calmer trip. I would say that our DCL experience has also given me pause about Royal, and I don't think I'll ever pay the Royal price premium especially now that they're angling more and more to a "loud" / constantly stimulating environment. At the same time, I also found that the Wish was a bit small for me, and I wouldn't go for MSC's luxury line Explora, because I think I'd feel like the spaces are too small on that ship.

To each their own.

EDIT TO ADD: we sailed in a 1-bedroom suite on the Wish. We have 3 kids, so we wanted the extra space. Sailing with 3 kids and trying to find 1-bedroom+ options doesn't leave us many choices in the cruise world. We like some of the suite options on MSC because we get a lot of space and the price is great, but I'm interested in the NCL Haven 2-bedroom family suites as well. So anyway, our experience is probably not very typical because we do not book typical cabin categories.

 

[Flcruising]

The other cruises that I would do are also priced like Disney.

The cruises that are significantly cheaper than Disney are not ones I would enjoy.

 

[European]

While I can’t compare with other cruise lines, I do compare DCL with the parks, Aulani and other (more budget friendly) holidays that I do. And I think it’s worth it. Because it’s where I have the best memories, where I feel treated like royalty and it’s the place that makes me feel the happiest.

 

[Cheburashka]

A standard 7 night Western without the WISH Premium -

7/13/2024 Fantasy 7 night Western P.C. - Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah CategoriesExtended Verandah (DF-04E) $7,225.22 USD --- BTW - Concierge $15,219

7/7/2024 MSC Seashore 7 night Western P.C. with OVERNIGHT at Ocean Cay - Yacht Club DeLuxe Suite $6,980

$7,225 vs $6,980 is almost the same price. Both cruise experiences have their perks, so neither of those objectively offers more than the other, and the price is almost equal.

 

[John VN]

$7,225 vs $6,980 is almost the same price. Both cruise experiences have their perks, so neither of those objectively offers more than the other, and the price is almost equal.

NOTE -- MSC Yacht Club @ $6,980 is superior to DCL Concierge @ $15,219 and still $300 less expensive than a DCL Verandah

 

[Kwami]

NOTE -- MSC Yacht Club @ $6,980 is superior to DCL Concierge @ $15,219 and still $300 less expensive than a DCL Verandah

Superior in your opinion, of course. As I said before, I don't need a butler. I prefer more Mickey.

 

[Cheburashka]

MSC Yacht Club @ $6,980 is superior to DCL Concierge

That is a matter of opinion. We aren't going to see eye to eye on this, so we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[RivShore]

Superior in your opinion, of course. As I said before, I don't need a butler. I prefer more Mickey.

The whole butler thing is a bit weird to us common folk, LOL.
Is it optional with MCS YC or can you decline the service? I would also imagine it requires a big old tip at the end?

 

[brentm77]

NOTE -- MSC Yacht Club @ $6,980 is superior to DCL Concierge @ $15,219 and still $300 less expensive than a DCL Verandah

I am curious, which DCL ship(s) have you sailed to compare it to? Which MSC ship(s) have you sailed? Did you sail concierge on DCL? It's rare to see anyone put MSC on the same level as DCL, let alone above it, so you have peaked my curiosity.

 

[John VN]

I am curious, which DCL ship(s) have you sailed to compare it to? Which MSC ship(s) have you sailed? Did you sail concierge on DCL? It's rare to see anyone put MSC on the same level as DCL, let alone above it, so you have peaked my curiosity.

On Wonder numerous times, including DVC Members Cruise 2003 and 2005 plus we had an invitation to the Bridge when leaving CC and I was allowed to press the horn button and then our Grandchildren combined for a group 2nd Press.

Dream twice in Concierge 1 Bedroom, 2015 was Fabulous and a disappointing 2017.

On MSC we've sailed Seaside 5 times, Divina 4 times and Meraviglia 4 times ALL YACHT CLUB and so far have 3 Seashore coming up. BTW, the Disney WISH Concierge layout is fashioned after MSC's Yacht Club design.

YC Lounge is always open for relaxing with the Bar Service for ANY DRINK be it water, tea, soda, beer, wine, spirits, specialty coffee plus snacks beginning at 6:30am till Midnight+. All drinks available throughout the ship are also at no charge. Above the Lounge is a complete service YC only Private Restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Above the restaurant is the outside top deck with a pool, hot tubs another Bar and a Grill area for breakfast and lunch plus foods throughout the day and early evening and of course lounge chairs and cabanas. As for the Butler, she/he are there for any assistance in addition to the full Concierge crew. Ocean Cay the Private Island Designated Bahamian Reserve is very relaxing and also has a separate YC Area for Beach, Cabanas, Special Restaurant/Full Bar for lunch with transportation out and back by carts. Pricing is thousands below DCL Concierge and can be less than a DCL Verandah.

We also really enjoy the overnight stay at Ocean Cay and the Lighthouse evening light show.

 

[Mango7100]

I am curious, which DCL ship(s) have you sailed to compare it to? Which MSC ship(s) have you sailed? Did you sail concierge on DCL? It's rare to see anyone put MSC on the same level as DCL, let alone above it, so you have peaked my curiosity.

Celebrity Retreat, MSC Yacht Club, and NCL Haven are essentially DCL concierge on steroids—they are more a ship within a ship concept. You don’t need to leave the private area for the entire cruise. We have sailed NCL Haven but not DCL concierge because for us DCL concierge doesn’t offer enough perks to justify the price difference compared to regular DCL. We found more perks with NCL Haven to justify the cost difference. We have 4 DCL cruises with a 5th and 6th booked.

Some differences compared to DCL concierge—there is a private restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a different higher grade menu than the MDRs, think filet and lobster every night. The bar is open all day and drinks are included all day, not just certain hours in the evening. The private areas are bigger than DCL concierge from what I can see on the deck plans—most are 2-3 deck spaces with pools, hot tubs, adult only sun deck, family sun deck, indoor observation lounge, outdoor and indoor dining, outdoor and indoor bar, etc. Some offer a private area on the private island for suite guests. You have a butler that brings treats every afternoon to your room aside from the treats available poolside or in the lounge all day. Sandwiches, shrimp cocktail, chocolate covered strawberries, etc. The butler will do things like unpack for you or draw a bath if you ask (seriously, I dont want them to do that but they will). Same stuff as DCL concierge as first on the ship, priority bookings, dedicated concierge team, etc.

 

[brentm77]

On Wonder numerous times, including DVC Members Cruise 2003 and 2005 plus we had an invitation to the Bridge when leaving CC and I was allowed to press the horn button and then our Grandchildren combined for a group 2nd Press.

Dream twice in Concierge 1 Bedroom, 2015 was Fabulous and a disappointing 2017.

On MSC we've sailed Seaside 5 times, Divina 4 times and Meraviglia 4 times ALL YACHT CLUB and so far have 3 Seashore coming up. BTW, the Disney WISH Concierge layout is fashioned after MSC's Yacht Club design.

YC Lounge is always open for relaxing with the Bar Service for ANY DRINK be it water, tea, soda, beer, wine, spirits, specialty coffee plus snacks beginning at 6:30am till Midnight+. All drinks available throughout the ship are also at no charge. Above the Lounge is a complete service YC only Private Restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Above the restaurant is the outside top deck with a pool, hot tubs another Bar and a Grill area for breakfast and lunch plus foods throughout the day and early evening and of course lounge chairs and cabanas. As for the Butler, she/he are there for any assistance in addition to the full Concierge crew. Ocean Cay the Private Island Designated Bahamian Reserve is very relaxing and also has a separate YC Area for Beach, Cabanas, Special Restaurant/Full Bar for lunch with transportation out and back by carts. Pricing is thousands below DCL Concierge and can be less than a DCL Verandah.

We also really enjoy the overnight stay at Ocean Cay and the Lighthouse evening light show.

Thanks for the detailed response! It's great to hear alternative viewpoints and what people like. I plan to look up the ships to check them out.

For the overnight stay, can you say on the island as late as you want? Are restaurants/bars open late? I am trying to picture what that looks like.