Dollars and Sense - Is Disney Cruise Line "Worth It"
More than any other question, this tends to crop up in my everyday discussions with people who haven't been on either a cruise at all or a Disney Cruise Line cruise. Basically this question breaks down into two parts, is it worth it to "splurge" on Disney Cruise Line as opposed to another cruise line and is it affordable compared to a theme park stay at Walt Disney World.
Apples to Apples, this is not.
On Disney Cruise Line, Belle reads to kids sitting on the floor in the hallway unannounced, Alice invites you to tea and Mickey Mouse celebrates the afternoon with you. If you are a Disney person the access to characters on the ship is, in my opinion, unparalleled in the rest of the Disney Parks.
The customer service level is astoundingly high. Quite early in your cruise, you will begin to notice a sense of pride and ownership that each cast member portrays in their job. The family activities, entirely unmatched at sea, run from dawn until long after my carriage turns back into a pumpkin.
DCL celebrated a fifth consecutive year as the "Number 1 Mega-Ship Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards for Families 2013." Other honors for 2013 included "Best for Families" and "Best for Entertainment" from the 2013 Cruise International Awards. Currently awaiting results, Disney Cruise Line is a finalist in the Condé Nast Traveler Magazine's World Saver awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement in environmental and social responsibility in education, environmental and cultural preservation, health, poverty relief and wildlife conservation.
Surprise, it's not!
The best way to make a fair comparison to the park package prices, is to correct for two vacation costs absent in the original Walt Disney World packages but included in the Disney Cruise Line fare. Both packages included your stateroom or resort room and entertainment or park tickets, but the cruise fare also includes all the food you could eat and supervised children's clubs.
Hang on, we're about to enjoy some math fun!
Deluxe Dining Plan (or DDP)
(Value and Regular)
$99.97 per night ages 10 and up
$26.84 per night ages 3 to 9
(Peak)
$102.27 per night ages 10 and up
$28.91 per night ages 3 to 9
We'll go with Value Season, because I love saving some money for extra souvenirs! My family of four comes in at $253.62 per night for DDP. We're going to compare a seven night cruise with a seven night WDW stay, so our DDP = $1,775.34
Children's Activity Center (CAC)
Two hour minimum at Sandcastle Club, Never Land Club, Simba's Cubhouse, The Cub's Den or Camp Dolphin.
$11.50 per child per hour.
My two kids live in the Oceaneer Club for hours everyday on Disney Cruise Line, but lets round down to three hours/day. $23/hour times three hours times seven days. CAC = $483.00
DCL = WDW + DDP + CAC
Plug in the numbers for 2A2C family.
DCL = WDW + $1,775.34 + $483.00
DCL = WDW + $2,258.34
So if your DCL package comes out less that $2,258 dollars more than the base package at WDW, it's less expensive. I view that as a great deal of savings and value added!
For me, the Disney Cruise Line adds up to one great vacation, however you do the math. Stay tuned, as next time on Dollars and Sense we delve into tips and tricks to help your cruise fare take you farther!
Is it worth it compared to other cruise lines
If you are a Disney person, which, if you're reading my blog I'm assuming you may be, you love the quality, attention to detail and superb customer service that Disney offers on land. Comparing Disney Cruise Lines to Royal Caribbean is similar to comparing Walt Disney World to Six Flags; although the elements of each are the same, the overall experience is very different. That magical, pixie dust element remains uniquely Disney.
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| Just a little midafternoon story time. |
On Disney Cruise Line, Belle reads to kids sitting on the floor in the hallway unannounced, Alice invites you to tea and Mickey Mouse celebrates the afternoon with you. If you are a Disney person the access to characters on the ship is, in my opinion, unparalleled in the rest of the Disney Parks.
 |
| My tiny White Rabbit drinking Tea with the Mad Hatter |
DCL celebrated a fifth consecutive year as the "Number 1 Mega-Ship Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards for Families 2013." Other honors for 2013 included "Best for Families" and "Best for Entertainment" from the 2013 Cruise International Awards. Currently awaiting results, Disney Cruise Line is a finalist in the Condé Nast Traveler Magazine's World Saver awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement in environmental and social responsibility in education, environmental and cultural preservation, health, poverty relief and wildlife conservation.
Is it Comparable in Pricing to the Theme Parks?
I think this part of the question is brought on by the overall impression that cruising is an expensive way to vacation.Surprise, it's not!
The best way to make a fair comparison to the park package prices, is to correct for two vacation costs absent in the original Walt Disney World packages but included in the Disney Cruise Line fare. Both packages included your stateroom or resort room and entertainment or park tickets, but the cruise fare also includes all the food you could eat and supervised children's clubs.
Hang on, we're about to enjoy some math fun!
Deluxe Dining Plan (or DDP)
(Value and Regular)
$99.97 per night ages 10 and up
$26.84 per night ages 3 to 9
(Peak)
$102.27 per night ages 10 and up
$28.91 per night ages 3 to 9
We'll go with Value Season, because I love saving some money for extra souvenirs! My family of four comes in at $253.62 per night for DDP. We're going to compare a seven night cruise with a seven night WDW stay, so our DDP = $1,775.34
 |
| Included on Disney Cruise Line |
Two hour minimum at Sandcastle Club, Never Land Club, Simba's Cubhouse, The Cub's Den or Camp Dolphin.
$11.50 per child per hour.
My two kids live in the Oceaneer Club for hours everyday on Disney Cruise Line, but lets round down to three hours/day. $23/hour times three hours times seven days. CAC = $483.00
DCL = WDW + DDP + CAC
Plug in the numbers for 2A2C family.
DCL = WDW + $1,775.34 + $483.00
DCL = WDW + $2,258.34
So if your DCL package comes out less that $2,258 dollars more than the base package at WDW, it's less expensive. I view that as a great deal of savings and value added!
 |
| You can wake up now! The Math is Over! |
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