NOTE!! When evaluating the cost-benefit relationships of these cruise lines, you need to quantify the financial impact of the lack of a casino. Many years ago, I interviewed for a shipboard IT systems job with one of the more famous lines. I had the privilege of reviewing daily financial information each ship reports to corporate headquarters. (Confidentiality prevents me from disclosing actual data - but the revenue generated by the casino was, at best, mind-boggling.) Without the casino profit center, income must be recapped by other means. These ships cost vast amounts of capital to operate; the money has to come from somewhere. Disney's business model focus is different from other lines like Virgin offers its own unique business model.
Spot on. I have seen articles saying like 15% of the revenue of the ship was from the casino. Plus Disney has bath tubs in every room. So you are getting more of like a junior suite compared to other brands. Between those 2 factors… it pushes the price a ton.
While what you say is 1000% true, you also have to take into consideration the brand cost. For Disney in paticular, they believe they can charge whatever they want and people will buy it. Sadly its usually true. So for this case the brand "tax" as you would say has a major impact on the costs.
Disneyland doesn’t have a casino and it’s the most expensive amusement park in California. Disney would keep the prices the same even if it had a casino.
While of course this is true it doesn’t change the fact that their cruises are massively overpriced. I don’t care about a cruise lines P&Ls and business model. I care about the value I am getting for the ticket. As a parent of 3 small children I wouldn’t give Disney a dime. They no longer care about children all they care about is their “not so subtle agenda”
Holland America was my first cruise line. I went on one Disney cruise solo, and haven’t looked back. All but one Disney cruise was done solo. It’s more expensive, but the attention to detail, the lack of a nasty casino, and overall charm of the ship won me over. I just love their tribute to the old ocean liners, and their ships are just so dang gorgeous and happy. And distinct. You can tell Disney apart immediately from the other lines. Especially when multiple lines of white ships are in port.
It was a breath of fresh air that finally someone has stated exactly what I felt with a Disney Cruise. For those with children, it is a great introduction as a first cruise. We are happy we did that to ease our child to it. But when trying Celebrity, Holland America and even moderate price one like RCCL and NCL, the value if Disney does not warrrant their price point. When a 7-day Celebrity is cheaper than a 3-day Disney, one has to think, is it really worth it? For 1st timers with children, yes and by all means take the shortest cruise available for a saving...afterwards, no and try others with a longer duration. Some of them also have amazing children's programs.
We toured a Royal ship through a travel agent one summer and though no one was on the ship until later in the day, the smoke smell from the casino permeated even into the atrium which really turned us off. I'm sure it's less on their mega ships, but that's giant negative to me.
@@Scott__C All cruise ships allow smoking in certain areas, which are typically designated in outdoor smoking zones and sometimes in casinos, nightclubs, and cigar lounges. Some are more restrictive than others. The most restrictive policies include Azamara, Celebrity, Disney, P&O, Ponant, SeaDream, Viking Ocean and Windstar but still have a designated area for smokers.
@@Scott__C I was on the Princess Regal in June, Wonder of the Seas in July and the Celebrity Edge in Sept. and did not find any residue smoke smell as to what you experienced on your tour of a Royal Caribbean ship. Perhaps it has changed since you visited.
Disney Cruises are very nice IF you have children, grandchildren or are committed Disneyphiles. The cast members work hard to make kids feel welcome, comfortable, and entertained. As Gary said, the various kid's club facilities are unparalleled. I had wished they let me in for some fun; they did allow adults to tour the clubs on embarkation day. You will be immersed in all things Disney during the cruise. If you love interacting with Disney characters and getting photos with them, this is the place to do it. I applaud Gary's courage for going solo on such a cruise - not for the faint of heart!
Crew on literally every cruise line work hard to make everyone, not just kids feel welcome and enjoy their stay, the only difference between Disney and everyone else is a set of mouse ears
Why do people hate adult Disney lovers?! I went as a kid and love the parks!!!! I'd never waste my money on a Disney cruise.... It doesn't have the non stop fun the parks have. I can pay less and do more on other cruises!
As someone with multiple food allergies, I love that the servers rotate with you for the main dining rooms and give me the opportunity to customize my meals the night before so that there’s always something safe for me to eat
@@pamrobinson4350 I get parents who are into Disney because of their kids, but I don't get someone in their 30's, no kids but want to watch every Disney movie ever made. Same with Harry Potter.
@@pamrobinson4350 It because the adults who like Disney, liked it when they were kids. If you didn't like it as a kid, you obviously don't like it as an adult. It's nice to have a place to escape to and make you feel like you did when you were a kid.
@@LdyVder "but I don't get someone in their 30's, no kids but want to watch every Disney movie ever made. " Fair enough, but you don't like Star Wars? That's a Disney property now. Also Marvel. 🙂
Here’s the thing…if you compare one of their Florida-based cruises, it is Quite a bit cheaper to take an equivalent itinerary Royal Caribbean cruise (even on Wonder of the Seas) in the Same class of cabin AND THEN take ANOTHER FOUR NIGHT LAND VACATION (even in one of their highly themed Moderate resorts) PLUS PARK TICKETS! You can Still get the Disney experience on your land vacation, plus you get twice as long a vacation
We just cruised on Disney Magic last week, and it was a very full, busy spring break cruise. We cruised on Disney Wonder in October and it was blissfully quiet and empty with almost no kids. The dates you sail on Disney Cruise Line make a huge difference in both capacity and PRICE. You have to be willing to be flexible with your dates - prices for the same ship and itinerary vary widely. My kids agree actually like the food better on Royal Caribbean, but we feel the presentation of the food on Disney is unmatched (those dishes!). We always have amazing service and relationships on DCL, but that's because we tend to become favorites of the crew and entertainment staff because we participate very actively and really get to know them.
Yes good point! I look forward to watching and seeing how your kids feel as they grow older if the RC buzz and activities for teens and young adults become more appealing or the love for Disney sways them!
Our first 12 cruises were on Disney when they were competitive price wise and when we finally went to Royal and now Celebrity we were pleasantly surprised to get as good or better service. I would recommend once for people that love the Disney brand. We just love to cruise and find we get a better value and experience sailing other lines.
I have never done an ocean cruise, but really enjoy your videos. Highly professional and informative. I am sure Disney attracts a certain clientele and, for them, this would offer a great experience. For me, this looks like hell !
Hi Julie, Thanks for your note. Many apologies. I certainly did not intend that the use of the phrase “certain clientele” to be intended in pejorative terms. I was thinking more in terms of families, Disney enthusiasts etc. On reflection, I can see how you (and perhaps others) might view otherwise. A salutary reminder for me ! One other observation: you state how you have been on “many, many cruises”; how you are looking forward to eventually “getting on Cunard QM 2”; that you take “multiple holidays each year”; and that your husband works in “international finance “ yet you have never “noticed any snobs” like me ? Brilliant irony !
I LOATHED Disney as a kid. Just didn't get it. I felt nauseous just seeing a bit of that video. Another thing I don't get (makes me cringe) is cruise-bragging. What's with the itemised lists that cruisers seem to revel in? It's like being a kid in brownies/cubs showing off all your badges.
@@JulieWallis1963 Hi Julie, please do not take what Brummie said like it was directed to you. Sadly, when all of the layers are peeled back, on some level, it is true - Disney is only looking for certain clientele. Just look at their prices or listen to a few things their CFO has publicly said - oof - it was BAD and quite insulting to people like me that visit yearly. Hearing that I bring no value to the company because I do not spend enough money on each trip shows they only want those willing to drop boat loads of cash. I defy them and continue to go, I'm all packed and my flight leaves this evening - my 23rd year of taking Disney trips - my first of two planned trips this year. I am also still working which allows me to take multiple trips each year - close and far from home. On a side note, I have opinions on things I have never experienced - like I'd never pay full price for anything - I'd never waste money on first class, I'd never jump out of an airplane - so many things I'd never do - that does not make me a snob. Ok - I am a bit of a Disney Snob - not an I'm better than you snob - but a Disney snob to my non Disney friends.
As someone who has cruised Disney, Holland American, Cunard and Celebrity, I completely agree with your assessment. When our kids were little, the premium price was worth it, but now that they are older we prefer other premium lines.
I’ve been to Disney Cruises and I’ve never experienced any pressure to tip or provide positive reviews. But the service was soooo good, I was happy to tip more than required and said glowing things on my exit survey.
I prefer Disney because the adult-only areas are less crowded and quieter. When we hang out in them and do late dining we almost never see any children except at lunch. Add to that the staterooms are big. Also lots of included stuff including Coke products. Great poolside food, Palo food & service is stellar, mdr food is good enough. Buffet food is good, boiled shrimp and cracked crab! Helps that we enjoy Disney themed stuff. Still, expensive so we intersperse with cheaper cruises.
I can see that the value may not be there as much for an adult traveling singly or as a couple. However, as a parent, I can tell you that the Disney cruises are a fantastic value. I would do another in a heartbeat because of things you don't consider without kids. The cruise is able to be a family trip that can actually be a vacation for a parent. The younger kids clubs are check-in situations. That means you have built-in secure babysitting services - even for kids who would normally bristle a little at the idea of a babysitter. That's fantastic for a couple that gets to plan their own activities while the kids are doing things they really want to do. It's even better for a single parent like me. I was able to go with my 7-year-old son and have real relaxation, not bolting up from reading my book around the pool every few minutes to make sure my kid wasn't drowning or getting into trouble. I was able to go to the spa for a massage knowing my kid was having fun and I didn't feel like I was neglecting him. But it also gave us the time and opportunity to do real things we enjoyed when we came back together. Is it more expensive than a Carnival or Norwegian or whatever? Maybe, although I also find that Disney gives you a better idea of total cost up front than other cruiselines do. But what I got out of my Disney cruises was well worth it and I can't wait to do another.
We love the Disney cruise. I raised my kids taking them on the cruise and I still go now that they are adults. They also still love the cruise. Disney cruises just feel different. You don't get all of the drunks and the partiers that you get on most other cruise lines. The service is also great.
Absolutely agree with this. We cruise Disney because we don't gamble and aren't huge drinkers. Why would I take a cruise where I have to buy a ridiculously expensive alcohol package when I may only want a drink or two per day. I also think that the number of cruisers is far more acceptable than on the mega cruise ships. Granted, it can get busy during popular times (after shows, before dinner) but it is not overwhelming.
This is why we still cruise Disney! Very family friendly, no gambling, no drink packages. You have to consider that’s what at least some of the price premium is ensuring - the environment of the cruise.
@@Dive-Bar-Casanova To be fair Disney should be compared with higher end cruise lines which have similar costs to Disney. Unlikely to see the poor behavior you might see on Carnival.
Hi Gary. We are DCL Platinum (12 cruises) and absolutely love Disney. The reason we have primarily cruised DCL is for the adult only areas, food, entertainment, and above all, the service. It's just the two of us - no kids. A first-time cruiser on a DCL ship would probably be overwhelmed with all that Disney'ness and tip system. We inform our MDR waiters on the first night that we are platinum, know the system, and tip very well, period. That stops the annoying reminders throughout the cruise. They can concentrate on the newbies. And, we let them know we love escargot. Geez, it appears without request at the beginning of every dinner. Love it. Looking forward to the April 2024 HAL cruise. A first for us.
Are you really big fans of Disney generally? Otherwise, specifically choosing Disney over and over again is really hard for me to imagine. You can easily find ultra premium cruises (like Viking, Azamara, Oceania) for similar prices as Disney and the food and service would put Disney to shame.
@@nichtsistkostenlos6565 Yes, we are also Disney Vacation Club. The price of DCL isn't an issue since we rent our points, which pay for the cruises. Next year we are venturing out and trying HAL with Gary.
@@doriangray6985 What happens at the top of Disney (thank goodness, Chapek is gone) isn't reflected in the quality and professionalism of the crew and cast members.
I was in Florida on a recent cruise onboard Norwegian Getaway. My friend who loves Disney referenced going on a Disney Cruise (he’s never been on a cruise before). I showed a similar 5-day Bermuda cruise onboard Norwegian Joy that was 6 times LESS the price of Disney Cruise. Needless to say, he was floored.
Granted, the Joy is an odd ship. I’m sailing her in a couple of weeks and expecting to be disappointed for the price paid lol. There’s only one tiny pool due to it being dry-docked for Alaska and not remodeled for Bahamas/Caribbean.
@Sam I think Life Well Cruised took a cruise on the Joy recently and has some videos if you want to look ahead. I'm taking a cruise in May on the Star and it's smaller and not for the Caribbean either so I'll see....good luck!
I went on a Disney Cruise years ago with my kids. We had a really nice time. It’s worth it for the whole Disney experience, but for a cruise experience, there are other lines that are more worth the money.
Absolutely agree with Gary about the pressure to give good ratings (our dining room waiter specifically said he wanted my wife to fill out the ratings because he thought she would give him the best marks and that he desperately needed the best possible ratings), the bizarre tip system (as if the price isn't high enough), and the mediocre food compared to other lines...Too many people say Disney Cruise's food is great, but the buffets are incredibly limited (both in size and available times), the fast casual spots mostly suck, and the main dining room is fine, but nothing terrific. Overall, there is less food on a Disney boat than any other cruise line I can think of, and especially ones that cater towards families. For me, the best part of a Disney cruise is something that many videos don't even mention and that's the movie theater. There's not many other special amenities on a Disney boat (the Aquaduck is only on some boats), but that fantastic, full-size movie theater is a true rarity in cruising now. There are things like pirate night, fireworks, and some of the shows that are great, but the movie theater would be my pick for the most underrated aspect of a Disney cruise.
Disney cruises aren't alone there with employees pressuring clients/customers for good ratings &/or tips. When I moved to a new home a few years ago at least one of the guys from the moving company pressured us to give all 3 of the movers good tips right away after meeting us before he & the others even started to move our items & I've seen a few rideshare drivers do the same thing, some subtly by having printed signs hanging on the back of the front seats where passengers in the back seat can view them & read the request or not so subtly by outright asking. What none of these service providers get is you need to EARN being worthy of those good tips/ratings first by providing service worthy of that not the other way around🙄
Gary I did enjoy the video and have a few bits of amplifying thoughts. For reference I have sailed Disney (3x) and Carnival (5x). In your discussion on staterooms I don't *think* you mentioned size. They are a bit larger than the average stateroom in the industry and most importantly, they almost all have two bathrooms. This is a critically important amenity for most families (and even very nice for couples). Palo, which you mentioned as very good, is also still pretty affordable given the level of service provided. I also think it would have been appropriate to mention the cost of a cruise relative to the cost of a Disney Parks vacation, since a Disney cruise is so deliberately (and understandably) themed and geared toward Disney. In my opinion, you get tremendous value on a Disney cruise if you love Disney because you get all the theming and characters, and the cost of food (at a comparable quality) in the Parks would be astronomical. Also, going to the Parks is quite taxing physically. A cruise all but eliminates all the walking and heat (and the relative wait to meet Mickey). Because I haven't been on any of the cruise lines you mentioned I can't speak to food but I thought the main dining was awesome as was Cabanas (can't go wrong with all you can eat stone crab claws). Pizza was meh. So just a couple of thoughts and thanks for providing great and insightful videos!
As always Gary, you do a great job. Everyone that raises a family should take at least one Disney Cruise. When my kids were young, we did. I am young at heart and love the characters. They still make my heart skip a beat. That said, Disney was a "One and Done" for my cruising life. As one gets a bit older, our needs change. At now 65, I prefer to cruise Europe, in a ship with 1200 passengers capacity, that focuses on ports and food. Drinking and shows are no longer the appeal they used to have. A nice jazz band or piano player with one drink at night is much more my style. Cruising in general evolves. We all start in an inside cabin and if we are lucky enough, have an opportunity to have a nice suite with a butler one day. I love Disney but will leave it to my kids when they have kids. Thanks again and enjoy life. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.
This was so fairly made. I love DCL. I will only sail DCL because of the reasons you have mentioned, but it's not for everyone. We like seeing characters, but are not interested in meet and greets with them. This can absolutly be a great choice if you like Disney ok, but arent neccisarily a fan. This will not be a good choice if you don't like Disney, don't like kids, are looking for a party vibe, or want to hit a casino. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you or the cruise line, not everyone is a good match for every cruise line.
Well, my wife and I have sailed 7 times on the Disney Dream in a concierge 1 bdrm suite. We are an older childless couple and have historically had great service & food. Cleanliness was top notch. The Dream has a good adult only pool and forward lounge area. We sail on the Disney Wish soon and reports are it may be less adult friendly and more child focus. We will see.
I travelled on a Disney ship from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles through the Panama Canal a couple of years ago. I enjoyed the best service that I have ever had on any ship. If you ordered something at dinner that didn't delight you - no problem, here's something you might like better. Can't decide between two (or three) starters? We'll bring them all. There was a generosity of spirit that was charming. And I loved the self-serve complimentary sodas! I can't wait for grandchildren so I can do it again.
On the Wife & My Retirement We took the Kids and Grand Kids on a Disney Cruise . And it was great seeming Them having such a Great time. But for Us as with Virgin We both agree that one trip on each was enough. We will stick with the Tried-and-true Lines.
HAL, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean Celebrity .... After 32 Years of Cruising We have NEVER had a Bad Trip ...But tomorrow We are leaving for CAL. and a Back-to-Back Alaska ..And , Cruise ON!!!
Hilariously I am not a Disney fan but I love Disney Cruises. The cabins are superior, the food is great, its very easy to avoid the kids, the adult areas are nice, the drunken idiot factor is non existent, I don't like casinos so that works for me and I love castaway cay. I also mainline all the star wars/marvel stuff I've missed in the room entertainment. I like Remy alot. Paolo is good. The ships are spotless. My travel partner and I don't do shows or late night stuff so its not a problem for us if there is or isn't alot there. I do agree about the tipping. It's very invasive and cringy. Afaik there are drinks packages, at least on the carribean trips, perhaps it was an EU change for them. I also ask the servers if they have/can make things other than the base menu. Last time my one server was from Chennai and we let it be known we loved Indian food, magically an Indian dinner was able to be had. Also Pirate night is hilarious. So I guess it's all down to what works for you personally.
That's too bad. My husband and I like Disney but are not mega-fans. We have been on several Disney cruises without our kids and had a wonderfully relaxing time. But you really need to be a kid at heart and not afraid to be silly. I don't see this guy as having that type of personality.
Thanks for the video…….glad I watched it prior to ever trying a Disney cruise, as we will NEVER go on now! What a colossal waste of money that would have been for us! Appreciate your transparency.
I will soon be taking my 3rd Disney Cruise along with a friend of mine. We're both older ladies and we love Disney. No smoky casinos, no fights, really nice areas for adults only. Both of us are childless but it's kind of fun to see the little princesses and pirates running around. And we like the cleanliness and the fact that these ships are so well maintained. That said I've researched other lines extensively, just can't find one I like that sails out of my preferred port.
We did disney 10 years ago, with the kids. One of us is a physician, thus we could afford it (although even then it was expensive). We decided to branch out. Back then, dinner at Palo was 20 dollars, a great deal, now I think it is up to 35. It's not much different than their parks: if money is no object, then do it. The entertainment and shows were great. I think we find the food on other lines to be more varied and thus more exciting. But clearly Disney is doing something right, has many loyal adherents.
One thing I noticed that Gary only touched on at the end is the different requirements for excursions. For example, I went to Alaska on a Disney cruise. Often booking direct will be less expensive than booking through your cruise line. I took a particular excursion, and the exact excursion (with the same company, etc), booking direct and on other cruise lines had an age limit of 12 and up. However through the Disney cruise, that exact excursion allowed children as young as 5 years old. So I feel like it might be worth the price if you are traveling with younger children and want to include all the children in your excursion. Otherwise it's probably only worth the higher price if there is someone you're traveling with who not only loves Disney but particularly loves meeting characters. (But I do also appreciate the split bathrooms, depending on the relationships I have with the people who might be sharing my cabin.)
I've cruised on Disney my entire life, and I will say looking at other lines it does seem that Disney really is just putting up the price for the brand. My last Disney Cruise I was unfortunately rather disappointed in the food and the crowds on the pool deck. My description of the food in my personal opinion: They want to be fancy and are failing to do so. To me it's insane when you can get a suite on a luxury cruise ship (Regent and a couple of others) for about 10,000 dollars less then a Disney Cruise, with all that comes included.
Another reason of the higher prices is probably due to the lack of an on-board casino. Those casinos bring in a lot of money for the cruise lines, and probably subsidize part of the fare cost.
Disney (DCL) books to capacity for children first so that they can assure they have staff to accommodate all kids clubs and activities and then they stop booking families and leave open adult only vacancies. Not a lot of people know that. Also their rooms have the added advantage of having the 2 spaces for getting ready versus one tiny room. It isn’t for everyone but it can be a great time for adults only as well at least in my experience. U can literally do as much or as little together as u like and still get back together for meals and fun island stuff. I’m surprised there was no comments on the quality/size of their staterooms. Also soda is included in your purchase. Just sharing some other thoughts
Well said. Also if you can line that up with just out of dry dock and/or repositioning it's really fantastic. If ya take the "I don't care what cabin they put us in" discount option,, you can get a nice free upgrade if the ship isn't running 100%. Best available and it's a nice perk.
I have never been a Disney fan, even as a little kid. It is now one of the companies dearest to my heart since they have doubled down on their commitment to being fair and equitable to ALL people in the face of attacks on their philosophy. I don't think I can love Disney any more than I do, even if I only have the slightest knowledge from when my daughter was young and into a few of the new movies. If the entire world looked at humanity way Disney does, we'd all be living in peace❤🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜
I love Disney. I love cruising (Holland America is my favorite). As much as I would love to try a Disney cruise I am not sure I would think it’s worth the money.
My only cruise was a Disney one and you definitely pay for the branding. I'd had 5 very stressful years that eclipsed my 50th birthday so I celebrated my 55th big time and went 'uber'. I was worried it would be saturated with Disney but I didn't feel like it. I didn't go to any deck parties - I'm not a party person anyway. The adult area was sizeable and amazing! I do love kids but appreciated them not coming in there. It was expensive but I was just one person doing my own thing, I can't imagine a family of 4 paying for it. I always word it - was it worth the extra price? Not really. Am * I * worth the extra price? Yes.
I believe the biggest reason DCL is more expensive is it has no Casino to help float the cost.. beside the usual stores specialty dinning and bars.. there isn't any other revenue generating. So I feel other lines can afford to offer the cheaper prices. Look at the deals you get when yo head to Vegas.. sometimes they have guarantee to spend 500 in the casino get your room for free. So yes.. bigger kids clubs, is great for families.. i don't think it affects how much you pay.. also some ships have single traveler rates and rooms.. which doesn't really matter in this discussion.. because i really feel its the fact of no casino. you'd be surprised how much revenue a casino makes.. 92% hold on money in for slots and requires very little staff.. and table games hold 18-25% of revenue dropped needing just a few more staff. And you missed 24/7 free room service! :) But ty for sharing your experience..
It is expensive and definitely not for everyone. For us, we love it, we are a big Disney family and have only sailed Disney. I looked at other lines, but the feel wasn’t for us, they either look like a Las Vegas mall or theme park or frat party at sea and charge for everything it seems. I’m willing to pay for the magic of a Disney cruise. Maybe the more people who decide against DCL will mean I can get a chair on the pool deck 😂
Very fair review. Just a couple of differences in points of view. First, the cabin shown sleeps 4 not 5. The bunk pulls down and the sofa flips over rather than pulling out. This is one of my favorite features because it leaves the walk way to veranda open and usually more comfortable than pull out sofas. The cabins that sleep 5 are larger with twin Murphy bed added. That bed does block the veranda. I felt opposite about gratuities. Having the envelopes with stubs showing tips paid allows the opportunity to give something to your service provider instead of going to dinner empty handed. On other lines I take thank you cards for additional tips. I’m happy to have envelopes provided so I don’t bring my own. Just a difference of opinion. As far as cost, I have found sailings that are drastically more expensive than other lines and others that are similar to others depending on time of year and location. Disney cruise’s during school vacations can be double + vs the same cabin, itinerary, ship during weeks while are school in session. I have also noticed that early booking seems to effect Disney pricing more than other lines. The Disney devoted usually book on or near opening day. So, as sailing date approaches cruises can be close to sell out pushing prices up. Sometimes when I price Disney vs other lines pricing is closer by the time you double the occupancy and add port fees and taxes. My biggest reason for choosing Disney vs other lines wasn’t highlighted. Cabin layout with the split bath and being able to split the cabin with the curtain makes a big difference to my family. It’s much easier for a couple of people to get ready at the same time. The one thing I don’t enjoy is that the main beds don’t split. That’s probably better for couples, but not quite as nice for 2 singles sharing. Thanks!
In addition, the cabins will never be 100% full because of lifeboat capacity. Just because you can fit 4 or 5 people into each of the rooms doesn't mean the ship will ever be able to actually do so. And yes, the split bathroom is amazing!
@@ladymacb29 I’m glad you confirmed the lifeboat issue. I had always heard that too. My understanding is you sometimes had to move cabins if you added a person and your muster station/lifeboat was full.
Great review! All valid observations. Our family loves all things Disney, and my husband and I travel on Disney Cruises with or without our “kids” (who are all adults now). We love it!
DCL was great....I've done 30 cruises with them, but none recently. First, most of our favorite crew members have moved on. Secondly, the prices are thru the roof. We did 2 weeks in Alaska in a suite on Princess for half the cost of one week on Disney in a balcony cabin. I agree, DCL is prettier, had better entertainment, etc. But everyone in my house is grown up now, and there is no point in paying the ridiculous surcharge (called cruise fare) for their kid program when we don't have anyone taking advantage of it. DLC for adults without kids is just OK. Yes, there are adult only spaces, and some of the time they even keep the kids out. But.....I have a TransAtlantic crossing coming up on an adult only line. The base fare for a porthole cabin on DCL is double what I'm paying for a balcony, and by the time I would add in the wifi, specialty restaurants, gratuities, etc. that are included in my booking, DCL would be three times as much! We loved DCL, but no more. And prices didn't used to be like this!
I probably wouldn't HATE doing a Disney cruise solo with no kids...but I'd definitely hate that price-point. I'll stay a Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruiser, thanks. :)
I remember a travel agent talking about this where they said that while they enjoyed Disney Cruises and is their bread and butter as travel agents for their agency. They recognize that parents or couples are likely to grow out of the brand either for price or changing needs in cruising. Disney works great for some but it's not the line for everyone and that is okay.
As huge Disney fans, we love Disney Cruise Line as it's a better value option to get the Disney experience than going to the Disney Parks (plus you get the benefits of cruising/relaxing, which you don't get at the parks). But we are only willing to pay so much, and for the itineraries that we want to do where the Disney prices are even more outrageous (Europe, Hawaii, etc.), we book with other cruise lines. Very excited to try Celebrity next year!
I have done two Disney cruises. One was through the Caribbean on Fantasy and it was crowded and hectic with so many young children. My own children loved it so much, and we were happy they were entertained, so also had a great weak. Later on we went through a Norwegian fjords and Iceland cruise on Disney Magic, and because of the destination there were far fewer children. My own children were older and still call it one of the best weeks of their life, but it was a much better cruise for the adults on board- less crowded, great destination and the all around Disney quality entertainment. I’d be careful about picking a similar destination if we were to do it again.
We did a Disney cruise in 2018 and it was amazing! Pricey but amazing-they spoiled us! We are planning an Italy/Greek isles cruise next year and I priced out several cruise lines-Disney was triple the price. I can’t justify that. I’m glad we got to experience one cruise but the price is asinine
I found too many parents let their kids run wild on my Disney cruise. The shows and regular dining were unendurable, as a result. Plus, the cost was outrageous. Now with the cutbacks, layoffs, and corporate politicking, I wouldn’t go near a Disney cruise.
We have only ever cruised with Disney-2 sailings on the Magic, 1 sailing on the Dream. This summer will be our family’s first Royal Caribbean cruise. It will be interesting to see how they match up. I had been told RC would be a good swap.
We did one Disney cruise when our son was younger. It's was a mostly lovely experience, but we wouldn't do it again. For us, the crew and the productions made the cruise. Really top notch. And the cabin design with the split bathroom (separate toilet) was absolutely the best! I wish all cruise cabins were like that! We tried the kids' club twice and on the second try, we found our child frozen in the exact same spot that we had left him in almost two hours later. He was overwhelmed by the amount of kids, the noise, etc. And there weren't enough crew working the club to notice. We also tired of the kids running up and down the hallways. Our next cruise was on Celebrity and our son absolutely loved the kids' club experience there and we loved the more adult atmosphere and much better food!
I'm an avid cruiser and finally went on my first Disney cruise last week. We were on the Wish and it was a bit underwhelming. The ship is beautiful, and the staff friendly, but not much better than Royal, NCL, Princess, or Celebrity. It was certainly not worth nearly three times the cost.
It's way easier to budget for cruising Disney than going to the parks nowadays. In peak season it's very likely to miss a lot in the park if not paying extra things like genie+, signature dining or after hour events. Instead, we at least can see the skyrocketed cruise fare before we book cruises and know that's what exactly costs the most.
It is NOT a giant kid's club. They obviously have no problem filling ships and not only with just families. Some of you are so weird with your mentality.
@@calumshaw And yet you can go the whole cruise without interacting with any of the characters. They are beautiful ships and there is plenty to do without interacting with characters. It is weird that your brain automatically goes to that. Your ignorance is showing.
I'm not that much of a cruiser fanatic but after traveling with NCL, RCCL and Disney. Disney had better service by a long margin. At least on the ship I was ( Disney Wonder). In the other hand, prices are outrageous now on Disney.
There’s no denying the Disney ships are the prettiest from the outside . Wish I could have done a Disney cruise as a child those kid clubs look amazing
I'll be doing my first Disney Cruise in September. I've never done one before, and it fit in with some other things I had going on in Orlando at the time. Yeah, it's expensive, but I can afford it and I'm trying to do different things. I don't expect to do many Disney cruises. I'm in the market for a new primary cruise line due to Royal Caribbean's recent changes (especially the food), but I don't think Disney is going to be the one. Maybe Celebrity, maybe Princess, maybe Norwegian.
Great video as always. I wonder though that you did not talk about your opinion look of the ship itself. I love the design which is an homage to ocean liner from the 30's with a modern & Disney twist ! (for texample there is hardly any disney touch in the adult only aera) After 4 DCL cruises I am ready to try a new line but the huge modern glitzy mall don't attract me. I may be old fashoned but when on a ship I don't want to feel like I am on a modern hotel or resort.
I quite enjoyed it when my kid was toddler age. The princess photos were a highlight of the trip. I wouldn’t pay the 3x prices today. The best deal was the repositioning pacific coast cruise on the Disney Wonder where the port was either leaving from Los Angeles port or Vancouver port. The evening fireworks show was terrific. It felt like a theme park because you have to stake your spot to see a show an hour before and also for the princess photos.
Bottom line, a Disney Cruise is worth the premium fare for those who really, really love Disney. Just like a week-long vacation to the Disney theme parks - which for those of us in the U.S. can cost 2x as much or more as a much longer international vacation - continues to be worth it for those who are true Disney fans. I am a mild Disney fan, primarily for reasons of nostalgia, and I’m a one-and-done Disney cruiser.
I worked on the QE2 as a security officer, master at arms in the late 90's. I was in the London police, all Cunard security had to be ex British police or military, but they let us all go for people from developing countries who worked cheaper. I was told safety and security on cruise lines suffered from this, did you notice.
I wanted to share that the couches when made into a bed are for a single person only. The back flips down to make a smaller than a twin size bed. Also gratuities are not paid in cash but you are billed for them. If you want to tip extra above the amount you are billed for, then you put cash in the envelope.
While I am a fan of Gary, I'm not a fan of Disney. I do like some of Disney's movies (older ones) but I doubt I would ever go on a Disney cruise. JMHO.
We enjoyed out Disney cruises back when our kids were younger. We only used the kid's clubs for one or two days. The Antimator's pallet was one of our favorite restaurants
So impressed that u tried Disney. U r so open-minded. I love ur videos; the most credible opinion on cruises. We just booked our Alaska cruise based on ur HAL review. Keep it up, thank u 4 best videos!!
From what I hear from parents, the best part is the kids babysitting or club services, including dinner service which allows parents to eat dinner without the kids. It’s great for parents who’d like a built in break/support for the kids.
Regarding the gratuities system: Disney's system sounds like they give you the information you need to tip the crew as you really want. I don't get the creepiness factor. When I went on my first cruise back in 2002 I was told that there would be envelopes in my stateroom that I was expected to put my gratuities into, then give to the appropriate crew members. Or I could pre-pay my gratuities, which I found much more convenient. These days some people talk about tipping the crew above the pre-paid gratuities and some people claim that the pre-paid gratuities don't go to the appropriate crew members. It seems to me that Disney's method tells you what the crew members receive so you can make a decision on whether to tip more, as well as giving you that opportunity to hand over the tips in person. Of course, if you think the pre-paid tips are sufficient, don't give any extra.
My family of six have been taking Disney cruises for over 12 years twice a year or more we recently got back last week and have decided we're done they're just not worth the money anymore there's so many better alternatives out there far superior products and better pricing
The pricing is getting crazy that I’ve seen people posting they’ve been quoted for the new ships especially! What line/s are tiu thinking of going to as the next to try ?
I took my daughter on a Disney cruise when she was 9. It was the best cruise. The kids areas are included in the fare so, there was no paying extra for kids activities. They had a character breakfast and the characters put on a show and got all the kids involved. In addition, when getting pictures with the characters, the photographer would take their picture and then allow you to take a picture so you didn’t have to buy the pictures they took. Also, when you took your kids to the specific areas, they gave you a pager in case your child needed you.
Thank you for this video. I didn't realize just how omnipresent the Disney theme is. I'd sail on Disney, but not at such a premium. I had heard that they provided good adults-only areas, however, and that's a plus. For a Disney fanatic, I'm sure it's an amazing experience.
I've been on a whopping 2 cruises, but the first we went on was a Disney cruise. We had a great time, but I felt the same as you did even with it being my very first cruise! My second cruise was with RC, but I didn't find them, overall, to be incredibly different, it just wasn't Disney everywhere you looked. We have a friend that wants to exclusively sail Disney and can't understand why we don't want to go. We could go on longer cruise with more excursions and pay the same as we would on a much shorter Disney cruise! Maybe it's because I am not enamored with Disney, but the elevated cost for what we got wasn't worth it, in my opinion, to make that my go-to cruise line.
Saw this one after your review of Queen Mary 2. We went on a Disney Cruise when my kids were toddlers. The only reason we went was because we got a huge Florida resident last minute discount which I believe isn’t possible anymore. I loved it because I am a huge Disney fan!! Like huge but I can see for the average person without little ones how it would not be worth the price. My son is now 10 and one of his dreams is to go on the Queen Mary 2. I do believe my kids would enjoy the crossing now that they are a bit older. I would love to to a transatlantic cruise once in my life. Your videos are so informative .
My family has cruised on Disney maybe half a dozen times over the years going all the way back to the Big Red Boat in the late 80s/early 90s. It's important to note that Disney Cruises fits into the segment in a place that almost no other lines do--its priced, developed, and targeted as a "once in a lifetime" thing for families who may not do this kind of thing often or ever again. Families sometimes save up for years to take their entire extended family on these cruises. In our case, the matriarch and patriarch of our family group took all of about 20 family members on a cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary, and we weren't the only ones in that situation. If you judge the cruises against other lines, it's going to fall short in most areas. But if you judge it as more like a theme park experience on the seas, I think it'd make a lot more sense.
My wife and I are huge Disney fans. Have a collection of over 50 premium Disney snowglobes and a complete Disney DVD and Blu ray movie library. We've been sailing with Celebrity cruise and thought about doing Disney. Your video just made us understand more why we shouldn't try Disney cruise. We love Disney but we are also wise.
Love your honest review! Even though I’m a huge Disney fan (DisNerd, Disney Adult), it’s always refreshing to hear non-biased reviews. That being said, I want to say something about the gratuity envelopes (I’m American so this could be why I feel this way as we are exposed to tipping much more than other countries from what I understand): I loved the idea. I feel like it added to our relationship with our server. Personally, he never made us feel like we had to give him or his co sever more tip. He just talked about how to fill out the forms on our last night to make sure it was done correctly. I’m sorry your server pressured you into tipping more. As a former server, that usually works against them lol. That being said, our server told us that we didn’t NEED to bring the envelopes to them and that the room steward would make sure they got them.
NOTE!! When evaluating the cost-benefit relationships of these cruise lines, you need to quantify the financial impact of the lack of a casino. Many years ago, I interviewed for a shipboard IT systems job with one of the more famous lines. I had the privilege of reviewing daily financial information each ship reports to corporate headquarters. (Confidentiality prevents me from disclosing actual data - but the revenue generated by the casino was, at best, mind-boggling.) Without the casino profit center, income must be recapped by other means. These ships cost vast amounts of capital to operate; the money has to come from somewhere. Disney's business model focus is different from other lines like Virgin offers its own unique business model.
Spot on. I have seen articles saying like 15% of the revenue of the ship was from the casino. Plus Disney has bath tubs in every room. So you are getting more of like a junior suite compared to other brands. Between those 2 factors… it pushes the price a ton.
While what you say is 1000% true, you also have to take into consideration the brand cost. For Disney in paticular, they believe they can charge whatever they want and people will buy it. Sadly its usually true. So for this case the brand "tax" as you would say has a major impact on the costs.
Disneyland doesn’t have a casino and it’s the most expensive amusement park in California. Disney would keep the prices the same even if it had a casino.
I'll never complain about the cigarette smoke again. 😂
While of course this is true it doesn’t change the fact that their cruises are massively overpriced. I don’t care about a cruise lines P&Ls and business model. I care about the value I am getting for the ticket. As a parent of 3 small children I wouldn’t give Disney a dime. They no longer care about children all they care about is their “not so subtle agenda”
Holland America was my first cruise line. I went on one Disney cruise solo, and haven’t looked back. All but one Disney cruise was done solo. It’s more expensive, but the attention to detail, the lack of a nasty casino, and overall charm of the ship won me over. I just love their tribute to the old ocean liners, and their ships are just so dang gorgeous and happy. And distinct. You can tell Disney apart immediately from the other lines. Especially when multiple lines of white ships are in port.
Disney rules. :)
What’s it like traveling solo on a cruise ship?! I’m kind of inspired to just go for it and book myself a trip but I’m a little nervous 😬
It was a breath of fresh air that finally someone has stated exactly what I felt with a Disney Cruise. For those with children, it is a great introduction as a first cruise. We are happy we did that to ease our child to it. But when trying Celebrity, Holland America and even moderate price one like RCCL and NCL, the value if Disney does not warrrant their price point. When a 7-day Celebrity is cheaper than a 3-day Disney, one has to think, is it really worth it? For 1st timers with children, yes and by all means take the shortest cruise available for a saving...afterwards, no and try others with a longer duration. Some of them also have amazing children's programs.
We toured a Royal ship through a travel agent one summer and though no one was on the ship until later in the day, the smoke smell from the casino permeated even into the atrium which really turned us off. I'm sure it's less on their mega ships, but that's giant negative to me.
@@Scott__C All cruise ships allow smoking in certain areas, which are typically designated in outdoor smoking zones and sometimes in casinos, nightclubs, and cigar lounges. Some are more restrictive than others. The most restrictive policies include Azamara, Celebrity, Disney, P&O, Ponant, SeaDream, Viking Ocean and Windstar but still have a designated area for smokers.
@@veronicashine1812 Yes, and that's fine, but I don't want to smell it everywhere on the ship. It's one of the reasons I don't care for a casino.
@@Scott__C I was on the Princess Regal in June, Wonder of the Seas in July and the Celebrity Edge in Sept. and did not find any residue smoke smell as to what you experienced on your tour of a Royal Caribbean ship. Perhaps it has changed since you visited.
@@veronicashine1812 That's good to hear, I don't remember what ship it was, but it was a real turn off.
Disney Cruises are very nice IF you have children, grandchildren or are committed Disneyphiles. The cast members work hard to make kids feel welcome, comfortable, and entertained. As Gary said, the various kid's club facilities are unparalleled. I had wished they let me in for some fun; they did allow adults to tour the clubs on embarkation day. You will be immersed in all things Disney during the cruise. If you love interacting with Disney characters and getting photos with them, this is the place to do it. I applaud Gary's courage for going solo on such a cruise - not for the faint of heart!
Crew on literally every cruise line work hard to make everyone, not just kids feel welcome and enjoy their stay, the only difference between Disney and everyone else is a set of mouse ears
Why do people hate adult Disney lovers?! I went as a kid and love the parks!!!! I'd never waste my money on a Disney cruise.... It doesn't have the non stop fun the parks have. I can pay less and do more on other cruises!
I have never heard the term "disneyphiles"
It's definitely more creative then "diney adults"
As someone with multiple food allergies, I love that the servers rotate with you for the main dining rooms and give me the opportunity to customize my meals the night before so that there’s always something safe for me to eat
I had the feeling that this kind of cruise wasn’t for me. Thanks for confirming! 💜
I LOATHED Disney as a kid. Just didn't get it. Genuinely find the appeal for adults baffling.
@@pamrobinson4350 I get parents who are into Disney because of their kids, but I don't get someone in their 30's, no kids but want to watch every Disney movie ever made. Same with Harry Potter.
Not for me either, and I can even see some moderate Disney fans becoming tired of the relentless barrage.
@@pamrobinson4350 It because the adults who like Disney, liked it when they were kids. If you didn't like it as a kid, you obviously don't like it as an adult. It's nice to have a place to escape to and make you feel like you did when you were a kid.
@@LdyVder
"but I don't get someone in their 30's, no kids but want to watch every Disney movie ever made. "
Fair enough, but you don't like Star Wars? That's a Disney property now. Also Marvel. 🙂
Here’s the thing…if you compare one of their Florida-based cruises, it is Quite a bit cheaper to take an equivalent itinerary Royal Caribbean cruise (even on Wonder of the Seas) in the Same class of cabin AND THEN take ANOTHER FOUR NIGHT LAND VACATION (even in one of their highly themed Moderate resorts) PLUS PARK TICKETS! You can Still get the Disney experience on your land vacation, plus you get twice as long a vacation
That's my thought. You get your Disney fix, a longer vacation, and a cruise for the same money.
We just cruised on Disney Magic last week, and it was a very full, busy spring break cruise. We cruised on Disney Wonder in October and it was blissfully quiet and empty with almost no kids. The dates you sail on Disney Cruise Line make a huge difference in both capacity and PRICE. You have to be willing to be flexible with your dates - prices for the same ship and itinerary vary widely. My kids agree actually like the food better on Royal Caribbean, but we feel the presentation of the food on Disney is unmatched (those dishes!). We always have amazing service and relationships on DCL, but that's because we tend to become favorites of the crew and entertainment staff because we participate very actively and really get to know them.
Yes good point! I look forward to watching and seeing how your kids feel as they grow older if the RC buzz and activities for teens and young adults become more appealing or the love for Disney sways them!
Our first 12 cruises were on Disney when they were competitive price wise and when we finally went to Royal and now Celebrity we were pleasantly surprised to get as good or better service. I would recommend once for people that love the Disney brand. We just love to cruise and find we get a better value and experience sailing other lines.
I have never done an ocean cruise, but really enjoy your videos. Highly professional and informative. I am sure Disney attracts a certain clientele and, for them, this would offer a great experience. For me, this looks like hell !
Hi Julie,
Thanks for your note. Many apologies. I certainly did not intend that the use of the phrase “certain clientele” to be intended in pejorative terms. I was thinking more in terms of families, Disney enthusiasts etc. On reflection, I can see how you (and perhaps others) might view otherwise. A salutary reminder for me ! One other observation: you state how you have been on “many, many cruises”; how you are looking forward to eventually “getting on Cunard QM 2”; that you take “multiple holidays each year”; and that your husband works in “international finance “ yet you have never “noticed any snobs” like me ? Brilliant irony !
I LOATHED Disney as a kid. Just didn't get it. I felt nauseous just seeing a bit of that video. Another thing I don't get (makes me cringe) is cruise-bragging. What's with the itemised lists that cruisers seem to revel in? It's like being a kid in brownies/cubs showing off all your badges.
@@brummienik4273 Brilliant reply! :)
@@SharonR1105 Thanks, Sharon. Must be the first time someone brought up on a council estate in Birmingham has been called a “snob” 😂
@@JulieWallis1963 Hi Julie, please do not take what Brummie said like it was directed to you. Sadly, when all of the layers are peeled back, on some level, it is true - Disney is only looking for certain clientele. Just look at their prices or listen to a few things their CFO has publicly said - oof - it was BAD and quite insulting to people like me that visit yearly. Hearing that I bring no value to the company because I do not spend enough money on each trip shows they only want those willing to drop boat loads of cash. I defy them and continue to go, I'm all packed and my flight leaves this evening - my 23rd year of taking Disney trips - my first of two planned trips this year. I am also still working which allows me to take multiple trips each year - close and far from home. On a side note, I have opinions on things I have never experienced - like I'd never pay full price for anything - I'd never waste money on first class, I'd never jump out of an airplane - so many things I'd never do - that does not make me a snob. Ok - I am a bit of a Disney Snob - not an I'm better than you snob - but a Disney snob to my non Disney friends.
As someone who has cruised Disney, Holland American, Cunard and Celebrity, I completely agree with your assessment. When our kids were little, the premium price was worth it, but now that they are older we prefer other premium lines.
The tipping scheme Disney is using sounds creepy. And crew members constantly begging for good reviews is tacky. Thanks for another honest review!
I found it that way! Thanks for watching !
You get used to it, honestly. I tip how I want to tip and don't let it bother me. I fill out the surveys honestly.
You'd think that they'd not do that as a premium line.
I have been on 5 Disney cruises (last one back in May 2022) and I have never, EVER experienced pressure for reviews or tips. Like ever!
I’ve been to Disney Cruises and I’ve never experienced any pressure to tip or provide positive reviews. But the service was soooo good, I was happy to tip more than required and said glowing things on my exit survey.
My wife and I have done 10 DCL cruises, love them , if it not for you, fine but we’ve enjoy every one of them. Our 11th will be soon.
I prefer Disney because the adult-only areas are less crowded and quieter. When we hang out in them and do late dining we almost never see any children except at lunch. Add to that the staterooms are big. Also lots of included stuff including Coke products. Great poolside food, Palo food & service is stellar, mdr food is good enough. Buffet food is good, boiled shrimp and cracked crab! Helps that we enjoy Disney themed stuff. Still, expensive so we intersperse with cheaper cruises.
I can see that the value may not be there as much for an adult traveling singly or as a couple. However, as a parent, I can tell you that the Disney cruises are a fantastic value. I would do another in a heartbeat because of things you don't consider without kids. The cruise is able to be a family trip that can actually be a vacation for a parent. The younger kids clubs are check-in situations. That means you have built-in secure babysitting services - even for kids who would normally bristle a little at the idea of a babysitter. That's fantastic for a couple that gets to plan their own activities while the kids are doing things they really want to do. It's even better for a single parent like me. I was able to go with my 7-year-old son and have real relaxation, not bolting up from reading my book around the pool every few minutes to make sure my kid wasn't drowning or getting into trouble. I was able to go to the spa for a massage knowing my kid was having fun and I didn't feel like I was neglecting him. But it also gave us the time and opportunity to do real things we enjoyed when we came back together. Is it more expensive than a Carnival or Norwegian or whatever? Maybe, although I also find that Disney gives you a better idea of total cost up front than other cruiselines do. But what I got out of my Disney cruises was well worth it and I can't wait to do another.
Me and my husband was on this cruise ( spotted ourselves 3 times 7:37) we loved it but good to hear your thoughts as we’ve only been on DCL 😊
My husband and I were on this cruise . . .
We love the Disney cruise. I raised my kids taking them on the cruise and I still go now that they are adults. They also still love the cruise. Disney cruises just feel different. You don't get all of the drunks and the partiers that you get on most other cruise lines. The service is also great.
Never seen anyone taken off a Disney Cruise ship in Handcuffs, Carnival,, you can count on it.
Absolutely agree with this. We cruise Disney because we don't gamble and aren't huge drinkers. Why would I take a cruise where I have to buy a ridiculously expensive alcohol package when I may only want a drink or two per day.
I also think that the number of cruisers is far more acceptable than on the mega cruise ships. Granted, it can get busy during popular times (after shows, before dinner) but it is not overwhelming.
This is why we still cruise Disney! Very family friendly, no gambling, no drink packages. You have to consider that’s what at least some of the price premium is ensuring - the environment of the cruise.
@@Dive-Bar-Casanova To be fair Disney should be compared with higher end cruise lines which have similar costs to Disney. Unlikely to see the poor behavior you might see on Carnival.
Hi Gary. We are DCL Platinum (12 cruises) and absolutely love Disney. The reason we have primarily cruised DCL is for the adult only areas, food, entertainment, and above all, the service. It's just the two of us - no kids. A first-time cruiser on a DCL ship would probably be overwhelmed with all that Disney'ness and tip system. We inform our MDR waiters on the first night that we are platinum, know the system, and tip very well, period. That stops the annoying reminders throughout the cruise. They can concentrate on the newbies. And, we let them know we love escargot. Geez, it appears without request at the beginning of every dinner. Love it. Looking forward to the April 2024 HAL cruise. A first for us.
Are you really big fans of Disney generally? Otherwise, specifically choosing Disney over and over again is really hard for me to imagine. You can easily find ultra premium cruises (like Viking, Azamara, Oceania) for similar prices as Disney and the food and service would put Disney to shame.
Paying Disney money after seeing their recent videos and films, and ideology is abhorrent to me.
@@nichtsistkostenlos6565 Yes, we are also Disney Vacation Club. The price of DCL isn't an issue since we rent our points, which pay for the cruises. Next year we are venturing out and trying HAL with Gary.
@@CruisingEngineer I see, that does make more sense. I mean, to each their own, if you all like it, then I'm happy for you.
@@doriangray6985 What happens at the top of Disney (thank goodness, Chapek is gone) isn't reflected in the quality and professionalism of the crew and cast members.
I was in Florida on a recent cruise onboard Norwegian Getaway. My friend who loves Disney referenced going on a Disney Cruise (he’s never been on a cruise before). I showed a similar 5-day Bermuda cruise onboard Norwegian Joy that was 6 times LESS the price of Disney Cruise. Needless to say, he was floored.
Granted, the Joy is an odd ship. I’m sailing her in a couple of weeks and expecting to be disappointed for the price paid lol. There’s only one tiny pool due to it being dry-docked for Alaska and not remodeled for Bahamas/Caribbean.
@Sam I think Life Well Cruised took a cruise on the Joy recently and has some videos if you want to look ahead. I'm taking a cruise in May on the Star and it's smaller and not for the Caribbean either so I'll see....good luck!
Disney cruises are a waste of money
I went on a Disney Cruise years ago with my kids. We had a really nice time. It’s worth it for the whole Disney experience, but for a cruise experience, there are other lines that are more worth the money.
Absolutely agree with Gary about the pressure to give good ratings (our dining room waiter specifically said he wanted my wife to fill out the ratings because he thought she would give him the best marks and that he desperately needed the best possible ratings), the bizarre tip system (as if the price isn't high enough), and the mediocre food compared to other lines...Too many people say Disney Cruise's food is great, but the buffets are incredibly limited (both in size and available times), the fast casual spots mostly suck, and the main dining room is fine, but nothing terrific. Overall, there is less food on a Disney boat than any other cruise line I can think of, and especially ones that cater towards families.
For me, the best part of a Disney cruise is something that many videos don't even mention and that's the movie theater. There's not many other special amenities on a Disney boat (the Aquaduck is only on some boats), but that fantastic, full-size movie theater is a true rarity in cruising now. There are things like pirate night, fireworks, and some of the shows that are great, but the movie theater would be my pick for the most underrated aspect of a Disney cruise.
Disney cruises aren't alone there with employees pressuring clients/customers for good ratings &/or tips. When I moved to a new home a few years ago at least one of the guys from the moving company pressured us to give all 3 of the movers good tips right away after meeting us before he & the others even started to move our items & I've seen a few rideshare drivers do the same thing, some subtly by having printed signs hanging on the back of the front seats where passengers in the back seat can view them & read the request or not so subtly by outright asking. What none of these service providers get is you need to EARN being worthy of those good tips/ratings first by providing service worthy of that not the other way around🙄
Gary I did enjoy the video and have a few bits of amplifying thoughts. For reference I have sailed Disney (3x) and Carnival (5x). In your discussion on staterooms I don't *think* you mentioned size. They are a bit larger than the average stateroom in the industry and most importantly, they almost all have two bathrooms. This is a critically important amenity for most families (and even very nice for couples).
Palo, which you mentioned as very good, is also still pretty affordable given the level of service provided.
I also think it would have been appropriate to mention the cost of a cruise relative to the cost of a Disney Parks vacation, since a Disney cruise is so deliberately (and understandably) themed and geared toward Disney. In my opinion, you get tremendous value on a Disney cruise if you love Disney because you get all the theming and characters, and the cost of food (at a comparable quality) in the Parks would be astronomical. Also, going to the Parks is quite taxing physically. A cruise all but eliminates all the walking and heat (and the relative wait to meet Mickey).
Because I haven't been on any of the cruise lines you mentioned I can't speak to food but I thought the main dining was awesome as was Cabanas (can't go wrong with all you can eat stone crab claws). Pizza was meh.
So just a couple of thoughts and thanks for providing great and insightful videos!
As always Gary, you do a great job. Everyone that raises a family should take at least one Disney Cruise. When my kids were young, we did. I am young at heart and love the characters. They still make my heart skip a beat. That said, Disney was a "One and Done" for my cruising life. As one gets a bit older, our needs change. At now 65, I prefer to cruise Europe, in a ship with 1200 passengers capacity, that focuses on ports and food. Drinking and shows are no longer the appeal they used to have. A nice jazz band or piano player with one drink at night is much more my style. Cruising in general evolves. We all start in an inside cabin and if we are lucky enough, have an opportunity to have a nice suite with a butler one day. I love Disney but will leave it to my kids when they have kids. Thanks again and enjoy life. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.
This was so fairly made. I love DCL. I will only sail DCL because of the reasons you have mentioned, but it's not for everyone. We like seeing characters, but are not interested in meet and greets with them. This can absolutly be a great choice if you like Disney ok, but arent neccisarily a fan. This will not be a good choice if you don't like Disney, don't like kids, are looking for a party vibe, or want to hit a casino. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you or the cruise line, not everyone is a good match for every cruise line.
👍🏻👍🏻
Well, my wife and I have sailed 7 times on the Disney Dream in a concierge 1 bdrm suite. We are an older childless couple and have historically had great service & food. Cleanliness was top notch. The Dream has a good adult only pool and forward lounge area. We sail on the Disney Wish soon and reports are it may be less adult friendly and more child focus. We will see.
I travelled on a Disney ship from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles through the Panama Canal a couple of years ago. I enjoyed the best service that I have ever had on any ship. If you ordered something at dinner that didn't delight you - no problem, here's something you might like better. Can't decide between two (or three) starters? We'll bring them all. There was a generosity of spirit that was charming. And I loved the self-serve complimentary sodas! I can't wait for grandchildren so I can do it again.
They do the same thing on Royal Caribbean.
On the Wife & My Retirement We took the Kids and Grand Kids on a Disney
Cruise . And it was great seeming Them having such a Great time. But for Us
as with Virgin We both agree that one trip on each was enough. We will stick
with the Tried-and-true Lines.
Yes!!!
which lines do you prefer? which ones do you consider tried-and-true
HAL, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean
Celebrity .... After 32 Years of Cruising We have NEVER
had a Bad Trip ...But tomorrow We are leaving for CAL.
and a Back-to-Back Alaska ..And , Cruise ON!!!
Thank you for confirming that I'm not missing anything and spend my money elsewhere
Hilariously I am not a Disney fan but I love Disney Cruises. The cabins are superior, the food is great, its very easy to avoid the kids, the adult areas are nice, the drunken idiot factor is non existent, I don't like casinos so that works for me and I love castaway cay. I also mainline all the star wars/marvel stuff I've missed in the room entertainment. I like Remy alot. Paolo is good. The ships are spotless. My travel partner and I don't do shows or late night stuff so its not a problem for us if there is or isn't alot there. I do agree about the tipping. It's very invasive and cringy. Afaik there are drinks packages, at least on the carribean trips, perhaps it was an EU change for them. I also ask the servers if they have/can make things other than the base menu. Last time my one server was from Chennai and we let it be known we loved Indian food, magically an Indian dinner was able to be had. Also Pirate night is hilarious. So I guess it's all down to what works for you personally.
I love your comment "the drunken idiot factor is non-existent"! Yes! That is definitely a major benefit :)
Well said..
As someone without underage kids, you convinced me never to sail Disney!
That's too bad. My husband and I like Disney but are not mega-fans. We have been on several Disney cruises without our kids and had a wonderfully relaxing time. But you really need to be a kid at heart and not afraid to be silly. I don't see this guy as having that type of personality.
All but one of my Disney cruises were solo. I actually loved going solo. If you don’t have the budget or not into nostalgia then it’s not for you.
Thanks for the video…….glad I watched it prior to ever trying a Disney cruise, as we will NEVER go on now! What a colossal waste of money that would have been for us! Appreciate your transparency.
I will soon be taking my 3rd Disney Cruise along with a friend of mine. We're both older ladies and we love Disney. No smoky casinos, no fights, really nice areas for adults only. Both of us are childless but it's kind of fun to see the little princesses and pirates running around. And we like the cleanliness and the fact that these ships are so well maintained. That said I've researched other lines extensively, just can't find one I like that sails out of my preferred port.
We did disney 10 years ago, with the kids. One of us is a physician, thus we could afford it (although even then it was expensive). We decided to branch out. Back then, dinner at Palo was 20 dollars, a great deal, now I think it is up to 35. It's not much different than their parks: if money is no object, then do it. The entertainment and shows were great. I think we find the food on other lines to be more varied and thus more exciting. But clearly Disney is doing something right, has many loyal adherents.
One thing I noticed that Gary only touched on at the end is the different requirements for excursions. For example, I went to Alaska on a Disney cruise. Often booking direct will be less expensive than booking through your cruise line. I took a particular excursion, and the exact excursion (with the same company, etc), booking direct and on other cruise lines had an age limit of 12 and up. However through the Disney cruise, that exact excursion allowed children as young as 5 years old.
So I feel like it might be worth the price if you are traveling with younger children and want to include all the children in your excursion. Otherwise it's probably only worth the higher price if there is someone you're traveling with who not only loves Disney but particularly loves meeting characters. (But I do also appreciate the split bathrooms, depending on the relationships I have with the people who might be sharing my cabin.)
I've cruised on Disney my entire life, and I will say looking at other lines it does seem that Disney really is just putting up the price for the brand. My last Disney Cruise I was unfortunately rather disappointed in the food and the crowds on the pool deck. My description of the food in my personal opinion: They want to be fancy and are failing to do so. To me it's insane when you can get a suite on a luxury cruise ship (Regent and a couple of others) for about 10,000 dollars less then a Disney Cruise, with all that comes included.
Another reason of the higher prices is probably due to the lack of an on-board casino. Those casinos bring in a lot of money for the cruise lines, and probably subsidize part of the fare cost.
Disney (DCL) books to capacity for children first so that they can assure they have staff to accommodate all kids clubs and activities and then they stop booking families and leave open adult only vacancies. Not a lot of people know that. Also their rooms have the added advantage of having the 2 spaces for getting ready versus one tiny room. It isn’t for everyone but it can be a great time for adults only as well at least in my experience. U can literally do as much or as little together as u like and still get back together for meals and fun island stuff. I’m surprised there was no comments on the quality/size of their staterooms. Also soda is included in your purchase. Just sharing some other thoughts
Excellent point. Even a standard inside stateroom on Disney has more space and more storage than any other cruise I've ever been on.
If you book Disney cruise when schools are in session, you will love it and appreciate how it’s better than most lines.
Well said. Also if you can line that up with just out of dry dock and/or repositioning it's really fantastic. If ya take the "I don't care what cabin they put us in" discount option,, you can get a nice free upgrade if the ship isn't running 100%. Best available and it's a nice perk.
Gary -- I honor your willingness to undergo this experience. I hope seeing the Disney fans' joy was a consolation.
Thanks for the video. Sadly, Disney is not what it used to be. It’s a big media conglomerate.
It's gone from an entertainment company to a cult, IMHO.
@@daveeggleston8218 and woke, surprised there wasn’t a drag queens show everyday. Just for the children of course.
The food quality has backed into hell at all the venues, even the extra-cost Palo.
Kind of like the NRA and churches. Weird.
I have never been a Disney fan, even as a little kid. It is now one of the companies dearest to my heart since they have doubled down on their commitment to being fair and equitable to ALL people in the face of attacks on their philosophy. I don't think I can love Disney any more than I do, even if I only have the slightest knowledge from when my daughter was young and into a few of the new movies. If the entire world looked at humanity way Disney does, we'd all be living in peace❤🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜
I love Disney. I love cruising (Holland America is my favorite). As much as I would love to try a Disney cruise I am not sure I would think it’s worth the money.
I loved the six Disney cruises I’ve been on but I agree it’s very expensive.
My only cruise was a Disney one and you definitely pay for the branding. I'd had 5 very stressful years that eclipsed my 50th birthday so I celebrated my 55th big time and went 'uber'. I was worried it would be saturated with Disney but I didn't feel like it. I didn't go to any deck parties - I'm not a party person anyway. The adult area was sizeable and amazing! I do love kids but appreciated them not coming in there. It was expensive but I was just one person doing my own thing, I can't imagine a family of 4 paying for it. I always word it - was it worth the extra price? Not really. Am * I * worth the extra price? Yes.
Love it 😂❤
I believe the biggest reason DCL is more expensive is it has no Casino to help float the cost.. beside the usual stores specialty dinning and bars.. there isn't any other revenue generating. So I feel other lines can afford to offer the cheaper prices. Look at the deals you get when yo head to Vegas.. sometimes they have guarantee to spend 500 in the casino get your room for free. So yes.. bigger kids clubs, is great for families.. i don't think it affects how much you pay.. also some ships have single traveler rates and rooms.. which doesn't really matter in this discussion.. because i really feel its the fact of no casino. you'd be surprised how much revenue a casino makes.. 92% hold on money in for slots and requires very little staff.. and table games hold 18-25% of revenue dropped needing just a few more staff. And you missed 24/7 free room service! :) But ty for sharing your experience..
I never considered cruising with Disney. Thanks for confirming my decision.
It is expensive and definitely not for everyone. For us, we love it, we are a big Disney family and have only sailed Disney. I looked at other lines, but the feel wasn’t for us, they either look like a Las Vegas mall or theme park or frat party at sea and charge for everything it seems. I’m willing to pay for the magic of a Disney cruise. Maybe the more people who decide against DCL will mean I can get a chair on the pool deck 😂
Very fair review. Just a couple of differences in points of view. First, the cabin shown sleeps 4 not 5. The bunk pulls down and the sofa flips over rather than pulling out. This is one of my favorite features because it leaves the walk way to veranda open and usually more comfortable than pull out sofas. The cabins that sleep 5 are larger with twin Murphy bed added. That bed does block the veranda. I felt opposite about gratuities. Having the envelopes with stubs showing tips paid allows the opportunity to give something to your service provider instead of going to dinner empty handed. On other lines I take thank you cards for additional tips. I’m happy to have envelopes provided so I don’t bring my own. Just a difference of opinion. As far as cost, I have found sailings that are drastically more expensive than other lines and others that are similar to others depending on time of year and location. Disney cruise’s during school vacations can be double + vs the same cabin, itinerary, ship during weeks while are school in session. I have also noticed that early booking seems to effect Disney pricing more than other lines. The Disney devoted usually book on or near opening day. So, as sailing date approaches cruises can be close to sell out pushing prices up. Sometimes when I price Disney vs other lines pricing is closer by the time you double the occupancy and add port fees and taxes. My biggest reason for choosing Disney vs other lines wasn’t highlighted. Cabin layout with the split bath and being able to split the cabin with the curtain makes a big difference to my family. It’s much easier for a couple of people to get ready at the same time. The one thing I don’t enjoy is that the main beds don’t split. That’s probably better for couples, but not quite as nice for 2 singles sharing. Thanks!
In addition, the cabins will never be 100% full because of lifeboat capacity. Just because you can fit 4 or 5 people into each of the rooms doesn't mean the ship will ever be able to actually do so. And yes, the split bathroom is amazing!
@@ladymacb29 I’m glad you confirmed the lifeboat issue. I had always heard that too. My understanding is you sometimes had to move cabins if you added a person and your muster station/lifeboat was full.
Great review! All valid observations. Our family loves all things Disney, and my husband and I travel on Disney Cruises with or without our “kids” (who are all adults now). We love it!
DCL was great....I've done 30 cruises with them, but none recently. First, most of our favorite crew members have moved on. Secondly, the prices are thru the roof. We did 2 weeks in Alaska in a suite on Princess for half the cost of one week on Disney in a balcony cabin. I agree, DCL is prettier, had better entertainment, etc. But everyone in my house is grown up now, and there is no point in paying the ridiculous surcharge (called cruise fare) for their kid program when we don't have anyone taking advantage of it. DLC for adults without kids is just OK. Yes, there are adult only spaces, and some of the time they even keep the kids out. But.....I have a TransAtlantic crossing coming up on an adult only line. The base fare for a porthole cabin on DCL is double what I'm paying for a balcony, and by the time I would add in the wifi, specialty restaurants, gratuities, etc. that are included in my booking, DCL would be three times as much! We loved DCL, but no more. And prices didn't used to be like this!
I probably wouldn't HATE doing a Disney cruise solo with no kids...but I'd definitely hate that price-point. I'll stay a Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruiser, thanks. :)
You couldn't pay me to go on a Disney cruise!
As a huge Disney fan the price of the cruise is worth it to me.
I remember a travel agent talking about this where they said that while they enjoyed Disney Cruises and is their bread and butter as travel agents for their agency. They recognize that parents or couples are likely to grow out of the brand either for price or changing needs in cruising. Disney works great for some but it's not the line for everyone and that is okay.
I love Disney cruises……. I’m 71!
Wonder when I’m going to grow out of it?
Never been on a cruise, but I'm back in my Crusiing RUclipsr watching
As huge Disney fans, we love Disney Cruise Line as it's a better value option to get the Disney experience than going to the Disney Parks (plus you get the benefits of cruising/relaxing, which you don't get at the parks). But we are only willing to pay so much, and for the itineraries that we want to do where the Disney prices are even more outrageous (Europe, Hawaii, etc.), we book with other cruise lines. Very excited to try Celebrity next year!
I have done two Disney cruises. One was through the Caribbean on Fantasy and it was crowded and hectic with so many young children. My own children loved it so much, and we were happy they were entertained, so also had a great weak.
Later on we went through a Norwegian fjords and Iceland cruise on Disney Magic, and because of the destination there were far fewer children. My own children were older and still call it one of the best weeks of their life, but it was a much better cruise for the adults on board- less crowded, great destination and the all around Disney quality entertainment.
I’d be careful about picking a similar destination if we were to do it again.
We did a Disney cruise in 2018 and it was amazing! Pricey but amazing-they spoiled us! We are planning an Italy/Greek isles cruise next year and I priced out several cruise lines-Disney was triple the price. I can’t justify that. I’m glad we got to experience one cruise but the price is asinine
I found too many parents let their kids run wild on my Disney cruise. The shows and regular dining were unendurable, as a result. Plus, the cost was outrageous. Now with the cutbacks, layoffs, and corporate politicking, I wouldn’t go near a Disney cruise.
Thanks for the video. Having sailed on multiple cruise lines I settled on Disney. To me it is worth it
We have only ever cruised with Disney-2 sailings on the Magic, 1 sailing on the Dream. This summer will be our family’s first Royal Caribbean cruise. It will be interesting to see how they match up. I had been told RC would be a good swap.
We did one Disney cruise when our son was younger. It's was a mostly lovely experience, but we wouldn't do it again. For us, the crew and the productions made the cruise. Really top notch. And the cabin design with the split bathroom (separate toilet) was absolutely the best! I wish all cruise cabins were like that! We tried the kids' club twice and on the second try, we found our child frozen in the exact same spot that we had left him in almost two hours later. He was overwhelmed by the amount of kids, the noise, etc. And there weren't enough crew working the club to notice. We also tired of the kids running up and down the hallways. Our next cruise was on Celebrity and our son absolutely loved the kids' club experience there and we loved the more adult atmosphere and much better food!
I'm an avid cruiser and finally went on my first Disney cruise last week. We were on the Wish and it was a bit underwhelming. The ship is beautiful, and the staff friendly, but not much better than Royal, NCL, Princess, or Celebrity. It was certainly not worth nearly three times the cost.
I think the cruise has a better value than the parks but unless you have a family… I don’t see the appeal
Good point versus the parks. They have got very costly
Disney all over now overpriced. It's just not worth it for anyone intelligent
It's way easier to budget for cruising Disney than going to the parks nowadays. In peak season it's very likely to miss a lot in the park if not paying extra things like genie+, signature dining or after hour events. Instead, we at least can see the skyrocketed cruise fare before we book cruises and know that's what exactly costs the most.
Good one Gary! I now know there's absolutely no chance of our cruising in such a giant kids club.
It is NOT a giant kid's club. They obviously have no problem filling ships and not only with just families. Some of you are so weird with your mentality.
@jaklg7905 My apologies! I forgot there were adults who love kiddy cartoon characters.
@@calumshaw And there are adults who like to still drink like they're in high school.
@scottcald Pray tell Scot, what has that got to do with Disney Cruises? By the way, being a Scot, Scot, I love my Glenfiddich 18.
@@calumshaw And yet you can go the whole cruise without interacting with any of the characters. They are beautiful ships and there is plenty to do without interacting with characters. It is weird that your brain automatically goes to that. Your ignorance is showing.
I'm not that much of a cruiser fanatic but after traveling with NCL, RCCL and Disney. Disney had better service by a long margin. At least on the ship I was ( Disney Wonder).
In the other hand, prices are outrageous now on Disney.
I love Disney cruises but I also love Disney. I have been on 4 including the new Wish. You should definitely try one of the bigger ships
There’s no denying the Disney ships are the prettiest from the outside . Wish I could have done a Disney cruise as a child those kid clubs look amazing
My husband was TOTALLY anti cruise. I made him go on a Disney Cruise and he LOVED it! Nary a complaint!
I'll be doing my first Disney Cruise in September. I've never done one before, and it fit in with some other things I had going on in Orlando at the time. Yeah, it's expensive, but I can afford it and I'm trying to do different things.
I don't expect to do many Disney cruises. I'm in the market for a new primary cruise line due to Royal Caribbean's recent changes (especially the food), but I don't think Disney is going to be the one. Maybe Celebrity, maybe Princess, maybe Norwegian.
Great video as always.
I wonder though that you did not talk about your opinion look of the ship itself. I love the design which is an homage to ocean liner from the 30's with a modern & Disney twist !
(for texample there is hardly any disney touch in the adult only aera)
After 4 DCL cruises I am ready to try a new line but the huge modern glitzy mall don't attract me.
I may be old fashoned but when on a ship I don't want to feel like I am on a modern hotel or resort.
I quite enjoyed it when my kid was toddler age. The princess photos were a highlight of the trip. I wouldn’t pay the 3x prices today. The best deal was the repositioning pacific coast cruise on the Disney Wonder where the port was either leaving from Los Angeles port or Vancouver port. The evening fireworks show was terrific. It felt like a theme park because you have to stake your spot to see a show an hour before and also for the princess photos.
Disney has already received my last dollar. So, hard pass on a cruise!
Bottom line, a Disney Cruise is worth the premium fare for those who really, really love Disney. Just like a week-long vacation to the Disney theme parks - which for those of us in the U.S. can cost 2x as much or more as a much longer international vacation - continues to be worth it for those who are true Disney fans. I am a mild Disney fan, primarily for reasons of nostalgia, and I’m a one-and-done Disney cruiser.
Yes! It is scary though some recent fares especially in Europe....
Thank You so much for doing this video. I am a huge Disney fan and this is my biggest bucket list to do. Top 5
I worked on the QE2 as a security officer, master at arms in the late 90's. I was in the London police, all Cunard security had to be ex British police or military, but they let us all go for people from developing countries who worked cheaper. I was told safety and security on cruise lines suffered from this, did you notice.
I wanted to share that the couches when made into a bed are for a single person only. The back flips down to make a smaller than a twin size bed. Also gratuities are not paid in cash but you are billed for them. If you want to tip extra above the amount you are billed for, then you put cash in the envelope.
We were on this cruise and have spotted ourselves in your video! Amazing memories! Loved this trip!
Fab!!!!
It's not just that I'm a non-parent. I have never in my life had much interest in Disney characters/stuff.
While I am a fan of Gary, I'm not a fan of Disney. I do like some of Disney's movies (older ones) but I doubt I would ever go on a Disney cruise. JMHO.
We enjoyed out Disney cruises back when our kids were younger. We only used the kid's clubs for one or two days. The Antimator's pallet was one of our favorite restaurants
So impressed that u tried Disney. U r so open-minded. I love ur videos; the most credible opinion on cruises. We just booked our Alaska cruise based on ur HAL review. Keep it up, thank u 4 best videos!!
From what I hear from parents, the best part is the kids babysitting or club services, including dinner service which allows parents to eat dinner without the kids. It’s great for parents who’d like a built in break/support for the kids.
This is, without doubt, my idea of cruising hell. Bon Voyage to the Disney Fan-Boys & Girls, but I’d rather spend my money on Seabourn or Silverseas.
Regarding the gratuities system: Disney's system sounds like they give you the information you need to tip the crew as you really want. I don't get the creepiness factor.
When I went on my first cruise back in 2002 I was told that there would be envelopes in my stateroom that I was expected to put my gratuities into, then give to the appropriate crew members. Or I could pre-pay my gratuities, which I found much more convenient.
These days some people talk about tipping the crew above the pre-paid gratuities and some people claim that the pre-paid gratuities don't go to the appropriate crew members. It seems to me that Disney's method tells you what the crew members receive so you can make a decision on whether to tip more, as well as giving you that opportunity to hand over the tips in person. Of course, if you think the pre-paid tips are sufficient, don't give any extra.
Gary, as always an informative vlog. Thanks.
My family of six have been taking Disney cruises for over 12 years twice a year or more we recently got back last week and have decided we're done they're just not worth the money anymore there's so many better alternatives out there far superior products and better pricing
The pricing is getting crazy that I’ve seen people posting they’ve been quoted for the new ships especially! What line/s are tiu thinking of going to as the next to try ?
Definitely heard a lot of good things about MSC looking forward to trying some better alternatives at least cheaper
I took my daughter on a Disney cruise when she was 9. It was the best cruise. The kids areas are included in the fare so, there was no paying extra for kids activities. They had a character breakfast and the characters put on a show and got all the kids involved. In addition, when getting pictures with the characters, the photographer would take their picture and then allow you to take a picture so you didn’t have to buy the pictures they took. Also, when you took your kids to the specific areas, they gave you a pager in case your child needed you.
Great review. The Magic was our first Disney cruise. Thank you for all of the information ! 👍🏻💯
We’re doing 2 Disney cruises next week, can’t wait. Thanks for this.
Thank you for this video. I didn't realize just how omnipresent the Disney theme is. I'd sail on Disney, but not at such a premium. I had heard that they provided good adults-only areas, however, and that's a plus. For a Disney fanatic, I'm sure it's an amazing experience.
I've been on a whopping 2 cruises, but the first we went on was a Disney cruise. We had a great time, but I felt the same as you did even with it being my very first cruise! My second cruise was with RC, but I didn't find them, overall, to be incredibly different, it just wasn't Disney everywhere you looked. We have a friend that wants to exclusively sail Disney and can't understand why we don't want to go. We could go on longer cruise with more excursions and pay the same as we would on a much shorter Disney cruise! Maybe it's because I am not enamored with Disney, but the elevated cost for what we got wasn't worth it, in my opinion, to make that my go-to cruise line.
Wonderful, honest and Informative!! Ty 😊Theresa
I was on this cruise! Caught myself boarding the ship in your video.
The sofa bed only sleeps one (it's a twin). Appreciated the comparison!
You are the best Cruise Liner youtuber out there. Thank you for all you do.
Thanks for watching !
This was a question that I've wondered fit a while l. Thanks for the video.
Saw this one after your review of Queen Mary 2. We went on a Disney Cruise when my kids were toddlers. The only reason we went was because we got a huge Florida resident last minute discount which I believe isn’t possible anymore. I loved it because I am a huge Disney fan!! Like huge but I can see for the average person without little ones how it would not be worth the price.
My son is now 10 and one of his dreams is to go on the Queen Mary 2. I do believe my kids would enjoy the crossing now that they are a bit older. I would love to to a transatlantic cruise once in my life. Your videos are so informative .
My family has cruised on Disney maybe half a dozen times over the years going all the way back to the Big Red Boat in the late 80s/early 90s. It's important to note that Disney Cruises fits into the segment in a place that almost no other lines do--its priced, developed, and targeted as a "once in a lifetime" thing for families who may not do this kind of thing often or ever again. Families sometimes save up for years to take their entire extended family on these cruises. In our case, the matriarch and patriarch of our family group took all of about 20 family members on a cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary, and we weren't the only ones in that situation.
If you judge the cruises against other lines, it's going to fall short in most areas. But if you judge it as more like a theme park experience on the seas, I think it'd make a lot more sense.
My wife and I are huge Disney fans. Have a collection of over 50 premium Disney snowglobes and a complete Disney DVD and Blu ray movie library. We've been sailing with Celebrity cruise and thought about doing Disney. Your video just made us understand more why we shouldn't try Disney cruise. We love Disney but we are also wise.
Love your honest review! Even though I’m a huge Disney fan (DisNerd, Disney Adult), it’s always refreshing to hear non-biased reviews.
That being said, I want to say something about the gratuity envelopes (I’m American so this could be why I feel this way as we are exposed to tipping much more than other countries from what I understand): I loved the idea. I feel like it added to our relationship with our server. Personally, he never made us feel like we had to give him or his co sever more tip. He just talked about how to fill out the forms on our last night to make sure it was done correctly. I’m sorry your server pressured you into tipping more. As a former server, that usually works against them lol. That being said, our server told us that we didn’t NEED to bring the envelopes to them and that the room steward would make sure they got them.
I love Disney. I grew up with Disney.