Originally Posted By RoadTrip I know Disney cruises have a reputation of being very expensive, but I think they are an excellent value. Sure, they are considerably more expensive than Carnival, but then you get what you pay for. The cost of a 4-day cruise to the Bahamas during September for a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Veranda for two adults is $1,634, or $408.50 per day. Although the staterooms on a ship have to be compact, the Deluxe with Veranda is easily equivalent to a WDW Disney Deluxe room. In fact when you consider all the dining and entertainment options available on the ship, it exceeds any WDW deluxe that I am aware of. One of the least expensive WDW Deluxes is the Wilderness Lodge. During the off-season a standard view room there costs about $300. For the extra $108.50 per day you are getting meals for two people with all the options and snacks you could possible want. It would be hard for two adults to eat at WDW for $108 per day even using food courts and quick-service places... absolutely impossible at table service restaurants or buffets. I calculate that a Disney cruise is $200-$300 LESS per night than a WDW vacation... even before adding the cost of park tickets. Any souvenirs or liquor you buy on a cruise are of course an added expense, but the drinks are very inexpensive compared to the Disney resorts... I would assume because they do not have to pay U.S. liquor taxes for shipboard drinks. For those of you who have thought it would be fun to try a Disney Cruise but always assumed it was too expensive, please give it a try. If you can afford a vacation at WDW you can EASILY afford a Disney Cruise.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 If you can afford a vacation at WDW you can EASILY afford a Disney Cruise.<< Nice post but with the rising cost of a WDW vacation, Disney is pricing a considerable amount of people out of a vacation with Disney...this goes for the park and the cruise line...
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< For the extra $108.50 per day you are getting meals for two people with all the options and snacks you could possible want. It would be hard for two adults to eat at WDW for $108 per day even using food courts and quick-service places... absolutely impossible at table service restaurants or buffets. >>> Yep. And in addition to buffets, quick service, and table service, DCL fares include free 24x7 room service. Try ordering a full meal with appetizers at WDW from room service and see what that does to your budget! <<< the drinks are very inexpensive compared to the Disney resorts. >>> That was indeed a pleasant surprise. I describe it as being standard bar or restaurant prices for drinks, rather than theme park prices.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Although the staterooms on a ship have to be compact, the Deluxe with Veranda is easily equivalent to a WDW Disney Deluxe room >>> Especially so when you consider the differences in maintenance and housekeeping. Everything in the staterooms is kept, well, in ship-shape top repair, it's spotlessly clean, and includes twice-daily housekeeping. All of this is a far cry from what's going on at WDW recently.
