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Somehow, my son got wind that Disney Cruise Line released Summer 2021 itineraries yesterday. I didn’t tell him, and he doesn’t read my blog, so he must have heard it from someone at school. He’s begging me to book one.
Since I am a Gold Castaway Club member (5 or more cruises on DCL), I have access to all the prices today. Just for kicks, I decided to see what it would cost to get my family on a DCL cruise next summer.
College or Cruise
My family prefers 7-night cruises. I took two of my kids on a short 3-night MerryTime cruise last November, but my husband says he needs a full 7 days to relax.
So I scrolled past the 3- and 4-night cruises and paused at this 5-night cruise on the Disney Fantasy with two stops at Castaway Cay. It’s almost identical to our very first Disney Cruise back in 2012, which cost us $3700 in June 2012. The price has gone up just a little:
If money were no object, I would hop on this 9-night Southern Caribbean cruise:
We’ve also talked about taking a cruise around Europe:
These prices are for all 5 of us in one stateroom, which would now drive us nuts. We do much better with two connecting staterooms, but that would drive the price up even higher on some of the ships.
Back to Reality
The closer my oldest son gets to graduating from high school, the harder it is to justify taking a vacation that expensive. Tuition at in-state schools in Texas runs $10k-$15k a year, not including room and board. I’m sure if I asked my kids if they’d rather go to college or on a Disney Cruise next summer, they would all pick the cruise. Ha! But, someone’s got to be the voice of reality, and that someone is me.
After I explained this to my son on the way to school, he said, “So we’re just giving up on Disney Cruises forever?” Cue the sad voice.
I hope not. I do plan to pull my daughter out of school next year during her last year of elementary school for a 3- or 4-night birthday cruise. My sons can’t miss school anymore, unfortunately.
And, I do hope we can swing a short cruise on the new Disney Wish when it debuts in early 2022. Rumor has it that the new ship will be going on 3- and 4-night cruises. So even though I’m sure the price will be crazy, it won’t be as crazy as a 7-night cruise on a new ship. I’m hoping we can try the Disney Wish over Spring Break 2022.
Until then, we have a cruise planned for next year on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. I reminded my son how much fun he had on Royal Caribbean last year. Oasis of the Seas has some features I’m looking forward to, and I think the ship will be a good fit for my family.
Are you looking at Summer 2021 cruises on DCL? If money were no object, which itinerary would you pick?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
The one I found is way cheaper…
Leaving Aug 28 2021 for seven nights western Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy. Inside room $3144, Ocean view $3326, Veranda $3774.
We are doing 8 night Italy/Greece cost was $10k but $2k is covered by Grandma whose bucket list was to visit Italy and do a cruise. I’m still able to save for our daughter’s college! 😉 just do rebates and you’ll be able to afford as well!
@Alice That sounds like a wonderful trip, and great that Grandma can come along too!
As a DVC member I looked at the member cruise and just about died….I will NEVER spend that much for a cruise…even if I get an exclusive DVC gift every day! And reality is we will never have enough DVC points for that! It’s all good…I still love a good guys burger on a Carnival cruise…
I think there is a “luxury” or “treat” factor when you up the ante with Disney anything. Especially in the last five years. Then there is stupid-expensive. Like, how much can we push the price – or how hot can we make that pot of water? Lifetime Disney fan – and my kids were brought up visiting the parks every year – but I’m beginning to feel a little played. Cruise or college? Yeah. That’s stupid-expensive territory.
@Carole You’re right, some of those cruises for next summer definitely enter the “stupid-expensive” category! Especially those European cruises.
We took the Baltic cruise last year. The 2021 8 night greek cruise is pricing out at about the same rate when factoring in the extra night. In 2012 the economy was still crawling out of the cellar of the Great Recession plus everyone wants to travel nowadays. I suppose we can blame Instagram. Even so Disney has jacked up prices at eye watering rates. We have to be reaching a ceiling soon. They always send the smaller Magic to Europe and reserve the Dream and maybe the Wish for the shorter, more affordable cruises. It gives you an idea of the average person’s pain point. I have been told by people I know who are big cruisers that Disney is the nicest cruise line but you pay for it. Is it worth it? Value is often subjective so everyone has an opinion.
Here’s a good rule of thumb I’ve discovered when pricing cruises:
You can take one Disney cruise, or 3 RCL/Princess/Norwegien cruises. Same price.
@projectx Yeah, for my family it’s a 1:2 ratio depending on time of year.
My oldest wanted to do that 5 day Bahamian 2 stop @ Castaway Cruise for his graduation gift. Hmmm….yeah, that’s not going to happen…college will run about $7,000 (as of 2020) per year without books.
We’ll have to go with his 2nd destination, but I’m hoping the coronavirus will hopefully be a thing of the past by then.
@Stephanie I’m sure his second choice destination will be fun as well. 🙂
Insane! The 2012 prices were very doable. But this? WOW. And I’m sure they’ll sell out. It’s not just DCL that I’m being priced out of — WDW is increasingly getting to be just out of control with their prices and hoops they’re making us jump through.
Our Royal Caribbean cruise was fine enough, and I’ll probably stick with them for another sometime.
I do wonder if cruises will be discounted in light of the coronavirus. Hard to say at this point.
@Kacie I wondered the same about price drops due to coronavirus. To be honest, I’m not even sure I’m comfortable cruising next year on spring break. If the virus is like the flu and it comes back every year, I will be nervous getting on a cruise ship to anywhere. We don’t have to make our final payment until November or December.
Welp, that pretty much prices us out as well. Disney cruises are great (been on 2) but not THAT great. I don’t even see a decent possibility factoring in our placeholder.
Nope, nope, nope.
@Lindy You will see better deals if you can cruise during the fall. Can you pull your kids out of school, or go over a long weekend?
What the old saying…”I would never let school interfere with my child’s education” lol.
@Linday LOL That’s right!
When I first read this I thought “oh no, they won’t go anywhere now.” Then I realize how ridiculously these Disney cruises are priced compared to even Celebrity or Royal Caribbean. For young kids it might be worth it but I don’t see the value in the premium paid for kids over 10. Past that age destination and fun amenities like on RC outweigh the nostalgia.
@Johnson Adams My tween/teen boys loved the amenities on Royal Caribbean last year. I just have to keep reminding them of that, LOL.
We’ve been on 8 Disney cruises and see no end in site. Disney TAKE my money. We love Disney Cruises 🚢 and spend our hard earned money on them.
@Mindy You’re not alone! Disney keeps filling up those ships at those prices. Enjoy!