The Magical Tax of Cruising with Mickey Mouse

The Disney Cruise Price Disparity

I just booked my first Disney cruise with adult money last night. I knew the price was higher than the competition, but the product is extremely popular with cruising fans. I booked a 5-night sailing on the fleet’s oldest ship, the Disney Magic that goes to both of their private islands, Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay, its newest island. I was prepared for the price point but even I had a bit of shock when I paid $2,762.12 for an interior cabin. On a ship built in 1998. This price is one of the cheaper options too. In the slow months of cruises. So how does this weigh when compared to my other cruises in 2024? All of these prices are for two people.

My next cruise coming up is on the Utopia of the Seas, which is a brand-new ship, just opened in July of 2024. The difference in age between the ships is my age. 26-year gap in cruise ships usually really shows their age. The Carnival Liberty was a cruise I went on last year it was built in 2005 and it was in very rough shape. Disney vs Carnival seem like very different companies so I have a bit of hope that it will be in good shape. The price I paid for the newest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet was $1238.16 for an interior on a 3-night sailing in November. About $410 a night vs $550 a night for Disney. For a BRAND-NEW SHIP. 

I also went on a Virgin 5-night in August with the total price being $1694 for an interior cabin. A cruise ship that started sailing in 2022. The ship was in good condition as well. 

In February, I took the plunge on a Carnival because the rate was just so good and it was on one of their newer ships built in 2016. I got a great rate at $329.40 for a 3-night interior cruise on the Carnival Vista. $110 a night is pretty good for me. With $100 spending credit on top of it. Unfortunately, it was shortened by a day due to Vista having all sorts of issues that have carried over throughout this year; it has shown up on the news a few times. For such a cheap price, I couldn’t help it. It is 18 years younger than the Disney Magic. 

These price points are just so different. $2700 for a ship from 1998 is the most I have ever paid for a cruise, by a pretty wide margin. A 10-night cruise to Iceland costs a little over $4000, but because Mickey Mouse is on board, they can charge these prices. I don’t know, it feels like a price gouge at the moment. One of their biggest attractions is that soda is included in the fare, as for all other cruise lines, it is a separate charge. The Virgin had this as well, but I just don’t drink soda, so it isn’t as attractive for me. When I was younger, I went on a Disney cruise and got several root beer floats with this feature so maybe I’ll do that. With that being said.  I have never disliked any cruise I have been on, and I love Disney products, so logic states I should enjoy this cruise. Their theming and details are always on another level, but will it be twice as good as the Utopia of the Seas? A cruise ship that just started sailing this year. Will it be worth seven sailings on the Carnival Vista??? I’m not sure. And I’m not sure if I want it to be that. I don’t want to skip out on seven Carnival Vista cruise vacations in favor of one Disney cruise that is a month older than me. I don’t want to fall in love with the product and turn away from the other cruise lines. Which means I would go on fewer cruises. I’m still open. Will it be worth it? Check back in a year.