Ask It Results: Ready for Your DCL Close-Up?

Are there any souvenirs better than photos? A photo can bring back memories of a moment of joy, a funny experience, or just the warmth of the great times had on vacation. And even though almost everyone carries a camera with them all the time, sometimes you want something a bit better than a cell phone snapshot for your memory. But professional photos on Disney Cruise Line can be very pricey. Last week we asked you:

When you take a Disney cruise, do you buy the professional photos taken on board?

Here’s your results.

No photos for me (285 votes, 46%)

There’s no question that taking a Disney cruise is expensive. Unlike some other cruise lines, there’s generally more value added with DCL than there are add-on hidden costs. One extra cost to budget for is photos. If you’re expecting prices similar to PhotoPass at Disney parks, you may be in for some sticker shock. As a result, many people opt to skip the photos altogether. The best way to avoid purchasing photos? Ask politely not to have your picture taken at embarkation or when photographers come around. Even if you do get some photos taken, if you don’t go and preview the photos at Shutters, you won’t be tempted to buy them.

Maybe a couple pics (240 votes, 39%)

Yes, they’re expensive. But if you’re like me, it’s rare to have a photo with everyone together in one shot, so it is worth it to pay for a photo here or there. Or maybe a photographer gets some great magical moment when you don’t have a camera ready, or you don’t like the way your photo turned out on your phone. Sometimes buying a photo here or there is worth it for those priceless memories. With the graphic borders, you do get a little something extra from buying a photo than you do on your own.

I’ll take the whole package (95 votes, 15%)

Even with the high cost of photo packages, it is possible to get your money’s worth. First, make sure that you buy your package before you get on board–you can save a bit by pre-purchasing a photo package. Second, make sure you chain yourself to a photographer and go wherever they go. Okay, not really, but any time you see a photographer with a camera, make sure they take a picture. If you plan to do a lot of character meet and greets, you can certainly get your money’s worth in photos with characters alone. Add to that embarkation photos, photos at Castaway Cay, photos at dinner, Pirate Night photos, Formal Night Photos…you get the picture. (Hah!) One person mentioned that they had done 150 photos on their cruise, so the photo package broke down to less than $1 per photo. It is possible to get your money’s worth, if you work for it.

That’s it for this week’s question. Do you agree with the results? Got any tips about the best photos to take on your cruise? And what do you do with any photos you get? Let us know in the comments.

Next week’s question is live on Twitter and here. We’ll see you next week as you share more of your views on #AskIt.