Hi,
Can anyone recommend any good websites to keep an eye on for disney cruise packages or discounts? Or email lists to join to be notified of sell offs etc.
Thanks
Hi,
Can anyone recommend any good websites to keep an eye on for disney cruise packages or discounts? Or email lists to join to be notified of sell offs etc.
Thanks
Mousesavers.com is generally the best place to keep an eye on things. Signing up for Facebook and Twitter feeds associated with MousePlanet sponsors help keep you in the loop as well.
However with DCL, you are rarely going to find very big discounts. Every once in a while, one will pop up, but for the most part, they appear to be very specific. Unfortunately, its not like a WDW trip where there are "blanket" offers such as 20% of a Moderate hotel, etc. The best bet is to book as early as possible since as you get closer to your trip, prices go up as demand goes up. Sometimes dramatically.
The best thing to do is to get connected with a good travel agent who will offer you a stateroom credit as a booking incentive. (In most cases, the base price of the trip will remain pretty much the same between TA's as well as DCL directly.... they dont have much wiggle room, per DCL rules.)
Also, if you are a Disney Visa card holder, they have special 0% financing for 6 months for DCL trips and stateroom credits as well, which can be combined with any credits that a TA gives.
All of this combined can help you get the best value for your vacation dollar.
Hope this helps.
The search function is like the Force. It may take practice, but the more you use it, the more control you will have over it!
I echo GusMan advice.
I book all my WDW stuff myself. However, I have done 3 DCL (going again in May) I always book these with a TA who knows her DCL stuff. A good TA will almost always just apply any discount that you may fit if they come out. If you know you might fit a certain area of discounts that your TA might not pick up on tell him/her when you book so they can keep a lookout for these. My TA is aware that we are FL residents and if a deal is offered I know she will hop on it. Stateroom incentives are a nice perk, one I'll gladly enjoy, but peace of mind knowing I have professional who is doing her best with my vacation to save me money and give me professional service is why I suggest a good TA.
I also say book early! When I cruised last March my sister thought about adding the trip in December. The same cruise, same cabin cat, same number of people, and same adult/child ration was 3 times what I paid by booking the week prices came out a year and one month earlier.
Mily
Would getting a week on a DCL Carribean cruise with 2 ad, 2 kids and a balcony for 4K max, tax in, be a pipedream?
Not all weeks are the same price on the Disney Cruise Line...but I decided to play around with the parameters of looking for a 7-night sailing to the Caribbean (on either the Magic or the Fantasy) during different non-peak weeks, and don't see a verandah stateroom for four guests at $4K. Generally, the ballpark is closer to $5K, but there are so many factors that affect pricing.Originally Posted by fleming
Rule of thumb: prices are best when itineraries are first announced. As the ship capacity fills, prices go up. I've seen this happen within the first few hours of a new itinerary release.
*Sometimes* there are offers that will provide some discounts, such as promotions for Florida or Canadian residents, military personnel, or kids sail free. If that's the case, and you already have a reservation, it's possible that the new pricing can be applied to your reservation. (One of my clients saved nearly $900 with the Kids Sail Free offer for Mexico this way.)
Disney understands supply and demand. Prices are higher during peak travel times, such as winter break/holidays or summer. There are also cruises that I've found space for adults but cannot book a family because the kids' clubs are at capacity. So, while there may be space onboard the ship, it's limited as to who can book it.
At a recent meeting with my Disney reps, we learned that 2012 sailings are already more than half booked (begging the question: is the ship half full or half empty?).
MaryK@CruisingCo.com
Thanks very much.
Behind Disney, what 2 cruise lines would you recommend for 2 ad, 2 kids under 10? (Carribean and/or mexico, departing from Florida)
At the risk of sounding like a heretic on this forum, (hey, I've been flamed for this before) I really like Royal Caribbean for families, especially the Freedom class and Oasis class ships. My family absolutely loved our cruise on the Oasis almost two years ago, and we'd go back in a heartbeat. I also sailed on Allure earlier this year as part of an agent trip, and think it's a fabulous ship with tons of things to do for all ages. Freedom class ships will be more affordable with great amenities, and it's logical that the newer ships are still commanding premium rates.
But to make nice with the forum, Disney ships are a top-notch choice for families, and nobody else has fireworks at sea or some of the terrific entertainment that makes a Disney cruise so special.
While I dont think Mary is being a heretic, what I can say is that for every person that I talked to who did DCL and non-DCL trips, they always said that the DCL trips were hand down the best experience between all of them, with or without kids.
The search function is like the Force. It may take practice, but the more you use it, the more control you will have over it!
You haven't asked MY kids about the Oasis then.
But for the purposes of this board, your sentiments are exactly spot-on.
Well, this DCL freak is thrilled to hear that your kids love RCCL Oasis. My kids are at "the age" where pulling them from school for a cruise just can't happen anymore. We also have the whole party of 5 issue. We're currently priced out of DCL market for family cruise. At least for a while. I doubt FL resident rates, kids free or any other special will ever be seen on our travel dates. My fear in doing an Oasis cruise is that my kids will not be as happy as on a DCL which in turn makes my cruise less than desirable.You haven't asked MY kids about the Oasis then.
But for the purposes of this board, your sentiments are exactly spot-on.
To be honest if I could afford it DCL would be my 1st and only choice. Thanks for your honest opinion Mary. This gives me something to consider.
When do military discounts generally go out? We booked our cruise for May 12, 2012 and the final payment is due Feb 27th.. they said after the final payment, you will be charged for any changes, so basically i am asking.. do you think i have ANY chance of scoring a military discount before feb 27th.. My gut is NO!! But Mary- you seem to know a lot about discounts and prices ( travel agent and all)
**Kristin**
You just have to have it in you... the MAGIC*
It's hard to say when offers become available for cruises, and it's not always available for every itinerary. I did a quick check for Bahamas/Caribbean sailings in May but don't see availability.
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