Booking DCL

[HFJohnson]

We've decided to try out our first Disney cruise next year and August dates go on sale on Thursday. I've read that you get the best deals by booking as soon as the dates are released but does that mean we need to book on the very first day of release, or even at a certain time?

Also, I think I read that Disney cruises are fully refundable up to a certain point - is that right?

Any advice for a newbie welcome!

[gismo1554]

Hi.

Yes booking opens at 9am EST (so around 2pm here) I think. Some cruises go up within hours of opening others will stay low for months so it just depends on the cruise to be honest.

And you can pretty much cancel any non-conceirge room up to around 180 days before with no penalty I think.

[Bats]

Originally Posted by gismo1554

Hi.

Yes booking opens at 9am EST (so around 2pm here) I think. Some cruises go up within hours of opening others will stay low for months so it just depends on the cruise to be honest.

And you can pretty much cancel any non-conceirge room up to around 180 days before with no penalty I think.

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It's 8am for this release - great news! Although keep checking online before then as they may set the web earlier than the phones.

[HFJohnson]

Thanks for the replies. I'll be ready first thing on Thursday morning then! We're booking a 3 night Bahamas cruise in August 2020 if that makes any difference.

[gismo1554]

Originally Posted by Bats

It's 8am for this release - great news! Although keep checking online before then as they may set the web earlier than the phones.

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Woops! I didn't think 9 sounded right after I'd written it but I couldn't see it would be earlier! Thanks for the correction.

Originally Posted by HFJohnson

Thanks for the replies. I'll be ready first thing on Thursday morning then! We're booking a 3 night Bahamas cruise in August 2020 if that makes any difference.

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So it is unlikely this will sell out or prices will change much in the first few weeks/months as this is a standard route for DCL. It tends to be the non-Bahamain ones or the Double-Dip at Castaway that rise in price massively over the first few days.

[HFJohnson]

The 3 night I’m looking at in August does actually have two days at CC - do you think that will make a difference?

[Gill H]

Are you hooked up with a TA? We used Travel On A Dream last time and are doing so again. There are other agencies too. Definitely use a specialist US one though, not UK.

You have to pay in dollars (so we have put them on our FairFx card) but there are advantages - check the sticky thread.

Just waiting for Deb at TOaD to confirm mine now!

[HFJohnson]

Thanks Gill, no not thought about using a TA (I'm a DIY girl!). Whats the benefit of using one for cruises?

[Gill H]

Lots of things but particularly knowledge and personal service. Deb at TOaD has been a huge help.

On board credit too, and the ability to change or cancel with no charge.

[gismo1554]

Originally Posted by HFJohnson

The 3 night I’m looking at in August does actually have two days at CC - do you think that will make a difference?

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Hopefully you managed to sort things yesterday but yes this one is probably more popular than a standard one so prices might rise a little quicker.