In this economy, are the boats really sailing full?

[jodifla]

With all the FLA resident discounts out, it seems like the boats must be really running below capacity.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I was wondering that myself. However, I don't really see any general public discounts out there to 'boost' attendance, like they offered after 9/11.

 

[dursin]

I was wondering that myself. However, I don't really see any general public discounts out there to 'boost' attendance, like they offered after 9/11.

No public discounts? What about the 'Take a 4/7 day cruise now and return in the fall for a $99pp 3 day cruise' and the 'Kids Sail Free' discounts that were recently offered? Not really a discount, but deposits have also been cut to 50%.

We were on the Wonder last month at Florida Resident discount rate and ship was full.

 

[TheWog]

I imagine that most of the current cruises were probably booked by many people upwards of a year or so ago. So these current sailings may be full, but I imagine this Summer and into next year they are lacking and need to get some rooms filled.

 

[Kborn]

I imagine that most of the current cruises were probably booked by many people upwards of a year or so ago. So these current sailings may be full, but I imagine this Summer and into next year they are lacking and need to get some rooms filled.

I'm with you in your thinking, but Disney had the foresight to move the Magic over seas where their money seems to be in better shape. Plus, they lowered the booking deposit which is the only reason we are going in Sept.

 

[outahere]

I have a feeling that the ships are not as full as they have been in the past, at least on some of the 7 night cruises. Due to a scheduling conflict we had to move a ressie from August to this April. When I called (less than 2 weeks ago) to make the switch, I had my choice of cabins in several different categories. The DCL web site is still not showing GTY status in at least cats 5 and 6 for that cruise, and here's the real kicker........ Main dining is still available and we're only 63 days from sailing!

 

[MississippiMom]

No public discounts? What about the 'Take a 4/7 day cruise now and return in the fall for a $99pp 3 day cruise' and the 'Kids Sail Free' discounts that were recently offered? Not really a discount, but deposits have also been cut to 50%.

Yes, these may be "public" discounts, but they weren't deep enough to make us consider cruising with DCL. We will have to wait for another year, or a different cruise line.

 

[bones]

Those cat 12's are the biggest discount, they had a 4 day cruise available for $417.(one day for a coupla hours) thats like a 60% discount, we scored 5 cabins. Plus an OBC(25.00), and the fuel surcharge refunded as OBC depending on time of sail.

 

[mkmommy]

When I was on the Wonder in December, on deck 2 it was closed off between the front and mid elevators on one side and they were working on the rooms, so that must be 20 rooms not sold.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm with you in your thinking, but Disney had the foresight to move the Magic over seas where their money seems to be in better shape. Plus, they lowered the booking deposit which is the only reason we are going in Sept.

Nah - it's a worldwide economic mess. Plus- some European currencies (like the British pound and the euro) have been hurt by a stronger US dollar. The prices DCL is charging for their 2010 Europe cruises are so high compared to similar itineraries on NCL (currently the only other cruise line with 2010 Europe itineraries released) that DCL will not be sailing full unless they do some serious price-cutting.

 

[wls23]

BONES -

did you score that great rate on the disneycruiseline website or from a third party? i'm trying to find a deal like that and have not been successful

 

[spaddy]

When I was on the Wonder in December, on deck 2 it was closed off between the front and mid elevators on one side and they were working on the rooms, so that must be 20 rooms not sold.

Same as our November cruise. They must have had those closed off for a while.

 

[tvguy]

Same as our November cruise. They must have had those closed off for a while.

I don't think they have the ability to quickly decide to just take cabins out of service for rehab if passenger load is light. I bet that was scheduled a year or so in advance, and those cabins not even put up for sale. Granted, I bet they picked what is a traditionally slow time of year.

 

[saratrw]

We just got off the Wonder yesterday and I do know the ship was full.

 

[jodifla]

We just got off the Wonder yesterday and I do know the ship was full.

But it seems to me they are only full because of the last minute deals for Florida travelers and all the other promotions they are doing.

 

[NancyIL]

But it seems to me they are only full because of the last minute deals for Florida travelers and all the other promotions they are doing.

Disney's promotions seem to be working at WDW as well.

 

[bwkwpw]

Cat 12 on the Wonder for Dec 13-17 09 is $399pp. Just booked ours yesterday

 

[jodifla]

Cat 12 on the Wonder for Dec 13-17 09 is $399pp. Just booked ours yesterday

Wow..good price!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

I'm with you in your thinking, but Disney had the foresight to move the Magic over seas where their money seems to be in better shape. Plus, they lowered the booking deposit which is the only reason we are going in Sept.

I dont think so we are getting battered paying for our next cruise the rate is so bad. Our econamy is the same as yours.

 

[Cruise]

No public discounts? What about the 'Take a 4/7 day cruise now and return in the fall for a $99pp 3 day cruise' and the 'Kids Sail Free' discounts that were recently offered? Not really a discount, but deposits have also been cut to 50%.

We were on the Wonder last month at Florida Resident discount rate and ship was full.

Yes, these may be "public" discounts, but they weren't deep enough to make us consider cruising with DCL. We will have to wait for another year, or a different cruise line.

These "discounts" also don't work for us. No kids, so kids sailing free doesn't do anything for us. And, coming from the West Coast, even at $99/person, it's not worth making the trip for a 3 day cruise. Considering we would have had to make the trip once already to even qualify for the 3 day rate, it's even more not worth it. We could add on extra days to do something else, but frankly, we don't really enjoy the parks that much and that would just add cost to what was supposed to be a "deal."