Confused about how this works

[Fjobe]

As soon as the March 2013 cruises come out to book, I want to do so. What I am confused about is all this silver, gold, and platinum business. Are previous cruisers able to book before a first timer? How will I know when the cruises are available to me. If I go through an agent can I book as soon as they are announced? Are all the good prices gone by the time previous cruisers have booked (this is if they do get to book earlier)?

 

[Samantha_Mommy]

Oh I would like to know about this as well--- it will be my 4th cruise by the time 2012 is released ---am I considered silver?

 

[mousejunkie98]

Yes, you'll be considered silver until you complete your 5th cruise, so on your 6th you're a gold member.

Gold and Platinum members do get advance booking opportunities on new itineraries and new ships, and they're notified of when they can book. Once the dates are released to the general public, anyone can book. Using a TA will not get you gold/platinum early booking benefits.

It's very rare that the gold & platinum members fill up the ship before the bookings are opened to the general public. An exception was the recent announcement of a single, 15-night sailing to Hawaii. That one sailing was so hot it filled within hours, and in that case a good portion of the cabins at the lowest prices were taken by the gold & platinum members. But that was a special case that doesn't happen that often.

 

[Samantha_Mommy]

so correct me if i'm wrong....when the 2013 dates are released they let previously cruiser know first? How do they do this?

 

[truck1]

so correct me if i'm wrong....when the 2013 dates are released they let previously cruiser know first? How do they do this?

They will say that Platium cruiseres can book from say Oct 1 2011, until Oct 5, then Gold will be added from Oct 6th until Oct 10th, then open boarding.
If you want a specific 2013 trip, dont wait. As soon as the boarding window opens, (it wont close until either the ship is full or a few days before the sail date) put at least a hold on your cabin, and put a deposit on it right away. The prices have jumped in the first few days of several cruises, based on demand. Especially special cruises such as the Inuag Alaskan, the NYC and Galveston trips, to name a few.

 

[mmouse37]

so correct me if i'm wrong....when the 2013 dates are released they let previously cruiser know first? How do they do this?

If you continue to read these boards you will know. DCL usually makes an announcement of what dates bookings will begin. They will also announce when the general public can book. They usually hold a press conference or a webcast to the TA's with these dates and the info is posted immediately on these boards so keep reading and you know about it as soon as it happens. You will have a little advance notice.

MJ

 

[twindaddy]

If you continue to read these boards you will know. DCL usually makes an announcement of what dates bookings will begin. They will also announce when the general public can book. They usually hold a press conference or a webcast to the TA's with these dates and the info is posted immediately on these boards so keep reading and you know about it as soon as it happens. You will have a little advance notice.

MJ

Not that this applies to me, but if I am a gold member, how to I book during my window using a TA? Can they book on my behalf in my advanced window? gotta get those DU benefits.

wow, I am crazy, asking a quesiton that will not apply to me for atleast four years.

 

[clten]

Not that this applies to me, but if I am a gold member, how to I book during my window using a TA? Can they book on my behalf in my advanced window? gotta get those DU benefits.

wow, I am crazy, asking a quesiton that will not apply to me for atleast four years.

Yes as long as they have your CC # (or the basic info to find it, which they need to book you anyway), DCL can confirm your CC status and allow them to book a cruise for you in that advance booking window.

And just to correct one small thing from a pp. DCL has had this new advance booking perk in place for two years of new date/itinerary announcements. Platinum and Gold have always been able to book at the same time. There has not been a bigger lead time for Platinum over others. (We get so much bad press for taking up all the Palo reservations, I feel the need to share the anomosity on this with the gold cc members!)

 

[twindaddy]

Yes as long as they have your CC # (or the basic info to find it, which they need to book you anyway), DCL can confirm your CC status and allow them to book a cruise for you in that advance booking window.

And just to correct one small thing from a pp. DCL has had this new advance booking perk in place for two years of new date/itinerary announcements. Platinum and Gold have always been able to book at the same time. There has not been a bigger lead time for Platinum over others. (We get so much bad press for taking up all the Palo reservations, I feel the need to share the anomosity on this with the gold cc members!)

Thanks for the info.

As a first time cruiser, I do find it ironic that the Plats/Golds get first shot at Palo checking in first, then they get to get on the ship first (since they can check in first and get a better arrival time than me, in theory) and then they can get on the ship and book palo on board first. This isnt a big deal for me, I am not really interested in Palo, I am more a meat and potates kind of guy, but I am surprised I dont hear more "Palo was booked online and by the time I got on the ship". I guess if you are a first timer and REALLY want Palo, it will happen.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks for the info.

As a first time cruiser, I do find it ironic that the Plats/Golds get first shot at Palo checking in first, then they get to get on the ship first (since they can check in first and get a better arrival time than me, in theory) and then they can get on the ship and book palo on board first. This isnt a big deal for me, I am not really interested in Palo, I am more a meat and potates kind of guy, but I am surprised I dont hear more "Palo was booked online and by the time I got on the ship". I guess if you are a first timer and REALLY want Palo, it will happen.

We have cruised twice with DCL We have booked last minute twice. We have eaten at Palo four times (brunch x 2, dinner x 2). If you want it badly enough, if you do everything you can to make it happen, and maybe have a little pixie dust drift your way, it can happen.

- Dreams

 

[mickeyfan1]

Thanks for the info.

As a first time cruiser, I do find it ironic that the Plats/Golds get first shot at Palo checking in first, then they get to get on the ship first (since they can check in first and get a better arrival time than me, in theory) and then they can get on the ship and book palo on board first. This isnt a big deal for me, I am not really interested in Palo, I am more a meat and potates kind of guy, but I am surprised I dont hear more "Palo was booked online and by the time I got on the ship". I guess if you are a first timer and REALLY want Palo, it will happen.

Well, be that as it may, if Platinum members want to check in 120 days prior to the cruise, they must be paid in full. Gold, PIF at 105 and Silver at 90. So being able to book early does cost you sooner! Everyone must be PIF at 75, so first time cruisers may be shut out of on line reservations for Palo, but there seem to be plenty of dinner reservations on board. There are plenty of meat and potato dishes at Palo, they even serve liver and onions, and if that isn't standard diner fare, I don't know what is. Tea and brunch reservations are hard to get as they are only served on sea days, so a 4 night cruise has one brunch and one tea, those tend to book up online, sometimes before platinum can do it because concierge guests get the very first crack.

 

[NancyIL]

They will say that Platium cruiseres can book from say Oct 1 2011, until Oct 5, then Gold will be added from Oct 6th until Oct 10th, then open boarding.

Most recently, the platinum and gold CC members had a one-day booking advantage over the silver CC members and the general public. There is no advantage to being a silver CC member when it comes to booking newly-released itineraries.

 

[Fjobe]

Thank you! I will keep watching the boards. I am so excited about booking this cruise!!