Kids Sail Free deal

[Night Owl]

Hello all,

Just joined this forum today, but have been quietly reading it off and on for a few years

I searched the forum, and couldn't find my answer, so hopefully this is not a repeat question.

We have never done a cruise before, but have been considering Disney Cruise as an option. I happened to check DCL website this week and noticed the Kids Sail Free promo. I've been trying unsuccessfully all week to book a cruise for 2013 using that promo, however every time it tells me that there are no openings. I see people mentioning on this forum, that they just booked using that deal. So i am wondering 1) did they do that through the DCL website or a 3rd party booking (travel agent). Or am I just not checking the DCL website at the right times to book this deal?
Is it a lost cause to book this late for Jan/Feb 2013 dates for the kids sail free? Does DCL offer this promo often? Any specific times of year they offer it?
One more question (sorry!) What is the best way to find out when there are new specials/sales?
Thanks!
Cheryl

 

[KristiMc]

I do not have one of these cruises booked but I just checked the DCL site and was able to pull up a couple of 6 night cruises in January that are KSF.

 

[Bear3412]

Welcome to the Disboards.
I lurked for a year or two also.

The Kids Sail Free deal IIRC was for the sailings out of Galveston. And only for a few sailing dates. IIRC. Not sure which sailings you are referencing. The KSF promo is popular and disappears quickly. In fact professional cruises note the KSF sailings, then rebook. When KSF is offered it may have a tendency to overweight the kid to adult ratio. Many adults, perhaps traveling w/o kids choose to reschedule. Just an observation. KSF is usually always a great deal. You have to be fast to book, because they book up fast. This is an example where a Travel Agent is an asset. The TA can stay on top of the deals as they become available and let you now. The only way to know about said deals is to check the DCL website AFAIK. You would go to DCL website, then mouse over "Search for a Cruise", then click "Special Offers".

Here is the latest; KSF fwiw

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/special-offers/kids-sail-free-galveston/

These offers if available, inputting the discount code , should be available.
But again, us a TA, such as
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/cruise/specials.htm#sbc
so they can do the work and give you onboard credit to spend.

HTH

 

[Jax]

Hello,

There is no set pattern for when Disney offers Kids Sail Free Promotions, it is usually used to increase sales on dates that are not selling as well. In the past they have offered Kids Sail Free promotions for the Mexican Riviera and Caribbean - usually for sail dates between January and the beginning of March.

As the previous posters have mentioned, I did and test and was able to pull up several dates that are still available for the Kids Sail Free Promotion. When looking for prices, if you are on the Find a Cruise screen, be sure that you have selected Galveston as the departure city, that your travel dates are in January or February, and that the promotional code KFO is entered into the Special Offers Available section.

 

[Night Owl]

really? Are you entering the KFO code though? Cause when I do that, the availability goes down.

I do not have one of these cruises booked but I just checked the DCL site and was able to pull up a couple of 6 night cruises in January that are KSF.

 

[jjones144]

It depends on how many you have in your room. We booked KSF when they first came out for January. We are a family of five, but they have been sold out for 5 for awhile now. I searched for my friend tonight, they are a family of four, and there were still rooms available. Good luck.

 

[erocrobro]

They are offering them on Jan-March out of Galveston right now. I really wish we could cruise at that time, because when I pulled up a coulple of dates I realized that we could do a B2B for a total of 14 days for the same price that I'm paying now for 7 days on the Fantasy in June! Oh well, someday I will be retired and able to take advantage of deals like that!

 

[Jax]

When I check the following cruises come up under the KFO Promotion:
8 Night Bahamas:
- January 18
- February 15

8 Night Caribbean
- January 4

6 Night Caribbean
- January 12
- January 26
- February 9
- February 23

 

[Night Owl]

I think I've figured out the "issue" When I try to book 2 adults, 3 kids, there is no avail., however if I book with 2 adults, 2 kids then there are some options.

Anyway to get around this? My kids ages are 12, 8 and 4. The 4 year old could sleep with us in the queen bed, he doesn't take up much room. LOL.

 

[Bear3412]

Just curious as why the code now is KFO, when in the past it was KSF?
TIA

 

[Weedy]

Call Disney Cruise line directly and have them look for you.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

I think I've figured out the "issue" When I try to book 2 adults, 3 kids, there is no avail., however if I book with 2 adults, 2 kids then there are some options.

Anyway to get around this? My kids ages are 12, 8 and 4. The 4 year old could sleep with us in the queen bed, he doesn't take up much room. LOL.

I don't think they will book that way. Mostly because each room has to have the appropriate number of life jackets. Never hurts to keep trying. You are coming up on the final payment dates for some of these cruises, so people may cancel.

 

[lbgraves]

There is no way to book 5 people in a room for 4. DCL will only also allow bookings for the number of spots in the lifeboat station. I would suggest getting a TA to keep on top of this for you.

 

[Homefixitguru]

The kfo is such a great deal people will put holds on them. We tried for a week straight till we got it. We have 3 kiddos also. We did it when they offered the mexican riviera out of LA and now we are booked out of Galveston. It takes patience and trying all the time multiple timesp a day. If your serious and it comes available grab it. It won't be available for long. with a family of 5 you're looking at a Cat 4. If its available it will show. Keep trying and good luck!

 

[PizzieDuster]

Just curious as why the code now is KFO, when in the past it was KSF?
TIA

Great question Bear. I do know on our MR Kids sail free, the code was KFMR or KSFMR...but had the MR in it. I look every day for KSF offer and also try to beat my hubby to the mail box. That's how I learned of the first KSF offer. A postcard.

 

[triciari]

The kfo is such a great deal people will put holds on them. We tried for a week straight till we got it. We have 3 kiddos also. We did it when they offered the mexican riviera out of LA and now we are booked out of Galveston. It takes patience and trying all the time multiple timesp a day. If your serious and it comes available grab it. It won't be available for long. with a family of 5 you're looking at a Cat 4. If its available it will show. Keep trying and good luck!

Awesome info! I'd given up hope!

 

[Homefixitguru]

The March 1st Bahamian 8 night just came up when I checked. Don't know if that would work for you or not.

 

[PizzieDuster]

The kfo is such a great deal people will put holds on them. We tried for a week straight till we got it. We have 3 kiddos also. We did it when they offered the mexican riviera out of LA and now we are booked out of Galveston. It takes patience and trying all the time multiple timesp a day. If your serious and it comes available grab it. It won't be available for long. with a family of 5 you're looking at a Cat 4. If its available it will show. Keep trying and good luck!

Absolutely! I took me HOURS to keep refreshing to get a verandah stateroom. I got one, called my mom for her information, my nephews (they were first time cruisers), the right credit card, it was gone. Took me HOURS again to get another! But I didn't give up, I kept clicking over and over and over.

So have all your information and credit card available

Our KSF was after the 90 day mark and we had to pay in full. No reserving.

 

[Night Owl]

Yes after a closer look at the rooms, we would be on top of each other. I didn't think about the life jacket ratio, thanks for pointing that out.

There is no way to book 5 people in a room for 4. DCL will only also allow bookings for the number of spots in the lifeboat station. I would suggest getting a TA to keep on top of this for you.

Yes it would have, but no longer available.

The March 1st Bahamian 8 night just came up when I checked. Don't know if that would work for you or not.

Yes I just learned this lesson the hard way! On a whim, I checked just now and there was an opening for Jan 26th, 6 day cruise, but by the time I registered with Disney and got to the final check out screen it was gone! A total of probably 5 minutes and it was gone. I was heart broken! I will keep trying. I am going to consult with a TA at this point, cause we don't have passports either. From what I am reading, we could do enhanced drivers license for DH and I and the kids we can do the passport cards. So maybe for our first cruise, I should let the pros do it for me.

Absolutely! I took me HOURS to keep refreshing to get a verandah stateroom. I got one, called my mom for her information, my nephews (they were first time cruisers), the right credit card, it was gone. Took me HOURS again to get another! But I didn't give up, I kept clicking over and over and over.

So have all your information and credit card available

Our KSF was after the 90 day mark and we had to pay in full. No reserving.

 

[Homefixitguru]

The problem with a travel agent is unless they really care they will tell you it is sold out. As far as passports go I don't think you have to have them a birth certificate and photo ID are enough since you leave from a US port and return to a US port. I would keep trying we found late at night on Sun thru Mon were the most likely to have a spot open up.
The price is so good especially when sailing with 3 kids you don't want to give up.