Questions about Booking Cruise

[JKeller]

Hello, I've been put in charge of booking a cruise and airfare for our next Disney vacation. I know the exact cruise I want (Disney Magic to the Bahamas for 5 Days on October 21st), but due to not being able to get a package through a travel agency, I have a few questions.

#1 - How do I book rooms that are right against each other/neighboring each other? We have 12 people going, and we need three cabins. Last time we went, we were able to get them all in a row. But when I go on the cruise site, they say I need to book one cabin at a time. How do I ensure that they're together?

#2 - am I able to book flights with the cruise like you can when ordering a vacation package to Disney World? I'm really lost when it comes to booking flights. I know what airport we're hoping to leave from, but can't figure out how to book flights from it.

#3 Are there any Land and Sea options for a two day land and five day cruise? I know I could do this on my own, but I heard that Disney sometimes have packages for it. I don't know where to find them, though.

#4 We have been on the cruise multiple times. I know that people who come back are supposed to get discounts and other little things. Where would I be able to access this information at?

Any information would be much appreciated! Thank you!

 

[dizney-cruiser]

Hello, I've been put in charge of booking a cruise and airfare for our next Disney vacation. I know the exact cruise I want (Disney Magic to the Bahamas for 5 Days on October 21st), but due to not being able to get a package through a travel agency, I have a few questions.

#1 - How do I book rooms that are right against each other/neighboring each other? We have 12 people going, and we need three cabins. Last time we went, we were able to get them all in a row. But when I go on the cruise site, they say I need to book one cabin at a time. How do I ensure that they're together?

#2 - am I able to book flights with the cruise like you can when ordering a vacation package to Disney World? I'm really lost when it comes to booking flights. I know what airport we're hoping to leave from, but can't figure out how to book flights from it.

#3 Are there any Land and Sea options for a two day land and five day cruise? I know I could do this on my own, but I heard that Disney sometimes have packages for it. I don't know where to find them, though.

#4 We have been on the cruise multiple times. I know that people who come back are supposed to get discounts and other little things. Where would I be able to access this information at?

Any information would be much appreciated! Thank you!

Do you mean 10/21 of this year? You might be too late to get 3 staterooms in a row . . .

 

[JKeller]

Do you mean 10/21 of this year? You might be too late to get 3 staterooms in a row . . .

Oops sorry, no I meant next year. October 21st, 2014. I think I figured out how to do them in a row...but I'm SO confused on the airfare that my head is spinning! Disney site will only list major airports that cost $650 a ticket, but we always flew out of a smaller airport that has $200 a ticket. HUGE difference, but confused on why I can't book it from the airport I want.

 

[NurseDave]

If you're all flying from the same airport, most airlines will do a group rate for 10 people or more.

 

[JKeller]

If you're all flying from the same airport, most airlines will do a group rate for 10 people or more.

That's good to know! Now just to figure out how that'll work. I'm not sure why the airport stuff stumps me, but it does! lol.

I just figured out how to put the staterooms together.

 

[NurseDave]

That's good to know! Now just to figure out how that'll work. I'm not sure why the airport stuff stumps me, but it does! lol.

I just figured out how to put the staterooms together.

If you search around the airline website you'll find "groups" somewhere, maybe under services. Then you deal with a rep from the airline to pay the deposits and such. I did this through United and they just book a block of seats all together for you once you pay the deposit.

 

[mordecai]

Just curious, why can't you use a travel agent?

 

[NurseDave]

Just curious, why can't you use a travel agent?

I imagine you probably can, it just sounded like this person does things on their own through the internet, so I was explaining that way. If you're going through a travel agent, might as well have them do your cruise as well and get the on board credit from them.

 

[graceesmom]

It is generally better to book airfare separate when booking Disney (not always). You have more flexibility and can pick from more aiports, etc. This is why most travel agents will encourage you to book the airfare on your own. You can usually get better flights at lower cost booking airfare on your own.

However, you may still want to book the cruise through an agent to get onboard credit etc. If you are booking 3 rooms, you will likely get a decent amount. All Disney travel agents I know offer some sort of incentive for booking Disney Cruises.

 

[JKeller]

Just curious, why can't you use a travel agent?

I've been trying to. The only reputable one I know of locally is telling me that they only charter to Disney on a Sunday to Saturday flight. The cruise we want starts on a Tuesday, so that would leave us with two extra days down there, which means even more money would have to be spent on hotel, food, etc. This is why I was asking about a Land and Sea option/package to see if anything would fit that, but I haven't seen anything yet.

 

[JKeller]

If you search around the airline website you'll find "groups" somewhere, maybe under services. Then you deal with a rep from the airline to pay the deposits and such. I did this through United and they just book a block of seats all together for you once you pay the deposit.

Thank you, I'll look for that. Would you recommend looking at airport sites, or actual airlines like Southwest? Maybe my problem is that I'm looking at the wrong thing, I've been trying to figure out the airport website, not a place like southwest.

 

[NurseDave]

Thank you, I'll look for that. Would you recommend looking at airport sites, or actual airlines like Southwest? Maybe my problem is that I'm looking at the wrong thing, I've been trying to figure out the airport website, not a place like southwest.

http://www.southwest.com/html/air/business-groups/

http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/groups-and-meetings

http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/products/groups/default.aspx

 

[mordecai]

I've been trying to. The only reputable one I know of locally is telling me that they only charter to Disney on a Sunday to Saturday flight. The cruise we want starts on a Tuesday, so that would leave us with two extra days down there, which means even more money would have to be spent on hotel, food, etc. This is why I was asking about a Land and Sea option/package to see if anything would fit that, but I haven't seen anything yet.

Have you tried contacting Dreams Unlimited? They're the Travel Agent that actually hosts disboards and they're very good. It might be worth your time to at least contact them. They're quite helpful.

 

[mordecai]

Ok I re-read through your questions and I'm going to try to answer them quickly, but again I'd suggest contacting Dreams Unlimited cause they would do all this for you.

1) Booking cabins in a group would require that you contact Disney directly. You can get the phone number on the FAQ on the disney cruise website. As a PP stated if you're talking about this year, you may be too late to get a grouping of rooms together.

2) You can book flights with Disney but you can probably find cheaper deals by going straight to the airline. I always book flights through southwest direct as they usually have the best deals.

3) There are Land & sea packages but you'll (again) have to either contact Disney directly or go through a TA as that is who will "package" it for you.

4) I believe the discounts you're talking about are through On Board booking which you will do once onboard. Just ask at Information where to go for this.