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/sp...ree-galveston/

These offers if available, inputting the discount code , should be available.
But again, us a TA, such as
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com...ecials.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.

Originally Posted by 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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Bear3412

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.