No wbta 2013

[gismo1554]

For those in the know,

I have a friend who MAY go on the WBTA - complicated circumstances determine if she goes or not.

Should I book for two people or one?
If I book for two and she can't go, will my cruise price drop to the solo price (this would be before final payment date of course)?

What is the prevailing wisdom?

Kristi

Definately book for two if there is any chance of two going and if you can afford it. Sometimes, due to lifeboat capacity, they stop you being able to add people after you've booked (usually closer to the sail date mind) so in my opinion its best to book two first. Oh and yes if you cancel someone it will drop the price down to a single occupancy price but that will be at what ever level it is at the time. The extra deposit you'd have paid then goes towards the cruise fare - assuming you change it all before the 75 day level.

 

[JessicasMom]

Maybe we will get a hint tonight.

20/20 is doing their whole hour on the cruise industry tonight.

Last night on ABC World news they mentioned the show and said-
We have to give full disclosure that the parent company for ABC is Disney and they have a cruise line as well.

SO maybe we will learn something tonight.

Yikes!, the picture they painted wasn't too pretty ... it definitely makes me appreciate DCL more , even though I'm well aware no line is immune from bad behavior (crew or guest). While nothing presented was new information, I try not to dwell on the "bad" stuff. I don't think I'd ever go back to Carnival, though .

I'm sure DCL will release the 2013 itinerary when the Costa story is no longer front-page news, and the missing passengers have been accounted for (one way or another). I don't think most people, especially repeat cruisers, will let this tragedy dissuade them from another cruise. I'm ready to go NOW!

 

[NWmom]

Yes, it was pretty bleak.

So a positive today. Europe is still there and waiting for us!!!!!!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

And maybe it will cost us less?

I trust Disney. I also think the cruise companies will be even more diligent.

 

[bound2travel]

Definately book for two if there is any chance of two going and if you can afford it. Sometimes, due to lifeboat capacity, they stop you being able to add people after you've booked (usually closer to the sail date mind) so in my opinion its best to book two first. Oh and yes if you cancel someone it will drop the price down to a single occupancy price but that will be at what ever level it is at the time. The extra deposit you'd have paid then goes towards the cruise fare - assuming you change it all before the 75 day level.

If my friend cancelled, why would my cruise price be what ever the current pricing level be at the time of cancellation? If I book a cruise at $x per person, then shouldn't it stay at $x per person?

For example, say the WBTA is $1000 per person with two in the cabin (not including taxes, air, ports fees, etc.). That would be a total of $2000 for the cruise fare. If booked solo, it would be about $1750 (single supplement is about 175% or higher). If had booked for two ($2000) and one person cancelled, why wouldn't it go down to the $1750? Why would I be charged as if I was making a new reservation?

My friend is "talking" like she is going, but we really just don't know. I wish I knew how to explain the situation without either of us looking like cold hearted biscuit eating dogs. Let's just say that I'd love for her to go, but something tragic would have to occur for her to be available to go.

 

[NWmom]

If my friend cancelled, why would my cruise price be what ever the current pricing level be at the time of cancellation? If I book a cruise at $x per person, then shouldn't it stay at $x per person?

For example, say the WBTA is $1000 per person with two in the cabin (not including taxes, air, ports fees, etc.). That would be a total of $2000 for the cruise fare. If booked solo, it would be about $1750 (single supplement is about 175% or higher). If had booked for two ($2000) and one person cancelled, why wouldn't it go down to the $1750? Why would I be charged as if I was making a new reservation?

My friend is "talking" like she is going, but we really just don't know. I wish I knew how to explain the situation without either of us looking like cold hearted biscuit eating dogs. Let's just say that I'd love for her to go, but something tragic would have to occur for her to be available to go.

Perhaps you can come to an agreement.
Maybe you find out what it would cost for you to go as a single on the day you book. Have that price in writing and you agree to pay that amount and she pays the difference for cancelling should the cost go up.

Then if she later needs to cancel, she agrees to leave her place on board and just "miss the ship" if it would cost you more than the original single price or a single would cost more than the original fee for both of you.

Doesn't sound like a great system but if you talk it out way in advance explaining the what ifs, there hopefully won't be any hard feelings later.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

This is a situation where it might be best to contact a travel agent who is a Disney cruise specialist - a TA who knows Disney cruise policies inside out. Then you can find out what would happen in the various scenarios. Better to know what you would be dealing with in advance in terms of financial commitment if she goes or doesn't go.

 

[gismo1554]

If my friend cancelled, why would my cruise price be what ever the current pricing level be at the time of cancellation? If I book a cruise at $x per person, then shouldn't it stay at $x per person?

Basically what I was saying was that the price of the cruise changes all the time. If you cancel someone, as far as I know they recalculate your price based on the current price. A single occupancy is slightly higher (or was last time I paid for one) than half the price of a double occupancy so therefore the price will change. As I said originally this is just what I think and may not be how they do it as I know they change things around quite often so I would definately phone DCL and ask. They'd know the best.

 

[bound2travel]

Thanks for the responses. It's hard to know what to do. Whether or not she goes depends on her husband's health which is so very not good right now.

 

[Pinky166]

Maybe this week will be the week we get to book our cruise??

 

[davidls]

Maybe this week will be the week we get to book our cruise??

This week we get to book our cruise!!! Oh wait a minute...........................I had to reread your post again........................sorry my bad........................I read it wrong!!! Wishful thinking on my part!!! I am ready to book now!!!

Just wanted to let ya'll know I am back!!! Finally got the ol' home computer working again. This is my first post. Still trying to find some photo's we had stored on the old hard drive. I have everything backed up on Dell's online backup, just have to figure how to get those photo's restored.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Maybe this week will be the week we get to book our cruise??

Keeping everything crossed but I imagine it will the beginning of Feb somehow.

 

[magic123]

Maybe this week will be the week we get to book our cruise??

Keeping everything crossed but I imagine it will the beginning of Feb somehow.

I don't mind when we get to book, so long as this cruise happens and is bookable in the near future ........ both of which I'm sure will happen. We decided not to cruise this year, because of airfare/ cruise price monies needed for 2013, and we wouldn't be doing that if we weren't sure

margaret

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I wish they'd let us know soon so I would know what I am financially going to need to put out. I have an idea...I think. So hard with DCL as their prices have been all over the map in the last year.

I'd LIKE it to be this week, just so we know. Financially, it'd be better if they'd wait just a little bit so I can get that 10% off the deposit. (I sail in 10 days on the Dream) If they release this week, I can always re-shop the following week. But that 10% deposit would be nice instead of a 20% one.

Plus I need sleep! Can't help it but I wake up every night at 3 AM to take a peek...just in case DCL has opened bookings up without notice. They've done it before.

 

[vakamalua]

I know everyone is very anxious to book but I can't imagine that the WBTA will sell out quickly (like the Hawaii trips). These trips are two weeks, involve a flight to Europe and happen when kids are in school. In 2010, we booked the WBTA less than three months before it sailed and I'm not sure the ship was full. What do you think?

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I am sure it will be the others that sell more quickly. Hawaii, if they do a Panama Canal cruise, etc.

Hard not to worry though when you are waiting to see for sure that they ARE going to do what we are pretty sure they will do....

Also, I'd have no problem waiting to book until I was on board if I knew for sure prices wouldn't climb. That might be the best way. Its battling with that, "wow, I want to book NOW mentality". DCL sort of plans it that way....

 

[JustAnnieNotHazel]

We booked just a couple of months before and there were still lots of cabins available

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I remember looking at the last WBTA, and I was shocked to see even one or two of the sideways Cat T's still available not too far out before sailing. (not that I could afford Concierge on this sailing...)

 

[liesbeth1012]

I am sure it will be the others that sell more quickly. Hawaii, if they do a Panama Canal cruise, etc.

Hard not to worry though when you are waiting to see for sure that they ARE going to do what we are pretty sure they will do....

Also, I'd have no problem waiting to book until I was on board if I knew for sure prices wouldn't climb. That might be the best way. Its battling with that, "wow, I want to book NOW mentality". DCL sort of plans it that way....

Lots available on both Hawai cruises this year. So I don't think Hawai is so populair. WBTA was not "full" in 2011 I think. At least empty tables in the restaurants.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I'm probably safe in waiting until I sail in 10 days then if they announce before. Chances are that it'll be much less than 10 days for me - after all they've not announced today. They often announce or open things on a Tuesday...although not always.

Would be nice if DCL would put us out of our misery soon though.