10 & 11 Night Southern Fantasy cruises in June

[lorimay]

I just saw that these 2 cruises are now listed as Florida Resident Rate special offers on DCL website.

I know on opening day for these cruises a lot of us were saying are people really going to pay $$$$ for this cruise when payoff time comes?
Well it looks like it didn't happen and they are offering rates starting at $250 a night per person on a inside cabin on the June 17th cruise and $275 a night per person on the June 28th sailing.

I booked a B2B Southern in April/May but really wanted the June 28th 11 night cruise, but it was almost $10,000 for 2 people. I booked 13 nights on The Magic for $6,000. I'm all paid off for my cruises but if I would have waited I could have gotten this 11 night cruise for about the same price.......

 

[dclpluto]

I just saw that these 2 cruises are now on Florida Resident Rate and Military Rates special offers on DCL website.

I know on opening day for these cruises a lot of us were saying are people really going to pay $$$$ for this cruise when payoff time comes?
Well it looks like it didn't happen and they are offering rates starting at $250 a night per person on a inside cabin on the June 17th cruise and $275 a night per person on the June 28th sailing.

I booked a B2B Southern in April/May but really wanted the June 28th 11 night cruise, but it was almost $10,000 for 2 people. I booked 13 nights on The Magic for $6,000. I'm all paid off for my cruises but if I would have waited I could have gotten this 11 night cruise for about the same price.......

Most people knew it was coming but thought it will be after the pif date not before the pif date.

 

[cutigress]

Would those lower prices ever end up available to non-Florida and non-military?

 

[lorimay]

Would those lower prices ever end up available to non-Florida and non-military?

It may, I guess it depends on how it sells with this offer.

 

[squirk]

I was looking at one of those for 2018 (assuming they will be offered). I need two connecting cabins, so GTY won't work, and I'm neither FL resident nor military.

But, man, that pricing......

 

[cruiser21]

Not sure what DCL was thinking when they priced those. Obviously it backfired on them.

 

[DLgal]

How did you see this? It doesn't come up on the DCL Military Special offers page...

 

[squirk]

Not sure what DCL was thinking when they priced those. Obviously it backfired on them.

Just like the Polynesian DVC. You know it's sad when they have to actively invite DVC guests staying on-site to take a tour of those units.

 

[lorimay]

How did you see this? It doesn't come up on the DCL Military Special offers page...

I apologize, its only a Florida Resident offer at this time.

 

[DLgal]

I apologize, its only a Florida Resident offer at this time.

Bummer...got all excited.

 

[lorimay]

Bummer...got all excited.

Keep watching..... They may add it.
The Disney Cruise blog posts the specials weekly, keep your eye out for it. I hope they offer it for you.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

If you can wait another few weeks the 6/17/17 11 day and 6/28/17 10 day southern Fantasy itineraries have a 120 day PIF date. I would not be surprised to see *GT/MTO offers not long after so keep an an eye out in late February / early March for restricted offers.

 

[squirk]

Just fact-checking myself here, because I have never done GTY before: am I correct in saying that GTY rates are rarely, if ever, better than opening day rates? In other words, given a choice between the two, you should book on opening day if possible, because waiting for GTY is not going to give you a better deal and your cabin choices will be far more limited.

Did I get that right?

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

My Dad and I booked a non-resident guaranteed 11C indoor stateroom on the 11-night cruise. We booked the day it came out, and paid $3,938.00 per person. It looks like $250 per day would be a great deal already for this cruise. It makes me want to move to Florida.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

waiting for GTY is not going to give you a better deal and your cabin choices will be far limited.

Did I get that right?

You won't be able to choose your cabin, but it is possible to get an upgrade.

 

[CathyCU03]

Anyone have any predictions on what this might mean for 2018 availability and prices? Has Disney ever lowered their prices from one year to the next? I would love to take one of these cruises in June 2018 but even the opening day price in 2017 made me dismiss it.

 

[squirk]

Other folks have been following DCL a lot longer than me, but my experience is that Disney Parks & Resorts never just outright lowers prices.

They offer incentives - "Free Dining", "Kids Sail Free", "13-Month Annual Pass" - or they reduce benefits - lower AP/DVC discounts, more blackout dates, lower seasonal room discounts - but they never lower prices. Maybe I'm wrong?

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

My guess is this southern Fantasy itinerary will not be repeated in 2018. DCL can make more $$$ on 3 weekly cruises than discounting the 2 southern cruises. $14k for a family of 4 for a verandah is just a price point that did not sell.

 

[kaseyC]

I just saw that these 2 cruises are now listed as Florida Resident Rate special offers on DCL website.

I know on opening day for these cruises a lot of us were saying are people really going to pay $$$$ for this cruise when payoff time comes?
Well it looks like it didn't happen and they are offering rates starting at $250 a night per person on a inside cabin on the June 17th cruise and $275 a night per person on the June 28th sailing.

Not surprising at all.

 

[clten]

My guess is this southern Fantasy itinerary will not be repeated in 2018. DCL can make more $$$ on 3 weekly cruises than discounting the 2 southern cruises. $14k for a family of 4 for a verandah is just a price point that did not sell.

I agree. Typically, if an itinerary doesn't work out for DCL, they don't repeat it (unless there is some contractual obligation). If they have the same itineraries next year, even more people will be waiting to book to see if there are discounts. So rather than repeating poor selling itineraries and risk having to discount, I see them either going back to their tried and true Caribbean itineraries or trying something completely different. I think it might be why we are seeing them release their schedule in parts. By delaying certain times of the year, they can see how particular cruises are selling and then work to negotiate going back if it is doing well, or design a new itinerary and start negotiations on those ports.