2010 news from the Magic

[OurDogCisco]

Wow... The prices seem in norm for what Disney charges... I like the idea of going on a cheaper cruise but when I price out it comes out pretty close to Disney's prices. Maybe I'm not looking in the right spot.

My only reservation about booking with another cruise line is the activities onboard for the kids. The Baltics have 4 sea days and on other cruise lines you might be limited to kids' clubs and the pool. We've sailed on RCCL and Norweign and the kids activities were very limited. I like that Disney has kid friendly shows, character signings, character breakfast, movies onboard, etc... At the moment, my kids are totally into these types of activities. I like that they can watch TV in the state room and find something to watch. I definitely think we pay a premium for those things on Disney...

 

[ButterbearUK]

DCL has to be counting on people in the UK and western Europe, with strong currencies relative to the dollar, booking these cruises. QUOTE]

The european markets are in a mess at the moment. A lot of holiday companies are having problems as people are foregoing holidays to save money. We will be watching the prices with interest when bookings open, but it looks like we will not be coming to the Baltic with DCL in 2010

on the plus side, that does mean that we might get to go back to WDW in 2009 so it's not all bad news. Assuming the transatlantic flight companies don't all go bust!

 

[Joan1]

Wow... The prices seem in norm for what Disney charges... I like the idea of going on a cheaper cruise but when I price out it comes out pretty close to Disney's prices. Maybe I'm not looking in the right spot.

My only reservation about booking with another cruise line is the activities onboard for the kids. The Baltics have 4 sea days and on other cruise lines you might be limited to kids' clubs and the pool. We've sailed on RCCL and Norweign and the kids activities were very limited. I like that Disney has kid friendly shows, character signings, character breakfast, movies onboard, etc... At the moment, my kids are totally into these types of activities. I like that they can watch TV in the state room and find something to watch. I definitely think we pay a premium for those things on Disney...

Believe me you will need those days at sea. The Baltic cruises are very port intensive and those days at sea will help with resting, even the kids won't feel like doing much

I don't know what you mean about limited on RCCL and NCL. We have cruised with both and the only time the kids clubs were closed were during lunch and dinner, we prefer to eat with our kids anyway. At night they close at 10 unless you want to pay for extra. We are early risers so keeping the kids there after 10pm doesn't matter to us

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

The european markets are in a mess at the moment. A lot of holiday companies are having problems as people are foregoing holidays to save money. We will be watching the prices with interest when bookings open, but it looks like we will not be coming to the Baltic with DCL in 2010

on the plus side, that does mean that we might get to go back to WDW in 2009 so it's not all bad news. Assuming the transatlantic flight companies don't all go bust!

Ah its not that bad, yes a lot of people are hurting and it will effect bookings both side of the Atlantic, but this credit crunch will settle down Once the papers and so called 'experts' stop giving us 'doom' warnings.

Interest rates down on Thursday?

 

[outahere]

I think that everyone will book but that closer to the date that people will cancel.

That is one of the reasons the prices go up so quickly. People book on a whim and then have "buyer's remorse" when they realize how high the price is.

I'm going to guess that quite a few people flying to Europe from North America don't really research the airfare prices (prior to booking the cruise) and find out how expensive it is later.

 

[Joan1]

Did anyone else see this at the bottom of the Eastbound Repo page:

* $99 rates are available for third and fourth Guests traveling with two full fare Guests in the same stateroom. Rates valid for stateroom categories 4 through 12.



This can't be right, is it?

It is incorrect - it will be corrected soon

 

[willoughbyclan]

Did anyone else see this at the bottom of the Eastbound Repo page:

* $99 rates are available for third and fourth Guests traveling with two full fare Guests in the same stateroom. Rates valid for stateroom categories 4 through 12.



This can't be right, is it?

Why does it say this on the eastbound but not the westbound?

 

[pillow]

Hi everyone. Looks like I'm out! Way too expensive for me. I will however, watch to see if the cat 12's get added closer to sail date.

Steph, are you considering another cruise line?

Someone please give a shout if you see any info about the rest of 2010. I'm tempted to book either a Thankgiving or Christmas cruise. We booked the Eastern for Thanksgiving 09 and the rates were "relatively" reasonable for a holiday time.

Also, the 5 nighters aren't back to back, so I'm guessing there will be 3 or 4 nighters in between? The 3 and 4 night 2010 dates aren't posted yet.

Jodie

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

That is one of the reasons the prices go up so quickly. People book on a whim and then have "buyer's remorse" when they realize how high the price is.

I'm going to guess that quite a few people flying to Europe from North America don't really research the airfare prices (prior to booking the cruise) and find out how expensive it is later.

I do agree price it up, as flights cost a bomb. Sometimes more than the cruise.

 

[Pluto 2]

i knew the prices will be high but it seems outrageous the 12 night baltic starting at 3649 for a cat 11x2= 7298 for 2 people. the 7 and 8 night repos i thought will be a good price nope i think they start at 1800 a person. the 14 night repos are cheap but i did that in 07. so i can book the 12 night and 7 night repo for about 11,000 dollars. might not be too bad i lost more than that in my 401k today

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi everyone. Looks like I'm out! Way too expensive for me. I will however, watch to see if the cat 12's get added closer to sail date.

Steph, are you considering another cruise line?

Someone please give a shout if you see any info about the rest of 2010. I'm tempted to book either a Thankgiving or Christmas cruise. We booked the Eastern for Thanksgiving 09 and the rates were "relatively" reasonable for a holiday time.

Also, the 5 nighters aren't back to back, so I'm guessing there will be 3 or 4 nighters in between? The 3 and 4 night 2010 dates aren't posted yet.

Jodie

CAT 12'S on the Meds could well have discounts near PIF date in 2010

i knew the prices will be high but it seems outrageous the 12 night baltic starting at 3649 for a cat 11x2= 7298 for 2 people. the 7 and 8 night repos i thought will be a good price nope i think they start at 1800 a person. the 14 night repos are cheap but i did that in 07. so i can book the 12 night and 7 night repo for about 11,000 dollars. might not be too bad i lost more than that in my 401k today

Outrageous prices is a very accurate discription for the Baltics.

 

[wdhinn89]

On another note...lets not drive up these prices AT ALL. Teach disney to overprice their cruises. Please everyone use one method to book your cruise.
I know we all want the best and lowest price!

FULLY AGREE, ONLY USE ONE BOOKING ROUTE, either direct or by One TA.

Do you really think that people are going to be rushing to book these cruises? I really don't think so.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Hey..has anyone ever used www.myfavoritemouse.com ??

 

[OurDogCisco]

Believe me you will need those days at sea. The Baltic cruises are very port intensive and those days at sea will help with resting, even the kids won't feel like doing much

I don't know what you mean about limited on RCCL and NCL. We have cruised with both and the only time the kids clubs were closed were during lunch and dinner, we prefer to eat with our kids anyway. At night they close at 10 unless you want to pay for extra. We are early risers so keeping the kids there after 10pm doesn't matter to us

We've been on the Mediterranean cruise with our kids in 2007 on DCL.

By limited I mean... does other cruise lines have tea with Wendy.. a kid friendly movie to watch... family friendly entertainment every evening (hence the broadway shows), character signings, character meals, etc.. When we sailed RCCL & Norweign the activities did not include some of the things that Disney does. At this age, I find that my kids like these type of things. If they were older, I think some of the other cruiselines would be better suited for them but right now they love EVERYTHING Disney..

Anyways... I'm gonna try and decide between DCL or Adventures by Disney???

 

[ButterbearUK]

Ah its not that bad, yes a lot of people are hurting and it will effect bookings both side of the Atlantic, but this credit crunch will settle down Once the papers and so called 'experts' stop giving us 'doom' warnings.

Interest rates down on Thursday?

No, it's not that bad, but it is making people think very hard about big spending.

Besides, every cloud has a silver lining. I was going to have to cancel my Florida trip in 2009 to go to the Baltic. Now that it is clear that we can't afford the cruises this time I'm back to plan A. And since Pete has never been to WDW, and his cousins live in West Palm Beach, it would be rude not to head over there

Interest rates may come down And it looks as though BA flights to the US for next summer are under £500 at the mo. Even better!

It must be fate

Milia

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Do you really think that people are going to be rushing to book these cruises? I really don't think so.

I think there will be a rush, but they will not sell out, there isa lot of choice out there and high costs, so not like the Panama repos, it will not sell out first day (lets see) but it will be far more busy than the 2009 Carribean sales released on December 4th.

I think the slow selling ones will be the early and late Med cruises, out of school holidays, and the trans atlantics will also be slower.

The Baltics will have high interest but are very expensive and people may divert to the Med cruises,

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

No, it's not that bad, but it is making people think very hard about big spending.

Besides, every cloud has a silver lining. I was going to have to cancel my Florida trip in 2009 to go to the Baltic. Now that it is clear that we can't afford the cruises this time I'm back to plan A. And since Pete has never been to WDW, and his cousins live in West Palm Beach, it would be rude not to head over there

Interest rates may come down And it looks as though BA flights to the US for next summer are under £500 at the mo. Even better!

It must be fate

Milia

XL was a worry, and I am annoyed the profitable Travel city direct was purchased by them and then went out of business,

We have some 'doom' merchants around and share traders talking us down and making a profit, and some tabloid newspapers are grossly irresponsible talking down UK, and worrying people far too much.

I remember the film Annie, all it needs is someone to say the sun will come out tomorrow.

 

[Joan1]

By limited I mean... does other cruise lines have tea with Wendy.. a kid friendly movie to watch... family friendly entertainment every evening (hence the broadway shows), character signings, character meals, etc..

Well obviously not since they wouldn't be able to offer that since it is a Disney trademark

 

[wdhinn89]

No, it's not that bad, but it is making people think very hard about big spending.

Besides, every cloud has a silver lining. I was going to have to cancel my Florida trip in 2009 to go to the Baltic. Now that it is clear that we can't afford the cruises this time I'm back to plan A. And since Pete has never been to WDW, and his cousins live in West Palm Beach, it would be rude not to head over there

Interest rates may come down And it looks as though BA flights to the US for next summer are under £500 at the mo. Even better!

It must be fate

Milia

Our stock market was just down over 700 points about an hour ago

 

[scottishwee35]

XL was a worry, and I am annoyed the profitable Travel city direct was purchased by them and then went out of business,

We have some 'doom' merchants around and share traders talking us down and making a profit, and some tabloid newspapers are grossly irresponsible talking down UK, and worrying people far too much.

I remember the film Annie, all it needs is someone to say the sun will come out tomorrow.

Hi Andrew

I never knew that Travel City Direct was purchased withh XL!! I feel so sad because we did travelled with TCD. It was good. Shame.

We have been looking into Baltic for July, wow, what a pricey!!

We maybe drop Balcony Cat 6 to Cat 2 also no flight for us too.

Scottishwee35