2013 dates

[Pudo]

Just out of curiosity..did you notice the price go up much between the release date and the date you booked on board...I ask because we will be on board the Dream for the Oct 27th sailing...just wondering how much it would go up in between...that is of course assuming the dates for 2013 will even be released by then..

No, the price didn't change much and normally doesn't for standard itineraries. The 8/25/12 cruise is a 7 day Eastern which DCL has been doing for about 12 years. Of course, to be fair, the Fantasy has added a new spin to an old itinerary.

There have been times when sailing releases included new itineraries like the Mediterranean, Alaska, and especially the Panama Canal repositioning cruises where rates changed the first day. I remember back in January 2007 when the 2008 Panama Canal rates were released the rates increased during the course of the day and the eastbound sold out that same day. My favorite quote of the day came from a Disney reservationist. A friend of mine couldn't make up her mind. She was taking a lot of time deciding when the reservationist said, "please decide on a stateroom, the prices are going up as we speak".

Of course, that was an extreme case. Since DCL has only had 5 Panama Canal crossings those sailings are wildly popular.

Oh, forgot, got sidetracked. Booking onboard you get the 10% discount, onboard credit (for a 7 day it's $200) and the deposit is only 10% so if the rates are open before you sail I would still wait.

 

[luv2sleep]

So it's best to call DCL directly and not book online? I always have a problem getting through during my lunch break at work (only time I can call during the day).

 

[Pudo]

THANK YOU JEFF. I will definatley keep my eyes & ears open and book right away since I can cancel with no penalty. My head might spin, but I'll be OK .

Now, where do I keep checking for release dates? DISboards?

You're welcome. Funny thing is for those of us addicts it works out that if you keep sailing and booking no cruise is that far off. We have a 2 day NYC in June, the 7 day in August, this fall we will book a 2013 cruise and although it is far off our focus is next year's cruises.

When we get off the cruise next August our focus will shift to 2013 when that cruise will be about 10 or 11 months off. In the fall of 2012 we will book 2014 so you can see once you get onboard the DCL booking cycle it just becomes one wonderful cruise after the other.

Oh, and by the way, I am currently not aware of any 12 step DCL program, but my guess is many here on the DIS (including myself) should probably attend one.

 

[luv2sleep]

You're welcome. Funny thing is for those of us addicts it works out that if you keep sailing and booking no cruise is that far off. We have a 2 day NYC in June, the 7 day in August, this fall we will book a 2013 cruise and although it is far off our focus is next year's cruises.

When we get of the cruise next August our focus will shift to 2013 when that cruise will be about 10 or 11 months off. In the fall of 2012 we will book 2014 so you can see once you get onboard the DCL booking cycle it just becomes one wonderful cruise after the other.

Oh, and by the way, I am currently not aware of any 12 step DCL program, but my guess is many here on the DIS (including myself) should probably attend one.

I can see how that can happen!

 

[Pudo]

So it's best to call DCL directly and not book online? I always have a problem getting through during my lunch break at work (only time I can call during the day).

I have booked online and it works perfectly fine, but on those days when rates are released and the expectation is that many will be trying to book cruises that is the day the website invariably doesn't work as well as you like.

There are a couple of things that may not be self-evident when booking online for firstimers. A couple of things that come to mind is you will chose a stateroom category, but not necessarily a stateroom number. I know the ships well enough that I book specific room numbers. You can do that online, but it isn't obvious that you can do that.

Secondly, dining defaults to late dining (8:30 PM) instead of main (6:00 PM). I heard stories where people booked online, didn't know any better, found out too late they had late dining and couldn't switch to main. I am not saying main is better than late, it is personal preference, but main is more popular.

I think booking online is better if you really know what you are doing. DCL on the phone may ask questions or make suggestions to things you might not have thought of.

 

[luv2sleep]

I have booked online and it works perfectly fine, but on those days when rates are released and the expectation is that many will be trying to book cruises that is the day the website invariably doesn't work as well as you like.

There are a couple of things that may not be self-evident when booking online for firstimers. A couple of things that come to mind is you will chose a stateroom category, but not necessarily a stateroom number. I know the ships well enough that I book specific room numbers. You can do that online, but it isn't obvious that you can do that.

Secondly, dining defaults to late dining (8:30 PM) instead of main (6:00 PM). I heard stories where people booked online, didn't know any better, found out too late they had late dining and couldn't switch to main. I am not saying main is better than late, it is personal preference, but main is more popular.

I think booking online is better if you really know what you are doing. DCL on the phone may ask questions or make suggestions to things you might not have thought of.

Very helpful! Thank you! Where can I find out what stateroom category is best? How do you know if a stateroom is good or not? I am only interested in a large porthole stateroom. I am not interested in a veranda. Are there any bad large porthole rooms?

 

[Pudo]

Very helpful! Thank you! Where can I find out what stateroom category is best? How do you know if a stateroom is good or not? I am only interested in a large porthole stateroom. I am not interested in a veranda. Are there any bad large porthole rooms?

Stateroom category number refers to the type of room, the letter designation after the number refers to location so a 4A is a Deluxe Family stateroom which would be a better/higher location than a 4B, 4C, or 4D.

The Magic and Wonder's stateroom choices are similar, but different than the Dream and Fantasy, If you are looking at the newer ships than you want either a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom or Deluxe Family Stateroom. Both are portholes, but slightly different in layout and capacity. I don't think one porthole is better than another from a room perspective, but possibly a proximity perspective. Some rooms have slight issues with noise based on location.

 

[jilljill]

So it's best to call DCL directly and not book online? I always have a problem getting through during my lunch break at work (only time I can call during the day).

This is when using a travel to book with comes in very handy, especially when there have been times people have been on hold for 2-3 hours to book.

Very helpful! Thank you! Where can I find out what stateroom category is best? How do you know if a stateroom is good or not? I am only interested in a large porthole stateroom. I am not interested in a veranda. Are there any bad large porthole rooms?

Which ship are you interested in sailing? You can find links to stateroom reports at the very top of the boards under the Staterooms tab then click on Room Reports. There's also good info on the types of cabins available and links to deck plans. You can also find the deck plans on DCL's website.
A good TA should also be able to help you choose a cabin category and location.

 

[luv2sleep]

This is when using a travel to book with comes in very handy, especially when there have been times people have been on hold for 2-3 hours to book.


Which ship are you interested in sailing? You can find links to stateroom reports at the very top of the boards under the Staterooms tab then click on Room Reports. There's also good info on the types of cabins available and links to deck plans. You can also find the deck plans on DCL's website.
A good TA should also be able to help you choose a cabin category and location.

I would like sail on the Dream. I saw the stateroom reports but since I am new to this it seems overwhelming because I don't really know what they are talking about. I have looked at the DCL's site and although I see stateroom descriptions I don't see deck plan info. I am not sure how ppl know where they want to be on the ship unless they have actually been on the ship before. I think I will just try to book a room with a large porthole and see what happens. I am sure I will have a good trip either way. I won't get all worried about it. I will just try to book and get a good price. Thanks!

 

[NancyIL]

I would like sail on the Dream. I saw the stateroom reports but since I am new to this it seems overwhelming because I don't really know what they are talking about. I have looked at the DCL's site and although I see stateroom descriptions I don't see deck plan info. I am not sure how ppl know where they want to be on the ship unless they have actually been on the ship before. I think I will just try to book a room with a large porthole and see what happens. I am sure I will have a good trip either way. I won't get all worried about it. I will just try to book and get a good price. Thanks!

You can see the deck plans here: http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/cruise/deck-plans.htm

 

[luv2sleep]

You can see the deck plans here: http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/cruise/deck-plans.htm

Wow! Very helpful! Thanks so much!

 

[rsjj]

so do we know exactly when the 2013 dates will be released?

 

[gismo1554]

I have booked online and it works perfectly fine, but on those days when rates are released and the expectation is that many will be trying to book cruises that is the day the website invariably doesn't work as well as you like.

Also to add, for Castaway Club Gold & Platinum members the only option if you want to book the first day you can is to call. I know the question came from a first time DCLer but I thought it worth mentioning this as if it follows previous trends the cruises will originally be released to Gold & Plat members then the general public.

 

[makaylee]

so do we know exactly when the 2013 dates will be released?

No

 

[RedSox68]

Only NCL Pride of America can cruise roundtrip from Hawaii because it is a US-flagged ship. All other cruise ships are foreign-flagged, and can't do a roundtrip from Hawaii without visiting a foreign port. It can't do one-ways between Hawaii and CA without visiting a distant foreign port.

And unfortunately, the quality of the crew is well reflected in that fact

and I would much rather sail to Hawaii round trip on DCL than to sail with NCL-America ever again.

Ahhh, another happy NCL customer. That was the most disgusting cruise we've ever taken! Only good thing were the ports!

As mentioned above, we don't want to sail 14 days only to be in Hawaii for five. we'd love to fly over and visit Maui again and then take the ship back. Want to spend at least a few days over there!

 

[RedSox68]

So it's best to call DCL directly and not book online? I always have a problem getting through during my lunch break at work (only time I can call during the day).

From experience (and before I got a TA to do all the busywork for me), I used to call AND go online. Whichever I could accomplish first won. Sometimes online is faster and I think you get a $25 OBC for booking online.

However, you CANNOT book online if you are transferring a dummy cruise.

 

[RedSox68]

You're welcome. Funny thing is for those of us addicts it works out that if you keep sailing and booking no cruise is that far off. We have a 2 day NYC in June, the 7 day in August, this fall we will book a 2013 cruise and although it is far off our focus is next year's cruises.

When we get off the cruise next August our focus will shift to 2013 when that cruise will be about 10 or 11 months off. In the fall of 2012 we will book 2014 so you can see once you get onboard the DCL booking cycle it just becomes one wonderful cruise after the other.

Oh, and by the way, I am currently not aware of any 12 step DCL program, but my guess is many here on the DIS (including myself) should probably attend one.

OMG -- if you find one, PLEASE pass the info along. This is my life since I got caught up in the DCL cruising cycle 11 years ago We've cruised on Disney every year but two. Next year we have the 2-night NYC and then the Fantasy in November. And I'm already waitlisted with my TA for 2013! Drives my family nuts how I can think so far ahead

 

[CruznLexi]

Me too we on Magic in Jan and am waiting in 13 for the TA and Dream cruise.

 

[TamaraH]

From experience (and before I got a TA to do all the busywork for me), I used to call AND go online. Whichever I could accomplish first won. Sometimes online is faster and I think you get a $25 OBC for booking online.

However, you CANNOT book online if you are transferring a dummy cruise.

Okay so for first timers would you recommend going with a TA or would it be better to just book online/phone ourselves? I am kind of a control freak when it comes to planning but I have a friend who is a TA and she would definitely take care of me. I've read that once you book with a TA they need to make any and all modifications, make payments, etc. Where if you do it yourself then you can make payments online, take care of details on your own schedule and so forth. What would all of you veterans suggest?

 

[kaseyC]

However, you CANNOT book online if you are transferring a dummy cruise.

Yes, you can as long as you booked directly through DCL. If the cruise you are transferring a dummy booking is available for booking on the website you just need to pull up the reservation and modify it with the new itinerary/ cruise date.