2013 dates

[meryll83]

Can someone remind me if the dates get released in advance of booking, or is it a mad frenzy of information and booking going live at the same time?

 

[cruisecrasher]

Can someone remind me if the dates get released in advance of booking, or is it a mad frenzy of information and booking going live at the same time?

Information usually comes out a day or so ahead of bookings...I think.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Hoping the new dates aren't released while I am at the World next month. I think we have just decided to do the Fantasy EC June 2013. Financially it makes the most sense as we will go to Paris for 10 days next summer (2012) and then have plans for Italy in 2014 as a graduation gift to my oldest. If only they would do the Med in 2014 we could be there!

So glad to read I can just modify the existing res I have online when dates are released. So much easier than being on hold.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Hoping the new dates aren't released while I am at the World next month. I think we have just decided to do the Fantasy EC June 2013. Financially it makes the most sense as we will go to Paris for 10 days next summer (2012) and then have plans for Italy in 2014 as a graduation gift to my oldest. If only they would do the Med in 2014 we could be there!

So glad to read I can just modify the existing res I have online when dates are released. So much easier than being on hold.

Don't they have DCL desks at some of the resorts? I wonder if you could take care of it while you are there?

 

[bonnielynn]

I'm hoping they will announce beginning October and not the end of October.. and not in dibs and drabs..

 

[uscgrl93]

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.

I thought you could only book by phone when the rates first came out. I didn't think they updated the website with the new dates until weeks later. Hopefully I am incorrect though. I can't imagine spending that long on the phone!

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Don't they have DCL desks at some of the resorts? I wonder if you could take care of it while you are there?

I'll have to check into that. Thanks.

 

[Disney Addicted]

I thought you could only book by phone when the rates first came out. I didn't think they updated the website with the new dates until weeks later. Hopefully I am incorrect though. I can't imagine spending that long on the phone!

I don't know about the other cruises, but it was by phone today for the Hawaiian. I kept trying to pull up the info on DCL's website (while waiting on hold). It took about 1/2 an hour before a CM came on the phone. He said the cruise won't show up online until Oct 5th, even though booking started today for the GP.

 

[Florida Mel]

Friends of mine have just had a meet up with some of the Magic crew from the Med this year and apparently DCL will not be visiting the Med for another 4 years! Really hope they do

 

[stephe1987]

I think Disney needs to build more ships so there can be more itineraries, like the places that Adventures by Disney visits, offer a cruise as another option.

 

[RedSox68]

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.

Geez, I feel like I'm always being given wrong information anymore. When I inquired about this before, both a TA AND a Disney rep told me you cannot transfer reservations made with the 10% and OBC online but had to do it either with your TA or on the phone If that's changed, sorry for the misleading information.

 

[kaseyC]

Geez, I feel like I'm always being given wrong information anymore. When I inquired about this before, both a TA AND a Disney rep told me you cannot transfer reservations made with the 10% and OBC online but had to do it either with your TA or on the phone If that's changed, sorry for the misleading information.

No problem, I know at one time you were required to do it by phone only. I'm not sure when it changed but I know the ability to transfer a dummy booking online has been available for at least the past 2 years. You have to be booked directly through DCL and the cruise has to be available for online booking which isn't always available when a new itinerary is released.

 

[gismo1554]

OK I have 2 scenarios I'd like to know what to do about:

One
If the cruises are released early in October (baring in mind that we're sailing at the end of October) is it best to book directly with DCL or if I booked with a TA would I still be able to modify my reservation by reshopping online or can this only be done with direct DCL bookings?

Two
If the cruises are released later after we cruise, if we book onboard and through a TA how do we go about changing the reservation? Do we just email our TA and get it changed that way? Also what info do we need to give when we book our dummy reservation re a TA? Do we just say Dreams Unlimited or do we need to give a persons name and if so who?

Thanks in advance

 

[RedSox68]

No problem, I know at one time you were required to do it by phone only. I'm not sure when it changed but I know the ability to transfer a dummy booking online has been available for at least the past 2 years. You have to be booked directly through DCL and the cruise has to be available for online booking which isn't always available when a new itinerary is released.

AH HA -- I think that's where my glitch is. I knew there was a catch. Has to be available for online booking and I think I was told you cannot transfer monies but only date change (?). Thanks.

 

[poohs4me]

Friends of mine have just had a meet up with some of the Magic crew from the Med this year and apparently DCL will not be visiting the Med for another 4 years! Really hope they do

But did they say were they thought it was going.

I think I want to go on the WBTA ( I hope I got it right this time ) It seems there have been a few negative reports lately on the Magic and longer cruises. When we are on the Wonder's Panama Crosing, the staff we talked to mentioned there was a "friendly" competition between the Magic and Wonder on customer surveys and that the Wonder was winning with a significant margin.

 

[stephe1987]

I want them to offer summer cruises to Mexico (much closer than flying to Washington) but I don't think it will happen.

 

[pearljammer]

Can anyone advise how many months they'll post? through June? May? I'm SOOOOOOOOOO ready. Think it will be early Oct or late Oct????

Planning on getting something the minute they release and then seeing what I get it for when we sail at the end of Oct w/ discount.

 

[simbasmom2]

My TA told me DCL told her "very soon". For whatever that is worth.

 

[dusten]

I just sent DCL a message on their web site - letting them know I was "disgusted" that Silver Castaway Club members get no advance booking over the general public! I'll be interested to hear how they have justified that practice...several times![/QUOTE]

I agree... not sure what they are thinking. Maybe trying to encourage first timers by giving them same privelege.

 

[dusten]

Watching this thread so I can book either a 2013 summer or winter trip.

I did a 14 day Panama Canal cruise as a 14 year old and I would not take another one again. By day 9 we were bored and really wanted to get off and go home. It wasn't Disney but even if it was by 9-10 days as a teen you've seen abd done all that you wanted to do and are ready to get back to your old life. As an adult I can't see being stuck on a ship for 4 sea days at a time much less twice in one trip. Maybe it would be something I would consider during retirement? Just think I would feel trapped and bored with so many days at sea. I think if a person loves sea days this is the perfect trip. However, after going to Maui recently for 8 days and truly feeling like that was just not enough time, this 14 day trip doesn't seem to provide enough time to really enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer. If you've seen it all and just want a long sea day cruise that includes snippets of Hawaii then it seems perfect.

Thank you for the rare insight, not many 14 year olds have cruised the Panama canal. Just going through all those locks sounds so boring.