2013 dates

[WeLoveABD]

I'd forgotten about Tunisia's own unrest. It seems like small potatoes compared to the problems in Egypt and Libya.

Hi NancyIL--wanted to raise the topic of the Magic sailing from one port and ending in another, which I think you mentioned not likely to happen. I've been on cruises where that did happen--one a while ago that left Rome's port and ended in Athens. And while Disney had tailored its cruises to date to start and end at the same port, it's ABD trips frequently start in one city and end in another, so we work with that and fly in and out of different cities. For a State-side cruise maybe they don't want to do that, but for a European cruise (eastern med for example), I don't think having the same port start to finish is essential. In any event, I hope not--would be great to see a Rome start to Athens finish assuming they want to keep the Rome spot), or an Athens start and finish or some other way to mix this up---maybe alternating cruises between western and eastern med with short cuises in between (longer eastern med from Athens to Athens--including Turkey and Eygpt stops, along with Crete and Santorini, then a repo from Athens to Rome with Crete, Cairo and a few Italy ports on a 7 day) then a longer western med). From your posts I know you have a lot of info on the cruise history--so what do you think of this sort of cruise plan? (And yes this would require Disney to have two homeports during summer of 2013--but if the market is there, and I think it is if they mix it up more and not do the same western med cruise again) then it might work out....and ports might be offering good deals to cruiselines now; in San Diego we are seeing a huge drop in cruise ships due to the scares from Mexico etc).

 

[NancyIL]

Hi NancyIL--wanted to raise the topic of the Magic sailing from one port and ending in another, which I think you mentioned not likely to happen. I've been on cruises where that did happen--one a while ago that left Rome's port and ended in Athens. And while Disney had tailored its cruises to date to start and end at the same port, it's ABD trips frequently start in one city and end in another, so we work with that and fly in and out of different cities. For a State-side cruise maybe they don't want to do that, but for a European cruise (eastern med for example), I don't think having the same port start to finish is essential. In any event, I hope not--would be great to see a Rome start to Athens finish assuming they want to keep the Rome spot), or an Athens start and finish or some other way to mix this up---maybe alternating cruises between western and eastern med with short cuises in between (longer eastern med from Athens to Athens--including Turkey and Eygpt stops, along with Crete and Santorini, then a repo from Athens to Rome with Crete, Cairo and a few Italy ports on a 7 day) then a longer western med). From your posts I know you have a lot of info on the cruise history--so what do you think of this sort of cruise plan? (And yes this would require Disney to have two homeports during summer of 2013--but if the market is there, and I think it is if they mix it up more and not do the same western med cruise again) then it might work out....and ports might be offering good deals to cruiselines now; in San Diego we are seeing a huge drop in cruise ships due to the scares from Mexico etc).

There are a lot of things DCL could do in Europe, but I don't see them taking much of a risk. I have no problem flying to different departure and arrival ports, but DCL's surveys don't list that as an option in Europe. I think that by suggesting 7-night eastern and western Med itineraries from Civitavecchia, DCL can cover a nice selection of ports between Barcelona and Kusadasi without having to change their home port. For DCL fans who want an eastern Med itinerary - it's there. For those who want a longer cruise - they can do a b2b.

 

[gismo1554]

There are a lot of things DCL could do in Europe, but I don't see them taking much of a risk. I have no problem flying to different departure and arrival ports, but DCL's surveys don't list that as an option in Europe. I think that by suggesting 7-night eastern and western Med itineraries from Civitavecchia, DCL can cover a nice selection of ports between Barcelona and Kusadasi without having to change their home port. For DCL fans who want an eastern Med itinerary - it's there. For those who want a longer cruise - they can do a b2b.

Right so are we thinking then any TA would be to Rome rather than Barcelona or would there a shorter repositioning cruise from Barcelona to Rome?

 

[NancyIL]

Right so are we thinking then any TA would be to Rome rather than Barcelona or would there a shorter repositioning cruise from Barcelona to Rome?

I hope a Transatlantic cruise would end in Civitavecchia, rather than a TA to Barcelona and a repo to Civitavecchia. The former would be a lot more appealing to me. Depending on where the Magic is sailing in the spring of 2013 - the TA could start from Galveston, Port Canaveral, or even New York.

 

[OrcaPotter]

As we all (anxiously) await the announcement of the 2013 itineraries and rates, I have some questions.

Since other members of my family have done the bookings for our past cruises, I'm not familiar with how the deposits work. We've always booked our cruises pretty close to the sail date as we have caught specials--so I think we've just paid in full up front. When you book with DCL, is the deposit per person or per stateroom? Is it based on the total fare, or based on the stateroom or length of the cruise?

For those who have booked DCL as soon as the new itineraries/dates are up, do you do it through a TA or the website? Do you have a preference, outside of which method gets OBC/other perks? Do prices tend to increase within days, weeks, or months after the initial release?

My family desperately wants to cruise (DCL) and I think if we wait another year (for 2013) we can possibly pull it off if the price difference is sweet enough. Thanks for any insights!

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

As we all (anxiously) await the announcement of the 2013 itineraries and rates, I have some questions.

Since other members of my family have done the bookings for our past cruises, I'm not familiar with how the deposits work. We've always booked our cruises pretty close to the sail date as we have caught specials--so I think we've just paid in full up front. When you book with DCL, is the deposit per person or per stateroom? Is it based on the total fare, or based on the stateroom or length of the cruise?

Unless you have an onboard booking offer, your deposit is 20% of your total cruise cost no matter the category, itinerary or number of people. Note: with suites, and some special itineraries like the Maiden Voyages, the deposit is non-refundable

For those who have booked DCL as soon as the new itineraries/dates are up, do you do it through a TA or the website? Do you have a preference, outside of which method gets OBC/other perks?

I book with Dreams Unlimited solely for the reason they have the best OBC that I have found. Remember, once you book with a TA, you cannot go direct to Disney for any requests (dining, allergies, etc). You can however book Palo/Remy, Spa and excursions on your own through the DCL website once you are paid in full and your booking window opens for your cruise.

Do prices tend to increase within days, weeks, or months after the initial release?

It depends on the cruise and how well it sells, but generally, yes prices go up and up as the categories sell out. There are instances like you mentioned where there are deals right before the cruise, but those are for new bookings and usually become available after the penalty date closes.

My family desperately wants to cruise (DCL) and I think if we wait another year (for 2013) we can possibly pull it off if the price difference is sweet enough. Thanks for any insights!

Answers in red HTH!

 

[NancyIL]

Do prices tend to increase within days, weeks, or months after the initial release?

I recall a few itineraries where the prices increased by the hour: Panama Canal in 2005 and 2008, and Hawaii in 2012.

 

[Fjobe]

Answers in red HTH!

Thank you! That answered some of my questions too!!

 

[gismo1554]

I hope a Transatlantic cruise would end in Civitavecchia, rather than a TA to Barcelona and a repo to Civitavecchia. The former would be a lot more appealing to me. Depending on where the Magic is sailing in the spring of 2013 - the TA could start from Galveston, Port Canaveral, or even New York.

Although if you look at the TA's that go to Barcelona or Civitavecchia they all tend to come from Florida area. A New York TA would more than likely stop in the UK then they would do another repositioning to Civitavecchia when looking at other cruiselines. I haven't found any coming from New York to Europe directly.

Also you have to take into account the additional days it would take as inevitably cruiselines take the same route TA - either up to New York or down and across to Europe so using this theory I think the Magic will sail out of Florida but hey who knows really

 

[heatherbelle]

I wouldn't like a TA from NY to the UK. Unless it heads down the US coast a bit first. The seas even in summer are very rough, especially around the Irish West Coast, and down to the bottom of England. Beaches in Cornwall are famous for their surf.

As a child having spent many a time being sea sick, just on the crossing from Southampton to Jersey, its not for me. Cherryade has never been the same since.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Right so are we thinking then any TA would be to Rome rather than Barcelona or would there a shorter repositioning cruise from Barcelona to Rome?

that would be great since weve done bearcelona.........

 

[RedSox68]

We have used a TA since 2007 for two reasons: terrific OBCs and the fact that they take all our info (preferred staterooms, dates, etc.) and they do the phone holding for us. It's so much less hassle for us and they have always gotten us what we wanted and we have always been happy with the opening day pricing.

Plus they managed to keep us in the same room on the b2b when many of our friends couldn't get the same rooms by the time they got through!

We'll be platinum by then, too -- so we'll have (hopefully) an easier time booking excursions.

 

[GarakDS9]

I think whenever they get around to releasing summer 2013 dates for the Magic it may include a combination of Eastern & Western Med cruises. We just got back 2 weeks ago from one of the Med cruises & then I got a postcard to complete an online survey which I did yesterday. One of the last questions was about how likely we were to sail on various itineraries (with "starting at" prices listed). The last 2 choices were a Western Med & an Eastern Med with "starting at" prices at $949. They were both 7 nights out of Civitavecchia (Rome). Since both are out of Civitavecchia I am wondering if they would alternate them so you could do back-to-backs. Here's the specific itineraries they gave:

7-NIGHT EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Starting at $949)
Cruise Ports: Civitavecchia, Italy; Messina, Italy; Kusadasi, Turkey; Athens, Greece; Heraklion, Greece; Civitavecchia, Italy

7-NIGHT WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Starting at $949)
Cruise Ports: Civitavecchia, Italy; Genoa, Italy; Marseille, France; Barcelona, Spain; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Sardinia, Italy; Civitavecchia, Italy

I have voted strongly in favor for both itineraries in 3 polls already. I hope DCL is listening. I am already saving up for my B2B in 2013. The best part is the only repeats from our 2010 Med. is Barcelona and Rome.

 

[OrcaPotter]

Answers in red HTH!

Thanks a lot!

 

[trvlgirlmq]

We are currently booked on the Fantasy next June but may change if they announce the Med for 2013. We already planned to visit Paris again that year and adding a (hopefully) 7 day cruise would be great. Will miss the chance to ride Aquaduck though!

Signed,
Not so patiently waiting in TN

 

[M2DD's]

Still Waiting

 

[mom_rules]

us too!

 

[RedSox68]

I have voted strongly in favor for both itineraries in 3 polls already. I hope DCL is listening. I am already saving up for my B2B in 2013. The best part is the only repeats from our 2010 Med. is Barcelona and Rome.

Anyone know what the potential transatlantic dates may be? Didnt' they sail in September the last two years? And did they do Gibraltar and Canary Islands both times?

I saw a T/A on HAL's site that sails back to Florida but on the way out includes the port itinerary for the Med. If Disney did that, then our b-2-b could include the transatlantic. I loved not having to fly home from overseas last time!

 

[gismo1554]

Anyone know what the potential transatlantic dates may be? Didnt' they sail in September the last two years? And did they do Gibraltar and Canary Islands both times?

I saw a T/A on HAL's site that sails back to Florida but on the way out includes the port itinerary for the Med. If Disney did that, then our b-2-b could include the transatlantic. I loved not having to fly home from overseas last time!

No Canary Islands on the September TA's only on the April ones. They did Madiera instead on the September ones (or at least I think they are this year). The TA this year left a couple of days ago slightly earlier than last year. Last year was the 18th Sept. The TA in 2007 was also in late August/early September from what I remember. The islands from last year were:

Barcelona
Madiera
Gibraltar
St Maarten
Tortola
Castaway

I think lol. I have a feeling there was 1 more but then maybe I'm imagining it?

 

[NancyIL]

No Canary Islands on the September TA's only on the April ones. They did Madiera instead on the September ones (or at least I think they are this year). The TA this year left a couple of days ago slightly earlier than last year. Last year was the 18th Sept. The TA in 2007 was also in late August/early September from what I remember. The islands from last year were:

Barcelona
Madiera
Gibraltar
St Maarten
Tortola
Castaway

I think lol. I have a feeling there was 1 more but then maybe I'm imagining it?

I think the April TA also went to Madeira. DCL hasn't gone to the Canary Islands.

I prefer DCL's spring itineraries to the fall ones because they've gone to one more port in Europe and overnighted in Barcelona. I'm not interested in a TA cruise that goes to several Caribbean ports, in addition to Castaway Cay.

**Just checked an old Passporter - and DCL did go to the Canary Islands (Tenerife) in 2007.