2013 Ontario march break dates

[petbren]

Anyone? Trying to book DCL, but don't want to book wrong week

 

[Ted in Halifax]

March 11-15 from 2012-13 schedule ...

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/list/calendar/holidaye.html

edit Note: A School Board may modify school calendar dates with prior approval of the Ministry. Please contact your board to see if their School Holidays have been modified.

 

[candizfan]

Hi petbren

I am going to book the Disney Fantasy departing March 9th.

Usually our board sticks to the calendar noted in the link but this year's Christmas break did not match....I am hoping that is not a sign.

They will not tell us parents when they plan on having the break before September's school calendar is out. You can bet they know earlier but they won't share the information.

I would hate to have to move it and missed the early booking prices. Plus the ship is almost sold out that week. If they change weeks, it might cost me less!

 

[petbren]

Hi petbren

I am going to book the Disney Fantasy departing March 9th.

Usually our board sticks to the calendar noted in the link but this year's Christmas break did not match....I am hoping that is not a sign.

They will not tell us parents when they plan on having the break before September's school calendar is out. You can bet they know earlier but they won't share the information.

I would hate to have to move it and missed the early booking prices. Plus the ship is almost sold out that week. If they change weeks, it might cost me less!

Thanks. I am hoping to book the same cruise. I had a quote last week for what I wanted, but DH is still stressing about being able to get the week off, this far ahead.
I see you have done other cruises--we own DVC, and have never cruised at all. If you book something, and have to move it, how does that work--do you loose your deposti

 

[candizfan]

You don't lose any deposit until close to the cruise date. For this cruise it is Dec 25th. You can cancel anytime before then and not lose any money. You can move it any time and not lose your deposit as well.

I booked this cruise on board during our March 2011 cruise and knew we would not be going until March 2013. Since the dates are not released that far ahead, I have moved it three times now. It is really very easy to do.

We own DVC as well. We own at SSR and AKV. I have never used our points to cruise but a lot of people do. I find the better value is to stay on property with your points and pay cash for the cruise. But it is always an option.

I love cruising! It would be great if it works out for both of us and we can do some planning together. You are in Hamilton correct?

There are always a lot of people from Texas off the same week and there is a fun competition between us Canadians and the Texans on board. So far we out numbered them but it was really close the last trip.

 

[petbren]

You don't lose any deposit until close to the cruise date. For this cruise it is Dec 25th. You can cancel anytime before then and not lose any money. You can move it any time and not lose your deposit as well.

I booked this cruise on board during our March 2011 cruise and knew we would not be going until March 2013. Since the dates are not released that far ahead, I have moved it three times now. It is really very easy to do.

We own DVC as well. We own at SSR and AKV. I have never used our points to cruise but a lot of people do. I find the better value is to stay on property with your points and pay cash for the cruise. But it is always an option.

I love cruising! It would be great if it works out for both of us and we can do some planning together. You are in Hamilton correct?

There are always a lot of people from Texas off the same week and there is a fun competition between us Canadians and the Texans on board. So far we out numbered them but it was really close the last trip.

Thanks so much for the info. Being DVC(BWV), I know all the ins and outs of Disney but am a cruise idiot
Yes, we do live in Hamilton--we usually fly SW from Buffalo. I'm assuming you fly from Detroit. Do you usually fly in the day before? We all know what flying out in March can be like.
DH and I had a discussion this morning after I got your reply, and I have nailed him down to doing the cruise. He works at a downtown TO hospital, and getting March Break week off can be a bit of a challenge
He has agreed to speak to his supervisor this week about getting a special request for that week off.
I had asked for a quote from Dreams Unlimited and thought it was good, but had to let it go until we had things more firmed up on this end. Any suggestions for booking deals?
DH is claustrophobic, so we need at minimum a Family Suite with Verandah.
The Texas challange sounds like great fun
Any other input or suggestions you have for me would be great--treat me like a total Newbie

 

[spideyspence]

Just a tip. If you check your School Boards website the draft calendar is listed quite early. I know ours is posted for all to see by the end of January each year.

 

[mkmommy]

We are booked on this cruise too! I was looking at Christmas airfares out of Buffalo to get an idea of what March 2013 is going to be , and I have a feeling finding anything less than $500 is going to be a good deal.

 

[petbren]

We are booked on this cruise too! I was looking at Christmas airfares out of Buffalo to get an idea of what March 2013 is going to be , and I have a feeling finding anything less than $500 is going to be a good deal.

Looking forward to meeting some other SW Ontario crusiers on that trip. We should set up a mini-DIS meet.
Last year-2011 we flew from Buffalo to Orlando at March Break Price was$533.20 return each, taxes in I booked that as soon as the flights opened, they only went up from there.
Can't see it being any cheaper next year
Still cheaper, more convenient, and smoother arrival/departure than flying TO
Want to really cry--We went in November/09 and paid $139.30 return

 

[candizfan]

Our board does not seem to publish the calendar very early and when I tried to call and ask, they got very uptight and would not give me any information. I am not sure what that is all about.

We do fly out of Detroit and last March break the tickets were around $350 US each but I also booked them well in advance. We are going in May this year instead of March so I am not sure what the prices would have been for this year.

Usually we fly in either Thursday night or Friday night before the cruise and we stay near the airport. We have a friend in the area we will try and visit when we go down. Plus if we pick up the rental cars (or van) on Friday, we only need it for 24 hours and can drop the car at the port.

This cruise is almost sold out already! Hopefully you can still get a room at a good price. I do have a travel agent I use that gives me an on board credit and takes care of the booking for me. I can PM his name and number to anyone who would like to use him.

As for deals, the only way to get a good deal seems to be to book early. This is peak time for them so the prices don't ever seem to go down. Some have said you can book 3 month out with Epedia at times and save, but I would not want to risk it.

 

[candizfan]

By the way...here is the link to the DIS meets for the cruise date of March 9/13!

There are already a ton of postings!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2819121

 

[mkmommy]

This cruise is almost sold out already! Hopefully you can still get a room at a good price. I do have a travel agent I use that gives me an on board credit and takes care of the booking for me. I can PM his name and number to anyone who would like to use him.

As for deals, the only way to get a good deal seems to be to book early. This is peak time for them so the prices don't ever seem to go down. Some have said you can book 3 month out with Epedia at times and save, but I would not want to risk it.

You might want to look at 2 rooms with 2 people in each room, as there is lots of availablity, looks like it is rooms for 4 that are in short supply.

2012 will be the 5th spring break on DCL. The first 2 years in about November there was a price drop on the inside rooms and we were able to downgrade and save quite a bit, 2 years ago there was a kids sail free on the 4 Day Wonder cruises so that was a good deal. We did the Dream last year no deals and this year we are doing the MR on the Wonder. The cruise is sold out but the rates were low so begin with and never changed, so I guess we have been pretty lucky at getting good rates for spring break, but we do book in advance,especially if you need a room for 4.