2015 sail dates?

[kaseyC]

Yes, last time I did this I cancelled mine as son as I heard back from the TA. I may just book myself and transfer to costco too - as it's the same or more than the OBC.

Doesn't matter if you cancelled as soon as you heard from your TA. DCL rates work on a tier system. Once a certain number of cabins in a category are booked, rates move up to the next pricing tier. For a popular specialty cruise that can happen in minutes. Rates do not drop back down. The only thing a cancellation does is return that cabin back to inventory at the higher price.

My advice for what its worth, is either get a TA you can trust (someone who responds to your emails/calls) or book it yourself.

 

[TinkTatoo]

Guesestimates are

• Castaway Cay.
• Madeira.
• Lisborn Portugal.
• Amsterdam.

This is Not Based on any port bookings but rumours I heard.

I'd be happy with those ports, wondered if it might have gone to the Azores instead of Madeira but I guess we'll find out in hopefully 10 days time

 

[DahliaRW]

Doesn't matter if you cancelled as soon as you heard from your TA. DCL rates work on a tier system. Once a certain number of cabins in a category are booked, rates move up to the next pricing tier. For a popular specialty cruise that can happen in minutes. Rates do not drop back down. The only thing a cancellation does is return that cabin back to inventory at the higher price.

My advice for what its worth, is either get a TA you can trust (someone who responds to your emails/calls) or book it yourself.

So last time my TA put in a hold, I hadn't put the deposit down (had 3 days to do that). Does that affect price or just when it is finalized. Watching prices on our cruise, they did not rise more than a few dollars until day 4 or so, which I assumed was due to people actually putting their deposits in.

I do have a line out to another TA who I would trust, but he just got a job with Disney and does not know yet if he'll be allowed to continue his side job of booking Disney trips. His job training is next week, should find out then!

 

[ranidayz]

So last time my TA put in a hold, I hadn't put the deposit down (had 3 days to do that). Does that affect price or just when it is finalized. Watching prices on our cruise, they did not rise more than a few dollars until day 4 or so, which I assumed was due to people actually putting their deposits in. I do have a line out to another TA who I would trust, but he just got a job with Disney and does not know yet if he'll be allowed to continue his side job of booking Disney trips. His job training is next week, should find out then!

I have found that if you know what you're doing and know what you want, it's easier to do the booking yourself and transfer to Costco. (I'm not confident they know much there, and many of us in the DIS know quite a bit.). You wind up bring your own first priority customer and then getting a nice cash card. If you feel confident in your DCL skills and knowledge, that route may well suit you best.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I'd be happy with those ports, wondered if it might have gone to the Azores instead of Madeira but I guess we'll find out in hopefully 10 days time

Well hope its good for you, As said there rumors, the Amsterdam bit was told to me in August last year, and all of the information from those sources so far has proven to be 100% accurate.

I am pretty sure on Lisbon on the way up and also the Dover >> Barcelona run.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

So last time my TA put in a hold, I hadn't put the deposit down (had 3 days to do that). Does that affect price or just when it is finalized. Watching prices on our cruise, they did not rise more than a few dollars until day 4 or so, which I assumed was due to people actually putting their deposits in.

I do have a line out to another TA who I would trust, but he just got a job with Disney and does not know yet if he'll be allowed to continue his side job of booking Disney trips. His job training is next week, should find out then!

A hold for three days can with other bookings, bump the rack prices up and takes the stateroom stock out for those days.

 

[DahliaRW]

I have found that if you know what you're doing and know what you want, it's easier to do the booking yourself and transfer to Costco. (I'm not confident they know much there, and many of us in the DIS know quite a bit.). You wind up bring your own first priority customer and then getting a nice cash card. If you feel confident in your DCL skills and knowledge, that route may well suit you best.

Thanks. I'm totally leaning this way.

A hold for three days can with other bookings, bump the rack prices up and takes the stateroom stock out for those days.

Thank you!

 

[Tink2312]

Well hope its good for you, As said there rumors, the Amsterdam bit was told to me in August last year, and all of the information from those sources so far has proven to be 100% accurate.

I am pretty sure on Lisbon on the way up and also the Dover >> Barcelona run.

Thanks again for the info. I think those ports would suit us - bit of beach time mixed with a city break and plenty of sea days to relax. I think I'm pretty sold on doing one of the TAs now. Hopefully the prices won't put me off and there won't be a big increase from this year.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Thanks again for the info. I think those ports would suit us - bit of beach time mixed with a city break and plenty of sea days to relax. I think I'm pretty sold on doing one of the TAs now. Hopefully the prices won't put me off and there won't be a big increase from this year.

The TAs are normally good value. Lets hope you get what you want.

 

[Douvres Family]

I've been reading a lot about Costco...
...Is Costco really that much better??? I've always dont my own booking and this time I'm considering using a TA that was recommended...but If I'm paying about $8,000 for 3 on a DCL vs $6,000 on NCL (and paying DS college tuition after that)...I at least would like to get the best OBC.

Inbox me if you feel it may be best that way...thank you!

 

[woody73]

So last time my TA put in a hold, I hadn't put the deposit down (had 3 days to do that). Does that affect price or just when it is finalized. . .

The hold affects price. It takes the cabin out of inventory, and when the hold is released the cabin is re-priced at the prevailing rate.

Woody

 

[DahliaRW]

The hold affects price. It takes the cabin out of inventory, and when the hold is released the cabin is re-priced at the prevailing rate.

Woody

Yes, a pp already pointed that out if you read above. And I responded too.

 

[ranidayz]

I've been reading a lot about Costco... ...Is Costco really that much better??? I've always dont my own booking and this time I'm considering using a TA that was recommended...but If I'm paying about $8,000 for 3 on a DCL vs $6,000 on NCL (and paying DS college tuition after that)...I at least would like to get the best OBC. Inbox me if you feel it may be best that way...thank you!

Yes. It's really that good. But only if you like coming home from your vacation and getting a big chunk of money in the mail. If you don't like that, I guess it's not that good. ;-)

 

[Douvres Family]

Yes. It's really that good. But only if you like coming home from your vacation and getting a big chunk of money in the mail. If you don't like that, I guess it's not that good. ;-)

Oh yeah...I would just despise that...
Are you kidding? I dont mind waiting for greater cashback over OBC...
Definitely something to look into...

Thank you so much!!!

 

[Travelbee]

Does anyone know if the announcement will include at least starting prices for the specific itinerary?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Does anyone know if the announcement will include at least starting prices for the specific itinerary?

Yes they normally post a price range from $ to $ per category.

This will give you an idea from the 2010 Baltics.



image by Andrew D Porter, on Flickr

 

[kaseyC]

So last time my TA put in a hold, I hadn't put the deposit down (had 3 days to do that). Does that affect price or just when it is finalized. Watching prices on our cruise, they did not rise more than a few dollars until day 4 or so, which I assumed was due to people actually putting their deposits in.

Yes, even a hold can affect the rate tier. DCL considers that a booked cabin. I know it sounds farfetched but many of us have literally watched the rates going up by the minute for new itineraries and specialty cruises.

 

[woody73]

. . . I know it sounds farfetched but many of us have literally watched the rates going up by the minute for new itineraries and specialty cruises.

Yes, been there, seen that.

Woody

 

[tupperny]

Is the current thought that ebta will be from May 16 (or so) until May 29?

Bill

 

[MousseauMob]

Wow! I had no idea a hold affected pricing since its not an actual booking. Good to know!

Does anyone know if we will know the OBB restrictions when they release the schedule? I'm thinking I'll just book myself, then when onboard at the end of May doing a OBB and list the TA for the OBC. Of course this won't work if the cruise I want is restricted.