2025 Sailings

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Based on the data, the opening window rates were not the lowest prices in 2023 for those common itineraries.

I checked the same charts for 2022. It was also not the case in 2022, except for:

• The Wish's 4-night cruises
• Alaska cruises on the Wonder, which were about the same 400+ days out as 75 days out. (I think it was plus or minus $100 on a $7,000 stateroom.)

I'd probably not use any data from 2021 and 2020 to make decisions about 2024.

In 2019:

• Alaska cruises on the Wonder were cheaper 400+ days out
• The Fantasy's 7N Western itineraries were about $500 cheaper a year out than in the 45 days before sailing

I'm sure there are certain ships and itineraries that are exceptions. But you'd have to go back to roughly 2017 to see all the ships' main itineraries definitely cheaper a year out than last-minute.

That said, DCL is running around 95% cabin occupancy and around 90% total passenger occupancy this summer. Disney could decide that they don't need to discount at the last minute. Royal Caribbean moved to this model in 2018, for example.

But is the data showing opening day numbers?

 

[lentesta]

But is the data showing opening day numbers?

I'll check. It looks like some do and some, I have questions about. I'll check with our data provider and provide an update.

 

[bcwife76]

How far out do they announce them, normally? Isn't it normally when the itineraries for the given season are released?

No, DVC member cruises usually have their own release each year and historically have been around April or May for the following year so you still have quite a while before the 2025 member cruise is announced.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

No, DVC member cruises usually have their own release each year and historically have been around April or May for the following year so you still have quite a while before the 2025 member cruise is announced.

Oh, ok. This year it just seemed to almost coincide with the schedule release (about two weeks later). Though the gad in the Dream's schedule kinda hinted at it. But one never knows, of course.

 

[MommyCMickey]

I'm waiting for the Alaska cruises for 2025 to post.

 

[Stormypetrel]

I’m taking my first cruise in February, and if I don’t hate it plan to book a placeholder to be used on an alaska 2025 sailing. In the event those itineraries go on sale before my cruise in February, is it worth booking on opening day, or should I just wait to use the placeholder discount? Reading this thread it doesn’t seem like in the past couple years the price has been substantially lower on opening day across room categories? Are the savings more about having access to better value room categories that sell out quickly?
Anyone have experience applying a placeholder discount to an existing reservation (I assume this means they cancel and rebook the same rooms when you call to redeem the placeholder)?

 

[ljhayes]

I’m taking my first cruise in February, and if I don’t hate it plan to book a placeholder to be used on an alaska 2025 sailing. In the event those itineraries go on sale before my cruise in February, is it worth booking on opening day, or should I just wait to use the placeholder discount? Reading this thread it doesn’t seem like in the past couple years the price has been substantially lower on opening day across room categories? Are the savings more about having access to better value room categories that sell out quickly?
Anyone have experience applying a placeholder discount to an existing reservation (I assume this means they cancel and rebook the same rooms when you call to redeem the placeholder)?

It would be a cancel and rebook to use a placeholder. There is no downside to booking on opening day. If prices have gone up enough that the placeholder is no longer a better value, you just keep your booking as is. If it would be cheaper at the time you get the placeholder, then you cancel and rebook with no penalty. (adding that this all assumes it is not post pay in full date, which it won't be per the specifics given in the question)