Any news on Summer '05 Cruise Dates?

[Yankee914]

Still waiting to hear about Summer '05 cruise dates. My AAA travel agent says Disney told her they won't release dates for another five weeks. Any news out there on what the holdup is?

 

[elemusing]

Yes - we are still ANXIOUSLY awaiting. That's why I hopped over here to the cruise board. I am ready to book so I can start paying and saving!

Angie

 

[disneylover5]

We were on the Jan 24th Eastern and they told us the information would be released in March.

Many think the Magic will go west at least for a little while to celebrate Disneyland's 50th...the captain even hinted....

 

[Yankee914]

Oh, I hope that is not true. We really wanted to go back on the Magic -- what will they do without 7 day cruises out of Orlando? I hope we don't have to switch to Royal Caribbean.

 

[disney queen]

i sure hope the magic does not leave for awhile either!! we are looking to book september or october 05.

 

[BWVPam]

Angie,

I too wanted to book an 05 summer sailing. SInce the 7 day was not available, we went ahead and booked the 4 day and will move the money over if and when they announce 7 day sailings.

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by BWVPam
Angie,

I too wanted to book an 05 summer sailing. SInce the 7 day was not available, we went ahead and booked the 4 day and will move the money over if and when they announce 7 day sailings.

Thats exactly what we are debating doing now. Although our other option is to do a 7 day cruise(which I really wanted for my 10th anniversary) on another line.

 

[Scotch]

Originally posted by BWVPam
Angie,

I too wanted to book an 05 summer sailing. SInce the 7 day was not available, we went ahead and booked the 4 day and will move the money over if and when they announce 7 day sailings.

Is there any benefit to doing this? You end up having to pay a deposit in advance and what you want is a 7 day cruise. Are there special discounts?

 

[CamColt]

Scotch, my reasons for wanting to do this are..

1)To get Early Booking Savings in case we do end up doing the 4 day. Im not sure how long the EBS last so I would hate to end up doing the 4 day and paying more for it than I have to.

And 2) I dont want to be shut out of the room I want. Being a family of 4 that wants a category 6 room, we are limited to the rooms that sleep 4. Im estimating only half(or probably less) of the category 6s sleep 4. If all of those book up, and we still want a verandah, then we have to go up to a category 5, and essentially pay more for the same room, just higher up on the ship, which isnt worth it to me.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Don't forget that even if they move the Magic west for a few months and you want to do a seven day there is always the option of a back to back Wonder! Just in case you hadn't thought of it and were interested.

 

[AnnaS]

When I called MS last week to modify our reservation for August, I was also told that March is the time for dates/announcements. I told MS about the all the rumors on-line and he just laughed. We are also anxiously waiting for dates/point/cash chart for July 2, 2005 (7 day). Will not fly to CA. Might consider the 4 day on the Wonder with a longer stay at WDW.

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by Luckymommyx2
Don't forget that even if they move the Magic west for a few months and you want to do a seven day there is always the option of a back to back Wonder! Just in case you hadn't thought of it and were interested.

Thanks! I have been thinking of that option too, but Im afraid Ill regret doing the same thing twice in a row. Ive always said I dont even care where the ship goes as long as Im on it, but I sort of look at repeating the itinerary as a waste of money. Im sure it would be wonderful though! Id love feedback from anyone who has done the back to back Wonder cruises.

 

[elemusing]

What would the price difference be for back to back cruises on Wonder vs. a 7 day on Magic? We have only done the 3 day Wonder and are going to do 7 day for sure even if we have to do a back to back this time.

Does one get a discount for doing back to back. Do you have to move rooms? What do you do on the ship while every one else is arriving and departing?


Angie

 

[Cap]

I was on the 1/31 Western and rebooked on board on Thursday, Feb 5. The agent said they were having repeated delays in getting the 2005 itineraries finalized and now did not expect to have them out until May.

At our DVC Member update the prior week, the cast member giving the update said that one of the ships would be repositioned to the west coast for three months in 2005, but would not tell us anything more. When asked about a repositioning cruise through the Panama Canal, he said that such a cruise might not be available to the general public. That leaves three options in my mind:

1 - sail empty - probably not likely when it could be revenue producing,

2 - make available only to Disney cast members and families, as a 50th anniversary year celebration / perk.

3 - do as a 2005 DVC Member cruise.

However, until they actually announce something, we'll just have to hope.

 

[BWVPam]

Scotch,

My reasons are pretty much the same as CamColt. If they don't have a 7 night available, I don't want to miss out on the 4 day. Plus by booking now, I was able to book one of the secret porthole rooms in Category 10, saving me a lot of money. If the 7 day becomes available and it is an itinerary I want, then I will move the deposit over. If not, we will take the 4 day, stay longer at WDW and I will have saved $$ over waiting to book.

 

[debm]

Where do you find out? I mean, if an "announcement" is made where do you hear about it? I'm sure people will be talking here but what is the best way to hear officially? Thanks!

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by debm
Where do you find out? I mean, if an "announcement" is made where do you hear about it? I'm sure people will be talking here but what is the best way to hear officially? Thanks!

I think it will be all over here as soon as its announced, so this is where Im looking. However Inkognito/Barb just returned from a cruise and she has posted that it looks like its going to be May before any official announcement is made.

Im wondering if whatever "new" they are trying to do isnt working out. You would think they would want to announce it ASAP, to start booking and taking money.

 

[SandraLee]

While I was onboard in October I did book a 7 day Magic for April, 2005. I do NOT want to go this time, but I booked for 2 reasons:

1. When the rest of 2005 opens and I move to the week I want, I can keep my 10% discount I got from booking onboard. Donna (the onboard agent) said I would get a 10% discount from whatever the rate was of the week I wanted.

2. I got the $200 onboard credit by booking onboard! That will stay with me when I move to the week I want.

My friends thought I was crazy for doing this -- I did have to pay the deposit. But, in the long run it could save me a lot of $$.

I can't wait to finalize the 2005 schedule -- this is driving me crazy!

 

[KelNottAt]

...one of the ships goes to CA for the summer of '05? How might they keep the Bahamian/Caribbean itineraries going?

Would DCL consider a 14-day cycle in order to continue offering all their cruise "products" on the East Coast? That is, what are the chances for a 3-day followed by a 4-day followed by a 7-day followed by a 3 day followed by a 4-day followed by a 7-day, and so on...

Anyone?

Kelley

 

[Cap]

KellNotAt,

I suspect that it is questions such as yours that has the post-April 2005 itineraries being delayed and delayed. Without a replacement ship, DCL has to find a way to keep their regular customers happy and handle requests for new business / itineraries. Remember, DCL is not a big company like Royal Carribbean, so they probably are having to do a lot of learning on how to plan new itineraries, etc.