Any such thing as a "Last Minute Deal" on DCL?

[Jo-Anne]

We have just re-thought our vacation and long story short, we are considering a 7 day cruise in late Jan/early Feb. We sailed the 7 day Eastern in Nov 2003 and of course the kids loved it and are always asking to do another cruise. I know we're late to the game when it comes to booking a cruise, and when I checked prices for a 7 day Western it was really high compared to our 03 trip (there are 4 of us DH, DD 9, DS 6 and me). Has anyone had any luck with a good price, "last minute deal" for a 7 Day Disney cruise?

 

[musicgirl]

Unfortunately, it is just the opposite with DCL. The price goes up as the cruise gets closer.

The prices have taken quite a jump from 2003, so you might be experiencing that part of the "sticker shock".

I know that we booked when the 2006 dates first came out (around last Oct.) and for the three of us, the price has risen about $800. I'll be interested to see just how much it goes up by 6-06.

 

[mommasita]

I agree with Musicgirl, it almost always gets higher...

Although, have you tried calling and asking for a "Canadian" special...SOmetimes there are, and they are not advertised...I have had them twice, and the often tell you to call back daily, as sometimes they are put out on the "spur of the moment"..

 

[CM_Mom]

Depending on the date, it would be worth your time to price your cruise on multiple TA sites or online booking sites. I believe some of the TAs that specialize in DCL purchase a "block" of rooms when the dates first come out to lock in the rate so they can offer a lower rate closer to the sail date.

No guarantee but if you know when you want to sail or even if your dates are a little flexible you might be able to find a TA with a better rate.

I've also see a big difference between weeks close together so you might check the week before and after if you have some scheduling flexibility.

 

[Jsme]

I have a friend who decided at the last minute to book a DCL. They were going down to WDW for 2 weeks and decided last year in September to add a 3 day cruise on. She called for 3 days and was able to get a room for 3 for less than $900. BUT you have to remember this was during the hurricanes last year. Her ship was the first to go to CC after Francis.

 

[kcashner]

Yes, there are occasional last minute deals on DCL, although I haven't seen any in about 2 years. They are always on the "entry level" cabins--the cheapest possible.

If you qualify for special discounts (FL resident, military, TA, etc.) there are more deals available, but these are only announced within 90 days of sailing. If you are one of us who don't qualify for such things and you want something other than an inside cabin, you are better off booking as early as possible. IF by chance your cruise price goes down, DCL will match the new rate if you contact them. That almost never happens...unless you book at regular rates and then FL resident rates come out.

Maybe I should move to FL.

 

[JLDSMD]

If you go to www.wdwinfo.com, the main page for the DIS boards, and click on the DCL Cruise tab, there is an ad there from Dreams Unlimited. Click on that. You will see that they are advertising sailing on the 1/28/06 Western, the following fares (all for 4 passengers):

Cat 11 = $2,658
Cat 10 = $2,738
Cat 9 = $2,933
Cat 8 = $3,433
Cat 6 = $4,123

It says they have limited space and pricing won't last long, but you may want to give them a shot. Like CM_Mom said, some TA's have blocks of space. DU must still have space in their block. Now when you go to book, it may be gone, but it's worth trying. Not sure how that pricing compares to what you were finding.

 

[crisi]

I suspect DCL doesn't offer many "last minute specials" because it undermines their ability to get premium prices for cruises....honestly, if people knew there was a good chance you could sail at a discount booking 60 days out, many people would wait.

Cast Members and Florida residents have the best chance of being offered these, probably because they are a small enough subset that they can finish filling the ship without impacting earlier bookings.

 

[Jilly123]

I just booked a 4 night on the Wonder (Cat 5) for late September for only $2362 for 4 people.
This is less than what we paid last September, and with the money I saved, I added another night onto our Disney stay with the Magic My Way with Free Dining package!
Jill

 

[lbgraves]

Hey there Jo!!!! :thewave: You can find a deal but you would have to find a TA with group space still available. Why don't you look into the 12/10/06? It would be great to see you guys again! DU helped us book another cruise then & saved us $1000 from the current DCL price for a category 10. I hope that you find someone that can help you.

 

[Corryn]

Hello,
I had a few websites that offered last minute Disney cruise deals, but then my computer crashed and I'm on a new computer with none of my old bookmarks
But if you go to google and punch in Last Minute Cruise Disney, you'll come up with quite a few sites.
www.cruisesonly.com was one of them. I remember visiting one of the sites and for about $1200 for 4 we could have done the 3 night Bahama cruise (no airfare). I LOVE Disney, but just because its Disney doesn't mean it's always going to be booked. There are ALWAYS deals out there, especially if you want to go last minute.
Good Luck!

 

[jrabbit]

Any such thing as a "Last Minute Deal" on DCL?

 

[lillygator]

For Fl Residents they do this, we had one last year.

 

[DisneyElf]

I booked a cruise using cruisecompete.com -- booked in May for a Sept. - eastern sailing.

Paid $ 2100 for 2 people - CAT 7.