best price for cruise?

[carolrie]

Okay we went on a 4 day last October and now we are hooked. I don't know if we can afford it again this year or willhave to wait, but wanted to check prices. Where are the best deals? We wnet on a fall fling last year, will they have that again? any tips wouild be appreciated

 

[albiats]

As to where the best deals are, that's a great question. One good place to check is at Dreams Unlimited, they're offering a bonus rebate right now. You could also check other large agencies, but you have to balance the low cost with the amount of service. If you're confident with your amount of knowledge for cruising, a low price low service agency would be fine.

Someone also posted a couple weeks ago about prices at Costco seemed to be discounted.

When I start checking, I use the Disney Cruise Line's online quote system and compare several time frames when I can possibly go. At this time, they aren't offering any specials or promotions, just the Early Booking Savings for booking a cruise in the future. To get the biggest savings, you have to book as far in the future as possible. They haven't started taking 2004 reservations yet, but it's expected to be available within weeks.

My best advice would be to book a cruise as soon as possible after you determine the date you'd like. If you book with Dreams Unlimited, they automatically monitor DCL promotions and prices for you and they'll have your cruise repriced for you. If you book thru DCL or another Travel Agent, you can watch this board to see if something is announced. If it is, you can call DCL or your TA and ask to have the cruise repriced to the lower amount.

Unfortunately, this method means you have to give DCL a deposit of $250 per passenger while you wait for a promotion to be announced. If they don't announce a promotion and you feel the price is just too much, you can cancel or reschedule without penalty as long as it is before final payment date at 60 days before the cruise.

hope that helps

 

[prymsu]

sometimes that will also help you be able to either upgrade your cabin, or you can find some dates that bookings are low, and can be able to get a better price.

 

[taswira]

Originally posted by albiats
Unfortunately, this method means you have to give DCL a deposit of $250 per passenger while you wait for a promotion to be announced.

As of today, DCL's deposit requirement is still $200 per person.

 

[Michelle]

The deposit requirement for the SEVEN NIGHT cruises is now $250 per person.

For the THREE and FOUR night cruises it is still $200 per person.

 

[AprilN]

Someone also posted a couple weeks ago about prices at Costco seemed to be discounted.

I booked my cruise through Costco a few weeks ago, and they definitely discount the price! The general guidelines are: take the price for the cruise before port charges, taxes, insurance, transfers, air, etc., then subtract 5% for an inside room, or 10% for an outside room!

For my cruise (cat. 6 stateroom), this was a savings of $171 over Dreams Unlimited, even after the rebate. However, some people might not see as significant of a savings, for instance, if they have an inside room, or a larger rebate from DU. But if you're already a Costco member (or even if you're not), it's worth giving them a call to check prices. We were pleasantly surprised!

As I just booked a 2/22/03 cruise, I'm also receiving the Early Booking Discount. Good luck finding the best price!

April

 

[4nana]

carolrie,
Unfortunately I don't think Disney is offering that Fall promo this yr., but have discounted prices across the board for fall sailings.
To save money we decide to go w/off season and chose early Dec. We ck'd w/ a dozen TA's including one local and reputable companies on web. Booking 2 yrs in advance the EB saving was great! However, recently our TA notified us w/Dis new cuts across brd our prices have been reduced $150 pp fr orginal contract, plus we get the $50 first time Dis cruise discount. So it does pay to shop around carefully and I agree you might want to start w/DU the brd sponsers and go fr there. I would also recommend trying cruise411, cruise.com and some of the others you see mention here. Good luck!