Best time to book?

[Pdollar88]

Just getting started looking into a Disney Cruise. Went on one when I was 11 and would love to do it again.

My question is - when is the best time to book your trip to get the best deal? Thanks in advance!

 

[ACQUADUCK]

As soon as they release the cruises.

DCL cruises are very popular and typically best price is on release, cruises at popular times, school holidays, festivals like Christmas, or special cruises, go up and up in price as people book.

Occasionally on " off peak" cruises, booking st the last minute may get you a deal, but then it's with restrictions and still maybe not as good as booking on the first release.

 

[clten]

If you mean how are in advance you should book. PP is correct, as soon as possible. Rates typically rise the closer you get to sailing. If rates have already starting rising on a sailing you are thinking about, there is a slim chance that they may offer a *GT rate within 75-90 days of your sailing but they aren't always available and you have to be flexible, including getting to the port to take advantage of them.

If you meant when is the best time to travel to get a good deal, then typically when schools are in session. Sept - Nov (also hurricane season so rates can be a little lower but you have to "go with the flow" if the weather doesn't cooperate.) January, after the holidays, is generally a less expensive time. There are weeks in Feb - Apr that can be cheaper but you have to avoid holidays (President's Day and Easter) and spring break times. So May can also be a less expensive time.

 

[Shanti]

Just getting started looking into a Disney Cruise. Went on one when I was 11 and would love to do it again.

My question is - when is the best time to book your trip to get the best deal? Thanks in advance!

In general, you should book as soon as you know you want to cruise, to lock in current pricing, which might rise over time.

Sometimes last-minute (a few months pre-cruise) deals appear. These "GT" deals can occur for any itinerary and any time of year, both in prime season and low season: we got one for a Christmas week cruise this past December, and have seen a few for the premier Alaska cruises this summer. It's all about how well a cruise is selling, in terms of if they'll discount it or not, and there is no way to know that in advance.

 

[Pdollar88]

That was my feeling - I think I’ll go ahead and book and pressure my bf a bit more the closer the PIF date gets.

Can I change the other guest on a cruise past that date? In case he can’t or doesn’t want to go?

 

[Shanti]

That was my feeling - I think I’ll go ahead and book and pressure my bf a bit more the closer the PIF date gets.

Can I change the other guest on a cruise past that date? In case he can’t or doesn’t want to go?

There are cancellation penalties that kick in as you get closer to sailing. Read the fine print to figure out when they kick in for your particular cruise.

 

[clten]

There are different rules for name changes than cancellation. I believe (would have to check) that a name change can be done after PIF up to a few weeks before sailing for only a small fee ($50 or so) rather than cancelling you bf and rebooking someone else. (Never use the word cancel to a res agent when your end goal is just to make a change.)