Booking DCL Sept 2027 tips please.

[Nick6300]

Book early, but also keep watching prices starting about 6 mos prior to sail as September cruises are often targeted for discounts. If you are not too picky with room location, you may be able to switch to a guarantee rate that can be significantly cheaper...BUT you have to be willing to take the room they assign you. I've done most of my cruises this way and did not mind any of the rooms assigned. Keep in mind, sometimes early dining will already be full by then. If coming from the West coast, late dining might be preferable due to the 3hr time change. Although, out of 10 cruises, there was only 1 time early dining was full for me, but that was a holiday weekend and I booked less than 2mos out.

Since you you do not plan to sail until 2027, get familiar with the "Special Offers" page this year to familiarize yourself with pricing patterns. If you have a Costco card, you can book with them for the Shop Card they give with booking. I've found it's given me savings of about 6% and I put it on my Costco visa for another 2%

As far as taking in the 4th in your cabin? My vote would be a hard "NO." You are spending a lot of money to have a family vacation. Enjoy the special time with your little family.

Thanks for your support on taking in the 4th. It will definitely come up again though, especially if the grandparents have issues getting that family suite on the balcony. Hopefully I even get a choice/voice. This same sister in law sent over her kids for an entire week on the last week of Dec., with the grandparents. I joked, where is their lunch money. I had started planning restaurants, and, had already bought some groceries, and planned some meals, bought hockey tickets for what I thought was 6 of us, and then no one told me about the kids for a week until the day of. On our Sept WDW trip, my sis in law did go with us, so only one of their kids were sent to the grandparents room. Every trip has that happen, such as the Dells in June. But this cruise is kind of where I draw the line. But we shall see. I probably lose. Just like that I predict we will have a puppy or kitten in a couple of years.

We don't have Costco membership. We do have Sams. I feel like my wife is set on doing a travel agent though. Which is a bummer if there are better deals out there. I think there's a comfort in feeling like we're set up correctly or something. I'm not picky on my room other than that I want my interior stateroom with no windows, and no doors (just kidding). It does sound like we want that early dinner time given our groups' needs.

We did do some pricing for this Aug-Oct, and it seemed like mid Sept was the cheapest for a 4 night stay in the Caribbean. The 4 night or maybe even 3 makes sense because of us pairing it with a 3 night WDW with limited vacation time, and the expensive cruise would be cheaper, and etc.

 

[jimmymc]

What is the typical window for booking a DCL for Sept 2027? So far we've tentatively landed on Sept. with price being the most important. Sort of thinking a 3 day WDW followed by the DCL to ensure we don't miss our port time. I'd normally prefer WDW last, but otherwise we'd be considering a hotel for a night between MCO and Port C. There would be grandparents with 3 kids squeezed into a balcony facing room, and our fam of 3 somewhere within walking distance, hopefully in the middle of ship, away from balcony. We looked at some prices for this Aug-Oct, and mid Sept was the cheapest. We're thinking a shorter Caribbean with 1-2 Disney ports, such as 4 nights. The consideration for Aug., even if slightly more than Sept., is that the 2 of us our will likely be AP until 9/12, if we renew this Sept. If we land on a cruise in Sept., we probably won't renew and cut down on our WDW trips after our Aug 2026. Starting with when to book, any aspect that I should know would be helpful as none of us have done the cruises, and we've only gone on 1 Carnival cruise Aug 2012. Such as travel agents you've liked, which dining time, room types, etc. Thank you!

Based on past years, summer 2027 itineraries will be released at the end of February and fall 2027 will come out in August. I can't remember exactly where the cutoff is for Caribbean sailings. September is a slower time and Disney ships have plenty of different room configurations, so getting the two rooms you want shouldn't be an issue. If you don't care about doing a Halloween cruise, then early to mid September is one of the cheapest times of the year to cruise.

I prefer early dining because it lines up with my normal schedule, but I don't think it makes a huge difference. Late dining is normally less crowded, but not by a large margin. Elaine at Dreams Unlimited is a great agent for cruises and WDW. Make sure you try and see all the shows, and try the churro mickey waffles if you see them on the breakfast menu or in the buffet.

 

[Nick6300]

Based on past years, summer 2027 itineraries will be released at the end of February and fall 2027 will come out in August. I can't remember exactly where the cutoff is for Caribbean sailings. September is a slower time and Disney ships have plenty of different room configurations, so getting the two rooms you want shouldn't be an issue. If you don't care about doing a Halloween cruise, then early to mid September is one of the cheapest times of the year to cruise.

I prefer early dining because it lines up with my normal schedule, but I don't think it makes a huge difference. Late dining is normally less crowded, but not by a large margin. Elaine at Dreams Unlimited is a great agent for cruises and WDW. Make sure you try and see all the shows, and try the churro mickey waffles if you see them on the breakfast menu or in the buffet.

Thanks. I have not thought about Halloween at the cruises. Is it just extra Halloween theming or some special ticketed event for cruise access to characters and such - like a mini MNSSHP? Our party 4 months ago, we nearly broke the candy record of 61 ibs with 59 and change - 6 large totes full (and we definitely ate way more than 2 ibs before weighing). But only because we got rained out and stuck in a loop of treating most of the time. It was a bummer not to have experienced some of the greets and shows.

I think we'd likely look for the cheapest few options and then compare within those dates and ships and such. Thanks for giving me a TA recommendation. August would be more breathing room than March for booking Sept 2027. We haven't really planned for next month's WDW. But I'm not sure I'm going to do much since we don't buy LLs, and have our notes from Dec.

I think I tried churro mickey waffles at Crystal Palace breakfast this past Sept., it was some sort of sugar cinnamon, and I ate a few of them.

 

[jimmymc]

Thanks. I have not thought about Halloween at the cruises. Is it just extra Halloween theming or some special ticketed event for cruise access to characters and such - like a mini MNSSHP? Our party 4 months ago, we nearly broke the candy record of 61 ibs with 59 and change - 6 large totes full (and we definitely ate way more than 2 ibs before weighing). But only because we got rained out and stuck in a loop of treating most of the time. It was a bummer not to have experienced some of the greets and shows.

I think we'd likely look for the cheapest few options and then compare within those dates and ships and such. Thanks for giving me a TA recommendation. August would be more breathing room than March for booking Sept 2027. We haven't really planned for next month's WDW. But I'm not sure I'm going to do much since we don't buy LLs, and have our notes from Dec.

I think I tried churro mickey waffles at Crystal Palace breakfast this past Sept., it was some sort of sugar cinnamon, and I ate a few of them.

It's typically one main night for the Halloween activities. Characters will be in special costumes, there will be themed activities and trick or treating around the ship, and there's a Halloween-themed nighttime show on the pool deck. In addition to costumed meet n greets, the characters also get involved in a lot of the extra activities. No special tickets are needed, the whole ship participates.

 

[Nick6300]

It's typically one main night for the Halloween activities. Characters will be in special costumes, there will be themed activities and trick or treating around the ship, and there's a Halloween-themed nighttime show on the pool deck. In addition to costumed meet n greets, the characters also get involved in a lot of the extra activities. No special tickets are needed, the whole ship participates.

Thanks. That sounds fun, and better than a normal cruise, all things being equal. But we've not been to a normal cruise either, so we're probably ok with what works best price/schedule wise.

 

[RedHead0186]

Thanks! Isn't there pre-tipping packages or does that not count room service? So Fantasy and maybe Wish for our short Port Canaveral for the Caribbean.

Would you do the WDW first or after? We don't have anything even semi firm in our heads, but currently thinking 3 days WDW first to make sure we don't miss our cruise. And while we could book 1 night near MCO or between there and the Port, I figured the cruise after could be the more relaxing portion of the trip, after the running around without sleep. Previously, I thought I wanted WDW last, to have something familiar to look forward to.

Pre-paying gratuities is for your assigned team: Head Server, Server, and Assistant Server in the main dining rooms and your Stateroom Attendant/Host. It doesn't include room service.

I would do WDW before. The cruises are much less hectic so it's nice to relax after the parks.

 

[sponica]

I second the recommendation to do parks first. I've done it both ways, and I think I prefer the parks first.

 

[holula]

I prefer the parks first too, the only time I did it the other way was when you had to be COVID tested to go on the cruise. Then I didn’t want to risk picking COVID up at the parks.

 

[Nick6300]

I prefer the parks first too, the only time I did it the other way was when you had to be COVID tested to go on the cruise. Then I didn’t want to risk picking COVID up at the parks.

That was a good call. I still see saw lots of masks worn in the parks in late Dec., that surprised me, but some of those could be people with colds or afraid of getting sick. We all got sick, didn't have masks on. Thought about it beforehand, but concluded that my 2 yr old can't wear a mask, and if she's sick we're sick. People were coughing all around us, starting from behind us on planes, no one covering up - or rarely. I think I'm still sick. Those month long coughs.

 

[Nick6300]

Some questions I can think of still...
Are there excursions on DCL in the traditional sense such as jet skis, dolphin encounters, etc. Or not really... more like paid things like massages and rentals at the islands. And for us on a 4 night, there's enough to do to fill that time anyhow, and probably expensive enough without the excursions too. I generally don't want them.

Are the cruises anywhere as tough as the WDW water parks to secure a chair or lounge after the am... like out of the blue in the afternoon by the pool? Or do people grab them early in the am and leave shoes or towel on them indefinitely.

Are there comedy clubs, standard at each ship?

The formal dinner and maybe some paid restaurants are the only option for dinner or is there a QS or buffet (or room service) for dinner too if you miss it or just don't want to go?

So I have deck 8, which is 2 floors down, as 1st choice to avoid pool and top deck noise, while limiting stairs up and down. 3 floors down (deck 9?) would be 2nd choice I guess. Are there lots of events in the lower decks that are standard to know that you don't want certain floors for traffic/noise such as bottom few floors or a specific floor on most ships? It sounds like Fantasy and possibly Wish are what we find for the 4 night if that factors. Do you also have to avoid rooms by elevators or do you not really hear those?

 

[sponica]

Honestly my favorite part about Deck 8 on the Wish/Treasure is that it's the same floor as the laundry room if you decide to do laundry. I've been near-ish to the elevators and don't remember hearing a lot of noise from them.

 

[Nick6300]

Honestly my favorite part about Deck 8 on the Wish/Treasure is that it's the same floor as the laundry room if you decide to do laundry. I've been near-ish to the elevators and don't remember hearing a lot of noise from them.

Thanks. I don't know that fine tuning to eliminate elevators is even an option anyhow. I just thought of the ring noise and then the chatter of folks getting in/out if your room is right there. But that would also mean your room is close to stairs to head up.

 

[Mle8308]

Thanks a bunch! We're all citizens but I was born in S. Korea, adopted... so not sure if birth cert + license or also a citizens card just in case. That's good to know no mandated formal wear. I did hear that Disney cruises having pop included is unusual for cruises. None of us really drink alcohol. Room service sounds nice, but I imagine most people are stuffed from eating the meals. My kid being a toddler, often refuses meals, so the room service would help, in case she wants something before bed, and we don't have any/much for snacks packed with us. I'd think unlike WDW trips, most don't really pack a bunch of snacks/drinks. Unless some select drink not included.

FYI, room service is a limited menu and you do need to tip who ever delivers the food. And it is nice that soda is included with Disney. On most cruise lines, it is an extra charge. You can bring your own water bottles to fill up with you! But if saving money is a concern, Disney really isn't the cruise line for that. Even on a reduced fare, it is usually close to double what an alternate cruise line would charge.

 

[Nick6300]

FYI, room service is a limited menu and you do need to tip who ever delivers the food. And it is nice that soda is included with Disney. On most cruise lines, it is an extra charge. You can bring your own water bottles with you! But if saving money is a concern, Disney really isn't the cruise line for that. Even on a reduced fare, it is usually close to double what an alternate cruise line would charge.

I've heard/expected 2-3x other cruises. But the reason I've avoided them is more that I don't like/afraid of water, not into cruises. This is just me taking one for the team, check mark on the Disney to do list. We still haven't gone to Aulani (nearly before a cancelation), and France. Not sure about Dubai in the future.

 

[Nick6300]

FYI, room service is a limited menu and you do need to tip who ever delivers the food. And it is nice that soda is included with Disney. On most cruise lines, it is an extra charge. You can bring your own water bottles to fill up with you! But if saving money is a concern, Disney really isn't the cruise line for that. Even on a reduced fare, it is usually close to double what an alternate cruise line would charge.

Are you saying it's a good idea to bring a large mug so that you can fill it with pop or whatever at a dispenser and take it to your room for the evening? Since room service charges extra for pop/drinks?

 

[Mle8308]

Are you saying it's a good idea to bring a large mug so that you can fill it with pop or whatever at a dispenser and take it to your room for the evening? Since room service charges extra for pop/drinks?

That is what I have done! Filled my water bottle with soda or sometimes water (I bring Crystal Light packets or Liquid IV). You will see lots of people doing it. I rinse it out in the bathroom. I am not sure if they charge for soda from room service, we only ordered it once (always forgot about it) and didn't order anything to drink.