Cabana - what time can I start booking?

[Regan117]

This will be our first cruise with DCL. I know when my date is to start booking excursions, etc but was wondering at what time that day does booking open? It it midnight eastern? 6am like WDW dining? Just wondering when I need to be online to book a cabana on Castaway Cay.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This will be our first cruise with DCL. I know when my date is to start booking excursions, etc but was wondering at what time that day does booking open? It it midnight eastern? 6am like WDW dining? Just wondering when I need to be online to book a cabana on Castaway Cay.

If the DCL website is being cooperative, online check in and excursion booking windows both open at midnight Eastern time.

There have been recent reports that not both windows open at midnight, but have been open by the next morning.

As a first time cruiser, your chances of getting a cabana are pretty slim. Not impossible, but slim.

 

[Regan117]

If the DCL website is being cooperative, online check in and excursion booking windows both open at midnight Eastern time.

There have been recent reports that not both windows open at midnight, but have been open by the next morning.

As a first time cruiser, your chances of getting a cabana are pretty slim. Not impossible, but slim.

We have both the Roy and Walt Disney suites, so we are concierge. I was under the impression that our chances were pretty good given that we can book 120 days out?

If the website isn't working, can the concierge book it for me?

 

[TestingH2O]

We have both the Roy and Walt Disney suites, so we are concierge. I was under the impression that our chances were pretty good given that we can book 120 days out?

If the website isn't working, can the concierge book it for me?

Yes. Email or call concierge 125 days out. They will respond and schedule your requests. No need to wait up for your window to open. If you don't get a confirmation within one business day, contact them again.

In addition to a cabana, you can book spa, nursery, excursions, BBB, etc in the same way.

 

[Regan117]

Yes. Email or call concierge 125 days out. They will respond and schedule your requests. No need to wait up for your window to open. If you don't get a confirmation within one business day, contact them again.

In addition to a cabana, you can book spa, nursery, excursions, BBB, etc in the same way.

Fantastic. That answers my questions! I was hoping I'd be able to do that instead of waiting up to book online.

When will I find out the email address for concierge? My cruise isn't until next year so I haven't gotten anything from them yet.

Thank you!!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We have both the Roy and Walt Disney suites, so we are concierge. I was under the impression that our chances were pretty good given that we can book 120 days out?

If the website isn't working, can the concierge book it for me?

OK, I saw you said it's your first cruise, and I went to "first time cruiser = 75 days out". Concierge can book at 120 days, BUT, you should get an email from the shoreside Concierge somewhere around 130 days out asking for your requests. And telling you to let them know what you want by 125 days out. Then at the downstroke of midnight at 120 days, they will book it all for you. Yes, you have better than "good" chance of getting cabana as Concierge.

 

[Regan117]

OK, I saw you said it's your first cruise, and I went to "first time cruiser = 75 days out". Concierge can book at 120 days, BUT, you should get an email from the shoreside Concierge somewhere around 130 days out asking for your requests. And telling you to let them know what you want by 125 days out. Then at the downstroke of midnight at 120 days, they will book it all for you. Yes, you have better than "good" chance of getting cabana as Concierge.

Thank you so much. I wasn't sure how it all worked. I had combed through the posts here but couldn't find a definitive answer. I appreciate your time

 

[plutolovr]

Be aware that you will need to be paid in full to have concierge do this for you.

 

[Regan117]

Be aware that you will need to be paid in full to have concierge do this for you.

Both rooms are already paid in full for next year. Thanks!

 

[Suzieq0329]

We have the Roy on the Fantasy coming up in a couple of weeks. Shoreside concierge actually called me at about 130 days or so, left me a message with a number to call at 125 days. I called them, told them everything we wanted and they emailed me back the next day that everything was taken care of. Cabana, Palo, Remy, spa reservations, excursions. They were very helpful. Have a great cruise!

 

[Regan117]

We have the Roy on the Fantasy coming up in a couple of weeks. Shoreside concierge actually called me at about 130 days or so, left me a message with a number to call at 125 days. I called them, told them everything we wanted and they emailed me back the next day that everything was taken care of. Cabana, Palo, Remy, spa reservations, excursions. They were very helpful. Have a great cruise!

Thank you so much! That's really helpful.

 

[SonicGuy]

Not sure how full your cruise is or will be, but Concierge won't book your cabana until the next morning. If its very important to you, I would sure be on line at midnight. This is what we've always done when sailing Concierge. Got this advice from our concierge and if its that important to me on the particular cruise - I don't take a chance.

Good luck - its SOOOO worth it!

 

[TestingH2O]

Not sure how full your cruise is or will be, but Concierge won't book your cabana until the next morning. If its very important to you, I would sure be on line at midnight. This is what we've always done when sailing Concierge. Got this advice from our concierge and if its that important to me on the particular cruise - I don't take a chance.

Good luck - its SOOOO worth it!

That's surprising advice. We've always put in requests at 125 days that have then been "scheduled" to happen automatically on the day booking opens. As I see it, not waiting up till midnight is one of the perks.

 

[princessmommyx3]

I have asked concierge to book me a cabana twice, and both times I was online right at midnight and the cabana reservation was already in the system.

Obviously this hasn't happened to everyone, but that is my experience.

 

[Fuhnuh]

Concierge has come through for us on our last two cruises. We have requested #4 or 5 each time and received #4 each time. I'll probably still check to make sure around 12 E.S.T., cuz now I'm worried (just a little). I see on my countdown just turned to 129 days. Maybe, I'll hear from them today.

Regan117, you have both Royal suites! Fun! Do you have the one-bedroom suite in the middle also? It would be wild to walk around the huge verandah that would result from taking out those dividers. If I was planning, I'd have a hard time picking the Walt or Roy. Also, if my group had both suites I would consider asking them to turn down one of the hot tubs to about 84-86 degrees, especially if you have kids traveling with you. They'll love it. Have a wonderful cruise.

 

[Regan117]

Concierge has come through for us on our last two cruises. We have requested #4 or 5 each time and received #4 each time. I'll probably still check to make sure around 12 E.S.T., cuz now I'm worried (just a little). I see on my countdown just turned to 129 days. Maybe, I'll hear from them today.

Regan117, you have both Royal suites! Fun! Do you have the one-bedroom suite in the middle also? It would be wild to walk around the huge verandah that would result from taking out those dividers. If I was planning, I'd have a hard time picking the Walt or Roy. Also, if my group had both suites I would consider asking them to turn down one of the hot tubs to about 84-86 degrees, especially if you have kids traveling with you. They'll love it. Have a wonderful cruise.

Thank you! That would be amazing but unfortunately we don't have that one-bedroom lol. Great idea about turning down the temp on one of the hot tubs though. I hadn't thought of that! We have 3 kids with us and they would love it.

 

[Regan117]

That's surprising advice. We've always put in requests at 125 days that have then been "scheduled" to happen automatically on the day booking opens. As I see it, not waiting up till midnight is one of the perks.

This was surprising to me as well. From what I've been told by everyone, they book it as as soon as it is available to be booked. Oh well. I will probably check online just to make sure. I'm usually up until midnight anyway

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

So I am cruising in May and did a lot of research including a lengthy convo with shoreside before my booking window opened. He said this- draft your email before the 125 at midnight time. Put all the requests you want including any preference you might have for a cabana number, at or after midnight (but not before) send in your email. It will be time stamped and your requests go in order. If you send it too early they will add you to the end of the 125 pile... Your requests will be calendered to go in the system. At midnight on the 120th day your requested are there. we found this to be true for us. My husband actually fell to sleep and didn't get the email sent (I wanted to kill him.). It was sent around 3 am when I woke up and worried about it. But it wasn't a problem we still got the cabana we wanted

I walked through those suites in my January cruise and let me just say- enjoy!!!! They are stunning. I would take another step and they would get better and better.