Calling UK Cruisers

[Sencybil]

I’m looking ahead, and considering a trip to California in October 2015. Of course this would include time spent at DL. However, since frequenting these boards, I’ve been really fancying a Disney cruise. Probably there’s only one option that would fit with our dates, which is a 5 night to Baja California on the Wonder (sailing from San Diego). Only problem is the cost. Booking direct, right now, would be almost £2k for 2a, 1c with the lowest grade of outside cabin.

I started looking around, and there aren’t many options with other operators in California in October. The only short trips I’ve found are with Carnival. Right now I could book a 4 night for less than £600 for the 3 of us!

I have no experience at all with cruising, am I right to assume that Carnival are at the lower end of the market?

Is there any possibility of deep discounting on DCL (I’m assuming this is unlikely as we’d be limited to just the choice of that one cruise, and I probably won’t be able to leave it to very last minute as I’ll want to make firm plans and book hotels at a minimum of 6 weeks out from departure)

Just not prepared to pay that much for Disney…as we could have a whole extra European All Inc break for the difference, but comments and insights welcome…..

Many Thanks,
Sencybil x

 

[pascalstongue]

I don't know much about other cruise lines but I do know that Disney's prices only really increase. They do occasionally offer discounts but usually only to local's. If you book through a US travel agent (I use Dreams Unlimited) then they should keep an eye on the price for you and if it does happen to decrease they will re-book it for you. They also charge the same price as booking direct with Disney but will offer an on board credit.

 

[disneyholic family]

regarding carnival - yes, they're the cheapo cruise line..
as to whether it would fit you or not?
i don't know..
what kind of person are you...
i have the feeling that carnival probably wouldn't be a good fit for me, but it is definitely a good fit for some people..

if you read cruise critic - read the reviews of cruise lines and you'll sort of get an idea as to what sort of people frequent the different cruise lines..

so you may be wondering what cruise line does 'fit' me?

i've only been on disney (4 cruises) and royal caribbean (1 cruise).

i found them to be similar in many things and i actually preferred royal as it had a lot more activities for adults than disney does...

but i like them both..

is disney worth the extra bucks? i don't think so....but others might..

i guess i haven't answered your carnival question - but do go and read the cruise line reviews (by the editor) over at cruise critic..

let me see if i can find you the link..

 

[disneyholic family]

so here's the editor's review of carnival cruise lines..
you can also read up on each ship, but this is a general review of carnival in general...
i find the most interesting to be the "fellow passengers" section..
that may give you an idea if it will fit you or not..
you can also look up the specific ship you're considering..
http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=8

and here's their review of disney cruise lines
http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=16

and of royal caribbean
http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=32

 

[disneyholic family]

by the way, Wayne (Wayneg) has been on many disney cruises - so you might want to ask his opinion

 

[wilma-bride]

In my experience, the shorter cruises tend to cost more per night. Added to that fact that the San Diego to Baja is not a 'normal' itinerary, it will be more expensive. For comparison, my husband and I are on the cruise immediately prior to the one you are considering (the 14-night WB Panama Canal cruise) and that is costing considerably less than the price you are talking about - for 14 nights! As a previous poster stated, Disney cruises tend to only increase in price as time goes on so there is very little chance of you getting a rate any better.

My opinion, for what it's worth - firstly, having cruised with other lines and read many cruise reports, Disney is worth the money. General consensus is that they blow all other cruise lines out of the water (pardon the pun), with the exception of maybe RCCL. Secondly, particularly on such a short cruise, you are likely to spend hardly any time in your stateroom - it really is not worth the money for a stateroom with verandah. Try pricing up an inside cabin and see what difference that makes to the price. On five Disney cruises, we have only had a stateroom with verandah once and, although it was nice, over the course of a seven day cruise we spent less than two hours out there (mainly in the mornings to watch the sun come up) and it was HUGE, plenty big enough for all four of us. There is just so much else to do, you just don't spend enough time in the room to make it worthwhile.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask

 

[Sencybil]

Wow, thanks for the detailed replies! I'll read a bit more, but I think you've confirmed what I was thinking anyway........ Can't afford the best, don't want the rest

Sencybil x

 

[Azza1987]

I had booked the 5 night Baja cruise leaving 4th oct 2015 (we've changed to the 7 night Caribbean now!) I booked a cat 5C a few days after opening for just over £1000!
I was keeping track of the Mexico thread over on the DCL section and it literally sky rocketed in price and was so popular it pretty much sold a lot of categories straight away!

It's seems really popular with the west coast as apparently it's been a while for Disney to cruise out of San Deigo to Mexico! If you are planning on booking definitely don't wait.... It's increasing fast in price

 

[Sencybil]

Thanks Azza - I had no idea the price could rise so quickly! You got a great deal (and presumably an equally good one for your change to the Carribbean). However, as this is an add on for us rather than the reason for our hol, I wouldn't book the cruise before I have flights sorted, to ensure I can be comfortable with the price I pay for those. Won't be able to book flights for some time yet. Seems like another pointer that this just isn't going to work for us.....

Sency x

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks Azza - I had no idea the price could rise so quickly! You got a great deal (and presumably an equally good one for your change to the Carribbean). However, as this is an add on for us rather than the reason for our hol, I wouldn't book the cruise before I have flights sorted, to ensure I can be comfortable with the price I pay for those. Won't be able to book flights for some time yet. Seems like another pointer that this just isn't going to work for us.....

Sency x

Sency, just to reiterate the fact that you can book, pay a deposit and cancel without penalty. If you really think there is the slightest chance you will take this cruise then book it now - honestly!

 

[Azza1987]

Sency, just to reiterate the fact that you can book, pay a deposit and cancel without penalty. If you really think there is the slightest chance you will take this cruise then book it now - honestly!

Wilma that is interesting to know! I had no idea you could book, pay deposit and then cancel without penatly. I assumed if you cancelled you lost your deposit

 

[wilma-bride]

Wilma that is interesting to know! I had no idea you could book, pay deposit and then cancel without penatly. I assumed if you cancelled you lost your deposit

Not sure how well this will paste in but this is taken from DCL's T&Cs.

Cancellations/Refunds

Cancellations may be made by telephone or in writing. Changes to the Cruise or Cruise Package commencement date or changes of your name or any member of your Booking Party are subject to cancellation fees, stateroom and occupancy availability and prevailing rates at the time of the change. Where a cancellation is made, a cancellation fee shall be deducted from any payments already made and any outstanding balance will be promptly refunded. No refunds will be made in the event of interruption or cancellation by you after the Cruise or Cruise Package commencement date. All appropriate refunds will be made directly to your credit card account or through your Travel Agent if the reservation is made through a Travel Agent. Disney Cruise Line is not responsible for the receipt of refund monies by you from their Travel Agents. All travel documents including airline tickets must be returned before any refund processing can begin. Certain Travel Agents may charge an agency cancellation fee. Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to restrict any changes to a reservation. All changes are subject to availability. Please note that changes made to the overall size of your Booking Party may result in a change to the price of your Cruise or Cruise Package.

Cruise Cancellation Fees:

CATEGORIES WITH RESTRICTIONS: Reservations for Inside, Outside or Verandah Categories with Restrictions are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. A 100% cruise cancellation fee applies from time of payment.

Cruises Less Than 10 days where Embark or Debark is U.S. Port

Days prior to Vacation Commencement Date Fee Amount
45 days or more Deposit per Guest for Suites/Concierge rooms
74-45 days Deposit per Guest for Non-Suites/Concierge staterooms
44-30 days 50% of vacation price per Guest
29-15 days 75% of vacation price per Guest
14 days or less No refund

Cruises of 10 days or More and Cruises Less Than 10 days where Embark and Debark is non-U.S. Port

Days prior to Vacation Commencement Date Fee Amount
56 days or more Deposit per Guest for Suites/Concierge rooms
119-56 days Deposit per Guest for Non-Suites/Concierge staterooms
55-30 days 50% of vacation price per Guest
29-15 days 75%of vacation price per Guest
14 days or less No refund

So, essentially, in most cases, if you cancel before the final payment due date, you would get a refund of any deposit pad. It is only if you cancel within the time periods shown above that you would lose your deposit. In Sency's case, as long as the cruise was cancelled 75 days or more prior to the sail date, there would be no penalty. As you also know (I believe) you can move the cruise to a later (or different) date and apply any deposit paid to the cost of that cruise.

That is why we always rebook on board now, since it is a no brainer.

 

[Laurafoster]

I agree it's well worth booking. We booked on board in 2012, but then when our situation at home changed we cancelled and got a full refund within a few days.