Considering delaying cruise for better room at same price... advice?

[katyringo]

We are currently booked on the 7night Galveston to San Juan one way cruise in March 2025 with stops at castaway, lighthouse point and Nassau. This is our first Disney cruise. We booked way back in December and at the time just booked the delux inside stateroom. We paid $4700 for this room and thought maybe we would upgrade to the verandah.

Well our cruise got popular and the prices went way up. There isn't even verandah available, but when I do see them open up it's way over budget for us.

But we are so excited for our first Disney cruise and I chalked that up to a newbie fail..

But then I was snooping around the site and found that in November 2025 they have a very similar sailing - 6 night San Juan and Galveston. No Nassau stop. For what we are paying for our inside room in March 2025 we could do a Verandah in November 2025.

The difference is one night less.

So my question:

Verandah worth waiting for?
November vs March weather?

While I would love to just do both... we only take a big vacation once every 18-24months.

Anything else I might not be thinking of?

 

[auntlynne]

You are giving up the Spring Break crowd? And getting a verandah for an inside price?

Downside - delaying gratification.

You don’t have kids who are aging out of being teens?

The cost of pre- and post-cruise travel could go up. But again, Spring Break prices in March.

Maybe this way you could actually spend the night and see San Juan.

Book it NOW. Then give yourself a few days or weeks to let it settle in and decide. But also keep you from losing the current price. You’ve been there.

A lot of people stay on the ship in Nassau. That should be your clue that you aren’t missing the best port. Not saying it’s the worst - I will get off there but not in Jamaica (crime and poor hospitals).

 

[DCLMP]

That price is surprising for a one-way cruise those usually don't even sell very well. I guess it's Spring break in Texas and the two private island stops that did it. Do you have kids?

 

[katyringo]

That price is surprising for a one-way cruise those usually don't even sell very well. I guess it's Spring break in Texas and the two private island stops that did it. Do you have kids?

Yes kids.

For March cruise they would be 8 and 12 and November they would be 9 and 13.

Both cruise dates they will miss school.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

We have sailed out of Galveston in November and it was great. It was chilly in port on both embark/disembark days but warmed up once we were a few hours out and we spent the rest of the cruise in shorts.

 

[katyringo]

That price is surprising for a one-way cruise those usually don't even sell very well. I guess it's Spring break in Texas and the two private island stops that did it. Do you have kids?

Yes our current booked cruise is basically sold out. One way from Galveston to San Juan.

I think the both islands and the longer cruise. New to Disney cruising but it surprises me they don't offer more 6-7 night cruises TBH. We have to fly regardless where we cruise from so one way and longer makes sense for us.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We are currently booked on the 7night Galveston to San Juan one way cruise in March 2025 with stops at castaway, lighthouse point and Nassau. This is our first Disney cruise. We booked way back in December and at the time just booked the delux inside stateroom. We paid $4700 for this room and thought maybe we would upgrade to the verandah.

Well our cruise got popular and the prices went way up. There isn't even verandah available, but when I do see them open up it's way over budget for us.

But we are so excited for our first Disney cruise and I chalked that up to a newbie fail..

But then I was snooping around the site and found that in November 2025 they have a very similar sailing - 6 night San Juan and Galveston. No Nassau stop. For what we are paying for our inside room in March 2025 we could do a Verandah in November 2025.

The difference is one night less.

So my question:

Verandah worth waiting for?
November vs March weather?

While I would love to just do both... we only take a big vacation once every 18-24months.

Anything else I might not be thinking of?

If you can swing it to do both deposits, just book the November one now and sleep on it a while. You have until your final payment due date on your March cruise to choose one or the other. (Well, also you have until the time you would decide whether or not to buy flights for the March cruise.)

Whenever I compare pricing on 2 cruises of different lengths, I calculate the price per night. Just switching from 7 nights to 5 or 6 suddenly makes the pricing appear more lucrative but do the math and find out for sure.

Being your first Disney cruise, I wouldn't count on spending a lot of time sitting out there on the balcony unless you have a baby that takes naps, but an inside cabin is kind of hard when there's no natural light. When our kids were young, we booked window cabins because they were a good compromise between the 2. Back then (2005-2013) a balcony for 4 was an extra $1000 for a 7-nt cruise compared to window cabin and I could never justify spending that much.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

Are you an introvert or extrovert? Semi serious, the real question is how much down time do you need in a quiet relaxing spot? That’s the value of a balcony to us that really adds to the sense of being on vacation. We enjoy just sitting there soaking up the sun in relative peace. You may prefer running around the ship all day or sharing space with crowds, then the balcony is of less value. Me, I’d wait. YMMV.

 

[Cheburashka]

And getting a verandah for an inside price?

Not exactly. Remember that the new cruise is one night shorter.

 

[Cheburashka]

Yes our current booked cruise is basically sold out. One way from Galveston to San Juan.

I think the both islands and the longer cruise. New to Disney cruising but it surprises me they don't offer more 6-7 night cruises TBH. We have to fly regardless where we cruise from so one way and longer makes sense for us.

DCL does lots of 7 night cruises, just not from Galveston. Personally, I wouldn't even consider postponing my cruise for several months AND losing one night just to get a verandah. There is plenty of space to hang out outside and see the ocean and ports. There are the pool decks, the promenade (which has comfy deck loungers where you can lay and watch the ocean go by), and lots of windows onboard. During the day, especially as first time cruisers you'll mostly be busy with onboard activities and ports. And after dark, there's not much difference between an inside and a verandah because there is no sunlight. Verandahs are bigger, so if you think you need or really want the space, that is one thing, but if you're traveling as a party of two, it isn't necessary.

 

[auntlynne]

I am not a verandah person, but plenty are. And to first-timer who hoped for one, I think trading from a 7-night to a 6-night and moving from an inside to a verandah without more money coming from the family budget is a good move in this case.

I would be champing at the bit to get on the cruise (my first cruise was booked within 3 weeks of sailing). But I was not limited to OP’s vacation time frame.

If she has the tenacity to hold out, I say, Go for it. Afterwards, maybe she’ll wonder why did I wait. I think the lack of March crowds might be helpful.

I also will cheer people on who opt for Concierge if that’s what they want. Even though it is wasted money for my cruising style.

I am a great believer in travel. I am amazed at my life experiences. For those that get the opportunity, may they have the enjoyment I have had.

I get excited whenever anyone posts they booked a cruise. Or are happy when they perceive something as positive. Vicarious living.

 

[Cheburashka]

how much down time do you need in a quiet relaxing spot? That’s the value of a balcony to us that really adds to the sense of being on vacation. We enjoy just sitting there soaking up the sun in relative peace. You may prefer running around the ship all day or sharing space with crowds, then the balcony is of less value.

There are no crowds on the promenade, where you can lounge and watch the ocean go by.

 

[DCLMP]

Yes kids.

For March cruise they would be 8 and 12 and November they would be 9 and 13.

Both cruise dates they will miss school.

I'm not fussy about my room. I will always pick itinerary over room. That being said I've cruised a lot in all categories. Of course, a balcony is the best, but I wouldn't sacrifice a good itinerary for a bad one to get a balcony. Weather wise March will have longer days, but probably be cooler. November will most likely have warmer water and weather in CC if it's early November. San Juan is always warm\hot so I wouldn't worry about that.

Without comparing the itineraries it's hard to say.

 

[DCLMP]

If you can swing it to do both deposits, just book the November one now and sleep on it a while. You have until your final payment due date on your March cruise to choose one or the other. (Well, also you have until the time you would decide whether or not to buy flights for the March cruise.)

Whenever I compare pricing on 2 cruises of different lengths, I calculate the price per night. Just switching from 7 nights to 5 or 6 suddenly makes the pricing appear more lucrative but do the math and find out for sure.

Being your first Disney cruise, I wouldn't count on spending a lot of time sitting out there on the balcony unless you have a baby that takes naps, but an inside cabin is kind of hard when there's no natural light. When our kids were young, we booked window cabins because they were a good compromise between the 2. Back then (2005-2013) a balcony for 4 was an extra $1000 for a 7-nt cruise compared to window cabin and I could never justify spending that much.

That is good advice. Longer cruises can often be a better value when you look at it that way

 

[auntlynne]

I'm not fussy about my room. I will always pick itinerary over room. That being said I've cruised a lot in all categories. Of course, a balcony is the best, but I wouldn't sacrifice a good itinerary for a bad one to get a balcony. Weather wise March will have longer days, but probably be cooler. November will most likely have warmer water and weather in CC if it's early November. San Juan is always warm\hot so I wouldn't worry about that.

Without comparing the itineraries it's hard to say.

In this case, same itinerary, just drop a day at Nassau (making it 6, not 7 night cruise). Makes it Galveston to San Juan, stops at CC & LHP.

 

[katyringo]

Thanks all. I think we have decided to keep our March cruise.