Cruise double whammy

[iZon]

The rack rate for our recent Fantasy cruise was $3600 US for two adults. Next year same time is $4100 US. Factor in the exchange rate (we had money at par to pay for recent one) and it rises to $5000 CAN. That's a 40 per cent hike. So we put down a $200 place holder but we are waiting and seeing.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I feel your pain! We are hoping to go on the Fantasy in early 2017. Disney cruises are going up in price with each release it seems and the strong US dollar doesn't help.

Still hoping to go but am not sure we'll be able to if things don't change with one or both of the above.

 

[bcwife76]

We're doing a repo cruise this September so it was a pretty decent deal - however next summer we are thinking about doing Alaska (also with DCL) and factoring in exchange.....ouch........even with an OBB and 10% discount.

 

[darwinsrule]

The price increases since our first DCL cruise in 2010 are insane. We did number 5 in March (woo hoo Gold), and don't even know when we will do the next one. Didn't do an OBB this time around since we already have plans this summer and next and with the restrictions it just wouldn't work. Feels very strange not to have one booked and waiting for us.

 

[LemonNeko]

I really wanted to go on a Disney cruise for my (milestone) birthday but due to the exchange rate it was double the cost of going to RCL which allows you to book in CAN $. So I ended up booking RCL and with the price difference I was able to stay a couple of days at Disney before the cruise.

 

[Woody & Jessy]

Generally is it cheaper to reserve on board booking ? or wait until last min. with the restrictions. ( IGT/OGT/VGT ?)

 

[darwinsrule]

Generally is it cheaper to reserve on board booking ? or wait until last min. with the restrictions. ( IGT/OGT/VGT ?)

Depends upon when you are travelling. If it is anytime when kids are out of school, whether here or in the U.S., the prices go up (and up and up). March Break, X-mas, Summer are all the same. Book when they are first released, don't wait. Honestly we have never traveled off peak season (DW is a teacher so it isn't an option) so I can't comment. Most of the IGT/OGT/VGT things I have seen people talk about have been off peak. The ships during March Break and the end of August when we cruise have always been full.

 

[Woody & Jessy]

Thank you very much for your reply. We live in Toronto and I don't want to kids skip the school. So our vacations always during March break or Summer...Last DCL was 3 days Dream on March Break last year.
and our 2nd DCL will be coming Aug. 8 7days Fantasy. So pricy ....that's why I just start wondering is any way to book the DCL for reasonable or good deal.

 

[darwinsrule]

Fantasy is great. You will love it, the kids will love it. The product is wonderful, but yes it is expensive. We had the Wonder booked for this past March Break from the day it went on sale (about 17 months before the sail date). The choice of the Wonder over the Magic and Fantasy was so that we could do something else this summer if we wanted (and ended up booking a cheap 7 night on the Getaway). Most of the time I will take two trips over one.

We looked at March Break 2016 when it was released, but given the prices and that 3 of the 4 ships are doing short cruises (if the Fantasy is your first longer cruise you will notice the difference) decided to do something BIG in the summer of 2016 instead. Ended up booking Alaska on NCL under a kids sale free offer for $3,800 for all four of us in a balcony. Would I love to do DCL to AK? Of course, but balcony prices alone were twice what we paid. Difference will pay for a few days in Seattle before, plus air (out of Buffalo of course), plus pretty much all the excursions we are looking at. We are willing to pay a premium for DCL, just not that much of one.

 

[Woody & Jessy]

Magic and Wonder are big difference than Dream & Fantasy ? Sorry, but I don't know much of it. also heard RC new ship is amazing and better price than DCL and older kids.