Cruise question

[pixiemomma]

I know, I know, I should post this on the Cruise Board. I'm not going to though because anytime I have posted over there my question immediatly became lost in the fray.

Anyway, can some kind cruise expert advise me when to book a Disney Cruise? Should I do it as soon as the cruise is available or wait until the last minute? Since money will be a minor issue (taking the inlaws along) when will I get the best deal? Also, can we park our car at the port? I've been to Cape canaveral many times but only for a few hours, not days.

Thanks in advance!

 

[AspiringCindy]

We usually book very far in advance to get the early booking discount!
...and yes! You can park at the port!

 

[kpgclark]

Book as soon as possible. Be sure you use an agent that will give you a discount if the price goes down. Remember your deposit is fully refundable until 60 days before. If you are flexible on your dates be sure to look at a variety of weeks because the price really varies depending on whether it is considered prime cruising season. You will have a great time. We absolutely loved our cruise.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I think you should book your cruise as far in advance as possible, as that is when you will get the most "early booking savings." Plus you'll be able to choose which stateroom (s) you want, where if you wait until the "last minute" you'd have to take whatever is left over.

Yes, you can park your car at the port. We did that for our second 7-night cruise, I believe it was $10 per day. Very convenient to be able to drive to the port WHEN you want, and to have your car there already so you can leave port WHEN you want.

Hope you enjoy your cruise!!

 

[aprilgail2]

HI...I am taking my 2nd Disney Cruise in May and I wouldn't advise waiting for hte last second to book...we booked a year in advance and the price was 4200 and it is now 7,000! There is a chance the price would go down for certain times of the year but if you book with Dreams Unlimited they monitor the prices and automatically adjust it should the price go down!

 

[pixiemomma]

Thanks everyone!

 

[tigercat]

I would recommend booking with DU as well. When we book a cruise we usually book far in advance. We used DU for our vacation in Feb. and it was a great experience. Our agent Dagny was wonderfull.
tigercat

 

[my3kids]

Book as early as possible, and call a discounter for the best price. Call Costco, cruise.com, and there is one that is mentioned a lot on the cruise board...they have a website and people love them but I can't remember the name...they also offer nice discounts.

Parking at the port was so easy. It was $10 a day, paid in advance. We laked off the ship, got into our car and were on our way. Much easier than waiting for shuttles.

 

[pjlla]

Glad to see all this information. We too are discussing a cruise for 2005. Just how far in advance CAN you book these? A year?
........................P

 

[cindysteve]

You may be referring to vacationstogo.com . They have an online list under their cruise link. I have been on DCL twice. Early is the best time like the previous posters have said.

 

[clh2]

Absolutely book as far ahead as you can. DCL will not book more kids in each age group than they have staff/room for in the kid's programming. Also, the earlier you book, the better the pricing will be.

Eventhough your question has was lost on the cruise board before, be sure to post future questions there, it is a great bunch of former cruisers that have answers to almost anything you need to know!

I had a great experience booking direct with DCL, and wouldn't hesitate to use them again. Some have also had success with AAA, and people who book thorugh AAA typically get the soda mug package for free.

While most of the 2005 year is available for booking, the dates for the Magic in the summer are not released, as there is some speculation that Disney is going to reposition the ship for the summer. Rumor has it that the announcement will be May 5th.