Current *GT/MTO/FLR Discounts!

[houseofduck]

AHHH.. so frustrating. We are booked on the WBTA and wanted to make it a B2B and didn't think the Med Cruise would go *GT. Really wishing I waited on the airfare and jumped on this deal. Sigh...

PS: Thanks for all the hard work houseofduck and justacruiser. I know it must be a complete pain to keep up with everything.

You are welcome. I do it as much for me as for everyone else!

Would the lower GT rates make up for airline change fees? I know this doesn't help now, but usually, when I am thinking about a cruise that might be discounted, I book a land vacation for the same time period, if I have to book flights. Then, if the discount doesn't happen, at least I have the land vacation.

 

[AquaDame]

Oh it's not mythical I've booked a lot of GT rates lower than opening day prices. I wouldn't book them if they weren't. Opening day prices are too high IMHO. People that wait on hold for 2 hours on opening day like to convince themselves they got the best price out there. I can't plan that far in advance. I have no clue what I'm doing during our Fall vacation this year.

Eh, its the best price out there if you can't travel last minute. I do have to say though that to book for summer i had to wait ~15 minutes and yesterday there was no wait at all to book for fall/winter 2017. They were actually on top of things (or most people already gave up on the idea of DCL in 2017).

 

[Tooth Fairy]

July 30 2016 Fantasy out of Port Canaveral Has IGT OGT and VGT rates.

 

[KalamityJane]

If you all are flying in and are waiting for a *GT rate, do you book your flights and then hope for the best? I'm seriously debating waiting for some IGT rates to open up for a MerryTime cruise and we can cruise whenever other than the weekend of Thanksgiving (homeschoolers, husband can work remotely). We would book Southwest so I can cancel and still use the money towards our next flights if need be. How do you all plan for them?

ETA: I know there is a pretty good chance we would get a GT rate on earlier Nov or early Dec, we just wouldn't likely know until Sept. due to the PIF date.

 

[Ofinn]

If you all are flying in and are waiting for a *GT rate, do you book your flights and then hope for the best? I'm seriously debating waiting for some IGT rates to open up for a MerryTime cruise and we can cruise whenever other than the weekend of Thanksgiving (homeschoolers, husband can work remotely). We would book Southwest so I can cancel and still use the money towards our next flights if need be. How do you all plan for them?

ETA: I know there is a pretty good chance we would get a GT rate on earlier Nov or early Dec, we just wouldn't likely know until Sept. due to the PIF date.

My dh works for an airline so we fly standby for free, and trust me that can be an adventure in itself. I think some people live within driving distance, some people fly on points. Honestly most people I know plan vacations last minute, and a lot of people bid their hotels and flights on priceline or hotwire.
I can tell you from looking at flight loads it's a very very small percentage of people that buy their airline tickets more than 6 weeks in advance. The flights are virtually empty at 6 weeks out they really don't start to fill up until a week or two before the flight. People on these boards are really into planning things waaayy in advance, but I don't think that's the norm for most people. I'm not sure how people buy their airline tickets last minute, but there has got to be some kind of travel board out there that can help with that. I guess it really comes down to your lifestyle and how you like to do things. We homeschool, have lots of flexibility with our jobs, fly free, and we're also eligible for interline rates when available.

There is really no reason for us to plan very far in advance. I do monitor the cruises to see which ones aren't selling so I have a pretty good idea if I'm going to get a GT rate. Interline rates are a little harder to predict. It's also harder because there are very few DCL cruises that interest me anymore. There are lot of European cruises I would like to do on DCL, but I'm not ashamed to say I flat out can't afford it without a discount. It seems as prices go up discounts of all kinds are becoming more frequent.
What week are you looking at? The week after Thanksgiving and the first 2 weeks of Dec have had GT rates in the past. We sailed on the Wonder the first week of Dec last year with a GT rate, and the Fantasy the year before with an interline rate, but GT rates were also offered.

 

[AquaDame]

I can tell you from looking at flight loads it's a very very small percentage of people that buy their airline tickets more than 6 weeks in advance. The flights are virtually empty at 6 weeks out they really don't start to fill up until a week or two before the flight. People on these boards are really into planning things waaayy in advance, but I don't think that's the norm for most people.

I wonder how much of that comes down to the city...? I can tell you that anytime I have waited to buy flights the price goes up and the seat selection is horrid. We booked a flight last year about two months ahead of time and the economy price was about the same as first class and we'd have had to sit separate if we hadn't gone ahead and went with first. Our flight in September didn't have many options when we booked a couple of weeks ago (to Hawaii to be fair) and the rates for PDX->MCO went up every day it seemed like before we finally bit the bullet. I wish I could wait to book them, really I do!

 

[richjive]

You are welcome. I do it as much for me as for everyone else!

Would the lower GT rates make up for airline change fees? I know this doesn't help now, but usually, when I am thinking about a cruise that might be discounted, I book a land vacation for the same time period, if I have to book flights. Then, if the discount doesn't happen, at least I have the land vacation.

Looking into everything right now and I think we just might eat the change fees. The idea of a B2B is just so awesome. first a 7 night Mediterranean cruise which is port heavy, then a nice 11 night TA crossing with only a couple of stops to get us back home to NY. Sounds like heaven to me. Thanks again!

 

[Ofinn]

I wonder how much of that comes down to the city...? I can tell you that anytime I have waited to buy flights the price goes up and the seat selection is horrid. We booked a flight last year about two months ahead of time and the economy price was about the same as first class and we'd have had to sit separate if we hadn't gone ahead and went with first. Our flight in September didn't have many options when we booked a couple of weeks ago (to Hawaii to be fair) and the rates for PDX->MCO went up every day it seemed like before we finally bit the bullet. I wish I could wait to book them, really I do!

Honesty I have no idea. All I know is as a standby flyer I dont start looking at flights unitil a couple days before I fly. Flts fill up starting at about 2 weeks out. How people book their flights or what they pay I have no clue. I do know a lot of people are last minute planners. They may pay more I have no idea or maybe they're business travelers and their company is paying. I do know priceline is popular, amd if your a spontaneous traveler you dont really care about where you sit. Ive always wondered about this. I think if I had to buy tickets I would buy early. A lot of people book with points too. Pdx is not a hub for any airline that could be why prices are higher. If your flying from a major city it probably makes a big difference.

 

[Ofinn]

Looking into everything right now and I think we just might eat the change fees. The idea of a B2B is just so awesome. first a 7 night Mediterranean cruise which is port heavy, then a nice 11 night TA crossing with only a couple of stops to get us back home to NY. Sounds like heaven to me. Thanks again!

Just do it. The ships empty. I knew they would offer them. They also have interline rates. Even if I had the money I dont think I could make another trip to Europe so soon. My dh has the last 2 weeks of Sept off we were going to do the TA, but then Iceland happened. Im thinking about this for next year. Enjoy your cruise.

 

[houseofduck]

Again, all of the action seems to be with the *GT rates. Not much of a change for FLR and MTO.

*GT (18)
6/5/2016 Magic, 12-Night British Isle Cruise from Dover IGT $5,241 OGT
6/17/2016 Magic, 12-Night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland Cruise from Dover IGT $4,962.00 OGT $5,682.00 VGT $8,922.00
7/25/2016 Magic, 7-Night Western European Cruise from Dover to Barcelona IGT OGT VGT $5,522 (changed)
8/20/2016 Magic, 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona IGT $2,857 OGT VGT
9/3/2016 Magic, 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona IGT $2,409 OGT $2,801 VGT $3,529
9/10/2016 Magic, 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona IGT $2,283 OGT $2,661 VGT $3,529
6/11/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC IGT OGT VGT $4,979 (new)
6/18/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC IGT $3,997 OGT $4,397 VGT $4,697
6/25/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC IGT OGT $4,434 VGT $4,734 (changed)
7/9/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC IGT OGT VGT $4,686
7/30/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC IGT $4,020 OGT $4,258 VGT $4,566 (changed)
6/10/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,878 OGT $1,938 VGT $2,036
6/17/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,878 OGT $1,938 VGT $2,036
7/1/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,848 OGT $1,908 VGT $1,938
7/8/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,848 OGT $1,908 VGT $1,938
7/15/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,848 OGT $1,908 VGT $1,938
7/22/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,848 OGT $1,908 VGT $1,938 (new)
8/26/2016 Wonder, 14-Night Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego IGT $3,524 OGT $4,000 VGT $4,840

 

[houseofduck]

FLR (10)
6/10/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC FLR/I FLR/O FLR/V $1,788 (changed)
6/17/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC FLR/I $1,608 FLR/O $1,698 FLR/V $1,788
6/24/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC FLR/I $1,608 FLR/O FLR/V $1,758
7/1/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC FLR/I $1,608 FLR/O $1,668 FLR/V $1,758
7/8/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC FLR/I $1,608 FLR/O $1,668 FLR/V $1,758
6/11/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC FLR/I $3,523 FLR/O $3,733 FLR/V $4,139
6/18/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC FLR/I FLR/O $3,893 FLR/V (changed)
6/25/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC FLR/I $3,594 FLR/O $3,930 FLR/V $4,196
7/2/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC FLR/I $3,796 FLR/O $4,006 FLR/V $4,286
7/9/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC FLR/I $3,720 FLR/O $3,860 FLR/V $4,280

 

[houseofduck]

A few changes and additions with MTO.

MTO (14)
6/3/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $1,518 MTO/O MTO/V $1,638
6/10/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $1,608 MTO/O MTO/V $1,788
6/17/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $1,608 MTO/O $1,698 MTO/V $1,788
7/1/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $1,608 MTO/O $1,698 MTO/V $1,788 (new)
7/8/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $1,608 MTO/O $1,698 MTO/V $1,788 (new)
6/13/2016 Dream, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $2,098 MTO/O MTO/V $2,338
6/11/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I $3,523 MTO/O $3,733 MTO/V $4,139.00 5C
6/18/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I MTO/O $3,893 MTO/V (changed)
6/25/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I $3,594 MTO/O $3,930 MTO/V $4,196
7/2/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I $3,796 MTO/O $4,006 MTO/V $4,286
7/9/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I $3,594 MTO/O $3,860 MTO/V $4,196 (changed)
7/16/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I $3,516 MTO/O MTO/V $4,160
8/27/2016 Magic, 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona, MTO/I MTO/O MTO/V $3,291
8/26/2016 Wonder, 14-Night Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego MTO/I $3,384 MTO/O MTO/V (changed)

 

[houseofduck]

The special offers page has a new discount for Canadians!

CAN (4)
7/9/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC CAN/I $3,919 CAN/O $4,154 CAN/V $4,602 (new)
7/16/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC CAN/I $3,994 CAN/O $4,241 CAN/V $4,722 (new)
7/23/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC CAN/I $3,852 CAN/O CAN/V $4,546 (new)
7/30/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC CAN/I $4,028 CAN/O $4,263 CAN/V $4,566 (new)

 

[houseofduck]

Nothing new for MTO.

MTO (14)
6/3/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $1,518 MTO/O MTO/V $1,638
6/10/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $1,608 MTO/O MTO/V $1,788
6/17/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $1,608 MTO/O $1,698 MTO/V $1,788
7/1/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $1,608 MTO/O $1,698 MTO/V $1,788
7/8/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $1,608 MTO/O $1,698 MTO/V $1,788
6/13/2016 Dream, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC MTO/I $2,098 MTO/O MTO/V (changed)
6/11/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I $3,523 MTO/O $3,733 MTO/V $4,139.00 5C
6/18/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I MTO/O $3,893 MTO/V
6/25/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I $3,594 MTO/O $3,930 MTO/V $4,196
7/2/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I $3,796 MTO/O $4,006 MTO/V $4,286
7/9/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I $3,594 MTO/O $3,860 MTO/V $4,196
7/16/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC MTO/I $3,516 MTO/O MTO/V $4,160
8/27/2016 Magic, 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona, MTO/I MTO/O MTO/V $3,291
8/26/2016 Wonder, 14-Night Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego MTO/I $3,338 MTO/O MTO/V (changed)

 

[houseofduck]

No changes or additions for FLR

FLR (10)
6/10/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC FLR/I FLR/O FLR/V $1,788
6/17/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC FLR/I $1,608 FLR/O $1,698 FLR/V $1,788
6/24/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC FLR/I $1,608 FLR/O FLR/V $1,758
7/1/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC FLR/I $1,608 FLR/O $1,668 FLR/V $1,758
7/8/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC FLR/I $1,608 FLR/O $1,668 FLR/V $1,758
6/11/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC FLR/I $3,523 FLR/O $3,733 FLR/V $4,139
6/18/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC FLR/I FLR/O $3,893 FLR/V
6/25/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC FLR/I $3,594 FLR/O $3,930 FLR/V $4,196
7/2/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC FLR/I $3,796 FLR/O $4,006 FLR/V $4,286
7/9/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC FLR/I $3,720 FLR/O $3,860 FLR/V $4,280

 

[houseofduck]

*GT (18)
6/5/2016 Magic, 12-Night British Isle Cruise from Dover IGT $5,241 OGT
6/17/2016 Magic, 12-Night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland Cruise from Dover IGT $4,962.00 OGT $5,682.00 VGT $8,922.00
7/25/2016 Magic, 7-Night Western European Cruise from Dover to Barcelona IGT OGT VGT $5,522
8/20/2016 Magic, 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona IGT $2,857 OGT VGT
9/3/2016 Magic, 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona IGT $2,409 OGT $2,801 VGT $3,529
9/10/2016 Magic, 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona IGT $2,283 OGT $2,661 VGT $3,529
6/11/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC IGT OGT VGT $4,979
6/18/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC IGT $3,997 OGT $4,397 VGT $4,697
6/25/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC IGT OGT $4,434 VGT $4,734
7/9/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from PC IGT OGT VGT $4,686
7/30/2016 Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from PC IGT $4,020 OGT $4,258 VGT $4,566
6/10/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,878 OGT $1,938 VGT $2,036
6/17/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,878 OGT $1,938 VGT $2,036
7/1/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,848 OGT $1,908 VGT $1,938
7/8/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,848 OGT $1,908 VGT $1,938
7/15/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,848 OGT $1,908 VGT $1,938
7/22/2016 Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from PC IGT $1,848 OGT $1,908 VGT $1,938
8/26/2016 Wonder, 14-Night Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego IGT $3,478 OGT $3,954 VGT $4,794 (changed) (Wonder if this is a change in fees/taxes.)

 

[cscream13]

Any thoughts about whether any of the cruises out of NY this year will go *GT? Seems pretty unlikely given it is a limited-time engagement... but they just released Fall 2017 itineraries with NY sailings again next year, so some people may change plans if they know they can go next year. Just toying with the thought - I've been happy with my *GT bookings in the past. We're not picky about room location and could sail any of the weeks that Magic is in NY this year, but I'm not sure its worth the gamble that none go *GT. We're booked on the 10/15 right now and it looks pretty full from poking around the site.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Anyone have an opinion on if I should use a TA for a military rate or just book myself? First cruise, but I am a compulsive researcher. I just worry about the time lapse between rate being posted and actually getting on the phone with a TA to book... It seems most have online request forms that take a day or two and not a number I can just call. The onboard credit is appealing, however.

 

[::danielle::]

Anyone have an opinion on if I should use a TA for a military rate or just book myself? First cruise, but I am a compulsive researcher. I just worry about the time lapse between rate being posted and actually getting on the phone with a TA to book... It seems most have online request forms that take a day or two and not a number I can just call. The onboard credit is appealing, however.

I would personally book with a TA who offers On Board Credit. The TAs that I know (from 3 different exclusive Disney Travel agencies - I am not one) are available immediately. I would not use an online form.

 

[houseofduck]

Any thoughts about whether any of the cruises out of NY this year will go *GT? Seems pretty unlikely given it is a limited-time engagement... but they just released Fall 2017 itineraries with NY sailings again next year, so some people may change plans if they know they can go next year. Just toying with the thought - I've been happy with my *GT bookings in the past. We're not picky about room location and could sail any of the weeks that Magic is in NY this year, but I'm not sure its worth the gamble that none go *GT. We're booked on the 10/15 right now and it looks pretty full from poking around the site.

Those NY cruises seem to be selling well. The prices are high and there are many categories in GTY status. So, if there aren't many cancellations, I wouldn't expect *GT rates. But, you never know.