DCL observations thus far

[tlwfun89]

ok so we booked our cruise and have been on two other cruise lines. We love Disney but some observations which have me concerned but will try to spend Im sure, a good portion tomorrow rectifying. First reservations are booked at my first 75 day mark. There are even some excursions sold out. This for a 7000+ dollar cruise seems bizaare but we shall see. I tried to book a tour outside of Disney and was told the time Disney has alloted for the port will not allow for the tour but other cruise ships allow for more time(interesting profit guarantee point). Tried to do the online pre-purchase of star wars merchandise and it will not recognize my name or reservation number. Called them to be told to call back tomorrow because they are off on holiday. Hoping it gets better this is not a good start. I know some people could book excursions and activities earlier than first time cruisers but why would someone book more if they could not get nothing the first time they booked?

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

It is not unusual for popular excursions to be sold out before the first time cruisers get a shot at them. DCL does contract with some local tour operators for exclusivity in offering their tours to guests on DCL ships. Sucks but that's the way DCL chooses to do business. The DCL site not recognizing your name or ressie number is also not unusual. While they have come a little ways, DCL's IT has always been shall we say, lacking?

 

[Aby]

Some excursions are extremely limited, and one of the perks of being a return cruiser is having first access at those. However, for most ports there are lots of adventures to choose from unless you are dead set on a specific one. In that case, I recommend checking the website every day - as the cruise gets closer, some people change their mind about excursions and do cancel. If you still have no luck, make sure to head to the port adventures desk when you board to see if they have any additional availability. Some people do want to cancel within the 3 window penalty, so sometimes they are looking for people to take those spots so that those people can be off the hook for the cancellation charge.

Aby

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

ok so we booked our cruise and have been on two other cruise lines. We love Disney but some observations which have me concerned but will try to spend Im sure, a good portion tomorrow rectifying. First reservations are booked at my first 75 day mark. There are even some excursions sold out. This for a 7000+ dollar cruise seems bizaare but we shall see. I tried to book a tour outside of Disney and was told the time Disney has alloted for the port will not allow for the tour but other cruise ships allow for more time(interesting profit guarantee point). Tried to do the online pre-purchase of star wars merchandise and it will not recognize my name or reservation number. Called them to be told to call back tomorrow because they are off on holiday. Hoping it gets better this is not a good start. I know some people could book excursions and activities earlier than first time cruisers but why would someone book more if they could not get nothing the first time they booked?

I have mixed emotions on the way DCL does excursions compared to other lines. While I hate that you have to wait and some stuff is sold out, I like that you don't pay for it until the end of the cruise.

We're doing the Mediterranean on CCL in June and we've booked a couple of excursions already but we've also had to pay for them already, which is weird for me.

I would also add please for your own sake, don't start your cruise with the , "this for a $7000 cruise," mindset, it probably won't turn out pretty. Just my $.02.