DCL Summer 2017 Megathread - Itineraries are out!

[Jennette R Toderick]

My TA said that if its this week, they would send us the info on a Tuesday and gold/platinum could book on Wednesday. Guess we'll find out tomorrow.

Do TA get info before everyone else? We are looking to Book 2017 Alaska (like everyone else lol) but we are silver so we'd have to wait till Thursday?? so confusing.....

 

[SilenceDoGood]

Do TA get info before everyone else? We are looking to Book 2017 Alaska (like everyone else lol) but we are silver so we'd have to wait till Thursday?? so confusing.....

Yes, IF they announce tomorrow it is likely they will allow the Platinum/Gold folks to book on Wednesday. Then Silver and those who have never cruised would get to book on Thursday.

 

[Jennette R Toderick]

Yes, IF they announce tomorrow it is likely they will allow the Platinum/Gold folks to book on Wednesday. Then Silver and those who have never cruised would get to book on Thursday.

Darn... Can someone post the dates/prices for Alaska 2017 for us newbee's lol

 

[laceltris3]

I think what you mean by "upgrading later will give you a lower price" is that you lock in the rate tier at the time of initial booking. If you book an inside cabin on opening day, and 6 months later decide to upgrade to a verandah, (assuming availability) you will pay the fare of the verandah cabin from opening day and not the current going fare displayed online. Upgrading to a different category will be dependent on availability (stateroom availability as well as muster station), especially if you are trying for connecting staterooms. It is highly recommended to book the level of stateroom in which you would be comfortable cruising, and not plan on an upgrade. Holiday cruises can book quickly.

If you are looking to book 2 cabins, you have a little more challenge with your situation if you aren't completely sure of the passengers. If booked into a room by herself, your mom pays a "single supplement" which essentially means she pays full adult fare for the cabin even though she is the only passenger booked in that room. To avoid this, many people will book one of the children into the stateroom with grandma. However, if there is a chance grandma may cancel, that scenario will mess up the child booked with her. Adding someone later will always be at prevailing rates even in a stateroom already reserved with an extra bed spot available.

Enjoy your cruise!

We have had this issue with my mother in law coming with us on a Christmas cruise. I would advise you to book the rooms you want for the maximum number of people you think would go. We booked December 2015 in June 2014 and they were already only booking triples, no quads (even for rooms that could hold 4). We paid a deposit for my oldest daughter in 2 rooms. It is much easier to cancel than add someone, especially on holiday cruises.

 

[RedSox68]

Darn... Can someone post the dates/prices for Alaska 2017 for us newbee's lol

They usually start a pricing thread by ship. If anyone is planning for this (a moderator?) I'd be glad to pitch in and take a ship or itinerary. I've done pricing threads on here in the past. Thanks.

 

[ChicosWife]

Yes, IF they announce tomorrow it is likely they will allow the Platinum/Gold folks to book on Wednesday. Then Silver and those who have never cruised would get to book on Thursday.

So, when will the newly released dates BE VISIBLE on the website, rather they are bookable or not, when can we see them?

 

[Flossbolna]

They usually start a pricing thread by ship. If anyone is planning for this (a moderator?) I'd be glad to pitch in and take a ship or itinerary. I've done pricing threads on here in the past. Thanks.

@AquaDame said that there would be a pricing thread. But if you want to volunteer, I am sure the moderators would be happy for you to help out. I know that the last few releases there was one thread for all the ships. It seems that there is far less first booking day excitement going around in recent years. Also with only opening up a few months at a time, the number of bookings is reduced. Also, I know that the person doing it recently always relied on the list that was put together on the unofficial Disney Cruiseline Blog. Since Disney does not have a list of all itineraries, it is cumbersome to go through all the different cruises and compile this. However, www.disneycruiselineblog.com does it and then it is easy to just copy his list.

 

[Flossbolna]

So, when will the newly released dates BE VISIBLE on the website, rather they are bookable or not, when can we see them?

It used to be that on release day, so possibly tomorrow, there is first an announcement on Facebook and on the Disney Parks Blog. Then someone will have a link to a pdf file with all the itineraries and then a little later the itineraries will be found on the DCL website, but not in the booking engine. But for example if you go to Destinations Europe then there will be the new cruise itineraries in there as well. Not sure how easy it is to get info on dates and more specifics since they redesigned the website.

 

[ChicosWife]

It used to be that on release day, so possibly tomorrow, there is first an announcement on Facebook and on the Disney Parks Blog. Then someone will have a link to a pdf file with all the itineraries and then a little later the itineraries will be found on the DCL website, but not in the booking engine. But for example if you go to Destinations Europe then there will be the new cruise itineraries in there as well. Not sure how easy it is to get info on dates and more specifics since they redesigned the website.

With pricing?

 

[disneymath]

With pricing?

Pricing is usually only online once Silver and new cruisers can book ... that's why the opening day threads here are useful ... Gold and Platinum cruisers can share the fares they are quoted over the phone, which gives the rest of us an idea before we book the next day.

 

[Ofinn]

I feel for ya -- my adult daughter refuses to discuss any travel ideas more than 6 months out. She just can't fathom planning anything so far into the future! For me, it's built in over the years it's the only way I know

I cant plan more than a few months out. I try but then I just change my mind. We travel about every three months. If I was limited to once a year I might be different.

 

[Garyjames220]

Any idea when we expect summer 2017 to come out yet ?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Any idea when we expect summer 2017 to come out yet ?

Hoping tomorrow news, gold/platinum wed, rest of us thurs

 

[KayKayJS]

Hoping tomorrow news, gold/platinum wed, rest of us thurs

Do we get pricing during the "news" day?

 

[n2mm]

Do we get pricing during the "news" day?

No

 

[KayKayJS]

No

Smart on their part. I will be all excited and planning before I know the price. lol

 

[n2mm]

People who book will share their quotes.

 

[ChicosWife]

Pricing is usually only online once Silver and new cruisers can book ... that's why the opening day threads here are useful ... Gold and Platinum cruisers can share the fares they are quoted over the phone, which gives the rest of us an idea before we book the next day.

That would be great! Thanks!

 

[Love2Cruz]

Yeah I don't think prices on the Fantasy can touch that. I go back and forth about going to Europe twice in one year. Even though I don't have to pay for flights it's still a lot of time off work, jet lag, long flights, and dog kennel fees. I've also been looking at the 11 night out of New York to Miami Thanksgiving week on the Vista. My husband is working Thanksgiving so that's looking like my second choice if I decide against Europe. My kids have never been to New York. It's nice to have so many different itinerary's at affordable prices to choose from. I'm also waiting to see what DCL is offering in Europe next June, but I have a feeling I won't like the price.

What state are you in? I am doing Europe in June of this year with MSC cruises...an eastern med itinerary. But it's taking up 3 weeks of vacation as I added on to the beginning and end of cruise so I can only do long trips once a year. My next long trip will be an Asian Itinerary...but that's a couple of years out. Living in FL, the Caribbean cruises and Disney/Orlando parks are the most convenient for me.

 

[Love2Cruz]

I know you love DCL, but the Carnival Vista has a great itinerary in the Med that includes Turkey and Greece. My kids were reluctant to try something new, but when they saw the pictures of the new ship they changed their minds. The Imax theatre really won over my oldest. He loves movies. My oldest wants to see the world so I really have to step away from DCL to accomplish this over the next few years. I just don't have the income to do it on DCL. I was very lucky to get this discount on the Iceland cruise. My youngest would be happy just spending two weeks at sea so maybe next year I'll look at the Panama or a TA on DCL. I gave him the option of sitting the med cruise out, and staying at Grandmas, but I think he's decided to suffer through 10 days of touring historical sites...poor kid lol.
I'm not expecting the service to be up to DCL standards on Carnival, but the rooms are beautiful, ships look fun, and the price is great.

Ofinn, will this be your first Carnival cruise? If so, you won't regret it. I have 10 Carnival cruises under my belt and believe me when I say you will be very pleasantly surprised. No, it's not Disney, but the service and food will wow you. My DD loves their kids club and they have no introduced Dr. Suess/Cat in the Hat instead of "Funship Freddy" and he's being well received. The Vista will have one of the best cruise directors on Carnival. Matt Mitcham...I cruised with him on the Breeze, and the guy is non stop. There is a reason they call it the "Fun Ship"..it's a very fun, active ship. The rooms are also large...their Spa is awesome, I got a Spa Balcony on the Breeze and I was very impressed. You're going to love it!