DCL Summer 2017 Megathread - Itineraries are out!

[ivanp91]

I was so counting on EBPC being similarly timed to this year but alas, it was not to be

 

[Saamh]

Yep. You beat me to the reply. Some of the real popular European sailings have been crazy the past couple years--I'm thinking of the first Iceland a couple years ago and the first British Isles last year. I did the Iceland cruise and people were paying thousands more the next day. It's really a shame that Disney does it that way because all the people who hold and don't book drive up the pricing for everyone else. We didn't ever have *Gt rate on the Iceland cruise, but I just saw the restricted rates on the British Isles. Looked like they were close if not slightly less than first day Gold/Platinum pricing.

A standard inside cabin (11B) on the British Isles cruise for 2016 is currently $3k LESS than opening day. We ended up booking Alaska instead because I couldn't justify $10,800 for 2 adults and 2 kids in a standard inside. I've been watching the pricing for the past year and it did sell out opening week but once those courtesy holds expired, it's been the same price for an 11B all year - until they dropped the price by $3k because they needed to fill the ship. I'm excited about Alaska but still a little bitter that we're not on the British Isles this year...

 

[AquaDame]

Here is the sticky for pricing tomorrow morning..!
http://www.disboards.com/threads/op...september-magic-wonder-dream-fantasy.3501141/

Good luck everyone! May your hold music not be "it's a small world" more than three times and ever so brief! <3

 

[Ofinn]

That's what I'm worried about. If I book so early and a discount comes out or the prices drop would they adjust the price if I call? Or am I just stuck with the price I reserved when I put my deposit down?

No you are stuck with that price. If your set on that cruise book and watch. I booked the Iceland Norway cruise about 1 month after opening day. The price hadn't gone up, 6 months later the price the same. A month before the paid in full date no price change and lots of rooms left. I cancelled and waited. GT rates released, waited about a week interline rates released. Done.
In all honesty I don't have to pay for flights so I can do this, but I have read on numerous travel sites that international flights are the lowest about 3 months before. My friend booked tickets to Europe a year out, and said if she would have waited to 2 months before she would have saved hundreds. I get emails all the time on for cheap flights to Europe. There are always deals if you want to save money. It just takes work and a some time. We travel a lot so I'm always checking prices on cruises, hotels, car rentals, even airline tickets sometimes. I feel like I've got a pretty good handle on when to book things. Not everyone can spend the time, but traveling is my passion, and I'm not rich so I make the time to research and get the best prices.

 

[Krissy22222]

Has anyone called DCL to get the port info for the WBTA? Is that one going to be released tomorrow?

 

[Flossbolna]

Has anyone called DCL to get the port info for the WBTA? Is that one going to be released tomorrow?

I don't think so. I the past years, the WBTA was always released with the fall/winter schedule.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

A standard inside cabin (11B) on the British Isles cruise for 2016 is currently $3k LESS than opening day. We ended up booking Alaska instead because I couldn't justify $10,800 for 2 adults and 2 kids in a standard inside. I've been watching the pricing for the past year and it did sell out opening week but once those courtesy holds expired, it's been the same price for an 11B all year - until they dropped the price by $3k because they needed to fill the ship. I'm excited about Alaska but still a little bitter that we're not on the British Isles this year...

Wow, I hadn't followed it that carefully. That is really bad. If DCL had been reasonable and not allowed the pricing to get so crazy I'm sure they could have filled the ship much earlier. Good thing to keep in mind for tomorrow. I have my TA moving my OBB to the British Isles, but if it's crazy we aren't going to do it.

 

[Tink1987]

I did the EBTA in 2013. Started in Galveston, TX with stops at CC, Funchal, Gibraltar, and then Barcelona. I loved our sea days and never once felt bored. But losing all those hours was TOUGH. And I still had a couple of days in Paris at the end. Whew.

I'd still do it again though. and I'd love to do the WBTA too. Maybe 2017...

Kristen

We were on this cruise too and were never bored with the sea days. In fact some days we couldn't fit all the activities in we wanted too! We found it a struggle to plan pool time

The time didn't affect us but we are very lucky that we do not suffer from jet lag at all. Also we are from the UK so was coming back to our time zone gradually. Time was literally on our side

 

[gismo1554]

15-Night Eastbound Transatlantic from Port Canaveral 5/13/17
Port Canaveral • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Ponta Delgada, Portugal • At Sea • At Sea • Portland, England • Dover • Amsterdam • At Sea • Copenhagen

Most previous EBTAs had a few stops prior to getting to Europe - NYC, Boston, Halifax, etc. This goes straight there. I love sea days, but so many right away? I guess it is more ports in Europe than the usual EBTA.

I love this itinerary but that's cause I love sea days!

i never got an email from disney cruise line, only the info i found her and other places and we are platinum. Does anyone know what time they will open for reservations, going to go back to alaska next year!

I only got an email from my TA not from Disney itself so don't think they've sent one out. They will probably send out next week after the initial rush dies down. This is why I've signed up to a couple of TA emails to make sure I get the info - and check on here.

I just called my travel agent to see if they could take down my information tonight and go ahead and make the reservations for me tomorrow. No dice. I have to call at 8am tomorrow when they open, probably wait on hold for a while, and then tell them what I want to book. I'm just hoping they don't make me wait on hold with them while they call Disney. Isn't that why we use a TA? To make all the arrangements for us in the background?

See this is why I love my TA because she actually took my preferences 2 weeks ago and then yesterday I just emailed to say actually can I change to this and she is sorting it. I guess it depends on the TA but mine is fab!

I did the EBTA in 2013. Started in Galveston, TX with stops at CC, Funchal, Gibraltar, and then Barcelona. I loved our sea days and never once felt bored. But losing all those hours was TOUGH. And I still had a couple of days in Paris at the end. Whew.

I'd still do it again though. and I'd love to do the WBTA too. Maybe 2017...

Kristen

Agreed. I have asked for my OBB to go on the EBTA but really want the WBTA. As I'm not sure the dates for the WB I thought I may as well get on the EB as if the dates aren't doable this is what I'd end up on.

I don't think so. I the past years, the WBTA was always released with the fall/winter schedule.

I was told its usually in around May that the WBTA gets released so hopefully might stick to same timetable but then this one was usually March so who knows.

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

Who else is waiting not so patiently for prices to start to post?!?

 

[lorimay]

Who else is waiting not so patiently for prices to start to post?!?

I'm writing down the cruises I need prices on right now.
If they just told us the cost, I wouldn't have to hold up the line, trying to see if I can afford the 10/11 night Southern Caribbean cruises.

Then I need to see what the 15 night transatlantic is running for my son and his fiancé for their honeymoon.

 

[RedSox68]

Yep. Except, it is not even by the next morning. It can be hour by hour. If it's a real popular sailing, the gold/platinum people who book later in the day can pay more than the one who booked earlier in the day...and the it will go up even further the next day.

It can be crazy -- I remember having my quote by 9 a.m. one year and then seeing it rise by a couple of thousand by the end of the day! Unbelievable.

I have requests into my TA for 6 different cruises. As soon as I get my quotes, I will post on the proper thread.

 

[RedSox68]

I just called my travel agent to see if they could take down my information tonight and go ahead and make the reservations for me tomorrow. No dice. I have to call at 8am tomorrow when they open, probably wait on hold for a while, and then tell them what I want to book. I'm just hoping they don't make me wait on hold with them while they call Disney. Isn't that why we use a TA? To make all the arrangements for us in the background?

Not sure who you use -- but have had my TA for years and they require us to submit our requests the day itineraries are released so they can start calling first thing the next morning! Having you call them the same day the reservations open seems to defeat the purpose of getting an early start

 

[Jennette R Toderick]

I'm surprised nothing yet???

 

[RedSox68]

I have never used a TA before. What is the advantage/disadvantage to using one? I have always just booked myself. Do they charge you more than the cruise would normally cost? I only ask because I don't think I am available to call until tomorrow afternoon, so I was thinking about trying to use a TA.

Biggest advantage for us is that they do all the wait time on the phone on opening day, saving me hours -- they have a special line they call into, whereas we have to call through the public number. My TA usually has my quotes back to me within 90 minutes from opening time, and the reservations are on hold so I can decide whether I want to put deposits or let them go. Plus they offer OBC depending on stateroom category. And I have always gotten my favorite stateroom through them -- the "secret verandah" ones, which are hard to get as there are only 4 of them.

 

[Bree]

Not sure who you use -- but have had my TA for years and they require us to submit our requests the day itineraries are released so they can start calling first thing the next morning! Having you call them the same day the reservations open seems to defeat the purpose of getting an early start

Depends on type of agent. If it's Costco, you have to call them and then sit on hold while they call DCL. I used them for my upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise and it's been painful any time I want to make a change. I have to call Costco and sit on hold while they call RCCL. Sometimes they will conference me in and sometimes they won't.

 

[wilma-bride]

I'm surprised nothing yet???

Lines don't open until 8am EST. Still an hour to go.

 

[plutolovr]

I'm surprised nothing yet???

Why are you surprised? Phones don't open until 8:00 AM est.

 

[Flossbolna]

I'm surprised nothing yet???

Phone lines won't open until 8am EST. On the website you will not see anything until tomorrow morning.

 

[RedSox68]

well i just bite the bullet and sent in a quote for DU!!! Ive never booked so very early like this I know I will need to wait for Thur but Im ready


this will be a celebration since Ill be at the end of my 5 yrs of cancer follow ups so were celebrating big time

cant wait--let the countdown begin anyone else going on the medeterrian for next yr

if any of you are able to book tomorrow or at least get prices could you let me know if you get a quote for 9-9-17 in a 5B for 2 adults would really appreciate it thanks so much

I just wanted to say a big congratulations -- that is an awesome accomplishment. I wish you the best and hope you get good pricing and the itinerary and room you want to add to your celebration Good luck.