DCL Summer 2017 Megathread - Itineraries are out!

[KalamityJane]

I read a post on another website (that shall not be named but we all know what it is) that they called DCL to ask about their reservation then asked point blank and the CM told them the new dates would come out the first week of April. When this person pressed for me info they said the CM clammed up, probably because they shouldn't have said anything and of course, the call is always recorded (they say). Hmmm....who knows.....the plot, like my gravy, thickens

GRRRR. I really do not want to wait.

 

[Disney Obsession]

While I can't speak for others, I am a TA and have a list of people waiting to book the first day (including myself!). I will have them all booked that day, as long as they confirm which cruise they want well before midnight since I anticipate long wait times on hold as well as a very slow website.

 

[hanscarlet]

Can you just transfer your reservation to a TA after you book? Not implying I know, just curious if this is possible, if there is a certain transfer window

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Can you just transfer your reservation to a TA after you book? Not implying I know, just curious if this is possible, if there is a certain transfer window

You must transfer to a TA within 30 days.

 

[princessmommyx3]

Can you just transfer your reservation to a TA after you book? Not implying I know, just curious if this is possible, if there is a certain transfer window

FYI, some TA's offer a reduced onboard credit for transferred bookings vs. booking with them initially.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

FYI, some TA's offer a reduced onboard credit for transferred bookings vs. booking with them initially.

I wasn't sure - is that all reservation transfers? Or just the ones you book onboard?

 

[TestingH2O]

My experience on the last release.

DCL releases itineraries on day 1.

Gold and platinum book via phone on day 2. We email TA this day with the cruise and rooms we want to book.

Day 3, TA puts 24 hour hold on the rooms we've requested.

Day 4, we pay deposit to convert hold to actual reservation.

I think the 24 hour holds allow the TAs to get through more requests than they would be able to otherwise.

 

[princessmommyx3]

I wasn't sure - is that all reservation transfers? Or just the ones you book onboard?

My TA told me it was for all transfers, unless I misunderstood her.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My TA told me it was for all transfers, unless I misunderstood her.

I think that's probably true, but I wasn't sure.

 

[Stinkerbe11]

Can gold/platinum CC members book early if the summer 2017 dates are released while we are onboard? We may be cruising when the new itineraries are announced and I have never been in that situation before.

 

[Allabouthemouse]

Can gold/platinum CC members book early if the summer 2017 dates are released while we are onboard? We may be cruising when the new itineraries are announced and I have never been in that situation before.

Do you have a TA? Give him/her your preferences before you leave so you can book at opening day prices then adjust rooms, etc as needed. Talk to your TA to get some ideas of what itineraries may be available. They usually have some inkling.

 

[Ofinn]

Dont you want to know the cost before you book?

 

[remlap]

Monday, April 4, 2016 all of the 12 night specialty cruises in Europe will have passed their 120 PIF date. The last one being August 1, 2016, Barcelona 12 night cruise.

I expect them to open next week, but have no insider information, just assuming that is what they are waiting for.
As the d c l blog site has said, they Magic has shown up on multiple 2017 port calendars in Europe, and the Wonder has been seen on West Coast port calendars. I don't think there will be too many surprises. They just don't want everyone on the harder to fill longer cruises moving them all to 2017.

That said, i'm anxiously waiting myself to book a 7 night Mediterranean cruise for next August.

 

[Aby]

My experience on the last release.

DCL releases itineraries on day 1.

Gold and platinum book via phone on day 2. We email TA this day with the cruise and rooms we want to book.

Day 3, TA puts 24 hour hold on the rooms we've requested.

Day 4, we pay deposit to convert hold to actual reservation.

I think the 24 hour holds allow the TAs to get through more requests than they would be able to otherwise.

Do gold & platinum cruisers always get to book 1 day ahead of the general public for all newly released dates? Or is it just for any *new* itineraries? Specifically wondering about the Panama Canal cruises - these aren't technically *new*, since they've done them multiple times in the past, so do gold/plat still get to book a day early or will they be available for everyone to book the first day?

Thanks in advance for anyone who may have insight!

Aby

 

[KalamityJane]

Do gold & platinum cruisers always get to book 1 day ahead of the general public for all newly released dates? Or is it just for any *new* itineraries? Specifically wondering about the Panama Canal cruises - these aren't technically *new*, since they've done them multiple times in the past, so do gold/plat still get to book a day early or will they be available for everyone to book the first day?

Thanks in advance for anyone who may have insight!

Aby

It's for all itineraries

 

[Trera]

Can gold/platinum CC members book early if the summer 2017 dates are released while we are onboard? We may be cruising when the new itineraries are announced and I have never been in that situation before.

Yes. I booked a cruise this time last year when dates were released and booking opened up for platinum and gold members. I was the first one in line at the rebook desk on hoard the Magic. They actually opened the booking an hour before for us on board than everyone else was allowed to book.

 

[Saamh]

I don't want to wait for next week. Ugh. Hoping it will be tomorrow.

 

[cyclenut]

We used a TA for booking one time. It was a mess. We have booked online ourselves and saved a bunch of hassle. I know a lot of people love their TA so if you have a good one, don't sweat it and let them book it for you. I haven't found one yet that added any value for me, but that's a personal choice. I don't want to start the TA vs. non-TA debate, just trying to answer the OP question.

 

[Flossbolna]

My TA has booked twice for me on opening day. Once it was a cruise that indeed saw immediate price hikes and she got me the room so quickly. The other time it was a standard Fantasy 7-night in the off season. For that I got the reservation much later in the day. I am sure that she prioritises requests from her customers by how important it is to be quick. My Fantasy 7-night had the first price hike 4 months after the release date, so it really was not an issue at all to be quick, that's why were on the bottom of the list.

What you should not do is to book yourself and let the TA book as well, that is the best way to get prices up quicker for everyone else.

 

[Allabouthemouse]

Yes. I booked a cruise this time last year when dates were released and booking opened up for platinum and gold members. I was the first one in line at the rebook desk on hoard the Magic. They actually opened the booking an hour before for us on board than everyone else was allowed to book.

Good to know!!