DCL Summer 2017 Megathread - Itineraries are out!

[Ofinn]

A lot of people cancelled the British Isles cruise though. DCL should wait until the holds expire to raise prices. The phone lines wouldn't be tied up. They also decrease future bookings by raising prices too early.

 

[thndrmatt]

It's probably not that they aren't released to the public, but are already "on hold" by Gold/Platinum cruisers who booked the prior day. Then those holds release. As noted above, a hold lasts 2-3 days..

I should probably clarify, they haven't been available when calling on Platinum/Gold day the moment the lines open. It's certainly possible 20+ people get in and snag them before us every time, just seems unlikely since we tend to take some of the less popular cruises.

 

[keaster]

Trying for an hour now, still busy signals.

 

[dclpluto]

On hold for a hour and 10 minutes now.

 

[Flossbolna]

Just saw that in the comments on the post on www.disneycruiselineblog.com someone claimed that they called Disney and got the information that online booking for everyone might open at 9:01 PST - so one minute after midnight EST. Just thought I throw it out there for those who want to try booking in the middle of the night!

 

[slindamood]

So I know this is how it works but then how does it work with a travel agent? I assume to hold a price you have to pay a deposit but the travel agent has to check with the client but in the time those emails go back and forth the price could have changed.

I just put in for a quote from DU (always booked direct before) to avoid waiting on hold (I'm international and the time difference isn't ideal) but now I'm second guessing how that process could work without my confirmation to the TA - I left it too late to ask them questions on the process because I had just assumed that they would have a phone and then saw that initial contact is all email/enquiry form.

I have used DU for years for opening day bookings. My agent takes my preferences in advance, makes the reservation and puts it on hold with DCL, then notifies me giving several days to confirm and pay the deposit. I generally do not hear from her until late afternoon, just because she is so busy during the day just making reservations to get the best prices.

I have seen cruises come close to selling out the first day, even though that has not been recent. I want adjoining cabins, so first day booking is important for that reason.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I'm starting to think I won't see prices for the plain old vanilla 7-night Caribbean cruises today, everyone seems to be going for the more exotic, exciting itineraries.

 

[etoe]

Finally on hold - AGAIN - They better not hang up on me this time! So here goes another 2 hours of my life on hold. Ugh.

 

[keaster]

I'm starting to think I won't see prices for the plain old vanilla 7-night Caribbean cruises today, everyone seems to be going for the more exotic, exciting itineraries.

I'm looking for 7 night caribbean as well! Unfortunately...still busy signal...

 

[Ofinn]

Just picked myself up off the floor from laughing after reading the 9 night Alaska quote on the other thread. There is no way I am paying that for a 9 night cruise excluding airfare and spending when I can go to New Zealand from the UK twice for the same amount of money.

And this is from the person who did think twice about booking the Fantasyland extra morning packages.

It looks like the European cruises are about the same price as this year. Alaska has gone up, and the 10 night cruises on the Fantasy are crazy. The itinerary's on DCL's Alaskan cruises are not great. I've never really gotten why they are so popular.

 

[slindamood]

In the past, the TA itineraries have been more like this one. This stops in Ponta Delgada in the Azores - in the middle of the Atlantic. There are 2 more sea days after that before it arrives at Portland, England. The May 2015 TA was the first to have a pretty good itinerary, in my opinion: NYC; St. John's, NL; Reykjavik, Iceland; Oslo, Norway; and Copenhagen. Yes, the itinerary was changed at the last minute due to icebergs in Newfoundland - but still a good itinerary.

I loved the 2015 EBTA - sailing into NYC was the best. Even with the changed itinerary due to icebergs, it was a great cruise. On both of the TAs I have taken, the port days were front loaded, then sea days to relax. That said, I still love this new itinerary and have a request in to book it. Sea days are fantastic, no matter when they happen.

 

[dclpluto]

On hold a hour and 28 minutes

 

[lorimay]

On hold a hour and 28 minutes

Hang in there........

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Still a busy tone...

 

[Kimberly1]

Anyone seen prices on the 5 night double dips yet?

 

[Kimberly1]

I'm looking for 7 night caribbean as well! Unfortunately...still busy signal...

I just added my prices for the 7 night western on May 27
2A, Category 9C $4199.68

 

[keaster]

I just added my prices for the 7 night western on May 27
2A, Category 9C $4199.68

Thanks! I'm looking for pricing for july or august...and if that's price for an oceanview I'm thinking yikes for a veranda!

 

[dclpluto]

Talking now a hour and 33 minutes it took

 

[Iowamomof4]

Thanks! I'm looking for pricing for july or august...and if that's price for an oceanview I'm thinking yikes for a veranda!

I'm looking at September but we'll need two rooms (2A 4C). Hoping oceanview isn't out of the budget!

 

[lanejudy]

Just saw that in the comments on the post on www.disneycruiselineblog.com someone claimed that they called Disney and got the information that online booking for everyone might open at 9:01 PST - so one minute after midnight EST. Just thought I throw it out there for those who want to try booking in the middle of the night!

Wow! That would be interesting... I wonder what an early online opening would do to all the people planning on a TA making reservations in the morning...