Disadvantage to booking a May 2017 cruise now?

[Skyegirl1999]

We are unexpectedly looking at European cruises in May/June on the Magic. I'm wondering if we've "missed" anything in terms of onboard opportunities at this point. It looks like most things for new cruisers book 75 days out? Would our four-year-old be guaranteed to use the kids club? Will we be stuck with late dining? Just trying to get a feel for cruise timing vs resort timing... Thanks!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

You will most likely be OK. Honestly the biggest thing you may have "missed" is the earlier prices, which may have been lower. But if you are OK with the current prices, then go for it.

If there isn't space in the kids club, you won't be able to book the cruise at all. If they let you book the cruise, it means there is enough room for your child in the kids club.

It is possible you will be restricted to late dining (which many people feel is not a bad thing), but if you want main seating, call (or have your travel agent call) Disney and get on the waiting list. That will often come through. If it doesn't you can request main seating immediately when you get on the ship. This worked for our part of 9 in the Caribbean. The hold back some tables for this. Who knows it may not even be an issue as many people like late seating for the European cruises because the Port Excursions are often long.

Anything else (like Princess Meet and Greets, do they do that on European cruises?) you can sign up for when your window opens at 75 days prior to boarding.

Have fun!

 

[Quellman]

Well you aren't missing too too much. Platinum cruisers are booking excursions and early May sailings might also be up to Gold members.
The kids clubs have a minimum age of 3 and generally require potty trained kids. That means they will not assist the kids with going to the bathroom.
The time of dining will default to late, but you can make a request by calling or emailing requesting to be on the waitlist for main dining. You can also visit the dining team upon embarkation to see about changing the dining times.

 

[Pooh2]

We just booked a 3 day on the Dream for about 60 days out. We were surprised we were able to get main dining.There were still tickets for meet and greets and adult dining brunch and dinner. Good luck OP! Enjoy your cruise!

 

[msmama]

Just FYI, when I booked my European cruise MONTHS ago, main dining wasn't available, but I requested to be put on the waitlist. Less than a week later, I got an email that I was moved to main dining. It made me wonder if it's just something the booking sight does sometimes.

 

[awaghorn]

Also re pricing we are on the Norway cruise departing 4 June and the prices haven't really changed since opening day for our veranda cabin (at least in dollar terms, don't talk to me about the GBP / USD exchange rate...)

 

[MPS516]

On one of our European cruises we were placed in early dining and had to switch to late. We had so many excursions we did not want to be rushed when returning to the ship so late really worked best for us. When we got back on the ship, the girls would grab something up on deck as we started getting ready for the show, worked great.