Discount tips?

[PoohBearFamily]

Hi, we're thinking of cruising DCL for the first time next year on maybe the Fantasy on an E. Caribbean itinerary. I was wondering if there are ever promos like there are on RC?

 

[Calantha]

Everything will be listed here: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/special-offers/

It varies depending on how well things are selling. We had a discount on a 4-night Dream sailing in January. You can see 2 current Eastern offers on the Fantasy under 25% off (hidden inside 30% off).

 

[Freeman867]

Hi, we're thinking of cruising DCL for the first time next year on maybe the Fantasy on an E. Caribbean itinerary. I was wondering if there are ever promos like there are on RC?

From my experience, any discounts are solely for guaranteed rooms (you don't choose it, you get assigned what's open). Just an FYI

 

[cruizincathi]

There are rare discounts. One way to get a percentage off is to buy Disney gift cards at Target, using a RedCard. You’ll get 5% off( so $100 would be $95, etc). While 5% may not seem like much, it’s more than you’ll get most of the time. You can call DCL and load your card(s) onto your account. Just be sure to keep the cards because, if you have to cancel, your refund will be back to that card.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

I purchase the Disney Gift cards online at the Target website and get them digitally. I can also get them up to $500 units. I keep track of the #s in a spreadsheet so as to avoid the leaning tower of pisa of Disney gift cards. I remember for our S. Caribbean (11 night) I had an eight inch stack of cards. The CM on the phone was not impressed.

 

[Cheburashka]

I strongly recommend avoiding compiling thousands of dollars worth of gift cards. If you have to cancel or postpone the trip, you'll be stuck with all of your money on those cards, having to keep track of the numbers, having no choice but to spend the money on Disney, etc. Remember, everyone thinks they won't have to cancel their trip until they do have to cancel their trip.

Disney cruise pricing is based on school vacations. When it's easiest for kids to travel, the prices are much higher. Prices are lowest in mid-winter and in early fall, which is also hurricane season. The best way to save on DCL is to cruise during these times of year.

There are some last-minute GT deals to be had, but keep in mind that you can't choose your stateroom with those. The last two times I booked GT to save money, I was assigned a handicapped stateroom with no bathtub, and the handicapped shower has no edge, so the whole bathroom floor gets soaked every time you shower. That might not be your cup of tea.

If you book via Costco Travel, or transfer your cruise to Costco Travel within 30 days of booking, you will get 10% of the base cruise cost back in the form of a Costco Shop Card that you can spend on goods at Costco, including gasoline at the pump. I've pumped months worth of free gasoline after sailing cruises booked via Costco. Costco's Visa card also gives 3% cash back (real cash, not Costco cash) for travel purchases.