DU giving "rack rates" for DCL

[DavidOH]

I requested a quote for a cruise from DU and recieved rack rates from them. Is this normal or do you think there could be a mistake?

I have used them several time to book for WDW trips and got great rates and service.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by DavidOH
I requested a quote for a cruise from DU and recieved rack rates from them. Is this normal or do you think there could be a mistake?

I have used them several time to book for WDW trips and got great rates and service.

How soon does the cruise set sail that you were requesting information for?

 

[DavidOH]

The cruise is a 7 Day Eastern Carribean Cruise. It will be 4 of us MME, DW DD(8) and DS(6). We are cruising April 16, 2005.

I was also trying to book 2 mor rooms for both sets of Grandparents.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I've booked through DU once. At the time, they were giving a base price the same as DCL, but with their rebate we saved money.

You may be seeing a higher price for that time in April because of holiday.

 

[DavidOH]

There is a $75 rebate. But allseastravel.com and a "regular" travel agent are giving us a cheaper rate.

The week we are traveling isn't a holiday week but a it seems to be the week that a lot of schools in NY are giving kids off for spring recess in 2005. (Easter is late in March)

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by DavidOH
There is a $75 rebate. But allseastravel.com and a "regular" travel agent are giving us a cheaper rate.

The week we are traveling isn't a holiday week but a it seems to be the week that a lot of schools in NY are giving kids off for spring recess in 2005. (Easter is late in March)

Make sure when you're getting quotes elsewhere that they're including transfers and insurance if you are also getting those inlcuded in quotes from DU. And if it's still less expensive even after the rebate, see if DU will match the price.

One other thing -- prices seem to increase during spring break timeperiods.

 

[DavidOH]

I purposely left insurance and transfers off all the quotes so I would be comparing true numbers. I realize that spring time can get expensive. I was just wondering if it is usual that DU gives rack rates when everyone else can give you some discount and come up significantly cheaper even with the rebate taken into account.

 

[spoon2003]

I booked with Dreams on 3/15/04 for the same sailing and got a great rate. DU had the best rate for 4 of us in a cat 9. I priced All Seas, Costco and DU.

However, our 12/19/04 Wonder in a cat 8 is more with DU than All Seas. I booked with DU because they handled our last cruise and I was happy with the service.

Sue

 

[new_yawka]

I recently booked the 2/13/05 Wonder cruise through DU. They matched the price I had gotten from Allseas (which was about $50 less than the original price from DU).

 

[westjones]

Does All Seasons Travel 'book' rooms in advance and DU only book as they get reservations?

I think that is why as the sailings get closer some report getting better prices from All Seasons Travel--they locked in a lower price.

I noticed that our 2005 (September) cruise which is 18 months away has already gone up on DCL, but All Seasons Travel still has it at a lower price.

DJ

 

[Mermaid02]

I just got a quote from DU that also gives rack rate. It does have a rebate- but I seem to recall DU having prices much better than rack in the past. BTW- the quote was for December 2005

 

[momto2dkids]

When I was comparing prices this past weekend for the April 30, 2005 Eastern cruise, Cat 4 room, for our family of 5 (myself, DH, 3 children ages 11, 5 and 1 at time of sailing) the price quote from DU was over $200 more than Costco which had the cheapest price. We are returing for our second cruise (1st Halloween 2002) and had hoped that being a Castaway Club member would bring some discounts however minor but we only received the early savings discount. As I try to teach my children, something is better than nothing. Needless to say, we went ahead and booked with Costco.

 

[Poly Pal]

I believe allseas books blocks of rooms in advance (without having people actually making reservations) at a discount from Disney. I think they are one of the largest, if not THE largest, agency booking DCL.

When I called DCL direct to check on my reservation, I was told "you have a group reservation, so I (the DCL clerk) could not access the info.

 

[Regina]

Dreams also reserves group space and passes along the savings to their clients.

Agencies are allowed a certain amount of group spaces. When they're gone, they're gone. That's why for certain dates some agencies have lower prices than others.

What's nice about Dreams is that they always offer the rebate, regardless if it's one of their discounted spots or not.

 

[carolsherman]

I am booked on that cruise and dreams gave me a much cheaper price than Disney by about $400 and with the rebate I am enjoying the fact my kids won't miss school yet I don't have to pay an outrageous price because easter is in March in 2005

 

[***tink386]

We just booked the April 2, 2005 cat 9 with DU and they were $300 cheaper that Allseas!! They've been awesome so far!!

 

[DavidOH]

I sent DU an email asking them to check into the pricing. I also explained that I was a repeat customer and that I was looking to book 3 rooms. I got the following response



Hi David,

We did have blocked space on this sailing, however, in pricing your reservations this
morning we only had one cabin left so I didn't want to price a group rate for one cabin and not the
rest. Since you have inquired about the rate, I have changed your reservation to our last cabin on the
group rate. Unfortunately, I am unable to change the rates for the other two cabins as we now have no
more space available on our blocked space. The good news is that you have now been quoted a much
better rate for your cabin.

If you have any questions, please let me know. Have a great evening!



DU save me about $800. i wish they could have come through for everyone. I responded to them and asked of they could let me know if they have any cancellations. We will have to see what happens.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by DavidOH
Hi David,

We did have blocked space on this sailing, however, in pricing your reservations this
morning we only had one cabin left so I didn't want to price a group rate for one cabin and not the
rest. Since you have inquired about the rate, I have changed your reservation to our last cabin on the
group rate. Unfortunately, I am unable to change the rates for the other two cabins as we now have no
more space available on our blocked space. The good news is that you have now been quoted a much
better rate for your cabin.

If you have any questions, please let me know. Have a great evening!

Well now, that clears up quite a bit, doesn't it?
Glad you were able to book the last stateroom!

 

[stulaurie]

Hi David,

Do you mind me asking what cat. did you book, and how much you ended up paying?

Thanks