Early Booking

[threeprincesses]

How early should you book for a cruise in October or November, 2004. I know this is typically their slow season, but me and DH are having a disagreement on when we should book. To be fair, i won't state my case, but all opinions are welcome. Are there discounts for earlier booking?

 

[Gigashadow]

If your booking through DCL I would say the earlier the better.

1. You will give the same deposit due amount now or 6 months from now and have the same 100% full refund avaliability for a canceled cuise made 60 days prior to departure date.

2. Early booking savings through DCL matched any discount I looked for with travel agents/AAA's/clubs for our July 2003 Cruise and at the time I had a choice of using The Disney Club or the new Disney Visa for the onboard credit we recieved.

3. We also had a large choice of staterooms to pick from (Using the book "Passporter" layout of staterooms as a guide) when making the reservation because the cruise wasn't "booking up" months in advance. This mainly affects the higher CAT rooms 1-4.


Start punching in cruise lengths and dates on at the DCL website and you'll see which dates/months are cheaper, all the stops each cruise makes and what length cruise your looking for. After playing on the website - call the DCL at (800) 951-3532 for more a personal approach to any questions before booking. Also I recommend buying the book called - PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line and its Caribbean Ports of Call, was very helpful for a first time family cruiser like myself.

Good Luck!

 

[outahere]

Unlike some other cruise lines, DCL does not discount their cabins as you get closer to the sailing date. The longer you wait, the more you will pay. For example, we booked an April, 2004 cruise last September (2002). The price has gone up almost $2000 since then, and it's still almost 7 months away.

IMHO....... book now.

 

[ZebraStripes]

I agree with booking as early as you can. We booked for April 2004 in Feb 2003. We've transfered the reservation from DCL to a TA who had a lower rate. Like outahere, our cruise is now about $2000 more. As soon as 2005 rates come out, we'll probably book again. Definitely worth it.

 

[ThreeCircles]

I'll vote with the majority and say the earlier the better!

 

[jel0511]

I booked our October 30, 2004 cruise back in May, and it's already gone up $200 since I've booked for the same category stateroom. Now, I know that's not a lot of money, but hey that's a spa treatment!!! DCL usually doesn't offer any last minute specials, and if they do it's only on category 11 rooms, and we are in a category 6. If the price does miraculously drop, my TA will adjust my price to that one, so I'm guaranteed the lowest price!!

 

[Surfergirl]

We booked our Oct. 9/ 2004 cruise in April 2003.