Fall 2026 itineraries

[Debbru]

What time does online booking start?

Just an FYI - online booking sometimes opens early. This morning I tried at 7am - not open. Signed in again at 7:30 & everything was open for booking.

 

[AquaDame]

Just an FYI - online booking sometimes opens early. This morning I tried at 7am - not open. Signed in again at 7:30 & everything was open for booking.

Which makes it extra fun for us west coast folks. Do we forego even more sleep just in case? How much?

 

[Debbru]

Which makes it extra fun for us west coast folks. Do we forego even more sleep just in case? How much?

I’ve seen people post on previous openings they got in at 6:45.

 

[AquaDame]

Its different every time is the problem... just because it was 6:45 today doesn't mean it will be tomorrow.. and we're talking 3:45am if you're PST. If its not open... do you wait? Go back to sleep...? If you do when do you wake up again? I honestly wish if they said 8am EST it'd BE 8am EST! They don't play these games with check in times or anything else...

 

[Flossbolna]

Its different every time is the problem... just because it was 6:45 today doesn't mean it will be tomorrow.. and we're talking 3:45am if you're PST. If its not open... do you wait? Go back to sleep...? If you do when do you wake up again? I honestly wish if they said 8am EST it'd BE 8am EST! They don't play these games with check in times or anything else...

I am in Germany, so nearly all times always work ok for me as they are around lunchtime. But we will be in California for booking some WDW dining and I realized how difficult that will be for us! They could pick any odd time, why do they pick one that doesn’t make sense for a large part of their customers?

 

[laurelew]

I am in Germany, so nearly all times always work ok for me as they are around lunchtime. But we will be in California for booking some WDW dining and I realized how difficult that will be for us! They could pick any odd time, why do they pick one that doesn’t make sense for a large part of their customers?

At least California has it easier for booking DCL activities and doing check in than those of us on the East Coast! I am not a night owl so staying up until midnight is rough!

 

[AquaDame]

At least California has it easier for booking DCL activities and doing check in than those of us on the East Coast! I am not a night owl so staying up until midnight is rough!

My point though is when they say midnight they at least mean midnight..! I find it easier to stay up an hour or two later than waking up in the middle of the night and trying to go back to bed (spoiler: it doesn't work for me).

 

[teach22180]

Some of you all must have dropped the April 2026 PC cruise because I see available cabins! They're not the cabins I want, and they cost more than the newly dropped cruises, but at least they are there. So thanks!

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

At least California has it easier for booking DCL activities and doing check in than those of us on the East Coast! I am not a night owl so staying up until midnight is rough!

I go to bed at 9 every night and up at 5 am for work. Even on the weekends I can’t sleep past 6 am. The midnight stay up for check in is horrible. Even worse when you make the mistake of setting your alarm for 11:40 AM. Yes AM not PM and missing the check in by an hour and a half which resulted in a not so good boarding time. Soooo no more going to sleep ever for check in and activities. UGH nothing like 4.5 hours of sleep just so I can get a decent boarding time and activities I want

 

[DCLMP]

Why do you have to stay up until midnight to book anything? We been on 34 cruises and I've never done that.

 

[dreamer17555]

Why do you have to stay up until midnight to book anything? We been on 34 cruises and I've never done that.

Because not everybody is pearl where it is easy to grab things? Because maybe they want royal gathering? Or Palo brunch? Or the tea party? Or an early port arrival time without paying for DCL transportation?

Yes, if you are pearl, it is much easier to grab whatever you want, but that’s not true for everyone

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

Why do you have to stay up until midnight to book anything? We been on 34 cruises and I've never done that.

We will hit gold after our cruise this week. For silver castaway members port arrival times are later in general. Since we live so close to the port we want to get there as early as possible. Activities are also less available when we can book. If you wait till the morning to book PAT and Activities after the window opens the availability shrinks quite a bit

 

[iadizfans]

Just booked WBPC (Apr’ 2027). Booking window for Platinum CC opened about an hour early this morning

 

[anjuan]

I tried at around 7:05am and was surprised the window was open! I booked the EBPC (West doesn't work with job). I also was able to use my placeholder online. I was nervous about doing so but the process was really easy. I just went to my list of past cruises, clicked on the placeholder and then it brought up the cruise selection options.

 

[tinkerone]

Just booked WBPC (Apr’ 2027). Booking window for Platinum CC opened about an hour early this morning

I still can't get in.

 

[iadizfans]

I still can't get in.

Hmmmm…. You should be good if you’re Platinum or Pearl. Website issue?? Maybe try clearing cookies??

 

[DCLMP]

Because not everybody is pearl where it is easy to grab things? Because maybe they want royal gathering? Or Palo brunch? Or the tea party? Or an early port arrival time without paying for DCL transportation?

Yes, if you are pearl, it is much easier to grab whatever you want, but that’s not true for everyone

I didn't do this when I was Silver, Gold or Platinum. I never heard of doing this until recently.

 

[AquaDame]

I didn't do this when I was Silver, Gold or Platinum. I never heard of doing this until recently.

I think it has also gotten harder in recent years, depending on when you were scaling up. More levels, more cruisers, or worse IT I’m not sure. Even at this level I can’t have my pick of Palo days - if I waited till morning there may not be brunch at all.

As you book last minute so often I am guessing you do not much care about excursions or other kinds of reservations? Or just get lucky, which is great.

 

[dreamer17555]

I didn't do this when I was Silver, Gold or Platinum. I never heard of doing this until recently

Depending on when you became each of those levels will color that experience. DCL has rapidly expanded and the ships hold 4,000 guests (6,000 with the Adventure) instead of 2,500. Travel hacks are everywhere as is the rise in popularity of sailing specific FB groups (our Wish group for Sept has over 650 members) means that people are more aware of offerings and it is even more difficult to book them. I understand that was not your personal experience but it is good to try to consider what new DCL cruisers are looking at and how it might not perfectly mirror your own experience from years gone by.

Also if you cruise frequently missing things like Palo or BBB for a child might seem small but for those who only sail every 3-4 years? It feels like a bigger deal.

 

[DCLMP]

Depending on when you became each of those levels will color that experience. DCL has rapidly expanded and the ships hold 4,000 guests (6,000 with the Adventure) instead of 2,500. Travel hacks are everywhere as is the rise in popularity of sailing specific FB groups (our Wish group for Sept has over 650 members) means that people are more aware of offerings and it is even more difficult to book them. I understand that was not your personal experience but it is good to try to consider what new DCL cruisers are looking at and how it might not perfectly mirror your own experience from years gone by.

Most of my pearl bookings have been after PIF date. I've never had an issue getting what I want. I wouldn't scare a first time cruiser into thinking they have to stay up until midnight to book activities or their cruise is ruined either.