Good deal??

[NicoleinFL]

Hi all...I have never been on a Disney cruise before and I am trying to plan a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise!

I visited the Disney website and clicked on specials..The best offer was $799 for the September 2004 sailings. Has anyone seen a better offer? I am not so sure that's a good deal, as other cruise lines offer 7 days specials as low as $500 and I just booked a 5-day with RCCL for $300!

I do realize Disney charges a bit more than most, but I guess I am asking myself if it's worth the extra expense. For those that have cruised with other carriers, do you feel Disney is worth the extra expense? Just wondering, as I read some posts in which a few posters expressed disappointment with the meals and the availability of food in the later hours. Any opinions?
TIA
Nicole

P.S. How do I go about adding the countdown clock to my posts? I checked out the FAQ...no luck there!

 

[kellyb2000]

I have never sailed on anything except Disney but I can say that Disney is worth every penny to me. It is absolutely wonderful with or without kids (have done both). But for a possibly cheaper price check www.allseastravel.com That is who I am booked with for our 9/11-9/18/04 cruise (is that when you're looking?!) and they were $200 cheaper than anyone else.


Here's your countdown clock

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=381216

If that link doesn't work go to technical support - it's in that forum.

 

[DisneyGator01]

Personally, I think DCL is worth the extra expense.. and in my opinion, it has the best food when compared to the other cruise lines I have sailed.. (RCCL, CCL and HAL).


But it all depends on what you are looking for. For me the only reason I would sail another cruise line again is to get to see different ports. The big liners don't offer what I am looking for.. I don't rock climb, can't ice skate, and hate putt putt. I also don't really enjoy gambling. So for me, the extra Disney stuff is more my style. I also love all the Disney theming.. Themed entertainment, themed dining, themed activities.

My RCCL cruises and CCL cruises were on shorter, older ships so that might be a factor.. but I didn't think the service was up to par as it is on DCL, and the staterooms were a lot smaller (granted smaller and older ships). But I know I would miss the characters and shows and Disney touches too much.

Really only way to get me on another cruise line again is if it is to see Alaska again, or go to Hawaii or Europe. Other then that, I am very satisfied with DCL!

 

[ldb1030]

Kellyb2000-
HEY! FINALLY someone else booked the same time as us!
Any children????
My daughter is looking for a pen-pal!
She will be 13 when we go!
We have 5 adults, my 13yr old and a 3 1/2 yr old boy in 3 cabins!

 

[CGC33A]

It seems as if you are from FL. September is a traditional time for FL resident specials (no guarantee though). You can book and hope the price goes down. Some TA will watch for you , others will not, but if you tell them when the resident rates come out, they will get you a credit. I would expect more specials because Carnival has the new Glory going out of Pt. Canaveral & the new Miracle starts next March in Jacksonville. RCCL starts the new Mariner of the Seas from Pt. Canaveral this week (most do week long cruises). Don't know if there is anything new going out of Tampa

 

[NicoleinFL]

Originally posted by kellyb2000
I have never sailed on anything except Disney but I can say that Disney is worth every penny to me. It is absolutely wonderful with or without kids (have done both). But for a possibly cheaper price check www.allseastravel.com That is who I am booked with for our 9/11-9/18/04 cruise (is that when you're looking?!) and they were $200 cheaper than anyone else.

Thanks for the info..I checked their site..I can do better than $799 with the FL resident discount! Just wondering if they (the travel agency) will change me over to the FL resident rates if I book at the regular rate now. Yes..I am considering Sept 11th or the 25th, as they are the same price!

Here's your countdown clock

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=381216

If that link doesn't work go to technical support - it's in that forum.

Worked like a charm..thanks again!

 

[NicoleinFL]

Originally posted by DisneyGator01
But it all depends on what you are looking for. For me the only reason I would sail another cruise line again is to get to see different ports. The big liners don't offer what I am looking for.. I don't rock climb, can't ice skate, and hate putt putt. I also don't really enjoy gambling. So for me, the extra Disney stuff is more my style. I also love all the Disney theming.. Themed entertainment, themed dining, themed activities.

I love the Disney theming as well... I will just have to remind myself I am paying extra for the Mouse

 

[NicoleinFL]

Originally posted by CGC33A

It seems as if you are from FL.

Yep..SW Miami

September is a traditional time for FL resident specials (no guarantee though). You can book and hope the price goes down. Some TA will watch for you , others will not, but if you tell them when the resident rates come out, they will get you a credit. I would expect more specials because Carnival has the new Glory going out of Pt. Canaveral & the new Miracle starts next March in Jacksonville. RCCL starts the new Mariner of the Seas from Pt. Canaveral this week (most do week long cruises). Don't know if there is anything new going out of Tampa

I should have read ahead! There's a wealth of information on these boards!! I hope you are right about the specials So how will I know when the FL resident rates come out? Does Disney post them on their site? Thanks again.
Nicole

 

[amgpmg]

Yeah Kellyb2000! We will be sailing with you on the 9/11/04 cruise also.

There will be 2 adults, 1 DS age 8, 1 DD age 4 1/2 at the time of sail.

My DH is trying to find card players to join him (like there will be nothing else to do on board). Oh well, I guess it is his vacation too. LOL!!

Kathy

 

[ThreeCircles]

The lowest rate we've ever secured has been the Florida Resident Rate of $599 per person. We were able to get these rates in May and in August.

September is really a prime time for Florida Resident Rates as many areas around the country go back to school at some point during this month. We're booked for an August 28th and September 4th cruise and will be watching for falling prices as the year treads on!

 

[NicoleinFL]

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
The lowest rate we've ever secured has been the Florida Resident Rate of $599 per person. We were able to get these rates in May and in August.

September is really a prime time for Florida Resident Rates as many areas around the country go back to school at some point during this month. We're booked for an August 28th and September 4th cruise and will be watching for falling prices as the year treads on!

Now that would be SWEET! That's the kinda deal I am looking for!
I imagine that would be for an inside cabin...which would be fine with me. Where exactly do you find these rates??

 

[Dreamer04]

Hi. I can't help with the FL residents rate, but I can compare cruise lines. I've sailed on RCCL, NCL, COSTA and Disney. I will not go on another cruise line for quite some time. I and my husband are tea-totalers. The party atmosphere on most cruise lines is really not our style. If you like entertainment that your children can enjoy and a nightlife that you'll enjoy..then DCL is perfect. Without the casino and drunken atmosphere, I felt comfortable. JMHO.

 

[cjsmith]

I usually make my ressies with DCL and then just keep calling them back to see if they have the Fl discounts. The $599 is for the inside category 11 cabins.

 

[CGC33A]

Fl resident rates usually come out about 3 months ahead. Watch your newspaper travel section, look at the All Season's Travel site, www.mousesavers.com, this board or call DCL on a regular basis to check. If you are a member of AAA, sometimes there are ads in their magazine. Watch for other specials as well. If they are doing a Canadian special or a military special, resident rates should be coming also.

 

[ThreeCircles]

As others have said, we usually find out about the Florida Resident Rates by calling DCL.

Just keep checking with them regularly.

 

[rundogrun]

Disney is priced more and is worth it if you need a Disney fix. Otherwise, you can usually get a better deal on other cruiselines, and an equally swell cruise to boot.

That being said, $799 a person for a Disney cruise is actually pretty good. Not sure what cruiselines have the $500 fares, but depending on the ship, I'd probably spend the extra 300 bucks for Disney.

 

[NicoleinFL]

Originally posted by rundogrun
Disney is priced more and is worth it if you need a Disney fix. Otherwise, you can usually get a better deal on other cruiselines, and an equally swell cruise to boot.

I do like to try everything Disney at least once, and it's definitely time for a Disney fix! I only do the parks in the cooler months, so I haven't been since Feb! Looking forward to my upcoming trip!

Which cruiseline/ship has been your favorite?

That being said, $799 a person for a Disney cruise is actually pretty good. Not sure what cruiselines have the $500 fares, but depending on the ship, I'd probably spend the extra 300 bucks for Disney.

I saw $500+ fares for 7day cruises with Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival. Lots of great deals if you are able to book a month or two in advance.

Thanks to all of you for the helpful info!

 

[rundogrun]

My favorite cruiseline is Celebrity. We've sailed on the Mercury, Galaxy and Millenium. We had our kids with us on the Millenium and they loved it. They've been with us on three Disney cruises (2 Wonder, 1 Magic) and preferred the Millenium, although they loved DCL too. We're sailing RCL Voyager and NCL Dawn (2x) next year and ill see how they stack up.

From what I've read, my impression is that the newer RCL and NCL ships should compare well against Disney. If the $500 deals you see are on the older ships, I'd say go with Disney. Even then, compared to the newer ships $300 is a small price to pay for a Disney fix.

When the price is right, I'm on DCL in a heartbeat. When it's high, I'm off somewhere else for my cruise fix.

Have fun!