Help me understand how DCL pricing works

[SeattleJen]

I've cruised before but never on DCL. Today I got a quote from the travel agent I used for WDW for a cruise in early Dec 2016 on the Fantasy. It's higher that I expected based on the Dec 2015 fares that are out there. I asked the travel agent about the possibility of pricing going down and she told me that DCL rates are based on capacity and as the ship fills prices go up. This would mean the price she quoted me should be the lowest and it would just increase. Is this really true? It's so different than what I've experienced on other lines!

 

[ctnurse]

Yes, It is true. Unless you are sailing on an off peak time, prices will continue to climb as the ship fills up. We booked the 12 night Baltic Cruise on opening day last year, and it has almost doubled in price. I would book it now. You can always cancel and get your deposit back, as long as it within the timeframe per the cancelation policy.

 

[SeattleJen]

Thanks! It was my understanding though that we WERE cruising in an off time. We want to go in early or mid Dec but not over the holidays. Shouldn't this make a difference!

 

[ctnurse]

Thanks! It was my understanding though that we WERE cruising in an off time. We want to go in early or mid Dec but not over the holidays. Shouldn't this make a difference!

Yes, I would think early Dec is an off time. You may want to check www.cruisefish.net. This site has historical prices and you can see the how the prices have changed for the cruise you plan on taking. IHTH.

 

[Flossbolna]

Unless you are prepared to take your chances and wait until less than 90 days before your cruise, the rate you are quoted now will be lowest you get.

Once the normal bookings are past the pay in full date (90 days for cruises from the US), they might offer special deals called IGT, OGT and VGT rates. These are discounted rates and you only book a certain type of room (inside, oceanview or veranda), but won't get a specific cabin until about 10 days before your cruise. There is a certainl likelyhood that early December will have those rates, but you can never be sure.

There is a thread that has been watching discounted rates for quite some while, you could look at that to see whether your timeframe had discounts in the past:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/gt...-20-2015-new-fantasy-verandah-update.3244232/

It also has a good explanation of the different discounts, there are also discounts for Florida Residents and Military. These tend to come out rather short notice as well.

I am surprised that you think the price is too high compared to last year. I looked at a cruise in the same timeframe between Thanksgiving and Christmas for 2016 and found that it was only 100$ more than this year would have been and much lower than the current prices for that cruise.

 

[SeattleJen]

Thanks all! I'm starting to think maybe I was hallucinating with what I thought the pricing was! I have no clue what I saw that seemed more reasonable. It's also possible my willingness to have a lesser cabin has decreased thus causing my sticker shock!

Your feedback was super helpful!

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks all! I'm starting to think maybe I was hallucinating with what I thought the pricing was! I have no clue what I saw that seemed more reasonable. It's also possible my willingness to have a lesser cabin has decreased thus causing my sticker shock!

Your feedback was super helpful!

Also, don't forget that you can cancel any reservation until the pay in full date without any penalty. So, you can always get the reservation now and then think about it for over a year if that is really what you want!

ETA: As @perditax just pointed out correctly: concierge deposits are not refundable.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I booked a cruise for May 2016 on the morning that the cruise bookings became available (late March). The price for the stateroom I booked has already increased by $600!

 

[Mrspeaks]

Is it best to book as close to opening day or wait to book onboard for the 10% off?

 

[perditax]

Also, don't forget that you can cancel any reservation until the pay in full date without any penalty. So, you can always get the reservation now and then think about it for over a year if that is really what you want!

Unless it's concierge, I think you lose your deposit then.

 

[Flossbolna]

Unless it's concierge, I think you lose your deposit then.

You are right!! I never even consider booking a concierge stateroom, so totally forgot about that! Will add it to my previous post.

 

[bgetter]

I was looking for first time potential DCL cruise in November 2016. I think what has stopped me (atleast for now) is the really high rate for 3rd and 4th passengers. This is not compared to other lines, but what I found with Disney in the past and even other cruises on the Disney Line.
I was so ecited but the rate for 3rd and 4th passenger was 90% of 1st and 2nd passenger rates,

 

[Crystal O_o]

Supply and Demand, Disney only has 4 ships. Other lines have way more.

 

[Ofinn]

The price goes up as the ships fills. If the cruise doesn't sell as much as they want they will discount the cruise after the PIF. Sometimes it will just return to the price it started, sometimes the price will drop significantly below opening day prices. We cruised the first week of Dec in 2014 the price dropped a lot. I believe it was somewhere around 3600 for 2 adults in and 2 kids in a verandah. In February 2015 the we paid 3300 for 2 adults and 2 kids for the 7 day magic cruise. It dropped from around 4700. Our Feb cruise sold out our Dec cruise was empty. I have never paid full price for a cruise I always wait for a discounted cruise. All that being said it's hard to predict the future. Historically there has always been discounts the first 2 weeks in Dec. I would book and just watch how the cruise sells.

 

[Dave2425]

Unless it's concierge, I think you lose your deposit then.

You can't get a refund but you won't lose your deposit. You can move it to a different sailing.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Here's the only things you need to know about DCL pricing...

Close your eyes. Open your wallet.

 

[lanejudy]

Is it best to book as close to opening day or wait to book onboard for the 10% off?

It is best to book early and then "re-shop" for an OBB once onboard. If the fare has increased enough to negate the discount, you'll stick with the original booking and know you have the best price. If fares haven't increased, you can book onboard to get the OBB benefits, then cancel the original; occasionally they can do the cancel/rebook onboard but often it must be done as 2 separate steps.

Enjoy your cruises!

 

[bumbershoot]

You can't get a refund but you won't lose your deposit. You can move it to a different sailing.

Gotta be careful, though. Never say "cancel". Say "change".

 

[SeattleSuz]

Here's the only things you need to know about DCL pricing...

Close your eyes. Open your wallet.

Isnt that the truth?! I am looking at one night longer than our last cruise and it's about $1700 more. Yikes.