How do you book cruises when they are released early for castaway club members?

[n2mm]

that pretty much says it. This always baffles me. I know higher CC members get to book early before the public can, but how do they know what the dates are and what the prices are. Do you just call and ask what the dates and prices are. Sounds time consuming.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

that pretty much says it. This always baffles me. I know higher CC members get to book early before the public can, but how do they know what the dates are and what the prices are. Do you just call and ask what the dates and prices are. Sounds time consuming.

If you fall into the proper CC level for early booking (we're talking about 1 day early), DCL sends you an email with date/time that the bookings open for you. The information as to what the itineraries are is generally available a few days before that.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

that pretty much says it. This always baffles me. I know higher CC members get to book early before the public can, but how do they know what the dates are and what the prices are. Do you just call and ask what the dates and prices are. Sounds time consuming.

Yep, we just called and booked it. I was on hold for about 40 minutes, and then on the phone for a bit too. They were having computer problems that day. I never asked about pricing. I just told them where we wanted to be and booked the cruise. I am sure they would have told me the prices had I asked.

Also, there is an email that comes out the has a link to the dates and ports for each ship. So when you call you are booking a specific cruise, but the price is the surprise...and what an expensive surprise it is.

 

[Lulubelle17]

Yes, they send you an email with the date when you can book.

 

[mom4fun]

I was able to book early with it being my first time being gold. I never was told anything by email. I learned the dates and itineraries and when I could book on here. When I called, I had an idea of what dates I would need so I asked about 2 different cruises along with the prices and booked from there.

 

[diznymom]

I have a TA that lets me know what's coming up. If I'm interested, I let her know what we need. She takes care of the rest.

 

[Ofinn]

that pretty much says it. This always baffles me. I know higher CC members get to book early before the public can, but how do they know what the dates are and what the prices are. Do you just call and ask what the dates and prices are. Sounds time consuming.

Some people like to wait on hold I guess. I don't see the benefit to calling the prices will be out the next day online. A lot of people end up putting holds on cruises driving the price of a popular or rare cruise up. If your going to spend an hour on hold you might as well right?. If you ask a TA to do they will automatically put a hold on a cruise.

 

[n2mm]

Ok, so there's no secret link to see everything before it's released to the public. I've never received any type of email. I'm a gold member and one cruise away from platinum level. I've updated my profile to make sure they have everything. When I have a cruise booked all of the emails are received then. Thanks for the info.

 

[mom4fun]

I certainly didn't wait an hour. Maybe 10 minutes max. I put my obb deposit down on the cruise I wanted and got the room I wanted that would have likely been gone the next day. The cruise I booked went up in price 2 days later. It really is no big deal.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Ok, so there's no secret link to see everything before it's released to the public. I've never received any type of email. I'm a gold member and one cruise away from platinum level. I've updated my profile to make sure they have everything. When I have a cruise booked all of the emails are received then. Thanks for the info.

I wish there was a secret link to SEE it all before it's released to the public, but alas no. I'm platinum and have never received an email so I don't rely on that however it's usually posted here or strong rumors start to circulate in social media. I know what categories I want and might price out two or three of them but I have a few sailings written down and then call and provide the info and write it all down.

I can tell you if you are looking a popular timeframe or a unique itinerary, that extra day makes a huge difference. I know my Norway/Iceland/Scotland was a perfect example as prices were going up by the hour and it was selling out. We booked on Silver/general opening day (long story since I was Platinum or at least Gold back then) and we were in GTY status as most cabins were from day one! The prices never came down and they definitely doubled later if not more than that. My NYC/Canada sailing for 10/2016 ended up going up by the general opening day as well (and has often been a sold out cruise) so to me, if it takes me an hour on the phone I'm fine with that as I've "been down that road" and watched the prices increase right in front of me and cabins disappear. This is not typical for *most* sailings but that's just my luck I guess

Heather

 

[cedricandsophie]

We get an email and then I tell our travel agent to book it.