How Far Ahead Are Cruise Dates Released?

[degrapevine]

Hi, everyone!
We are planning on cruising in March of 2007, during our kids' Spring Break, which is usually nowhere around Easter, so should hopefully not be a difficult time to book. How far ahead does Disney release their dates for the next year of cruises? We'd like to do one of the 7 night cruises and want to book as soon as possible during the kids' vacation week so they don't miss too much school (will be in 1st, 3rd, and 6th grades), maybe just a day or so. The website just has dates through the end of 2006. So, how far ahead are they released and should I book right when they come out or wait a while to see if any booking incentives (Disney Visa) or discounts come out? Thanks for any help in advance! We are WDW vets, have been to DL once, but this will be our first cruise with the kids (wanted to take advantage of our oldest DS's age still being 12 and saving a little $ on his rate!), so I just know that this will be the first of many questions I'll have. I really appreciate your input.
Rose

 

[myboysmom]

We booked our Spring Break (March 2006) trip in October of 2004. Start looking about the end of September.

I was surprised how many on the boards whose school districts do not have their calendars planned out at least 2 years. Ours does, but that could be because we are in a University area, and the two universities have theirs out years ahead. With our calendar out so far, we were able to get the "early booking" discount, which for our cabin/cruise is currently over $2,600. This is why I would book ASAP. Disney will never tell you what the discount will be, they just code you as "early booking". Our friend/TA has told us they won't even give her an estimate on what the final discount will be. It may end up being even more than this- who knows. As the DCL ships almost always sail full, they get more expensive closer to the sailing dates. I can tell you, if we were just looking at March 2006, we could not afford to go. The inside, Cat. 11 is more now than what we originally booked our outside, porthole room for.

We do have the Disney Visa, but won't be able to get the on board credit because of our early booking, but I think I will take the $2,600 vs. the $50 credit. We are saving our points to use on the excursions we want to take, and either to pay our tips or buy special things on the cruise. Not all planned out yet.

The trip is also going to be a Christmas present to our boys, so they don't know anything about it yet. It has been fun, if not a little hard to keep it a secret so far!

Our cruise is a Western because it fits into our break dates. It could have been Eastern if that was the one that would work. I am just excited to be on the boat!

Hope this helps. You will find lots of great info here!

 

[westjones]

Hi, everyone!
We are planning on cruising in March of 2007, during our kids' Spring Break, which is usually nowhere around Easter, so should hopefully not be a difficult time to book. How far ahead does Disney release their dates for the next year of cruises? We'd like to do one of the 7 night cruises and want to book as soon as possible during the kids' vacation week so they don't miss too much school (will be in 1st, 3rd, and 6th grades), maybe just a day or so. The website just has dates through the end of 2006. So, how far ahead are they released and should I book right when they come out or wait a while to see if any booking incentives (Disney Visa) or discounts come out? Thanks for any help in advance! We are WDW vets, have been to DL once, but this will be our first cruise with the kids (wanted to take advantage of our oldest DS's age still being 12 and saving a little $ on his rate!), so I just know that this will be the first of many questions I'll have. I really appreciate your input.
Rose

Last year (2004) the dates were released the last week of September for 2006, so several of us are waiting and hoping any day we will hear when they will be released. I am also waiting for March 2007. I have a 4 night booked for March 2006 and booked it the week after dates were open. Since then the price has gone up $700, so I would say it is best to book as soon as they come out.

I did notice that for 2006 they are offering GTY 12 rooms at a much less price during our spring break the last week of March (must need to fill up the rooms). If you don't care what room you get in and want to try going a year earlier, check our the GTY 12 rooms. They will then assign a room to you later one. I am surprised they are offering this during spring break, but it is only on the 7 night, not on our 4 night, so I guess our cruise is filling up at a good rate.

DJ

 

[degrapevine]

Thanks so much!
I saw the other thread after I posted with lots of DISers waiting for the 2007 schedule to be released. I will keep my eyes open (and computer bookmarked!) so I can keep checking, especially towards the beginning of September. We will definitely go for the early booking discount and put it on our Disney Visa for the points (excursions, extras). I'm glad to know there's such a "bonus" for booking early. We'll need to get a Category 4 room with the 3 kids, so I'm sure the discount will be significant. I also like the idea of giving the cruise to the kids as a Christmas present, although I don't know if they'll be able to wait 15 months for the trip! We'll probably do it for Christmas 2006, though, like you did, myboysmom. Funny that's your id - I used to use boysmom on some boards before 2000 - That's when our little princess was born! Thanks so much for the great information. I'll be sure to post once we book and keep checking back for more tips.
Happy sailing!
Rose

 

[westjones]

Thanks so much!
I saw the other thread after I posted with lots of DISers waiting for the 2007 schedule to be released. I will keep my eyes open (and computer bookmarked!) so I can keep checking, especially towards the beginning of September. We will definitely go for the early booking discount and put it on our Disney Visa for the points (excursions, extras). I'm glad to know there's such a "bonus" for booking early. We'll need to get a Category 4 room with the 3 kids, so I'm sure the discount will be significant. Rose

I may already know this, but many people book two Cat. 10 adjoining rooms instead of the Cat. 4 because the two rooms are usually cheaper than the Cat. 4. You can then leave your door open between the two rooms and this also gives you two baths. You have to list one adult in each room, but once you are in the room just tell the room stewart you want the door left open all the time between the two rooms and you will have a lot more space for less money. Just something to consider!

DJ