How far out did you book your next cruise?

[Ariel&Flounder'sMom]

We're looking ahead and want to book another one, but I'm not sure if it's too early. Will better prices come available?

Just wanted a quick poll on how far in advance did you book your cruise?

We're debating March of 2006 or December of 2006...

Thanks!

 

[poohssmum]

We booked our first cruise w/in 5/6 weeks of sailing. We booked our 2nd about 6/7 months out and we re-booked onboard for our 3rd. I guess I'd try to book as far out as possible (to take advantage of the early-booking discounts) or wait until the last possible second Good Luck deciding.

 

[joycepa]

We booked our 2nd cruise in March for the November 11, 2006 sailing with 2 stops at CC. That's 20 months!!!!! Oh my that sounds faaar away!!!!

 

[RonnieJo66]

We always re-book our next cruise while still on-board ....gives us something to look forward to. We usually go every October.

Hugs,

RonnieJo

 

[DrCavin]

We booked our May 2006 cruise on Oct 10, 2004 since then the price has increased about $400. You may come across a special price. It is all supply & demand, so if you plan on cruising during a peak time then I doubt the price will get any better & will probably increase.

 

[StuartMI]

Booked 07/08/2006 on 10/04/04. Roughly 21 months out.

Original total DCL price (11 people, 4 staterooms (2 x cat 6 & 2 x cat 8) = $18723.43

Total price after transferring to our travel agent = $16850.00

Total DCL price as of TODAY = $ 21873.43.

So, in booking 21 months out, and then transferring to an agent, we saved $1873.43 but since the prices from DCL keep rising, the amount we've saved has risen to $5023.43.

 

[scrapperjill]

It's never too soon to rebook...(unless of course the dates are not yet available)..but the earler you book...the better discount you'll recieve. We booked last Sept for October of this year....so just a little over a year.. it was only roughly 7 mo ago that we booked...but still the price has already gone up...

 

[LAMPSKIES]

I have Thanksgiving Western 05 and 10 day Christmas 06 already booked.....

 

[Henlady]

October 23 2005 - 4 day Wonder was booked on July 11, 2004 = about
16 months, but we specifically wanted those SPH rooms.


Kris

 

[nluvwithmickey]

We cruised in Dec.2004 and booked in Feb.2005 for May 2006 7-night Western. My biggest regret is not having done this while still on the ship.

I have figured that I will decide on going on another cruise before arriving to PC. I will re-book on the ship if my kids like the experience, and if they don't get too seasick. But if all goes well, I will have my dates ready when I go sit at the DCL desk.

 

[mhelsley]

Booked 4th Disney Cruise while onboard for Mousefest'04. Our next cruise is a double dip on Dec. 9th,2006. Price is already $500 more than i paid not counting the $200 shipboard credit.

 

[westjones]

The 7 night cruises tend to go up faster than the 3/4 night cruises. I booked our March 2006 four night cruise last September with Disney the day they became available. It is actually still possible to get a better rate from some TAs today then what I paid directly to Disney (we're talking about $50 or less difference though).

NOW the 7 night for that save week for spring break. That one has gone up a lot, in fact I looked into last month and the week after I collected quotes, it went up another $400. So we are sticking to the 4 night (which we had decided to do anyway because we love WDW also, and only have 1 week of vacation during spring break, so this way we have a couple of days there also).

If you want to go on a 7 night, I say book it as soon as it is available.

DJ

 

[ann-e-mator]

In July 2004 we booked for June 2006. Well... We booked it for December 17, 2005 because the 2006 calendar wasn't out yet, but then we switched our date to June.

 

[Yankee914]

We booked ours 1 year in advance -- we already knew the school closing dates for the following year --We got a really great day with the early booking

 

[PenskeSth1]

We just booked our 2nd Disney Cruise for Dec 2. 2006...It is a long way off but the price was good.

 

[kcashner]

As a general rule, the farther out you book, the better your early booking discount will be. The prices go up as the ship fills. On the rare occasions when prices go down, if you contact DCL (thru your TA if you used one), they will give you the reduced price. However, the prices rarely go down, and I frankly haven't seen it happen in the last year.

Your best deal is to re-book while on board. The latest deal I'm aware of there was 10% off the current listed price Plus a $200 onboard credit.

 

[TheWog]

first cruise Jan 2004 we booked May 2003
second cruise Jan 2005 we booked March 2004

 

[Echo queen]

We booked first cruise less than 60 days before. Booker 2nd DCL on board 14 months out. Patiently waiting

 

[Rate Queen]

1st Cruise Aug 2005 3 months out.
rebooked on board May 7, 2005.
Booked May 2006 as soon as the 2006 itinerary was released.
We are Very addicted!

 

[mketting]

Booked April 2006 cruise 15months out. Can hardly wait for this special trip with 20 of my family members!