How much advance notice do you get on new cruise schedules?

[Neptune's Fork]

Just curious if there's any advanced notice for the next cruise year itineraries, and if so, how much advanced notice? and where do you find that info?

Also, I have read a lot that the prices are lowest when they first come out then go up from there, but was wondering how much do they normally increase? Is it a significant savings? or is just a 10% or less increase?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just curious if there's any advanced notice for the next cruise year itineraries, and if so, how much advanced notice? and where do you find that info?

Also, I have read a lot that the prices are lowest when they first come out then go up from there, but was wondering how much do they normally increase? Is it a significant savings? or is just a 10% or less increase?

Generally, rumors as to new itineraries start popping up a month or so ahead. Actual release date info, maybe about a week's notice.

As the space onboard any give cruise fills up, the prices rise. This can be dramatic (as with special itineraries, or special theme cruises) and occur within days, if not hours. Other cruises do not rise as quickly.

There's no specific increment on the increase, just whatever DCL feels the market will bear. From opening day to cruise date, on some cruises the price difference could be as much as thousands of dollars. Other cruises the price difference may only be hundreds.

 

[CamColt]

Usually we get about a day notice, with Platinum and Gold (I believe) opening the next day, then the following day for the rest. Jut keep watching here as it is usually posted asap.

 

[professorandmom]

Just curious if there's any advanced notice for the next cruise year itineraries, and if so, how much advanced notice? and where do you find that info?

Also, I have read a lot that the prices are lowest when they first come out then go up from there, but was wondering how much do they normally increase? Is it a significant savings? or is just a 10% or less increase?

You can see the price increases on the cruisefish website. My suggestion would be to look at a similar cruise (length, itinerary, time of year) that is close to sailing and see it's price increase to give you a general idea. For example, my verandah cabin 5C on 12/3 Fantasy went up $500 per person (from $1400 so much more than 10%) since the day of booking (when I booked May of 15) until today...but other categories have gone up $1000 per person
Good luck

 

[RedSox68]

In some cases Disney has announced the day before reservations opened for gold/platinum, so that Silver and public had a two day or so notice.

 

[RedSox68]

You can see the price increases on the cruisefish website. My suggestion would be to look at a similar cruise (length, itinerary, time of year) that is close to sailing and see it's price increase to give you a general idea. For example, my verandah cabin 5C on 12/3 Fantasy went up $500 per person (from $1400 so much more than 10%) since the day of booking (when I booked May of 15) until today...but other categories have gone up $1000 per person
Good luck

I have actually watched the prices on opening day jump by hundreds, sometimes thousands, depending on the itinerary. It can be shocking and disheartening!

 

[MickeyEarrings]

On a Tuesday in April of this year, DCL announced cruises for spring of next year. Wednesday was think-it-over day, and Thursday was booking day for Gold and Platinum Castaways. Our category 10A secret porthole room has gone up in price $300 in those four months.

 

[KashasMom]

Prices go up because the Gold and Platinum people "hold" cruises on opening day and then many cancel out later. This is especially true for the European cruises, which are already ridiculously priced. There really should be some kind of penalty for doing that but Disney makes out well so I guess there's no reason for them to do so.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Prices go up because the Gold and Platinum people "hold" cruises on opening day and then many cancel out later. This is especially true for the European cruises, which are already ridiculously priced. There really should be some kind of penalty for doing that but Disney makes out well so I guess there's no reason for them to do so.

You would penalize people for changing their minds?

 

[cgolf]

We tend to cruise off season, so waiting to book onboard vs opening day really depends on how soon you get on board. We booked opening day 2 nights before we boarded and of course the prices were cheaper on board with the OBB discount. This year we have a placeholder, so we will be able to use it this time on opening day. I am sure how quickly the price goes up depends on the time of year and itinerary.

 

[cgolf]

You would penalize people for changing their minds?

It is a valid point, but for the life of me I don't remember how long the hold is good for. Perhaps for the opening day window the holds could be shorter so that this doesn't happen, and then back to whatever is normal after the three CC levels all get their shot at the rooms.

 

[KashasMom]

You would penalize people for changing their minds?

System isn't right the way it is. Silver and the "public" lose out. When they cancel the reservation, does Disney keep the "original" price which is supposed to be based on availability (supply and demand)?? Of course not. How difficult is it to make up your mind? You know the itinerary - have a price in mind you're willing to pay and make your reservation. Doesn't seem very difficult to me.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It is a valid point, but for the life of me I don't remember how long the hold is good for. Perhaps for the opening day window the holds could be shorter so that this doesn't happen, and then back to whatever is normal after the three CC levels all get their shot at the rooms.

The hold is only good for 3 days. Maybe they could not allow holds in the first week of itineraries being released.

 

[cgolf]

The hold is only good for 3 days. Maybe they could not allow holds in the first week of itineraries being released.

I think that maybe 4 hours would be fair. On those days the TAs are very busy, so a room could be lost that way, but the 4 hours would give some time for communication between TA and us guests. But ultimately if you really want to hold a room for longer than that, you at least have to put some money down.

 

[scgustafson]

System isn't right the way it is. Silver and the "public" lose out. When they cancel the reservation, does Disney keep the "original" price which is supposed to be based on availability (supply and demand)?? Of course not. How difficult is it to make up your mind? You know the itinerary - have a price in mind you're willing to pay and make your reservation. Doesn't seem very difficult to me.

I look at it as a perk for loyalty to DCL. There has to be some tangible benefits to those of us who have cruised enough to earn Gold and Platinum status, and the day early booking with holding is one of them.

 

[FigmentSpark]

It may sound like a simple decision to many people. But sometimes there's a lag getting to your TA or to Disney or even to your spouse to see if they want to do it. Then there's work. Can you get time off? Maybe you need time to ask your boss or maybe you're just busy at work. What really needs to happen is no price increase in the first 3 days. I know, supply and demand, but some of those people will cancel and, as you all noted, the price doesn't go down for cancellations. Put a price lock on the first 3 days and you solve the problem, but still give people time to decide, instead of having them book in a frenzy only to make changes later.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It may sound like a simple decision to many people. But sometimes there's a lag getting to your TA or to Disney or even to your spouse to see if they want to do it. Then there's work. Can you get time off? Maybe you need time to ask your boss or maybe you're just busy at work. What really needs to happen is no price increase in the first 3 days. I know, supply and demand, but some of those people will cancel and, as you all noted, the price doesn't go down for cancellations. Put a price lock on the first 3 days and you solve the problem, but still give people time to decide, instead of having them book in a frenzy only to make changes later.

I agree. 3 days seems sufficient. I know that only allowing a few hours to be the limit for a hold can be an issue. Pretty sure there are times that I'm not reachable for 4 hours or more.

 

[NZMUM]

I think that maybe 4 hours would be fair. On those days the TAs are very busy, so a room could be lost that way, but the 4 hours would give some time for communication between TA and us guests. But ultimately if you really want to hold a room for longer than that, you at least have to put some money down.

This wouldn't work for us. We are overseas. We use a DU agent and she informs us when the new itineraries are coming out. I tell her what we want. When we get the email with the quote it can be several hours before I see it & am able to spend some time checking it - the email usually arrives early morning (2-3am) and then there is the morning rush to get through before I can concentrate on the quote.

It may sound like a simple decision to many people. But sometimes there's a lag getting to your TA or to Disney or even to your spouse to see if they want to do it. Then there's work. Can you get time off? Maybe you need time to ask your boss or maybe you're just busy at work. What really needs to happen is no price increase in the first 3 days. I know, supply and demand, but some of those people will cancel and, as you all noted, the price doesn't go down for cancellations. Put a price lock on the first 3 days and you solve the problem, but still give people time to decide, instead of having them book in a frenzy only to make changes later.

A 3 day lock would be a fair amount of time. Even for those of us with awkward time differences.

 

[cgolf]

This wouldn't work for us. We are overseas. We use a DU agent and she informs us when the new itineraries are coming out. I tell her what we want. When we get the email with the quote it can be several hours before I see it & am able to spend some time checking it - the email usually arrives early morning (2-3am) and then there is the morning rush to get through before I can concentrate on the quote.



A 3 day lock would be a fair amount of time. Even for those of us with awkward time differences.

I was just throwing out a number, my wife and I talked about it and she threw out maybe a 2 day window for each group with a 12 hour hold. We only have held a room once that we didn't take. We priced out a PC cruise opening day earlier this year, and we asked our agent to drop the hold, but they left it on I believe hoping that we would change our mind. Just trying to come up with an idea that might work for all, not that DCL would ever read this At this point though for us it doesn't matter since were platinum we are in the clear, unless they come up with another tier.

 

[RedSox68]

Prices go up because the Gold and Platinum people "hold" cruises on opening day and then many cancel out later. This is especially true for the European cruises, which are already ridiculously priced. There really should be some kind of penalty for doing that but Disney makes out well so I guess there's no reason for them to do so.

I know it must be incredibly frustrating to the silver and newbies, but I can tell you why so many of us place holds that first day -- and it (again) goes back to the way Disney does their ridiculous release of reservations and the panic it causes. Every other cruiseline we have sailed releases their itineraries months in advance, giving you a chance to look them over and compare and make logical and financially sound decisions because their prices don't skyrocket in a 24-hour period! Disney makes an announcement the same day the itinerary (finally) goes public -- which is usually the day before gold/platinum and book. However, that announcement never gives the interested person a clear idea of pricing. So on opening day, you are scrambling to make a split second decision once you are quoted the price, without the ability to check with family or compare to other options. So as not to lose that pricing, yes -- many put a hold so they have time to get over the sticker shock and make a logical decision. Speaking for us, we never hold the reservation three days -- we always make our decision by the next morning and let our TA know to drop or keep the reservation. The fact that Disney raises their pricing as they fill up in only a matter of days has never made sense to us. I've booked on HAL, Princess and Carnival and can look at my cruise months later and the pricing hasn't moved -- in fact in most cases you can get a sale and price adjustment (another thing Disney does not do).

So while I know it's frustrating to the silver and newbie groups, Disney basically forces the issue by their pricing standards and announcement policies.