How to get rates besides email quote?

[YaYas_Mom]

I was checking out DCL's site and it will only give me rate quotes via email. I want to "play" around with dates/cabins/etc to find a good price (sort of like how you can at disneyland.com) any ideas?

 

[KMovies]

Just go to DCL's website WWW.DISNEYCRUISE.COM / then Reservations. It will give you the prices for Category 4 - 12.

 

[Kajunswty]

you can also use buycruises to check prices ~

 

[confal1]

travelocity also has the same prices as DCL

 

[YaYas_Mom]

When are the better times to cruise? I mean due to weather conditions. I'm not a big fan of Florida, and hate heat+humidity, so summer is out LOL Is January - March good? I am looking at the 4night land 3 day sea, because we haven't been to WDW in about 15 years, so if I book this, I want to have the full 4 days in wdw. Also is there like a beginning/ending season?

Thanks!
Jennifer

 

[YaYas_Mom]

Does it matter - starboard or port? I would book an outside room so does it matter? Thanks!

 

[Gillian]

You may want to consider working with a travel agent. I've used Dreams Unlimited, the sponsers of the site. The reason I suggest this is that they can help you find less expensive cruise weeks & make reccomendations on all sorts of things!

The weather in Florida can be iffy in January & February. March is warmer, but you can hit more crowds due to Spring breaks & Easter.

A lot of people find that they save money by booking the land & cruise separately. Although there are some conveniences to the land/sea package, you have more control booking them apart. If you want to have full days, I wouldn't have Disney book your air either. I've heard that they don't always have the greatest flight and in one case, couldn't tell the guests even when they were flying until very close to their trip. That would drive me crazy!

if you do it yourself, you can have 4 days sea AND 4 days land!!

If you start another thread, I'm sure you can get the advantages/disadvantages of booking each way.

 

[wovenwonder]

Another on line quote system is cruise411.com --- to check out the layout of the ship and staterooms be sure to check out the layout at cruisestateroom.com

 

[pjacobi]

Here's how to play the crusie rate "game":

First go to the DCL site to find the base rate based on dates, stateroom category and availability.

http://dcl.reservations.disney.go.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/TravelCL

Next, you need to know that travel agents get lots of commissions for selling cruises? 10%? 20%?

The DCL rates are not negotiable, however, you can haggle over the fate of the commission. The large travel agencies often kick back some of the commission. AAA Travel offered "free" drink mugs for the cruise, but I prefered the Dreams Unlimited cash rebate.

If you are a first time traveler on DCL, request the code REF for a $50.00 shipboard credit. Disney Club also has a similar credit, but it cannot be combined with first time credit.


-Paul

 

[JimB.]

Use the telephone.

I have found the internet to be woefully inadequate for getting rates/dates, etc.

When I booked our upcoming cruise, I used the internet & e-mail for 4 different travel agencies (of which one is very prominent on this web site).

NONE were current with the information I got from DCL ON THE PHONE. NONE were able to book me the date/rate/category I wanted (I'll add here that even DCL's web site was lacking in information here...........).

I called DCL on the phone & they had literally DOZENS of the category room I wanted......... on the date I wanted.................. for a price lower than anyone else's.

"straight from the horse's mouth" is, IMHO, a philosophy that served me the best on this occasion.

 

[cathy59]

If you are a AAA member, check their Disney Cruise rates. I just got a brochure for 2003, and they are offering "independent travel at reduced group pricing" -- but only on 4 specific 7-day cruise dates and 2 specific Land/Sea dates.

I did a little comparison, and my family of 3 could save between $400 and $1500 off of the DCL web site price if we could cruise those specific dates. (Too bad those dates don't work for us!)

I also just checked Orbitz, and they seemed to have lower prices than the DCL site. But I think the difference may be just taxes, insurance and ground transfers.

Good luck!

 

[shmoogrrrl]

Originally posted by YaYas_Mom
Does it matter - starboard or port? I would book an outside room so does it matter? Thanks!

I don't really think that Starboard or port matters too much since the ship has to sometimes pull in different ways. I've been on both sides of the Magic and they've both seemed nice!

I also recommend Dreams Unlimited. They are so helpful! They will also let you know if any better pricing comes out for your sailing and see that you get it. We love them!

Kathy