I hope we made the right decision...

[TXAKDisneyFan]

We were originally booked on I think it was the Sept 23 Eastern Carib 7 night itinerary out of PC on the Fantasy. To make things easier from a work/school perspective, we switched to March 10 on the same itinerary. We have adjoining deluxe oceanview rooms. Same cruise, same ship, same passengers, and rooms on the same deck (just moved over two rooms) - the March cruise is $5k more! I'm not sure if it's so much more expensive just because prices always increase each time they're released, or because March is a much more desirable time to sail...?
We're new to cruising and I really don't know anything about the islands, if March is a good time for the Eastern itinerary, etc.

 

[Bree]

Your first cruise was during hurricane season and at the start of the school year.

Your second cruise in March is spring break season which drives the price up. The cruise was released for booking last October and prices have gone up since then. It was also announced that it will be a Star Wars Day at Sea cruise which caused prices to go up yet again.

 

[jrabbit]

September typically will have some of the least expensive rates (school just started, "height" of Hurricane season) and March = School Spring Breaks - some of the more expensive rates. If you changed to a Star Wars At Sea sailing (or Marvel...) then those prices are also higher.

The weather will be fine for any of the Caribbean cruises.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

September typically will have some of the least expensive rates (school just started, "height" of Hurricane season) and March = School Spring Breaks - some of the more expensive rates. If you changed to a Star Wars At Sea sailing (or Marvel...) then those prices are also higher.

The weather will be fine for any of the Caribbean cruises.

It is a SWDAS cruise (the Sept one had a Halloween party).

 

[KristiMc]

Anytime kids are out of school you will see higher prices. Almost all of March is Spring Break somewhere so those will be higher than September.

 

[wilkeliza]

It is a SWDAS cruise (the Sept one had a Halloween party).

Star Wars Day At Sea

The March one is more expensive because it is school holiday and no threat of weather. September is cheap because kids are back in school and hurricane season is at its peak.

 

[NancyIL]

For the $5,000 difference - I'd go back to the September cruise and make the time off school and work fit! That amount of money is another trip!

If you need to keep the March cruise and would rather not spend $5,000 more - check prices for inside cabins.

 

[cruiser21]

For the $5,000 difference - I'd go back to the September cruise and make the time off school and work fit! That amount of money is another trip!

If you need to keep the March cruise and would rather not spend $5,000 more - check prices for inside cabins.

Totally agree. I would not pay 5k for a Caribbean cruise much less 5k more for a Caribbean cruise. I realize OP is booking 2 rooms, but as someone who has cruised the "Big 3" cruiselines DCl is just not worth that kind of premium. I would figure out a way to make September work or look at other options. You could probably book the Haven on NCL or a Suite on Royal for less than what your paying for 2 rooms on DCL during Spring break. Also from what I've read the Haven on NCL is one of the best things at sea.

 

[Bear3412]

I really need to purchase more DCL stock on dips.