Is it worth rebooking while onboard?

[rjones69]

What are the advantages of rebooking while onboard?

 

[disboo]

You get a 10% discount on a 7 day cruise, which might be the cheapest you can get. You also get a $200 onboard credit. You have to put down $500 per person, but you can change the date, or you can cancel and get all your $$ back if it is more than 60 days out. We rebooked for our first 7 day for Oct 2005 when we were onboard in Feb.

 

[Grumbo]

I think it is only $250 per person, and if you have more than two people just do $500. You don't HAVE to put $250 for each person as long as you make sure you reserve a room that will hold the number of people in your group.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[jgalecpa]

Last year someone had posted a thread "What do you most regret doing/not doing on your cruise?"

About 85-90% of the posters responded they most regreted NOT booking on board.

I, and many in our group, took that advice and on Xmas day 2003 we rebooked for Xmas 2005.

Even though it was two years out, the next cruise cost over $1,000 less than I paid for the cruise I was on even though we rebooked the exact same rooms!


So, Yes, Viriginia, it was definitely worth rebooking on board, for us.

Jim

PS We later transferred the reservation to AAA during cruise month and saved another $100.

 

[lisab1291]

Did the amount of deposit go up? It used to be $250.00 per person. Last year I made a deposit of $1000.00 for 4 people, when we booked on board.

Lisa

 

[tbuot]

Grumbo, I have a question for you--I have two children so, if I understand what you are saying I could put down the $250 for my husband and me and make sure I pick a room that would accomodate 4. When would DCL want the other $500 for my two boys? How soon would I need to tell them to add them to the reservation and would this ever be a problem? How close to the cruise to you tell DCL that there will be additional passengers in the stateroom?

Thanks you sound like you are "in the know"

 

[Grumbo]

The 60 day mark is what I've been advised.
I didn't know I could do this on my first two cruises but Donna on the ship confirmed what I'd heard here.
I put down $500, and then made sure the room I wanted would be suitable (I only have our one daughter so not as important as for you with 4 people to a cabin) but I guaranteed a cabin, not just a category.
You can add later yes.
The ONLY thing you have to worry yourself about is that because you have children that they aren't up to their limit in the kid's clubs. IF that happens you will NOT be able to get them on the cruise. They have a ratio of counsellors to kids, as well as limits of numbers so that is something to consider.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Goodeguys]

Last week we sailed on the 4/10 7-day western ( Easter ) We rebooked on board for the 11/05, Thanksgiving cruise with 2 stops in Castaway Cay. We will enjoy a 10% savings, as well as a $200 on board credit, an additional $100 rebate from our travel agent, AllSeasons, and 2 days at our favorite port of call. The deposit was $250 pp. We requested the same room we had this time. All this amounts to over $1300 in savings over what we paid for last week's cruise alone ( now granted, we did not book this cruise until December). This time we plan to do a better job obtaining reasonable airfare, because we booked late for flights during Spring break, is anyone surprised that we had to pay full fare for 4 people?? So when all is said and done, our next cruise vacation will probably cost at least 25% less than the last one.
Knowing that we have 18 months to save for this, and that if something comes up we have until 60 days prior to cancel, it just seemed like a smart move. We were afraid that we would get home and really regret not doing it, and then it is too late.

Good Luck!!

 

[kcashner]

The advantage to re-booking while on board is that you get the best rates and the best shipboard credit available at that time. The "deals" change from time to time. In addition, you can transfer your ressie to a discount agent and pick up the additional discount.

As to only booking 2 people and planning to add 2 kids later....this is not always a good idea as they consider the ship "full" for a particular age group when the club/lab is at it's capacity. This may occur even though you technically could put another person or 2 in your cabin. Yes, it ties up the $ to book the kids when you make your reservation, but it also guarantees that the ship will have room for them. Hope this makes sense.

 

[PatriciaH]

Do you think if we wait to book in October 04 (on board) for next November 05, the prices would be better on board or now (early booking?)

 

[FredS]

Originally posted by Goodeguys
Last week we sailed on the 4/10 7-day western ( Easter ) We rebooked on board for the 11/05, Thanksgiving cruise with 2 stops in Castaway Cay. We will enjoy a 10% savings, as well as a $200 on board credit, an additional $100 rebate from our travel agent, AllSeasons....

How did you get the All Seasons rebate? I thought I was on their mailing list and I haven't seen anything about a rebate -- did they price match someone else?

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by Goodeguys
Last week we sailed on the 4/10 7-day western ( Easter ) We rebooked on board for the 11/05, Thanksgiving cruise with 2 stops in Castaway Cay. Good Luck!!

Can you tell me some more about the 11/05 sailing with 2 Castaway Cay stops? Is it a 7 night? What is the date? Thanks!

 

[Hans Solo]

The reason the Disney Magic stops at Castaway Cay twice is because the Key West port is closed to cruise ships due to a boat regatta. So, as a result , the Magic goes to Castaway Cay on Sunday then again on Friday.

I wish we could go but I wouldn't be able get off from work. There's a great group of DIS'ers from the Easter 2004 cruise going.

 

[KennyK]

Re: Castaway Cay for November 2005

The cruise Hans Solo is referring to is the 7 day Western Thanksgiving cruise. Leave Port Canvaral on Saturday November 19th, and returns on Saturday November 26th, 2005.

Hans Solo, we would so much like you to join us if at all possible. WE sure had a great time together. Maybe work would allow you off if you plead, beg, whimper alittle or maybe allot.

Anyway Sunday morning is Castaway Cay day, then sea day, Grand Cayman on Tuesday, Cozumel on Wednesday, sea day on Thursday, Castaway cay again on Friday and then back to port for our homeward trip.

Thanksgiving falls on semi-formal night. Anyone say Lobster tails for dinner and maybe Turkey on the side.

Kennyk

 

[Stewy]

We booked on board a couple of weeks ago. It is saving us about $500 on the cruise for a family of 3. We also get the $200 stateroom credit so overall we save $700 on a trip we were planning to book anyway. You can change the dates after you book it if you need to. She told us we would still get the credit and 10% off if we had to do this.

Goodeguys ,
We booked the Thanksgiving 2005. KennyK started a thread on the cruise meets board for our date. There are 4 DISers already.


PatriciaH ,
The dates for 2005 are November 19 - 26th. It is a Western that replaces the Key West day with Castaway Cay. The itinerary is Castaway Cay, At Sea, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, At Sea, Castaway Cay.

FredS,
Not sure what Goodeguys was offered but sounds like the email we received from Allseas where they told us Bon Voyage and offered the additional rebate if you mentioned them when rebooking.

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by Stewy
The dates for 2005 are November 19 - 26th. It is a Western that replaces the Key West day with Castaway Cay. The itinerary is Castaway Cay, At Sea, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, At Sea, Castaway Cay.

I like this sailing! I may have to look into this more Esp. since DH will have 2 days off that week so will only need to take 3 off.