Is searching for a cabana futile?

[VbChristy]

Hi there. I am looking for advice from others that on their experience. I am cruising in 2 weeks. (first summer cruise of my life and we booked it a couple weeks ago.) I would like to score a cabana on the family beach and have been randomly logging to check for availability. I was thinking I would look hard at the 4-5 days before the cruise as that is the last chance people have to cancel? But is this worth it? If someone cancels will that cabana open up online???

I cruised concierge in January and we upgraded like 75 days before the cruise and were able to secure a cabin by the concierge people. We were shocked. I imagine that if I had done a search for that cabana, it wouldn't have shown up.

So, what are other's experience- has anyone gotten a cabana by stalking the website pre-cruise? I have a job where I can log in occasionally during the day and I can have my husband do it as well if it is worth it...

I also want the ship sponsored scuba diving which has been sold out as well.

Thanks!

 

[wajones2]

Not futile! Our first two cruises, I was able to get cabanas on the last day to cancel/book port adventures prior to the sailing. I stalked several times a day/daily for several months and each time I found one, my heart would start beating superfast until I had it in my cart and checked out! On the 2nd cruise, it wouldn't let me check out with it in my cart. I called DCL and they were able to get it for me!

I have also heard others say that they never saw cabanas open online, but were able to get one by going to guest services once on board the ship. Good luck!

 

[FindMeAFishingSpot]

I have a success story as well - it opened up two weeks before the cruise at one of my random check ins. It does happen!

 

[VbChristy]

Thanks you guys!!! Okay, I will be calling my husband to teach him how to look too! That makes me happy! (if I don't get one, it will be fine... but this would be nice too!)

 

[lorimay]

Don't give up! We got one a few weeks before and once from being on the waitlist at guest services after we boarded.
Good Luck!

 

[emilyann415]

I will echo what everyone else says.....however....I will tell you that both times I've tried for a cabana I've looked every day several times and the last 2 weeks at least 10 times a day and there have been zero openings that I have seen. Maybe someone else snatched it but I haven't had any luck. That said I just keep trying to remind myself that that is just that much more money I have for a deposit on our next cruise....Yeah....it doesn't really help but I keep telling myself anyway.....

 

[ladyj0212]

Absolutely do not give up. After sailing with Disney multiple times, this past cruise was our first attempt at getting a cabana. I was discouraged as we booked about 30 days before the sail date, and of course all of the cabanas were booked. I checked daily, multiple times in the day at random times. I was able to score one about two and a half weeks before sail date on the family beach because someone had cancelled. I absolutely loved our cabana and the location was perfect-it was close to Cookies 2 and the restrooms. We are hooked. From now on, we will always try and book a cabana, and if they are sold out...it is so worth the persistence to get one. Do.not.give.up.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

This is how I see it: if you don't try the chance is absolute zero. How would you score if you weren't trying? If you try there's a chance. It may not happen but it's not because you gave up. Right?

 

[VbChristy]

This is how I see it: if you don't try the chance is absolute zero. How would you score if you weren't trying? If you try there's a chance. It may not happen but it's not because you gave up. Right?

I am going to try because others have indicated they have been successful. Otherwise, my time has value, and when I am looking for a cabana, I am not doing one of the many other things I have to do in life. Since I have a chance, I will do it. If I didn't have a chance, I would probably not continue to keep trying.

 

[bumbershoot]

That said I just keep trying to remind myself that that is just that much more money I have for a deposit on our next cruise....Yeah....it doesn't really help but I keep telling myself anyway.....

Well, IMO another cruise is a million times better than a cabana. (and yes we've had one)

 

[Mickey4me!]

Definitely don't give up searching - before or during the cruise. Several years ago my husband, on a whim, decided to check on cabana availability 2 days before we were to dock at CC. He went to guest services to inquire and they had 2 available. Both were on Serenity Bay which was fine for us. So keep checking even after you sail. Good Luck.

 

[tinkerone]

also check with your cruise meet group. someone may have one they decide to give up and post about it. just another chance....
enjoy your cruise.

 

[Bdunn]

Our first cruise, I walked up to cabana check in on Castaway Cay and asked if there had been any cancellations. There was one that had opened on Serenity Bay! Our 18, 20, and 22 year-olds loved it!

 

[brianall]

Are you on the July 26 Dream sailing? If so, we are on that cruise as well. We are concierge, so I booked mine at midnight the day went on sale...and were gone within an hour. BUT.....if you go to that cruising's Facebook page, (https://www.facebook.com/groups/678825445512269/) you can see if you can find a family that already has a cabana that might want to split the cabana costs with you and share it. It holds up to 8ppl. We are sharing our cabana with another family that is non-concierge. It's a win-win all the way around. If you can find a family that is willing, you will have to give them your reservation #, and then they will have to call Disney to link your reservations together. It's easily done.

 

[brianall]

Sorry.....July 19 sailing, not 26.

 

[VbChristy]

I'm on the fantasy. Thanks for that idea though.