Kids sail free sale?

[SuperLuckyMamaBear]

I know a few years ago (January 2013 specifically) DCL had an amazing deal for kids sailing free. We couldn't take advantage of it because I was pregnant and too far along. I haven't seen anything since, but I also don't watch the prices very closely. Any idea how often this happens or if this was a once in a million sale? We sailed the Magic back in October and I'm dying to take our family again.

 

[KalamityJane]

I think it was out of Galveston, right? I wouldn't count on that happening again (though how I wish!)

 

[wcw57]

It's my understanding that Disney never lowers it's prices. Instead, to fill a ship (or a park), they offer promotional incentives such as kids sail free, guarantee rates, etc, etc, etc (to quote the King of Siam)...
Soooo, I'm guessing the Galveston sailing wasn't going so well in the booking department. Lord knows when they will offer that promotion again.

 

[SuperLuckyMamaBear]

Bummer. I don't remember the details, but I know it was for sailing that Jan, Feb, or Mar. I was hoping they'd done it since then and I missed it. I found this incredible deal, came up with my best sales pitch to DH, he then said "we're not going anywhere, you're pregnant". I'd probably spent a good 2 hours going over it and it hadn't occurred to me that I was pg and wouldn't be allowed on the ship (I was 24w when looking at the rates, so I was already too far along).

 

[FigmentSpark]

I remember that 'kids sail free' deal. I was planning to go as well, but we hesitated and ended up with other plans. I figured they always had that deal, like the free dining at Disney, but no, I think that was a one-time thing because of the dollar or something else going on at the time. Maybe once the new ships are out they'll have a deal like that again to stimulate the market, but who knows?

 

[socababy]

We sailed our first Disney cruise as a family to the Mexican Riviera on a kids sale free offer back in Feb 2011. That cruise started our addiction. Five years later, my signature says it all. Hahahaha I haven't seen a kids sale free offer in years. Now they seem to have *GT rates instead months out from the cruise itself.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know a few years ago (January 2013 specifically) DCL had an amazing deal for kids sailing free. We couldn't take advantage of it because I was pregnant and too far along. I haven't seen anything since, but I also don't watch the prices very closely. Any idea how often this happens or if this was a once in a million sale? We sailed the Magic back in October and I'm dying to take our family again.

As noted, the Kids Sail Free offers are pretty much gone since DCL introduced the last minute restricted fares (*GT)

It's actually much fairer that way, since not everyone has kids to get that "great deal".

 

[FigmentSpark]

I agree about it being fairer, but I would think attracting parents with small kids would be a strong interest for Disney. That said, if you wanted 2 staterooms between 2 parents and 2 kids, you didn't get a discount, just when they were the 3rd and 4th in the room.

 

[tch121]

I took advantage of this deal in February 2013, on a Wonder 4-night sailing out of Miami. It was a great deal and one of my favorites with the stop at Key West! I would absolutely love kids sail free again!

 

[over50visits]

I agree about it being fairer, but I would think attracting parents with small kids would be a strong interest for Disney. That said, if you wanted 2 staterooms between 2 parents and 2 kids, you didn't get a discount, just when they were the 3rd and 4th in the room.

"Fair" is an unfortunate argument that is so often misused. I'm so glad Disney offers Kids sail free from time to time. Doesn't help us, but with Disney prices so unreasonable anything that helps a family with young kids, I'm all for. There are plenty of special deals (FL or military, for example), and saying they're not "fair' would be unkind.

That said, I never can guess when Disney will come out with various special discounts. I dare say Kids Sail Free will reappear some day. Just keep watching and hope for the best!

 

[phinz]

"Kids sail free" is enough to push me to another line. I've looked at sailing with other lines and when I've seen "kids sail free" it's made me skip that site and move on.

 

[Aanna]

"Kids sail free" is enough to push me to another line. I've looked at sailing with other lines and when I've seen "kids sail free" it's made me skip that site and move on.

LOL I suppose that sort of promotion *does* indicate what the primary population of that cruise will be. Certainly not the sort of cruise for someone who is looking for a quieter experience.

 

[Shanti]

As noted, the Kids Sail Free offers are pretty much gone since DCL introduced the last minute restricted fares (*GT)

It's actually much fairer that way, since not everyone has kids to get that "great deal".

Agreed. Already it seems that DCL's most significant discounts are reserved for special groups (military & Florida residents) rather than the general public. It would be much better to offer a general discount that helps all of DCL's loyal customers than another that applies to only one group.

I am a mom, but when we travel it's usually just me and my son, so "Kids Sail Free" would be useless to me due to the double-occupancy requirement of cruise ships.

"Kids sail free" is enough to push me to another line. I've looked at sailing with other lines and when I've seen "kids sail free" it's made me skip that site and move on.

I love children, but I also like that DCL has a mix of different types of cruisers, not just families with young kids. I'd worry that Kids Sail Free would pack the boats with many more young kids than even DCL currently has- that would make dining, character greets, use of the kids clubs & waterslides, etc., more crowded & loud for those who are already sailing.

Maybe once the new ships are out they'll have a deal like that again to stimulate the market, but who knows?

Fingers crossed that the new ships will increase inventory to the extent that DCL's rates will stop going through the roof. Not counting on it, but hoping for it.

 

[keaster]

The Mexican Riviera cruise we did in 2011 was a Kids Sail Free promo, man I miss those days!