Last Minute Cruise?

[SuperCalGal]

Thinking of taking a last minute cruise on the Dream this winter. Should we go ahead and book now or wait until the PIF date in hopes of maybe snagging a discount?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thinking of taking a last minute cruise on the Dream this winter. Should we go ahead and book now or wait until the PIF date in hopes of maybe snagging a discount?

Whether DCL will offer a last minute rate (*GT) is not a given. There may be one, or not. I'd say, check the last minute discount thread for an idea, based on past history, whether the cruise you're looking at has had them or not.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/cu...s-new-discounts-and-my-sleeper-rates.3244232/

Beyond that, it's a crap shoot what rate you are willing to pay.

 

[Shanti]

Thinking of taking a last minute cruise on the Dream this winter. Should we go ahead and book now or wait until the PIF date in hopes of maybe snagging a discount?

I would book now. Even the guarantee rooms (I had one last year) are not much of a discount. They're nothing like the discounts WDW offers for its resorts. Plus, if you plan to book any excursions through DCL or want to get an early port arrival time, you'll want to do online check-in at your earliest opportunity.

 

[SuperCalGal]

I would book now. Even the guarantee rooms (I had one last year) are not much of a discount. They're nothing like the discounts WDW offers for its resorts. Plus, if you plan to book any excursions through DCL or want to get an early port arrival time, you'll want to do online check-in at your earliest opportunity.

That's what I was thinking. I was looking at other cruises past the PIF and the discounts don't seem that great. I wish DCL had discounts like WDW

 

[Shanti]

That's what I was thinking. I was looking at other cruises past the PIF and the discounts don't seem that great. I wish DCL had discounts like WDW

You'll also be better off choosing your own stateroom. Look at deck plans and try to avoid staterooms directly above or below theaters, restaurants, pool decks, etc. The best stateroom decks are ones sandwiched between other stateroom decks, with no guest activity areas above or below.

Also, on Disney deck plans you'll notice some large empty spaces. Those are crew galley areas, which you'll also want to try to avoid due to noise and service carts sometimes clogging the nearby hallway area.

Far aft areas can get engine noise and vibrations, and far forward areas get more movement, which makes midship ideal.

 

[SuperCalGal]

You'll also be better off choosing your own stateroom. Look at deck plans and try to avoid staterooms directly above or below theaters, restaurants, pool decks, etc. The best stateroom decks are ones sandwiched between other stateroom decks, with no guest activity areas above or below.

Also, on Disney deck plans you'll notice some large empty spaces. Those are crew galley areas, which you'll also want to try to avoid due to noise and service carts sometimes clogging the nearby hallway area.

Far aft areas can get engine noise and vibrations, and far forward areas get a lot of movement, which makes midship ideal.

True, I didn't think about that. Well there's already guaranteed staterooms for this sailing and we were leaning towards a guaranteed family oceanview. We were aft on the magic and it was fine, but I've read the Dream class aft has more vibrations..

 

[Shanti]

True, I didn't think about that. Well there's already guaranteed staterooms for this sailing and we were leaning towards a guaranteed family oceanview. We were aft on the magic and it was fine, but I've read the Dream class aft has more vibrations..

It'll be great. Have fun!

 

[SuperDry]

Thinking of taking a last minute cruise on the Dream this winter. Should we ... wait until the PIF date ...?

I would hardly call a cruise booked before the PIF date a "last minute cruise." I'm looking at booking one that departs in about 2 weeks, and have done so a couple of times before.

 

[Ofinn]

I would hardly call a cruise booked before the PIF date a "last minute cruise." I'm looking at booking one that departs in about 2 weeks, and have done so a couple of times before.

Well on these boards not booking at least a year in advance is last minute. You also must book opening day or you pay more.....hasnt been the case for me. I book everything 3 months or less. Always get great rooms. I cant imagine booking something and waiting over a year to do it or even knowing what I want to do a year from now.

 

[SuperCalGal]

I would hardly call a cruise booked before the PIF date a "last minute cruise." I'm looking at booking one that departs in about 2 weeks, and have done so a couple of times before.

Well on these boards not booking at least a year in advance is last minute. You also must book opening day or you pay more.....hasnt been the case for me. I book everything 3 months or less. Always get great rooms. I cant imagine booking something and waiting over a year to do it or even knowing what I want to do a year from now.

We booked our last cruise a little less than a year out, and booked one next year opening day. It's more last minute as in we weren't planning on cruising this year.

 

[jenc842]

I liked also being able to book early so I could get the dinner seating I wanted (early). There's no way this hungry mama would show up for late seating!