Lessen learned......

[mbw12]

On our May 8th-May 15th cruise, we discussed booking another cruise to take advantage of the discounts and room credit. We decided against it, becasue we didn't see us doing a cruise for quite a few years. A week back already.....the kids are asking why can't we go on a cruise for our next vacation, husband is saying "yeah, I guess we can"....and I am thinking "WHY didn't I take advantage of that great offer!!!!!! AAAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!"

so, in a nutshell....if you are maybe thinking about it, do it while on the ship!!!!!!!!!! I will now be spending all my time searching for great prices and deals....when I could have saved me alot of time and trouble if I had just did it!!

 

[nluvwithmickey]

I know what you mean! That is exactly what we did also.

We got back from our first cruise in dec 2004, and we booked again for May 2006 last feb. I had to settle for the cheapest cat. since I lost my discount and credit.

Oh well, live and learn.....Nonetheless, I'm still going on another DCL cruise and that's MAGICal!

 

[StuartMI]

I am kicking around the idea of booking a 2007 cruise with a double-dip of CC when we sail in October of this year. DW (and me I guess too ) want to look at (finally) starting a family so who knows what will happen, but it's easier to cancel it totally then book it later and be upset that a) the price is more and b) no on board credits!

 

[lbgraves]

I so agree with you!!! On our first cruise I wanted to rebook onboard even if it was going to be 2 years out to save the money. Well, DH didn't want Disney having $1000 of ours for that long. I resolved myself to PCD and not cruising for two years. Two weeks after we got home he asked me if I would "mind" going again the following April when rates are lower. I told him sure but if he wanted low rates we should go ahead & look at November or December like we did the first time. Within a day we had reservations for a year later. He now knows that we rebook no matter what.

 

[JJsmama]

Agreed, but sometimes it isn't so easy. On our last cruise, two different family members went to the rebooking desk several times and never found her open for business. Dad called DCL the day we got home hoping to get the onboard deal, but no-go. I understand only offering it onboard, bu tthey need to make it easier for passengers to give them the money!

 

[Verandah Man]

On our May 8th-May 15th cruise, we discussed booking another cruise to take advantage of the discounts and room credit. We decided against it, becasue we didn't see us doing a cruise for quite a few years. A week back already.....the kids are asking why can't we go on a cruise for our next vacation, husband is saying "yeah, I guess we can"....and I am thinking "WHY didn't I take advantage of that great offer!!!!!! AAAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!"

so, in a nutshell....if you are maybe thinking about it, do it while on the ship!!!!!!!!!! I will now be spending all my time searching for great prices and deals....when I could have saved me alot of time and trouble if I had just did it!!

Bobbi, Bobbi, Bobbi, live and learn!!!

 

[ivanova]

Agreed, but sometimes it isn't so easy. On our last cruise, two different family members went to the rebooking desk several times and never found her open for business. Dad called DCL the day we got home hoping to get the onboard deal, but no-go. I understand only offering it onboard, bu tthey need to make it easier for passengers to give them the money!

we resorted to leaving a message for her at Guest Services to have her call us when she was at her desk. she then worked up the quote and slipped it under our cabin door (the computer system was down at the time).

 

[lovemickeyworld]

Please tell me again....what are the onboard discounts and credits? We're cruising next January on points, but I'd like to know in advance. Thanks!

 

[Jillpie]

To the OP, are you a Costco member? The savings works out to about what you would have saved on board. I booked through them a few weeks ago, after getting off the Wonder last month. Its worth Costco's membership, just for the travel savings.

 

[Buddy Bear]

If you know someone that is going on a DCL cruise they can book for you and you will get the discounts and onboard credit. We did it for our family; we booked 4 rooms each under the appropriate person's name.

I agree with Ivanova, if you know what you want you can just leave a message and they will get back to you or you can tell them to charge it to the room.

 

[232271]

Is it really that good of a deal? I got a group rate with Dreams Unlimited and it was about $1000 cheaper than my quote from DCL, including the $75 rebate they offered.

What is the "story" behind rebooking?


TIA

 

[Verandah Man]

On our May 8th-May 15th cruise, we discussed booking another cruise to take advantage of the discounts and room credit. We decided against it, becasue we didn't see us doing a cruise for quite a few years. A week back already.....the kids are asking why can't we go on a cruise for our next vacation, husband is saying "yeah, I guess we can"....and I am thinking "WHY didn't I take advantage of that great offer!!!!!! AAAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!"

so, in a nutshell....if you are maybe thinking about it, do it while on the ship!!!!!!!!!! I will now be spending all my time searching for great prices and deals....when I could have saved me alot of time and trouble if I had just did it!!

Sounds like someone's been bit with the cruisin' bug!!!

 

[ldb1030]

Is it really that good of a deal? I got a group rate with Dreams Unlimited and it was about $1000 cheaper than my quote from DCL, including the $75 rebate they offered.

What is the "story" behind rebooking?


TIA

We booked during our last cruise in Sept. 04 and received a 10% discount AND a $200.00 onboard credit!
We go again in July 06!!

 

[Buddy Bear]

Is it really that good of a deal? I got a group rate with Dreams Unlimited and it was about $1000 cheaper than my quote from DCL, including the $75 rebate they offered.

What is the "story" behind rebooking?


TIA

Most people who rebook are booking far in advance which means you usually get some very good pricing, plus the onboard credit which I believe is still $200 per stateroom on a 7-day cruise; $100 for 3 or 4 day.

I will give you an example of booking and why the rates can be so different.

On September 29, 2004 the rates came out for the 2006 season. I booked through DCL (not rebooked, I wasn't on a cruise ship then) a Cat 6 for 08/19/06. That was almost 23 months in advance, which today a TA can't touch the rate I got back in September.

At the same time the Travel Agents also book blocks of rooms too. As you get closer to the sailing date the price increases. In some cases the price can be $1,000 or more depending on the category. DCL will raise their prices, but the TAs to stay competitive will discount their prices so you get a better price from a TA.

Some deciding factors can be how far out are you book, when the rates are released, and what deals can you get from a TA. I read examples of people booking with a TA and getting a rate that was better than DCL's even after considering the onboard credit.

Bottomline: Book out as far as you can and pay attention to when the rates are released for 2007.

 

[WMILLER86]

Try calling DCL and tell them how long the lines were at the ressie desk when you tried to rebook, and that you did not want to waste your valuable vacation time waiting in line to book. Ask politely if you can book now and still get the same deal. May work. Has before.

Willie

 

[lbgraves]

I put our info for a quote the first afternoon on the ship. I had a message in the stateroom the next morning.

 

[taeja71]

No comment here except I've got to show my DH this thread.

 

[mbw12]

Bobbi, Bobbi, Bobbi, live and learn!!!

I know, Andy....I know!!!!!

 

[mbw12]

To the OP, are you a Costco member? The savings works out to about what you would have saved on board. I booked through them a few weeks ago, after getting off the Wonder last month. Its worth Costco's membership, just for the travel savings.

No, I am not. I honestly don't even think there is one anywhere near me. We have BJ's and Sam's Clubs close by.

 

[Verandah Man]

No, I am not. I honestly don't even think there is one anywhere near me. We have BJ's and Sam's Clubs close by.

Bobbi,

I'm a BJ's member through the township and I know BJ's does book DCL cruises. I've seen the ads in the BJ's booklets we get from time to time, but I've never tried booking through them.