Lots of Restricted *GT Rates this Summer

[DCLMP]

Well if there is a higher uptick in discounted cruises verses what is the norm, something is up. Common sense will tell you that. And it could be more than just cancelled cruises, but I'm sure that is a factor.

There were a lot of discounts on the Wish last Summer. I took advantage of it. So were Alaskan I took advantage of that too. Europe was also discounted heavily. I've noticed the starting prices on the 2026 European cruises are lower than this year. There is this thing called demand destruction. People are only willing to pay so much before demand starts to wane. The consumer has been tapped out for a while now.

 

[VeronicaZS]

Does anyone know/remember if there were GTY discounts in Oct/Nov last year? Specifically wondering about the Wish 3-day cruises.

 

[dreamer17555]

Does anyone know/remember if there were GTY discounts in Oct/Nov last year? Specifically wondering about the Wish 3-day cruises.

Yes on select sailings. The 3 nights are often easier to find Restricted *GT rates on than the 4 nights for the Wish.

 

[brentm77]

So your basing your evidence off a few posts on social media?

Not entirely, as I laid out in my posts. But I will try again. It's a combination of readily available facts, plus the posts. The first premise was that Canadians are canceling DCL cruises. Yes, the posts themselves prove that. The second premise was that this may have a material impact on bookings. The large impact Canadians changing travel plans will have on the U.S. travel industry has been widely reported, and there is no reason to believe DCL would be excluded. That's as simple as I can make it for you. It's a reasonable conclusion and you haven't provided any counterpoints.

But I think we are beating a dead horse here. People can Google it if they want to understand the topic more. I don't want to violate any rules by taking this discussion further, so I will leave it at that.

 

[brentm77]

.

 

[DCLMP]

Not entirely, as I laid out in my posts. But I will try again. It's a combination of readily available facts, plus the posts. The first premise was that Canadians are canceling DCL cruises. Yes, the posts themselves prove that. The second premise was that this may have a material impact on bookings. The large impact Canadians changing travel plans will have on the U.S. travel industry has been widely reported, and there is no reason to believe DCL would be excluded. That's as simple as I can make it for you. It's a reasonable conclusion and you haven't provided any counterpoints.

But I think we are beating a dead horse here. People can Google it if they want to understand the topic more. I don't want to violate any rules by taking this discussion further, so I will leave it at that.

Just to note none of my economic theories as to why consumers are pulling back required a disclaimer at the bottom of my post.

If you don't want to take a conversation in that direction than don't make posts that take it there.

 

[Ssplashhmtn]

The other reality is that some travelers from Canada and the UK are canceling previously booked DCL cruises.* Additionally, some are choosing not to book at all right now. I’m sure this applies to travelers from other countries as well, but these two nations likely represent a small percentage of passengers on an average DCL cruise. Still, this could be enough to have an impact. While it may not be substantial, it might be pushing the numbers down in addition to people's reservations about the economic uncertainty.

*Please remember that political discussions aren’t allowed here, so let’s avoid discussing the reasons, whether its justified, or any related politics. My intent is simply to acknowledge this trend based on posts I’ve seen elsewhere, as well as the widely reported expected decline in travel from these countries to the U.S.

Had not heard about this - so hope it is true! Less demand = lower prices, and more competition for DCL to continue to up their game in competition for limited travelers. Gotta love capitalism supply and demand at work; what a beautiful thing. That said, I paid so much less for the 2023 July 10-night Southern Carib than I did for the 2024 July 10-night (pricing was offensive but I paid it)..... and paying more again in 2025 for the July 10 night. So I haven't seen it (at least not on unobstructed Verandah rooms). Fingers crossed that this decline from Canadian travelers is real, and even more that all the new DCL ship capacity further pressures pricing down.

 

[Chipmunkmaniac]

It's not opinion, it's reality. I have read multiple posts on different forums where individuals from those countries canceled actual DCL cruises. Various Disney parks forums also have multiple posts of people from those countries canceling already booked trips. There is also data from hotels showing bookings are already down from Canadian tourists. Some travel associations have expressed concern that the lost revenue in the industry could reach into the billions. Canadians are the number one source of foreign travelers to the U.S., with Florida and California as two of the top destinations. It's a reasonable conclusion that even a small percentage change in travel habits will affect the cruise industry and DCL.

As I stated, I have no idea how much of an impact it will have on DCL, but at least some cancellations are happening. I don't know that it is a huge factor, but it certainly doesn't help DCL overcome other headwinds like decreased consumer travel spending (see Delta's lowered forecasts) and DCL's increasing inventory.

Besides of the import tax situation a lot of European countries are now issuing travel warnings for either lbgtq community members or politocammy avtive people. Stories of phones being searched are a new thibg as well and though it personally doesnt stop me as for now since I dont belong to either group, I know quite a few hardcore Disney fans that wont be travelling…

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

I was watching the 5 night restricted rate cruises on the Dream that went to Cozumel and CC in July. The rates are now gone. Regular price is 2k more, no thanks…

 

[brentm77]

Had not heard about this - so hope it is true! Less demand = lower prices, and more competition for DCL to continue to up their game in competition for limited travelers. Gotta love capitalism supply and demand at work; what a beautiful thing. That said, I paid so much less for the 2023 July 10-night Southern Carib than I did for the 2024 July 10-night (pricing was offensive but I paid it)..... and paying more again in 2025 for the July 10 night. So I haven't seen it (at least not on unobstructed Verandah rooms). Fingers crossed that this decline from Canadian travelers is real, and even more that all the new DCL ship capacity further pressures pricing down.

We need to avoid political discussions, so I will respond carefully. While I appreciate that you want demand to go down, I think there are many millions of Americans who appreciate and welcome our Canadian neighbors, including many cool ones with whom I have had conversations here, and don't like to see them feel uncomfortable traveling to or supporting the U.S. I am sure the businesses losing a possible two billion plus in revenue feel the same, or the many people downstream from those dollars that will also feel the effects.

I hope everyone feels welcome here. I will leave it at that and reserve policy discussions (for example, whether free markets are an important part of capitalism ) for other, more appropriate forums. I am happy to jump to DM's or over to one of the forums here that allow politics if you want to discuss if more.

What I will agree with you on is that I would love to see demand drop too, but I would prefer to see it only because DCL has overplayed the price-to-quality ratio and people pull back, forcing DCL to improve.

Also, people may want to google how all of this may end up affecting cruises to Alaska too. I would hate to see some of the lines lose a stop in Victoria - it was one of my favorite ports.

Back to the topic at hand - have any of these reduced rates pushed anyone to book unexpectedly? I think I would jump on one of them if we weren't headed on a different vacation in a couple of weeks.

 

[SL6827]

I was watching the 5 night restricted rate cruises on the Dream that went to Cozumel and CC in July. The rates are now gone. Regular price is 2k more, no thanks…

Ya, once they have filled the needed cabins, they pull the discounts, right?

 

[dreamer17555]

Ya, once they have filled the needed cabins, they pull the discounts, right?

Yes and also remember there are CM discounts also being offered that the public is not able to access. Once they fill enough cabins they can stop offering the discount. If you see a great rate, I always suggest booking it ASAP and keeping it to yourself until you do. We saw in a FB group where someone pointed out VGT rates before PIF and sadly they were gone before the poster could book the next day.

 

[SL6827]

Yes and also remember there are CM discounts also being offered that the public is not able to access. Once they fill enough cabins they can stop offering the discount. If you see a great rate, I always suggest booking it ASAP and keeping it to yourself until you do. We saw in a FB group where someone pointed out VGT rates before PIF and sadly they were gone before the poster could book the next day.

Is releasing these discounts before the PIF date very common?

 

[dreamer17555]

Is releasing these discounts before the PIF date very common?

Depends on how well DCL is selling. Look at all the Summer offerings on the first post, many of them short sailings (under 6 nights) that require PIF only 90 days in advance. DCL is offering Restricted *GT rates all the way until August currently.

ETA- 12 are currently before PIF, 14 if you booked the day the list was last updated.

 

[cvjw]

Back to the topic at hand - have any of these reduced rates pushed anyone to book unexpectedly? I think I would jump on one of them if we weren't headed on a different vacation in a couple of weeks.

Yes. We booked the OGT rate on the 10 night eastern on the magic.

Last year, we booked 3 VGT rates on the fantasy. The year before, we also booked 3 VGT rates on the fantasy. We are fans of guarantee rates.

 

[unrequited23]

Back to the topic at hand - have any of these reduced rates pushed anyone to book unexpectedly?

One rate had me excited (Dream early May) but then I priced out the airfare.

 

[brentm77]

One rate had me excited (Dream early May) but then I priced out the airfare.

Airfare prices stink right now. They have become a much larger percentage of the travel costs than not that long ago.

 

[dreamer17555]

Back to the topic at hand - have any of these reduced rates pushed anyone to book unexpectedly? I think I would jump on one of them if we weren't headed on a different vacation in a couple of weeks.

I really considered booking but without getting too into the weeds, I am nervous about spending money right now. It does make me hopeful that there will be rates offered in the fall and if things calm down I would be more likely to book a Sept-Early Nov sailing.

 

[DCLMP]

We need to avoid political discussions, so I will respond carefully. While I appreciate that you want demand to go down, I think there are many millions of Americans who appreciate and welcome our Canadian neighbors, including many cool ones with whom I have had conversations here, and don't like to see them feel uncomfortable traveling to or supporting the U.S. I am sure the businesses losing a possible two billion plus in revenue feel the same, or the many people downstream from those dollars that will also feel the effects.

I hope everyone feels welcome here. I will leave it at that and reserve policy discussions (for example, whether free markets are an important part of capitalism ) for other, more appropriate forums. I am happy to jump to DM's or over to one of the forums here that allow politics if you want to discuss if more.

What I will agree with you on is that I would love to see demand drop too, but I would prefer to see it only because DCL has overplayed the price-to-quality ratio and people pull back, forcing DCL to improve.

Also, people may want to google how all of this may end up affecting cruises to Alaska too. I would hate to see some of the lines lose a stop in Victoria - it was one of my favorite ports.

Back to the topic at hand - have any of these reduced rates pushed anyone to book unexpectedly? I think I would jump on one of them if we weren't headed on a different vacation in a couple of weeks.

... I thought you were so much better than a laughing emoji. I live in a Canadian snowbird city I'm not seeing a lack of love for warm weather. I'm going to Canada this Summer on a DCL cruise including a stop at Victoria. No changes to Victoria. I think you need to take a step back from the MSM. Anyway I was also considering a 4 day Bahamian cruise, but the discount was pulled. I guess sales aren't that bad. The cruises will sell..no worries.

 

[DCLMP]

Is releasing these discounts before the PIF date very common?

It has been since the covid debacle. I'm shocked people are complaining about it. Enjoy! It's not the end of the world...maybe it's the end of DCL cruises costing three times more than the competition... we can hope.