On Board Booking for 2007 cruise ?

[Lisa0503]

I am going on my first DC with my family in 3 weeks on the 4 day Wonder. After reading these boards I know we are going to want to cruise again. We definately want to travel during a 'value' season. This usually means Sept or January, right? Looking at our budget, since we are cruising this year we really can't afford to cruise again till Jan 2007 the earliest! What would you more experienced cruisers suggest we do to book for the best discount? I would love to do a 7 day Eastern cruise next!!!!

I have read that there is an opportunity for on-board booking for a reduced rate for future cruises but it doesn't look like the 2007 schedule will be released before my cruise Any help would be appreciated.

 

[TJHutch]

We took advantage of booking onboard when the cruise rates were not yet available. We chose a bogus date (knowing we wanted it for the following year) and as soon as the rates were available we moved it with no problems. If you are able to take advantage of booking onboard go for it.

 

[Lisa0503]

So basically if you book on-board, you will keep whatever discount you get even if you switch your cruise date??? As per on-board booking discount, is it usually a percentage of the cost of the cruise or is it a certain dollar value off?

Also I have read people talking about booking onboard then transfering their reservation to a travel agent. Is this hard to do and what is the advantage of doing this?

Forgive me for my ignorance...We booked this cruise last miniute and I would like to be more informed next time we cruise!!!

 

[Laurabearz]

For a 7 day cruise it is 10% off and $200 stateroom credit. Not sure what the deal is for shorter cruises....

The advantage of transfering your reservation to a TA is to get the TA's deal on top of Disney's. FOr example Dreams Unlimited offers up to $200 instant rebate (rebate amount based on $$$ of cruise...) soooooooo you book on board and get 10% and $200 stateroom credit, then transfer the reservation to DU and get up to $200 instantly off. Brillant eh??

I also have a question.... If you rebook onboard and want a date in 2007, do you have to wait until the dates open via Disney or can you transfer the reservation to a TA, and then reschedule for a later date with the TA??

 

[cruzings]

Yes, if you book your next cruise onboard you get to keep your discount even though you eventually change the date of your cruise. This is exactly what we did last July. We booked for October 2006 with a possibility of moving the date to 2007 once the dates are announced because we have a trip scheduled to Hawaii in the summer of 2006. Thought it'd be too much expense in one year to do both vacations. But if finances allow, then we get to keep the Oct 2006 date anyway.

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

We plan on booking our next cruise once on board also. Thanks for letting me know what possible discount we can get for the 7 day cruise.

 

[CACruisin']

We also booked a bogus date for 2006 with plans to transfer to 2007. The agent on board said there would be no problems for a "normal" itiniarary (Eastern or Western Carib.), but the discount would not apply for "special" cruises -- if the ship is going someplace else for 2007, maybe? of course, she wouldn't say anything else ....

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

I wonder what Disney has up their sleeves for 2007? I bet it will be wonderful.