Opening day hoopla

[spicycrab]

I have never booked opening day before but am hoping to do so if all goes well for winter 2016. What do I need to know? I did a quick search and is it true that you have to call to make opening day reservations? Do phone lines open at 6 or 7?

TIA!

 

[southerngirl528]

Wish I knew the answers, spicy crab. What I want to know is how do you even find out when opening day occurs?? I don't recall ever getting an email from DCL informing me about an upcoming opening day? Hope that's closely related enough to not be considered a 'hijacking'.

 

[MelSpees]

I got an email about the new cruises coming out this last time before opening day. I think I have other times but don't really remember. If you check on these boards there's usually lots about up-coming opening days.

 

[spicycrab]

I'm not exactly sure when it is either. Info on these boards suggests the week of May 20th. I now have a reminder set on my phone to check these boards that whole week

 

[clten]

To find out about opening day, you can follow on here or if you follow the official Disney Cruise Line on facebook or twitter, they usually post/tweet right before they open up new reservations. (Very rarely have we received an e-mail about new dates opening up.)

As far as making reservations on opening day, if you are gold/platinum and they open those reservations up first, you HAVE to call to make the booking. Once bookings are open to everyone, you can call if you want or you can make a booking online. Reservations begin about 8am either way.

 

[wcw57]

In my experience (I'm not a real cruiser but I play one on TV):

Opening days are well publicized here on the boards...
I booked opening day (morning...early!) online and it was painless and got everything I needed within minutes (booked 2 staterooms)..
there ya go, if that's any help to you. Don't stress.
Warning: possible side effects of Disboards use include: anxiety, worry, consternation, unrealistic expectations, over planning, irritable bowel, hyperekplexia and sleep disturbance. Consult a doctor if any of these conditions persist.

 

[3Down1Up]

SouthernGirl528: DCL will post on their Facebook page when they announce their itineraries, something along the lines of "We are pleased to announce that DCL will be sailing to . . . " like for the summer 2016 itineraries they posted a video of Brent the cruise director announcing the itineraries. Once that announcement is made, Platinum and Gold can start booking the following day (not sure of time - 8am EST? not sure). Silver and others can book the day after that. In the past, it has typically been: announcement made on a Tuesday, so Platinum/Gold bookings Wednesday and others book Thursday. Based on past years, the best guess I heard is that the announcement will come next week for fall/winter 2016.

SpicyCrab: I have booked over the phone on opening day, because I wanted certain cabins, connecting cabins etc. There is typically a long wait on hold. There are typically posts on this board that morning about wait times, etc.

 

[dsnydaddy]

There's usually a release of itineraries shortly before booking opens. I decide what cruise I want, and what my budget is so I know what cabin I'm looking at (I also come up with alternatives in case my category isn't avail) then email my TA and relax. She's not failed me yet.

 

[Trera]

We booked on the last opening day while we were onboard the Magic which was awesome. I was the first one at the future bookings desk at 6:30 am, she showed up at 6:45 and i had the date and room I wanted with a 10% discount and OBB credit all before 7:00 am when the phone lines were supposed to open back in the USA.

I highly recommend this to anyone on board this go around.

 

[gumbypee]

so do you have to decide to book opening day on your own or can you still use a TA? and then the TA has to deal with early hours?

 

[dsnydaddy]

My TA is on the East Coast while I am on the West Coast. So, while I sleep in, she is manning the phones.

 

[Drusilla99]

I did opening day myself online this year for August 2016. Worried & worried about it for days ahead of time. Got what I wanted and was happy. Went on the dream 2 1/2 weeks later and rebooked onboard, prices hadn't changed a bit, and ended up getting even better rooms for our group (connecting). Now a month later, prices still the same and still plenty of rooms come up in the search when I look. I don't think I'll worry about opening day again.

 

[spicycrab]

I did opening day myself online this year for August 2016. Worried & worried about it for days ahead of time. Got what I wanted and was happy. Went on the dream 2 1/2 weeks later and rebooked onboard, prices hadn't changed a bit, and ended up getting even better rooms for our group (connecting). Now a month later, prices still the same and still plenty of rooms come up in the search when I look. I don't think I'll worry about opening day again.

lol! That's happened to me too with booking cinderellas royal table!

 

[spicycrab]

SouthernGirl528: DCL will post on their Facebook page when they announce their itineraries, something along the lines of "We are pleased to announce that DCL will be sailing to . . . " like for the summer 2016 itineraries they posted a video of Brent the cruise director announcing the itineraries. Once that announcement is made, Platinum and Gold can start booking the following day (not sure of time - 8am EST? not sure). Silver and others can book the day after that. In the past, it has typically been: announcement made on a Tuesday, so Platinum/Gold bookings Wednesday and others book Thursday. Based on past years, the best guess I heard is that the announcement will come next week for fall/winter 2016.

SpicyCrab: I have booked over the phone on opening day, because I wanted certain cabins, connecting cabins etc. There is typically a long wait on hold. There are typically posts on this board that morning about wait times, etc.

Thank you! That is great info!