Paying cruise off early ?

[quinnc19]

Is there any reason not to do it? For example, what if lower fares are released (is that even a possibility for May 20 cruise)? Can I still cancel?

If I do it, I can book Palo, etc. early being a CC member. And the money won't really be tied up since I'll use my Disney VISA.

Thanks for your input!!

 

[HallsofVA]

I usually pay the cruise off just in time for me to be able to book items early (unless the PIF date is earlier like for the med and transatlantic cruises). There are certain things you can't do after you have paid in full. One is transfer your reservation to a travel agent. But it's more that I would rather have my money in my pocket as long as possible than in the Mouse's pocket.

 

[tvguy]

Given the dismal interest rates on savings accounts, I sure can't see any reason to wait to pay off a cruise.

 

[mr.b]

I will never again pay off a cruise early. We are Florida residents. We have been on 10 DCL cruises so far, and managed to get upgraded on 5 of them. What we do, is moniter the web sites (3 of them) to check on Florida resident rates or lower prices. We have been able to get our cruises for less than the original cost, plus get upgrades from category 11's and 9's, that ended up being category 6's and 5's.On our last cruise in November, we got $380 back and went from a category 9 to a category 5. My travel friends had nicknamed me upgrade man, as I was also able to assist them in getting upgrades as well.

Now DCL has started a new policy...no price decreases once you pay your cruise in full (either early, or by the paid in full date). This affected us for the upcoming eastbound transatlantic cruise in April. Disney said no to us when we saw the price drop by $100 per person. So basically, if you pay your cruise off early, if the price drops by a lot of money, oh well, too bad for you. I wrote a 2 page letter to Disney regarding this, and on Weds., someone from the cruiseline called me, listened to what I had to say, and basically said that this would be their policy.

Now we will wait until the very last possible day to pay off our cruise (probably just hold back a couple of hundred dollars). The DCL needs to change this policy. My friends and family are very upset, and it has left a bad taste in our mouths. Hang on to your cash, and explore other cruise line options. I never thought that I would be saying this, but check out other cruise lines.

 

[Henlady]

Quinnc19
We are on the May 20th 3-night cruise. I have also been debating about paying the cruise off so I can make Palo ressies on the 19th. I can tell you exactly what will happen. I'll pay the cruise off on the 15th. Make my Palo ressies on the 19th and on the 20th, the cruise price will drop about $500 a person. It is guaranteed!!!!

 

[quinnc19]

Thanks for that info; that is disappointing to hear. I'm pretty locked into Disney right now with DD 2 1/2. Because I hope but am not sure she'll be potty trained by our cruise in May, I think what I'll do is pay it off a couple of days before the 75 day mark so at least I'll get a jump on the non-CC members for Flounders reservations.

 

[quinnc19]

That is what I'm on, also I recently decided I couldn't wait until next May for our Alaska cruise, so I booked this one

Quinnc19
We are on the May 20th 3-night cruise. I have also been debating about paying the cruise off so I can make Palo ressies on the 19th. I can tell you exactly what will happen. I'll pay the cruise off on the 15th. Make my Palo ressies on the 19th and on the 20th, the cruise price will drop about $500 a person. It is guaranteed!!!!

 

[Henlady]

Our traveling party will consist of me, DH, DD(26), DGS(just shy of 3 at sail time), DS(28) and his DF(28). The "kids" have never cruised before and I tried to talk them into at least a 4 night cruise, but they wanted 5 nights at Disney first then the 3 night cruise. I told them they are going to be sorry.

 

[quinnc19]

Perhaps your GS and my DD will be Club buddies? She's turning 3 in June.

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

Mr. B, that can't be the case for FL resident rates can it? For our cruise last Oct. DH and I were refunded for the resident rate, but that was a little after the 75 day mark. Are they changing the dates the rates come out for FL residents? I really like getting that little bonus back (that we just end up using onboard)

 

[mr.b]

Disneycruiser83

I was told this last month by my Dreams Unlimited travel agent. I was also told of this by a rep from the DCL on Weds. of this week. Do not pay your cruise off early.

 

[taswira]

If that is DCL's new policy, it is hard to believe they'd make such a decision. In effect, they will cause most people to hold onto their money and in many cases even book late.

For my recent Jan. 9th sailing, FL resident rates were not available for my category until long after my final payment due date (although I paid early at the 120 day mark). It was about 3 weeks before my cruise that I called DCL and managed to get a thousand dollars off, which I asked for in onboard credit with any remainder fully refundable. No problem. But had this new policy been in effect, I would have been out $1,000 while late bookers who had not let DCL have all that money early would be able to grab an FL res rate. If this is to be the case, I doubt it will continue for long. It's simply not good business and no way to treat loyal guests/clients.

 

[Henlady]

Quinnc19
Not to move the thread in another direction, but to answer your prior reply:

It would be cute if they would be club buddies. GS will be 3 in late June. We're hopeing that he will decide to potty train by the time we leave for our May vacation. Right now he's "iffy" about it. Sometimes he cooporates, other times he wants nothing to do with it. That's a boy for you though.

 

[shasess]

Quinnc19
We are on the May 20th 3-night cruise. I have also been debating about paying the cruise off so I can make Palo ressies on the 19th. I can tell you exactly what will happen. I'll pay the cruise off on the 15th. Make my Palo ressies on the 19th and on the 20th, the cruise price will drop about $500 a person. It is guaranteed!!!!

My family will be on the May 20th cruise as well! We can't wait!

OP, thanks for posting this question as I was going to pay off our cruise this weekend but I'll probably wait until a little closer to our Palo booking date.