PIF benefit? When is first Navigator received?

[kathy_876]

Is there any benefit to paying off the cruise early? At what point do we find out what special events are offered and what we will be needing to get special tickets for? Thanks for the info. Newbie here!

 

[maeK89]

You won't get your Navigator until you get on the ship unfortunately. Not sure about any benefits to paying it off early other than fluctuating exchange rates if you're not American.

 

[ajmomouse]

No benefit to PIF early. You receive your first Navigator as you check in at the port. Other than here on the chat boards, press releases about major new events, looking at old navigators online, or calling DCL, there isn't another way to find out about special or ticketed events.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I tend to pay my cruise off early, more for the benefit of choosing when the exchange rate is good, and knowing its paid for. There are no incentives from DCL to pay it off early other than that.

First navigator is given as you check in at port.

Ticketed events can change cruise by cruise the best thing is to read older navigators for your cruise and have an idea and go straight to where the welcome on board navigator shows. If its not shown then go to guest services.

The Navigator app should be accessible in port as well.

 

[kathy_876]

I was interested in possibly booking a cabana on Castaway Cay. I'm not sure if I'm reading up to date info but seems you can do this 125 days ahead of the cruise but I'm assuming you can't book it until you've PIF. Is that true? Thanks for the info.

 

[savage1117]

I was interested in possibly booking a cabana on Castaway Cay. I'm not sure if I'm reading up to date info but seems you can do this 125 days ahead of the cruise but I'm assuming you can't book it until you've PIF. Is that true? Thanks for the info.

The 125 is the day shoreside concierge will take your requests if you are staying in a concierge room or suite.

 

[squirk]

If you are American (or otherwise paying in American dollars), I can see no benefit in paying early. You don't get to check in any earlier, and if you PIF way in advance, that's almost like giving DCL a short-term interest-free loan on money that otherwise could have been growing or earning interest for you.

Now, if you are a person who likes to just pay up and have the peace of mind that that portion of the cruise is 100% squared away, or if you are unsure if you are disciplined enough to have the balance ready and available on your due date, then maybe PIF or paying in installments is right for you.

 

[Dug720]

The primary benefit in paying early is IT IS PAID FOR and you can put money aside for onboard expenditures, excursions, etc. You don't have to worry about forgetting when it's due (there's been at least one report either here or on CC where a woman was irate that Disney cancelled her cruise because she missed her payment date - apparently she's used to having her hand held and getting constant reminder notices and/or cruiselines that automatically charge the card of initial payment and she had no clue how to write something down on a calendar?) or accidentally spending the money meant for the cruise.

 

[TestingH2O]

The only advantage I haven't seen listed is if your PIF is after your booking window opens. My understanding is that you can't book stuff until PIF. So, if sailing concierge or if you are high CC, you would need to pay before your due date to get the benefit of early booking window.

 

[timrousbeastie]

The 125 is the day shoreside concierge will take your requests if you are staying in a concierge room or suite.

You have to have paid in full before shoreside can help with reservations. Since I had only paid for our suite before the 125 window, they could not book port adventures etc for the members of our party in other staterooms (non-concierge at the time, I later upgraded everyone). Shoreside was creative, however, and did everything they could to accommodate my requests, including adding Remy reservations for everyone. We got our cabana and van+driver with room for the full party as well so the only remaining problem ended up being the port adventures where you book for each person individually. When shoreside made me aware of the issue for the guests who were not PIF, I paid off the balance and they immediately made the last few bookings. They really did everything they could within their rules to help us.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

The only advantage I haven't seen listed is if your PIF is after your booking window opens. My understanding is that you can't book stuff until PIF. So, if sailing concierge or if you are high CC, you would need to pay before your due date to get the benefit of early booking window.

in my experience I agree with this.

You have to have paid in full before shoreside can help with reservations. Since I had only paid for our suite before the 125 window, they could not book port adventures etc for the members of our party in other staterooms (non-concierge at the time, I later upgraded everyone). Shoreside was creative, however, and did everything they could to accommodate my requests, including adding Remy reservations for everyone. We got our cabana and van+driver with room for the full party as well so the only remaining problem ended up being the port adventures where you book for each person individually. When shoreside made me aware of the issue for the guests who were not PIF, I paid off the balance and they immediately made the last few bookings. They really did everything they could within their rules to help us.

For us they advised us as TestingH20 and you can ask shoreside to book at 125 days but only need to be PIF at your PIF date and not at 125 days.

 

[timrousbeastie]

For us they advised us as TestingH20 and you can ask shoreside to book at 125 days but only need to be PIF at your PIF date and not at 125 days.

Thanks for clarifying: it must be a concierge benefit that I was not aware of.

 

[kathy_876]

Is there a list of when the booking windows are? I believe as a first time cruiser our PIF date is the same as our booking window for 75 days prior. Just curious if this is true and what other windows are for previous cruisers. thanks

 

[clten]

Is there a list of when the booking windows are? I believe as a first time cruiser our PIF date is the same as our booking window for 75 days prior. Just curious if this is true and what other windows are for previous cruisers. thanks

Booking windows are:
120 days Concierge and Platinum Castaway Club
105 days Gold Castaway Club
90 days Silver Castaway Club
75 days All guests

This is the booking window for onboard activities (Remy, Palo, Spa, Nursery) as well as port adventures -- you have to be paid in full to make these types of activities. This is also the window for doing your online check-in (selecting your port arrival time and completing "paperwork"). You do not have to be paid in full to do online check in (if your window opens before your PIF date).