Pls help me decide: 4/26/03 or 5/10/03 Western??

[MFan]

It's been a while since we last looked into cruising. With two new babies in the past 2-1/2 year (in addition to a 4-1/2 yrs. old), we haven't had much time for anything else. But, now that our 3rd child, DD, is 1, we're going to plan one for next Spring.

We picked these 2 dates because I heard the cabin prices are lower for the period after Easter and before Memorial, and the weather should be quite warm. Does anyone see any differences between these 2 travel dates? Can anyone recommend one over the other and why? I haven't looked into prices yet. So, I don't know if there is any difference there.

I'm currently favoring the 4/26/03 date because according to historical rainfall averages, April is a much dryer month than May (which is the beginning of the rain season for much of the Caribbean).

I plan to reserve our cabins soon, so any advice/experience you can share will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Jillie]

Mark

Sounds like you have been busy!!! We are booked on the 4/26/03 Western cruise and I know that several decks are already sold out so I would say book quickly. We went this year on the 4/20/02 Eastern cruise and our weather was perfect with calm seas except for one day when the seas were considered moderate. Good luck with your decision!

 

[prymsu]

since it is so close in time, I would choose according to price and category that you want...

 

[MFan]

Wow! I'd better hurry if it's starting to fill up already! I guess I'll select whichever date that can give me the best value.

 

[newhampshire4]

When I had priced it out, 4/26 & 5/24 Western's had the same rates, but 5/10 Western was $300 less than those other two weeks (for the Cat. 5 & 6). 4/26 week could only "guarantee" a category 6, not a specific room number, and many of the cat. 5's were already booked (I wanted a room booked, as I didn't want to chance it and be miserable all week in a very forward room!)....... so, yes, that cruise is filling up fast!

 

[MFan]

Thanks, everyone. We ended up picking the 5/10/03 date because of room availability and price. It's amazing how quickly they are filling up this far ahead. Most news articles I have read about the cruise industry seemed to indicate the opposite. How the influx of new mega ships and the delivery of the open orders are outpacing the market demand, so prices should remain soft for the forseeable future, etc... Oh well, I guess Disney must be in a class by itself.

 

[two4ruff]

We booked on the 5/10/03 cruise awhile back...seems so far off!

See you on board!

 

[PiperG]

We are on 1/25/03 Magic. I know its earlier than you planned but we have a 5 year old DS and could link dinner ressies.