POLL -- How many cancelled out?

[JJsmama]

Didn't book. I was interested in the longer Caribbean cruises but the prices were insane. It would cost much less to simply go to a 5-star resort in the Caribbean than to go on the cruise. .

This is what I was thinking. DH and the teens would prefer this anyway- more beach time and island exploring. Dh and i spent a great week in St Maarten a couple years ago and I would like to take my boys to one of the other islands next summer. Next years's DCL EAstern and Southern are at least $20,0000 for the 5 of us

 

[RedSox68]

I didn't book. The prices were outrageous. And I was prepared. I booked Norway in 2015.

On DCL's opening day I booked a 12 day BI cruise on Princess. I'm paying $6800 for an extended balcony for two. On DCL this year that room priced at $14000. No thanks. I'll be canceling my placeholder.

You will love Princess. We took our first cruise last August doing the British Isles 12-night cruise. As I mentioned on another price thread, we got a quote from Disney for the exact same cruise for a verandah room, and it was $11,000 MORE than the same itinerary and room on Princess. That was for 3 adults. That's another two cruises for us. There is no justification for these insane prices anymore -- lots of other good cruise lines with the same itineraries who don't require you take a second mortgage on your home or give up your kids' college fund!

 

[RedSox68]

I went ahead and booked a weekender on the Dream for Labor Day weekend. It is actually $200 less than what I paid in 2014 during the first Christmas weekend...and $400 cheaper than Labor Day prices for THIS year. (5E aft corner wrap stateroom)

I also got the same exact room (but mirror image of last trip so I'll get a good view of CC when docked)...it's exactly what I wanted so I went ahead and booked. I'm happy with my decision.

And that's all that matters. Glad it worked out!

 

[RedSox68]

I wish I could change my vote...keeping my July 17 cruise but actively looking at other spring break options instead of my 4 night; more days for a couple of hundred more dollars.

I put in a change your vote option -- you should be able to change it on the poll.

 

[RedSox68]

This is what I was thinking. DH and the teens would prefer this anyway- more beach time and island exploring. Dh and i spent a great week in St Maarten a couple years ago and I would like to take my boys to one of the other islands next summer. Next years's DCL EAstern and Southern are at least $20,0000 for the 5 of us

Just to put that into perspective -- think about it, that's a car; a downpayment on a house; two years college tuition (in some instances), or possibly 3-4 vacations rather than just one. Even if you don't intend to sail anything but Disney, it's hard to swallow those prices. We hope someday to sail Disney again so we can use our platinum benefits, but as retirement years loom -- the prices would have to be a lot more reasonable.

 

[ludari]

Okay, I didn't book when I received my quote but I'm not looking elsewhere either. I do have an existing reservation with Disney that I made when I sailed in November and I will continue to cruise with Disney when I find a cruise that is within my budget.

 

[RedSox68]

That's a GREAT rate for Alaska!! We are going 5/23 and generally the first couple weeks are the least expensive. Our 5A came to $6219 with an OBB so that is almost 2x as much as yours. I think oceanview is great, that verandah is going to be cold brrrrrrrrrrrr

Gotta say that we had a verandah when we sailed in May 2012 on HAL -- and loved it. The reason we got it is all my friends and co-workers who had done Alaska before said you gotta do a verandah. I thought it would be too cold also -- but they provided wool blankets for the verandah loungers, hot chocolate, etc. on order and the views were spectacular. We spent most of our time out there during Glacier Bay because they had the narrator streaming on the TV and we got some tremendous pictures. But the next time, if we can't afford verandah pricing (we had lucked out with that), then we would be just fine with an oceanview I am sure. It's all about the places you are visiting, and not the room itself.

 

[RedSox68]

We are holding out hope that maybe we can do our 11th cruise (to use our platinum benefits) with the westbound Panama Canal or the westbound transatlantic when prices are released. We shall see

UGH, and we wanted to say we've done all the Disney ships -- so not looking forward to seeing what pricing the new ships bring

 

[abja09]

I booked the 7 night Mediterranean cruise on August 19, 2017. As I watched the opening day thread I was scared about pricing but it was not as bad as I thought and pretty comparable to this year. I had an OBB so it was even better. It's my sons graduation present and we are excited!!

 

[RedSox68]

I booked the 7 night Mediterranean cruise on August 19, 2017. As I watched the opening day thread I was scared about pricing but it was not as bad as I thought and pretty comparable to this year. I had an OBB so it was even better. It's my sons graduation present and we are excited!!

Oh man do I want to be your grandchild! Great present, and you'll have a great time for sure. We did the 10-might Med with Disney in 2007 and it was amazing.

 

[daisyx3]

I booked the 7 night Mediterranean cruise on August 19, 2017. As I watched the opening day thread I was scared about pricing but it was not as bad as I thought and pretty comparable to this year. I had an OBB so it was even better. It's my sons graduation present and we are excited!!

Jeez don't tell my son, he just got a 4 day Dream.

 

[NancyIL]

We are holding out hope that maybe we can do our 11th cruise (to use our platinum benefits) with the westbound Panama Canal or the westbound transatlantic when prices are released. We shall see

UGH, and we wanted to say we've done all the Disney ships -- so not looking forward to seeing what pricing the new ships bring

I'm pretty sure you mean eastbound Panama Canal.

Celebrity's Oct. 9, 2017 15-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale is only $51 less than the Wonder's April 2017 14-night PC cruise (in the least expensive inside cabin - which is what I book). If DCL prices their October 2017 Panama Canal cruise the same as the April one - I'd be happy to book it. Other cruise lines have better PC itineraries, but I'd like to do it on Disney just to be back on the Wonder.

 

[RedSox68]

I'm pretty sure you mean eastbound Panama Canal.

Celebrity's Oct. 9, 2017 15-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale is only $51 less than the Wonder's April 2017 14-night PC cruise (in the least expensive inside cabin - which is what I book). If DCL prices their October 2017 Panama Canal cruise the same as the April one - I'd be happy to book it. Other cruise lines have better PC itineraries, but I'd like to do it on Disney just to be back on the Wonder.

ARGH -- you're right. I had westbound on the brain. Yes, we did eastbound in 2005 and loved it. Don't want to do westbound -- to many hours lost LOL

When we did it, it was on the Magic. I've only been on the Wonder twice, so it would be nice to sail with her again. I always thought she looked a little more worn than the Magic, even though the Magic is older.

 

[NancyIL]

ARGH -- you're right. I had westbound on the brain. Yes, we did eastbound in 2005 and loved it. Don't want to do westbound -- to many hours lost LOL

When we did it, it was on the Magic. I've only been on the Wonder twice, so it would be nice to sail with her again. I always thought she looked a little more worn than the Magic, even though the Magic is older.

There are only 3 time zone changes between Florida and California - unlike the 5-6 between Florida and Dover or Copenhagen. On the EBTA, most time changes occurred on sea days, so it wasn't bad.

 

[jimmiej]

Now that the dust has settled and people have recuperated from the shock, just curious what everyone's decisions ended up being.

We got quotes, but let the holds expire -- I don't want to have to take a second mortgage for one trip!

We are looking at other lines.

Same here. Very disappointed. Wanted to go on The Be Our Guest Podcast Cruise, July 2017.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I booked a couple, but I really wanted a fall double dip. So, if one comes available, I'll be switching my June one for fall.

 

[darnheather]

When will winter 2017 rates come out?

 

[RedSox68]

There are only 3 time zone changes between Florida and California - unlike the 5-6 between Florida and Dover or Copenhagen. On the EBTA, most time changes occurred on sea days, so it wasn't bad.

I remember the travel reports on the Dis with the eastbound passengers bemoaning losing so many hours going over. On the other hand, coming back was wonderful -- gaining an hour almost every day or so was bliss

 

[RedSox68]

When will winter 2017 rates come out?

Since Disney isn't doing anything like the past, it can only be guessed that IF they follow previous years, I think they were announced in May or June.

 

[darnheather]

Since Disney isn't doing anything like the past, it can only be guessed that IF they follow previous years, I think they were announced in May or June.

Thanks. I would guess that would be the next time we could even start to afford one. Thankfully, we don't have to follow any school dates though my oldest would be unhappy if she misses too much soccer.