Sep2015 Magic WB Transatlantic already sold out?

[vivapataca]

I am pretty sure a couple of weeks ago there were still a lot of openings for all categories, but now they are all sold out.

Any idea what's going on?

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

It's a popular itinerary because of having a lot of sea day.

 

[mytripsandraces]

I am pretty sure a couple of weeks ago there were still a lot of openings for all categories, but now they are all sold out.

Any idea what's going on?

It looks like the Eastern Bound Panama Canal cruise will be in October next year.

 

[fardwarker]

I know when it all the sudden sold out, I started looking to see if anyone was getting cancel calls - but it just appears to have been sold out - strange. This will be my 3rd T/A, and I'm looking forward to having that extra hour every night this time

 

[SillyInventor]

Two things went on:
first: It's an ultimate at-sea itinerary with so many days at sea and in between only half a day at Funchal (8am - 1.45pm), so it has attracted sea-day lovers.
Second: as DCL expected this to be a fast and boring crossing pricing was set very low for DCL standards. This lead to very low per-night cost, which obviously attracted many people.

As a bonus: if you B2B this with the next 4-day Bahama's cruise out of Miami, you will have a kind-of double dip at CC and a meet-up with the Dream in Nassau.

 

[ImprovGal]

Two things went on:
first: It's an ultimate at-sea itinerary with so many days at sea and in between only half a day at Funchal (8am - 1.45pm), so it has attracted sea-day lovers.
Second: as DCL expected this to be a fast and boring crossing pricing was set very low for DCL standards. This lead to very low per-night cost, which obviously attracted many people.

As a bonus: if you B2B this with the next 4-day Bahama's cruise out of Miami, you will have a kind-of double dip at CC and a meet-up with the Dream in Nassau.

I don't think this cruise is actually sold out. If the demand had been there, I suspect we would have seen prices climb as they did for the May EBTA.

Yes, it does appeal to sea-day/longer cruise lovers. However, it is also concurrent with the Wonder's Hawaii cruises so I think repeat cruisers may have been torn to decide between the two.

I think the cruise is just temporarily blocked to do a bit of occupancy or fare analysis and perhaps guaranty cabin assignments/etc.

 

[clten]

I don't think this cruise is actually sold out. If the demand had been there, I suspect we would have seen prices climb as they did for the May EBTA.

Yes, it does appeal to sea-day/longer cruise lovers. However, it is also concurrent with the Wonder's Hawaii cruises so I think repeat cruisers may have been torn to decide between the two.

I think the cruise is just temporarily blocked to do a bit of occupancy or fare analysis and perhaps guaranty cabin assignments/etc.

I have to agree. I would find it very hard to believe that this cruise is actually sold out. All other TA cruises Disney has done, they have had to work to fill the ship -- most offering special deals and very good *GT rates. Most of them start off with a very good price per night so I don't think the pricing on this one was very different than past years. If I remember correctly, they had a hard time filling the mostly at sea TA they did this year. Competing with themselves (with the Hawaii cruises) in an off peak season, they might be analyzing this cruise to see what they can do to fill it.

 

[CastMember 02]

Yes, WBTA rates are usually amazing if you can afford that much time off and truly do enjoy sea days. we went this year on the magic and paid $690pp for an 11B. Best Cruise Ever!!!

 

[Gilland18]

I have to agree. I would find it very hard to believe that this cruise is actually sold out. All other TA cruises Disney has done, they have had to work to fill the ship -- most offering special deals and very good *GT rates. Most of them start off with a very good price per night so I don't think the pricing on this one was very different than past years. If I remember correctly, they had a hard time filling the mostly at sea TA they did this year. Competing with themselves (with the Hawaii cruises) in an off peak season, they might be analyzing this cruise to see what they can do to fill it.

This was my initial reaction, too. I heard several weeks ago that it was showing sold out so I've randomly checked since then. A few days ago, a single 1 BR suite showed up available. It was back to sold out then next day. It's acting like a sold out cruise. Guess we'll find out in the next few months.

 

[vivapataca]

I think the cruise is just temporarily blocked to do a bit of occupancy or fare analysis and perhaps guaranty cabin assignments/etc.

This.


Also from the disneycruiseline blog back in May ....

For some reason there is a gap between September 5th and September 18 for the Disney Magic following her last scheduled Mediterran cruise. This itinerary gap would allow for two additional 7-night Mediterranean cruises before the Transatlantic, but the Disney Magic requires an out of water hull inspection twice during a five year span, not exceeding 3 years. Based on this criteria and an estimated lengthy re-imagination of the Disney Wonder in 2016, it is likely (albeit unconfirmed) that the Disney Magic will return to Cadiz for the two week period.

Maybe I am over-cautious, but if I were booked on this TA cruise, I would just stay put and not booking any air flight for now.

 

[CurtisB]

cruisefish.com only lists one catagory still available. That seems suspicious to me.

 

[SillyInventor]

Maybe I am over-cautious, but if I were booked on this TA cruise, I would just stay put and not booking any air flight for now.

Not much to worry. This will just be a two week's maintenance dry-dock, not a re-imagineering, Possibly some afterwork on the re-imagineering as it will be in the same shipyard (Cadiz, Spain). Therefore a very low risk of works not completed when sailing TA.

 

[jeanmonti]

I am pretty sure a couple of weeks ago there were still a lot of openings for all categories, but now they are all sold out.

Any idea what's going on?

About two weeks ago there were a couple inside cabin's available. I didn't book it right away, went back to book it and they were gone. I called to see what was going on and the customer svc rep said they had two ocean view's left - we would have had to book two rooms because neither OV could accommodate our family of four. I reserved them, but kept checking the website and the inside cabin opened up again. An inside cabin opened up and I booked it right away. I've seen the concierge room open for a couple days.

I felt we had got a fantastic rate - $3,200 for our family of four. I talked to a couple of friends that travel often and they said not to wait on the airfare - that chances are flights start to go up - who knows, but I booked the flight from chicago to barcelona for $2900. Crazy because it was almost the same price as the 11 night cruise!

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Was the $3200 for one inside or two OVs? Just curious.

The flights are CRAZY expensive, they are as much as a one way. I actually think you got a pretty good deal (comparatively) because you are flying from a major city.

 

[jeanmonti]

Was the $3200 for one inside or two OVs? Just curious.

The flights are CRAZY expensive, they are as much as a one way. I actually think you got a pretty good deal (comparatively) because you are flying from a major city.

The $3200 is for one inside cabin (and that is including taxes and fees.) Category 10C. I noticed the flight dropped to $2300 a day after I booked but I decided I'm not going to make myself crazy over it anymore. Aer lingus said they don't adjust or give you an account credit if prices fluctuate after booking. Where are you flying from? Seems like there were decent fares out of New York as well on that airline if you can find a flight to ny.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Oh no, sorry, we aren't going--we did the WBTA last year and in 2011. You are in for a treat, those are my favorite cruises!