Should I be in a rush to book a 2011 Western Cruise?

[Topscot]

I have been seeing all the excitement about booking on Monday Sept 28th. We are going to be booking our first Disney cruise for a 2011 Western. Do I need to be concerned with booking as soon as they become available?

With all the special cruises, would the prices for a Western go up that much after the first day or two? I am looking at a Category 5A or 5B.

We want to go during my daughter's spring break but the school district has not released the dates for 2011 yet. If I book for the April 23rd 2011 cruise, which would include Easter, and then I find out her Spring break is a different week, can I change the reservation and get a cheaper price? I am sure that Easter week will be very expensive!

 

[lbgraves]

The earlier you book the lower price you get and you get your pick of staterooms.

 

[HallsofVA]

I have been seeing all the excitement about booking on Monday Sept 28th. We are going to be booking our first Disney cruise for a 2011 Western. Do I need to be concerned with booking as soon as they become available?

With all the special cruises, would the prices for a Western go up that much after the first day or two? I am looking at a Category 5A or 5B.

We want to go during my daughter's spring break but the school district has not released the dates for 2011 yet. If I book for the April 23rd 2011 cruise, which would include Easter, and then I find out her Spring break is a different week, can I change the reservation and get a cheaper price? I am sure that Easter week will be very expensive!

I was going to suggest that you consider booking both weeks that you think the break may be, and then cancel the extra week once you find out for sure. That way you would lock in the early (and probably lower prices). However you would have to pay twice the deposit until you cancel and have it refunded. However, because the easterns and westerns alternate weeks usually, you wouldn't be able to book 2 westerns, you'd have to book 1 western and 1 eastern.

 

[croppincolburn]

I'm waiting for our school calendar to come out before I book. Calendar came out in Oct last year. I think it will again this year. I don't feel the need to rush to book. I don't want any special room. I have to consider my parents and SIL too so I'm going to wait until I get the official school calendar. Happy planning!

 

[Marty Moose]

I'm surprised (actually kind of shocked) that your district hasn't decided on dates yet!

Is it that they don't know....or have they just not released the school calendar? I know in our district they are sometimes late getting materials (ie the school calendar) out, but if I go to the district website the info is there. Have you tried calling the district office?

 

[Topscot]

Thanks for your replies!

I called the school district and they are waiting on the teachers to finalize their contract for the 2010-2011 school year. In the past, the spring breaks seems to have fallen the day after Easter, so I'm hoping that it continues to follow suit for 2011.

If I wait for the definite dates, which may take another month, do you think the prices would increase that much? Is there much different between a Category 6 and Category 5 room?

 

[runwad]

Thanks for your replies!

I called the school district and they are waiting on the teachers to finalize their contract for the 2010-2011 school year. In the past, the spring breaks seems to have fallen the day after Easter, so I'm hoping that it continues to follow suit for 2011.

If I wait for the definite dates, which may take another month, do you think the prices would increase that much? Is there much different between a Category 6 and Category 5 room?

Do you have the disney visa? That way you can book both weeks on there and you get 6 mos same as cash and you dont need to worry about the outlay of money for both deposits. Cancel the week you don't need when you get the info and it's a win win for you because you will know you're price didn't go up.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'm surprised (actually kind of shocked) that your district hasn't decided on dates yet!

Is it that they don't know....or have they just not released the school calendar? I know in our district they are sometimes late getting materials (ie the school calendar) out, but if I go to the district website the info is there. Have you tried calling the district office?

Our school district doesn't release the next year's calendar until approx Feb. Even then it's tentative until after school budget elections (Apr.) then final budget approval. We are in NJ also. What county are you in if you don't mind me asking?

Do you have the disney visa? That way you can book both weeks on there and you get 6 mos same as cash and you dont need to worry about the outlay of money for both deposits. Cancel the week you don't need when you get the info and it's a win win for you because you will know you're price didn't go up.

This is a great idea!

 

[my2princessgirls]

I have been seeing all the excitement about booking on Monday Sept 28th. We are going to be booking our first Disney cruise for a 2011 Western. Do I need to be concerned with booking as soon as they become available?

With all the special cruises, would the prices for a Western go up that much after the first day or two? I am looking at a Category 5A or 5B.

We want to go during my daughter's spring break but the school district has not released the dates for 2011 yet. If I book for the April 23rd 2011 cruise, which would include Easter, and then I find out her Spring break is a different week, can I change the reservation and get a cheaper price? I am sure that Easter week will be very expensive!

I think that you have already been given some good advice, I just wanted to make sure that you realized that the April 23, 2001 cruise is an Eastern and not a Western.

 

[Topscot]

I think that you have already been given some good advice, I just wanted to make sure that you realized that the April 23, 2001 cruise is an Eastern and not a Western.

Ahhhhhhhh! Totally missed that! I am sooo bummed. Thanks for pointing that out. Guess I'm stuck with an Eastern since I just found out from one of the other moms that Spring Break is always tied to Easter. I really, really wanted to go on a Western. Maybe my DH will enjoy the cruise so much, that he will want to go again?! I wanted to go to Stingray City so bad.

Well, what can you guys tell me about the Eastern ports.....

 

[Marty Moose]

Sorry! I guess I'd been staring at the computer screen too long as I was thinking your district still hadn't released the dates for THIS Spring!!

Yeah, that makes a little more sense then!

ruadisneyfan2 - We're in the Pennsville School District and for the past few years we have had the Friday before Easter and the Monday & Tuesday after off (no full week for us ) Sucks to have only the five day weekend, but at least it's consistent.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Ahhhhhhhh! Totally missed that! I am sooo bummed. Thanks for pointing that out. Guess I'm stuck with an Eastern since I just found out from one of the other moms that Spring Break is always tied to Easter. I really, really wanted to go on a Western. Maybe my DH will enjoy the cruise so much, that he will want to go again?! I wanted to go to Stingray City so bad.

Well, what can you guys tell me about the Eastern ports.....

Personally, we prefer the eastern. More sea days and we love beaches so St. Thos and St. Maarten and perfect for us. Just pristine sand and clear blue water, mountains, etc.

We took the sky tram thing at St. Thos. You can see St. Croix and PR in the distance. Really pretty view.

We are hoping to get back to an Eastern in 2011.

 

[Marty Moose]

The earlier you book the lower price you get and you get your pick of staterooms.

Do you expect the prices to increase the first day? I know in the past they've risen within hours of release...but I'm guessing that's for special itineraries?

 

[lbgraves]

I think that only the holiday week cruises like spring break will rise in price on 9/21. The others just haven't had the interest with the Alaskan cruises. Even the med & MR cruises have had minimal interest.