Strategy to get the cheapest verandah room for May 2024 Alaska?

[DisneyFave]

Hi! I am new to ALL cruising, so Disney's VGT offering especially confuses me. We were originally going to book 4 VGT rooms in Aug 2023 but it's not looking possible for our family reunion. We agreed that maybe May 2024 would be best, but I am not seeing VGT discounts on Disney's website for those sailings. It seems like May is not super popular because kids are in school. Is our best bet for pricing to book right away on March 30 (when they open to the public)? Or wait until VGT room pricing is released? If so, when is VGT pricing usually released?

Thank you and excuse me if this is a very basic question!!!

 

[OpieDoodle]

For me for Alaska, I'd probably go ahead and book as early as possible for a few reasons. #1 I'd want to pick what side of the ship I'm going to be on. I am that person that researches each port to see what will be seen from each side of the ship. So I'd want to make sure the big things I want to see are on the side of the ship I want to be on. Can't do that if Disney picks your room.

I haven't paid attention enough to Alaska cruises specifically BUT I do know that the VGT rates do not always beat "opening day" rates. So for me the benefit to picking my own room and knowing there isn't a guarantee waiting will get me a better rate I'd jump right in on it.

 

[Freeman867]

Just to be clear, you do know that VGT rooms cannot be guaranteed to be together and it's almost a given that your rooms will be split up. Is that worth the possible slight cost savings?

 

[Mommb]

VGT (veranda with restrictions) typically don’t become available until a few months before a cruise, so you won’t find a VGT offer for May 2024 until this winter at the earliest. I would definitely book as soon as booking opens, and cancel/rebook if VGTs with a better fare open before final payment is due.

 

[DisneyFave]

Thank you all! Generally when is final payment due? Is there a difference between booking with an agent vs direct?

 

[kiford]

There is also no guarantee that there will even be VGT available on any sailing. It typically only happens after a certain number of staterooms are already booked but the ship still isn't full - it's an attempt to fill the ship by selling rooms at a lower price which are not in any one location/category but are scattered about. The *GT category generally only becomes available very close to sailing - one of the reasons why it's non-refundable and must be paid in full at the time of booking and no occupant substitutions are allowed - so if you wait to see if the *GT becomes available and it doesn't, you may be SOL. They are also usually a discount with respect to the regular bookings at the time but may be higher priced than booking as early as possible.

You're probably best to book now and choose what you want rather than gamble and take your chances of paying more. If you have to cancel because it isn't going to work out, just check the cancellation dates and make sure you make a decision before you can't get your deposit back.

 

[Mommb]

Thank you all! Generally when is final payment due? Is there a difference between booking with an agent vs direct?

Cancellation penalties begin after 90 days in advance for 1-5 night cruises and 120 days in advance for cruises of 6 nights or more. I'm not sure if this is the same as a final payment date -- we've been making our payment 120 days in advance since turning Platinum, so we can book excursions.

There is no difference in costs if you book with an agent or directly through Disney Cruise. Some agents will ask you to make a final payment a few days earlier than DCL requires to ensure that the payment arrives at DCL on time.

Some travel agencies offer an onboard credit or other gifts for bookings made with them.

 

[CapnCrunch]

I am also looking at an Alaskan sailing around the same time frame (late May to early June 2024).

Not to give you false hope, but there are 3 Alaskan sailings this May (2023) that have VGT rates much lower than opening day rates. For example, May 29 - June 5 the lowest verandah rate is $7719 (matches opening day rate) vs the VGT rate at $5521.

To be safe, your best bet would be to book the cruise you want now, and if a VGT rate comes available you can cancel/rebook/transfer your deposit to the VGT booking.

 

[DisneyFave]

I am also looking at an Alaskan sailing around the same time frame (late May to early June 2024).

Not to give you false hope, but there are 3 Alaskan sailings this May (2023) that have VGT rates much lower than opening day rates. For example, May 29 - June 5 the lowest verandah rate is $7719 (matches opening day rate) vs the VGT rate at $5521.

To be safe, your best bet would be to book the cruise you want now, and if a VGT rate comes available you can cancel/rebook/transfer your deposit to the VGT booking.

Thank you so much for this info!! So for 7 night cruises I am seeing that final payment is due 120 days out. Are VGT rates usually released before the 120 day mark? We don't care much about being next door to each other.

 

[CapnCrunch]

Thank you so much for this info!! So for 7 night cruises I am seeing that final payment is due 120 days out. Are VGT rates usually released before the 120 day mark? We don't care much about being next door to each other.

I first noticed the VGT rate I mentioned above (for the May 29 - June 5 sailing) on Dec 15, 2022. ~160ish days out so it's definitely possible it could be released before PIF date.

 

[o&smom]

In the past VGT rates did not show up before paid in full date. This year they have been posted months before they usually are.