tips for booking next cruise?

[byon_and_lara]

My family of 6 is about to take our first Disney cruise in a little over a week (4 day Wonder)...so exciting!! Since we are from the west coast, I am pretty sure that I want to take the West coast cruise next summer. My parents are not coming with us this time because of issues with flying and my dad, but I would love for them to join us next year (they live about 20 miles from the dock in LA).

Here's the question...I've been waiting to book next year's cruise until I'm on the ship to get a better deal. But now I'm starting to panic about availability. I'm happy with the cheapest cabins (we need two for the 8 of us), cause taking four kids on a vacation like this is pricey enough without the luxury of a window...hehe. What kind of deal can I expect booking on the ship or as a castaway club member? Is is worth it for me to wait? Might I get a comparable deal with Dreams Unlimited...or somewhere else? Is it possible to book sooner and get a price break adjustment after we officially become CC members?

Thanks so much!!

Lara

 

[mommykeg]

I think the West Coast cruises are booking fast. We're sailing on July 9, 2005...and the only availablility I found at this point is for category 4 cabins. Not cheap, especially at the West Coast premiums. I'm glad we booked early!!!

 

[westjones]

Looks like All Seasons Travel still has cat. 11 rooms for those sailings:

http://cruises.allseastravel.com/c/5/5738/1800638_5738.htm

I think they 'hold' rooms as if they are booked and then they are taken out of DCL inventory (so that is why they won't show up on the DCL website).

From what I understand, you can't use the onboard special with All Seasons Travel because it is as if that room was already booked (maybe someone can clarify that point), so it wouldn't be worth waiting for the onboard special if you decide to use them.

Good Luck!
DJ

 

[kcashner]

No, it is not possible to book now and get a price adjusted downward after your sailing since you are a castaway club member. However, you can book now and then see what the price is when you are on board. IF it is a better deal, you can book that, then cancel the original reservation. The only problem with this is that you have tied up your deposit twice. It taked DCL a while to get around to returning your deposit. However, at least you will know that you are on board.

There are generally no price breaks for previous sailings except the deal of rebooking while on board. That deal changes periodically, so you have to see what the offer is while you are sailing. Recently, it has been the 10% off and $200 per stateroom credit.

After you re-book while on board, you can transfer your reservation to a discount TA and get a little further saving.