VGT for Xmas?

[dreamer17555]

Okay I know the Christmas cruises are very overpriced but I'm really shocked to see the 12/22/25 4 Night on both the Dream and Wish are in restricted GT status... Well before PIF and I don't think I have seen a sailing actually over Christmas (like sailing on Christmas day itself) go into restricted GT status...

 

[Calantha]

Okay I know the Christmas cruises are very overpriced but I'm really shocked to see the 12/22/25 4 Night on both the Dream and Wish are in restricted GT status... Well before PIF and I don't think I have seen a sailing actually over Christmas (like sailing on Christmas day itself) go into restricted GT status...

I want it! Now to go convince DH...

Update: Just texted my travel agent.

 

[DCL58]

And the Treasure has fall VGT rates. Bookings must be soft for the fall and Christmas season.

I am waiting on VGT rates for the Fantasy for January.

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

This gives me hope during the spring break week I was hoping for

 

[DCLMP]

Okay I know the Christmas cruises are very overpriced but I'm really shocked to see the 12/22/25 4 Night on both the Dream and Wish are in restricted GT status... Well before PIF and I don't think I have seen a sailing actually over Christmas (like sailing on Christmas day itself) go into restricted GT status...

It's happened before.

 

[DCLMP]

And the Treasure has fall VGT rates. Bookings must be soft for the fall and Christmas season.

I am waiting on VGT rates for the Fantasy for January.

Fall is generally a good month for GT rates. People know to wait for discounts in the offseason.

 

[dreamer17555]

For those wondering-

Opening Day Price for Verandah for Wish 12/22/25- $6,040; VGT- $4,275

Opening Day Price for Verandah for Dream 12/22/25- $4,543; VGT- $3,258

 

[dreamer17555]

It's happened before.

In the last 5 years before PIF out of FL? I did research and could not find any. Could you share your data? Thanks!

 

[Cfabar1]

Lots of FL Resident rates right now... at good rates...

Tough to justify buying a placeholder right now...

 

[DCL58]

Fall is generally a good month for GT rates. People know to wait for discounts in the offseason.

We have 2 family bump out verandahs booked on the 10/16 Treasure sailing. Used placeholders and the price was about the same as the VGT rates that have just been released. These VGT rates just aren’t that much of a discount. We routinely booked VGT rates in the fall on the 7 night Fantasy sailings for around $3300.

 

[dreamer17555]

We have 2 family bump out verandahs booked on the 10/16 Treasure sailing. Used placeholders and the price was about the same as the VGT rates that have just been released. These VGT rates just aren’t that much of a discount. We routinely booked VGT rates in the fall on the 7 night Fantasy sailings for around $3300.

The ones for the Treasure are not great, but this is a pretty good discount off of opening day prices. Both of these are quite a bit better than you could do opening day with a placeholder.

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

Lots of FL Resident rates right now... at good rates...

Tough to justify buying a placeholder right now...

I agree with this 100%. We go on a 3 night the end of this month. I’ve been debating getting a two room placeholder. The only reason I can see that making sense right now is for a new ship. With the GTY and Florida resident rates continually being released it doesn’t make sense for a placeholder on any of the non new ships

 

[DCLMP]

We have 2 family bump out verandahs booked on the 10/16 Treasure sailing. Used placeholders and the price was about the same as the VGT rates that have just been released. These VGT rates just aren’t that much of a discount. We routinely booked VGT rates in the fall on the 7 night Fantasy sailings for around $3300.

The Treasure is new. I'd give it a year or two before prices come down to that level.

 

[juxtapose]

Random placeholder questions. We are sailing concierge in the fall on the Treasure. Can we get a placeholder for a future concierge cruise, or do they not work for concierge even if that was the room type that earned us the placeholder?

If you book with a placeholder, but a better VGT rate comes later, can you switch to the VGT?

 

[DCLMP]

In the last 5 years before PIF out of FL? I did research and could not find any. Could you share your data? Thanks!

You mean in the last three years since the Covid restart? Remember I've been cruising on DCL for a long time. I don't look at 2022-2024 as any data that's realistic.

 

[DCLMP]

Random placeholder questions. We are sailing concierge in the fall on the Treasure. Can we get a placeholder for a future concierge cruise, or do they not work for concierge even if that was the room type that earned us the placeholder?

If you book with a placeholder, but a better VGT rate comes later, can you switch to the VGT?

Yes, but you would have to cancel the placeholder or move the money over to the new booking. You can't convert a reservation into a GT booking.

 

[dreamer17555]

You mean in the last three years since the Covid restart? Remember I've been cruising on DCL for a long time. I don't look at 2022-2024 as any data that's realistic.

I would argue that looking at data before 2019 is not very indicative of where the company is at anymore or how travel is going. But can you share the last data you have for the last time you saw this offered?

Cruising has really taken off over the last few years not just for Disney but other lines as well, but I would love to see the data you have that shows when this was last offered so I can get a better idea of what was going on at that time

 

[DCLMP]

I would argue that looking at data before 2019 is not very indicative of where the company is at anymore or how travel is going. But can you share the last data you have for the last time you saw this offered?

Cruising has really taken off over the last few years not just for Disney but other lines as well, but I would love to see the data you have that shows when this was last offered so I can get a better idea of what was going on at that time

I'm not going to go back years and look for GT rates pre 2019 just to prove an argument with you. Were you not alive during the last recession?

The economy was pumped with money and low interests rates during covid which led to inflation. There was big travel surge and demand when covid restrictions were lifted in 2022. DCL took advantage of that and jacked up prices.

Demand is decreasing the economy is slowing. It's not rocket science. Expect to see more discounts over the next few years. Did you honestly think prices would continue to rise with stagnant wage growth? DCL will adjust and survive just like they always have.

 

[DCLMP]

​

Just to appease some you there. There is a 197 page thread from 2014-2020 that kept track of all the GT rates.


11/18/2019 Disney Dream, 4-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1748.08 - O: $1860.08 - V: $2028.08 (CHANGED)
11/22/2019 Disney Dream, 3-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, O: $1712.08 (CHANGED)
11/29/2019 Disney Dream, 3-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1736.08 - O: $1784.08 - V: $1904.08 (CHANGED)
12/02/2019 Disney Dream, 4-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1796.08 - O: $1932.08 - V: $2020.08 (CHANGED)
12/06/2019 Disney Dream, 3-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1640.08 - O: $1676.08 - V: $1706.08 (CHANGED)
12/13/2019 Disney Dream, 3-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1484.08 (CHANGED)
12/20/2019 Disney Dream, 3-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1880.08 - O: $1994.08 - V: $2138.08 (CHANGED)
01/13/2020 Disney Dream, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1696.78 (CHANGED)
08/24/2020 Disney Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1501.66 - O: $1561.66 - V: $1741.66
08/27/2020 Disney Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1615.66 - O: $1669.66 - V: $1819.66
11/30/2019 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Very Merrytime Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2766.42
12/07/2019 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $3148.16 - V: $3666.16 (CHANGED)
12/21/2019 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral with 2 Stops at Castaway Cay, I: $5615.88 - O: $5825.88
01/04/2020 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral with Star Wars Day at Sea, I: $3191.14 - O: $3275.14 (CHANGED)
01/11/2020 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral with Star Wars Day at Sea, V: $3494.24 (CHANGED)
01/25/2020 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral with Star Wars Day at Sea, I: $3144.48 - O: $3228.48 - V: $3494.48
02/08/2020 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral with Star Wars Day at Sea, I: $3109.14 - O: $3221.14 - V: $3431.14
02/22/2020 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral with Star Wars Day at Sea, I: $3383.48 - O: $3425.48 - V: $3859.48 (NEW)
02/29/2020 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral with Star Wars Day at Sea, I: $3262.38 - O: $3346.38 - V: $3612.38
03/07/2020 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $3761.48 - O: $3887.48 - V: $4111.48
08/22/2020 Disney Fantasy, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1576.10 - O: $1648.10 - V: $1798.10
11/20/2019 Disney Magic, 3-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Miami, V: $1564.00 (CHANGED)
12/07/2019 Disney Magic, 5-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami, V: $2640.04 (CHANGED)
12/12/2019 Disney Magic, 4-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Miami, I: $1676.00 - O: $1956.00 - V: $2052.00 (CHANGED)
12/21/2019 Disney Magic, 5-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami, I: $3093.60 - O: $3373.60 - V: $4213.60
01/04/2020 Disney Magic, 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami, I: $1981.26
01/14/2020 Disney Magic, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami, I: $1574.24 - O: $1782.24 - V: $2102.24 (CHANGED)
01/23/2020 Disney Magic, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami, I: $1495.00 - O: $1639.00 - V: $1799.00 (NEW)

 

[dreamer17555]

I'm not going to go back years and look for GT rates pre 2019 just to prove an argument with you. Were you not alive during the last recession?

The economy was pumped with money and low interests rates during covid which led to inflation. There was big travel surge and demand when covid restrictions were lifted in 2022. DCL took advantage of that and jacked up prices.

Demand is decreasing the economy is slowing. It's not rocket science. Expect to see more discounts over the next few years. Did you honestly think prices would continue to rise with stagnant wage growth? DCL will adjust and survive just like they always have.

The last major recession in 2008? Yes I was alive (though I was pretty young- mid 20s). DCL only had two ships with a maximum capacity total for both ships of 5000 passengers in 2008. With one ship doing longer 7 nights, and one shorter DCL only trying to fill 7,500 spots each week. Even doing the back of the napkin math for 2019 discount you found (thanks for that BTW). It is a big leap from filling 4 ships (2 of which hold 2,500 passengers per sailing) to 8 ships (2 at 2,500, 1 at 6,700, & 5 at 4,000 per sailing)

Cruise ships are not exactly like hotels when you can just take certain buildings or rooms out of inventory and not staff. And there are rising costs to just operating right now. Disney is a pretty big company so I’m sure it will be fine in the long run, but I do worry that they will start making cuts where they can to save money (things like nightly turned down service to cut down on the number of stateroom hosts working, fewer activities during the day so fewer entertainment CMs, things like that).

DCL does not have the additional income stream of a casino like most cruise lines. They don’t have add on dining packages and limited add on dining at all (and no drink packages or the ability to sell private flow rider lessons or waterpark coco cay passes).

I know you personally do not like that I’m keeping an eye on DCL’s bottom line or how much profit they’re making, but I am aware that if DCL becomes a less profitable product that they will find a way to make cuts to make it more profitable and guests might lose out on the stellar DCL service that we are used to. I also assume you love to debate me because if I post anything in a thread you are quick to reply to me and offer your opposite opinion which is what is nice about a debate on a forum like this.