Western Caribbean - Sept 19th

[firstcruise]

I would like to take the 7 day WC cruise on the 19th and wanted to get some input on how busy this time is and the type of rates available. When is the official offseason for summer travel on cruises? I figured everyone would be back in school already by that time and would reduce the passenger loan, which might lead to lower fares.

For seasoned cruisers is this logical or it really doesn't matter when you go the fares are pretty similiar in September as the summer? Not looking to go any other week than the 19th cruise.

 

[CurlyBlueEyes]

The rates are usually lower in Sept and October because of kids being in school and hurricane season. We got a great deal, but we booked way back in February. What you may find is that there are fewer kids on board that are school aged. But there are still plenty of kids, proportionately more 4 years and younger. In my cruising group, we are all adults and we will be choosing late seating where there are fewer kids as well.

We are on this cruise (Western 9/19) come join the meet thread

 

[Aunt Jo]

We will be on that particular cruise. I picked it because it was the least expensive of all that I checked. The reason it is the least expensive is because it's at the height of the hurricane season. So you are in luck price wise if this is the only time you can sail. Prices vary a lot from season to season.

 

[lbgraves]

There are going to be a lot of kids no matter when you go. Many people...including us...do not have a problem taking the kids out of school for a week as long as it does not interfere with testing/assessments. On our December cruises there were over 1200 kids onboard just between the ages of 3 and 12 registered in the club and lab. That does NOT include the kids in Flounders or the Stack/Aloft.

 

[firstcruise]

There are still Cat 4-12 cabins available for this sailing. Is that normal for a cruise less than 3 months out? I want to wait as long as possible, but then again I want a Cat 6 verandah cabin too! Is the final cutoff to pay for existing reservations 60 days out? I'm going to at least wait until the cutoff to see if the price comes down some more or wait and see if a cast member rate become available. Would be nice to get the sail avalable rate, but then you have to wait until real close to the cruise before they come out.

 

[lbgraves]

The final payment date is 75 days. If CC members want to book at 90 days they need to be PIF by then.

 

[ibouncetoo]

There are still Cat 4-12 cabins available for this sailing. Is that normal for a cruise less than 3 months out? I want to wait as long as possible, but then again I want a Cat 6 verandah cabin too! Is the final cutoff to pay for existing reservations 60 days out? I'm going to at least wait until the cutoff to see if the price comes down some more or wait and see if a cast member rate become available. Would be nice to get the sail avalable rate, but then you have to wait until real close to the cruise before they come out.

You don't have to book till about 72 hours before the cruise. If you want a Cat 6, just keep checking on the web site. As long is DCL is offering a choice of staterooms you are OK for that catagory. There could be a FL resident and CM rate offered. I think right now the FL resident offers only go through July cruises. Rates will not go DOWN...if the ship isn't full it will be the CM/FL discounts offered, not general rate reductions.

.

 

[Mrsjvb]

the rates have done nothing but go up since I booked this cruise last August..

I know th Cat 6 definitely have gone up significantly.. we have a Cat 7 and I was toying with the idea of upgrading. the Cat 7 has gone up about $300 since we booked.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We are also on this cruise and booked about 12months ago in a category 6. If I quote the same category now, it quotes me about $80 less for the 4 of us.

 

[firstcruise]

You don't have to book till about 72 hours before the cruise. If you want a Cat 6, just keep checking on the web site. As long is DCL is offering a choice of staterooms you are OK for that catagory. There could be a FL resident and CM rate offered. I think right now the FL resident offers only go through July cruises. Rates will not go DOWN...if the ship isn't full it will be the CM/FL discounts offered, not general rate reductions.

.

I'd really like the CM space available rate if I could get it because it's such a big discount. Granted you don't get the cabin until the cruise, but as long as it's a cat 6 with verandah I'm not too concerned. Just don't think the family is going to let me roll the dice and try for it, so next best thing might be the Florida rate. Good to know the regular fare doesn't go down only up, which it definately has, and the only discounts will be the FL or CM rates. Never cruised before and if I screw it up and don't get this week I'll never live it down..

Would be nice to reserve at one of the CM discounts and get a SA price if it becomes available...alas, was already told it is not allowed.

 

[firstcruise]

Wanted to follow up and say we'll be seeing everyone on this cruise! We were able to get the space available rate after waiting a lot longer than we probably should have, but everyone is happy with the price. We're getting a verandah, but won't know cabin until we check in. My guess is cat. 7 since DCL is likely to upgrade full paying passengers. I'll take a 7 with no problem, but would like a 6...

 

[leelip1982]

We will see you there this is our first cruise too!!! We booked in June of 2008 and we are a cat 6.

 

[cakesnjammom]

Wanted to follow up and say we'll be seeing everyone on this cruise! We were able to get the space available rate after waiting a lot longer than we probably should have, but everyone is happy with the price. We're getting a verandah, but won't know cabin until we check in. My guess is cat. 7 since DCL is likely to upgrade full paying passengers. I'll take a 7 with no problem, but would like a 6...

We will see you there this is our first cruise too!!! We booked in June of 2008 and we are a cat 6.

both of ypu need to join our cruise meet group....we have a great group!
see you on the boat!!

 

[mmouse37]

Wanted to follow up and say we'll be seeing everyone on this cruise! We were able to get the space available rate after waiting a lot longer than we probably should have, but everyone is happy with the price. We're getting a verandah, but won't know cabin until we check in. My guess is cat. 7 since DCL is likely to upgrade full paying passengers. I'll take a 7 with no problem, but would like a 6...

Just a reminder that no discussion of CM rates is allowed on a public forum. It is grounds for termination. I sent you a PM.

MJ

 

[disneyfan551]

Please do join our group! Check out the meet thread for Sept. 19..

 

[dismom73]

Just curious, have you checked to see if FL rates are available for this cruise yet? We are going the first week of October and they have already released FL rates for our cruise.

 

[gamomof2]

We are also on this cruise. I believe there are FL and Military rates already released. This week some GTY rooms have been getting calls about upgrading for really good amounts.

Thread is here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1664763

Come on over. We have a second FE list started you could get in on and also I believe 2 meets onboard already scheduled. Pretty neat group.