What time can I book excursions?

[spankswife]

Sorry for the basic question. We sail 7/24. 90 days before (silver) is April 25th. The app says I can book excursions “after April 25th.” So does that mean midnight of 24/25 or midnight of 25/26?

I’d rather not stay up to midnight in a Monday for no reason

 

[Calantha]

Sorry for the basic question. We sail 7/24. 90 days before (silver) is April 25th. The app says I can book excursions “after April 25th.” So does that mean midnight of 24/25 or midnight of 25/26?

I’d rather not stay up to midnight in a Monday for no reason

89 days 23 hrs 59 min..so 25/26.

 

[spankswife]

Thanks! You speak my language

 

[Clarkson U]

89 days 23 hrs 59 min..so 25/26.

Hey @Calantha you are correct on when the App shows 89 days, 23 hrs and 59 minutes but I think it would be 24/25 - meaning you should be online on the 24th at 11:59 pm so that when the clock strikes 12 (and officially the 25th you can immediately book your activities etc). I could be wrong and it is quite confusing so I looked at my upcoming cruise to see when it would be for this OP. See what you think of my example below.

For @spankswife: For example, for our upcoming August cruise, it says "After April 13, 2023 you can book ...." When I look at the App today (4/8) it says 124 days, 07 hours as I write this. So on April 12th it will show 120 days and 07 hours which means that I need to be online at 11:59 pm on April 12th (as a platinum) - so that one minute later on April 13th I can book my activities. So I would say that is 12/13 for me.

I think it would be midnight 24/25 for you - to me that means at 11:59 and 59 seconds on the 24th which then turns into midnight on the 25th. I think from looking at calendars, this is Monday evening - you will need to stay up late or wake up at 11:59 pm - when the clock changes 12 into Tuesday morning.

It is confusing because DCL says "After April 25th..." but I think they mean the start of April 25th which is technically at 00 hours, 00 minutes and 00 seconds, which follows 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds on the 24th (or 11:59 pm and 59 seconds on the 24th). DCL should really say beginning on April 25th....then that would make more sense to me.

 

[bigAWL]

Hey @Calantha you are correct on when the App shows 89 days, 23 hrs and 59 minutes but I think it would be 24/25 - meaning you should be online on the 24th at 11:59 pm so that when the clock strikes 12 (and officially the 25th you can immediately book your activities etc). I could be wrong and it is quite confusing so I looked at my upcoming cruise to see when it would be for this OP. See what you think of my example below.

For @spankswife: For example, for our upcoming August cruise, it says "After April 13, 2023 you can book ...." When I look at the App today (4/8) it says 124 days, 07 hours as I write this. So on April 12th it will show 120 days and 07 hours which means that I need to be online at 11:59 pm on April 12th (as a platinum) - so that one minute later on April 13th I can book my activities. So I would say that is 12/13 for me.

I think it would be midnight 24/25 for you - to me that means at 11:59 and 59 seconds on the 24th which then turns into midnight on the 25th. I think from looking at calendars, this is Monday evening - you will need to stay up late or wake up at 11:59 pm - when the clock changes 12 into Tuesday morning.

It is confusing because DCL says "After April 25th..." but I think they mean the start of April 25th which is technically at 00 hours, 00 minutes and 00 seconds, which follows 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds on the 24th (or 11:59 pm and 59 seconds on the 24th). DCL should really say beginning on April 25th....then that would make more sense to me.

I agree, it should be midnight 24/25 eastern time.

But I don't think you can rely on the app countdown if you are outside the US eastern time zone.

 

[Clarkson U]

I agree, it should be midnight 24/25 eastern time.

But I don't think you can rely on the app countdown if you are outside the US eastern time zone.

You are correct - you have to adjust what your app will say based on your time zone relative to Eastern time zone. I once had to check in for a cruise from the Centrsl time zone (I live in Eastern) and it was at 11 pm Centrsl and the app reflected my new time the same so I had to adjust my thinking

 

[Calantha]

Thanks! You speak my language

Hey @Calantha you are correct on when the App shows 89 days, 23 hrs and 59 minutes but I think it would be 24/25 - meaning you should be online on the 24th at 11:59 pm so that when the clock strikes 12 (and officially the 25th you can immediately book your activities etc). I could be wrong and it is quite confusing so I looked at my upcoming cruise to see when it would be for this OP. See what you think of my example below.

Yeah, I think everyone else is right in this case. For the 30 days, it is definitely the 29 days.

But I also went in and looked at my account on the website (not the app). For our next cruise it says, "Your booking window opens on July 15, 2023" not "after July 15," so I would log on at midnight of the 14th (12:01 on the 15th).

The "the app says I can book excursions “after April 25th."" threw me off.

Check the website to see if it says something different than the app. I think that would clear it up for sure.

 

[spankswife]

The plot thickens…. I logged in on the website and it says “opens ON April 25th” based on this and the comments I will be ready on the 24/25 midnight. I am in eastern time zone.

Thanks again for your help everyone. We have always done Bahamas cruises so I never really booked any excursions in advance.

 

[Clarkson U]

Fascinating how an app and a website say two different things that have two different meanings! Frustrating is more like it! But now we know!

 

[Disneyfan628]

I just booked for our July cruise and it’s definitely midnight the night of. So basically agree with everyone else midnight as the 24 becomes the 25

 

[DisneyByMarriage]

Related question for this one - if you work with a travel agent, can they book excursions earlier than me as a 2nd time cruiser? I’m debating using a travel agent but not sure I can give up control .

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Related question for this one - if you work with a travel agent, can they book excursions earlier than me as a 2nd time cruiser? I’m debating using a travel agent but not sure I can give up control .

A travel agent can only access your reservation for booking things based on YOUR Castaway Club level. So, whatever time you can book, is the same time they can book things.

 

[Clarkson U]

A travel agent can only access your reservation for booking things based on YOUR Castaway Club level. So, whatever time you can book, is the same time they can book things.

Is a TA actually going to get up at midnight and book excursions for you? What if you don’t get your first choice? Does anyone have any experience with how their TA books their excursions etc?

 

[DisneyByMarriage]

Is a TA actually going to get up at midnight and book excursions for you? What if you don’t get your first choice? Does anyone have any experience with how their TA books their excursions etc?

I love the idea of a travel agent and would likely use one if going on a longer cruise or vacation, but I love the planning aspect and already know what we want to do (plan A,B and C) so for myself, I don’t want to give up control for the $300-$400 onboard credit

 

[Calantha]

I love the idea of a travel agent and would likely use one if going on a longer cruise or vacation, but I love the planning aspect and already know what we want to do (plan A,B and C) so for myself, I don’t want to give up control for the $300-$400 onboard credit

I've seen this argument before, and I guess maybe different TAs do different things. The only thing I've lost from mine is the ability to make my payments (which I don't care about).

I tell him what room I want on what cruise I want, and that's all. I book everything else, including excursions.

 

[DisneyByMarriage]

I've seen this argument before, and I guess maybe different TAs do different things. The only thing I've lost from mine is the ability to make my payments (which I don't care about).

I tell him what room I want on what cruise I want, and that's all. I book everything else, including excursions.

Oh I’m all for travel agents and I think they are fabulous for people to use. I am just a person that loves planning and all aspects of it, so it doesn’t make sense for me for this trip, which we already have saved in our cart, to use a TA.

 

[auntlynne]

For clarity, if using a Travel Agent, can you do your own (1) check-in and (2) booking excursions online? Unlike the other stuff that Disney won’t talk to you about when you have a TA (like payments or reservation detail modifications)?

 

[Calantha]

For clarity, if using a Travel Agent, can you do your own (1) check-in and (2) booking excursions online? Unlike the other stuff that Disney won’t talk to you about when you have a TA (like payments or reservation detail modifications)?

Yes, I do everything except the payments and the initial booking.

 

[Mommb]

For clarity, if using a Travel Agent, can you do your own (1) check-in and (2) booking excursions online? Unlike the other stuff that Disney won’t talk to you about when you have a TA (like payments or reservation detail modifications)?

Yes. Even if you booked with a travel agent, you can still book excursions and onboard activities and complete check-in to get a Port Arrival time on your own.

If your cruise was booked through a travel agency, any changes that affect the reservation -- that is, changes to the date, people cruising, and cabin number -- must be made through the agency.

 

[PAGA2003]

Is a TA actually going to get up at midnight and book excursions for you? What if you don’t get your first choice? Does anyone have any experience with how their TA books their excursions etc?

My travel advisor is amazing and sends so much documentation to assist with planning. She will book everything for you as well but not at midnight. She books at 6 am EST on your booking day. It's understandable she doesn't stay up until midnight for cruise clients and then get up at 6 am for park clients so she does everyone at 6 am.