What Would You Do? a booking question

[crystalk]

So here's my story about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down
And I'd like to take a minute
Just sit right there, i'll tell how I became the planner extrodinaire!
(not really, it just rhymed

Ok so back in November 2014 when the dates for our Jan 30 2016 cruise on the Fantasy came out, we booked! Yay, happy dance, Woo hoo! Now having booked and celebrating our 20th anniversary we talked about it with anyone who would listen to see if they'd like to join us. Most said that's too far out to plan but you and I, dear reader, know that the sooner the better with a Disney cruise. But there was one friend who said she was interested and even though she's single was interested in booking as a solo (crazy solo rates, *shakes fist at the air*) Now I hadn't heard from her in months, she lives in another province and we are all busy, You know. I assumed she either made reservations or her interest was passing, like everyone else we talked to. (sad face, boo hoo)

Here's where it gets interesting, I saw her at the end of June and she says she super excited to go on the cruise and that she saved up the moolah she needs for it. But she needs someone to walk her through booking the cruise. Whoa!! Ummm did I just hear you right? You were planning to go aall along but didn't book yet?? AND now how do I break it to you that the cost of our cruise has increased by at least a third!?? ACK!! Seriously that's why I told you in NOVEMBER 2014!! so you could get the best price!! ugh.

Anyhoo, at this point would it be better to advise her to book right now OOORRRRR wait and see if we get any "we feel sorry for you canadians and your sucky dollar" discounts?

What would you do?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Have a sit down chat and be honest,

 

[jjgarv]

I also end up being the planner and had a similar situation happen for our October cruise. When my friend talked to her TA about booking, it was just too expensive, and she decided not to go. I'd say that you should lay out both options/possibilities to your friend and let her decide. That will take some of the pressure off of you.

 

[crystalk]

I also end up being the planner and had a similar situation happen for our October cruise. When my friend talked to her TA about booking, it was just too expensive, and she decided not to go. I'd say that you should lay out both options/possibilities to your friend and let her decide. That will take some of the pressure off of you.

Its crazy how we get sucked into these things isn't it? I'll certainly give her the options but does anyone know or have an idea if booking with a possible Canadian residents discount OR booking now would be better? (historically speaking, yes I know that no one can see into the Disney future with certainty)

 

[jjgarv]

I honestly have no idea about Canadian resident discounts, so I'm no help with that! Hopefully, a fellow Canadian will chime in.

 

[aggiedog]

Sit down right away with her and let her know prices have gone up, like they usually do when you wait. Then let her decide if she still wants to go.

Or offer to just do another cruise with her in late 2016 or 2017, so she can book at the cheaper prices.

 

[adamki]

Historically speaking ... you can check Justacruiser's GT/MTO/FLR discount list Master Thread (link). He list some CAN discounts as well. For the 1/24/2015 Eastern Cruise, it looks like VGT rates came out around November 10th.

If she doesn't want to pay the current rate, then November would be the time to start obsessively checking the discount page! (ETA) Maybe October ... Just to be safe.

 

[mmouse37]

It is January so possibly there will be some *GT rates out which may be cheaper than what the current rates are (hopefully). Lay it out for her and tell her she was 3 options:

1 - not go at all
2 - book now (and don't look at prices again)
3 - wait and hope a *GT discounted rate comes out before your cruise

Historically there have been discounted rates in winter months.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/co...-dcl-gt-sailings-and-other-discounts.2988188/

MJ

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Its crazy how we get sucked into these things isn't it? I'll certainly give her the options but does anyone know or have an idea if booking with a possible Canadian residents discount OR booking now would be better? (historically speaking, yes I know that no one can see into the Disney future with certainty)

It's really not that crazy how you got "sucked" into it, when you invited everyone to join you.

 

[kaseyC]

I don't see the big issue here. Just tell her how DCL's pricing works and let her decide if she still wants to book or not.

 

[crystalk]

It's really not that crazy how you got "sucked" into it, when you invited everyone to join you.

True I invited everyone but letting said invitee know dates and times, etc is one thing. Booking for them and hand-holding when they've put it off for more than six months is another.
No matter though. I'm glad to have the company and I'm glad to help a friend.


Thanks to everyone for the replies. its not a Star Wars week and with the canadian dollar so low I'm highly hopeful of a canadian residents discount But I'll let her know her options and take it from there.

 

[turtle27]

If there are still lots of categories open and your friend is not too picky about room locale, that's a big one, I would have her wait for the guaranteed rates to come out. I think on almost all non-sold out cruises they do, and at this point, it is unlikely the price will continue to go up. Now, notice I say unlikely, not impossible. Stranger things have happened, but unless something is selling extremely well, DCL does not just raise prices to raise them, once the fares have been set.

 

[crystalk]

It is January so possibly there will be some *GT rates out which may be cheaper than what the current rates are (hopefully). Lay it out for her and tell her she was 3 options:

1 - not go at all
2 - book now (and don't look at prices again)
3 - wait and hope a *GT discounted rate comes out before your cruise

Historically there have been discounted rates in winter months.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/co...-dcl-gt-sailings-and-other-discounts.2988188/

MJ

Thanks for your input and the link!

If there are still lots of categories open and your friend is not too picky about room locale, that's a big one, I would have her wait for the guaranteed rates to come out. I think on almost all non-sold out cruises they do, and at this point, it is unlikely the price will continue to go up. Now, notice I say unlikely, not impossible. Stranger things have happened, but unless something is selling extremely well, DCL does not just raise prices to raise them, once the fares have been set.

I was thinking that too, thanks for the input