When is the "cheapest" time to cruise DCL....besides hurricane season?

[alldiz]

Hi,
I'm looking to cruise the Dream in 2012....i don't care when....I just want good enough weather to enjoy Castaway Cay.

I would love to do the 5 day Castaway cay 2 stops.....Is there a "cheaper" time to do this with good weather still....no hurricane?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[truck1]

Typically the end of August on with the exception of the holidays.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

January, February, September, October, and December, excluding Holidays. Sometimes May can be a good time, you just have to keep your eyes open for rates,they change all the time!

 

[Page4]

cheap + Disney ...does not compute.

 

[Coll0610]

It seems that it's cheaper during times kids are typically in school. But cheap is relative of course. This is Disney we are talking about!

 

[atinkerbellmom]

The speciality cruises like DDs are NEVER cheap. They are very popular and people will call and just ask for "the next double dip" and plan around that date. The week after Labor Day September until the week before Thanks giving tends to be a lot cheaper. Those weeks in September ESPECIALLY because people just do not car to pull the kids from school those weeks. The 3 weeks in January after the Holiday as well. I think this is because the Holiday was just over and people tend not to take the kids out again as fast. You then look at February being cheaper too as it is before most Spring Breaks. There is NO BAD weather months. It is beautiful and the ability to swim is always there. Hope this helps.

 

[lmhall2000]

Last week of August and first week of May consistently have cheaper rates compared to other weeks...I know there is a double dip CC the last week of August, not sure about May....good deals are there!! We never thought we'd cruise b/c fares were so expensive, but we've found incredible deals and mostly on those weeks.

HTH!
Tara

 

[kcashner]

Last week of August thru October (but that's hurricane season.) January thru mid February....and other "spotty" dates. We picked up a May 2009 sailing at rates I hadn't seen for many years just because I guess it wasn't selling.

 

[alldiz]

January, February, September, October, and December, excluding Holidays. Sometimes May can be a good time, you just have to keep your eyes open for rates,they change all the time!

I will keep my eyes open

cheap + Disney ...does not compute.

It seems that it's cheaper during times kids are typically in school. But cheap is relative of course. This is Disney we are talking about!

Yes I will definately be taking her out of school....I know it will never be "really cheap"

The speciality cruises like DDs are NEVER cheap. They are very popular and people will call and just ask for "the next double dip" and plan around that date. The week after Labor Day September until the week before Thanks giving tends to be a lot cheaper. Those weeks in September ESPECIALLY because people just do not car to pull the kids from school those weeks. The 3 weeks in January after the Holiday as well. I think this is because the Holiday was just over and people tend not to take the kids out again as fast. You then look at February being cheaper too as it is before most Spring Breaks. There is NO BAD weather months. It is beautiful and the ability to swim is always there. Hope this helps.

Good to know the weather is warm in Jan, Feb. Flying on New years eve night is cheap....so early Jan would work and at least school will be closed a few days.

Last week of August and first week of May consistently have cheaper rates compared to other weeks...I know there is a double dip CC the last week of August, not sure about May....good deals are there!! We never thought we'd cruise b/c fares were so expensive, but we've found incredible deals and mostly on those weeks.

HTH!
Tara

Definately wont do August.....possibility of big storms freak me out.

Last week of August thru October (but that's hurricane season.) January thru mid February....and other "spotty" dates. We picked up a May 2009 sailing at rates I hadn't seen for many years just because I guess it wasn't selling.

I see 2012 rates are up....I will have to check it out.
Thanks everyone
Kerri

 

[jilljill]

Keep in mind that hurricane season is half the year, June 1 - November 30. The smoothest cruise we ever had was the first week in September. Don't let the possibility of a hurricane scare you out of booking for half the year.
We've cruised in mid-Jan. and early Feb. and the water was too cold at Castaway Cay both times. The early Feb. cruise we weren't able to dock at CC until lunch time, so we only had 4 hours there.

 

[alldiz]

Keep in mind that hurricane season is half the year, June 1 - November 30. The smoothest cruise we ever had was the first week in September. Don't let the possibility of a hurricane scare you out of booking for half the year.
We've cruised in mid-Jan. and early Feb. and the water was too cold at Castaway Cay both times. The early Feb. cruise we weren't able to dock at CC until lunch time, so we only had 4 hours there.

Cold water

Just checked March 2012 rates....balcony for 3 less than 2700. Not bad for the 5 night 2 Castaway Cay...I might book this
Seems reasonable....do you think because it is soooo far away??
Already have a WDW/ Carnival cruise for 2011.
Thanks
Kerri

 

[CarolAnnC]

Booking as far out as possible will get your the best tier price on Early Booking discounts. So planning a couple of years ahead will be beneficial.

As stated above, Hurricane Season runs June 1 through November 30, so no need to avoid the whole season. That being said, the month of September is usually the most active with tropical storms. The ship, however, will be routed around them as the Captain watches and avoids the questionable conditions.

We have cruised in September with no problem before, and just cruised the beginning of October, again no issues. I would not worry about hurricanes too much when planning, but take the trip insurance just in case!

 

[NancyIL]

Last January in Florida was a very cold month. My January 2008 Bahamas cruise wasn't particularly warm, so I would avoid a Bahamas cruise during that month. There are no 5-night cruises then, any way.

 

[alldiz]

Booking as far out as possible will get your the best tier price on Early Booking discounts. So planning a couple of years ahead will be beneficial.

As stated above, Hurricane Season runs June 1 through November 30, so no need to avoid the whole season. That being said, the month of September is usually the most active with tropical storms. The ship, however, will be routed around them as the Captain watches and avoids the questionable conditions.

We have cruised in September with no problem before, and just cruised the beginning of October, again no issues. I would not worry about hurricanes too much when planning, but take the trip insurance just in case!

I would do November....but it is hard for my mom to take off that month.....Would love to do a Food and Wine WDW then DCL...that would be awesome.

Last January in Florida was a very cold month. My January 2008 Bahamas cruise wasn't particularly warm, so I would avoid a Bahamas cruise during that month. There are no 5-night cruises then, any way.

Yeah...i would hate for it to be cold. I'm probably gonna do the 5 day double dip CC April 10 2012. Somehow right now it is the same price as Jan and it is "spring break".....who woulda thunk it
I should book before "they" read this and raise the price
Thanks
Kerri


Oh....BTW...anyone know how much the deposit is on the 5 night for 3 people????
Thanks

 

[Angelhalo]

Cold water

Just checked March 2012 rates....balcony for 3 less than 2700. Not bad for the 5 night 2 Castaway Cay...I might book this
Seems reasonable....do you think because it is soooo far away??
Already have a WDW/ Carnival cruise for 2011.
Thanks
Kerri

All I've had so far is cold water! I'm starting to doubt whether the water is ever actually "warm". There have been people on the exact same cruise as me saying that they thought the water was fine and stayed out in it for hours. Both cruises were in April. One at the beginning of April and one nearer the end of April. Meanwhile I felt like I was an ice cube! 72 degree water is NOT fine to me. LOL! Back when we had our pool, I didn't get in until the water was between 80 and 85.

Our next cruise is in 27 days, and I'm hoping November gives us warmer water. I've heard it can still be warm from the summer. I'm crossing my fingers!

 

[MaineFam3]

When we booked our cruise a few weeks ago, our TA said Disney had just changed the deposit policy to a straight 20% on all cruises vs the old $200 per person.
Good luck with your cruise plans!

 

[Husurdady]

cheap + Disney ...does not compute.

YES.........but you forgot to add,you get "TOP SHELF" on everything. ..............I would take top shelf any day over bottm - basement, in other words you get what you pay for. GIVE ME DISNEY OR GIVE ME NOTHING.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Last January in Florida was a very cold month. My January 2008 Bahamas cruise wasn't particularly warm, so I would avoid a Bahamas cruise during that month. There are no 5-night cruises then, any way.

There IS a 5 night cruise on the Magic Jan 3rd-8th, 2011.

 

[alldiz]

All I've had so far is cold water! I'm starting to doubt whether the water is ever actually "warm". There have been people on the exact same cruise as me saying that they thought the water was fine and stayed out in it for hours. Both cruises were in April. One at the beginning of April and one nearer the end of April. Meanwhile I felt like I was an ice cube! 72 degree water is NOT fine to me. LOL! Back when we had our pool, I didn't get in until the water was between 80 and 85.

Our next cruise is in 27 days, and I'm hoping November gives us warmer water. I've heard it can still be warm from the summer. I'm crossing my fingers!

I was there Early December and we were in the water. I didn't think it was cold. I don't think it had a chance to get cold yet. I'll be curious to see how different it feels in April.

When we booked our cruise a few weeks ago, our TA said Disney had just changed the deposit policy to a straight 20% on all cruises vs the old $200 per person.
Good luck with your cruise plans!

Works out about the same for me. figure cruise is 2800....looks like $560.
Hmmmm I bet they are generally getting MORE for deposit with the 20%
Thanks
Kerri

 

[NancyIL]

There IS a 5 night cruise on the Magic Jan 3rd-8th, 2011.

I wouldn't want to do a Bahamas cruise in early January.