When is the cheapest time to sail?

[tripletsmama]

I'm assuming it would be hurricane months? September maybe? If you choose to sail during hurricane season, do you risk the cruise getting cancelled or just missing ports?

 

[jrabbit]

Prices plummet in September. I assume that October is pretty low too.
Probably Late April (except for around Easter) and early May.

Easier to list Higher Priced Times
Week before Christmas to week after New Year
MLK day week
Presidents day week
Spring breaks - from everywhere (Late March - Mid April)
Labor Day
June - August
Thanksgiving week

 

[oliverdj]

September is lowest in my opinion. Thankfully we have not had an issue with the weather

 

[chrisrunty]

We do 2 Disney cruises a year one in April and one in October..... Usually the cheapest rates.

 

[MrsScooby]

I recall pricing a cruise for the first week of December and comparing it to a week during spring break...the December cruise was half the price. Same cabin, same ship, same itinerary.

So avoiding school holidays is the best way to getting the lower prices.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

I'm in the process of booking an October trip b/c I've heard that the pricing is very good. So far I haven't been blown away. But our first cruise was KSF. The 5 day I'm looking at is more than the 8 night we just went on w/ KSF.

When do KSF or other promotions generally get published? The cruise that I'm looking at has cabins available in every category. I'm hoping it's just a matter of time.

 

[tweis]

I'm in the process of booking an October trip b/c I've heard that the pricing is very good. So far I haven't been blown away. But our first cruise was KSF. The 5 day I'm looking at is more than the 8 night we just went on w/ KSF.

When do KSF or other promotions generally get published? The cruise that I'm looking at has cabins available in every category. I'm hoping it's just a matter of time.

October is one of the least expensive times to cruise DCL. KSF and other promotions don't usually come out until after the PIF and that's only if the cruise isn't selling well. Good luck.

 

[tripletsmama]

So if the promotions come out after you have paid in full, how much money do you lose if you cancel and re book? I assume Disney makes that scenario not worthwhile. We are thinking of trying for September. I want to do a 7 night, DH isn't thrilled about cruising, so it looks like a 4 night might be a good compromise.

 

[tripletsmama]

Also, does the Dream only do 3/4 night cruises? Are there ever any longer cruises or different itineraries on the Dream? Nassau has never been super fun to us.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Also, does the Dream only do 3/4 night cruises? Are there ever any longer cruises or different itineraries on the Dream? Nassau has never been super fun to us.

Yes, the Dream only does the 3 & 4 night cruises. At this time the Fantasy is alternating 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.

 

[ajjcarlin]

You would lose all of your deposit if you cancel after pay in full date.

 

[pillow]

January is also cheap, and you don't have to worry about hurricanes.

Jodie

 

[tweis]

So if the promotions come out after you have paid in full, how much money do you lose if you cancel and re book? I assume Disney makes that scenario not worthwhile. We are thinking of trying for September. I want to do a 7 night, DH isn't thrilled about cruising, so it looks like a 4 night might be a good compromise.

You would lose all of your deposit if you cancel after pay in full date.

So far, I haven't had to cancel but I found this on the DCL site. I hope it helps.

Cruises Less Than 10 days where Embark or Debark is U.S. Port

Days prior to Vacation Commencement Date

Fee Amount

45 days or more

Deposit per Guest for Suites/Concierge staterooms

74-45 days

Deposit per Guest for Non-Suites/Concierge staterooms

44-30 days

50% of vacation price per Guest



29-15 days

75% of vacation price per Guest



14 days or less

100% of vacation price per Guest



Cruises of 10 days or More and Cruises Less Than 10 days where Embark and Debark is non-U.S. Port


Days prior to Vacation Commencement Date

Fee Amount



56 days or more

Deposit per Guest for Suites/Concierge staterooms



119-56 days

Deposit per Guest for Non-Suites/Concierge rooms



55-30 days

50% of vacation price per Guest



29-15 days

75% of vacation price per Guest



14 days or less

100% of vacation price per Guest

 

[tweis]

Also, does the Dream only do 3/4 night cruises? Are there ever any longer cruises or different itineraries on the Dream? Nassau has never been super fun to us.

Right now the Dream is only doing 3/4 night cruises. Last year they did some 5 nights that included 2 stops at Castaway Cay but there aren't any of those scheduled right now.

 

[tvguy]

We do 2 Disney cruises a year one in April and one in October..... Usually the cheapest rates.

I would think early April would be a peak (expensive) time since so many schools take spring break then.

Basically anytime that almost all school kids are in school will be cheaper, although Disney cruisers are more inclined to take their kids out of school for vacation.

 

[tripletsmama]

Right now the Dream is only doing 3/4 night cruises. Last year they did some 5 nights that included 2 stops at Castaway Cay but there aren't any of those scheduled right now.

This is exactly what I would love to do! I hope they schedule more of these in the near future.

Thanks for all the information, everyone.

I was looking at the september 15 4 night. It looks like the deposit would be around $740. Each fare is $599. So even if I lost my deposit, I could in theory come out ahead if they did kids sail free because we have 4 kids. Guess I don't need to be thinking about that right now, but it would be nice!

 

[Jareds_mommy]

Our first KSF was in 2011 a 10 day over Easter, it was released in June for the following April, then we are doing KSF again this April we booked it Jan, 18. So both times well before the PIF date

 

[tweis]

Our first KSF was in 2011 a 10 day over Easter, it was released in June for the following April, then we are doing KSF again this April we booked it Jan, 18. So both times well before the PIF date

That's why I said KSF and other promotions are usually released after PIF. There are exceptions.

I think some of the more recent KSF were for Galveston and Miami and were not selling well to begin with. I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

 

[pillow]

So even if I lost my deposit, I could in theory come out ahead if they did kids sail free because we have 4 kids. Guess I don't need to be thinking about that right now, but it would be nice!

I don't think you would get all 4 kids free even with the promo. You get 2 free kids with 2 paying adults, so the max free would be 2. Bummer.

Jodie

 

[neg58]

I don't think you would get all 4 kids free even with the promo. You get 2 free kids with 2 paying adults, so the max free would be 2. Bummer.

Jodie

You get as many Kids as there are beds in the cabin, but the first two people pay in full. You can easily get a cabin for 5, so you can get 3 free kids, but if you need 2 cabins you have to pay for 2 adults in each.

Nancy