When to pay off the bill? What's the best way to pay?

[cutesnoopy]

I was reading the post and DISers have started booking 2006 cruise! I saw someone mention he/she had booked 3 cruise trips?! Wow!!

If I want to book a 2006 trip, when do I need to pay up the bill?

If I need to cancel due to any reason, how many days before the cruise starts to get the full refund?

For the people who book the future cruise such as 2005/2006, do you use Disney Visa card? Or what's the best way to pay off the bill?

I need to work hard and save each penny if I want to see Mickey on the cruise.

 

[WDWLVR]

We booked our 12/18 cruise in June of 2003. Final payment is due in a couple of weeks, but we've been payed off for two months now.

We booked through Dreams and one of the options on their site is to make partial payments. I made up a payment schedule for myself and every month put so much down. Pretty painless.

I didn't use the Disney Visa because we have one card we use for online purchases and I used that. I would put it on the credit card each month and pay the card in full when it came. Now that same money I put down each month is giong into a vacation fund to go towards excursions, tips, etc.

 

[SeaSpray]

I think this info will help you. It's directly off DCL's web site:

Cancellations/Refunds

Cancellations must be made by telephone or in writing. Changes to the vacation commencement date or changes of Guest names will be considered cancellations. If the cancellation request is received (90 or more days prior to vacation commencement date for Category 1 through 3; 75 or more days prior to vacation commencement date for Category 4 through 12), 100% of the amount of the vacation price paid will be refunded. Cancellation requests received (less than 90 days prior to the vacation commencement date for Category 1 through 3; or less than 75 days prior to the vacation commencement date for Category 4 through 12), will be assessed cancellation fees as follows (regardless of resale of stateroom or hotel room):

*89-45 days prior to vacation commencement date
(Category 1 through 3), deposit amount per Guest

*74-45 days prior to vacation commencement date
(Category 4 through 12), deposit amount per Guest

*44-8 days prior to vacation commencement date,
50% of vacation price per Guest

*7 days or less prior to vacation commencement date, no refund


No refunds will be made in the event of interruption or cancellation by the Guest after vacation commencement date. All appropriate refunds will be made directly to the Guest's credit card account or through the Guest's Travel Agent if the reservation is made through a Travel Agent. Disney Cruise Vacations is not responsible for the receipt of refund monies by Guests from their Travel Agents. All travel documents including airline tickets must be returned before refund processing can begin. Certain Travel Agents may withhold an agency cancellation fee. Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to restrict any changes to a reservation. All changes are subject to availability. Please note that changes made to overall party size may result in a change to the rate. For your peace of mind, we recommend the purchase of the Disney Cruise Vacations Protection Plan. Insurance is not in effect until final vacation payment is made. Payment must be made at least 60 days prior to vacation commencement date.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We do use the Disney Visa because we get Reward Dollars that can be used as cash at WDW or on DCL (last trip had $119 in RDs). We have a Savings Acct (aka Vacation Acct) at a local bank and DH and I make regular deposits there toward our trips. By the time the balance is due (60 days before cruise) we pay it with the DV and and then pay the balance when the bill comes in.( I prefer not to make payments to the cruise line or anyone else ahead of time because I like having control of that cash as long as possible just in case, don't want to have to fight with anyone to get it back).

I also don't worry too much about ever losing our money with DCL if an emergency comes up - last year I got sick (for real - an unexpected cancer diagnosis so don't try this at home, lol) a week or so before our cruise and though we didn't have the insurance the DCL supervisor said not to worry, if I couldn't go I could call as late as the morning of the cruise and they would put all our money to a future cruise. Pretty reassuring and that's why I book with DCL directly (not sure if that could've happened with a TA).