Where can I get a discounts on DCL

[Chkysbak]

Me and my family recently sailed on the Wonder on 9/2/04. Granted this cruise was alittle exciting to say the least, but I think Disney over all made up for it. My family is looking forward to our second cruise. Basically while I was on the cruise, when talking to other people, they said that they paid about 1/2 what I did. I booked my cruise through a travel agent. I looked at travelocity, etc. and can't really find discounts that amount to much of anything. Our stateroom was a Balcony type, which we LOVED. I would like to have that type again. I realize that we now considered to be in the Castaway Club, but does that discount that much? My family is wanting to either do a 7 day-land/sea package or a 7 day cruise. Please advise me on the places to go to get the cheaper rates... and the Pros and Cons if you have any. I realize that you can get cheaper cruises with other lines, but I am HOOKED on DCL. We had a Great cruise. Thanks to all.

 

[daisy112878]

From what I have seen and heard the earlier you book the lower the fare. I've also heard that after a certain amount of people use these lower fares the fare will start to rise.

We went through Dreams Unlimited for our cruise next year. We got a $100 rebate from DU. DU's price was lower then the other prices I was quoted. We checked with Disney, DU, and All Seasons.

 

[disney queen]

we booked through allseastravel.com they were the best price we found. also, keep in mind the earlier you book the better the price. good luck!

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by disney queen
we booked through allseastravel.com they were the best price we found. also, keep in mind the earlier you book the better the price. good luck!

Ditto to everything she said!!! We booked our upcoming November cruise through All Seasons, last May, yes 18 months in advance. We locked in a GREAT rate by booking so early, if you tried to book the exact same cabin category as myself now, you'd be paying close to double! It is true, book VERY far in advance, because DCL usually sails full and almost NEVER has last minute deals like other lines. Their cheapest prices are when they first release a sailing, and the closer it is to sailing date, the more expensive it gets.

 

[TiggerKing]

Booked our upcoming 4 day through CostCo. They saved us over $300 over DCL and over $200 over DU and All Seasons. May take a few minutes to get through on the phone, but I have never been on hold for more than 5 - 10 minutes. Staff has been very courteous and helpful. A little wait is definitely offset by the savings.

 

[Chkysbak]

Bump

 

[Chkysbak]

I have been looking at DCL rates all day. I have noticed that the rates are different, but not that much. Of course I would be booking 12 months in advance not 18 or 24. I have talked to several people and they said that you can only book through Dec. 2005. When does DCL open up the 2006 rates? Do they open them up one month at a time, or do they open the whole year up so I can book 18 to 24 months in advance. To tell you the truth, though, I don't think my family can wait that long for another DC. Please Advise.

 

[Buddy Bear]

DCL was going to release the 2006 rates in early to mid-September, but with all the hurricanes that has been pushed back so I would imagine the 2006 dates could be out shortly. I am hoping before the end of the month, but I am not holding my breath.

Booking 12+ months in advance is the way to go, but unfortunately you usually get your best deal by booking while onboard the ship.

For a 7 day cruise you get a $200 per stateroom credit and an early booking discount which is comparable to what some TAs will give you, but they can't match the $200 onboard credit.

On the other hand, sometimes the rate difference between DCL and a TA can be more than $200 so you take the lower rate with the TA and forego the onboard credit. Your choice.

Good luck,

Jeff

P.S. I totally understand not waiting till 2006

 

[RachelTori]

Unless something has changed in the past year or so; book your next cruise on board - pick a date, any date in the future. You get your credit, and as long as you don't get to that final payment window (now 75 days I believe), you can change your dates, taking the $200 on board credit with you.

We did that in April 2003 - from the Magic, we booked a 4 night Wonder for Oct 2004. Put the deposit on the CC, got a $100 on board credit. After we got home, we realized Oct 2004 wouldn't work and we also decided we wanted to go back on the Magic! We transferred our Wonder ressie to DU and changed dates and ships. Our on board credit was automatically changed to $200 PLUS we got a $75 credit from DU. Since we booked an April 2005 Magic the day the rates came out, we got a great Stateroom and a great price!!

 

[Chkysbak]

Bump

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Just a heads up - I thought I read on a previous post that DCL was no longer allowing you to change the date without a charge - So if you book onboard, you should pick the date that you DO want to sail -

 

[erikthewise]

Based on what I've heard, the onboard deal is only for the 7-day cruise. For 3-day and 4-day, there is an onboard deal but it's pretty lame -- you could likely do better with a travel agent.

 

["Ginger"]

I've found the onboard rates to be good and have booked them to get the onboard credits. But, when I get home I transfer the reservations to Costco. They discount the cost of my cruise by 5 to 7 1/2 % , still keeping my onboard credits. I haven't found any travel company to bet their price yet.
You do have to be a member at Costco.