Why book right away when released?

[Crisi83]

I have no idea what 2017 will hold.. its possible we might do an Alaska cruise, but I have no real certainty about that.

So I'm trying to figure out what the real advantages are to opening day booking. We used a travel agent last time who was great, but she didn't offer any on board credits or anything, so I don't know if I should look at someone else or what. We do have costco now as well.

Last summer was our first cruise, and I did do an booking which will expire July 2017, so an Alaska is certianily within that time frame. I'd be cruising with a 1 yr old and 4 yr old plus my mom (It was mom, 2 yr old, and me last time).

Basically, if I want to sell my mom, the main financial backer of the trip on making a decision now to at least put down a deposit, I have to really know what my argument is, besides that I want to go! Last time we book about 7 months ahead of time I think, and we were not able to chose our own room, which I know she wished we would have been able to do (though at the time we didn't know the ship that well, so we may or may not have chosen right. The room we ended up with was great anyways.)

Thanks!

 

[dclpluto]

I have no idea what 2017 will hold.. its possible we might do an Alaska cruise, but I have no real certainty about that.

So I'm trying to figure out what the real advantages are to opening day booking. We used a travel agent last time who was great, but she didn't offer any on board credits or anything, so I don't know if I should look at someone else or what. We do have costco now as well.

Last summer was our first cruise, and I did do an booking which will expire July 2017, so an Alaska is certianily within that time frame. I'd be cruising with a 1 yr old and 4 yr old plus my mom (It was mom, 2 yr old, and me last time).

Basically, if I want to sell my mom, the main financial backer of the trip on making a decision now to at least put down a deposit, I have to really know what my argument is, besides that I want to go! Last time we book about 7 months ahead of time I think, and we were not able to chose our own room, which I know she wished we would have been able to do (though at the time we didn't know the ship that well, so we may or may not have chosen right. The room we ended up with was great anyways.)

Thanks!

$$$$$ is the reason. You can usually save hundreds sometime thousands of $$$$

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have no idea what 2017 will hold.. its possible we might do an Alaska cruise, but I have no real certainty about that.

So I'm trying to figure out what the real advantages are to opening day booking. We used a travel agent last time who was great, but she didn't offer any on board credits or anything, so I don't know if I should look at someone else or what. We do have costco now as well.

Last summer was our first cruise, and I did do an booking which will expire July 2017, so an Alaska is certianily within that time frame. I'd be cruising with a 1 yr old and 4 yr old plus my mom (It was mom, 2 yr old, and me last time).

Basically, if I want to sell my mom, the main financial backer of the trip on making a decision now to at least put down a deposit, I have to really know what my argument is, besides that I want to go! Last time we book about 7 months ahead of time I think, and we were not able to chose our own room, which I know she wished we would have been able to do (though at the time we didn't know the ship that well, so we may or may not have chosen right. The room we ended up with was great anyways.)

Thanks!

The lowest prices are typically offered on opening day. Prices can rise dramatically, or take a while, but prices rise as the space onboard the ship fills.

Also, best room choices, since all the rooms are available on opening day.

Plus, if you put down a deposit on a cruise on opening day, and wish to change categories later, you're locked into the opening day prices by having a reservation already.

 

[lanejudy]

Off the top of my head:

• Prices are generally lowest at opening day (with the exception of last-minute special offers that appear after the PIF if you can wait to travel on shorter notice)
• Better choice of stateroom categories available
• Most likely able to choose your stateroom
• Greater likelihood of getting main (early) dining if that's important
• Longer time to plan that budget and save

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Crisi83]

Thanks guys, those are all great points. Not sure if we'll make it this time, especially we weren't *exactly* thinking about a cruise yet, so it may take a few days to still decide if its in the cards. How much is deposit usually - percentage of overall trip I assume.

Do you get any earlier booking by being a.... I think I'm silver? We've only done one, its whatever is next past newbie

 

[MamaBear58]

Plus, if you put down a deposit on a cruise on opening day, and wish to change categories later, you're locked into the opening day prices by having a reservation already.

I didn't realize this. I thought that if I changed my mind it was a new booking, with current pricing.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I didn't realize this. I thought that if I changed my mind it was a new booking, with current pricing.

If you change the cruise date, you will pay the prevailing (current) rate. If you just change categories on the same cruise, you're locked into the prices the day you made the original booking.

 

[Crisi83]

Whats the best way to try to find out what the price ranges are going to be?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Whats the best way to try to find out what the price ranges are going to be?

Wait til tomorrow. Prices will be up on the website then. Probably.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

What time does booking open to the public tomorrow?

 

[Crisi83]

Will prices be up before you can start booking? Trying to figure out as much ahead of time... and also trying to figure out if things change from date to date... can I do this myself tomorrow is it really advantageous to use a TA?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What time does booking open to the public tomorrow?

I believe the opening time is usually 8:00 am, eastern time.

Will prices be up before you can start booking? Trying to figure out as much ahead of time... and also trying to figure out if things change from date to date... can I do this myself tomorrow is it really advantageous to use a TA?

The website should update to include prices by the time the bookings open, but it's not guaranteed. DCL IT issues are fairly frequent.

Prices on popular itineraries can increase dramatically. Within days, if not hours. Or they can remain stable for a period before increasing.

A good TA can keep tabs on this for you. or you can do it.

 

[tink1970]

$$$
...and if you cruise enough you could become (ahem, cough cough) a bit particular about your cabin

these are the primary reasons I was on hold for 45 minutes today (did make a 30 mile drive, ate and did some banking though so I was efficient!)

 

[ayz75]

Just to give you an idea, we booked last May, for this coming October (so almost 1.5 years in advance). The price now, for our Oct cruise is about $1000 more for us (family of 4) for a similar category of room (not the exact category due to availability, but close enough). And $1k makes a big enough difference to me!

ETA: we booked on opening day (last March), then checked the price once we were onboard (last May) and the prices were the same.. (not taking into account the discount & credit I get for booking onboard) so the actual "opening day" doesn't mean it's the lowest price but the earlier you book, the cheaper it is for sure.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I have no idea what 2017 will hold.. its possible we might do an Alaska cruise, but I have no real certainty about that.

Basically, if I want to sell my mom, the main financial backer of the trip on making a decision now to at least put down a deposit, I have to really know what my argument is, besides that I want to go! Last time we book about 7 months ahead of time I think, and we were not able to chose our own room, which I know she wished we would have been able to do (though at the time we didn't know the ship that well, so we may or may not have chosen right. The room we ended up with was great anyways.)

Thanks!

Please don't sell your mother. You might need her later on.

 

[Floridatinaherb]

How much is deposit usually - percentage of overall trip I assume.

Deposit is 20% of the cruise cost.

can I do this myself tomorrow is it really advantageous to use a TA?

You can do it yourself, but dependent on the TA that you use you would miss out on on board credit. We have cruised multiple times and most have been me booking on my own, now I am kicking myself in the backside for not using a TA that has a good on board credit. This time I booked with Dreams Unlimited because they have a great on board credit program! Was super easy, got the exact room that I requested on the right sailing and I could not be happier with the whole process so far!

 

[Bishoparc]

Whats the best way to try to find out what the price ranges are going to be?

They have a running thread going where people have posted the prices they booked today (today was open to gold and platinum castaway club)

http://www.disboards.com/threads/op...september-magic-wonder-dream-fantasy.3501141/

 

[Amunet]

Also, if it's a new itinerary, you can secure a room before it's sold out.

I remember the new Iceland itineraries sold out fast when they came out

 

[Disneypeach]

OP-you mentioned Costco...I used them to book several times and found their service to be very good. The best part (for me) is the "cash card" that you'll get after your trip. Not OBC but if you shop much at Costco it can be a good deal...I think the card is around 9% of the cruise price returned to you on the "cash card". Good luck with mom!

 

[Ofinn]

Either book early or book late. I find the best prices booking about 2 months out. Of course that doesn't work for everyone.