Pricing

[Margaret64]

Okay guys: After another 5 days of hectic bliss at WDW, we think we are ready for a cruise. We've been on cruises before - before kids. What does anyone know about pricing, travel agencies, etc. I've never used the ladies at Magical Journeys. I think that is what they are called. I would suppose since they specialize in Disney, that they would have access to the various codes for discounts, etc.

Does anyone have any first hand experience with Disney Cruise Line? How far out do you have to book to get the best deal?

[Tagrel]

Well, we just booked our July 2004 7 night Caribbean DCL cruise.

I really checked around, and even talked to Nanci at YMJ, but found that All Seasons Travel had the best price by several hundred dollars. Since I'm so 'hands on' with planning all my vacations, the best price was a big motivator for me. (And I felt terrible when I decided not to go with YMJ).

Disney priced the cruise out at > $6000 with early booking discounts. YMJ was about $1000 cheaper, as was Dreams Unlimited. Sam's club was about $5780 and finally All Seasons Travel at $5575. This included all taxes and fees, but no insurance, transfers or airfare.

What I found out is that All Seasons seems to buy so many rooms as soon as they can, to get the earliest booking discount. Then they sell those rooms and pass on the discount to the customer. They don't buy specific rooms, and were able to get me the exact cabin I asked for. They list the prices right on their site, which is nice. So far, I've been very happy with the service. I even received a Disney Cruise tape with my confirmation papers.

They can be found at: http://www.allseastravel.com/

And since you are a DVC member, what I also found is that the new point charts are out for 2004 cruises. I'm paying cash (may sell points to help finance the cruise :D ) because the point cost is so high. It would cost 752 points for our room! At $10 a point, that is $2000 more than we are paying! We plan on using that extra 200 points to pay for a second week at BCV after the cruise! 8)

Hope that helps at least a little,

[AliciaG]

Margaret, may I suggest that you pick up a copy of Passporter's Cruise Guide. I just got my copy a few days ago, and it is chock full of information. I'm not sure if you are familiar with the Passporter format, but it is very easy to read, and has anything you could possibly want to know about the cruise in it. They have them at passporter.com, but I got my copy from Amazon.com.

We aren't planning on cruising until 2005 when the baby will be 3, but I wanted to get a jump on learning all I could about Disney Cruise Line.

Dave, do you mind me asking which category cabin you booked? On our last cruise as a couple, we just booked a cheap inside cabin, but I noticed from reading my PP cruise guide, that only category 4 and up $ wise will sleep 5. That looks like it could get pretty pricey. :shock:

[Tagrel]

Good idea Alicia! I got the Passporter Guide for DCL and really like it. Plus they have online updates which is nice.

We are booking a Category 5. We cruised three times before kids, and I always wanted a verandah. Since we probably won't cruise again for awhile I decided to splurge. It would certainly be quite a bit cheaper staying in a higher category, but like you said - I think you need category 4 and lower to sleep 5 and up.

[Moley]

Be aware that the first printing of the Passporter DCL guide is sold out. Another one will be available in about a month. I ordered a deluxe starter kit and those are still in stock. I don't even have a cruise planned anytime soon, but it sure is fun to read about it and hear of others' experiences. Can't wait for a super-duper Tagrel Tour Tale on your upcoming cruise. Will be fun to watch the planning, too. :)

[Margaret64]

You guys are just awesome! I've never never heard of Passporters. I feel so enlightened. I was up at 3:30 am (sigh!) with severe ear pain, so I read your responses and ordered one up right then and there. Ordered the Deluxe DCL one. I'm like a kid now excited to recv it. My husband will be so surprised. And thanks for the suggestions on travel agencies. Now, I know to shop it around. We're thinking of Spring Break 2004.

Warm Regards,

[Esmerelda]

I just got back last month from the three day Disney Cruise. We were a group of four adults, and stayed in a category four.

I have already booked my next cruise for Spring break 2004 and it will be just my daughter and I. We booked a category 11 this time. Although the category 4 was nice, and the extra room was needed with four adults, very little time is spent in our rooms, so I am going the "cheap" way this time.

Get plenty of rest before your trip, because it is non-stop fun once you get on the boat.

[dvcreg]

Yes, only cats 4, 3, 2 and 1 and up will hold 5 guests, and they can be high priced. (Cats 1 and 2 can hold up to 7 guests.)

An alternative is to book two connecting staterooms. These are available in category 10 and up. (Cats 11 & 12 don't connect.)

I've gone on all of the Disney Cruises, 3 day, 4 day, Eastern and Western. We had a weather problem with the latter and couldn't visit Grand Cayman. Cozumel was great!

[Tagrel]

Friends of ours just returned from Disney's 7 night Western Caribbean cruise (and loved it), and also could not visit Grand Cayman due to rough seas.

That would be so frustrating to me. We stopped there years ago, and LOVED Grand Cayman. Stingray City was so cool. I even taked DW into it! :)

Sorry you couldn't stop there dvcreg, but that just means you'll have to try again! :mrgreen:

Yo Ho, Yo Ho!

[Margaret64]

Well, I don't know if I'll be able to do this ------- I received the my Deluxe DCL Passporter in the mail yesterday and I chose NOT TO OPEN IT. How can this be???? I'm dying. I've decided to give it to my husband for his 40th birthday in 3 weeks. I have no clue what else to get him??? In June we'll have been married 21 years! I think he will be so tickled, so I'll just hold off.

Maybe I'll call and get some quotes and stick those in his card. As if I'm paying for it...... yeah right!

thanks for the recommendations guys!

[Esmerelda]

You obviously have MUCH more self-control than I do!

Early booking discounts are awesome-we saved a ton, almost 30% I think over what is printed in the brochures.

[Tagrel]

Margaret - You need to use my excuse.

You have to thoroughly check out new items that are given as gifts. There could be a problem, and you want to make sure its perfect for the receiver! ;)

Good for you! Such will power. I'm sure he will love it! I got some nice socks for my 40th... (well, and this web site, so I guess it was pretty GOOD!) :)

[Margaret64]

Okay guys, I did it! It was too easy, it seems surreal.

I booked Spring Break 2004, Cat 4 (dh gave me a hard time. He can't see the diff betw Cat 5 and 4 and frankly I don't remember why I wanted it)
So, for 4 people the best price was All Seasons (Thanks Tagrel!!!!)

Interesting how much the price varied.

All Seasons - $4955
Your Magical Journeys - $6240
AAA - $9395 at first, then when I said that was out of sight, she says --- oh, well let me see if there is any early booking discount..... duh... seems a little underhanded to me. Then came back with $6655

So, I called All Seasons and wanted to know what the catch was. No catch. She said they pre-book and commit to a certain number of cabins with Disney. They then get a substantial discount and have to swallow it if they don't fill (which never happens)

So excited I can't stand it. And now, it's a whole year away. How will I deal with that???? Hmmm... will work out excursions, etc now. Gotta see the Excursions post.

Yippee!

[DisneyBUff]

HAPPY BELATED 40TH B-DAY Dave !! that is if i'm understanding your post right. if the site was for your b-day then it wasn't too long ago right???? sorry if i am wrong BUt didn't want to miss saying HAppy b-day to a wonderful person if it was. :D