Poking around the internet last night, it looked like Disney food blog had a list of sailings. My target cruise was not among them, which I thought was strange and annoying because I was looking at the second week in November on an older ship, which I wouldn’t expect to be high demand. I was also looking at the fantasy, which appears to be 20 percent not 25. I am going to have to think more carefully about which cruise I might take because I have flexibility on timing and ship.
4 Likes
I’m back into the life zone where I don’t have the flexibility I’ve had the last few years…
But I do want to try a Dream class ship because I’ve never been on one of those. I’m going to poke around tomorrow. It would certainly be worth picking up a two night SSR stay sometime if it opened a window for a discounted cruise!
3 Likes
You should try the Dream class. They are great. I love the layout more than the newer Wish class.
3 Likes
I sent an inquiry to my TA on a booking, so I’ve started that process. I also logged in to the DCL website to see if the special offer showed up in my account. It did not. Just checked out from GFV this morning.
One general question I have is this— it looks like the cuise I was thinking to book is not included in the bigger offer but maybe will be eligible for the 10 percent that supposedly applies to other cruises. I also have placeholders. What would be a reason to use the placeholder vs this offer? The only thing I can think of is that because I already paid the placeholder, that’s money already spent. Any thoughts on that question?
1 Like
Is this just the Dream and the Fantasy?
2 Likes
Not sure! Good question
A TA pal said the only way to book this is to call.
2 Likes
Dream class is just those two.
2 Likes
One benefit could be that if you book a placeholder and apply to a cruise early enough, you can secure a better rate that may be less than 75% of the rate available by the time you have your Deluxe stay. It will all depend on facts and circumstances, I suppose.
ETA: Oh and you could book any cruise, not just a “select” one.
2 Likes
lol
I was reading the question in reverse: why would I use the offer if I have a placeholder.
But you read it as it was intended I believe
3 Likes
Actually, you’re right. I do have a placeholder, so I could just use that. Would there be any difference?
Jeff’s point is a good one, though. I just may never book opening day. I don’t like planning that far in advance. Who knows what I’ll want 18 months from now?!
4 Likes
Also, I’d love to see the data on this. I know it’s conventional wisdom, but I don’t think opening day pricing is that deeply discounted. At least not on DCL.
1 Like
Waddaya know … TP used to gather this info!
Looks like at least back in 2013-2014, fares increased significantly over time. About 20% a increase over this horizon.
3 Likes
We’re just a couple of years late to the party. You could check out Cruisewatch to see if they have more recent data.
2 Likes
It does tend to be the lowest pricing you’ll see, even if discounts are offered later. As the ship sells out the fares go up. I don’t know as I would call them discounted - since they are the rack rate on day 1 of sales - but they are discounted as compared to later what fares later rise to.
2 Likes
I guess that must be right. Everyone says it. But anecdotally, I am never impressed by the opening day prices. I wanted to book at opening a couple of years ago, but I couldn’t get my extended family to pick which cruise till months later. I did pay a bit more when we ultimately booked, but not that much.
4 Likes
Ok, I’m back home and now in the clear light of day with a more level head, I think I understand this offer a little better. My question about how it compares to the placeholder is pretty key–I don’t know if we’ve discussed it here, but DCL has also recently announced that you can get a 20 or 25 percent discount using your placeholder on various cruises, and that you can use it for concierge rooms as well. When I look at the select sailings for the special placeholder offer, it seems to line up with the same select sailings and percentages as the bounce back offer for deluxe guests. So in other words, it seems like this bounce back is a form of offering the placeholder offer to certain guests who may not currently hold a placeholder. And one advantage of the placeholder would be the ability to use the discount for concierge rooms.
I have a call with my TA later today so I’ll confirm the DVC piece, but now as I’m thinking through it, I feel much less urgency because I have the placeholder. I’m still going to book because I was planning to do that anyway, but I don’t feel the 7-day clock ticking any more.
5 Likes