Money Saving Tips?

[Nikki27]

Can anyone give me some tips on saving money . I'm going on the Fantastic July 5th 2014 with 9 people and the trip came up to 24,000. Is that the normal cruise price for a party of that size? This is our first cruise and Disney experience . It's a graduation gift for my 18 yr old son.

[Nikki27]

That should have been Fantasy

[bear3412]

That is peak time/expensive time for DCL. Are you all in suites? I always thought it was around $2K/person in season, and around $1K/person off season, at least for regular cabins/non suite.

 

What category did you all book?

 

ETA; I just looked and the 7/4/14 Fantasy sailing is $2163/pp inside, $2744/pp veranda.

No wonder I don't sail during the summer. Can't afford it.

 

Enjoy

[Nikki27]

Deck 9 category 4A. That's with transfer & gratuities.

[BullDawg91]

If available you could drop down a few categories. You don't say how many rooms and how many adults and under 18's. Also, does that include airfare and was it booked through Disney? Give more information.

[Nikki27]

7 adults 2 children 4 and 6. It does not include airfare. Two connecting rooms.

[1025cruise]

You are intending to squeeze 9 people in 2 cabins? That is extremely tight.

[meatloafsfan]

change your booking to 3 cabins with 3 people in each cabin - you'll open up a lot more choices and can go down from a 4A to a lower category (you can still have a balcony). Just looked at the disney cruise website and for 3 people in a 6B, it's $7301 x 3 = $21903 (plus your gratuities - see my note below though and transfers)

 

When you have 5 in a cabin, there are very limited choices.

 

You may also want to get a Disney Visa card - while you won't save money on the cruise fare, I think they offer 6 months no interest and you could earn a lot of reward dollars that could be converted into a giftcard to cover your onboard spending (I'd look into this further if it interests you - I'm from Canada and can't get a Disney Visa but I have read a lot about them).

 

The other thing you may want to do is look for a Disney specialist Travel Agent - one who will offer you onboard credit - with an expensive booking like you're doing, you could qualify for a several hundred dollars of onboard credits which you could apply towards your gratuities (instead of prepaying them) or excursions or other onboard spending (doing a quick search on the internet I found a TA who offers $1000 on board credit for bookings of $20,000 or more which would be more than enough to cover the gratuities for the 9 of you).

[moki'smommy]

OUCH!

 

OK, I did 6 people for my daughter's graduation trip for $6000. We got 2 inside cabins (I wasn't paying for balconies for kids!) Sounds like you have a family trip though, so balcony may matter.

 

First, 5 person cabins are costly. I'm with the group that says go with 3 cabins of 3 each (or at least price it out that way). If the cabins sleep 4, DCL doesn't care who actually sleeps where; you can adjust that with stateroom host. Do you have teens who could be booked into an inside cabin across the hall from your balcony cabin? That can be a huge savings.

 

You are cruising in prime summer season. If you have any date flexibility, that can help. We were able to go right at the end of May and got the great price.

 

These ideas are where a good travel agent with great DCL experience can help! The people distribution can make a lot of difference.

 

Saving money on board--book excursions privately or go on your own. For example, on Grand Cayman, you can get a cab to the beach for a few dollars per person, the beach is FREE, and you can rent whatever you want as far as chairs, umbrellas, etc. This is much less costly than an excursion that includes things you don't want or need. Carry your own camera everywhere. The character attendants are happy to take photos for you. Photos at Shutters start at $12 (there are packages that slightly reduce the cost), but your camera vs. hundreds of dollars can seriously matter.

 

There are lots of things to do on board that are included in the cruise fare; you don't need to spend extra unless you wish to. Also....tips on a 7 night cruise are $84 per person (we budget $100 just to be easy). With 9 people, that's another chunk to budget.

 

Oh, and DCL's ship is the Fantasy (and Dream, Magic, and Wonder). No Fantastic, although that can exactly describe a DCL vacation.

Edited December 19, 2013 by moki'smommy

[BullDawg91]

Meatloafsfan is exactly right on the Disney Visa. I use mine primarily for Disney trips and so don't earn a ton of rewards dollars (I have a different rewards card for primary use). What is great though is the 6 months no interest. You can't beat it!

 

You can use rewards towards your onboard expenses, and if you pay for the cruise with the Disney Visa, you get an extra $50 onboard credit.

[moki'smommy]

And there are some travel agents who offer onboard credit as a "thanks for booking with us" perk. Some are excellent agents, others less so. Choose carefully.

[frannie12]

We did a family cruise on the Fantasy in April 2013 for 9 people.......6 adults, 3 children ....5, 3 and 8 months in 3 family verandah rooms for 12,000. We were in the 4C catagory. Your price does seem high!

[Gardeneroflove]

Did you book through a TA to get an OBC? Disney visa all the way! We got a gc for signing up, then had $400 gc to use on our cruise (we used the visa rather than our bank card and paid it off each month).

 

We had $600 obc last week. We actually ended up buying 2 pieces of art because we had $215 left!

[BullDawg91]

Did you book through a TA to get an OBC? Disney visa all the way! We got a gc for signing up, then had $400 gc to use on our cruise (we used the visa rather than our bank card and paid it off each month).

 

We had $600 obc last week. We actually ended up buying 2 pieces of art because we had $215 left!

 

Some travel agencies will give additional OBC when you book through them.

[PrincessVIP]

Maybe it's none of my business, but is your 18 year old son that into Disney? If so, September is half that price going to the same places. Or, leaving from Port Canaveral is even cheaper, and you guys could spend a couple days at Disney World.

 

Though 18 year old boys may enjoy Carnival or RCL too.

[martikus]

I too am curious if your 18 year old likes Disney? While we had a BLAST on our Disney cruise, our son was 6 and really into the shows. AT 18, I'm thinking Royal Carribean on the Oasis or ALlure of the Seas, or Freedom Class ships would be more his speed. And I would assume A LOT cheaper for your family.

 

We sail inside rooms to cut down costs. We spend very little time in the room when travelling with DS that balcony just isn't worth it to us.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

I too am curious if your 18 year old likes Disney? While we had a BLAST on our Disney cruise, our son was 6 and really into the shows. AT 18, I'm thinking Royal Carribean on the Oasis or ALlure of the Seas, or Freedom Class ships would be more his speed. And I would assume A LOT cheaper for your family.

 

We sail inside rooms to cut down costs. We spend very little time in the room when travelling with DS that balcony just isn't worth it to us.

 

Disney fan or no Disney fan, cut the kid and your wallet some slack with:

 

Freedom of the Seas, July 6 for $979 per person. Less than half the cost and he'll have a blast!

[jayjay94]

With that much money I would have gotten him a car...

[Hawaiidan]

And there are some travel agents who offer onboard credit as a "thanks for booking with us" perk. Some are excellent agents' date=' others less so. Choose carefully.[/quote']

 

First for that many... book inside cabins all. Or book one outside and 2 insides Some can be connecting. You will spend 90% of your hours awake out of the cabin. Outsides nice and Balconies so small that they appeal to ego more than reality That's by design.

 

I have sailed in everything from Panthouse to dirt ball inside. Honestly, no big deal. On Disney getting out and about is what the cruise. A cabin is to shower sleep and bathroom...and store your clothes... Its not a home or chalet.

 

Next go agent shopping and agent for a booking of 9 should be instantly willing to 0ffer a 5% discount off best discount rates... However, 5% is the maximum they are allowed to "advertise" When you start dealing many will increase that to a "rebate off the fare of 8 to 9%. This is done after you pay the ask fare and they send you a check out of gratitude! In addition they can squeeze the line for on board credit , like gratuities.

 

So off that $21,000 fare... you should be able to reduce it to $19,000 no problem. Tell your agent that's what you expect..9% and if they balk walk out there are plenty of others. Don't confine your search to locals... search nation wide.

You should also consider Disney is 50% more expensive than ships like Carnival and Royal Carribe.

[theshowmestate]

I'd suggest looking at the rooms. Can you change it up to have some balcony rooms with rome across the hall? Inside rooms are less expensive. Excursions can add up as well so make sure you pick and choose wisely whether it be through DCL or independent groups. Get an idea of on board spending before you sail by estimating beverages, spa etc. Consider bringing on a few beverages of your own. I think it's a wonderful idea, sailing under such special occasions with family. It's a trip your son and family will remember for a life time. Enjoy!!!