Many questions for experienced DCL cruisers

[EliteQueen]

Hi,

 

We are planning a Disney Cruise for January or February 2015. From what I've read on the boards thus far, we missed the window for booking when the itineraries were first released and prices won't get cheaper unless we want to do a last minute. Is there another option besides checking back everyday to get a better price?

 

So here are some of my other questions

1. Besides space, what is the benefit of booking 2 rooms for a family of 5? From the searches I did on the Disney site, it is more expensive to book 2 rooms (we will be 2 adults, 3 kids aged 7, 5 and 1.)

 

2. Where do I find the*GT special rates people keep referring to? And what is a GT rate?

 

3. Any tips from Canadians on where they fly from to get cheaper flights? We are in Ottawa.

 

4. We are not too picky on itinerary but would like to sail on the dream or fantasy. Best categories to look at for our family of five?

 

Thanks everyone!

[OneParticularHarbour 71]

Hi,

 

We are planning a Disney Cruise for January or February 2015. From what I've read on the boards thus far, we missed the window for booking when the itineraries were first released and prices won't get cheaper unless we want to do a last minute. Is there another option besides checking back everyday to get a better price? We booked 3 cruises for January and February of 2015 prior to them being released to the public and only one of them has the price risen slightly - the others are still the same as opening day, so don't feel bad about missing opening booking! If you book now, most cruises are fully refundable up until 75 days prior to cruising (concierge deposits are non refundable).

 

So here are some of my other questions

1. Besides space, what is the benefit of booking 2 rooms for a family of 5? From the searches I did on the Disney site, it is more expensive to book 2 rooms (we will be 2 adults, 3 kids aged 7, 5 and 1.) If you are looking to book a family verandah cabin for 5, sometimes it works out to be close to the same amount of $ to book 2 window or inside cabins. It can be nice to have connecting rooms so you can put the kids to bed in one room and still stay up in the other without worrying about disturbing them.

 

2. Where do I find the*GT special rates people keep referring to? And what is a GT rate? These rates usually don't get released until after the paid in full date for a particular sailing. They are very restricted in that you need to pay in full at time of booking, you cannot make any changes to the reservation, and you are not able to choose your own room. You choose IGT (inside room), OGT (outside room), or VGT (verandah room) and you will be assigned a room of Disney's choosing. Your room usually isn't assigned until a week or two before sailing. These rates also are not available to book for 5 people (unless you are booking 2 rooms).

 

3. Any tips from Canadians on where they fly from to get cheaper flights? We are in Ottawa.

 

4. We are not too picky on itinerary but would like to sail on the dream or fantasy. Best categories to look at for our family of five? We are a family of 5 and when our kids were close to your kids' ages, we would either book one family verandah, 2 lower category connecting verandah rooms or a 1 bed suite. We liked having the verandah so that we could still get to enjoy the outdoors while the kids were napping or after their bedtime and not feel like we were "stuck" in the room.

 

Thanks everyone!

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Edited January 2, 2014 by OneParticularHarbour 71

[Scrapnana]

We had three adults and two children and booked 2 oceanvies connecting cabins -7C. It was nice to have the two rooms in case someone wanted a nap (not necessarily one of the kids:D) the others could go elsewhere. With the split bathrooms in most of the cabins on Dream and Fantasy, there was no waiting.

 

Our two 7C cabins were about the same price as getting one deluxe family verandah cabin.

Edited January 2, 2014 by Scrapnana

[moki'smommy]

The advantage of 2 rooms is extra space. Depending on your cruise dates and the category you choose, it can be less costly. Example--you can book 2 cat 7s (balcony, only sleep 3) cheaper than a cat 4 (balcony, sleeps 5) on many cruises. You can get connecting cat 7s so you have an interior door that can be fixed open (your stateroom host will do this if asked.)

 

Other ways to find savings--there are sometimes specials for Canadian residents. There are sometimes Kids Sail Free offers. The *GT is a restricted rate typically offered after the penalty period starts on cruises that are not selling well. They can be a GREAT bargain if the deal can work for you. However, read the fine print before you book.

 

Where to find the deals? The easiest way is to work with a great travel agent who specializes in DCL (they may be a full service agency, but need a lot of DCL experience!) I would tell my agent what I was looking for and they would track it for me. I also get a weekly e-mail update on any specials, so can follow myself there. The only other option is to keep checking yourself.

 

Dream vs Fantasy is basically length of cruise. The Fantasy cruises for a week, the Dream for 3/4 days. IMHO, longer is better.

[AmbeeBee]

Hi! On our last cruise, which was around 4 months ago, my father booked VGT for two rooms. We ended up with two connecting deluxe family verandahs on deck 7. It wonderful, but I'm not sure I would book this way again.

[BullDawg91]

Hi! On our last cruise, which was around 4 months ago, my father booked VGT for two rooms. We ended up with two connecting deluxe family verandahs on deck 7. It wonderful, but I'm not sure I would book this way again.

 

Why not?

[AmbeeBee]

Well, mainly it was the uncertainty in the situation. My dad booked the cruise about two weeks out and though it was a surprise for my sister and I (we were told it was a Royal Caribbean cruise), we did not have time to receive luggage tags and we couldn't book any excursions in advance...I just didn't like feeling so unorganized.

[BullDawg91]

Well, mainly it was the uncertainty in the situation. My dad booked the cruise about two weeks out and though it was a surprise for my sister and I (we were told it was a Royal Caribbean cruise), we did not have time to receive luggage tags and we couldn't book any excursions in advance...I just didn't like feeling so unorganized.

 

I thought that might be it. Now that I've done one Disney (I'm an expert, right?), I would do it, but for the first time with such a short lead, I can see where it could be discombobulating.

[EliteQueen]

Thanks for the info thus far!

[EliteQueen]

 

Where to find the deals? The easiest way is to work with a great travel agent who specializes in DCL (they may be a full service agency, but need a lot of DCL experience!) I would tell my agent what I was looking for and they would track it for me. I also get a weekly e-mail update on any specials, so can follow myself there. The only other option is to keep checking yourself.

 

Dream vs Fantasy is basically length of cruise. The Fantasy cruises for a week, the Dream for 3/4 days. IMHO, longer is better.

 

MokisMommy - do you have any suggestions for locating these type of specialists? Does it matter if they are in the same city as you?

[BonaireDoug]

 

Where to find the deals? The easiest way is to work with a great travel agent who specializes in DCL (they may be a full service agency, but need a lot of DCL experience!) I would tell my agent what I was looking for and they would track it for me. I also get a weekly e-mail update on any specials, so can follow myself there. The only other option is to keep checking yourself.

 

Dream vs Fantasy is basically length of cruise. The Fantasy cruises for a week, the Dream for 3/4 days. IMHO, longer is better.

 

MokisMommy - do you have any suggestions for locating these type of specialists? Does it matter if they are in the same city as you?

 

We are in Toronto, and frequently drive to Buffalo for our air connections. I have seen good fares from Montreal to MCO as well, which might be your easiest cheap departure point. Is there an upstate New York airport that you can get to easily? It's nearly always cheaper flying from a US airport.

 

As for agents, there is a Disney specialist I use in the Toronto area. PM me if you can't find via google. A big advantage to using an Ontario travel agent is you get the TICO protection if there is any issue with your trip. Using a Disney specialist makes things much easier for a first time Disney cruiser. And if the fare should drop, or specials appear, the agent will automatically apply them to your reservation! This has saved us nearly a thousand dollars on one cruise! You do everything by phone or email, so physical location is not important. Your documents arrive in the mail.

[moki'smommy]

 

Where to find the deals? The easiest way is to work with a great travel agent who specializes in DCL (they may be a full service agency, but need a lot of DCL experience!) I would tell my agent what I was looking for and they would track it for me. I also get a weekly e-mail update on any specials, so can follow myself there. The only other option is to keep checking yourself.

.

 

MokisMommy - do you have any suggestions for locating these type of specialists? Does it matter if they are in the same city as you?

 

Many years ago, I used a local agency which was affiliated with a nationwide system. They gave good service, but nothing special. Note--this was before the internet was a big thing, etc. When my agent there took an early retirement for medical reasons, I "interviewed" other agencies/agents locally. I found a level of ignorance that was amazing. People were very willing to read me what their computer screens said, but had never cruised or cruised DCL themselves...some had done essentially no travel.

 

Now I use a large agency with an office I've never seen. I've met a couple of the agents and the owner on cruises, and I LOVE their excellent service. What I look for in an agency--the fact that ALL the agents have actually been on at least one of the DCL ships in recent years (not they cruised once 10 years ago!) They are a full service agency who will book other travel for me as well. They have "extended hours"--not 24/7, but are open evenings and weekends. They communicate the way I want to, whether that is e-mail, phone, or snail mail. They have a real office rather than a bunch of people with limited training working from smart phones. The agents are professionals with many years in the field. These are the things I would consider mandatoy from any agency getting my business.

 

Things I like but don't consider mandatory--the agents are NOT on commission, but work together to serve the customer. This means that if I call and the person I normally work with is not in the office, any of the agents can pull my file and help me. They are big enough to have people who specialize in different areas (not important till you need one!) like insurance, international air, etc.

 

Board rules forbid me from naming the agency/agent I use--sorry. Where to find a good company? For me, I guess it was dumb luck. I tried one horrible and one "just ok" nationwide agency before I found the one I like.