When does Disney put out itineraries & start bookings for the following year??

[Dsnygirl]

My DH and I are considering a 4 nt cruise for our 20th anniversary, which is in 2014. I've just started checking prices for our dates in 2013, just to get an idea of cost... but when can we expect DCL to put out itineraries and start allowing bookings for 2014?

And I'm assuming it's (a bit) less expensive to book early - am I right??

[Ed]

There's been a lot of speculation and virtually no definite information from DCL yet about their 2014 itineraries. It's anybody's guess when they will be released.

Yes, you usually will get the best rates if you book early. Rates also tend to drop as the cruise date draws near and the ship is considerably undersold; DCL prefers to sail with full ships, and will sometimes cut rates to try to fill the ship.

Your best bet this far out is to get in touch with our good friends at Magical Journeys and ask them to alert you as soon as 2014 info is released by DCL.

[janebanks]

I am also waiting for 2014 Fantasy info...

[Dsnygirl]

Your best bet this far out is to get in touch with our good friends at Magical Journeys and ask them to alert you as soon as 2014 info is released by DCL.

Done.... Now just waiting...

[BrerGnat]

Actually, the very best prices are within a month or two of sail date. Our cruise in August was DEEPLY discounted in the GTY categories just 3 weeks and less prior to sail date. We booked at 20 days prior!

I'd recommend getting passports and just be ready to jump on a great deal at the last minute. You can sort of watch the sailings between now and then to see what the pattern tends to be. Don't count on any discounts on holiday or peak sail dates (like June/July). The best bet for great rates is late August-mid October.

[janebanks]

I was trying to talk DH into a Disney cruise from Galveston right after Thanksgiving. The closer we got to the date, the cheaper the price got. I got the impression that the weekend after Thanksgiving was a low time.

If you're counting on a certain date, though, like for a special occasion, best not to wait until the last minute, or you'll risk missing the cruise you want.

[MarkC]

Obviously school calendars and holidays come into play here. If you want to go during a holiday, spring break, etc. you better book right away. If you are going in the middle of a school year and have some flexibility and patience, you can find a great deal.

[Dsnygirl]

I'd recommend getting passports and just be ready to jump on a great deal at the last minute. You can sort of watch the sailings between now and then to see what the pattern tends to be. Don't count on any discounts on holiday or peak sail dates (like June/July). The best bet for great rates is late August-mid October.

I wish we could, but this will be an anniversary getaway, just the two of us, so vacation time has to be planned a bit ahead. Thankfully, though, we're looking for October, so hopefully prices will stay reasonable! (and we already have licenses that work as passports for land & sea crossings... woohoo! )

Question re: booking immed vs. waiting - it seems when I've watched prices in the past that the lower rates come out immediately, then they go up for most of the time before the cruise, and then the drop is only the last month or two before the cruise sails. Am I correct on this? Or are the rates pretty much the same as what is released initially, and the only change is near the end?

[BrerGnat]

I wish we could, but this will be an anniversary getaway, just the two of us, so vacation time has to be planned a bit ahead. Thankfully, though, we're looking for October, so hopefully prices will stay reasonable! (and we already have licenses that work as passports for land & sea crossings... woohoo! )

Question re: booking immed vs. waiting - it seems when I've watched prices in the past that the lower rates come out immediately, then they go up for most of the time before the cruise, and then the drop is only the last month or two before the cruise sails. Am I correct on this? Or are the rates pretty much the same as what is released initially, and the only change is near the end?

You're basically correct. However, what actually happens is that when they first release the dates, the cheaper cabins book up first, and as time goes on, all you see is the available inventory, which tends to be the more expensive stuff.

What I would do is figure out which category you want ahead of time. Within each category number there are sub categories (the letters). Get an idea of the range you see on that category from looking at other sailings and then book when you can get that category for a price you are comfortable with.

Which ship/sailing are you guys thinking about?

[Tink1]

Question re: booking immed vs. waiting - it seems when I've watched prices in the past that the lower rates come out immediately, then they go up for most of the time before the cruise, and then the drop is only the last month or two before the cruise sails. Am I correct on this? Or are the rates pretty much the same as what is released initially, and the only change is near the end?

Pretty Much that is it. DCL sells in tiers. They sell X number of cabins in a category for the lowest rate, then it tiers up. It then sells Y number of cabins at the next tier and tiers it up and so on and so on.

If the sailing is not selling, they may adjust pricing.

After the final payment date, when the cruise goes into penalty phase, is when they normally release the IGT, OGT, and VGT categories.

Nanc

[BrerGnat]

I wish we could, but this will be an anniversary getaway, just the two of us, so vacation time has to be planned a bit ahead. Thankfully, though, we're looking for October, so hopefully prices will stay reasonable! (and we already have licenses that work as passports for land & sea crossings... woohoo! )

I hear what you're saying here. BUT...what I would do in your situation is figure out which sailing you want to do. Mark your calendar. Take that week off. And then, watch it. It really is worth waiting for a last minute discount. They can be 50% or more off! Also, maybe have a second cruise line that you'd consider if Disney doesn't discount. OR, just go to WDW instead. Seriously...I think the Disney cruise is really fun and all, but I'd NEVER pay "rack rate" for it, same as I'd never pay "rack rate" at the resorts. It really is a bit overpriced, especially if you aren't taking kids along.

[Ed]

Partial 2014 itineraries were released a short time ago. I do not have all the details handy, but you can check DCL's Facebook page or their website for more info.