Cost of Cruise

[RweTHEREyet]

O.K., so I went over and looked at the DCL site to check out prices. The family wants to go on the cruise and they say all I have to do is plan it. Well, the one Disney Cruise I went on was very inexpensive because I worked for the Disney Store at the time and was able to go for araound $260.00, and we did have an outside cabin, and that included all the gratuities, too. So, when I looked at the cost of taking 4 of us on the cruise possibly in May, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It looks to me that a 4-day in an outside cabin would be around $3,500. I know category and so forth can make a difference.

I can have a whale of a time at WDW for that kind of money, and yes I realize this includes all food. Anyway to get this rate done, or is the cost the cost and that's it?

[ripleysmom]

If you are a Costco member, you can get a price through them. They typically can save you some big bucks.

[carolina_yankee]

It's worth getting a quote from several sources - AAA, Costco, and some of the Disney agents featured on the various boards. Most of them will probably offer a similar price to Disney unless they still have inventory they purchased when dates first became available. (Prices are cheaper the further out you purchase.) However, they all offer different incentives, such as a stateroom credit or some other gift that could make a little difference. My understanding is that the Costco rates won't be as good as they were because DCL ended travel agent kick-backs.

If you can choose different dates, it might be worth lookin at September sailings (since yous aid May, I'm assuming school dates can be massaged?). They're often cheaper, will be further out in this case, but you'll have to deal with hurricane potential.

The two of us sailed on a 7 day cruise last May for $2000, but we booked 14 months in advance. I agree with you on the price - there are a lot of ther fun vacation things you can do for that kind of money - but I do think the Disney cruise experience is worth it if you want to cruise.

Dirk

[RweTHEREyet]

thanks, I will check with Costco, as we have one that just opened up last week, and so far we love it compared to BJ's and Sams.

Yes, there are school schedules to deal with, but they are college, not for little ones. And, the hurricane thing is definitely one to consider. So, if I check a little farther out, maybe some better rates will show up.

I also noticed on some other threads that people mentioned booking at the last minute, does that generate some really reduced fares?