AEmgee

The key to booking the lowest priced Disney cruise is to book as early as possible, generally the first few hours when the itineraries are released. A Disney Cruise specialist travel agent will be able to help you with this. Also, while aboard the ship, make a future cruise booking on a "dummy sailing" which can be extended indefinitely. This guarantees a further discount.

The people here on Flyertalk and also Disboards have lots of good tips about DCL.

jdn

I always book with Fairy Godmother Travel. I will be going on my 4th Disney cruise in June (Mediterranean). I always travel with a group of adults and we always have a blast on the Disney ships. Some of the things our fairy godmother has setup for us have been private mixology classes (definitely fun and excellent price), a few private get togethers, plus she has booked us in the private rooms in Paolo and Remy (adult only restaurants that are worth the slight up charge.)

Rooms are cheapest when routes are first published, as price goes up as more staterooms are sold in each category. Minimum deposit is not much, plus it only becomes non-cancellable lie 90 or 120 days out, so you could book your rooms now even if you're not 100% sure on the date.

I've been a disney vacationer for many years and since I've started booking with fairy godmother travel (my agent is Teresa), I've learned about many new experiences and opportunities in the resorts and other properties.

msp3

Thinking of booking a one-way Disney cruise from Vancouver, BC back to Hawaii. Any credit cards that would help? Is the Chase Disney Visa any good?

SCGustafson

If you use the Chase Disney Visa, they will allow you to pay 6 months later interest free and get a $50 onboard credit. The key on this is to prepay everything including tips and Port Adventures on the card. I don't have all of the facts on the 6 months interest free, but if you go to disboards.com and look for 6 months free interest on Chase Disney Visa, it should help.

UrbanGeek

I book with DCL directly as member of Disney Vacation Club. Usually we book early but this year we booked late (May) and the cruise in August. But its always been a pretty painless process. On the DCL site I can add excursions, arrange transportation to and from the ship, and complete and print out any forms I need.

If anyone takes a Disney vacation every year or two then the Disney vacation Club is really worth looking into.

greg0ire

I know it's not an option for most however if you know anyone that works for Disney (over 155,000 people do) then I recommend you kindly ask them to book it for you. We get very impressive discounts however they are typically only available within 90 days of the departure.

DJ_Iceman

And, unless things have changed very recently, said Disney employee needs to cruise with you. They can book up to 5 discounted cabins, but they need to physically be in one of them.

greg0ire

I don't think that has been the case...at least over the past two years.

Sam I Am

It depends on where they work, I believe (DCL vs. other parts of Disney). In any event, if you know someone, it's worth asking...

pseudoswede

If you can float a 20% deposit fee for 18 months, yes, by all means book as soon as the itinerary is released.

I booked a December 2015 cruise back in late June 2014 (cabins went on-sale in late May 2015). The first price increase (10%) occurred in September 2014. Now, non-suite verandah cabin prices are $900-1000/person higher!

I used Cruise Compete and chose the TA who offered the highest OBC.

DaveBlaine

I saw a promo video from Disney about the Disney Vacation Club. Am I to understand that it's sort of like a timeshare with a monthly/yearly fee?

Really haven't heard much about it but it looks like a great thing if money no object. FWIW, looking at booking a 7 day Western Carib. cruise as well.

pseudoswede

It is exactly like a timeshare. I guess one perk is that you can convert your "points" to a Disney cruise.