Do the prices come down close to the departure date??

[Nermalcat]

Hi!

 

We are looking at taking a cruise in late September. We usually cruise Royal Caribbean, but my 3 year old would like to cruise with "THE MOUSE" this time. It looks like there is a lot of room left on the ships in September. I am assuming that is because school is back in. I was wondering if we watched prices for a month or so if they will start to drop??? We have done this with other cruises, but I don't know how Disney works that. Any info would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!!

[mrsfuzzmo]

I don't believe that Disney discounts any of their cruises. My thoughts are that the occupancy is low in Sept. due to the nasty hurricane season they had last year. I am guessing that there are many people that have given a Sept. cruise a second thought (though I am not one of them, I'd cruise anytime, and have). BUT, Disney doesn't discount because they are almost always filled to capacity since there are only two ships.

[magic1]

You might consider going through a T/A. They book in blocks and if they can't sell the closer to cruise date you maybe able to work something out but generally, no Disney does not discount because they don't have to.

[callajl]

Normally the only discounts DCL has are for Florida residents- which by the way- are the entire month of September. Go to allseastravel.com and they will show prices and usually show all the current discounts.

[Jsme]

Prices normally go up as time passes, the tiered system, but last year I had a friend to get a great deal for the 3 of them. All three cruised for under $900! They only booked days before heading down to WDW. It was between Jeanne and Francis.

[callajl]

DCL doesn't discount their cruises except for Florida residents if rooms aren't selling. As of last year, tourism has picked up and DCL and many other cruiselines are filling up without discounting.

[logan1_2000]

Oh gosh, I saw that question at the start of the thread, oh stop, my stomach hurts from laughing, gosh, that's good, that's funny, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, Disney Cruise prices dropping as the date approaches, dang, that's funny, oh wow, thought I was gonna wet myself there for a minute....

 

 

Uh, "no".;)

[CruiseFever]

Actually, that is another thing about Disney that I like- there's really no haggling to be done over the price.

 

My daughters recently went to work for Disney and I'm even more impressed with how they do business now that I was before (and I was really really impressed then)

[GottaLuvCruising]

My daughters recently went to work for Disney and I'm even more impressed with how they do business now that I was before (and I was really really impressed then)

 

I can hardly believe that anyone from Orlando actually respects how Disney does business. The fact that Disney was voted "one of the top 100 companies for working families" by the Orlando Sentinel is outrageous. I used to work for Disney Cruise Line and all three of my adult offspring are cast members. Local resentment is overwhelming because this huge corporation pays its executive millions while thousands of hard-working cast members qualify for food stamps, work ridiculous shifts with widely-varying hours, given no control over their work and suffer with incompetent managers (because Disney won't pay enough to retain the best). But that's another message board.

 

Disney definitely does protect their pricing on all of their products. The way for non-Florida residents to secure the best fares is by booking far in advance. (And Florida resident fares aren't available very often.) I'd advise booking September 2006 NOW.

[cruise pup]

The deal I got for 9/3/06 is gone. The best rate is now over $300. more (this is for a single) for what will probably amount to the same category cabin assignment (I took a 12 gty and all of the 12's are taken so I most likely will be bumped up to an 11). I wanted to see what a Disney cruise was all about so this is an "inspection" and I didn't want to pay a lot. This was the cheapest cruise they offered (maybe just by per diem). My per diem is about what I've paid as a single on Carnival for a holiday cruise so I found this acceptable. The highest per diem I've paid was for QM2 and I'm not about to give Disney the same kind of money.

[cruise pup]

Oh gosh, I saw that question at the start of the thread, oh stop, my stomach hurts from laughing, gosh, that's good, that's funny, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, Disney Cruise prices dropping as the date approaches, dang, that's funny, oh wow, thought I was gonna wet myself there for a minute....

 

 

Uh, "no".;)

 

If you really want to wet yourself check out the thread about free upgrades at the pier!

[Host Mick]

I can hardly believe that anyone from Orlando actually respects how Disney does business. The fact that Disney was voted "one of the top 100 companies for working families" by the Orlando Sentinel is outrageous. I used to work for Disney Cruise Line and all three of my adult offspring are cast members. Local resentment is overwhelming because this huge corporation pays its executive millions while thousands of hard-working cast members qualify for food stamps, work ridiculous shifts with widely-varying hours, given no control over their work and suffer with incompetent managers (because Disney won't pay enough to retain the best). But that's another message board.

 

If it's so bad, why does your family work for them?

[TheWog]

If it's so bad, why does your family work for them?

 

That's a good question. They must be indentured.

[GottaLuvCruising]

If it's so bad, why does your family work for them?

 

My daughter is an engineer, paid a professional salary. So her circumstances are very different than the folks in customer service. She exudes pixey dust and loves Disney...the real Disney built by Walt. She shares my disdain for Michael Eisner and his greed, but hopes and prays for a change. She's been with the company for 10 years and isn't ready to give up.

 

One son has been with Disney for seven years. He is in entertainment absolutely loves what he does, but hates how cast members are treated. He actually interviewed with another company this week and hopes to give notice soon. He is leaving for growth opportunities.

 

My other son has worked for Disney for almost six years. He hates Disney and cannot wait to leave. But he is a full-time college student and just comes home weekends to work retail. For now, it's easier to keep that job (and looks better for him). But he'll have his second college degree in May and plans to leave Disney for a professional position.

 

I felt very differently about Disney before I took a job there. It quickly became clear to me that cast members are completely insignificant.

[oscarmoraz]

Hi Nermalcat,

 

I just checked out sailing date, which is for 9/29~13 days away; and the prices are actually higher. Plus, we were given a shipboard credit at the time of booking, which is no longer being offered. You could try *****.com.

 

I truly hope a good deal blows your way!

 

All the Best,

Cindy

[yarlenna]

If it's so bad, why does your family work for them?

I also used to work for the mouse. Why I did work for them? I like to eat. There are not a lot of great jobs around here.

[CruiseFever]

I can hardly believe that anyone from Orlando actually respects how Disney does business. The fact that Disney was voted "one of the top 100 companies for working families" by the Orlando Sentinel is outrageous. I used to work for Disney Cruise Line and all three of my adult offspring are cast members. Local resentment is overwhelming because this huge corporation pays its executive millions while thousands of hard-working cast members qualify for food stamps, work ridiculous shifts with widely-varying hours, given no control over their work and suffer with incompetent managers (because Disney won't pay enough to retain the best). But that's another message board.

 

Disney definitely does protect their pricing on all of their products. The way for non-Florida residents to secure the best fares is by booking far in advance. (And Florida resident fares aren't available very often.) I'd advise booking September 2006 NOW.

 

I feel sorry for anybody who works and feels that way. If I shared similar views I'd quit.

 

Not that Disney needs anyone to defend them as their management style has been emulated by top coorporations around the world for decades but to say "local resentment is overwhelming" is pretty darn harsh.

 

You fail to mention that Disney has excellent health care benefits including dental and vision care available to part time workers for just $10 per week. You left out the College Program that draws interns from all over the planet vying for the limited open spots each semester. Free admission to the parks, deep discounts on merchandise and food and the ability to bring friends at no cost occasionally are also of importance. Deep discounts on Disney Cruises are a big plus too.

 

My daughters will have a college education paid for by Disney. I'm proud that they're learning how to "spread the magic" and the Disney way of doing business. I feel a little sorry for them though because if they ever leave Disney odds are most other companies will pale by comparison. Opportunities for all cast members are available with a good attitude and positive outlook.

 

But then, a positive outlook and good attitude go a long way in so many areas of our life. Take cruising for example. I can read a review of a cruise on which some people had a lousy time. I can read another review and under similar circumstances someone else had a fabulous time. Often it's their attitude that made the difference. They had things go wrong, some things that could have been better, but they focused on the positive and had a wonderful time.

[GottaLuvCruising]

You fail to mention that Disney has excellent health care benefits including dental and vision care available to part time workers for just $10 per week.

 

My college student son is without health insurance and was very excited when this opportunity came up. However, it is worthless. The coverage costs just a few dollars less per year than the maximum benefit offered by the program. It is total bunk and anyone who buys into did not take the time to read the materials.

 

I'm really glad that your daughters have a good experience as cast members - thousands of others have, too. But that doesn't change the reality that Disney a significant percentage of Disney cast members qualify for food stamps while executives receive bonuses in the millions. Yes, I know that my socialist tendencies emerge on topics like these.

 

I think Disney is a great guest experience and I enjoy it myself (from that perspective). But that just isn't the whole truth.

[magic1]

WOW! And here I thought this was a thread about the prices of Disney Cruise Line, not about the working conditions and salaries of Disney employees. I think that needs to be on another web site and leave this one to people who are more interested in reading about cruises, cruise lines, cruise information, and cruise experiences. (key word being CRUISE!) Cruising is about taking time off from that kind of stuff.

[Host Mick]

Things like this pop up from time to time. It's OK with me as long as it doesn't go on too long and as long as everyone keeps a civil tone.

 

WOW! And here I thought this was a thread about the prices of Disney Cruise Line, not about the working conditions and salaries of Disney employees. I think that needs to be on another web site and leave this one to people who are more interested in reading about cruises, cruise lines, cruise information, and cruise experiences. (key word being CRUISE!) Cruising is about taking time off from that kind of stuff.

[oscarmoraz]

Host Mick Saves The Day!!!! lol ;)