Ahoy, Charles!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I can certainly understand why a cruise along the beautiful California Coast has peeked your interest for next fall! This sailing will offer a fabulous vacation experience with WONDERful accommodations and amenities. An October cruise will also mean festive fun for your crew since it will a
Halloween on the High Seas sailing. The ship will be decked out with BOO-tiful decor, and SPOOK-tacular activities and events will be planned.
Charles, I usually book my Disney Cruise Line vacations as soon as I decide on the right date, ship and itinerary for my family. I have found that I get the best rates the further out I book, so I definitely plan ahead as much as possible. What I've observed in the past is that most rates tend to go up as the cruise approaches. If I book early, I have more time to save for final payment as only a deposit is due at the time of booking, so it's a win-win! If the cruise price happens to drop, you can call Disney Cruise Line to inquire about a refund for the difference. You'll want to periodically check pricing on the Disney Cruise Line website to see if you notice a change.
Future cruise discounts can be secured by booking onboard at the Disney Vacation Planning Center. This is for new bookings only, so if you want to enjoy this savings you will need to reserve while on your cruise next fall. I highly recommend stopping by on Day 2 or 3 to check out the sailings that are included in this offer. I've taken advantage of this on every single cruise and been able to save 10% on my future cruise and received an onboard credit as well. Some blackout dates apply, so you'll want to inquire onboard for the latest discounts and available sailings. Also, the cruise you book onboard must be taken within 24 months.
Happy Planning!
Nancy