"Crowd" calendar?

[DisneyKarenG]

You know how you can always find crowd predictions for WDW so that you can plan to go for a quieter time... is there anything like that for DCL??

 

[DisneyKarenG]

(and not just for crowds, but for prices too - or does DCL mirror WDW??)

 

[NS8VN]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by quieter time, but nearly every Disney Cruise is sold to or near capacity. Prices go up during holidays and when kids are typically out of school, and down during hurricane season and Winter. If by quieter time you mean fewer kids then Trans-Atlantic or Panama cruises tend to have the fewest.

 

[Shanti]

You know how you can always find crowd predictions for WDW so that you can plan to go for a quieter time... is there anything like that for DCL??

You don't need to worry about crazy crowds on a cruise because only so many people are allowed on the ship. The cruises with the least people on them will be cruises that occur while school is in session around most of the country, but the don't expect the ships to ever be only half full. DCL cruises are popular year-round.

For prices, just go to the DCL website. You'll find that prices rise sharply when school is out.

 

[Donna3271]

OP, what the previous posters stated is correct. Disney ships for the most part sail at 99% capacity. Only so may people are allowed. Pricing, on the other hand, is a different animal. Off-season cruises are cheaper.

 

[DisneyKarenG]

Thanks everyone! @Donna3271 I was wondering if it was off-season (cheaper) during hurricane season, but I guess not!

 

[braysmommy]

Also, the longer cruises, Panama Canal or transatlantic typically have a lot fewer kids. We have sailed with under 300 kids on the ship before and that makes for one quiet cruise!

 

[Shanti]

Thanks everyone! @Donna3271 I was wondering if it was off-season (cheaper) during hurricane season, but I guess not!

Well, September is prime hurricane season, and cruises then are cheaper.

 

[squirk]

The DCL section of TouringPlans.com is helpful for tracking fares for specific itineraries and times of year.

Hurricane season runs June 1 - Nov. 30, which obviously includes summer vacation for kids, so hurricane season and high season are not mutually exclusive. As @Shanti said, September is good because it is peak hurricane season AND kids are back in school. January/Feb are also good.

 

[jahber]

We have found that there are fewer people on cruises just after school starts each semester and just before it ends each semester. Every room may be booked, but it tends to be 2 adults vs 2 adults plus a kid or two. The ship is much less crowded that way. We sailed a September cruise to Alaska and there were only 300 kids, total. Typically there are at least twice as many, if not more. But Serenity Bay has been pretty crowded on the off-season cruises, we have found. There are fewer parents staying on the main beach with kids and more kid-free couples or adults at Serenity.

 

[crabbygal902]

We have found February to be a less expensive option, however the weather can be downright cold. If you want a better chance to play in the ocean and swim in the pools, perhaps September would be a better choice.

 

[Bishoparc]

We got an awesome deal as a Florida Resident for the 4 night dream that leaves tomorrow. End of January/early February are priced well. Water will likely be cold though. (I'll let you know in a few days lol)

 

[Shanti]

We got an awesome deal as a Florida Resident for the 4 night dream that leaves tomorrow. End of January/early February are priced well. Water will likely be cold though. (I'll let you know in a few days lol)

You lucky Florida residents...

 

[Donna3271]

Thanks everyone! @Donna3271 I was wondering if it was off-season (cheaper) during hurricane season, but I guess not!

Yes, end of Hurricane season is cheaper.... End of August cruises go down markedly. July is technically hurricane season as well, but the cruises are sky high.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

We love mid January for the pricing. Our school has off for MLKJr day so we can normally work it out so we don't miss too many days if school. Water in CC and Bahamas /Mexico /VI just fine to swim in!

 

[jrabbit]

yes, but disney knows this and the prices are higher for MLK and Presidents day holiday weeks than the weeks before and after them

 

[Cackyschmackers]

yes, but disney knows this and the prices are higher for MLK and Presidents day holiday weeks than the weeks before and after them

Well, this is half the story. Prices are much higher Pres Day wknd vs MLKJr (accomodations for 5), and air is off the charts that wknd. 6 DCL cruises and all but 2 were in Jan.... just can't swing it for 5.

 

[limabeanies]

Cruisefish is a website to see price decreases or increases on DCL fares.