The Perfect Time for a Disney Cruise? Expedia ASAP Kids Sail Free Promotion

10/22/12 Update: For those still interested in this offer, you can still book directly through Disney to take advantage of the Kids Sail Free offer out of Galveston.

Now may be the perfect time to take advantage of a Disney Cruise, or is it? I have to think going on a Disney Cruise versus any other cruise line has to be one of the more difficult decisions for a family because the cost is easily double to triple of other companies. Yet each year tons of families pack the ships. While our family loves the Disney brand and visiting the parks, I just can not justify the cost of a Disney cruise. However, every once in a while a good sale comes along making the decision to go on a Disney Cruise a little more obtainable.

Expedia is currently offering Kids Sail Free Disney cruises departing out of Galveston, Texas on select 6 to 8-night cruises departing between January 4 and March 1, 2013. However, here is the rough part…you need to book the cruise before the end of tomorrow. The nice thing is that you will at least get an onboard credit, enough to help justify the extra cost of the $15 kids souvenir drinks they try and persuade your kids to buy once onboard.

One must call Expedia to take advantage of this offer, but one can at least check out the prices. Here is where I start to question the validity of this offer. Now keep in mind, I realize pricing is based on demand, as well as season. Apparently, after the new year must be high demand season. Who knew traveling during the school year was peak demand?

Prices per person run around $600 (plus taxes, fees, etc.) in November-December 2012.

Then lets take a look at the prices during this promotion, January-March 2013.

As you can see, the price is nearly double per person. So a family of four would save practically no money on the cruise portion by taking advantage of this promotion. It is simply a mind game to make one think they are saving money.

Cram an additional child into your room, then you start to justify the cost. Otherwise, Disney is just playing games with this promotion, to make customers feel the need that there is a rush to book this offer thinking they are getting a deal.

Conveniently, prices on Disney cruises starting in April drop back down to $870 on select sailings.

I realize everything Disney costs more, and I always wonder to myself why Disney feels like charging so much for their products, just because they can. It just does not seem the ethical thing Walt would have wanted. However, that is also the market we live in, and while there is demand, there will be higher prices. Just the fact that Disney continues to jack up ticket prices each year during a down economy is the perfect example.

Am I missing something?

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