Newbie Cruiser! Advice please!

[blairzo]

Hello! I'd like some info on booking a Disney Cruise!
I turn 30 in 2014 so I'd like to have a great vacation to celebrate!
My "plan" is to head to Disney World from May 31-June 7 and then have them transport us to Port Canaveral for a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy in the Caribbean. It will be 2 adults and 2 children ages 6 and 4.
So, my questions....
1) Do you book your own cruises or have a travel agent do it?
2) Is the transportation fairly simple from DW to Port Canveral?
3) My DD's will be 6 and 4 at the time of the cruise. Is there enough to keep them busy and entertained?
4) Are the islands you get off on safe?

Thank you! Any advice I can get would be helpful!

[jdb in AZ]

Originally Posted by blairzo

Hello! I'd like some info on booking a Disney Cruise!
I turn 30 in 2014 so I'd like to have a great vacation to celebrate!
My "plan" is to head to Disney World from May 31-June 7 and then have them transport us to Port Canaveral for a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy in the Caribbean. It will be 2 adults and 2 children ages 6 and 4.
So, my questions....
1) Do you book your own cruises or have a travel agent do it? We use a travel agent who gives us "onboard credit," which is $$$ to spend in your account on the ship.
2) Is the transportation fairly simple from DW to Port Canveral? Yes. If you do the DCL transfers they'll cost you $35. per person each way. Since there's four of you, it's about the same price to hire a Limo or car service. Or you could rent a car.
3) My DD's will be 6 and 4 at the time of the cruise. Is there enough to keep them busy and entertained? Your kids are the perfect age for a Disney cruise.
4) Are the islands you get off on safe? You can get into trouble anywhere in the world, but if you keep your eyes open and don't go into seedy areas, you should be fine.

Thank you! Any advice I can get would be helpful! Keep reading the DIS boards. You could also buy a travel book, but the DIS usually has more up-to-date info.

Have fun!

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

1. Whichever way you prefer, you will pay the same price as DCL does not allow discounting (unless they are the one's doing it). TA's usually throw a little something in, like on board credit or in room gift.
2. I've never used the Disney Transportation but the process does seem pretty straight forward. I believe the folks using it get to the port later in the afternoon.
3. It is of course dependent on the individual child (we have none and still find plenty to do) but I would think so.
4. As safe as most US cities, crimes and accidents are going to happen. Just be smart and you should be okay.

[blairzo]

Thank you both for your replies! I feel like a Disney World expert, but when it comes to DCL I have no idea what I'm doing! Looks like I'll be reading a lot of Dis stuff today!

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

We were all DCL amateurs at some point. The DIS is where my DW and I learned a lot before our first cruise. We still learn new stuff from time to time.