Disney cruise for 5 at a budget.

[micki7337]

Hello, My DW and I are looking for a way to go on the Disney Cruise for our family of 5 at a budget price for a 4 day cruise or 7 day cruise. It seems that every site we look at has us in a category 4 cabin and costs too much for my liking. I was hearing about utilizing a higher number category and getting 2 rooms at a cheaper price can some one please help us out in looking for a cruise for the family.
Also we can go next year if need be but were hoping to go sometime this year.

Thanks in advance.............

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Hi,
I'm not sure what help you're needing but we're a family of 5, have cruised DCL once and have another one booked- and both times we were able to get 2 rooms cheaper than the cat 4. The first time was 2 cat 10's SPH rooms (secret porthole rooms- like cat 9 but price of cat 10) and they were connected rooms. This time we're doing cat 6 verandah room and cat 11 across the hall (our kids are older now- oldest 14/youngest 8) and it's STILL cheaper than a cat 4.
I don't think we could cruise with all of us in one room. We have no problems whatsoever staying at resort or hotel in one room but there is no sense paying MORE to be crowded in one room when we can spend less and get 2 rooms! (2 bathrooms, more sleeping space, more storage space, 2 tvs, etc. etc. LOL )

What help are you needing?
Anytime you try to book yourself online if you put 5 in -it's going to only allow you to get a cat 4 (cat1-3 is the suites and I believe you can't book those online anyway). Because that is the only category you can book online that will allow 5 in the room. If you want to book 2 rooms- first try it out with some of the family in each room and then if you don't want to risk booking them seperately online- then you can call DCL or use a TA to call in the reservations for you. But this way you can check the prices and figure out which cat you want to try (for 2 staterooms for your family of 5)

And you wil see it's cheaper.. and can figure out what category is the highest you can go before it costs the same (or more) than the cat 4 would. But keep in mind it IS two rooms... so to me that's worth more anyway. But you can get 2 rooms in most categories cheaper than a cat 4!

[mrstbalt]

We are going on the cruise as a family of 5 this time, with my mom. We checked cat.4 and 3, it was cheaper to book 2 cat. 9's that connect. We got spoiled having a cat.6 verandah last time, but couldn't afford it this time.

[Anal Annie]

When you're playing around online you will need to book 1 adult and 2 kids in the first room then take the option to "book another stateroom" and then book the other adult and 1 child into the 2nd room. You just have to BOOK the rooms this way - your actual sleeping arrangements once you're on the ship can be altered so that all of the kids are in one room. You can see which ones are connecting on the deck plans (use the "Staterooms" link at the top of the page). Note that adjoining does not necessarily mean connecting. From what I have read it seems that people usually find the price break with (2) Cat 9's or Cat 10's (or 11's / 12's) or with like a Cat 8 and an inside cabin across the hall. That would depend on your comfort zone with leaving the kids in a room that doesn't connect.

[skiingwife]

I agree with the posters about 2 lower category rooms. It's nice to have 2 bathrooms. We're going with 2 connecting navigator verandah rooms. You should also compare the rates over different weeks. I booked a 4 night cruise leaving August 23, 2009 and then found that the 4 night cruise 1 week later on August 30 was $700 cheaper.

[micki7337]

here is some more info to help everyone help us; or should I say me. I typically can plan a WDW trip real easy and well just go wild and do it on the cheap. but when it comes to a DCL trip I am totally lost. We are a party of 5 as I stated before. At the time of the cruise our children will be DS 15, DD 12 and DD 8. So what I see is that we have 3 adults DW, DH( )- me, DS 15. So we would need 2 rooms so we are not paying the expense of a cat 4. I was looking to some combo that would give us 2 connecting rooms. but It seems that I can not find a date that fits but I was also told to try expedia and other sites but they are also expensive the same as DCL so this is more info. that I hope will help if not please i will gladly give more info.

thanks again.

[NancyIL]

Your problem is that you want a BUDGET-priced cruise on a premium-priced cruiseline! There are times of the year when Disney cruises cost less than during peak vacation times, but they almost always cost more than the competition. Decide if the "Disneyness" of the cruise is worth paying extra - especially with kids your age. If not - then I'd look at Royal Caribbean for a lot of bang for the buck.

[dizneygirlz3]

Hi, this is what we did for the upcoming June 1 Mexio cruise. There is me, DH,DD11,DD8,DD5. We booked two Cat. 11 rooms, the do not connect but they are side by side. We had a verandah in 2005 so I am a bit leary about being inside but in 05 we were hardly in our room. DH and DD11 are in one room and payed with DVC points. Myself, DD8, and DD5 are with me. This was about $3000.00 cheaper than a verandah room and since we paid with our points our total was about $4000.00. It was $1487.00 for myself, DD8, and about $985.00 for DD5. Also we do not have to pay for airfare because we live 2 hours from port. I hope this helps.... It is worth it because a disney cruise is the most amazing vacation ever..... Good Luck...

[dursin]

Originally Posted by micki7337

Hello, My DW and I are looking for a way to go on the Disney Cruise for our family of 5 at a budget price for a 4 day cruise or 7 day cruise. It seems that every site we look at has us in a category 4 cabin and costs too much for my liking. I was hearing about utilizing a higher number category and getting 2 rooms at a cheaper price can some one please help us out in looking for a cruise for the family.
Also we can go next year if need be but were hoping to go sometime this year.

Thanks in advance.............

Sort of need to know a few things first...like what type of budget do you have to work with and does the time of year you go matter to you? We're also a family of 5. Booked a cat 4 for our first cruise and connecting cat 8's for the next two. Without knowing any other details, I'd look into booking connecting cat 9's in either October/November of '08 or January/February of '09.


btw: Given the ages of your children, I wouldn't consider Royal Caribbean or any other cruise line besides Disney. DCL may seem more expensive than the other lines at first, but it's worth it...and the other cruise lines have many more 'hidden charges' which will bring the costs even closer.

[luvdisney24]

Check some of the online TAs such as Small World Vacations. They may have Group Rates on certain cruises that can save you quite a bit of money if you want to cruise in 2008. Some TAs also offer nice on board credits or booking incentives. Good luck!

[NancyIL]

Originally Posted by dursin

btw: Given the ages of your children, I wouldn't consider Royal Caribbean or any other cruise line besides Disney. DCL may seem more expensive than the other lines at first, but it's worth it...and the other cruise lines have many more 'hidden charges' which will bring the costs even closer.

You're right - the soda card on RCI will break the bank!

[dursin]

Originally Posted by NancyIL

You're right - the soda card on RCI will break the bank!

I'm glad it's that simple for you. The fact remains though that the OP has already decided on a Disney cruise and wanted to know how they might do it on a budget price, which is not impossible. Connecting rooms of a higher category almost always do save money over getting a single cat 4 and wisely choosing the time of year you sale can also save a huge amount.

Oh, and it isn't simply 'the soda card' that will help offset the price of a DCL cruise. In the OP's case it will be FIVE soda cards. In addition to that, RCI charges to have the kids checked into the kids clubs after 10pm, whereas DCL is free until the clubs close at midnight or 1am. RCI also typically has a Johnny Rockets restaurant which the kids will undoubtedly want to check and and is an additional charge and also a casino where most people will likely drop a few dollars. There's also Castaway Cay which includes a free lunch, sodas, ice cream and cookies. You are also allowed to bring your own alcohol aboard the DCL ships which can really help out a tight budget as well.

[NancyIL]

Originally Posted by dursin

I'm glad it's that simple for you.

Yes, it really is that simple for me. I don't drink pop or alcohol, don't have kids young enough for the kids' clubs, and I get a free coupon for Johnny Rockets.

If the OP is considering only DCL - then a 4-day will cost a lot less than a 7-day. Taking the kids out of school to cruise when other peoples' kids are in class will also cost less - but many parents don't want to do that. Getting two cat. 12 cabins is the least expensive way to go, and you might get upgraded.

[dursin]

Originally Posted by NancyIL

Yes, it really is that simple for me. I don't drink pop or alcohol, don't have kids young enough for the kids' clubs, and I get a free coupon for Johnny Rockets.

Then perhaps you should have said "If your children don't participate in the kids clubs after 10pm, you all don't drink soda (aka pop) or alcohol and have some free Johnny Rocket's coupons, THEN I'd look at Royal Caribbean for a lot of bang for the buck."

If the OP is considering only DCL - then a 4-day will cost a lot less than a 7-day.

Wow...it's that simple? 4 days cost less than 7?

Taking the kids out of school to cruise when other peoples' kids are in class will also cost less - but many parents don't want to do that. Getting two cat. 12 cabins is the least expensive way to go, and you might get upgraded.

This will work, providing you're willing to accept the fact that you're not guaranteed to wind up with rooms next to each other.

[NancyIL]

Originally Posted by dursin

Then perhaps you should have said "If your children don't participate in the kids clubs after 10pm, you all don't drink soda (aka pop) or alcohol and have some free Johnny Rocket's coupons, THEN I'd look at Royal Caribbean for a lot of bang for the buck."

Wow...it's that simple? 4 days cost less than 7?

This will work, providing you're willing to accept the fact that you're not guaranteed to wind up with rooms next to each other.

I think RCI gives a lot of bang for the buck - even if you DO drink, etc.!

I thought the same when the OP mentioned a 4-day OR a 7-day cruise on a budget.