1st DCL Planning ?'s

[glewis1123]

Hi all

We've decided to do our first DCL cruise next year and have some questions.

1. How far in advance do we need to book - plan on going some time next spring but not during Easter Weeks.

2. Between Feb, March, April and May - what is the best weather for cruising - also the smoothest waters

3. Because we require a smoking room and have heard that there is no smoking inside the room and have heard that you are allowed to smoke on the veranda of your room - if this is not correct, please let me know, we always abide by the designated and non-designated smoking location rules.

4. What are the differences between the verandas and navigators veranda - which one do you feel is better to have.

5. Are there deck plans on line somewhere as well as room plans?

6. Any references to some good websites for DCL info besides the DIS.

Thank you so much for your help

 

[inkkognito]

I have lots of good stuff on my website at www.castawayclub.com and Dave's site at www.dcltribute.com is great too.
I have photos of the differences between the nav. and regular verandahs that should be very helpful. You are correct that smoking is not allowed in staterooms (and they have detectors to monitor it), but you can do it on your verandah. If you book an inside stateroom, you can book one near the deck 7 aft verandah where you can run for a smoke or on deck 5 so that the deck 4 outside area is only a flight of stairs away.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[LAMPSKIES]

I use www.disney.com.... go to destinations......go to disney cruise line......then reservations......then get a quote. You can "dummy" book different dates and trips. That's how I book and learn. Good luck!

 

[Señor Ferrari]

I'll give these a shot:

1) The further in advance you book, the better deal you're likely to get. As the sailing fills up, the price goes up.

2) I have no real opinion on this. My favorite months to cruise are January through December. Regarding rough or calm seas, there really is no "good" time to go. I often sail during the fall hurricane season, and have had smooth sailing on most of these trips. It all depends on the current weather, and March of one year is not necessarily going to have the same type of temperatures, seas, and preciptation as March of another year. Having said that, the later in the year you go, the more likely it is to be warmer in the Bahamas and Florida. The Caribbean is pretty warm year-round.

3) You're correct, smoking is not allowed in the rooms, but is allowed on the verandahs.

4) The Navigator's verandahs are partially enclosed, with an open-air porthole. The standard verandahs are more open, with a railing only. I personally think the Navigator's verandahs are a better deal, as they are considerably cheaper than the next highest category (usually about $200pp), and the room is exactly the same as the higher category rooms, excepting, of course, the verandah. You'll get lots of different opinions on this, though.

5) The Disney Cruise Line Website has deck and room plans.

6) Here are a couple of sites maintained by fellow DISers:

http://www.dcltribute.com/

http://www.disneycruiser.info/ (this site has pictures of the Navigator's verandah, so you can get a better idea of what I was trying to describe)

Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

OOOPPPPPSSSS, sorry Barb I forgot about you!!!

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

[QUOTEyou can book one near the deck 7 aft verandah where you can run for a smoke[/QUOTE]

OR do push-ups for a cigar...

 

[WDWLVR]

You've already gotten some great responses so I'll chime in with some opinions.

We cruised in both Feb. and May this year. Both cruises were very smooth, but the water was a little cold in February for our taste on Castaway Cay. In May the water was perfect.

I also prefer the Navigator Veranda. While the regular veranda has a full plexiglass front you you can see out of it is just two chairs and a small table. On the Navigator you have a padded bench, a padded chair and a small table. Go to Barb's site to see the difference in the opening between the Magic and the Wonder we've been in both and love them.

 

[glewis1123]

Thanks to all

These are some awesome sites for info/pics

This will definitely get me started.