1st time cruiser and have questions

[Blythep]

I am in the process of planning our first cruise. We will be sailing next Christmas with our sons 15, and 12. We are going to Disney World for 5 days followed by a 3 night cruise. I am considering booking these arrangements separately because we want to stay at Pop and that is not an option with the 4-day land/3-day sea package. Do you think this is a good idea? How long will the early-booking discount last? It is afterall 18 months away. Also is there a big difference in the Catagory 8 and 9 staterooms? Since this is our first one, we are trying to be conservative without loosing the "Disney" experience. Thanks for the help.

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

First of all, you'll be glad you took the cruise.

Yes, definitely book separately. Besides the Pop not being offered, it's normally less expensive to book land and sea separately.

For Christmas sailings, I'd think they book up quickly. I'd book ASAP. The prices will go up as the ship books up.

Cat 8 and 9 are the same except cat 9 is on decks 1and 2/ Cat 8 is higher up. Be aware that the porthole on deck 1 is 2 small ones vs 1 large one on decks 2 and up.

 

[din]

As you may have noticed, you are restricted to types of hotel at WDW for the cat 8&9.

Many will tell you to book the rooms seperately and may be more cost effective. You will need to arrange for you own transport or get to where you can catch a DCL bus that is if you are planning to do that. Since it four of you it may be worth arranging for a limo.

Cat 8&9 are the same except for the location. We have always stayed in cat 9 on deck 2. Love the location.

 

[jrabbit]

You can book the land and sea portions seperatly, and you usually can save some money. Probably no room discounts during Christmas time (but you can check with MouseSavers for discount codes). You can buy tickets for only the days you want to go to the parks (on embarkation day me and most of us here on the DIS recommend NOT going to the park). That should save you 1 days admission that you will be paying if you purchase the land/sea package. You will definately save money by staying at Pop Century (or the All Star Resorts).

Early booking discounts on the cruise really don't relate to how early you book it. It relates to how many rooms have ALREADY been booked. The earlier you book the better. We were able to see this in action over a very short period of time with the announcement of the Magic going to California for the summer of 2005. For a cat 9 room with 3 people (August repositioning cruise) started on Wednesday at about 4900, that evening 6000, Thursday 6800 Friday 7700 Saturday 7900 and Sunday the entire ship was sold out (since then some rooms have opened up - people not paying their deposits).

The biggest difference between cat 9 and 8 is the deck that the rooms are on. Cat 9's are on deck 2 (some consider this the "bowels of the ship" - but they are very nice rooms! Cat 8 rooms are on decks 5, 6 & 7 forward.

As far as experiencing the Magic of Disney, you'll get it even if you are staying in a cat 12 room because you are on one of the nicest ships on the ocean - The Disney Wonder!! (we all know that the Magic is THE best ship in the fleet )

 

[Blythep]

I was thinking that we would be renting a limo or towncar, because I think that for the four of us from the airport to Pop and then Pop to Port will be too expensive. Thanks so much for the info. I will probably be booking by mid-July because we will be at Disney in 5 days!!! (just hubby and me) We are very excited. We will have an annual pass, but I don't think that they offer discounts at Christmas. I can't wait to see the decorations.

 

[din]

WDW is "wonder"ful and "magic"al during Christmas. Do not miss the Candlelight Pocessional.

 

[Blythep]

How do I sign up for the candlelight processional? It is at Epcot, right?