1st time crusier w/questions...

[ctc917]

Im hoping someone can help me with some questions I have about our first cruise coming up in April.
I was wondering if any of your excursions were cancelled or if you didnt go due to weather, you dont get refunds, right?

I have noticed that some of the excursions on for 4yr olds and up if my ds is about 32 days short of turning 4 and fits the height requirement will he be allowed to go on that excursion or are they really strict with age?

I have booked a Cat 12 GTY and I was thinking of upgrading myself before our cruise and I went on line and checked to see what cabins were available and only 35 cabin numbers came up from cat 11 to 4 does that mean thats all thats left or do some TA's have some cabins put aside for them too that wouldnt show up on the Disney web site?

I guess another question would be if I havent been assigned a cabin number as of yet and they have only 35 left where are the ones that they are going to assign me and others like me with gty ones, do they hold them aside..?

Also any thoughts on excursions that you would not miss on the 7-day Western, I have a 14yr old ds too along with the 3yr old?Also any that you would sugguest we miss.

Thanks

ctc917

 

[Jestocost]

I'll answer what I can and hopefully others can chime in too.

First, you're going to LOVE your cruise.

Second, if you book your excursions through DCL and they are cancelled, you should get a full refund. It happens from time to time. On our Western cruise we ran into some freak waves that started during the middle of the day. Morning excursions were held as scheduled, but we had a heck of a time getting back on the tenders. Afternoon excursions were canceled, however. If you book your excursions independently and have to pay some or all of your charges in advance, you might not get a refund.

I don't know what they'd do about the ages of your child. There's a good chance that they won't check, but if they do your DS might not be able to go if he's underage.

I wouldn't go too much by what cabins show up on any one site. I believe blocks of cabins are allocated to various travel agents, packagers, etc. and may be returned to Disney from time to time. They'll assign your cabin out of their inventory or from other inventory that comes back. Not sure what the exact system is. You'll never see anything in Cats 1-3 online. Those are suites and have to be reserved by telephone.

Finally, I'm not sure what your asking about in the last question. We did Stingray City in Grand Cayman (through Capt. Marvin's, not DCL) and loved it. The Dolphin Encounter in Cozumel (through Disney) also is pretty neat.

 

[lbgraves]

DCL is very strict about the age limits for excursions. They will not allow anyone who is not old enough to register for them. They know the birthdates of everyone onboard so it really isn't difficult for them to regulate this.

 

[kcashner]

The age rule on excursions is the same as in the programming--if you are within 30 days of the next birthday, you will be allowed to participate in something for the older group. However, to make the reservation, a CM must over-ride the computer. For instance, DD celebrated her 13th birthday on the cruise. I could not register her for the "Wild Side" excursion on line despite the fact that the birthday was a few days before CC. Since she was 12 at the time of boarding, the computer kept her as 12--but when I called DCL, a supervisor was able to do the over-ride for me.

Yes, if an excursion is cancelled, you will get a full refund.

Don't worry about what cabins show up on line. If you are booked in a 12 gty, you MAY sail in a 12, but are very likely to be upgraded to at least an 11. If there are more than 3 of you, you will automatically sail in an 11 as a 12 will only hold 3 people. Your cabin will be assigned about 30 days before sailing and will show up on the DCL website (go to "my Disney cruise, then "my reservation" ) Some groups or TAs do so much business that they can hold groups of cabins for a certain amount of time, people can cancel with a full refund up to 90 days out (and there are people who can't come up with that final payment), etc. There is no way you can tell how many cabins are really available. One big clue is that if there are FL resident discounts or other special group discounts available for your cruise, it is not as full as DCL would like! SO....don't pay more based on what you see on the web. However, don't count on an upgrade either thru Pixie Dust or with $ at the port. IF you are unhappy with your room assignment, you can always call and try to purchase an upgrade at that time. If you will not be happy with an inside cabin, do pay to upgrade. Hint--I've sailed in many categories. Yes, a balcony is lovely, especially if this is a romantic cruise. However, we spend next to no waking time in our room......any cabin on the Magic is better than being on shore!

We loved Captain Marvin's which includes Stingray City. However, I doubt that your 3 year old can snorkel. Another hint--if you book excursions privately (not thru DCL), they may let your 3 year old go even though the DCL guidelines say 4. At Cozumel, Chankanaub park has all kinds of things to do. On your own, a taxi is $20 (if I remember right--$10 per person each way). Park admission had to be paid in cash, although everything inside the park could be done on plastic.