A few Cruise questions!

[Azza1987]

Hi guys

So definitely booking the 4 night cruise on the dream in October! (eek! )

A few questions if anyone can help?

We'd be using disney transport from resort - port & port - airport. But our flight would not be until early evening (we;d be booking the Virgin flight at 18.55 once the cruise is booked) as you disemark the cruise so early, do you just get taken straight to the airport and have to hang around all day? Can you chill in the port area and get Disney to check your bags for you straight off the cruise? Then catch a later transfer?

Is it worth the upgrade to a Concierge cabin? Im not sure there any more benefits then a veranda room.

TIA guys

 

[wilma-bride]

Hi guys

So definitely booking the 4 night cruise on the dream in October! (eek! )

A few questions if anyone can help?

We'd be using disney transport from resort - port & port - airport. But our flight would not be until early evening (we;d be booking the Virgin flight at 18.55 once the cruise is booked) as you disemark the cruise so early, do you just get taken straight to the airport and have to hang around all day? Can you chill in the port area and get Disney to check your bags for you straight off the cruise? Then catch a later transfer?

There isn't really anywhere to chill at the port, once you've disembarked the ship and you wouldn't be allowed to leave and come back, as such, so I don't think that's an option.

Personally, I would look at staying an extra night and get the bus back to the Disney resort and chill there for that last day. If that's not an option, consider hiring a car maybe and just book the transfers one way. That way, you could at least spend some time in the local area, go shopping, have a bite to eat. Otherwise, you would be much better off 'chilling' at the airport than you would at the port. Once you're off the ship, they are pretty much kicking you out of the door to make way for the next lot.

Is it worth the upgrade to a Concierge cabin? Im not sure there any more benefits then a veranda room.

This is probably one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions. If you think you will benefit from the booking advantage for Palo/Remy and excursions and make use of the concierge sun deck, then it may be. If not, I would say probably not. I've never sailed concierge but, for me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the cruise, is mixing and chatting with our fellow passengers. from what I saw of the concierge area, it was mostly empty whenever we passed. To be perfectly honest, although I absolutely loved our massive verandah on the Fantasy, the time we spent out there was relatively small in context and I'm not even sure whether we would pay the extra for a verandah in the future.

TIA guys

My answers (for what they are worth) above in red.

Whatever happens, I'm sure you'll have a lovely cruise. I always used to think of cruising as an 'old people's' pastime - one cruise and I was absolutely hooked.

 

[PJB71]

We have never used DCL transport as we always have a rental car but I do know a few people have booked a day room at the Hyatt (the hotel that's within MCO airport, I think it has a pool, sun terrace etc, restaurants etc)

As Joh saids though be warned DCL cruises are addictive

 

[wayneg]

Is it just the 2 of you or more?

I would seriously consider 2 x 1 way rentals, £25-30 each way including 2 full tanks of gas. you can go at you own pace, arrive at the port when you want, go somewhere after the cruise for a few hours rather than sit about for your flight.

Like Joh, cruising is all about meeting people for me, concierge is not my idea of a cruise but never tried it to really know.
We were upgraded to Veranda cabin free on our first cruise, used it 10 mins in 4 nights, complete waste for us.
Next 3 cruises I got secret porthole cabins (pay inside price but get obstructed view) great value.
Our 5th cruise we needed 2 cabins at peak Easter dates so had to take cheapest possible, inside cabins, wouldn't hesitate having inside again, we only sleep in there.
6th was inside with virtual porthole which was brilliant.
This year our 7th Disney cruise is for our 25th Anni so opted for a porthole cabin.

 

[Azza1987]

Just 2 of us
I've done a bit of fiddling about & I think we might now split our stay & cruise in the middle?

5 nights at WDW, then the cruise then a final 2 nights at WDW?

That way there's no hanging around and we get 2 final days at Dis to finish off any missed F&W treats !

 

[Azza1987]

Is it just the 2 of you or more? I would seriously consider 2 x 1 way rentals, £25-30 each way including 2 full tanks of gas. you can go at you own pace, arrive at the port when you want, go somewhere after the cruise for a few hours rather than sit about for your flight. Like Joh, cruising is all about meeting people for me, concierge is not my idea of a cruise but never tried it to really know. We were upgraded to Veranda cabin free on our first cruise, used it 10 mins in 4 nights, complete waste for us. Next 3 cruises I got secret porthole cabins (pay inside price but get obstructed view) great value. Our 5th cruise we needed 2 cabins at peak Easter dates so had to take cheapest possible, inside cabins, wouldn't hesitate having inside again, we only sleep in there. 6th was inside with virtual porthole which was brilliant. This year our 7th Disney cruise is for our 25th Anni so opted for a porthole cabin.

I'm trying to do everything possible to avoid driving ! I'm bad enough on this side of the road let alone the other! But I think if we can't split our stay (financially it might not make sense!) I think the car hire is going to be our best option! I can't think of anything worse then hanging around in an airport all day!

Yeah I don't think concierge is going to be worth it either, I think I'd still like a veranda but the cost is quite considerable so will definitely look into a port hole cabin. Your definitely right, we'd spend more time on the ship then in our room!

 

[tigger137]

Hi guys

So definitely booking the 4 night cruise on the dream in October! (eek! )

A few questions if anyone can help?

We'd be using disney transport from resort - port & port - airport. But our flight would not be until early evening (we;d be booking the Virgin flight at 18.55 once the cruise is booked) as you disemark the cruise so early, do you just get taken straight to the airport and have to hang around all day? Can you chill in the port area and get Disney to check your bags for you straight off the cruise? Then catch a later transfer?

Is it worth the upgrade to a Concierge cabin? Im not sure there any more benefits then a veranda room.

TIA guys

Congratulations on booking your first cruise!

We always use the Disney transport, either from resort or airport. I know it possibly isn't the cheapest or most flexible option but we love it. It's the only coach in the world that my DH will get on willingly!

As others have said, you do have to go straight back to the airport and there isn't anywhere to wait around at the port. We have never flown home the same day but if we did, I'd book a day room at the Hyatt. We've stayed there several times pre-cruise and once post-cruise, just for one night as our flight was the following morning. The hotel is excellent, very comfortable. You could relax, perhaps use the pool, have a meal, and there's always the shops in the airport to browse. Certainly a more relaxing lead-up to the transatlantic flight than being out and about elsewhere, always aware that you've got to get back to the airport by a certain time.

Ref Concierge, unfortunately I've never had the opportunity to do it. I have a colleague who swears by it, says it's worth every penny. But he is a consultant plastic surgeon - need I say more?

What I can recommend on the Dream is Cat 5E, overlooking the stern of the ship, with the extra long verandahs.

Whatever you decide to do, be prepared to become a DCL addict.

 

[Azza1987]

Congratulations on booking your first cruise! We always use the Disney transport, either from resort or airport. I know it possibly isn't the cheapest or most flexible option but we love it. It's the only coach in the world that my DH will get on willingly! As others have said, you do have to go straight back to the airport and there isn't anywhere to wait around at the port. We have never flown home the same day but if we did, I'd book a day room at the Hyatt. We've stayed there several times pre-cruise and once post-cruise, just for one night as our flight was the following morning. The hotel is excellent, very comfortable. You could relax, perhaps use the pool, have a meal, and there's always the shops in the airport to browse. Certainly a more relaxing lead-up to the transatlantic flight than being out and about elsewhere, always aware that you've got to get back to the airport by a certain time. Ref Concierge, unfortunately I've never had the opportunity to do it. I have a colleague who swears by it, says it's worth every penny. But he is a consultant plastic surgeon - need I say more? What I can recommend on the Dream is Cat 5E, overlooking the stern of the ship, with the extra long verandahs. Whatever you decide to do, be prepared to become a DCL addict.

Hi!

Thanks I've not yet booked it, but hope to have done by the end of the week once I've got our flights sorted we were going to cruise at the end of our WDW holiday last year but had to cancel so I'm very excited we now get the chance!

Great minds think alike, it's cat 5E we are looking at booking! The large balcony really appeals to me even if it's just for having a coffee on in the morning!

We're now hoping to get booked 5 nights BC - Cruise - 4 nights Somewhere else just not sure where!

 

[wilma-bride]

Hi!

Thanks I've not yet booked it, but hope to have done by the end of the week once I've got our flights sorted we were going to cruise at the end of our WDW holiday last year but had to cancel so I'm very excited we now get the chance!

Great minds think alike, it's cat 5E we are looking at booking! The large balcony really appeals to me even if it's just for having a coffee on in the morning!

We're now hoping to get booked 5 nights BC - Cruise - 4 nights Somewhere else just not sure where!

I had a cat 5E on the Fantasy - you can check out a couple of pictures of our room and balcony on my trip report (Friends Don't Let Friends Do Karaoke) in my signature

 

[Azza1987]

I had a cat 5E on the Fantasy - you can check out a couple of pictures of our room and balcony on my trip report (Friends Don't Let Friends Do Karaoke) in my signature

Oh brilliant, I'll get checking that out now!

I've been furiously reading as many trip reports on the cruise line section to get as good idea as possible about what to expect/do etc!

 

[Azza1987]

Just had a nosey at your latest trip report Wilma! Your balcony was massive!! When reading various reports a lot of people in car 5E commented that it was quite noisy & heavy vibrations when docking in the morning, would you agree? Or is it manageable?

 

[wilma-bride]

Just had a nosey at your latest trip report Wilma! Your balcony was massive!! When reading various reports a lot of people in car 5E commented that it was quite noisy & heavy vibrations when docking in the morning, would you agree? Or is it manageable?

It was absolutely fine. The only time I really noticed the vibrations was when we docked at Port Canaveral on our return, which was quite early in the morning and woke me but not DH.

 

[Azza1987]

It was absolutely fine. The only time I really noticed the vibrations was when we docked at Port Canaveral on our return, which was quite early in the morning and woke me but not DH.

Thank you

We're both early risers so I doubt it would make much difference to us.

I've been playing with options all day & I've decided to definitely do a split stay with the cruise in the middle! Just gotta call & add the cruise on the book the flights whilst they are £517pp direct return! I'm worried they'll shoot back up again but part of me wants to hang on and see if they'll go back down!

 

[DISWolves]

We absolutely love the balcony!. As said previously, great place if like, me you are an early riser, but best of all, late evening, winding down with a nice glass of wine. We had a slight issue last year with smoke drifting in from people on next balcony. Thankfully smoking on your balcony has now been prohibited by Disney, so this solves any issues for our next sailing in 2015. We also tend to book starboard side, which offers a good view when leaving Port Canaveral and you also have a great view when docked at Castaway Cay.

 

[zippy99]

We have booked a Category 5E room for our Cruise on 27th October - we have got the last corner room available where the verandah sweeps around the side of the ship.

Do a little bit of research on your room as you can request these at the time of booking.

I must confess I am looking at car hire when I realised I have been charged £184 for the 4 of us for transfers!!! I think it is $75 to park on a 4 day cruise.

 

[Azza1987]

Thanks guys, I've definitely decide on cat 5E thanks to you all hopefully I can request a corner room but I'm not bothered if there isn't one.

I'm just now trying to figure out our best options as we want to cruise in the middle/towards the end, mainly so we're not hanging around the port all day or airport when we could be having fun at MK

I know OH really wants to stay at AKL so I'm trying to tie that in with us landing back on a Friday so we have a weekend to recover before work!

My options so far are;

Fly out 27th sept, 5 nights BC CL, 3 nights cruise, 4 nights AK.

Fly out Oct 4th, 5 nights BC CL, 3 nights cruise, 4 nights AK

Fly out Oct 4th, 1 night AK, 4 night cruise, 7 nights BC CL

Those above all get us back in the UK on a Friday (actual flight leaves Thursday) which is our preferable option to get rid of jet lag before work on a Monday! I'm favouring our last option on the above but we could also do;

Fly out 30th sept, 5 nights BC CL, 4 nights cruise, 2 nights AK or YC CL which lands back on a Sunday

Or even;

Fly out 9th oct, 3 nights AKL, 4 nights cruise, 5 nights BC CL. Which lands back on a Wednesday

Literally none the wiser. Cost difference is that much between them all including port transfers etc, the difference is less then £150 between all options pretty much!

Any advice??

 

[wayneg]

I must confess I am looking at car hire when I realised I have been charged £184 for the 4 of us for transfers!!! I think it is $75 to park on a 4 day cruise.

Its worth looking at 2 rentals as well, while parked you pay for parking plus 3 extra days rental you don't need, could end up costing you around £150 just to have you car there.
You need to price up all options though as breaking a rental in 2 shorter ones can cost more than renting in full weeks. Your 2nd rental you would collect early and then drop at airport later so costing an extra day.
Leaving car in carpark means you can store extra luggage you don't need on ship.
For & against both options but its worth checking the figures.

 

[zippy99]

Its worth looking at 2 rentals as well, while parked you pay for parking plus 3 extra days rental you don't need, could end up costing you around £150 just to have you car there.
You need to price up all options though as breaking a rental in 2 shorter ones can cost more than renting in full weeks. Your 2nd rental you would collect early and then drop at airport later so costing an extra day.
Leaving car in carpark means you can store extra luggage you don't need on ship.
For & against both options but its worth checking the figures.

Thanks - I have enough Avios with BA to pay using miles alone (as I can pool the kids miles from the household account) I may just have the car for the duration - especially as we are staying at AK lodge, I found the car great for getting round WDW last year -