Attention Disney Cruise Experts

[Irish Goofy]

Hi All

Am looking for some advice.I have been researching doing a cruise in August 2011.This would be our first cruise and was thinking of just doing 3 night Bahamian cruise.We are thinking of doing it 25 to 28 August 2011.At the moment it is showing a cost of $1,484.68 for 2ad + 2 kids(aged 14&15 by then).The kids really have wanted to do this for years.My questions are

1. Is this a good price,should i book now or wait till later on this year or next.

2.We are going for 18 nights this August 3rd to 21st.Should i wait and try to book over there.Would i get a better deal or price.

3.Would be going next year for 18 or 21 days so should i do cruise at start of hol or at end.My feeling was going on hols 12th to 30th Aug 2011.That way spend our normal time during parks etc and then cruise for 3 nights and back to parks etc for 2 days before flight home.

4.If similar deal with discount and free dining is on next year with Disney UK,should we book for whole of trip and leave room empty for 3 night and use extra credits for Signature Dining or only book room till we leave for cruise and rebook room for just 2 night for when we come back from cruise.If we do this what about our luggage being stored for 3 nights.

5.Am i right when i assume that all our meals and drinks are included on the cruise and the only extras are tips and excursions etc.Also normally have car hire so would be driving to port,how long does it normally take and what time do people normally leave WDW to check in at port.

Any help would be great as want to be sure that get it right and at good price.2011 will be our 9th time to WDW so have no issues with arranging that end of it but just concerns about cruise aspect and whats best to do.

 

[wayneg]

1, I think its a good price. In 5 Disney cruises we have done I have never had a price drop after booking, they usually only rise. If they do drop you can cancel and re-book at lower price for no fee if far enough out, not possible when you get closer to sailing.

2, Same price wherever you book. I book direct with Disneycruiseline.com then transfer to Dreamsunlimitedtravel.com they then give extra onboard credit, this won't be a lot for a 3 night cruise.

3, We like to do cruise near the end, have 2-3 days back at the parks before coming home.

4, Yes you could do that, leave room with your luggage in, you can also check out do cruise and back to another resort, they will transfer luggage to your new room but you would lose DDP. We stay offsite after the cruise so have to take luggage with us.

5, Meals and soda(not at bars) are included. pay for tips and excursions. Takes about 1 hour to the port from WDW. We leave after breakfast about 9:30am. Some go later. I think you have to be onboard by 4pm but earlier the better for a 3 night cruise, its short.

Personally I would do (we are) the 4 night cruise before it, I think it would cost you an extra $480 for the extra night, 4 night cruises are short enough. Link to our thread for 4 nighter 21st-25th Aug 2011 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2327473

 

[Chilly]

Our cruise price went down but had the money refunded to us.

 

[natalielongstaff]

I book direct with Disneycruiseline.com then transfer to Dreamsunlimitedtravel.com they then give extra onboard credit

We do this as well

 

[disneyholic family]

Hi All

Am looking for some advice.I have been researching doing a cruise in August 2011.This would be our first cruise and was thinking of just doing 3 night Bahamian cruise.We are thinking of doing it 25 to 28 August 2011.At the moment it is showing a cost of $1,484.68 for 2ad + 2 kids(aged 14&15 by then).The kids really have wanted to do this for years.My questions are

1. Is this a good price,should i book now or wait till later on this year or next.

2.We are going for 18 nights this August 3rd to 21st.Should i wait and try to book over there.Would i get a better deal or price.

3.Would be going next year for 18 or 21 days so should i do cruise at start of hol or at end.My feeling was going on hols 12th to 30th Aug 2011.That way spend our normal time during parks etc and then cruise for 3 nights and back to parks etc for 2 days before flight home.

4.If similar deal with discount and free dining is on next year with Disney UK,should we book for whole of trip and leave room empty for 3 night and use extra credits for Signature Dining or only book room till we leave for cruise and rebook room for just 2 night for when we come back from cruise.If we do this what about our luggage being stored for 3 nights.

5.Am i right when i assume that all our meals and drinks are included on the cruise and the only extras are tips and excursions etc.Also normally have car hire so would be driving to port,how long does it normally take and what time do people normally leave WDW to check in at port.

Any help would be great as want to be sure that get it right and at good price.2011 will be our 9th time to WDW so have no issues with arranging that end of it but just concerns about cruise aspect and whats best to do.

that looks like an excellent price - i would definiltely go ahead and book it..

we went on a 3 night cruise our first time and a 4 night cruise our second time..
we enjoyed both of them....

 

[Irish Goofy]

Hi All

Happy St Patrick's Day...
Thanks all for your advice...
Think i might do as wayne suggested and book 4 night cruise before it.Just few more questions wayne and hope you can help.

1.If i book 4 night cruise with Disney direct,how do i then transfer the booking to Dreams Unlimited to get extra credit.

2.I thought a 4 night cruise might be too much as its our first cruise but now think it is a good idea for only $480 in difference.Does the boat rock about much.Most we were ever on was a car ferry and it rocked like hell.Have read elsewhere that you wouldn't even notice and others say never again.

3.If we booked a split stay were we stayed in Disney resort before cruise and then booked same hotel for nights after cruise,would we lose DDP credits even though we are going on Disney Cruise.Am new to DDP so not too sure how its works in case of taking cruise mid holiday.Would seem bad if lost credits due to cruise but not worth paying for hotel for 4 nights to leave empty just to keep DDP credits as would save more not paying for the 4 nights accomdation.

4.Is cruise a good idea with having 2 kids 14 & 15 by then.They have been asking for last 3 years to do a cruise but is there much to keep them busy for 4 nights after being in Theme Parks 12 days.What have been your experiences with this.

5.Also with regard to excursions,are they worth it.Which ones do you all recomend and should i book when booking the cruise or wait till we get to ship.Any views would be great.

6.Is there anywhere i could get the Disney Cruise Line DVD as Disney website does not send outside of USA/Canada.

Thanks again for your help and sorry for so many questions.Am looking to book over the next week or so,so need to get as much info as possible.
Also is there any threads/forums that are specific to Irish/UK members views and experiences on Disney Cruises.

 

[wayneg]

Happy St Patricks day to you too!!!

1, http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/reservations/disney-cruise-line.cfm
Email link on this page to transfer reservation to them.
Details of Onboard credit here, looks like $50 for 4 night cruises, not much but better than nothing, buys a few drinks and ontop of anything Disney give you. http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/cruise/specials.htm

2, We have never done 3 nights, thankfully our 1st cruise was 4 nights and realized that was short enough, you board lunchtime on 1st day and disembark 8-9am on last day so a 3 night cruise is really 2.5 days. I would say 3 night crusies are better than nothing but if at all possible do 4 nights.
I struggle a little on small boats, on the cruise ships I am dine and so are most people, going in and out of Port Canaveral is the worst part, once out in the ocean I have never felt the boats rock much to bother me. The new ships should be even smoother.

3, If you check out and back in then unfortunately you lose DDP, only way to keep it would be keep you room while on cruise, you would have to price up and see if thats worth doing when all prices are released.

4, Our DS is now 15. Loved the Kids clubs when younger, now he is not bothered about the Teen clubs but still enjoys cruising as much (if not more) than the parks. Every teen is different but chances are they will find plenty to do and love it.

5, Can't help much with excursions, we have only ever done Ocean bottom fishing at Castaway Cay, cost us about $100 each but was worth every penny, more experienced fishermen onboard were catching sharks(2), baracudda & snapper. DS then aged about 9 caught 3 small fish, I didn't catch a thing

6, If no-one can help with DVD I will see if I can get hold of one for you(never seen it myself) I have castmember friends who enjoy cruising as much as us, will see if they can get me one.

Not sure about other forums, I know http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/ has been mentioned on here before, not a site I have been to so no idea whats on there.

 

[PJB71]

Hi

I am no cruise expert by any means as we have only done 2DCL which we looooved every minute of.

We were sent a DCL DVD from the Travel Agent we booked with, so it might be worth asking them.

If not then I could always ask DH is theres a way we can copy the one we have got (Sorry im not techie so wouldnt know were to start!!)

Happy sailing!!

 

[Irish Goofy]

I can't believe it...I am sick..

Had been thinking about taking Wayne's advice and go on cruise for 4 nights from Aug 21st till 25th as was only $480 or so more expensive.Had looked at it last week and price was still the same.Went to book it this morning and it is now $2,564.68

It shows as no more Cat 11C rooms available only Cat 9B.

Do more rooms become available at a later date.Am totally shocked that so far out on such a big ship there are no Cat 11C rooms left.

Also cant believe that they all went so quick.Didn't book last week as wanted to be sure and was waiting on cheque to clear in my bank account before i could put it on credit card.

At this price will have to knock cruise on the head for another year or so

 

[wayneg]

Always possible cabins will become available, people cancel for all reasons but I think the prices have increased, just looked at ours not 100% sure as my paperwork is at home but I think its increased $100pp
I looked for 2 ad + 1 child and cabins they all say sleeps 3 or 4 so possibly a glitch not allowing you to book, not sure.

Has the 3 night price increased for you?

 

[Irish Goofy]

Yes Wayne the 3 night cruise has gone up by only $40 in total so not to bad..
But after your posts we kind of had our hearts now set on the 4 night cruise..

 

[wayneg]

I will check this evening how much the 4 night has risen for us, looks like they have strong bookings if they are increasing already, our last cruise never changed from booked 18 months out to sailing, price stayed the same.
Just keep checking over next few days for availability.
I believe they still update prices/offers on their site every monday, mid afternoon UK time. Don't think it is a glitch but if it is mondays update might sort it.

 

[Elise79]

The new ships have less inside staterooms on them and they have the 'virtual porthole' so i would imagine they will be quick to go at the moment as it new and novel.

I was watching next year cruises as we are hoping to do our first in 2012 - think I will be ready to book as soon as they release the 2012 dates later this year as all the pries seem to be rising.

 

[wayneg]

so i would imagine they will be quick to go at the moment as it new and novel.

I agree, we never even priced up outside cabin, we wanted to try the virtual porthole.

 

[Irish Goofy]

Am able to book Cat 11C for 2Ad + 1Ch...Could you book that and then add extra child to the booking...Do you think it would be cheaper to do that way.Will keep an eye on the website every day for next while and hope something comes up.The old saying "if you snooze you lose" is sure true in my case.

 

[wayneg]

I would only book if the website allowed, they probably have some cabins only suitable 3, no use to you. Hope cabins come available for you.

 

[nibbo]

Just checked the cruise we are thinking of going on in October 2011 and it's gone up $160 in the last week. Just done a quote request from Dreams Unlimited and will wait for that before booking over the weekend. Was tempted to try a RCCL cruise instead which are coming in at half the price but can just imagine how we'd feel standing on the deck of the RCCL ship and watching the Dream sail away..... then again, knowing me I'd probably feel quite smug at knowing how much money I've saved.

Nick

 

[burt]

Just checked ours for 21st august on the dream, kids prices still the same but the 2 adults in a cat 8c has gone up $130 per person , glad we jumped in and booked early

 

[wayneg]

Just checked ours for 21st august on the dream, kids prices still the same but the 2 adults in a cat 8c has gone up $130 per person , glad we jumped in and booked early

Drinks on you all cruise then

 

[burt]

Drinks on you all cruise then

No problem mate - Now im sure soft drinks are included in the price

I still owe you and Nige drinks for all the stress and problems we had when booking, but now i can see its gone up $260 it makes all that stress worthwhile

Have you transfered yours to Du yet?