Birnbaum's Guide to Disney Cruise Line 2005

[232271]

I just wanted to let you know that I read this book in 45 minutes, cover to cover. It is fairly simple easy reading. It is informative and small enough to bring along in my suitcase, which might be nice. IT was $14 and It might be good for kids, too, it has lots of color pictures.

The book tells you what you need to know. Plus, There are little hot tip boxes, and several were helpful.

I am just trying to give you a heads up if you are looking into purchasing a book. I know my husband doesnt enjoy reading and this will be perfect for him, it has all the facts w/o alot of mumbo-jumbo.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Great! Thanks for the info. Which bookstores carry it?

 

[232271]

Great! Thanks for the info. Which bookstores carry it?

dont know i ordered mine online.

 

[keef22]

We got ours at Barnes & Noble. Most bookstores will have all of the Birnbaum's guides in the travel section.

You would also want to check out the Passporter's Guide (search on Amazon to find the complete name) and also an online resource called "The Magical Disney Cruise Guide" at allearsnet.com

 

[princessh]

I got mine a Barnes and Noble. I agree it is a really nice book. Right to the point.

 

[Disney Planner Mama]

overstock.com has it for 9.22 and is offering free shipping in March...which pretty much means today.

Their shipping is not the fastest...1-2 weeks usually but they make a point of having prices slightly cheaper than amazon.

 

[logan1_2000]

I honestly respectfully differ and offer an alternate point of view that the Birnbaum book offers very little that the DCL Brochure and website don't provide, and obviously has far less to offer than the boards. I did buy it, and I also bought the Passporter book, which is very worthwhile and offers huge amounts of opinion, "insider" info, strategies, commentary. Birnbaum was a let down, and I didn't think it was worth the money or the time. The Passporter is well organized and is an excellent companion to the DIS board.

That's my $0.02, YMMV

 

[ljql_5969]

I liked the Birnbaum book as lite reading material. The pictures were nice and in color! It was just an excitement builder. For more in depth stuff, I read the Passporter, but I still really enjoyed the Birnbaum book. It was the first DCL book I bought and I got it before I started looking at these boards so it was a nice primer!



Also, I got mine at a AAA Kentucky store. I got a discount for being a member.

 

[TiggerInNY]

I, too, have to agree with previous posters. The first Disney cruise book I bought was Birnbaum and then I bought the Passporter. OMG what a difference. I had the Passporter for WDW and the cruise edition did not let me down. So much more information than Birnbaum and I think very objective and honest about things. Birnbaum could almost be writen by Disney (maybe it is?). True that the Birnbaum is smaller, but I WILL make room in my luggage for the Passporter, no doubt about it.

My vote, obviously, get the Passporter. I have an extra deluxe version if you're interested. PM me if you are.

TTFN
TiggerInNY
Maria

 

[Baloo&Crew]

I bought the Birnbaum Disney Cruise Book. In my opinion, it gives pretty good information about boarding the ship, not much else, but you can honestly get much more information by visiting the DIS Board. I haven't cruised yet, we go in May, but I've loved planning for the trip and the Birnbaum Book was a let down for me. Haven't been able to find a Passporter Cruise Book.

Jen

 

[Laurie514]

Baloo&Crew -- you should try to get a copy of the Passporter Guide. They actually rate the shore excursions with helpful comments like "reviews were universally bad" on one that we had been considering. It was given a 3 out of 10 and that made up my mind not to waste our time or money. Or giving both sides of reviews that were good and bad. I found it very helpful and in the same genre as the Unofficial Disney guides that I can't do without when planning a WDW vacation. I think I ordered mine from Amazon or from the link on the DCLtribute website.

Since it's a printed book, there are parts that become out of date the minute it's off the press (pirate night on the Wonder and the recent changes from drydock.) But those changes you can pick up from disboards or other websites.

Birnbaum isn't bad -- but it's the sanctioned guide from Disney, so it's going to downplay any negatives. I love reading anything I can get my hands on, so IMO the more guides the better. However, Passporter will be going with us on the cruise one week from tomorrow!

Laurie

 

[Baloo&Crew]

Laurie--I think I read so much on these boards before I got Birnbaum's book, that it was a let down. I had read so much here before hand. By the way, what does the Passporter say about the Seahorse Catamaran Snorkle Tour from Castaway Cay. Don't know if I'll get my hands on one before we leave.

Thanks, Jen

 

[two-foxes]

Birnbaum isn't bad -- but it's the sanctioned guide from Disney, so it's going to downplay any negatives. I love reading anything I can get my hands on, so IMO the more guides the better. However, Passporter will be going with us on the cruise one week from tomorrow!

Laurie

Birnbaum is published by Hyperion books, which is owned by Disney, so it is VERY Disney friendly. Good info, but it usually leaves out the "cons" of alot of things and focuses on the "pros". The cheapest option you have (if you have alot of ink in your printer!) is to check out the Magical Cruise Guide on www.allears.net and print it out. But, I totally agree that the Birnmaums book is better than no info, and kids would love it because it has great pictures. (I love the Passporter, too!)

 

[Laurie514]

Cruise reviews are mixed: the "excellent" catamaran trip was "delightful" for most. The snorkeling proves trickier, however, -- some enjoyed and "abundance" of sea life", while others battled with "wind and currents." All agreed the "snack" is "unimpressive" (a "couple of bowls of potato chips"). Cruisers felt the "open water can be choppy" and this is "not good for those prone to motion sickness or snorkeling beginners."

The overall rating was 4 out of 10.

This review is hard to evaluate -- it sounds like weather played a big part in some people not having an ideal experience. Many of the negative comments could be applied to any small boat/snorkeling experience. I've only been snorkeling once (off Key West years ago.) I'm not the strongest swimmer -- but I thought it was a great time. Sure the currents push you -- you're in the ocean! (Then again I used to waterski in the Upper Niagara River, where it looked like the current was pulling you towards the mist from Niagara Falls!) Maybe because it's CC, more people have chosen that excursion who are not familiar with snorkeling and swimming in the middle of the ocean, and it wasn't what they expected.

We decided to do the Nassau Caribbean Queen Snorkel tour which got a rating of 9 out of 10 and is cheaper (and snacks are Not included.)

Hope that helps.

Laurie

 

[alexandrew]

Is there any information in either the Birnbaum or Passporter books that could be considered a revelation to a veteran DISboarder?

If so, please share....

 

[Laurie514]

I don't know about the books giving you any info you don't already know. Looks like from your cruise history you could help write them!

 

[keef22]

I don't recall anything that I saw in the Passporter guid that I haven't seen in the DISboards over the last couple days. Of course it's in portable hard-copy format, so I'll still be taking it on the ship with me for reference sake...

 

[keef22]

...of course, I've been cutting and pasting information from the boards to a word doc and printing that info out, too...

 

[Baloo&Crew]

Laurie--Thanks for the information on the Seahorse Snorkle. We are not huge beach fans, so I thought we could keep ourselves occupied in Nassau, and Seahorse Snorkle would break up the time at Castaway Cay. Grant we are from Texas and we are used to Galveston beach which I'm sure is a whole different ball of wax (excuse me, tar!). But, I may consider swapping. Good info in know. Thanks for taking the time to post!

Jen

 

[inkkognito]

All of Birnbaum's books tend to be the "party line," i.e. pretty much identical to "official" Disney information. Passporter is much more helpful because it has real tips and hints. You could find all the info. here, but Passporter puts it all in one place.
Barb