Brand new to DCL feeling lost! Help

[cantoine]

I am wanting to take the kids and DH on our first cruise March 2018 before we check into AKL for 5 nights. WDW I can plan in my sleep, DCL I am completely lost!

Looking for any and all information any one is willing to share.

We are a family of 6 so we will need 2 staterooms preferably connecting rooms.

Looking at a 3 night on the Dream? Help!!!!

 

[terrybsw]

Are you using a travel agent. My agent with Dreams Unliimited is a great resource for questions about rooms, costs etc. Otherwise, do you have specific quesitons i.e. kids club, room location, dining. It's a bit hard to know what you are asking.

 

[CamColt]

Welcome to the world of Disney Cruising!

You can certainly book connecting rooms if you like. Unlike the resorts, when booking rooms on the ship, you can book specific rooms numbers.

I would suggest booking with a Disney Specialist, such as Dream Unlimited (sponsors of these boards) as they will walk you through everything you need to know and do.

If you are not familiar with cruising in general, this week's Dreams Unlimited Podcast may be of help to you.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/what-first-time-cruisers-need-to-know.3598130/

 

[codylamb18]

Travel Agent for sure! Mine has helped me a lot with questions. Plus you get on board credit, free money! This is our first one too. Can you swing a 4 night cruise? I have been told and read that to really experience DCL it's best to go for a sea day as well. 3 nights usually don't have a sea day. Also, you probably know but buy Disney gift cards from BJ's or Sam's Club to get 5% off your cruise!

 

[cantoine]

Are you using a travel agent. My agent with Dreams Unliimited is a great resource for questions about rooms, costs etc. Otherwise, do you have specific quesitons i.e. kids club, room location, dining. It's a bit hard to know what you are asking.

Thank you for the suggestion. I will look into a travel agent. Right now the most specific question is which ship should I try, how long should I travel for and what destination?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you for the suggestion. I will look into a travel agent. Right now the most specific question is which ship should I try, how long should I travel for and what destination?

Any of the Disney ships will be fine.

How long - how long a vacation do you want to take? DCL offers 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 14 night cruises.

As to destination - that's really up to you - what are you interested in? Europe/Caribbean/Mexico/Bahamas/Alaska, DCL does them all.

 

[cantoine]

Travel Agent for sure! Mine has helped me a lot with questions. Plus you get on board credit, free money! This is our first one too. Can you swing a 4 night cruise? I have been told and read that to really experience DCL it's best to go for a sea day as well. 3 nights usually don't have a sea day. Also, you probably know but buy Disney gift cards from BJ's or Sam's Club to get 5% off your cruise!

Good to know. I will look into a 4 night cruise as well. I do have a question, if I go through a travel agent, am I allowed to pay in Disney Gift Cards?

 

[cantoine]

Welcome to the world of Disney Cruising!

You can certainly book connecting rooms if you like. Unlike the resorts, when booking rooms on the ship, you can book specific rooms numbers.

I would suggest booking with a Disney Specialist, such as Dream Unlimited (sponsors of these boards) as they will walk you through everything you need to know and do.

If you are not familiar with cruising in general, this week's Dreams Unlimited Podcast may be of help to you.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/what-first-time-cruisers-need-to-know.3598130/

Thank you so much for the link. I am watching it now, and it has been so helpful.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Good to know. I will look into a 4 night cruise as well. I do have a question, if I go through a travel agent, am I allowed to pay in Disney Gift Cards?

Yes.

 

[NoodlesMom]

I would suggest the Dream. I think I may be in the minority but after sailing the two classic ships and the Dream, I would choose the Dream hands down for all of the bells and whistles.

 

[FigmentSpark]

We just did our first. We chose the Fantasy because we wanted the aquaduck. We chose the 7 day because I didn't want to feel like I just got on and had to get off again, especially after 18 months of anticipating this amazing new experience. Also, since we were flying in, which is an added cost, I wanted to make it worthwhile. Even after 7 days, there were still things I didn't get a chance to do.

But everyone's different. You might choose a 3 or 4 day cruise and then time at the parks or maybe you live near enough that a 3 day is all you can spare and it's not too onerous to get there.

We had connecting rooms. If you can swing the cost, it's awesome. You can close off one door for night, but you have that extra space to spread out in the day. It's also nice to have the extra bathrooms and bigger balcony, if you're going with one.

 

[lklgoodman]

Since you are wanting to go March 2018, your choices will be either a cruise to the Bahamas either a 3 or 4 night on the Dream, or a Eastern or Western Caribbean on the Fantasy, those are 7 nights. I'm not sure where the Magic is at during March. Eastern Caribbean has more relaxing port adventures, like going to a beach for several hours. The Western Caribbean has more exciting and in my opinion a better variety of port adventures, like zip-ling, horseback riding , dolphin and stingray excursions in addition to going to beaches. I would suggest that you check out some of the port adventures for the different places that the cruises go to to see what looks like a good fit for your family. My family has been on the Magic, Fantasy, and Wonder, and has enjoyed them all. We will be going March 4, 2018 on the Wonder again for a 7 night Eastern Caribbean to San Juan and St. Marteen. You will find that planning for a cruise is a whole lot easier than planning for WDW. This board is also really helpful, so come back every day, read through the different threads and by the time your cruise comes you will be an expert.

 

[BruinEd03]

I am wanting to take the kids and DH on our first cruise March 2018 before we check into AKL for 5 nights. WDW I can plan in my sleep, DCL I am completely lost!

Looking for any and all information any one is willing to share.

We are a family of 6 so we will need 2 staterooms preferably connecting rooms.

Looking at a 3 night on the Dream? Help!!!!

Are you locked into taking the cruise before AKL? Have you considered after? There's a few threads on the topic, but there are some pros/cons to consider. Namely the cruise will generally be pretty relaxing, while WDW will be a little more hectic. Thus, some people have found it more beneficial to have the cruise after WDW. Of course, there are those who prefer before the WDW trip, too. Just something to consider and read up on if you have the flexibility. If you don't, then it doesn't matter.

 

[cantoine]

Are you locked into taking the cruise before AKL? Have you considered after? There's a few threads on the topic, but there are some pros/cons to consider. Namely the cruise will generally be pretty relaxing, while WDW will be a little more hectic. Thus, some people have found it more beneficial to have the cruise after WDW. Of course, there are those who prefer before the WDW trip, too. Just something to consider and read up on if you have the flexibility. If you don't, then it doesn't matter.

We are DVC members. This will be our 3rd trip in a 9 month period. We are not planning on doing park heavy on this trip. This is our R&R trip. I looked at the dates of the 3 nighters leaving from Port, and the only cruise date that works for us is the one that leaves on the 9th. Plus I have a 2 bedroom value at AKL Jambo already reserved and when I check availability to move the dates there were no more in that catergory available. We would have to select a different villa and that would mean shorting our trip.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Definitely look into a travel agent for a first cruise! I'm like you, very fluent in WDW! Cruising is a different language though, so I appreciated the help on my first.

 

[GPaLarry]

There is a boatload of videos about DCL cruising on YouTube...loads of tips, hints, good advice, etc. For our first DCL cruise (EBPC) we had little info and still survived. Don't overplan and let the fun come to you.

 

[hanscarlet]

We started on a 4 night and I think this was good because it gave us a taste and it was longer than a 3 night. Now we do 7 nights as a minimum. If budget is a concern and it's your third trip in a 9 month period then I would do the Dream 4 night out of PC... if money and time isn't a concern then go on a 7 night on any of the ships... if you want a 7 night then it comes down to what location do you prefer, what time of year and if you have any character experience preferences

 

[diznymom]

Things to choose right away:

• TA (if you are using one..........highly recommended)
• Which cruise
• Staterooms
• Dining time.........early 5:45 or late 8:00

Then wait and wait and wait
Things to look into while waiting;

• Shore excursions....the DCL website is very helpful. However, do more research on any excursion you are planning.
• Read past Personal Navigators to get familiar with them (they can be a bit overwhelming)
• Some things you might like to do while on board. The Personal Navigators help here. Just remember that things change and what you read about might not be offered on your cruise.
• Ask lots of questions and do as much research as you can

Relax and enjoy your cruise.

 

[Steph1992]

If you don't feel comfortable planning your trip through the DCL website, don't be afraid to call DCL. They are unbelievably helpful and will do their best to get you everything you need. They really walk you through each step of the process to make sure your trip is just the way you want it. Like someone mentioned earlier, for all of the extra stuff like excursions, what to expect, what to pack, options for the kids...there are a ton of helpful threads on here.

 

[nycdisneygal]

Honestly, I learned a lot from disboards and am now only using a travel agent for the first time! Once you decide which cruise you want you can really find a lot on the blog and here...Our first cruise was the Dream followed by 3 days at the park. Really it was great even though I was worried about doing the "relaxing" part first...
Have fun planning!