Cost of a cruise?

[JodiR]

We have been to WDW once. My dh would rather cruise. I think a Disney cruise is expensive. Can anyone give me any ideas on any savings there are for a cruise? I would really like to go. Thanks

 

[mommasita]

Hi, there..There are often significant savings for Florida Residents..

There are many travel agents to start comparing costs with...Dreams Unlimited, which sponsers this board, allseastravel, DCL direct website...THis can give you a rough estimate of the cost, and in what season.

We actually find it a savings, with all our food, and soft drinks included..Only alcohol, and some room service is not..We try and take the full figure, and then divide it into the number of days we are on the boat, and then it really does not boil down to a lot.

Also, we have done the 7 nighter 3 times, and are due for #4 in September, and when we see the pleasure our children have, and ourselves as well, we find the cost well worth it....

MOst people get addicted to cruising...Hope this helps you with a little bit...

 

[LissafromSJ]

Not sure where you're from, but you may also choose to drive to skip the airfare costs. Also, when comparing parks vs. cruising, like the previous poster said, you really have to factor in food and drinks, snacks and shows, etc. We always spend $1,000 a week in the parks (On food alone), and we do breakfast in our room with a cooler and a cheap lunch! Pick up a book (like Passporters) or get the DVD if you can't make up your mind. The book especially has costs broken down, so you see what you're getting. Have fun!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

If you go to the Disney Cruise site you can price a trip to get an idea of the cost. But book through an on-line agency and you'll save over the price listed on the official site. We did our first cruise last summer and we just LOVED it! We even booked on the ship for 06. It is so much more relaxing than the parks, my kids then 4 and 11 had a blast. Definiately give it a try, but be prepared, you'll want to go back!

 

[JodiR]

Thanks for the replies. When we went to WDW, I really loved it. How does a cruise compare to the parks. I have never been on a cruise before, so is it a letdown after a trip to the parks?

 

[musicgirl]

Book early! I booked our next one in the fall, and the cost has already gone up over $500. With DCL, there are not last minute deals, in fact it is just the opposite!!!

As far as the cruise in comparison to the parks, that is hard because although it is Disney, they are different vacations.

For us, we had done 3 trips to WDW with the last being a land/sea vacation. After standing in all the lines and fighting the crowds, the cruise was so much more relaxing. Don't get me wrong, we had a great time at WDW.

The cruise is different in the fact that the Disney aspect is there, but you don't feel like it is over done. The ship is very elegant and the service is outstanding.

We've thought about other lines to cruise, but so far we can not do it. All the things that we love about DCL, are what I have heard are not the same standards on other lines.

 

[ericamanda01]

musicgirl is right always book early! Got to the DCL website to look for dates and ports of call to get an idea of when you want to go. Then call several different places to get quotes. If you really enjoyed the parks then do a land ans sea cruise. I think it's a great way to test out the cruise and you still get the fun of the parks. Another plus for the land and sea is you can tear through the parks and then relax on the ship.

 

[dzneprincess]

THere is a lot that factors on the price of a cruise..for an example my DH and took our 4 kids this past Nov the weekend after Thanksgiving......it was about $4200, that was for an outside verandah and an inside room. THe same setup during peak time (spring break summer holidays) would have run probably almost twice as much. Now DH and I are going ALONE and staying in the cheapest inside cabin (category 12) and it was $865 thru DCL. Since I booked this trip while on board in Nov I will have a $100 credit on my account to spend as I wish, in my eyes bringing my total down to $765. Thena when I got home I transfred my ressie to my TA Dana at www.micdan.com who lowered the price even more If it is just the 2 of you, and you are flexible with the timing of your cruise you can get a great deal!!!

 

[westjones]

Time of year makes a HUGE difference in price for DCL. When kids are out of school, the price is VERY high. If you can sail at off times, the price is much more reasonable. September is the least expensive month (but it is hurricane season, and last year was a bad year, but we have sailed the last 5 Septembers, and all have been great except last year).

If you are flexible with dates, you can find some good prices in off season.
DJ

 

[JodiR]

What does the price include? Are all meals/snacks included? What about Palo? Thanks

 

[mommasita]

What does the price include? Are all meals/snacks included? What about Palo? Thanks

Hi, all your meals are included, Palo's has a 10$ charge per person...Well worth it....Food is fabulous

Tipping is not included, nor alcohol..THere is a room service menu, and that is included, except of course tipping...

HTH

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Also not included are Shore Excersions in the ports and we spent an awful lot of money on photographs while on board! The prices for the shore excursions are also on the web site and there are great do-it-yourself ideas here for in Port. Everything else is included, food, shows, the kids club, even activities on board. As said earlier a cruise is a completely different kind of vacation from the parks. The cruise is very laid back. You can stay busy all the time or you can find a deck chair and relax with a good book. It is all up to you. At the parks you have to be on the go much more. I love both kinds of vacation as do my kids, DH much prefers the cruise. But he has a pretty high stress job!

 

[ksjayhawks]

Some room service items--some snacks and canned pop--are not free. Also, pop purchased in bars is not free. Free pop is on deck 9. There were also snack items available by the doors to the shows that were not free. Also smoothies anytime were extra.

 

[ivanova]

included
ocean transportation
room
meals
most aspects of room service
beverages at meals
beverages at deck 9 drink station
evening entertainment
kids clubs

not included
tipping
bingo
alcohol
room service beverages
oh yeah, and bingo
non-alcohol drinks at bars/lounges
flouner's nursery (for the kidlets too young for kids clubs)
did I mention bingo?
the arcade is so not "free"
shutters (photographs)
Internet cafe
spa treatments
and bingo can cost you an arm & a leg

(guess where a good chunk of my stateroom account went????)