Cruise newbie, help!

[lenshanem]

I have been to WDW many times, but we've never done the DCL!

My daughters want to do the cruise so badly, but we never can justify or save up for the cruise. We are DVC members and buy APs and we really work that to get alot of trips. We look at the price of the cruise and... Well, back to WDW we go... (And we could never save up enough points to book thru DVC for the cruise, no way!)

Hubby and I were talking last night and started playing around with the idea of a cruise again. All the times I pulled up when the kids can go are EXPENSIVE! Then I stumbled across some Magical Rates dates... Our schools are out thru the 1/9 next year. We currently have BCV booked at WDW. I contacted a TA online and am waiting, but I also got a quote from DCL last night.

With no ground (We aren't flying.) and with Disney insurance the quote was $1,391.52 for the 3 night for 2 adults and 2 kids. Does that seem like a good deal cause really I don't know!


Is January an OK time to go? Are the pools onboard heated?
Will the 3 day be enough for our first time, or is it not worth the bother?


THANKS for any help!

 

[Typhoon Guy]

Personally I like the 7 day but if $$$$ is an issue take the 3 or 4. The 3 was my first and I left wanting more but it was a great way to "get me feet wet" with DCL.

It's all about supply and demand. The times of the year when most people have time off (from school) prices are higher. Othertimes of the year it is cheaper. Not that I am suggesting education is bad but perhaps thaking the kids out of school at an off-season time may be worth while, crowds are not as bad and prices are cheaper. Perhaps tell your kids if they get all A's on their report cards or something, you'll take them on a cruise.

The price you quotes was pretty sounds like it is an inside cabin (no window) which is fine for a 3 or 4 nighter. I like the window myself but it is all about your personality. Remember when figuring the price all of your on board entertainment, food and activities are paid for. (excluding bar service and the spa). There is also a parking fee at the Port and graturties to think of. While in the Ports of Call you can choose to take a shore excursion ($) or tour the port yuourself or opt to stay on board and enjoy the ship while everyone else goes ashore.

January is a good time I have heard the water at Castaway Cay is a little cooler this time of year. The pools (I think) are heated, many at WDW are so I would think DCL would be no different. I;m sure a lot of people on the boards can give you a first hand experience of sailing in January. August-November have always been good times of year for me. For the best rates contact your TA or look at dates on line for the last two weeks of August, October, November and December (exluding holiday weeks) and January - first week of March and first two weeks of May.

I hope this helps!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

If you don't mind the inside staterooms you can save a lot. I need a window, but family has stayed in them with no problem. Most people spend so little time in their rooms it doesn't matter. On 3 day you could save and not do an excursion. You can walk to shopping areas in 5 minutes easy. Straw market is definately cheap. You can barter for your prices. My husband loves doing this. The best way to save $ is to book way in advance. We book our cruises 2 years out. Also you can get some last minute bargains if you can go on the spur of the moment. They try to fill the ship just before the cruise if it's not full already, great bargains then. We thought it was very spendy too, but found out it was worth every cent we spent. We have now done 5 cruises and 6 and 7 are booked already. The first cruise we bought the insurance, but we got to thinking about it and did not buy it again. Because if you cancel at the last minute due to an emergency you really don't get anything back even with insurance. From the 60 day count down you get back less and less on refunds, even with insurance. It was so little that it wasn't worth paying the extra $ for us. That saved us a bundle.
Lots to think about, but we do feel it's well worth the money. Hope this helps you some.
Have a great cruise.
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[carleesmom]

I would also recommend for you to "shop around" with different TA's - try Costco if you are a member, cruisecompete.com (different TA's will bid for your dates), DU (sponsors of these boards) to name a few - can do all of them on line & you should have quotes within 2-3 days.
Good luck! We are going on our first cruise, a 3 night Wonder in May - YEAH!!!!

 

[daisy112878]

Check prices with several TAs before booking. Booking through DCL directly usually isn't the cheapest price. Dreams Unlimited, Allseasons, AAA, Costco are just a few of the TAs people use on the board. AAA and Costco you have to be a member of but people say they usually save more then the membership cost so it could be worth it.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks. I was wondering about the travel insurance...

We will be driving, but my daughter has severe peanut allergies. I thought we should get the insurance for medical reasons, but then I saw it doesn't cover pre existing medical conditions??? So if she has a reaction while gone, the insurance wouldn't cover any expenses, correct?

I don't want to pull my oldest out of school, January seems like a good time for us cause the other dates we could go are so expensive.

Hubby and I were thinking about not telling them and giving this to them as a Christmas present??? The cruise would leave on the 5th.

 

[emilymad]

For insurance try insuremytrip.com. It compares rates and coverages from different companies. You will probably get better coverage for less then what Disney charges. Some will cover pre existing conditions if your purchase the insurance within 10 days of booking your cruise.

 

[jrabbit]

my daughter has severe peanut allergies. I thought we should get the insurance for medical reasons, but then I saw it doesn't cover pre existing medical conditions??? So if she has a reaction while gone, the insurance wouldn't cover any expenses, correct?

Incorrect. Usually if you purchase the insurance within 14 days of the original booking date (the day you signed up for the cruise) pre-existing conditions will be covered. Maybe not by DCL's insurance, but if you go to InsureMyTrip many of the carriers there will cover the preexisting conditions. And usually for less money too!