Cruise newbie looking for advice

[jcemom]

I am considering a cruise...Disney Wonder from November 6-10, 2005. It will be a first cruise for all of us: Me, DS 12, DS 11, and DD 3 -- which we will be combining with a few days at Disney (couldn't possibly go so close without stopping in, lol.)

Received my quotes (all pretty much the same) from various TAs and am about ready to go ahead and make the deposit.

My questions are: how is cabin 6562 -- starboard near the midship elevators? Is that location okay?

Will I survive this trip alone with three kids? Or am I crazy to attempt it? Do people cruise alone with kids, I assume some must, right?

I requested quotes on a verandah room because I think I will really enjoy it, but is that safe with a 3 year old? I've never heard of anyone falling overboard, but would I be better off without the verandah? (I'm kind of picturing that as my "haven" after DD goes to sleep at night. Yes? No?)

The Western itinerary appeals to me more, but I thought for our first that we should go with the 4 night first to see how it goes. (I intend to be prepared to give a deposit on that Western before we leave the ship though, in case all goes well. lol)

Thank you for any advice you can give me.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Welcome to the cruise board! You've come to the right place.

Of all of your questions, I could say that there is a special high on the door lock going out to your verandah that makes it very difficult to open (especially children). I'm sure many parents on here will have much to add to this.

Also, I think you'll have a lot of fun on a 4-day, especially combining it with a stay at WDW. We've done that type of vacation twice -- a few nights at WDW, then a 4-night cruise.

You'll have such a nice time. There are age-specific clubs/activities for your children. There's a chance that you will be alone with your 3-year old much of the time!

And if you have a great time on the 4-day, rebook onboard for a 7-night and get a discount and onboard credit!

ENJOY!

 

[TheWog]

The room location is perfect. Very central to everything. You will love the verandah and it WILL be your haven. Get coffee in the morning, late night snack and a good book. The door is very heavy and locks aren't very easy to open. The rail is also pretty high. You would need to move a chair close to even get high enough to possibly go over. There is plexiglass to see through. I have heard of many people going alone with children. You will love it. Go and have a great time and you will be leaving the deposit.

 

[jcemom]

Just thought I'd ask...there does happen to be a Western sailing the same week...would it be "too much" to do for a first cruise? Should I consider it, or just stick with the 4 nights for now? I'm thinking WAY too hard, lol.

 

[Masonpips]

IMO, the 7 day Western would be FAR better than the 4 day. We were debating the land/sea options (both 3/4 day cruises) prior to our booking and finally dh convinced me to do a 7 day. I'd NEVER do a shorter cruise now (ok, if it was the only option, I'd do it, but I'd rather spend more time on the ship/less at the parks).

If you're lucky (?) your 3 year old will adore the clubs and you'll get lots of alone/adult time to actually RELAX on vacation (can you imagine? Traveling with children and RELAXING? It can happen).

My kids (DS6 and DD5) love the clubs. DD in particular. She was 3 at our first cruise and BEGGED to go to the clubs. On our 2nd, DS wanted to come back when we went to pick him up (usually after the Rockin D adult show) and she wouldn't come back with us to the room. She is a movie-fanatic and LOVED lying on the mats watching movies everynight. We also took DS back, ordered room service cookies, ate them and DH went to get her after the movie finished.

You simply CAN'T go wrong with a Disney cruise!

 

[ImNarek]

My DH and I don't have any kids, but on our last cruise one of the women at our table was traveling alone with her son. Her problem was that her DS was having soooo much fun at the clubs that he didn't want to spend time with Mom. Of all the vacations you could take, I think a Disney cruise is likely the easiest you could do with children - you'll be traveling to new places while you play in the pool, and there are activities for everyone!

:thewave:

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Our first cruise ever was a 7day Eastern. There is so much to do onboard that you possibly cannot do in the 7 days. The time flies by and before you know it the 7 days is already passed. To me, the 7day and 4day cruises are so different and unique in their own ways. We enjoy them both.

I say if it is something you are interested in, go for it! You may also want to visit the Cruise Trip Report board and read some of the Western route reports.

 

[jcemom]

Thank you SO much for the advice. I will give some serious thought to that Western! I was feeling that our park time would be too short to really enjoy it anyway, with the big age gap between the boys and DD, and we are planning a 10 day park trip in June '06 anyway. Hmmmm...

 

[PinClubs]

I had to chime in on this thread only because of the verandah question.

The room you chose is fine and the three year old is safe unless the 11 and 12 year old throw her overboard.

The sliding glass door has a spring-loaded dead bolt type knob which is around 5 feet from the floor. You have to pull on the knob (towards you) and slide the handle on the door simultaneously to get it open.

The humorous part for me and why I chimed in is that my wife was tugging at the door and couldn't figure out how to open it. We had just gotten into the room (embarkation day) and she wanted to see the view from the verandah. Our DD of 9 years old said, "Excuse me Mom", proceeded to slide a chair next to the door, pull on the knob, and smiled. Aren't children grand!!

To answer your other question, regardless of how long you’re on the ship you will want to be there longer. 7 days is better, but no time is long enough.

Besides my wife who is a kid at heart I can't imagine a better way to spend a Disney cruise (nothing but children).

Have a great time,

Jeff

 

[TheWog]

Our first cruise ever was a 7 day and we loved it. I would go with the 7 day, but that's just my opinion.

 

[jcemom]

Okay, I've definitely decided to go with the 7 day...but Eastern instead of Western. UGH There are just too many choices! I read here somewhere that the Eastern was a bit more "scenic" and that there was an extra "at Sea" day which I think we might enjoy. There is a November 26, 2005 that would work well with our schedules.

Now...I'm considering moving down to a Category 10 because of the huge price difference. I was trying to "visualize" our days and don't really think we'd spend much time in the room. I DO think I would enjoy the verandah, but I'm not sure if it's worth $1300...that sure would cover a lot of shopping, lol. However, I'm unsure of being on decks 1 or 2. I don't want to feel like I'm in the "basement" for a week. I see Category 10 rooms on decks 5 and 7, but they are way forward, is that bad? I'm figuring since they are on higher decks for the same price that there must be something wrong with them?

I need to take a deep breath, lol, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at all the choices/decisions!

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by jcemom
I DO think I would enjoy the verandah, but I'm not sure if it's worth $1300...

Actually, I could probably have DH build me my own verandah for that price, LOL. Though I doubt I could have him put an ocean in our backyard for me to look at from my new verandah.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by jcemom
Actually, I could probably have DH build me my own verandah for that price, LOL. Though I doubt I could have him put an ocean in our backyard for me to look at from my new verandah.

Now THAT I would like to see!

 

[TheWog]

You will love the Eastern. The extra day at sea is great. There is plenty for you to do. The only suggestion I would make about the verandah is if your little one naps or goes to bed early you have the ability to go out on the verandah and read or relax. You lose that with an inside. We loved our verandah and did just that with our DS6 some days. The ports are beautiful and will be worth it.

The cabins on the higher decks you mention are only foreward and aft because of space allotment. The higher decks are filled with more venues mid-ship. Theatres, clubs, crew workspace, restaurants. So there is nothing really wrong with them, they just only had those places to put them. The lower decks they have everywhere for them. You may want to consider the Secret Porthole Rooms. They allow you a room with a window for the price of an inside cabin. Just a thought. I have heard good things about the deck 1 and 2 cabins and they are great for getting to the tenders or docks.

Whatever you decide you will love the 7 day. have fun

 

[jcemom]

Thanks for all the helpful advice!

I just paid my deposit--November 26, 2005 Eastern! We booked a Category 9, room 2112, near the aft elevators which is exactly where I wanted to be!

 

[Masonpips]

Congrats! Isn't it fabulous to book? We were in 2106 on our last cruise and you'll like the location. Super easy to get to dinner and the porthole is fabulous. We cruised the first time with a verandah but decided it wasn't a "must have" for us; we'd rather spend the $$ elsewhere on the cruise!