Cruise - questions newbie

[Buckleybunch]

Hi,
my husband and I decided since we didn't go to WDW last week, we would go on the Cruise in Dec 2004.

I think I would really like to do the 10 day cruise and skip the parks?? Not sure if the kids would like that or not. Nor sure if it's would be worth the extra money?? ( EXPENSIVE)

Or do the 7 day Dec 11-18th and do disney until after christmas.

I want to do this the cheapest but nicest way I can..
Get more out of my buck.. lol

We will have to have two rooms, since we are a party of 6. I was wondering how the inside rooms are? Going for a 7 or 10 days would the inside rooms get to crowd??


Which way is better?? Book thru DCL or through another TA?


If someone could answer my questions and add any pointers and tips, that would be grand.

Thanks
Linda

 

[nrbears47]

if this is your first cruise with any cruise line, i say go for the 7 day cruise, or even a 4 day cruise, but if you have been on a cruise, i say do the 10 day cruise, because it is worth it, i wish they had a boat i could live on, and 2 inside staterooms are enough room because youre never in the roomz anyway

 

[tkd lisa]

Linda: We are going on the 10 day cruise. Yes it's expensive, but WDW at Christmas isn't cheap! And when you consider that everything is included in that price, and the meals are way above counter service, and all entertainment is in there, as well as full child care services for kids over 3, I think it's worth the money!

All staterooms from cat 5-10 are the same size. The price difference is for window/verandah, as well as location on the ship. We are booked in connecting cat 10s on deck 2 for our family of 4 with the in-laws adjoining.

Hop on over to the meet board and "get to know" us. The 10 day will be a great time. Hope you decide to join us.

Lisa

 

[kcashner]

I would recommend 2 inside rooms. You spend very little time in the room, and the price is sure better. The Dec. 11 cruise will definitely be a lot cheaper as the kids are still in school then. Any "off season" cruise is a lot less than the "prime time" school vacation cruises. You didn't give us any insight as to age of the children involved, but we like the off season cruises as there are a lot fewer school aged children...there are enough for fun, but no big crowds. It does tend to be very full of pre-schoolers.

I prefer to book thru my travel agent. THe prices are the same, and if there is ever a problem, I have an interface with Disney. I only had a problem once in 10 cruises, but my TA and I agreed that it was a Disney mix up, and she got my $ refunded. Again, it wasn't a big deal or a large amount, but there was a principle involved. I suspect that dealing with Disney on my own, I'd have eaten it.

If you haven't cruised before, 10 days might be a bit long for a first time....especially as this will be a very popular cruise. I'd start with 7.

Other things to consider...plan to arrive in Orlando at least a day early (if possible). Even if you plan to fly in the night before, you have a little assurance that you are in Florida, not dealing with bad weather somewhere. You can get a very inexpensive airport area hotel thru Priceline, and most have a shuttle from the airport. If you are driving, consider arriving on Friday nite and staying at the Radisson Port Canaveral (free parking during the cruise and a shuttle to the port). You really don't want to get snowed in somewhere and miss the boat! IF you book air as part of your cruise package, it costs a lot more but is covered on your travel insurance. If you book air separately, Disney travel insurance won't cover it....look into other insurance thru your TA. For 6 people, it will be less expensive to book port transportation privately (there are several companies that do it) rather than Disney transfers.

I'd suggest that you book ASAP. If the price goes down, DIsney will match the new price. If it goes up, you have already locked in at the lower price.