Disney Cruise Line Summer 2015

[SilentK]

I've been following this with interest, I have no idea about cruising. Can someone answer a quick couple of questions for me?

What do you pay for? Is all food included, as much as you like or do you pay for some? (Not that I'm a complete pig, just good to know)

What about drinks? Are they extra or included?

Other than tips, shopping and excursions would there be anything else I should factor into a budget?

 

[lolainkent]

I've been following this with interest, I have no idea about cruising. Can someone answer a quick couple of questions for me? What do you pay for? Is all food included, as much as you like or do you pay for some? (Not that I'm a complete pig, just good to know) What about drinks? Are they extra or included? Other than tips, shopping and excursions would there be anything else I should factor into a budget?

All food, including room service is included except snacks from Preludes (candy, popcorn - we brought our own candy!) and alcohol. DCL does allow you to bring your own liquor on board but it has to be in carry-on and not checked luggage. You also pay for pop and candy from room service.

If you have an infant/toddler and want them in the nursery you'd pay for that (I thinks $9usd/hr now).

Spa treatments are quite pricey.

Palo, the 18+ restaurant is an up charge (but well worth it, we thought!).

Movies, shows, pools, the gym, lots of movies on-demand in room, character greets, pop/tea/coffee/water from drink stations are all included.

Did I miss anything?!

 

[SilentK]

Fab, thank you

 

[pascalstongue]

I have booked the Alaskan cruise 24/08/2015. I couldn't believe the price of the Dover-Barcelona cruise. I figured I would rather spend the money on a cruise I really want to do, so will just need to find some extra pounds for the flights to Vancouver!

 

[wilma-bride]

I just booked the Panama Canal cruise I wanted so I am happy

 

[Ware Bears]

I have just booked the 11 night Norway/Iceland cruise from Copenhagen to Dover ..... and we're 10min up the road from Dover so very convenient!)

It would have been rude NOT to book seeing as you live so close!

I've just booked the 12 night Jul 10th Dover - Baltics one but not sure if we are keeping it.

Good luck with your decision.

I just booked the Panama Canal cruise I wanted so I am happy

Great news, would love to do a PC one year.

I have booked the Alaskan cruise 24/08/2015. I couldn't believe the price of the Dover-Barcelona cruise. I figured I would rather spend the money on a cruise I really want to do, so will just need to find some extra pounds for the flights to Vancouver!

You won't regret it - we cruised Alaska last summer and loved it so much we're going back again.

 

[tinkerpea]

Anyone have any advice on what cruise to book for a 1st timer!
We would want one where the weather would be good at the stops! And so the boys could play in the pool," when not incredibly crowded" and we can sunbathe on the deck

What is normally the most reasonable price wise? As I'm guessing if need to book soon are best prices the ones they have when they open up? Like I said they have a £600 dep already as we had to change dates but non of what we wanted was open so they told us to hang on until they was released which is now!

To save money we wouldn't do disney just maybe universal I think if we actually took a cruise from Florida,

I have no idea about other cruises that are not in the states so any help would be amazing thanks

 

[wilma-bride]

Anyone have any advice on what cruise to book for a 1st timer!
We would want one where the weather would be good at the stops! And so the boys could play in the pool," when not incredibly crowded" and we can sunbathe on the deck

What is normally the most reasonable price wise? As I'm guessing if need to book soon are best prices the ones they have when they open up? Like I said they have a £600 dep already as we had to change dates but non of what we wanted was open so they told us to hang on until they was released which is now!

To save money we wouldn't do disney just maybe universal I think if we actually took a cruise from Florida,

I have no idea about other cruises that are not in the states so any help would be amazing thanks

It is more the time of year that determines the pricing. We've found one of the cheapest times to cruise is late August/early September, although you need to bear in mind you're getting in to hurricane season then (the captains are pretty good about sailing around any bad weather though). If you've never cruised before, your best bet would be to start with a 3 or 4 night. The stops aren't the greatest but it will give you an idea of whether you like it. The 3-night stops at Nassau and Castaway Cay. The 4-night is the same but with a sea day too. There are also a couple of special 5-night cruises, with a stop at Key West. I quite fancied that myself but they are a little pricier.

My suggestion is to take a look at the DCL website for the time of year you want to travel and look at what cruises are available. Maybe read some trip reports.

But, as far as the kids playing in the pool "when not incredibly crowded" you need to understand that, generally, on a Disney cruise the kids' pools are one of the most popular places to be and they are always incredibly busy.

ETA: Forgot to mention, there are also some 5-night cruises with 2 stops at Castaway Cay. If beaches are your thing (and CC is beautiful) that might be a good option.

Check out this thread for pricing for the 2015 cruises. It will give you an idea what is available and when the cheaper cruises are.

 

[lolainkent]

Anyone have any advice on what cruise to book for a 1st timer!
We would want one where the weather would be good at the stops! And so the boys could play in the pool," when not incredibly crowded" and we can sunbathe on the deck

What is normally the most reasonable price wise? As I'm guessing if need to book soon are best prices the ones they have when they open up? Like I said they have a £600 dep already as we had to change dates but non of what we wanted was open so they told us to hang on until they was released which is now!

To save money we wouldn't do disney just maybe universal I think if we actually took a cruise from Florida,

I have no idea about other cruises that are not in the states so any help would be amazing thanks

One of the only ways to be in the pool when not too crowded would be skipping a port stop. We got back onto the Dream pretty early on the Nassau day and the pool decks were considerably less busy (but not at all empty!). That said, we rode the Aquaduck 3 times in a row on the last night around 8pm.

Are you considering the European itineraries that just came out, or strictly from Port Canaveral?

Prices are hard to say since you could book from a Deluxe inside to a 1-bed suite. Our Dream 4-night from PC for our family of 5 cost just under £3000 for a Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah (fits 4-5 people). Plus then airfare, staying near PC for 2 nights, etc. That was Feb half term just gone, and that cruise did sell out because it was also President's Day weekend in the US.

 

[Tink1987]

Good luck with your decision.

I think we are going to cancel and stick with our original plan of Japan in April for the cherry blossom season and then something else later in the year! Not quite ready to click that cancel button yet though

 

[tinkerpea]

It is more the time of year that determines the pricing. We've found one of the cheapest times to cruise is late August/early September, although you need to bear in mind you're getting in to hurricane season then (the captains are pretty good about sailing around any bad weather though). If you've never cruised before, your best bet would be to start with a 3 or 4 night. The stops aren't the greatest but it will give you an idea of whether you like it. The 3-night stops at Nassau and Castaway Cay. The 4-night is the same but with a sea day too. There are also a couple of special 5-night cruises, with a stop at Key West. I quite fancied that myself but they are a little pricier. My suggestion is to take a look at the DCL website for the time of year you want to travel and look at what cruises are available. Maybe read some trip reports. But, as far as the kids playing in the pool "when not incredibly crowded" you need to understand that, generally, on a Disney cruise the kids' pools are one of the most popular places to be and they are always incredibly busy. ETA: Forgot to mention, there are also some 5-night cruises with 2 stops at Castaway Cay. If beaches are your thing (and CC is beautiful) that might be a good option. Check out this thread for pricing for the 2015 cruises. It will give you an idea what is available and when the cheaper cruises are.

Thanks
That's really helpful,

I did do a lot of research about what to expect on board and when I say about the kids swimming when not incredibly crowded I mean that we would stay on board at one of the stops " not CC" or come back in board earlier! But really it's the aqua duck they are most interested in and so I wanted a cruise with weather that would allow that,

The boys will not go nr the pool and I prob would not let them, when it is a sea day and packed! They are more looking forward to the kids clubs, but I do not want to be cold on board! I would like to be able to spend time on deck Outside

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Lots of UK cruisers are on the 22nd July 12 night Disney Magic cruise to the Baltic, there are active cruise meets threads and FB if anyone wants to join.

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