Disney Cruise - Newbie - Questions, Questions, Questions

[hayesdvc]

We are big DVC members and fortunate we can visit WDW several times each year. We are 60 and have never been on a cruise.
I assume our first cruise should be toward Castaway Cay to dip our toe in the cruising ocean as it was.
I am needing advise on which ship, time of year, accommodation type (we know outside balcony), location of room and I am sure many more questions I need to ask.
I am looking for other resources to "study" to become at least become knowledgeable on Disney Cruising 101 issues.
TIA

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are big DVC members and fortunate we can visit WDW several times each year. We are 60 and have never been on a cruise.
I assume our first cruise should be toward Castaway Cay to dip our toe in the cruising ocean as it was.
I am needing advise on which ship, time of year, accommodation type (we know outside balcony), location of room and I am sure many more questions I need to ask.
I am looking for other resources to "study" to become at least become knowledgeable on Disney Cruising 101 issues.
TIA

The "best" way to study up on this would be to spend some time reading the various threads here. Once you have specific questions that you can't find the answers for, ask here.

Also, perusing the DCL website should answer some questions.

To touch on points you brought up:

Castaway Cay, while a good stop, isn't so important as to have to be included in your first cruise. It's best to make some decisions as to what sort of activities/interests would be attractive to you and look for itineraries that include ports that would fill those interests.

Which ship? - what ever one goes to the ports you want to go to. Also helping make the decision could be the port that the ship departs from, whether it's close to where you are, or involves extra travel time to get there and back.
Time of year - we like cruising DCL when the kid-load is lightest. Generally that means while school is in and longer cruises.
Location of room - depends on what you want to be near while onboard. Although, distances onboard are not all that far, so it's sort of a moot point.