Disney Cruise Questions (1st timer)...

[bradpga]

HI. My family is considering a Disney cruise and will most likely book the 4-night cruise in October . We are wanting to cruise Sun-Thurs, then drive to DW and stay Thurs and Fri night at BWV before returning home. We have never booked a cruise before due to the outrageous amount of points for a family of 4; however, we have banked a few and are now ready to take the plunge! I have several questions for those who have been and would greatly appreciate any input or advise. Here we go...
1- How far is Point Canaveral from WDW? We may drive, if not... does DVC provide a shuttle from airport to cruise? From cruise to WDW?
2- Is it worth the points???
3- Our stops are Nassau and Castaway CAy. Any must see or do's? Excursions, etc...
4- What is the earliest time you may board the ship? Upon doing so do you have complete access?
5- Must see shows and meals on ship?
6- Can you bring your own cooler? Beer? wine?
7- Everyone need passport?
8- Can you board ship for meals on the days you dock or do you eat on the island?
9- Weather in October? Warm I assume.
10- Can't think of any other q's but any further advise or info would be great.

Thanks so much- Brad

 

[WALTSAGOD]

Save up and book the 7 day MAGIC, even that flies by.

The Magic is awesome, on the third day my 9 yr old, said, "Dad, everyone is so nice,,, it's like you're your slaves or something."!

Fly into whatever airport is cheapest and then rent a car to Port Canaveral. There many places to stay by the port. Have one person drop everyone else off and then go back and drop off the car.. A shuttle will drop that person off back to the port. MAKE SURE YOUR CAR RENTER HAS A SHUTTLE SOME DON'T OFFER THAT!!

We like to stay at the park for a day before we leave. We fly in Thurs,. go to a park for Friday, drive to the port late Friday and get on board Sat morning.


I believe that you can get on board as early as 11:00 Sat. Do that, grab something to eat at the buffet and head for the pool. It'll be the only time that the pool is not PACKED! Bring a small bag with you so you have suits for the kids.

You can bring beer on board in an ice chest.

You can get on and off the ship as much as you want. Casyaway Cay is AWESOME; its pronounced key and not cay. You'll be one of the few pronouncing it correctly.

PASSPORTERS has an EXCELLENT book on the cruise, buy it.

We've been twice in the last two years, both 7 day Magic cruises.

Again, please take my advice and cancel thre shorter Wonder cruise and save up for the 7 day Magic. 7 days gpoes by so fast that I can't even imagine doing anything shorter.

I has SO many questions myself, I'm so excited for you!!

 

[REL1203]

How many points per person is the 7day cruise? What about the 4day?

 

[bradpga]

4 day cruise is 269 points for family of 4. My kids are 5 and 8 AND thats during value season in a basic statesroom. The seven day is probably double that. We are going to stay 2 nights in a one bedroom at BWV after the cruise. Total points = 340. That is all i am willing to spend. Borrowing 70 points from 09. Maybe down the road we will catch the 7 dayer.

 

[Inkmahm]

HI. My family is considering a Disney cruise and will most likely book the 4-night cruise in October . We are wanting to cruise Sun-Thurs, then drive to DW and stay Thurs and Fri night at BWV before returning home. We have never booked a cruise before due to the outrageous amount of points for a family of 4; however, we have banked a few and are now ready to take the plunge! I have several questions for those who have been and would greatly appreciate any input or advise. Here we go...
1- How far is Point Canaveral from WDW? We may drive, if not... does DVC provide a shuttle from airport to cruise? From cruise to WDW?
2- Is it worth the points???
3- Our stops are Nassau and Castaway CAy. Any must see or do's? Excursions, etc...
4- What is the earliest time you may board the ship? Upon doing so do you have complete access?
5- Must see shows and meals on ship?
6- Can you bring your own cooler? Beer? wine?
7- Everyone need passport?
8- Can you board ship for meals on the days you dock or do you eat on the island?
9- Weather in October? Warm I assume.
10- Can't think of any other q's but any further advise or info would be great.

Thanks so much- Brad

We've done the 4 night cruise the last two Decembers. We're skipping this year only because we're doing Alaska in summer, but then we're signed up for the 7 night cruise on the Magic in December 2009. 4 nights were fine for us on the Wonder, but we don't want to go to the same place (Nassau) a 3rd time so we're trying the 7 night Eastern with St. Croix as a stop.

1. I think it is about a 45 minute drive if I remember correctly. With the 4 night, we got there a day early, had a rental car, drove ourselves to the ship and parked our car in the lot there, drove ourselves back and then stayed at WDW for another 4 or 5 nights. We may not do that with the 7 night cruise, we may take Disney transportation.

2. No. I would put my points up on the rent/transfer board and transfer them on one transaction (or more if you have time/more than one year) to get cash for them and then use the cash to pay for the cruise. You'll save a bundle.

3. We loved the dolphin excursion in Nassau. Castaway Cay we like the parasailing and the couples massage.

4. I think you can get on at noon but you won't have access to your cabin until after 1 pm. Maybe 1:30?

5. ALL the shows on the Wonder are great so I'd say they are ALL must sees. Eating at Palos is also a must do.

6. Not sure.

7. Yes.

8. You can eat on or off the ship.

9. October is still hurricane season but I'd assume it would be warm. It is warm in December.

 

[Inkmahm]

4 day cruise is 269 points for family of 4. My kids are 5 and 8 AND thats during value season in a basic statesroom. The seven day is probably double that. We are going to stay 2 nights in a one bedroom at BWV after the cruise. Total points = 340. That is all i am willing to spend. Borrowing 70 points from 09. Maybe down the road we will catch the 7 dayer.

Check the cash price. DH and I paid about $1800 for a category 5 room on the same cruise and I think adding 2 kids might be a few hundred $ more. 340 points in my mind is at least $3,400 and much more than paying cash.

 

[bradpga]

The cruise itself is 269 points. I checked the cash price and it is roughly $2,700. If I am not mistaken, points rent for about $10 a piece. Seems like I would come out about the same and less hassell than trying to rent. If I am wrong, please correct me. I want to come out the best way possible!

 

[REL1203]

Check the cash price. DH and I paid about $1800 for a category 5 room on the same cruise and I think adding 2 kids might be a few hundred $ more. 340 points in my mind is at least $3,400 and much more than paying cash.

I think that also includes the 2 nights at BWVs as well

 

[msabol01]

Coolers are fine, but they have to be soft sided and collapsible.

 

[Inkmahm]

The cruise itself is 269 points. I checked the cash price and it is roughly $2,700. If I am not mistaken, points rent for about $10 a piece. Seems like I would come out about the same and less hassell than trying to rent. If I am wrong, please correct me. I want to come out the best way possible!

What grade room is that for 269 points? Category 5 is a room with a balcony, that's what I was talking about. I transferred points at $11 each a few months ago to a fellow DVC member. That would be about 164 points for the trip. Not sure what kind of point break they give you for the 3r and 4th person in the room but there is a huge discount if you pay cash.

Also, I don't rent points. I only will transfer them to or from another owner. Very little hassle at all in doing that.