Disney Cruise Questions

[TEK224]

I'm thinking of taking a Disney Cruise in December 2008, using DVC points. It would be the 3 night cruise. Would be myself and 2 nephews (ages 14 & 11).

I know the cruise is not the best use of my points, but I've been to WDW in jan. & am going again in May. Don't think I'll get back there again before my uy starts (and new points are allocated) in March 09. After my May trip, I'll have 200 points left over. If I book the standard, inside cabin it would be 69 points for me and the 14 y/o and 39 points for the 11 y/o for a total of 173 points. If I went with a deluxe inside stateroom the point total would be 217 (I'd have to borrow from next uy). So here are my questions:

1. Is getting the deluxe stateroom worth the extra points. I don't rally plan on being in the room except to sleep and shower.

2. If I go on the Dec. 11th trip, is it still hurricane season and , if so, how bad at that time of year?

3. How far is Port Canaveral from WDW ( in case I want to stay an extra day or 2?)

4. For those who have done the Dis Cruise, what are the extras that must be paid for food wise? (I know about costs for photos, shore excursions, etc).

4. Are the activities at Castaway Cay free or are there costs involved?

5. I have no desire to go into Nassau (been there before), so are there activities on the ship on that port day?

6. Anything else I need to know?

Sorry for so many questions, but want to start planning and need the answers before I make any commitments.

Thanks!
Terri

 

[cherylp3]

Alcoholic beverages and beverages bought at the bars cost extra money. Also Palo is extra as well.

There are costs like renting floats and bikes.

 

[manntra]

Terri,
My niece (she was 10) and I did the 4 night cruise last August...I can try to answer a few of your questions.
We had the deluxe stateroom with balcony and I must say that we did sit out there quite a bit and it was nice to leave the curtains open and be able to look out anytime. We didn't spend much time in our room either...we did have room service a few times (FREE FREE FREE! ) and I am a sucker for a nice room!
The photos can be pricey but worth it I think. It was just as much fun to see the new pictures of the day that are out to be viewed at Shutters.
At Castaway Cay we did I think the Extreme package....which were rentals for floats, snorkel and fins, and the stingray adventure....it also came with bike rental and we rode a bit but I am not sure what we were thinking because it was soooo hot! t seemed like the day flew by when we were there but we liked what we did....I sat on the beach (try to find an umbrella) and read while she played with some friends she met but other than that we were always doing something.
I agree about Nassau..I stayed at Atlantis a few years back and never had any desire then to go into the market. We booked the Dolphin Encounter Swim (directly thru their website, not from the cruise.) It was very expensive but very worth it.
There are some things that I brought (tips from the DCL Disboards ) that are probably useful on any trip...a collapsible hamper, an over the door shoe organizer for the bathroom door, some type of hanging organizer with mesh baskets that I hung in the closet. (I found all of these at Target)
If I can think of anything else I will let you know!
Tracy

 

[Psychodisney]

Port Canaveral is a short(maybe an hour to an hour and a half) easy drive. It is past official hurricane season. The water in the Bahammas might be a little cool. Check out the cruise line board-tons of info and helpful people.

 

[TEK224]

Thanks!

Terri

 

[nzdisneymom]

Hiya! I'm a serious fan of DCL - and my first thing is to tell you that if you haven't checked out the Disney Cruise Line section here at the DISBoards, wander on over. Here is the main forum, and here is a link to the Trip Reports forum. Way more information than you'll ever want to know. There are a couple of recent trip reports on the 3-night cruises (including mine) and one by Dreamfinder2 that is one of the better trip reports I've read in a while.

1. Is getting the deluxe stateroom worth the extra points. I don't rally plan on being in the room except to sleep and shower.

For a 3-night, I would say no, but for us, my DH enjoys being on the verandah, so we have to get a cabin with a verandah. If it were going to be just me and the boys, I'd skip the verandah and use the $$ for something else.

2. If I go on the Dec. 11th trip, is it still hurricane season and , if so, how bad at that time of year?

Hurricane season ends November 30th, but that doesn't mean there won't be a rogue storm. Just like it begins June 1st but there might be a storm before then. We sailed Dec. 17 - 24, 2005, and found the seas to be good and the temp still warm enough.

3. How far is Port Canaveral from WDW ( in case I want to stay an extra day or 2?)

About an hour's drive from Saratoga Springs to Port Canaveral.

4. For those who have done the Dis Cruise, what are the extras that must be paid for food wise? (I know about costs for photos, shore excursions, etc).

Alcohol, some room service (like prepackaged snacks, cakes, etc. - they are marked on the menu), snacks and drinks at Preludes, drinks at any of the bars / lounges, including soda, but there is a free soda station on Deck 9 where you can get all you want. Soda is also free at meals.

4. Are the activities at Castaway Cay free or are there costs involved?

Many have a charge like for paddle-boat rentals, floats, bikes, etc. But there are also free activities like the crab races and entertainment in the central area. Massages at Serenity Bay are also fee-services. There is also a gift shop and a couple of Bahamian-merchandise shops on the island. Everything on the island is set up to use your KTTW card (except the post office which requires cash).

5. I have no desire to go into Nassau (been there before), so are there activities on the ship on that port day?

There are limited activites, meaning not as many activities as there would be on a Sea Day, but more than there are on some of the other itineraries. Generally movies are showing, bingo, some cruise-staff organized/led games. Of course the pools are open, spa and fitness center, too. The shops are NOT open while in port. And of course breakfast, lunch, snacks....

Definitely head on over to the Cruise forum to start reading... there's a lot of info but there are some good threads for DCL newbies as well as the "what you need to know" stickys.

 

[bobbiwoz]

One extra is tipping! If you don't realize it, it could come as a shock
We're taking the family on a 3 night next May, and we've booked inside cabins.

As far as Nassau, I've read about and signed up at the Atlantis web site for information on booking a room or two and using it as a day room to enjoy the hotel. When we get closer, maybe in 6 months, I'll do more serious searching, but that looks like a great place to spend the day!

Bobbi

 

[TEK224]

Thanks again. I'll check out the cruise boards, too.

Can always count on the Dis for some good info!

Terri

 

[REL1203]

can someone tell me how many points are needed for any longer cruise than 3days on DVC points? Or is 3day the only trip offered?

 

[silly_ole_bear]

me and my fiance are going on our 1st disney cruise. we were just wondering how much should we expect to spend while on the cruise itself? just wanna know how much money we should set aside. thanx.

 

[Anal Annie]

me and my fiance are going on our 1st disney cruise. we were just wondering how much should we expect to spend while on the cruise itself? just wanna know how much money we should set aside. thanx.

That totally depends on the length of your cruise, what type of shore excursions you book and if you're a big shopper / drinker.

When we cruise we usually book an excursion in every port, some of which are pretty $$$. But it's vacation and we go with the intention of having fun & taking advantage of doing things we wouldn't normally do at home (ie jetskis, parasailing, dolphin swims etc). We also enjoy our share of "adult beverages". We bring some bottled water, liquor, wine & beer onboard with us and STILL, as a family of 3 spend somewhere between $1,500-$1,800 for 7 nights of cruising including our tips. It just depends how frugal you are...there are some people who will do no excursions & will only spend a few hundred... Personally, I budget for $250-300 per day for our family.

 

[Anal Annie]

can someone tell me how many points are needed for any longer cruise than 3days on DVC points? Or is 3day the only trip offered?

That depends on what season & what category cabin you're looking to book and for how many people & the ages of the 3rd & 4th persons if you have a family. I can tell you that a 4 night cruise in July for 3 people in an inside cabin (cat 10) is up to something like 473 points in 2010.

The cruise charts are on the DVC website...

 

[Muushka]

If the term 'deluxe' cabin refers to the difference between a cat 12 and a cat 10 (I think, or 11), get the deluxe. It ensures a split bathroom, sink + toilet in one and sink + tub/shower in the other.

 

[jgus]

Nassau is boring. If you want local food, have a cab take you to "Fish Fry". Its about a 5 minute cab ride from the dock. There is a strip of 8 or so local restaurants. I recommend "twin brothers" restaurant...