Disney Cruises - More questions added - sorry!

[wilma-bride]

Hi all

I know there are a few experts on DCL out there so I'm hoping you can help me out here. I am thinking about booking a 4-night cruise for DH's 40th next February but have a few questions. NB, please forgive me if I'm being a bit thick or if some of this seems obvious

1. Is all your food/drink included in the price? If not, what extras do you have to pay for?

2. Would February be a good time of year (weather-wise) to do the Bahamas cruise?

3. I have found a couple of websites that offer discounted prices (up to $300/$400 cheaper). Is it best to book with Disney direct or can these be trusted? (www.*************.com and www.cheapcruises.com)

4. Has anyone done the 4 night cruise before and would you recommend it?

5. What is the land/sea package? Does that include a stay at a WDW hotel or is it a hotel elsewhere?

6. If we went for, say, a week would we be better off booking everything separately, ie flights, car hire/transfers, hotel for 3 nights and cruise?

7. Which would be the best way to do it - 3 nights in hotel, then cruise or cruise first?

Sorry for all the questions and I appreciate any help you can give.

Thanks

 

[mandymouse]

Hi Joh

I'll try and help as best I can

1. All your food is included in your price, you have to pay for alcohol and soft drinks bought at the bars, though soft drinks are free with dinner and there is a drinks station on deck 9 where you can help yourself

2. I'm not so sure about the weather in February, I would imagine that it is pretty much like being in Orlando at that time, it could be very nice, but it could be cooler too (not that it has put us off from sailing next January)

3. Apart from our first cruise, that we booked through Virgin and which worked out a lot more expensive, we have always booked through the DCL website. Though I have heard lots of good things about Dreams Unlimited

4. We have taken 3 x 3 night cruises (which we loved) and our next cruise is a four nighter

5. I've not done a land/sea package, but I believe that you do stay at a Disney hotel

6. We have done this before, we have booked our flights/car/hotel with Virgin and the cruise through DCL

7. Personally, we like to cruise first. On our first cruise, when we disemberked we were flying straight home and it was soooo depressing that day. Now we make sure that we're heading for WDW after leaving the ship. It would also be a good idea not to be getting the cruise the day you land in Orlando, if the plane was delayed you could end up missing your cruise

Let me know if you've got anymore questions

Mandy

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Hey Joh

Can't add much to Mandy's excellent reply other than to say that you do have to budget for tips as well. I can't remember the exact amount but I think it can add up to over $100 for a couple on the 4 night cruise.

I know lots of people like to go to WDW first and then do the cruise, but I agree with Mandy, nothing would depress me more than getting off the ship and heading straight to the airport.

Kev

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks Mandy and Kev

Some more questions if anybody could be so good as to answer.

Can I ask about the staterooms - what Cat rooms have you stayed in before and how were they?

Also, on the first day, what time do you normally sail? And what time can you board?

And one final question (for now), how far is the port from WDW and what is the easiest way to get there?

Thanks

 

[marv]

Thanks Mandy and Kev

Some more questions if anybody could be so good as to answer.

Can I ask about the staterooms - what Cat rooms have you stayed in before and how were they?

Also, on the first day, what time do you normally sail? And what time can you board?

And one final question (for now), how far is the port from WDW and what is the easiest way to get there?

Thanks

Hi
Were on the wonder 4 night April 23rd i have booked an inside cat 11 and outside cat 5 with Veranda.
I think we set sail at 5pm but can board the ship around 10am we plan to get there early to make the most of the ship on the first day.
I have checked in online so boarding should be alot smoother.
Its about an 1 to 1 1/2 drive...here is some direction from the US27 it looks easy enough straight run dowmn the SR 528


Summary: 75.6 miles (1 hour, 27 minutes)
US27 = Cape Canaveral

Time Mile Instruction For Toward
09:00 0.0 Depart 1512 US-27, Clermont, FL 34711 on US-27 [S HWY-27] (North) 0.2 mi
09:00 0.2 Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto SR-50 [E HWY-50] 6.4 mi
09:07 6.5 Turn RIGHT onto Ramp 0.4 mi
09:08 7.0 *Toll road* Merge onto Floridas Tpke 1.2 mi
09:09 8.2 *Toll road* Road name changes to Florida's Tpke S 16.4 mi
09:27 24.6 At exit 254, keep RIGHT onto Ramp 0.7 mi US-17 / US-92 / US-441 / SR-528 / Orlando South / Kissimmee
09:28 25.4 Keep RIGHT to stay on Ramp 0.6 mi SR-528-TOLL / Orlando International Airport / Kennedy Space Center
09:29 26.0 *Toll road* Merge onto SR-528 [Bee Line Expy] 30.8 mi
10:02 56.7 Stay on SR-528 [Bee Line Expy] (East) 10.4 mi
10:13 67.1 *Toll road* Stay on SR-528 [SR-A1A] (East) 7.2 mi
10:22 74.3 Stay on SR-528 [SR-A1A] (East) 0.2 mi
10:23 74.6 Road name changes to SR-A1A [Astronaut Blvd] 0.4 mi
10:24 75.0 Turn LEFT (North-East) onto Dave Nisbet Dr 131 yds
10:24 75.1 Keep RIGHT onto Local road(s) 54 yds
10:25 75.1 Bear RIGHT (East) onto George J King Blvd 0.3 mi
10:26 75.4 Turn RIGHT (South) onto Columbia Rd 0.1 mi
10:27 75.5 Turn RIGHT (West) onto Atlantis Rd 120 yds
10:27 75.6 Turn LEFT (South) onto Local road(s) 87 yds
10:27 75.6 Arrive Cape Canaveral




Marv

 

[mandymouse]

Hi Joh

On our first trip we had a catagory 9, it was a lovely sized room and it had a large porthole window, we loved it. On the 2nd cruise we booked the same room and we were lucky enough to have a free upgrade to a catagory 6, same sized room but with a verandah, which was fantastic, so we've booked the same ever since

The terminal opens around 10.30am and they usually let you board around 12ish. The ships sets sail at 5pm from Port Canveral.

I haven't got the directions to hand, so I'll get back to you later on this afternoon

Mandy

 

[Kevin Stringer]

We have had a category 6 and a category 11.

The 6 is lovely as you get a verandah and there is nothing better than getting up in the morning and sitting on the balcony watching the sea slip by.
With a category 11 it is difficult to tell what time of day or night it is as the stateroom is always dark.
Having said that, I didn't find the category 11 to be as much of a problem as I thought I would. We didn't spend that much time in the room as there is always so much to do on the ship. It obviously costs a whole lot more for a 6 than an 11.

The ship usually sails around 5.00pm and you can board from 12. On both our cruises we have arrived early (around 10:30) and queued for an hour or so to get on board. This way you miss the crowds checking in and are the first to embark thus getting the maximum time possible on the ship.

Kev

 

[Tiggery]

Jan/Feb sailings can be a little rougher and because of this there is a slightly less chance of being able to dock at castaway cay.

 

[florida sun]

Joh

Not a lot more I can add to what has already been said. With regards to cats, we had a cat 6 verandah, which was wonderful and I do have to say it is all we would want now, but if the chance came to sail and all we could afford was an inside room, well we would take it.

Our room was right at the back of the ship and we had the solid wall verandah, but in my opinion I would much prefer the plexiglass ones in the centre of the ship, only because you can see everything whilst sitting down, which you cant with the solid ones.

We were staying at the All Stars and had booked Disney Transfers, unfortunatly they do not transfer from every Disney Hotel so we had to make our way over to The Animal Kingdom Lodge to pick up the transfer which was painless. The return transfer however does take you back to the Disney hotel that you are staying in.

We arrived on board about 1.30 I think and set sail at 4.

I also havent done a land sea package but I believe you have a choice of moderates and deluxes depending what package you choose.

As for doing the cruise before or after your stay at the parks well, that up to you, we were lucky in as much as we had 3 days land, 4 days cruise then another 7 days land, I wouldnt mind doing either.

If there is anything else you need to know, please dont hesitate to ask. I hope you get the chance to do it, you will love it and so will your hubby.

 

[mark&sue]

Joh

We must be destined to not to meet but go to the same places!! We too are seriously thinking about a Disney cruise next year to Bahamas. But not until August.

Hope you have a great time.



Susan

 

[Merylj]

We did two cruises last year a seven night and a four night - both times we had inside staterooms which IMHO are a great deal! With our cat.11 we were near the "secret" deck 7 which is great if you have no verandah.
We sailed in Jan. on our four night and had fabulous weather with temps in the 80`s.
We booked the second cruise with Dreams Unlimited, and I say this every opportunity I have, they offer a truly great service.
If you do decide to go, join in the thread for your date on the cruise board - it was wonderful meeting other dis`ers.
Happy planning.

 

[jdybnsn]

Hi

We did the 4 night cruise this Feb (on 26th Feb 2006).

The weather was rough when we left port at 5pm, which we were told was just unlucky, as the weather had been great for the few weeks beforehand. Although the boat was tossing a round a fair bit, for the main part we were asleep in our cabins.
However, by the morning we arrived in Nassau, and from then on, the weather and sea conditions, for our trip were fabulous; we had a great afternoon looking round Nassau ( do visit the pirate museum and pub/shop), followed by a hot day on the beach at Castaway Cay, and the third day was a day at sea travelling back up the coast (seas calm and very ).

The terminal & carpark open 10am on the dot (you can park across the road if you are early) - I do recommend you get there early as it is nice to look around the terminal, and it will ensure you get to board early too. Boarding is from 12 noon officially, but we boarded at 11.45am - Even though you can't go to your cabin till 1.30pm., the restaurants are open, and so are the pools (put your costumes in your hand luggage - no need to bring any towels).

We had a good deal with DU, but as from 1st April 06, Disney CL are no longer allowing these cruise companies to offer good discounts any more ( they may offer other perks instead though ?) . The earlier you book the better price you should get, and these ships always sail full - so no chance of a last minute discount I'm afraid!
We originally booked a cat12 gty (lowest room grade ) but had a free upgrade to a cat 10 (larger inside cabin) .....however we were less than happy to find that the room was underneath the ship's disco (something to watch out for !), and was unofficially classified as 'noisy'. With no prospect of Disney changing this (the chance you take booking a gty) we paid to upgrade to a cat9 port hole cabin - and we were really glad we did.... we loved having our breakfast in our room every day (free room service - just have to tip a couple of $s).

The tips for the 4 set members of staff that take particular care of you are almost obilgatory, so you need to budget for these - details can be found on the DCL website.

We were surprised how quickly we got to the port from Orlando - around an hour I think it took.

I would certainly recommend the 4 night over the 3 night as it is not that much more expensive, and you will be so glad of that extra day believe me !

We loved it so much we are hoping to book a 7 night western cruise in Feb 2008...the 4 day cruise was great, but it still leaves you wanting more !!!

Any more questions please feel free to PM me or post here again.

 

[Lindy Loo]

Hi, we are going for our first cruise on 15th Oct. We booked with Sue Ellen at Dreams umlimited, as this was recommended to us, and was ver £545 CHEAPER than Virgin!!

We were so impressed with all her help etc, and reading about booking early 9 and canceling at no cost if you need to ) we have booked a 7 night western cruise for Oct 07!

Cant wait................

 

[jdybnsn]

Ooooooooooooo Lindy Loo !!!!!!

Wow you must let me know about the 7 night western PLEASE when you get back !!!!!!

 

[disneyholic family]

we've cruised on the Disney Wonder twice, the first time a 3 night, the second time on the 4 night cruise.

both times i booked directly with DCL.

On our first cruise we were in a category 3 - stateroom 8534, which is one of the 4 midship cat 3 staterooms (larger than the other cat 3s).

On that cruise we only booked the cruise and everything else we booked seperately (we spent time at WDW both before and after the cruise).

On our second cruise we were in the Walt Disney Suite (category 1). At the time, the only way to get category 1 on the Wonder was to book a land/sea vacation, so we did that. Otherwise I would never book the land/sea as it comes out much more expensive for us (since we have annual passports).

Again on the second cruise we spent time at WDW both before and after the cruise. We did the land portion of the land/sea before the cruise. That way you're already checked in before you get to the port (and you use the same key card on the ship as in the hotel).

 

[UKDEB]

Just wanted to add that DCL is (maybe surprisingly) fantastic for couples. Of course, it's geared up for families and the ship is overrun with kids, but Disney does a great job of making sure you hardly need to know they're there.

There's an adult-only pool, a couple of adult-only bars, Palo, the adult-only restaurant and, the piece de resistance, Serenity Bay, the adult-only beach on Castaway Cay. The adult pool is next to the family pool and, even though it's bedlam there, you barely hear anything. We had Serenity Bay to ourselves for the first hour and it never got really busy all day. We went in December and the weather was glorious in the Bahamas, but got a bit chilly when we got back to Orlando.

We had an inside cabin and I thought it was lovely. A balcony would have been great, but on a 4-day cruise you really don't have time to take in everything on offer, let alone worry about whether or not you've got a balcony!

I would always do the cruise first, followed by WDW, for the reasons already mentioned.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Been on the Magic a few times including the 14 day repo from LA last summer, we always have a CAT 4 with a balcony, for a familiy of four its and excellant size. The first cruise was booked through Virgin holidays but after that I have used Dreams unlimited as they have far more detailed knowledge and ability to book quickly.

We have kids but its the only holiday where you know they are safe and can actually relax knowing they are happy.

Looking to book a Med cruise now on DCL