Dreaming of taking a cruise on DCL

[BigredNole]

We have never been on any cruise. Due to a past issue we cannot take a cruise until it finally resolves. I never thought about it before because I always thought how expensive they were. It wasn't until a friend that just went said that it was the same as a Disney trip after you factor in all the meals and other stuff.

We are hopeful we can book one next year. We can't book anything until we close on the issue. There are a few options we are tossing around: 7-Day Star Wars at Sea Spring Break/WDW trip in the Summer or a 7-day at Sea/7-day at WDW during the Summer or a 5-day at sea and 9-days at WDW. Me, I want the 7-day Star Wars at Sea trip over Spring Break and then another week at WDW over the Summer.

All I can do at this time is dream of it. I have learned a little bit and stumbled across the Fish Extenders. Lots more to learn and research as we wait through this process. With any luck, we will be doing this next year.

 

[darnheather]

Best of luck to you. I dreamed of taking the DCL for quite awhile too and at one point had given up hope, but in the end I got my wish and it was the best vacation ever. Keep saving those pennies and checking the boards!

 

[MSPeeler]

We started talking about it 5 years ago, and we will take out first cruise in 2 weeks!

 

[DnA2010]

You will find a lot of knowledge and experience on this board we have done a couple of RCL cruises and did our first DCL cruise on the Fantasy last year- we had an awesome time and loved the Fish Extender. I don't see us doing a Disney cruise for a while now, as we will probably stick to RCl/try others (want to try NCL's enw ships) due to cost, but they are outstanding indeed

 

[FigmentSpark]

One thing to consider, if you're dreaming and expect your issue to be resolved, you can book, put your downpayment down and cancel before your PIF is due, if you think your issue won't be resolved yet. That way, you're not stuck paying a premium for a cruise because you weren't sure of your situation any earlier. Of course, there are always last minute deals, as others will tell you and then you don't have to put anything down now or get your hopes up.

 

[BigredNole]

One thing to consider, if you're dreaming and expect your issue to be resolved, you can book, put your downpayment down and cancel before your PIF is due,

We can't even do that at the moment. We are racking up some serious points with the Disney Visa Card. Problem is we are fighting to get the thing paid down. All the medical bills are sitting on it now while we file lawsuit.

 

[MammaMoe48]

One thing to consider, if you're dreaming and expect your issue to be resolved, you can book, put your downpayment down and cancel before your PIF is due, if you think your issue won't be resolved yet. That way, you're not stuck paying a premium for a cruise because you weren't sure of your situation any earlier. Of course, there are always last minute deals, as others will tell you and then you don't have to put anything down now or get your hopes up.

If you are able to book with only a few weeks notice you can see about booking a GTY category room (these pop up when you book within the same month you are traveling or a couple of weeks earlier). GTY offers a lower price and guarantees you a room at least within the category you booked (it may be upgraded to a higher category if your category is unavailable) but you can't choose which deck and area of the ship your room is located - your room will be assigned when you arrive - and once you book, it's non-refundable. This might be an option for you when you have fixed your issues but don't want to wait too long to book. It's also a bit cheaper but since it's non-refundable you have to be sure you won't cancel. It's an option and something to think about.

And, yes, cost-wise when you factor in all the stuff included in the cruise and compare it to what you have to pay out of pocket at WDW, the price is about the same.

 

[BigredNole]

Thanks MammaMoe48. That may be what we wind up doing down the road.

 

[FigmentSpark]

We can't even do that at the moment. We are racking up some serious points with the Disney Visa Card. Problem is we are fighting to get the thing paid down. All the medical bills are sitting on it now while we file lawsuit.

I hope you get things resolved quickly for yourselves. All the best.

 

[emnems34]

I hope everything resolves quickly for you! I would do the Star Wars one if it were me just because that's probably not something they'll have forever. I know it's so hard just having to sit on the website and dream but I promise when the day comes it will all be worth it for you! Good luck!

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

If you will need airfare and southwest services your city- maybe you could get a southwest card with a signup bonus. Then book airfare in October with Southwest rapid rewards points as soon as SW schedule opens up. Then if cruise still available and affordable book it. Because by the time DCL posts sales the airfare is usually cost prohibitive. If you can't go next year you can cancel airfare and try again the year after.

If your spring break is not the weeks just before and after Easter there is a good chance of a reduced rate. This strategy has worked twice for me.
The first time was a Disney trip out of Galveston, the second time was the Fantasy over February break. Watch the thread on discounted cruise to see if any patterns to discounted cruises.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/cu...discounts-and-my-sleeper-rates.3244232/unread

I did go on a Star Wars cruise and saw little different. We watched the newest star wars movie in 3D and there was star wars cruise merchandise in the store. Maybe there was more but I didn't notice it.

Good luck! It took me 3-4 years to book my first Disney cruise.