DS thinking about Disney cruise for graduation gift-2006 (Long)

[Liz]

My DS will be graduating high school in 2006. For his graduation gift he said he'd like to go on a Disney cruise. We have been to WDW many times but have never cruised (anywhere). We would like to do a combination cruise/land vacation. I have a couple of questions please:

1) How early do I start looking to book this vacation? I know its way too early now but I want to be prepared!

2) We are thinking of doing the 4 night. Three nights seems too short and 7 too long if we are doing land too. Agree?

3) Where is the best place (when the time comes) to book the cruise to get the best deal?

4) From the little I have read so far, there is one restaurant just for adults. Is that 18 & over? DS will be 18 but DD will be 17 at the time. Would it be best to just skip the adult only dinner? Just leaving DD out is not an option.

5) I don't know quite how to word this but here goes. One thing that has always put me off in advertisements for Disney cruise is the whole "everybody can do their own thing" aspect. At home we are all going a million separate ways and I love family vacations because we are all together and have a chance to reconnect. I don't want a vacation where we see each other just at dinner and as we're going to bed. Am I totally out of line here? Please give me your honest opinions!

Thanks! Sorry so long!

 

[jgalecpa]

Here's some answers for ya'

1. Book early. Earlier the better. Rates go up significantly the closer you get.

2. The cost per hour of the three night is significantly more than the four night.

3. Opinions vary. Many people I trust use Dreams unlimited. I used AAA the last two times and will probably use DU next time.

4. I believe 18 means 18 for Palo.


5. Everyone can do their own thing, as individuals or as a group. There is so much to do that you will have the most amazing time.
From meals, sunning, movies, shows, clubs, it will be a ball.

We travel alot (My girls (15 & 12) are already on their second passports), but we all agree that we had the most FUN ever as a family vacation on DCL.

My two cents.

Jim

 

[Liz]

When you say book early, how early do you mean? What is the earliest you can book? Like a year out? More? Less?

Thanks!

 

[webray]

18, does mean 18 for Palo, so you would have to go without the daughter, or pass on the adult only restaurant. Why not just make it a night for you and hubby..kids would appreciate the time alone I am sure.

As far as everyone going there own way..I am sure..you will want to do things separately. There is so much to do and see for all age groups...I couldn't imagine being together the whole cruise.

Book as soon as you want when the dates become available.

 

[LindaBabe]

no one is going to FORCE you apart if you all choose to do things together!

Even if you are doing land too, I don't think a seven day cruise is too long, if you can afford it. I've done a three and a four day cruise, and both times HATED to get off the ship at the end - too short too short too short!

 

[Hygiene99]

Booking early.. means book it as soon as u can... or as soon as it becomes avaliable for booking.... best prices u get the further out u book.....

 

[DCLADDICT]

IN THESE TIMES OF TEENS AND ALCOHOL, I STRUGGLED WITH THE THOUGHT OF MY DAUGHTER GOING ON AN UNSUPERVISED GRADUATION TRIP. I KNOW, SHE IS GOING TO BE OFF TO COLLEGE IN A FEW MONTHS, AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THINGS; BUT, I KNOW HOW MUCH VALUE THERE IS IN TIME FOR TEENS. 3 MONTHS TO GAIN A LITTLE MORE MATURITY IS VALUABLE IN MY EYES, AS I HAVE SEEN A GREAT INCREASE IN MATURITY IN JUST THE FIRST 4 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR! SO HAVING SAID ALL THIS, MY WIFE AND I KNEW HOW MUCH OUR DAUGHTER ENJOYED OUR LAST DCL CRUISE IN 2001, SO WE MADE THE OFFER AS A FAMILY TRIP FOR HER GRADUATION. WELL, SHE JUMPED ON IT! WE BOOKED IN JULY 2003 FOR MAY 23RD WONDER. WE WILL SPEND A COUPLE OF DAYS IN WDW PRIOR TO CRUISE AND A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE CRUISE. SHE IS VERY EXCITED, AND HER BOYFRIEND ( WHOM WE APPROVE OF!), WILL BE GOING WITH US, AS HE GRADUATES AS WELL. GUYS IN ONE ROOM ( WE HAVE A 13 YR OLD SON ), AND GIRLS IN THE OTHER. SHE IS SO EXCITED AND WE HAVE TOLD HER THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO HANG OUT WITH US ON THE SHIP, BUT WE WOULD LIKE FOR ALL OF US TO EAT DINNER TOGETHER. ALSO IN THE PARKS SHE CAN HAVE INDEPENDENCE, BUT WE HAVE ASKED FOR ONE DAY FOR US TO SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THE DAY IN THE SAME PARK AS A FAMILY. THE RATES I GOT FOR 2 CAT. 11 ROOMS WAS A TOTAL OF $2500, NOW THOSE RATES ARE $4600 FOR CAT 11 ( IF THERE ARE ANY LEFT, THEY WERE GONE FOR A WHILE, BUT I NOTICED A FEW DAYS AGO THEY HAD THEM ON DCL WEBSITE AGAIN). I THINK THE IDEA OF A FAMILY CRUISE FOR A GRADUATION GIFT IS GREAT FOR SEVERAL REASONS: SAFE ENVIRONMENT, ALLOWS FOR TEEN INDEPENDENCE, FAMILIES GET TO CELEBRATE THE GRADUATION TOGETHER, AND WE AS PARENTS GET TO PAT OURSELVES ON THE BACK FOR GETTING OUR KIDS TO THIS WONDERFUL POINT IN THEIR LIVES. SORRY THIS IS A LONG NOTE, BUT I HOPE SOME FOLKS WILL BENEFIT FROM IT.