First cruise booking

[ElleBelle88]

My dreams are coming true... I think I'm going on a Disney cruise!
May I ask a few top tips from you all please? Do we need to book through Disney direct or should we- i.e. Are there any benefits from doing this? We are pretty much restricted (due to price) to the April 2nd 4 night Bahamian cruise on The Wonder, may I ask what would be the main things you think I need to know before booking/travelling? I will be going with 6 other adults and one under 2. I have no idea on room class etc... Thanks in advance!

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

Get a travel agent. They are free and can answer all of those questions for you.

 

[Bishoparc]

I would recommend using Dreams Unlimited Travel, who sponsor/run the DISBoards. You get an onboard credit (size varies depending on the cost of your cruise) as well as they send you this great gift bag that contains all the little items you never knew you needed on your cruise (magnetic dry erase board, highlighters, etc). You can still remain fully in control of your cruise if you would like or they can take care of every detail for you. I normally am one of those people that just handled everything myself but the onboard credit and gift bag alone were worth it to use Dreams. I've booked 3 cruises through them, first I took last September, next is this coming weekend, and another this coming September. The price is exactly the same as what you would pay direct to Disney, you just get the added benefit of having a "personal assistant" if you will plus the other things I mentioned.

 

[Buzzalot]

I just booked our first cruise too. Four adults and two kids. Two different state rooms. I booked via travel agent. I got a total discount of $175. Without the discount I would have booked through Disney. I knew more about the cruise then the agent. Read as many posts. You will learn a lot.

 

[ElleBelle88]

Great, thank you so much. I've tried emailing them for a quote but it won't submit- I wonder if I need to try calling tomorrow- which isn't always straightforward as I'm in the UK. Can you spend your onboard credit on anything? It would be great to spend it on alcohol?!
Do you have any recommendations on rooms? I've never cruised before and am a little worried about an inside stateroom but am tempted by the price. Although for just a little more we could get an ocean view... Does that just mean we would get a window?

 

[ElleBelle88]

I'm very much enjoying my Disney homework and indeed learning lots! Putting things on the door does seem very interesting!

 

[Bishoparc]

Can you spend your onboard credit on anything

Pretty much, here's a recent thread on that topic:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/how-to-use-obcs.3478143/#post-55043539

I've tried emailing them for a quote

You should be able to just use the online form and someone will contact you back:
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/reservations/disney-cruise-line.cfm

 

[Bishoparc]

lthough for just a little more we could get an ocean view... Does that just mean we would get a window

Correct, Ocean view means you get an actual porthole. If you want an actual deck to sit on you would have to bump up to a room with a veranda.

Putting things on the door does seem very interesting!

Yup, it's awesome to see what everyone does...just remember it has to be magnetic, no tape or sticky stuff.

 

[ElleBelle88]

Hmm- I'll try again with Dreams then- I really like the idea of OBC. Thanks again for the help!