First cruise ... maybe?

[loril13]

Hubby & I are looking at a 4 night Bahamas cruise in late February 2017 for our first ever cruise. I am thinking an upper deck, outside stateroom with a large porthole.
I've planned dozens of WDW trips. I am panicking with where to start with this. Being a newbie is scary.

We are DVC members. I read from many sources that renting points and booking the cruise on cash is the most cost effective use of points. (Quick math this looks like it would save about 100 points!)

I have done all of our planning myself for years. Will I be better with a travel agent for booking a cruise on cash? Is there an advantage to a travel agent?

We are DVC, AP, Disney Visa card holders. Are there discounts available?
I do see if I use my Disney Visa I get 6 months 0% financing. There is also a $50 onboard credit offer.

Reading the air & ground transportation section on the DCL website is overwhelming. It sounds like they pick & book my flight for me, but there is an option to do it myself?

I assume that the memory maker that is part of my AP doesn't include cruises.

I am very interested in the Castaway 5k. Is that available for every sailing?

Thank you for any tips, tricks and advice you with to share with this freaking out cruising newbie.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hubby & I are looking at a 4 night Bahamas cruise in late February 2017 for our first ever cruise. I am thinking an upper deck, outside stateroom with a large porthole.
I've planned dozens of WDW trips. I am panicking with where to start with this. Being a newbie is scary.

We are DVC members. I read from many sources that renting points and booking the cruise on cash is the most cost effective use of points. (Quick math this looks like it would save about 100 points!)

I have done all of our planning myself for years. Will I be better with a travel agent for booking a cruise on cash? Is there an advantage to a travel agent?

We are DVC, AP, Disney Visa card holders. Are there discounts available?
I do see if I use my Disney Visa I get 6 months 0% financing. There is also a $50 onboard credit offer.

Reading the air & ground transportation section on the DCL website is overwhelming. It sounds like they pick & book my flight for me, but there is an option to do it myself?

I assume that the memory maker that is part of my AP doesn't include cruises.

I am very interested in the Castaway 5k. Is that available for every sailing?

Thank you for any tips, tricks and advice you with to share with this freaking out cruising newbie.

The advantages to using a TA are that you have (most of the time) someone who has more knowledge than you do about cruising and can answer your questions. And some have Onboard Credit they offer for using them to book the cruise.

No discounts, except for the last minute reduced fares (if offered). Disney Visa - 6 months 0% financing is great. And the $50 OBC is for beverage purchases.

You can book your own flights, or have DCL do it. Whatever works for you.

No, photos onboard are a private concession.

Generally, yes, the 5K is on every sailing. But might not be.

 

[Garyjames220]

If you get Disney to book flights for you. Do you need to pay it all at time of booking or can u pay a wee bit each month

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you get Disney to book flights for you. Do you need to pay it all at time of booking or can u pay a wee bit each month

The flight cost is part of the reservation. As long as the whole thing is paid by the paid in full date, you can do it however you wish.

 

[Stringbean49]

My TA told me that if I used my Disney visa then I will get $50 for every thousand I spend on the trip. Should add up to quite a bit as I bought 2 rooms! Not sure if that is a visa thing or from her company, I can find out though if you're interested in using her. I do a lot of planning and she does most of the actual booking. It's a nice mix for me

 

[squirk]

My TA told me that if I used my Disney visa then I will get $50 for every thousand I spend on the trip.

I am not sure that's accurate. I've had a Disney Visa for years and the only perks I am aware of are the 0% 6-month financing and the $50 beverage OBC. The latter is a one-time credit, and only if you pay for the entire cruise with the card.

Now, for travel agencies that offer OBC, it's usually 5% of your total cruise fare, which works out to $50 OBC per $1000 spent. But I've never heard of a TA requiring the use of the Disney Visa to get OBC; you should get it no matter how you pay.

I could be wrong, but if I am right, you might want to ask your TA to verify their information before you rely on it.

 

[Stringbean49]

I am not sure that's accurate. I've had a Disney Visa for years and the only perks I am aware of are the 0% 6-month financing and the $50 beverage OBC. The latter is a one-time credit, and only if you pay for the entire cruise with the card.

Now, for travel agencies that offer OBC, it's usually 5% of your total cruise fare, which works out to $50 OBC per $1000 spent. But I've never heard of a TA requiring the use of the Disney Visa to get OBC; you should get it no matter how you pay.

I could be wrong, but if I am right, you might want to ask your TA to verify their information before you rely on it.

Yea you are right, I just confirmed and it is through that TA that offers the extra OBC. But it's worth putting it all on the visa too because then you get even more Disney points. I'm happy to pass on the TA's name if you decide to book. (To the original poster)

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

Hubby & I are looking at a 4 night Bahamas cruise in late February 2017 for our first ever cruise. I am thinking an upper deck, outside stateroom with a large porthole.
I've planned dozens of WDW trips. I am panicking with where to start with this. Being a newbie is scary.

...

I am very interested in the Castaway 5k. Is that available for every sailing?

Thank you for any tips, tricks and advice you with to share with this freaking out cruising newbie.

Hi, loril13! I am in the same boat! I have finally cracked and am considering a vacation on a floating petri dish! As a veteran WDW vacation planner it is both exciting and scary to have that newbie-not-sure-what-I'm-doing feeling again. As a fellow runner, I too am very interested in the Castaway Cay 5K. I found this blog post that has some helpful information:

http://www.secondstarwishesbyandrea.com/2015/07/run-disney-castaway-cay-5k-info-and-tips.html

Good luck planning!

 

[loril13]

We booked the cruise. We're doing the February 26th 4 night sailing on the Wonder. Followed by three nights at BCV. We went with upper deck with a veranda. I am already looking forward to room service breakfast on the veranda.
I booked it myself with a DCL phone agent. She was lovely and answered my plethora of questions with patience.
I rented our AKV DVC points for this year and it is covering 90% of the cruise. Hopefully, I'll have enough AMEX points to cover most of the flight too.
I'll book my own airfare when it is time.

The only quandary I am still having is transportation from MCO to Port Canaveral and the from Port Canaveral to BCV. I know there is the DCL bus for $70 pp round trip. I've read that many favor private transportation to save time and to be on your own time schedule.

Eeep. I am so excited. I'm trying not to neglect my OCD planning for our October F&WF trip. lol

 

[CamColt]

I agree with private transfers (we love FL Tours) or renting a car for the day and return it at the port. With a party of 4 the price is usually comparable, sometimes less, and I like being able to stop to get waters to bring on board.

 

[loril13]

I agree with private transfers (we love FL Tours) or renting a car for the day and return it at the port. With a party of 4 the price is usually comparable, sometimes less, and I like being able to stop to get waters to bring on board.

I'll check out FL Tours. Thank you.
It is just hubby & I, so I am afraid many of the private companies might not be cost effective.

 

[RedSox68]

Reading the air & ground transportation section on the DCL website is overwhelming. It sounds like they pick & book my flight for me, but there is an option to do it myself?

JMO, and from past experience, you can certainly get better pricing for air on your own. We've only booked Disney air once (our first cruise) and they charged us a deviation fee for any changes or special requests (like a direct flight), and we found later that we could have done it cheaper on our own. Sometimes the flights include layovers or odd routes and longer times.

You can book ground transportation with them whether you book air or not through them -- you just have to provide your air information.

 

[clten]

I am already looking forward to room service breakfast on the veranda.

Welcome and congrats on booking your first cruise. Just wanted to make sure you have realistic expectations. Room Service breakfast (for most passengers, it's different for concierge) is just a continental breakfast. So if room service is bringing your breakfast, it won't be more extensive that coffee/Danish/cereal. If you want hot food, you have to get that yourself. But you can certainly get it from the buffet and bring it back to the verandah to enjoy.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Welcome and congrats on booking your first cruise. Just wanted to make sure you have realistic expectations. Room Service breakfast (for most passengers, it's different for concierge) is just a continental breakfast. So if room service is bringing your breakfast, it won't be more extensive that coffee/Danish/cereal. If you want hot food, you have to get that yourself. But you can certainly get it from the buffet and bring it back to the verandah to enjoy.

Room Service menu for breakfast:

 

[RedSox68]

Welcome and congrats on booking your first cruise. Just wanted to make sure you have realistic expectations. Room Service breakfast (for most passengers, it's different for concierge) is just a continental breakfast. So if room service is bringing your breakfast, it won't be more extensive that coffee/Danish/cereal. If you want hot food, you have to get that yourself. But you can certainly get it from the buffet and bring it back to the verandah to enjoy.

This is one item I wish Disney would change and catch up to the other cruise lines who offer an extensive room service menu for breakfast that serves hot items! On both the Princess and Holland America cruises, they offered eggs, waffles, pancakes, toast -- even fried eggs -- and omelets. It was really nice for a change. And they had more passengers than Disney ships. (And I REALLY wish they had Cheerios LOL)

But just the ability to order some danish and bagels and coffee and enjoy them on the privacy of your verandah is a huge plus and can't be beat

 

[FigmentSpark]

This may be a dumb question, but I haven't been on a cruise yet.... When you go up to pick up food to bring back to your room, do they give you a tray or a 'take out' type container? Can I go up and get food for my kids as well as for myself or will I not have the hands to carry things?

 

[lbus42]

I just went to the buffet, filled up a couple of plates, and brought them back to the room. I also had containers to put coffee and juice in.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This may be a dumb question, but I haven't been on a cruise yet.... When you go up to pick up food to bring back to your room, do they give you a tray or a 'take out' type container? Can I go up and get food for my kids as well as for myself or will I not have the hands to carry things?

There are trays in the buffet, unless they've stopped them. Beyond that, you'll have to carry it yourself, on plates, and separate cups.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Just wondered if I should pack a dollar store tray for such a purpose.

 

[lbus42]

There are trays in the buffet, unless they've stopped them. Beyond that, you'll have to carry it yourself, on plates, and separate cups.

I did not see any trays, but then again I wasn't looking for them either.