First Disney Cruise and it's a big one

[vigliottec]

Next thing I would suggest is to find one designated contact person per family. If you keep trying to talk to 22 other people about every detail, you will go crazy. Have each family pick one person and then talk to that person about what you want to do.

This is something i wish i did on our last disney vacation with 17 people. I don't think i can rely on each family, but i can get a few "deputies" which should do the trick

 

[vigliottec]

Excursions. These are a MAJOR additional cost if you choose to do them. We chose to have each family unit pay for their own excursions and do what they preferred for them. Sometimes that meant 9 of use together, sometimes it meant two or three groups.

What are some examples of Excursions? and rough prices?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you all want to sit together, then Most of you should show up at the same time.

How about "ALL of you must show up at the same time"?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

do you book the Excursions and Dinners 180 days in advance like Disney World?

No, your online check in and excursion/activity booking windows open at specified dates, based on the Castaway Club level of each room/reservation. If you are all first time DCL cruisers, your windows open 75 days out from the cruise.

 

[vigliottec]

How about "ALL of you must show up at the same time"?

yea iv had this issue in Disney World before, it can certainly be annoying.

 

[vigliottec]

No, your online check in and excursion/activity booking windows open at specified dates, based on the Castaway Club level of each room/reservation. If you are all first time DCL cruisers, your windows open 75 days out from the cruise.

is it likely all the good stuff is taken?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

is it likely all the good stuff is taken?

Not at all. Some things may be "sold out" but there will still be plenty to do.

 

[Dug720]

is it likely all the good stuff is taken?

For a group that large it may mean that people have to do different things, but there should be some things available.

Also keep in mind that some of the excursions have age limits so the youngest may not be eligible for them.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

We found that most excursions were still available at 75 days out. There was one excursion we couldn't get nine spots for, so I asked for 8, 7, 6, etc. It finally approved 5, so I took those. (it doesn't tell you how many spots are open, only whether or not the number you asked for are available.) Then, over the next few days, I kept checking back, this time asking for 1 spot at a time. Within a few days I had the four more I wanted. Remember, you don't commit to these excursions until three days before your cruise, so lots of people reserve them initially and then back out later. Likewise, if I couldn't have gotten 9 spots, I would have had the option to drop all or some of my spots closer to the trip.

As for the costs, they vary widely $50, $100, $200 per person. And remember there are several islands. You can do as many or as few as you want/afford. You can always just get off the ship and look around. Some ports are better for that than others. You can also book excursions not through Disney. Some people love that. Others don't. Search for threads talking about excursions on your itinerary and you will find lots of feedback and experiences.