First Time Cruiser

[Dadtojbj]

Hi everyone - my name is Steve, and this is the first time I've posted over here - I've enjoyed learning more about DCL from you all! After cruising RCCL twice, we're about to take the plunge and book our first DCL trip (I think at least!).

This will be the first time I've cruised with my children - ages 10,8, and 5. I'm interested in the 7 day itinerary and my first question is what category do you think we'll get the best value on - we really want a stateroom with a verandah. Also, we're pretty flexible on dates, although I don't plan to book the trip during summer or ealry fall - when, in your opinion, is the best time to cruise DCL?

Any tips for a newbie would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, ya'll!

 

[iloverags2]

Hey Steve! Welcome! Definitely take the plunge and cruise with Disney. If you want a verandah, you'll need to go either with the family stateroom, or connecting verandah rooms...the cheapest of those would be the navigator's verandah. I think you'd pay around the same for the family stateroom as you would with connecting navigator's verandah staterooms. You'll have an open verandah with the family stateroom (just a very large open porthole on the verandah with a navigator), but you'll have more stateroom space with connecting rooms (plus added bathrooms).

Either way you go, it'll be great!

 

[calhous2]

Welcome to the obsessive cruisers board....

We've done DCL cruises in November the past 2 years, and are doing so again in November '03. If you don't mind having your kids miss some school, November has been a great month for us. The rates are about the lowest you can get and the weather has been great. Mid-eighties and clear both years. No rain, no high waves...pretty much just perfect.

Regarding the stateroom category...I don't believe there are many that sleep 5 people. You'll probably have to go with a category 4 or better. We've had category 6 both years...which is the lowest priced that includes a true verandah. They're great for 4 people, but you can't fit 5.

 

[DVC-Don]

Dadtojbj, hummm, your voice sounds familiar. Welcome to the DIS. I'd say the best time for you and your family to cruise would be February 16 to 20, 2003 cause we'll be there. (inside joke there) Best of luck to ya!

(Hi Cindy )

 

[Hygiene99]

i would also check out Barbs web site at www.castawayclub.com
Very helpful site and u can view some stateroom pictures
in closing she has it all... peter

 

[Dadtojbj]

Hey there - thanks everyone - Don and Cindy - good to see you guys!!

I'll check out that link and I look forward to learning more from ya'll!!

 

[iloverags2]

Originally posted by DVC-Don
(Hi Cindy )

Hi back at ya, Don!

 

[Cruise]

Dadtojbj,

If it's just you and the kids, then you will fit in a Cat 5 stateroom. They sleep four. For a cheaper alternative, you can look into a Cat 6 stateroom. They still have the verandah, they're just located one deck lower.

Julie

 

[Dadtojbj]

Thanks Julie - actually it will be 5 of us - me, my wife and the 3 kiddos, so we'll need either 2 rooms or a family suite.

THANKS!!

 

[tstobb]

While the Cat 4 family stateroom does have the split bath (shower & sink, lav & sink), next time, with the 5 of us, we will go for 2 adjoining rooms. Our little ones were 9,7 and almost 5 and even at that age, sometimes getting everyone thru the potty & cleaned up was a challengewith only 1 shower & 1 toilet.

 

[Cruise]

Originally posted by Dadtojbj
Thanks Julie - actually it will be 5 of us - me, my wife and the 3 kiddos, so we'll need either 2 rooms or a family suite.

THANKS!!

Ah, cool. Didn't want to assume it since you hadn't mentioned your wife in the previous post

Julie