First Time Even Considering a cruise-Where do I start?

[devine5829]

I was thinking perhaps next year when kids are 7 & 9. None of us have ever been ona cruise. I have never taken any of my kids to an island. Are they too young? Where should I start????

 

[CAMICKEY]

I don't think they are too young. Our DS went on his first cruise after he turned 5 and he just loved it. There are many things to consider when taking a cruise but the first one is money. DCL cruises can be expensive but if properly planned and budgeted for, could probably fit into most families vacation plans one year or another. I just wanted to point out that a lot of children go on cruises at a young age (wish I could have) and that from my experiences, they seem to have a wonderful time. Hope you decide to take the plunge. - Mike

 

[Zandy595]

No, they're not too young. I think 7 & 9 are perfect ages. DS was almost 6 on our first cruise and he loved it. He'll be almost 9 on our next cruise and he's even more excited this time. He can't wait to meet the kids he cyber-met on the Cruise Meet board.

This (Disney Cruise Line Forum) is a great place to start. Do some research here before you book and you'll know exactly what you want before you call DCL or your TA. This board will also help you decide who you want to book with, to save the most money.

 

[plutojudy]

Start by ordering the Disney Cruise Line DVD or video.
Best advise is to read the info here. Also the Passporter is an excellent source of information.

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

I must agree with others. First consideration is money. It's more expensive to sail in summer and school vacation. Less expensive in the fall.

The kids are the perfect age. The clubs are definitely geared toward the 5-11 age groups

There are quite a few DCL websites such as
www.castawayclub.com
www.dcltribute.com

Read all you can and ask questions here.

 

[MrsPete]

My kids were 6 and 9 when we went (well, they still ARE 6 and 9), and they LOVED it. I think the 6 year old enjoyed her kids' club more, and the 9 year old was nuts about the dolphin excursion and Castaway Cay. Both of them would have gladly traded away dinners for more pool time. They both mention frequently that they want to return again soon!

 

[rsjj]

just got back from our very first cruise!


we knew we wanted to try cruising...so we went for it, but before we decided on DCL, these are some of the options we looked at

1) do we want to cruise, just for the sake of cruising? you know, all you can eat, 24/7! (i love to eat...desserts, especially!)

2) are we interested in the various ports? for us, any port of call would have been fine, since it was our first cruise, & we don't really travel much anyways, so wherever we went would have been great! i understand for others, ports of call is important!

3) do we want disney? or another line? we went with disney, since our 2 DSs are 5 & 2. and we all love disney! and we knew it would be fun for them! and it sure was!!!!! i think if we were going without the kids, we'd have went with another line, to save $$. but now we're hooked!

like others have stated, your children aren't too young for a cruise! if your 7 yo is a girl, she'd love it, they've got disney princesses all over!

whatever vacation options you decide, it'd be great, cuz you'll get to spend quality time with your family!

 

[Hygiene99]

Go to www.castawayclub.com and look under stateroom for some Very well know Disney Secrets ... Such as Geting a porthole with out paying for it... should save u a couple of bucks

the earlier u book the Better the price will be..at least a year in advance..

would also think about private towncar sevice instead of disney Transportation... will also save u a few bucks.....

 

[TheWog]

7 & 9 are definitely not too young. We went on our first cruise ever in January and totally loved it. Our DS6 was out of his mind with excitement. There was not one part he didn't love (even missing school for the week He was definitely not too young. It is a perfect age. The clubs, the characters, the excursions. Everything. Plan right and you will have a great time. He is already asking when we are going back and he even watched our cruise video yesterday. We are planning on going in January 2006 to try the Wester itinerary as soon as reservations open.

Start with the brochure, disey video or dvd, disneycruise.com website, the other websites listed and your TA. You will have a blast and will never regret it. These boards are also great for info.

Also, we chose to cruise instead of WDW because of height restrictions on the ride. He was just a couple inches too short. Now we are hooked and looking forward to going back.

 

[devine5829]

Which ship did you choose & why?
How many days did you go?
Which locations (islands) did you choose?
What category of room (location) did you choose?

Also, are all these things on the ship and these excursions off the ship included?

 

[Zandy595]

On our first Disney cruise I wasn't sure how everyone was going to like it, so we just did the 3 day Wonder. By the end of the cruise we were all wishing we had done the 7 day instead. It was such a wonderful vacation we didn't want it to be over. Our second Disney cruise we will be doing the 7 day Magic Eastern itinerary.

We stayed in a category 9 cabin on deck 2 midship. I wanted a verandah, but our buget wouldn't allow it. We really liked the cabin. It had a HUGE (3 ft diameter) porthole window. I booked a cat. 9, deck 2, midship cabin for our next cruise also.

The only things you pay extra for are: alcoholic drinks, sodas (they are free in the dining rooms for lunch and dinner), excursions, and anything you buy in the shops onboard. If I forgot anything I'm sure someone will post it.

If you haven't already, make sure you order the Disney Cruise Line brochure and the DVD or video. DisneyCruise.com

 

[Zandy595]

The Disney Wonder
3-Night goes to Nassau & Castaway Cay
4-Night goes to Nassau & Castaway Cay & has a day at sea or Grand Bahama (depending on the time of year you go)

The Disney Magic
7-Night Eastern goes to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Castaway Cay & has three days at sea.
7-Night Western goes to Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Castaway Cay & has two days at sea.

 

[wrightworld3]

Your children are a GREAT age. They will love a Disney Cruise. You should order a video thru Disney and you MUST get the Passporters Guide to the Disney Cruise Line. This book is so informative! Have a Great time!!

 

[TheWog]

We chose the 7 day Disney Magic Eastern route. We liked the port choices and wanted to be gone for the week and the ports are definitely worth it. We are already planning a return to try the Western, just for different ports. You get one less "at sea" day on the Western. We booked a category 6 with verandah as close to mid-ship as we could. 6088. My wife has motion issues and we got the verandah for the fresh air and midship was supposed to be best for the least rocking sensation. We will book the verandah again.

We stayed close to the ship for both ports. St. Maarten we went to Great Bay and swam and jet skiied, then returned to the ship for lunch, shower and change, and returned to shop downtown. It was a lot of fun. They offer a water taxi $5/adults all day and kids ride free. Next time we will venture out farther, Orient Beach or something like that.

St. Thomas my DS6 and I did the Atlantis Excursion in the morning and returned for lunch and to pick up my wife. We had lunch then went to shore to shop there. My son actually stayed onboard in the club, which was a huge deal for us, but he said he wanted to and we were comfortable enough doing it. We had a mission to go, find what we were looking for and return and didn't take any real leisurely strolls.

Excursions are not free, gift shops are not free, alcoholic drinks and most sodas are not. Bingo costs, pictures cost, but you would expect that type of stuff. The service is incredible and the food is delicious. Palo's has a fee and is adults only.

Castaway Cay charges for floats, snorkel, excursions, etc.

 

[crisi]

Originally posted by devine5829
Which ship did you choose & why?
How many days did you go?
Which locations (islands) did you choose?
What category of room (location) did you choose?

Also, are all these things on the ship and these excursions off the ship included?

We went on the Wonder, because that's what did four day cruises and that was the length we wanted. We went with Disney because its Disney and we knew the quality and kids clubs would be good.

We went for four days because its was our first cruise and we weren't sure if we'd enjoy cruising. Our kids are four and five.

The four day just stops at Nassau and Castaway Cay, so no real choices.

We choice a category six veranda room, because we both liked the idea of sitting on the balcony. We've enjoyed balconies on our rooms at WDW a lot more since we had children - both with the children and while they sleep. And because for us, it was affordable.

Not included: Tips, Excursions, anything you do off the boat (meals, etc) - with the exception of lunch on Castaway Cay. Alcoholic beverages. Soda not consumed in dining rooms, Bingo, souvieniers. Bottled water. There is also a small additional fee for Disney's adult only dining room, Palo.

Included - meals and snacks (including as many breakfasts and lunches a day as you want, and if you want two entrees or two desserts at dinner, no problem). Shows. Swimming. Lunch on Castway Cay. Lemonade, Coffee, Water, Ice Tea and Fruit Punch. Programming events on the boat. Movies being shown in the movie theature.

(Please note that appropriate tipping can be a large expense and a surprise if you think you are going to get away with handing someone a ten and calling it even).

I'd really recommending looking over the Navigators at the already mentioned sites. That will give you a good idea of what goes on.

(Our four and five year old LOVED it. I don't think your kids are too young).

 

[rsjj]

Which ship did you choose & why?

we picked disney because we love disney, and our DSs are young to really enjoy the characters & things disney.


How many days did you go?

7 days, since we live in the west coast, and had to fly out to the east coast to get on the ship, i didn't see the point of flying out just for a 3/4 day cruise. might as well go all the way, right?


Which locations (islands) did you choose?

western since that was the time of vacation frame...and didn't really have a choice there! we didn't mind regarding the ports of call, since it was our first cruise & wherever it went, would've been fine with us!


What category of room (location) did you choose?

cat 6 with a verandah...since our DSs (4 & 2) still took naps, we thought it would be nice to just sit out by the ocean breeze when they were napping. and they loved being out there as well, seeing the vast ocean, & the islands & the view!

Also, are all these things on the ship and these excursions off the ship included?

unfortunately, some things are not included in the price...


one tip i learned from people here on the board, is when going on excursions, pack your lunch (from room service), and bring onto the islands you're visiting...saves you $ that way....just a thought!