First timer!!!! Help me get started!!!!

[mom2of2]

We are going to WDW for the first time ever in 28 days! I have been so excited but not DH (little hard to get excited with upteen inches of snow on the ground!) Well last night he surprised me by putting in the new vaca video I got last week and calling me into the room. After being magicfied! He turned to me and said "We should get on that cruise!" My mouth fell open since last week he made the comment that we would probably NEVER go to WDW again!!! So!! Today is my searching day for info on the cruise!!! I'd love to know what a good price is, and how to get discounts (i'm a dc member), what size stateroom (2ad 2 ch), just the ins and outs. What should I expect to budget for and just anything you all can tell me!!! I really really appreciate all the info!!!!

 

[DDreamer]

You've found it. THIS is the best place to find info on a DCL cruise. The hosts of this board also offer the best prices with the best service (from what I've read, I have never been on a DCL cruise before-someday....).They are Dreams Unlimited. Also, try the official DCL site also. Not sure of the address, but just go to disney.com and you will find it there. Have fun planning...I am!

 

[mmouse37]

Hey....congrats on your potential upcoming cruise!!!! Well, let's get started. Are you thinking of the 7 day, 3 day or 4 day? Each offers different itineraries.

First you have to decide what kind of stateroom will suit your needs. There are balcony (veranda) staterooms, staterooms with portholes, and staterooms with no portholes/window at all. Each type is priced differently. We have stayed in balcony staterooms and rooms with portholes. We actually prefer the porthole rooms because I feel there is enough deck space all over the ship that I would rather spend the extra money on other things onboard.

You best place to start for a price would be www.disneycruise.com Click on the suitcase icon in the upper right corner and just follow the prompts for "get a quote" and put in the dates you are thinking of cruising. It will give you a price. Then call a few Travel agencies to see if they can do any better with the price. Many people on these boards use Dreams Unlimited and are very satisfied. Other people book thru AAA or Costco, or look online for cruise agencies. There are endless possibilities. Just make sure you are comparing the same things. I like to price out "cruise only" meaning no transfers or insurance or airfare. That way I know the "cruise only" price at each different place I call. I can always add the transers and insurance, and airfare to the price later. It seems that you can find better airfare on your own than taking the airfare that the DCL offers.

Other great websites to get you started are:
www.dcltribute.com
www.castawayclub.com

Cruising over the summer and holidays weeks are always going to be more expensive. The cheapest time to sail is in the fall and January, early Feb.

We have sailed DCL 7 times already and if you have any specific questions, please just ask. People on this board are wonderful and full of useful info.

Good luck!! BTW....we have friends in Ringoes, NJ....are you anywhere near there....I have to take a trip to Faltzsgraff (sp) outlet in Flemington soon for new dishes!!!

MJ

 

[mom2of2]

Actually me, and both DS were born in Flemington at the Hunterdon Medical Center. Most of my family lives in Flemington still. I love Pfaltzcraft!!! Have you been to the Corning Outlet in Liberty Villiage???? Great prices!!!

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Along the "It's a Small World" line, both of my parents are from your area. My dad is from Milford, and my mother from Bound Brook (is that Middlesex Co.?). I think my uncle still lives in Frenchtown.

Anyway, I hope your cruise turns out be everything you want to be.

 

[mmouse37]

Yep....Liberty Village is very nice...been to Corning. Have to make plans to again soon!

MJ

 

[mom2of2]

Senor,
VERY SMALL WORLD! I actually live in Milford.....well the address is Milford, I live in Holland Township and I'm a mail carrier out of Milford PO. I also have family in South Bound Brook! Funny how we all seem to hook together somehow isn't it.....

Thanks again for the advice all. I contacted Dreams for a quote and checked out DCL as well as travelocity. Prices are VERY reasonable and I think that crusing is definately in the cards for us. Here's a dumb ? though.....where do you fly into? MCO, SFB?

 

[mmouse37]

MCO is the usual airport, but some people also fly into Melbourne or Daytona Beach. Orlando (MCO) is the closest.

MJ