First Timer ?'s

[drgnfly30]

While I've been to WDW many times, I've never done a cruise - any cruise for that matter. I'm just beginning the planning stages (the best part!!) and have some newbie questions if you don't mind!

Hoping for a 2006 4 night cruise for me, DH, DS15, DS10

Is there a value season?
Is it best to book through a Travel Agent?
Is it better to book a land/sea package or separately?
Is it better to book a larger (higher class) room for the four of us or two lower class rooms?

I think that's it for now! Thanks so much in advance!

Christine

 

[faireygod mother]

First, congradulations. You are, in my opinion, making a great choice. DCL is awesome. Go with an open mind and take the advise people give with a grain of salt and you will have a time to remember.

Our first DCL was a land and sea. The benefit of booking them together is that you register once. We did land first and checked into the hotel. The DCL rep was there and also checked us in. Our KTTW was the same for the ship. When we got to the port we just walked right in.

There is a vaue season. I believe it starts after labor day and goes through March or April. Of course the holidays that fall in that time frame will be high season. It basically works the same as WDW.

I would do a cost comparison as far as using a TA or booking through DCL. Our TA got us a great rate, better than what DCL offered. I assume she shave off of her commission. If you book with a TA then they are the only ones who can make changes with the Res. (found out the hard way when I had a terrible TA). So there are pro and cons to it. I can tell you that I would never use Cruise Hoildays again. That is a whole nother thread.

As for the room catageory. Personal preferance. If you and DH want some alone time I would go with two rooms. When you call to get prices or do it on line price them both out. We prefer a balcony. My DB is going with us and is more frugal so he is getting an inside cabin. Pesonally, I went to the web and tried different scenarios before we made a decision. That way we had prices before we called a TA.

Hope this helps.

 

[RickW]

Is it better to book a larger (higher class) room for the four of us or two lower class rooms?

DCL has 12 categories, and for many of the categories, the room is the same size.

Cats 1-3 are larger suites, and can be anywhere from expensive to extremely expensive. (Depending, of course, on your definition of expensive)

A Cat 4 is a bit larger than normal, can sleep 5, and has a verandah.

For Cats 5-10, the rooms are exactly the same size, if you don't count the space on the verandah. Cats 5&6 have verandahs, Cat 7 has a partially enclosed verandah, Cats 8&9 have porthole windows, and Cat 10 is inside with no window. The differences between Cats 5&6 and Cats 8&9 are the deck they are on. Cats 5&8 are on higher decks than Cats 6&9.

For Cats 11&12, the rooms are a bit smaller, and are inside staterooms, but Cat 12 is on lower decks than Cat 11.

Anyway, this is mainly so that you realize that "higher class" does not necessarily mean "larger room".

 

[disneycruisen]

You might want to purchase Passporters Guide to the DCL, it has alot of useful info.

 

[CM_Mom]

One option to condsider since your boys are older is to book a category 6 with a verandah and a category 11 across the hall. That way the whole family can enjoy the verandah and the boys can have their own room. I think I would price out different options and see what works best for you.

I also recommend the Passporter. www.passporter.com. They have great information.

Be aware that if you do land/sea package the category of your stateroom determines which resort you stay in so the above cat6/cat11 combo won't work if you do the package - your boys aren't THAT old.

Some folks book separately so they can do WDW after the cruise or so they can do a value resort at WDW and a higher class cabin on the ship.

Have a great time planning.

 

[two-foxes]

1. Value Season is hurricane season. September and October tend to be the least expensive from what research I have done, but you will chance a hurricane. We took the chance and got Jeanne, but trip insurance and DCL's very generous incentives kept got us through it just fine.

2. We have booked through DCL, DU and AAA. DU is by far the best and most knowledgeable, in my opinion, and they have great prices to boot!

3. We booked the land/sea package thru DCL in 2002. It was our first cruise on DCL, it took care of all the details and kept it headache free. I would recommend it for your first time, but if you do your homework, you can certainly book it all seperately and probably save some $$.

4. I have no idea on this one! It is just DH and I!

Like everyone said, get the Passporter, read these boards and check out other sites like www.dcltribute.com and use the links in the bottom left of that sites home page. The Platnium link is REALLY good, as is Entropy's cruise guide. These resources helped me in planning my first cruise, and the two that followed and the two to come! I learn new stuff everyday here!

 

[drgnfly30]

One option to condsider since your boys are older is to book a category 6 with a verandah and a category 11 across the hall.

Thanks I didn't even think about that!

Like everyone said, get the Passporter

Yes I was already considering it. I have the WDW version & love it!

check out other sites like www.dcltribute.com

Thanks for the site, I'll be sure to check it out!

Thanks again everyone! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions!
Christine

 

[becobscot]

I think it costs more to book the land/sea package and limits your options. You could save money by booking a value resort for your land portion. I think the moderates are tied to the lowest stateroom categories (10-12) so although it is not a seemless transition like the land and sea package you could save some money!

 

[shezfrombermuda]

Be aware that if you do land/sea package the category of your stateroom determines which resort you stay in so the above cat6/cat11 combo won't work if you do the package - your boys aren't THAT old.



Does anyone know which category # you have to book on the ship to get a moderate resort if you book a land and sea package?

 

[the kabuki]

For our first cruise in Jan 06, our family of 5 is in a CAT 6 and CAT 11 directly across the hall from each other. It was cheaper than doing a CAT 4.
We booked through a TA, their prices were less than DCL