First timer!

[EeyoreME]

Hubby finally said YES! So we are planning our cruise after our next disney world trip so we are looking at 2021. I have gone on a royal carribean cruise but its been about 11 years ago and we now have a 3 year old... We'll be traveling with my in laws, hubby of course and our daughter who will be about 6 at the time.... Not sure where to start other than checking out the threads since this is new to us! Hubby's requirements are to try for Star Wars days if they will still be doing that, a stop at Castaway Cay... and we'll probably be doing a 6 or 7 night cruise. Thanks for having me here : )

 

[lizzyb]

You won't be able to book for quite some time, they are only releasing fall 2019 now.

 

[lklgoodman]

SWDAS cruises are 7 night cruises on the Fantasy, January-March/April. They go to the Western Caribbean(Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and CC) and Eastern Caribbean (Tortola, St. Thomas, and CC). We did a SWDAS to the West Caribbean in Jan. 2017 and have one booked for the Eastern Caribbean next year. Since you won't be going until 2021, this is a great board to get lots of useful info. I would guess that they will still be doing SWDAS then, they have re-done the kid's clubs to be either Marvel or SW themed, so as long as they are making $$$$ they will keep doing them.

 

[GPaLarry]

There are several books about DCL cruises that will help you, too. Check your library and the web to find them. This site is great. We have been on eight cruises with the Mouse and I still take notes. Some folks (it is not a requirement) do door decorations and/or FEs (Fish Extenders), almost sub cultures. You'll find info on DIS for these as well. There are a lot of YouTube videos about DCL cruises, ships, door decorations, FEs, Star Wars, etc. that will put you and your husband over the top. There are cool ones on how parents surprise their kids and other family members with the cruise, some around a holiday. Let the fun begin!!

 

[kj2mom]

I am looking to cruise in 2020, first timer with Disney....I have been looking at the 2019 schedule to get an idea of cruises/timing/ships. We are actually looking for a short one (3 or 4 nights) so that will be the primary deciding factor for us as opposed to the destinations or ships but some people prefer a specific ship or specific destination(s) and book based on those priorities.

Some things I have been concentrating on is the room to book. There are soo many options, mid ship/forward/aft, inside/verandah eekkk it is a bit overwhelming. Right now I have been looking at people's opinions of rooms so that when the time comes I have an idea of where I want to be and why (close or far from clubs, close or far from elevators, close or far from ship's engines....sooo many things).

I have also been looking at things I will want to purchase prior to the trip (when I plan a Disney trip I typically start shopping a year in advance so that the costs of the little things don't surprise me). I have a note with some things on it already (magnets to decorate door, over the door show hanger to help with organizing and space, pop up hamper to contain dirty laundry, hanging shaving kit type to not overcrowd bathroom) that I am compiling based on people's experiences.

Another thing I have been thinking about is travel agent or no travel agent. We are leaning towards travel agent since we will have a group of people and it just seems to make sense to have everyone contact a TA to get what they would like. Plus the possibility of getting some on board credit doesn't hurt.

I have been thinking a lot about payment too. I read that when we book we will put 20% down. This has changed how I will handle our account we have been using to save. Right now when I get to a certain amount I have been putting it into CD's to try to maximize interest but now I need to rethink a bit to make sure that I have the right amount of available cash when we book.

I am sure there are a million other things to concentrate on and I am learning something new every day about what to expect and what needs to be done to prepare to cruise but so far these are the types of things I am focusing on.

 

[lklgoodman]

One other thing I thought I'd mention is when Disney first comes out with the cruises they don't list them as a SWDAS cruises, they usually post them as SWDAS cruises a few months later, at least that is how they have been doing them for the past few years. They could change that by the time 2021 cruises get announced but didn't want you to be disappointed if you don't see them as SWDAS when they first come out.

 

[kj2mom]

Just remembered too that generally speaking from reading this forum, Disney cruises are the least expensive when the dates first open and from there they get more and more expensive. If you know what cruise you want and are set with that, it could be financially beneficial to book on your first available booking date.

 

[EeyoreME]

You won't be able to book for quite some time, they are only releasing fall 2019 now.

Oh I know : ) I just like to plan and get an idea : )

 

[EeyoreME]

Thank you so much for your tips! I read that they are cheaper when they first come out... I am so excited : ) Off to read some more : )

 

[Steam8oatW9]

I am looking to cruise in 2020, first timer with Disney....I have been looking at the 2019 schedule to get an idea of cruises/timing/ships. We are actually looking for a short one (3 or 4 nights) so that will be the primary deciding factor for us as opposed to the destinations or ships but some people prefer a specific ship or specific destination(s) and book based on those priorities.

Some things I have been concentrating on is the room to book. There are soo many options, mid ship/forward/aft, inside/verandah eekkk it is a bit overwhelming. Right now I have been looking at people's opinions of rooms so that when the time comes I have an idea of where I want to be and why (close or far from clubs, close or far from elevators, close or far from ship's engines....sooo many things).

I have also been looking at things I will want to purchase prior to the trip (when I plan a Disney trip I typically start shopping a year in advance so that the costs of the little things don't surprise me). I have a note with some things on it already (magnets to decorate door, over the door show hanger to help with organizing and space, pop up hamper to contain dirty laundry, hanging shaving kit type to not overcrowd bathroom) that I am compiling based on people's experiences.

Another thing I have been thinking about is travel agent or no travel agent. We are leaning towards travel agent since we will have a group of people and it just seems to make sense to have everyone contact a TA to get what they would like. Plus the possibility of getting some on board credit doesn't hurt.

I have been thinking a lot about payment too. I read that when we book we will put 20% down. This has changed how I will handle our account we have been using to save. Right now when I get to a certain amount I have been putting it into CD's to try to maximize interest but now I need to rethink a bit to make sure that I have the right amount of available cash when we book.

I am sure there are a million other things to concentrate on and I am learning something new every day about what to expect and what needs to be done to prepare to cruise but so far these are the types of things I am focusing on.

You should definitely get a travel agent. You can have them book all your stuff if you are making payments (not a payment at once) they can do that. Also most travel agents give onboard credit.

 

[Spiffy MacSpiff]

You'll have so much fun! Our younger DS was six for our first Disney cruise; he threw himself heart and soul into every single thing we did, and we had the best time watching him enjoy the heck out of that trip. He doesn't remember all of it, but we do, and it was wonderful.

 

[CrawfordMomof3]

I’m not the only one! We’re looking at 2021 also due to kids ages. Our youngest will be 4, so being able to take advantage of the kids club is a plus. So excited!

 

[mevelandry]

I'm going to talk money:

Start with checking how much the type of cruise you want would costs right now for 2019 and add 100$ per person (because the prices are going to go up until 2021) and that should give you a good idea of the amount of money you have to save for your cruise. Then, start saving now to make sure you have at least the amount for the deposit when the dates open in 2020.

At this moment, Star Wars cruises of 7 nights for 2019 for 2 adults and 1 child start at 4634$ for an inside cabin. So I would add 300$ to make sure your budget is close to what it's really going to be.

 

[CrawfordMomof3]

I'm going to talk money:

Start with checking how much the type of cruise you want would costs right now for 2019 and add 100$ per person (because the prices are going to go up until 2021) and that should give you a good idea of the amount of money you have to save for your cruise. Then, start saving now to make sure you have at least the amount for the deposit when the dates open in 2020.

At this moment, Star Wars cruises of 7 nights for 2019 for 2 adults and 1 child start at 4634$ for an inside cabin. So I would add 300$ to make sure your budget is close to what it's really going to be.

Thanks! I know prices go up every year, but want really sure how much. That helps a lot.

 

[k3chantal]

Hubby finally said YES! So we are planning our cruise after our next disney world trip so we are looking at 2021. I have gone on a royal carribean cruise but its been about 11 years ago and we now have a 3 year old... We'll be traveling with my in laws, hubby of course and our daughter who will be about 6 at the time.... Not sure where to start other than checking out the threads since this is new to us! Hubby's requirements are to try for Star Wars days if they will still be doing that, a stop at Castaway Cay... and we'll probably be doing a 6 or 7 night cruise. Thanks for having me here : )

Be prepared to become addicted to it! I am minus 30 days to my fifth cruise; this time to the Mediterranean and my whole family is happy when we vacation this way. It's difficult to make everyone happy when you have an age range like mine (18. 15, and 8) My youngest was 18 months for our first cruise. Don't be scared to cruise with a toddler. DCL definitely makes the trip special for all!