getting ready to book our first cruise

[ashleyhaugh]

I was all geared up to put a deposit down on first ever cruise, Disney or otherwise, but now I'm kind of balking at the price.. I have NEVER spent that much money on a vacation, or anything actually, except my car, lol, and it scares me....

I've heard awesome things about DCL, here and elsewhere, but I'm questioning whether I should try somewhere else..... it will be me, my mom, and my son who will be 9 at the time. I was looking at the 7 night western Caribbean out of Galveston in Dec 2016....

Talk me into it, or talk me out of it please!!! My son has never done Disney, that's why I was leaning towards the cruise.

Also, which Travel agent gives a better credit, Dreams Unlimited, or Costco? or somewhere else?

 

[bethy]

I feel you. I haven't cruised yet - my first time will be in October. After all my research I'm convinced it will be a great fit for our family even with the price. I have actually already have our next cruise booked for Dec 2016. I looked at the one you are talking about and thought no way - that particular one is waaaaaaay too expensive. I think it's unusually pricey because the Wonder will just have come out of a huge drydock and it will be all new and fancy. Plus of course the timing - no need to miss too much school. Another downside besides price is the seas are supposed to be rough out of Galveston and also there is no stop at Castaway Cay which for us was a bummer.

There are more reasonably priced options around that time frame. We booked the 12/11/16 Eastern on the Magic out of Miami instead. The Fantasy out of Port Canaveral is probably cheaper too.

 

[ashleyhaugh]

we're in San Antonio, so Galveston would be the cheapest option for us, and that limits our choices, as well as the fact that my son spends the summers with his dad...

although, now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I should bank the deposit money for a couple of months... my ex is military, and will be moving soon. ds has been spending the entire summers with his dad, because he's stationed in Hawaii, and that's the only time he can go... If he is closer, and there are more frequent visits, the summer might actually be doable, with no missed school (the one I was looking at leaves dec. 2)... I'll have to check the prices though

 

[Mrs Green]

The 12/16 sailing is more expensive than my dcl Alaska sailing, so I would have a hard time reasoning booking that (the price I am paying for Alaska is basically hitting the top of my comfort zone). The 12/2 seems a little more reasonable, though I agree with bethy...dcl is Charging top dollar for the new and improved wonder. Sailing over holidays is always more expensive too.

 

[perditax]

Look into the Carnival Breeze. I believe it's moving to Galveston next year and it gets good reviews from ex-DCL folks. (If you're immediately panicking at the word "Carnival", do some more reading, a lot of its reputation seems to be based on media panic, and the new ships like Breeze get good reviews, even on things like food.) It will also be loads cheaper.

In my experience so far, Costco Travel gives the biggest kickback.

 

[Mrs Green]

If dcl prices are uncomfortable for you, but you want your son to have a Disney experience, you might want to price out a trip to wdw or disneyland. Early December is a great time to visit either one as the weather is moderate, the crowds are moderate and the Christmas decor and festivities are amazing!

 

[bethy]

If dcl prices are uncomfortable for you, but you want your son to have a Disney experience, you might want to price out a trip to wdw or disneyland. Early December is a great time to visit either one as the weather is moderate, the crowds are moderate and the Christmas decor and festivities are amazing!

I agree with this! I have only done the parks and I love them for the most part.

And mea culpa on the cruise date - the prices for the 12/16/16 sailing are so high they are burned into my brain! The price difference for that particular one might be a lot bigger than two plane tickets to Florida. But time is money and so I get that, too. Good luck with your research!

 

[amanda ek]

Seems like we are getting around $40 more back from Costco than we got from DU...but Costco is pretty hands off. If it's ur first cruise I would recommend DU bc their agent will help u at every step...definitely worth the forty bucks!
We love DCL and have our 3rd cruise booked for January (5 day on the magic) BUT we also have a 7 day Princess cruise plus 3 days in disneyland booked for later in the year for about the same price (double the disney, yay!).
Do what makes sense to you money-wise. Speaking from personal experience, if you go on a trip that doesn't make sense budget wise, you will be so stressed about the money you will not enjoy it as much. Royal Caribbean is a great option for kids that age too!

 

[thumpie's mom]

DCL is expensive, but we find it is well worth the money. We were very nervous about booking our first cruise due to the cost and never having done one. Our "once in a lifetime cruise" became 6 DCL cruises and we are going on #7 in October. But, you have to do what you are comfortable with and what you think your family will enjoy. 4 of our cruises have been on the Wonder and we love her. She is a beautiful ship and we have always found the crew to be awesome. Good luck!

 

[squirk]

Hoo boy, did you come to the right board at the right time. Seems to be a lot of sentiment around here about how DCL is pricing itself out of the middle-class market.

Bottom line - DCL will never be your cheapest cruising option. Period. In fact, it will most likely be one of your more expensive cruising options. You have to ask yourself how much value you place on the Disney brand, because that is exactly what you are paying (extra) for. If you're kind of meh about Disney, you're probably better off with another cruise line.

As others have said, if you want to give your son the Disney treatment, you might look at a WDW vacation instead. That isn't necessarily cheap either, but there are many ways to manage expenses to your liking. You can stay off-site to save money on lodging; you can buy tickets only for the park days you think you will need, and do "free days" at Downtown Disney or doing resort tours; you can eat outside the parks or back at the hotel/condo/villa/whatever to save on food. Stuff like that.

If you are set on cruising, you could also try one of the shorter itineraries on the Wonder out of Galveston in November of 2016, or the Dream out of Port Canaveral in December of 2016 as a "starter" cruise to see if you like it.

 

[Trera]

Hoo boy, did you come to the right board at the right time. Seems to be a lot of sentiment around here about how DCL is pricing itself out of the middle-class market.

Bottom line - DCL will never be your cheapest cruising option. Period. In fact, it will most likely be one of your more expensive cruising options. You have to ask yourself how much value you place on the Disney brand, because that is exactly what you are paying (extra) for. If you're kind of meh about Disney, you're probably better off with another cruise line.

As others have said, if you want to give your son the Disney treatment, you might look at a WDW vacation instead. That isn't necessarily cheap either, but there are many ways to manage expenses to your liking. You can stay off-site to save money on lodging; you can buy tickets only for the park days you think you will need, and do "free days" at Downtown Disney or doing resort tours; you can eat outside the parks or back at the hotel/condo/villa/whatever to save on food. Stuff like that.

If you are set on cruising, you could also try one of the shorter itineraries on the Wonder out of Galveston in November of 2016, or the Dream out of Port Canaveral in December of 2016 as a "starter" cruise to see if you like it.

Good words here ^^^^^

 

[lanejudy]

You have to be comfortable with your vacation budget, and there are almost always a few extras we forget to include in the initial budget. DCL is likely to be at the higher-end of your budget range compared to some other vacation options, but there are ways to reduce the DCL cost as well:

• Are you willing to cruise in a lower category? Some people feel a verandah is necessary but we (and man others) have wonderful vacations in oceanview or interior staterooms, since we don't spend much time in the room.
• Have you priced out cruises from FL, even with the addition of airfare? I understand the convenience of the Galveston cruises for you, but as pointed out this particular cruise [date] is priced quite high due to some unusual circumstances. You might find something that fits your budget from another port, if willing/able to travel to get there.
• Can you cruise at a different time of year? Maybe your son has a late winter or spring break. Depending on when those dates fall, cruise fares may be more reasonable for you. Fares are highest when most U.S. kids are out of school, but there is some fluctuation in that.
• Would you consider a different Disney vacation? Maybe Disney World or Disneyland instead of a cruise. Our land vacations are nearly always less expensive than cruises, but that may be the options we pick for either vacation.
• Could you plan to cruise in 2017? That allows more time to save, and you could get in with opening day fares which might be less than the current fare you are seeing since Dec 2016 cruises have been out for a few months now.

Enjoy your vacation -- cruise or otherwise!

 

[ashleyhaugh]

Lots of good advice here, thanks!! still have a lot of deciding to do, but lots of time to do it I really want Disney, but we're not really roller coaster people, and I get annoyed after a day at six flags, so that's why I was thinking a cruise would be better than a park.. all the Disney fun, but with less of the hassle, lol

When do the next year bookings usually become available, so I can look at 2017?

 

[squirk]

Late October/early November, probably.

 

[Mrs Green]

Lots of good advice here, thanks!! still have a lot of deciding to do, but lots of time to do it I really want Disney, but we're not really roller coaster people, and I get annoyed after a day at six flags, so that's why I was thinking a cruise would be better than a park.. all the Disney fun, but with less of the hassle, lol

When do the next year bookings usually become available, so I can look at 2017?

Good luck making your decision! I am positive you will have a good time with whatever you choose. I don't find a six flags experience and a Disney experience to be all that comparable. Yes there are crowds and rides at both but the theming and the cleanliness and the quantity and the quality of the rides are all superior at Disney. At Disney there are so many rides for the whole family to enjoy! I am not really a roller coaster person either but Disney has tons of rides I enjoy.