HELP..1st time cruiser with ?s (Western 7 day)

[KyMattDisney]

hi there....looking to cruise next year with mom/dad, sister & family (5) and ours (family of 4) on the July 29th Disney 7 day Western.....my sister and parents have already booked with all seasons so probably going that way...just some questions:

1) Rooms they have booked are category 10, inside stateroom......we are looking for the same category but possibly with a ocean view...any thoughts on the room size, layout...we have 2 boys, will be 11 and 6.
2) I know meals are included but are they all buffets? How does that work?
3) Kids activities...due to their ages will my boys be separated? My sister children align with mine so they will have cousins if ages are different?
4) What are the standard characters on board?
5) How are the excursions for children for the Western...what are some prices?
6) Is now too early to book?

thanks to everyone!!!!

 

[ldb1030]

6) Is now too early to book?

July 29th of THIS year?? Nooooooooooo, it's not too early!
We're already booked for July of 2006! With DCL, the earlier you book the better for prices!!!

 

[KyMattDisney]

just wanted to reply the cruise is for July 29,2006

 

[jel0511]

1) Rooms they have booked are category 10, inside stateroom......we are looking for the same category but possibly with a ocean view...any thoughts on the room size, layout...we have 2 boys, will be 11 and 6.

All rooms from category 10 through category 5 are basically the same size, with the exception of the balcony in cat 5 - 7. The layouts are basically the same with a queen bed, single sofa bed and a single upper berth over the sofa bed. We like sailing with a balcony, so I can't really help with any other category.

2) I know meals are included but are they all buffets? How does that work?

All the meals are not buffet, and if you don't want to go to a buffet you don't have to. There are sit-down options at every meal, and the dinner buffet is only offered on nights 2 - 6 on the cruise. All meals are included in your cruise fare, regardless of where you eat. Of course Palo has a $10 PP surcharge, this is the adults only retaurant.

3) Kids activities...due to their ages will my boys be separated? My sister children align with mine so they will have cousins if ages are different?

The age groups for the clubs are 3 -4, 5 - 7, 8 - 9, 10 - 12, 13 - 14, and 15 - 17. If your sister's kids fall within the age group as your kids, they will be together while in the clubs.

4) What are the standard characters on board?

Mickey, MInnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto, Captain Hook, Smee, variety of Princesses, etc. They are all the classic Disney characters. There are no Pooh or Pixar characters on board.

5) How are the excursions for children for the Western...what are some prices?

We didn't book any excursions through DCL on our Western. We went off on our own. Saved a TON of money and avoided the cattle call of cruise line excursions. Go to the disneycruiseline website and you can read about all the excursions, as well as pricing.

6) Is now too early to book?

Absolutely not!!! Actually, the earlier you book, the more you save on DCL. So, if you are seriously considering going, I'd book asap.