Help for first timer

[jova]

Our family is currently considering doing a 7 day cruise Dec. 2004.
Should I use a travel agent, if so which one? Local or one of the Disney specialists? I have always booked all of our trips myself and I've never used a travel agent before (I am not really sure how that all works). I think it may be a good idea though, because this trip might get a little complicated with cruise, air, ground transfers, plus we might like to do one day at Universal, and a couple of days at WDW before the cruise. What kind of things to I need to tell or ask TA, and what kind of things can I request? (ie:deck, stateroom, etc..) Plus, how far in advance do you think I need to book? Any advice would be appreciated immensely. Thanks

 

[GenieDana]

You can book with DCL directly. There are also some vey popular travel agents with cruisers on this board (It is hosted by one - Dreams Unlimited).

I would suggest using one specializing in Disney Cruises, like Dreams. Some others that I have read about with high regard include All Seas:

http://www.allseastravel.com/

I would contact several, and get quotes (including DCL directly).

What you need to tell the TA is:

How many, and ages of passengers (will determine what capacity stateroom to get, if you party will fit - you may need to get two staterooms, adjoining or not adjoining, etc.)?

Stateroom preference (will be determined by your budget). Look at All Seas above to get an estimate of the price. Two adjoining CAT 10s may be cheaper than 1 CAT 4 (if there are 5 in your party)?

When do you want to sail?

Since you are looking at the 7-day, which itinerary (Eastern or Western)?

Have fun!

Some very usefull links to help you:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/disneycruiseline/index?id=DCLRoot?clk=11808&bhcp=1

http://www.dcltribute.com/

http://www.castawayclub.com/

http://www.themagicalmouse.com/dcl/

http://www.disneyclubs.com/disney_cruise/cruise_accommodations.htm

http://hometown.aol.com/entropym/pages/index.htm

http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/Cruise/Secrets.html

 

[kcashner]

All of the larger travel agents go thru Disney training...I like having an outside company to interface with Disney in the rare event of a problem. The rates are the same whichever way you go. In addition, I've found that when AAA travel sends me an ad for a Disney special, the agent I use always has at least the same (or in one case) a better special.

There's a lot to learn here as far as selection of cabins, etc. However, the rates are all basically the same. If you have a code for an onboard credit, you need to use that at the time of the initial booking. If you book a cruise and Disney later lowers the rate, they will honor the lower rate if your agent contacts them.

There are a lot of ways to save money in the parks....not nearly so many on the cruise, but still a few.

 

[jova]

We are looking at the 7 day western cruise(2 adults, 16yr old DD, 11 yr old DD). Thinking of a Cat 10 (I believe) for the split bath. After making reservation, can you request a specific deck or stateroom? Thanks for all the previous advice.

 

[tigger53]

whenever i make a reservation either thru DCL or AAA i usually request forward and ask what rooms are available on whichever deck 6 or 7 and pick whats being offered, i haven't had any problems yet and always seem to get what i want

 

[hilltopfamily]

let me tell you about a great tip I learned here on the disboard. We went on our 1st cruise (7 day, Eastern) and followed it with 1 day at USF, which I planned on our own (we used cruise.com to help with booking the cruise portion of our vacation).

Well, here is the tip. You can stay on-site at USF and use the express pass for quick access to rides--this is an AMAZING perk! No waiting in horrible lines!! We got to ride SO MANY rides this way and the greatest part was that over on this disboards USF forum, we learned about the entertainment card.

All 3 USF resorts (Portafino, Hard Rock, & Royal Pacific) offer reduced "entertainment card" rates at various times. We saved over $100 off the rate for a 1 nite stay at Royal Pacific Resort by using the entertainment card (which was only a $15.00 cost when we ordered it). The reason the card & book of coupons was so cheap was that they come out at the beginning of each year, but we didn't order it until June or July & they had been reduced significantly by that time & had free shipping. You can check on availability at USF for any of the 3 resorts at entertainment card rates, reserve the room at the entertainment card rate, and then, afterwards order the card, so there is no risk (i.e. you don't have to pay for the card & then hope you can use it when needed and you do not need a number off the entertainment card to book the room, you just need to have the card in your possession when you check into the room). This is a little hard to explain, but if you are likely to stay & go to USF then feel free to ask me further about this & I'll try to explain better!

 

[kcashner]

You can choose a stateroom when you book...or a deck...or just a category and let them assign you. If you are thinking about a category 10, you might want to consider one of the "hidden porthole" staterooms. These are outside cabins (like a category 8), but they sell at a category 10 price because the window is partially obstructed. Go to castawayclub.com to check them out. They go fast, so request as soon as you can.

For the first time, I would really suggest a travel agent. There's a lot to decide. Will you fly or drive? Rent a car in FL or use transfers/lime service? For more than 3 people, you can do a private van/limo service cheaper than Disney transfers.

I highly recommend flying in at least a day ahead "just in case." You can get an airport area hotel on Priceline for about $28-30 per night...use 3* hotel, and it will have a free shuttle from the airport. OR use the Port Canaveral Radisson and they have a free shuttle to the port.

Sorry...I see from your post that you're doing land days first...ok, car or transfers? Disney transportation won't get you to Universal. There are advantages to staying on property at both places, but changing hotels can be a pain. Again, Priceline can get you great rates at Disney "Good Neighbor" hotels like the Hilton, Wyndham, Best Western, etc. These are "resort" level hotels in the WDW area. Previous post detail advantages of staying on property at Universal.

Sounds like a great trip....