Help. I'm a beginner and don't know where to begin!

[SSDonut]

Thinking of trying a cruise in April 2006. Don't have a clue what we're doing. A few of the questions that come to mind:

- what's included in the price? All meals? What about drinks? What about tipping?
- does anyone just stay on board and relax rather than disembark?
-is a 3-day worth it? I know this is very subjective, but our schedule might require that Thursday departure. We would be able to add a few days at my father's (Cocoa Beach), but is it worth the airfare down there (from PHL) for essentially a long weekend?
- I have no idea what kind of $$$$ we're talking. It would be me, DH, DD7 and DD5. I hate to get a quote when I don't even know if we want to Do this or not!! I mean, are we talking $2500? $3000? $4000?

Okay, enough is enough. Any one out there who can help a poor soul get an initial grip on this whole cruising subculture--I'd really appreciate it!!!

TIA-

 

[goofymama]

First of all - ocming to the DIS boards is a great place to start.

The price of your cruise includes everything EXCEPT alcoholic drinks, tips, excursions, spa treatments and souveniers. Also, if you dine at Palo (the adult only restaraunte) there is a small service charge and if you order soft drinks at a bar or through room service, there will be a charge as well (soft drinks, juice, coffee, tea ... are free at the restarauntes and at the drink station on deck 9.

Yes, you can stay on board at the ports if you choose. The ship will be rather quiet and enjoyable!

Check out the disney crulse line website to get an idea of prices ... however, it is usually cheaper to go through a travel agent. You can request quotes online at various TAs. Its OK if you are not sure you are going to book.

Personally, I don't think 3 days is long enough. But if that is all that you have time or money for ... 3-days on DCL is better than no days on DCL

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Hi,

I am looking forward to my first DCL cruise in January, but I've been reading the boards a lot.

First, a lot of things are included. All the food and entertainment is included as well as the kids club activities. There is a soda "bar" for free sodas, but alcoholic beverages are additional charge. Some other things that are additional charge- the spa, excursions, dinner at Palos. Palos is an adult-only restaurant and it's only $10/person extra. It's optional but a lot of people like to go.

It is a great idea to stay on board in Nassau- the pool area and kids club are less crowded and some people do stay on. An excursion would be nice, if you'd really like to see Nassau. The dolphin encounter is about $100 per person. That's the only one I can comment on because that's the one we are doing. I've been to Nassau on a previous cruise- I don't think it's anything special. I am just excited to see the kids interact with the dolphins.

As far as tips go, there are 4 people that you should tip when on board. Disney has put a guideline out. One the 3 day cruise, Disney recommendeds you tip $11 per person to the server, $8 per person to the asst. server, $2.75 to the head server and $10.75 to the stateroom host/ess. That is per person, per cruise- not per night. If service is better, you might want to tip more. Also, those who cannot receive tips (like guest services or the kids club counselors) would probably like a WalMart gift card. I am going with $10 gift cards.

Cruise the forum for lots of more great tips!

Now, for the price. Here's my spiel again for AllSeasTravel. Go to their website at www dot allseastravel dot com- the forum won't allow me to type it in as a web address so you get the idea. Anyway, he has all the cruises until Dec 2006 with their prices listed. A 3 day cruise in the cheapest cabin can cost you anywhere from $1400 (January) to over $3100 (Easter week). That is per cruise for all four of you. I HIGHLY recommend allseastravel!

Also, a few weeks ago, AirTran put out some awesome airfare deals from Philly. I live in Jersey and almost booked out of Philly with them. It was like $100 ROUNDTRIP! Check them out, too.

Please post or PM me if you have more questions. I'm sure you'll have lots more. Remember, just go through the previous posts and you'll find a lot of great stuff, too.

 

[Jsme]

Thinking of trying a cruise in April 2006. Don't have a clue what we're doing. A few of the questions that come to mind:

- what's included in the price? All meals? What about drinks? What about tipping?
- does anyone just stay on board and relax rather than disembark?
-is a 3-day worth it? I know this is very subjective, but our schedule might require that Thursday departure. We would be able to add a few days at my father's (Cocoa Beach), but is it worth the airfare down there (from PHL) for essentially a long weekend?
- I have no idea what kind of $$$$ we're talking. It would be me, DH, DD7 and DD5. I hate to get a quote when I don't even know if we want to Do this or not!! I mean, are we talking $2500? $3000? $4000?

Okay, enough is enough. Any one out there who can help a poor soul get an initial grip on this whole cruising subculture--I'd really appreciate it!!!

TIA-

It is easier to say what is not included. Alcohol for one. Speciality drinks and speciality coffees. Palo, shore exscurions, spa treatments and snacks for the movies. Souvies are not included.

We have been on two 3 night cruises with DCL. We enjoy them. FYI~the 7 night Magic si not long enough. Just try not too do too much. That is our problem. Our first cruise with disney was 3 nights not long enough. So we booked another one for 7 nights on the Magic. Not long enough. So we booked a cruise without the kids so we could do everythign we wanted to and not have to worry about them. It was great. We have done almost everything they offer on the cruise now.

Tipping is not included.
Position 3 day 4 day 7 day
Resturant Server $11.00 $14.75 $25.75
Resturant Assistant Server $8.00 $10.75 $18.75
Head Server $2.75 $3.75 $6.50
Stateroom Host(ess) $10.75 $14.50 $25.25

We did not go off at Nassau. Nassau is a nasty town. We enjoyed the pool and spa while it was not as crowded.

You need to shop around on various sites to get the best deals. April is busy and more expensive because of it being spring break times. I would shop around for air as well.

Highly suggest for you to go to Palo. You can double dip by making your Palo ressie before or after your normal rotation. You do not have to eat at your normal rotation. Just go for coffee and the show. Op stated Palo is $10 surcharge per person. It is worth it. The Grilled Fillet is awesome. The Chocolate Souffle is wonderful. Yum.

 

[pppiglet]

When I was new, the best thing I found was to do a "search this thread" from the linke at the top and look for what specifics you are looking for first. Read all that and then go back through the old pages and just keep reading for other info.

 

[Cruella de mom]

Also try the the best tips thread at the top of the boards.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Go to DCL official web site an dorder the free DVD about the DCL cruises. It iwll help you a lot to understand what to expect.
It's FANTASTIC!!!!
Once you go you'll be hooked, like the rest of us.
mom x4,grandma x4.