Help! I'm new to cruising!

[TSirgey]

My husband and I are trying to decide where to spend our 10 year wedding anniversary next May. We can't go without our dd(5) so we want to do something where she can be included. We are 99% sure we are doing the DCL, but I feel a bit overwhelmed. We have done WDW the past two years in a row, so I love these boards and can't believe all the tips I received! Here are my questions:

1. What is the best way to book the cruise? Through a travel agent or through Disney? We just opened a Disney visa to get the onboard credit.

2. How much do you usually spend on shore excursions for a 7 day cruise?

3. Which is better for newbies? Western or Eastern Carribean?

We ordered the DVD and started researching, but I want to ask the experts!!

 

[chickie]

I can't help with many of the details, but I had to tell you that we are doing the exact same thing. Our 10th anniversary is in November, and our DD just turned 6. So we decided to do a 4-night Wonder Cruise to celebrate! From what I have heard so far, we have both made a great choice to cruise with Disney to celebrate our anniversaries (with our kids)!
Happy Sailing!

 

[TSirgey]

We initially started looking into a couples getaway and then thought, who are we kidding? We miss our dd after a few hours nevermind days! We will still get to do some couple time while she is having a blast!

Are you going to renew vows or do the REAS package? The vow renewal looked awfully expensive! I'd rather spend the money on excursions.

 

[castlegazer]

1. What is the best way to book the cruise? Through a travel agent or through Disney? We just opened a Disney visa to get the onboard credit.

2. How much do you usually spend on shore excursions for a 7 day cruise?

3. Which is better for newbies? Western or Eastern Carribean?

We ordered the DVD and started researching, but I want to ask the experts!!

These are all opinion questions, open for a wide range of opinions.

1. I am partial to using a travel agent for cruising. DCL is an exception to the rule - but most cruise lines, in fact every one that I know of sells at rack rate but no one ever pays rack rate for cruises - there is always a deal to be had out there. As I said, DCL is a bit of an exception as many times all you can get for a "discount" is on-board credits or a slight reduction in fare from a travel agent. But moral of the story is definately shop around, use AAA, use warehouse clubs like BJ's, use travel agents on line and in person. Do lots of homework before booking.

2. This again is a subjective question. I like to do my own shore excursions so it costs somewhat less. You can view the cost of shore excursions through DCL on line at the DCL web site. Usually excursion cost between $45-$90 per person. You will be in port two days while on the Eastern more on the Western.

3. Totally what appeals to you, not based on newbie or experienced cruiser. I, again in my opinion, am partial to the Eastern - I have small children and the ports don't appeal to me with children on the Western.

 

[AspiringCindy]

Really whether you do the Eastern or Western...it all depends on what Islands appeal to you! For me, I would do the Eastern...because I prefer those islands!
As far as booking goes...price a number of different reputable TA like Dreams Unlimited, Magical Journeys, Small World Travels and DCL as well!

 

[rotary2808]

Congrats on your upcoming anniversary!! That will be an awesome way to spend your anniversary, and it's nice to include your daughter also.

1. We normally just book through Disney and then switch it over to our local TA. I imagine most people though will tell you to shop around first before booking.

2. I don't remember how much we spend on shore excursions for a 7 night. We normally do just one or two excursions depending on time and where we are going.

3. We like Eastern because it has more sea days: 3 vs. 2 on the Western. We prefer the sea days and spendng time on the ship. Some probably like the 4 stops the Western has. Both are excellent cruises though.

One suggestion: go to your local bookstore and ask if the have "The Passporter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line", it is by Dave & Jennifer Marx. It is the best book on the cruise line you can find. It covers every port of call and all of the shore excursions offered and tells you roughly how much they cost and how long they are. Alot of the excursions they have done and give their opinon of them. It is the best book for a newbie or an experienced cruiser. That book will really help you figure out what is best for you and your family.

Have fun planning.

 

[pppiglet]

We booked directly through Disney and I was real happy. Especially since hearing a lot of people have trouble getting info from there TA's. I just talked directly to Disney whenever I wanted.
We are going back for our 25th anniversary in 2007 and our DS 21 will be with us. I hate to leave him out of anything. He has gone everywhere with us since he was a baby so I understand your point here.
We did the West Coast, so can't help you on that part. I would do the Western if I get to go on another.
We went on 3 excursions (3 ports) 3 of us and they averaged $100 (or $300 total) for the whole cruise.

 

[NancyIL]

I have never sailed with DCL, but I've been on an eastern and western Caribbean cruise. For Disney cruises, check with Dreams Unlimited and MouseEar vacations for specials: www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com - www.mouseearvacations.com You might also check Royal Caribbean cruises, too - which are reputed to have great kids programs and a lot for adults to do. (I LOVED the 2 RCI cruises I was on.) They will also be several hundred dollars less than DCL.

I have done both independent shore excursions and those with the cruiseline. The independent excursions were on the Western Caribbean cruise in Grand Cayman and Costa Maya (Mexico). You will get lots of additional info at www.cruisecritic.com on the discussion boards for various Caribbean ports.



Eastern vs Western depends on which interests you more. Eastern has more beaches...Western has lots of Mayan ruins! (I prefer Western.)

Have fun planning your first cruise!

 

[mott]

I can't help much with 2 or 3. But here is my 2 cents. Did you check DCL website for excursion prices? I know they have spa prices, but have not personally checked for excurision prices. Also, someone mentioned the passporter - you might check if the library has one to borrow.

I'd recommend grab a room from DCL right now (decide on when and wehre and which catagory and pick out your cabin). Put down the deposit (it's fully refundable until 75 days priort to your sail date). Then, SHOP AROUND!!! Then, transfer your ressie to the best priced (don't forget to factor in any onboard credits offered) TA (but make sure they take VISA so you can get your DCC onboard credit).

Even if you transfer to a TA, you can still call DCL with questions. I have my ressie thru Costco and the wait time are LONG. So I only deal with them for payment (and for any doc issues). DCL can still view your ressies and answer questions. YOu can still make the online reservations for stuff at 75 days.

This is the best type of curise for your anniversay trip with kids! You can have family time as well as alone time. Make sure you go to Palo! Enjoy the adult only pool too (it's REALLY quite over there - makes you wonder where all the kids went to )

As far as prices on excursions - you don't have to do anything (the ship tends to be less crowded on port days) or you can do everything, so the total will be different for everyone.

Happy Aniversary!

 

[TheWog]

Congratulations.

1. We booked through our local TA as she was running a Disney Month promotion and we received lanyards, visors, autograph books, onboard credit etc. So that was good for us.

2. On actual excursions we spent $125.00. It was for DS6 and I to go on the Atlantis submarine excursion on St. Thomas. St. Maarten we just used the all-day one price kids free water taxi, used Great Bay beach and rented chairs and jet skis.

3. We did the Eastern first, as we wanted to go to those ports more and there was an extra day at sea. We loved the time on the ship.

Keep asking, you will learn so much.

 

[TSirgey]

Thank you for all the great info! I've been getting some quotes from Dreamsunlimited.

I am still a bit confused about how you can transfer your ressie?? If I book through DCL online and then see a better deal through a travel agent, I can transfer the reservation? This is one part that confuses me.

 

[stampinshauna]

I highly recommend going on a Disney Cruise. My husband and I went on our first one (Western Caribbean) last year and it was honestly the best vacation we've ever been on. We're going Eastern this year. If you are planning to go to WDW as part of your vacation, I'd suggest doing it before your cruise. Last year we did a few days after we got off the ship, and compared to the relaxation & wonderful food of the cruise, WDW was almost a let down (and we love WDW). To answer your questions:

1. I'd just check out prices and go from there. I've done my 2 cruises through a local agent at an annual travel show because they were offering $50 off and a $75 shipboard credit.

2. How much do you usually spend on shore excursions for a 7 day cruise? It depends on how many ports you have and what you want to do. Some excursions add up quickly, I'd say go to the disney cruise website and look at what interests you and you can figure prices there. I'd say we've been spending about $200 a piece.

3. Which is better for newbies? Western or Eastern Carribean?
Depends on where you want to go. I've been told that Western is better for snorkeling and scuba, and Eastern is better for beaches. Either way you can't go wrong because Castaway Cay is on both itineraries and is a tropical paradise!

 

[TSirgey]

Great info! Thanks everyone!!! I really love the Dis!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Our first (of 5) was in 2000 and our DDs were 9 and 7 then. It was a 4 nighter and WAY TO SHORT! since then we have sailed the Easterns and Westerns (with 05 Thanksging Western and 10 night 06 x-mas booked) we are not "Mickey Mouse" people but given the options for DDs (now 15 and 13) between Beeches or DCL they want DCL......It's your aniversary and there are pleanty of places to "get away" on the ship. Our DDs and ourselves prefer the Eastern even though we have a Western booked this year.
1) I ALWAYS book thru DCL (sorry DU) www.disney.com If you book thru a TA you can't communicate with DCL you must go thru your TA.

2) There are 4 of us and DDs always have a "hot" KTTW card and between BEER, tips, smoothies, internet, BEER, shore excursions, BEER and pictures it almost ALWAYS come to 300.00 per day on board account.

3) Once again, Eastern in our opinion is the choice........