Help! new to travelling & cruising ?

[pppiglet]

I have never had to fly anywhere or been on a cruise. For our next year's cruise all we have to do is drive to the port, but I was thinking of rebooking while on board for 2007. My ? is ....I am tempted to let DCL do the whole thing since I have no clue as to how to book flights or what airport to use or what even "transfers" actually are . so if I do it, thru the DCL website and take the airfare and transfers, does this include a hotel too if we arrive the day before?

If I try to do everything myself and seperately, how do transfers work? What exactly does it do? Sorry... I am clueless...hope to be a great traveller someday like you DISers out there!

 

[kcashner]

Transfers are transportation for you and your luggage from the airport to the port (or from WDW to port)...and/or from port to airport or WDW. You can buy them round trip or by the "leg." A leg is one way. You can buy your transfers at any time--with your package, when you get to the airport, when you get off the ship, etc.

You can usually book flights cheaper on your own than Disney's air costs. However, if you book on your own, your trip insurance thru DCL will cover only the cost of the cruise, not the air. Of course, you can use private travel insurance also.

It is by far the easiest to just book the DCL package and let them do everything. However, this is not necessarily the least expensive, nor does it do things on your schedule. If there are 3 or more of you, it might be cheaper to book a private limo than to use DCL transfers. That way, you could arrive at the port any time you wanted.

IF you are flying in the night before because that's the way DCL arranges it, their cost will include your hotel. If you fly in the night before because that's the way YOU want it, they will not cover your hotel cost. However, you can get a Priceline hotel for very little money (Like $35 for a 3*....which includes the Hyatt).

You can book flights on line or thru the airline directly or thru a TA. If you know what airline you want, go directly to their site. If not, or if you just want to compare prices, use Expedia or Orbitz. You can check prices without booking anything.

 

[pppiglet]

Kcashner....

Thank you for the great info!

Also, when do you know what flights or hotels DCL will give you?
Right away when you book, or not til you get your docs?

 

[MrsMork]

There is a website called BookingBuddy.com where you can check airfare thru several providers (expedia, orbitz, hotwire,etc) and you only have to enter your dates one time. Definately would book airfare yourself. Disney will not only be twice as much ($400 from Portland and I usually can get tickets for $200 to @220) but you also do not have a choice of time. Disney books your flight and tells you when it is. Likely a "red-eye" (flying all night arriving very tired for first day of your cruise) from the west coast. Just log on to one of those sites and put in some dates to get quotes and you will get the hang of it real quick.

 

[pppiglet]

Thank you Mrs. Mork!

 

[pppiglet]

Also, when do you know what flights or hotels DCL will give you?
Right away when you book, or when you get your confrimation in the mail, or not til you get your docs?


Anybody know?

 

[allison k]

Hi ppiglet! I grew up next door to you in Hacienda Heights and my DMIL used to teach at Escalona elementary in NLMUSD for 30 years! Anyway, I just wanted to add my $.02!

We're going on our first cruise in February w/a Land & Sea Package. You will be able to pick your hotel on this package based on your room category. We were originally going to stay in a cat 9 stateroom until I realized for about $300 more (for the whole package) we would be able to stay in a Navigator Verandah room and in the Animal Kingdon Lodge. Play around with the reservations on DCL's home page and you'll see which hotels you can stay in with certain cruise categories.

Also, as everyone was saying, it's best to not book the airfare w/DCL. I booked the majority of my trip with AAA. My TA arranged for the transfers and I was able to pick our room (yay, I got 6134). I booked our flights myself largely because we have enough FF miles for 2 flights and I needed arrange that myself. Just so you know, you can get flights from LAX to ORL for about $225 RT nonstop which is good. You may be able to get it for less. I paid $243 for RT from John Wayne - I'm in south OC & family can take me to the airport in 15-20 minutes - and I'm very happy with my airfare. DCL was about $400 pp. BIG DIFFERENCE! I booked my flight on American, and the site is VERY easy to use. You can practice it a few times before you're ready.

Plus, my DH and I have been out to WDW several times, several ways. I really think you're better off flying in the day rather than a redeye. Especially if you plan on going to the parks. First of all, you'll be absolutely pooped on a redeye and ready to crash when you get in. You'll end up spending most of that first day in your room sleeping. We are coming in at 8pm and staying at a Days Inn near the airport for $30 and then will catch a Mears shuttle to AKL in the morning to start our stay in WDW. We didn't buy passes for our first day - I'm hoping my DB will give us some comp passes for Christmas!

Have a great time! I'm assuming your doing the West Coast Cruise. Is that right???

 

[pppiglet]

Allison K...thank you for that great information! Maybe I know your DMIL! I know a few teachers that were teaching there. Although my son is 20 now, I have a good memory.

Yes we are doing the West Coast since there was no flying involved but, I really would like to get brave and do the Florida thing. I appreciate everyone's input and I have a lot of time to figure out how things work! Definately I plan to fly in the day before. Even that looks like a long day!

So if I don't do the land/sea and just do the cruise I assume if we fly in the night before, we will have to get our own hotel. Right?

 

[Garfield29]

So if I don't do the land/sea and just do the cruise I assume if we fly in the night before, we will have to get our own hotel. Right?

Yes you are right. Also if you book your air through DCL and fly in a day early, they will make you pay an air deviation which is $50 per person. That alone added $200 onto our land/sea package.

 

[pppiglet]

Boy you guys are all going to save me lots of money! I just love this board!

 

[TheWog]

I believe you only get info on flights etc. if you book through DCL when the docs arrive. That doesn't afford you a lot of time. If you are nervous about everything then the DCL package is the way to go. Be sure though that thousands of people do everything on their own and are very successful. Just be confident and come here for reassurance. We were all where you are once.

We booked our cruise and I waited to book air and saved over $800 doing so on our own for 3. I wanted to travel the day before and glad we did as we were delayed 7 hours due to weather. We have friends in the Orlando area so hotels are not an issue for us, but if you feel feisty check out biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com and they will tell you all about using Priceline for hotels. The prices are great and since you won't be too picky on where you stay you should be fine. Orlando area is pretty inexpensive averaging around $35.00 per night. You could also look into the MCO Hyatt (MCO is Orlando Int.l airport where you will want to fly into). They are a little more pricey, but they are right in the airport and will handle your bags for you. They also have a pool too. If you decide to use DCL tranfers they will take your bags directly for you as well. You need to determine your comfort level and after your upcoming trip you may feel more comfortable doing so. Good luck.

 

[pppiglet]

TheWog...Thank you, I will check out those sites and I think I will book on my own, thanks to you all I will be well informed by the time we go.