HELP!!!Newbie here w/ LOTS of questions

[LuvAriel]

I am so excited!!! My family has decided to take our FIRST cruise in June 2007!!! We have been to DW Soooooo many times, we need a change of scenery, but still NEED our disney fix!!!

We are waiting until June 2007 so my youngest will be 3.5 yo and she will be able to join in the fun with her big sister who will be 7 by then. We feel if we go any earlier than that, we couldn't take advantage of the kids club.

Anyway, here are my questions....

1)When are the rates released for that time frame?

2)Is there a thread watch to sign up for to watch for the 2007 rates to be realesed like the ones on the resorts board? If not is there a website that I should look out for to get the early rates?

3)I heard that you should book the cruise a ssoon as the rates come out, that is how you get the best rates, is this true??

4)Do you reccommend booking w/ a TA?

5)Where do I find the best rates?

6)Are there any promtions/discounts like they run for DW and where would I find them?

7)Is June a good time to go?

8)What category room do you reccommend, 8 or 9??

9)Is cat 8 or 9 big enough to sleep a family of 4 or do you reccommend another category?

As you can see I need ALOT of HELP. I tried searching this board to get my answers, however, I was unsuccessful. I am so hoping someone has the time to answer me back.

TIA for your help!!!

 

[lindakmonty]

you've done the right thing by starting the planning process early and being informed, that will save you lots of $ and you'll know what not to miss...etc.!
I can help you on some of these...let see...

#3 yes, the earlier the better.. time of travel can mean a huge difference of price... Jan and Sept. typically being the least expensive times to travel. When the kids are out of school are the most expensive..

#4 yes, shop around. I look for ta's with group sailings..they have tons of rooms and are deeply discounted since they have several compared to some others. I would contact Dreams unlimited, magic for less, mouse ear vac. micdan travel, allseastravel.com... there are tons out there...oh, and costco

#5 shop online! look for specials!

#6 on their websites they'll show them.

#7 June is good, but a little hot for me. July was too hot. we went late may over memorial day and that was very cool, Sept. was good even taking risk of hurricane, Dec. was awesome w/ holiday decor...

#8 not sure much difference. have had 9 and that was good.

#9 all depends on what you want to spend. you can spend anywhere from 3k-to 10k depends on cat. cabin you wish. cat. 12 is fine but doing cat 6 to have verandah next time...
you are more than welcome to pm if you would like... as you know, you'll get tons of valuable info. here for sure !!
you will love it for sure!

 

[jgalecpa]

I am so excited!!! My family has decided to take our FIRST cruise in June 2007!!! We have been to DW Soooooo many times, we need a change of scenery, but still NEED our disney fix!!!

We are waiting until June 2007 so my youngest will be 3.5 yo and she will be able to join in the fun with her big sister who will be 7 by then. We feel if we go any earlier than that, we couldn't take advantage of the kids club.

Anyway, here are my questions....
3)I heard that you should book the cruise a ssoon as the rates come out, that is how you get the best rates, is this true??

4)Do you reccommend booking w/ a TA?

5)Where do I find the best rates?

6)Are there any promtions/discounts like they run for DW and where would I find them?
8)What category room do you reccommend, 8 or 9??

9)Is cat 8 or 9 big enough to sleep a family of 4 or do you reccommend another category?

TIA for your help!!!

I Can't Answer all these questions, but I can answer Some:

(3) BOOK as soon as rates come out. They only go up after that. If for some crazy reason DCL drops rates (like 9/11), then you can ask for a price adjustment

(4) This is hotly debated. The sponsor of this website (DU) has a great reputation among dissers for getting good prices AND providing good service.

I have used AAA as my TA for both previous cruiseGot good deal, but will likely try DU next.

Some people book directly through DCL to get the pick of room, etc then "transfer" their booking to TA of their choice to get extra perks (discounts, etc).

(5) Best Rates: watch this board. People routinely post good deals they get.

(6) Promotions: Sometimes. But they are related to problematic times, e.g. fall discounts accompany hurricane season.

(8) Cat 9. I am biased. only apparent difference is ship location. We stayed in Cat 9 on deck 2 and loved the location. watch for "noisy rooms", but you get a great choice when you book early.

(9) Depends on the size of the kids. These are designed for four. Usually with two pull down bunks that can be put away. We didn't have four in cabin, but many did.

BTW, DCL's cabins are about the biggest in the industry. I just sailed on another line, whose cabins averaged 180 ft compared to DCL 214. It doesn't sound like much , but after you take out the beds, it translate to a LOT MORE floor space.

Family of four should be fine.

Here are some helpful links:


All the best Tips Link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=468132

Really usefull info link:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=460639

Let me welcome you to the board.

You will meet friends you didn't know you didn't have.


Jim

 

[Hygiene99]

We are all Waiting for the 2007 rates to come out watch the boards im sure you will see the Smoke coming off them when they appear...
SOON..

Peter

 

[Takia]

1)Rates for 2007 SHOULD be released within the next month or so.
2)Not sure, but a good TA will call you as soon as they are if you call them and tell them what you want.
3)Personally, I book last minute, but in your case that is accurate. Category 8 and 9 are the first to fill. Book ASAP so that you ensure your kid-o’s are enrolled in the kids club, and you have time to pay all of your payments without feeling strapped. No matter what your financial position is, sometimes it is a little overwhelming to pay for that dream vacation all at once!!
4)I do, but I am biased (I own a Travel Agency). They are able to help you with reservations for babysitting, excursions, and the all so important, PALO!!!!
5)Usually Disney will give you the best rate (as they do with TA's as well, we all have the same pricing it is just how we "market" it), but a TA may be able to discount it some based on the time you booked. Usually this will come in the form of a shipboard credit, which is REALLY nice when you see all of the great pictures that you will HAVE to buy on the boat!!
6)There are discounts, but they usually come out for cruises in the next 6-8 months (i.e. for you that would be November 2006). Which I do not recommend doing if you are set on a particular room location!
7)June is OK, but there is a risk of hurricanes. You also have to LOVE other people’s kids. You will have a lot of them on board since that is the busiest month to travel for cruises.
8)I don’t see much of a difference. They are the same size it is all about what deck you personally want to be on (personally, I would go with a 9GTY if possible).
9)That is something that you will need to ask your TA or Disney. There are some that ONLY sleep 3 and some that are for 4. It is more a safety issue, so they are not any different really.

Happy cruising I am so sure you and your kids are going to LOVE it!!

P.S.- Don’t forget the passports!! At $100 a piece it can be a whammy as you are planning!!!

 

[mott]

When I spoke with DCL last week, they said rates for '07 should be out Sept/Oct. So I would just keep checking the DCL website and this site too. If you are a AAA member, they give onboard credits for booking with them. Costco takes a smaller commision and passes savings onto customers. We saved $200 for a 4 night (and that was not booking very early). You might even find a TA that would be willing to contact you when the rates come out.

Rememver too, that your 3.5 yr. old must be potty trained to be in the kids clubs.

Also, keep in mind that if Disney ever puts rates on "sale" call back and see if your cabin qualifies for a lower rate - we cruised in 2001 and the rate dropped 3 times between the time we booked and the time we made final payment. Not sure they do that anymore, but keep your eyes open for specials in the paper or on the websites.

 

[mommasita]

Hello, and Welcome...THis is a fantastic place for info..I see you have lots already..

dcltribute.com is a fantastic website, with loads of different information...I suggest in the meantime (waiting for rates) you check it out, there are lots of tips and tricks as well..

 

[Barbmouse63]

Hi and welcome!! I just booked our first DC for next June thru a TA. I have found the best price through a TA after getting lots of quotes!! I highly recommend this site and the Passporters DCL book and website. I have been reading about DCL for about 2 years now before booking.
I also debated whether to get a cat 8 or 9 but ended up booking a 10. All cat 9 rooms are on Deck 2, cat 8s are on higher decks. We booked a 10 with a secret porthole on Deck 5. There are only 6 of these rooms but if you book early you may get one. They have a porthole with an obstructed view. You bascially get a cat 8 for a cat 10 price. I am excited about that! I did not want to put a lot of money into the room because I doubt we will be there much. My kids will be 9 and 12 when we sail. Read up on secret porthole rooms and see what you think.

 

[LuvAriel]

Thank you ALL so much for your fast and extremely informative replies!!!! I have always posted on the resort board, however, I am REALLY enjoying this board. I feel like I am your "adopted" child, HA! HA!

Anyway, please feel free to keep sharing, I promise, I will read it all and absorb the info, I am a really good student. Nothing will go to waste on me!!!

keep it coming....I am an obsessive planner, like most of us on these boards.