Help...Please

[wdwlover88]

Okay, here's the deal...... we really want to go on the Disney Cruise over Spring Break and for us that's the 12th through the 16th of April. We're a family of 4(Mom, 15 y-o, 11 y-o and 6 y-o) and have no clue which room to choose or which cruise to choose. We'd much rather do a cruise being completely out to sea rather than a land and sea. This is our first time on the cruise but we've been to Disney 6 times. I checked the dates on disney.com and the only one that's an option for us is more than likely the Eastern 7-day Sea Cruise. Another thing, which is better...eastern or western? I have no clue. I'm trying to keep the budget to about $3000 including airfare from Virginia but if it exceeds that by a little it's not that bad. I just need any tips from anyone out there, about rooms, type of cruise, and all that good stuff. Thanks alot!!

 

[GenieDana]

The Calendar from Dave's site is below:

http://www.dcltribute.com/calendar/april2004.htm

That leaves you the 7-day Western on the Magic, or a 4 or 3-day on the Wonder. The Easter (7-day has more sea days), but nothin prevents you from not going ashore at any port.

In a stateroom, the first two will be charged as an adult (You and your 15 y-o, then other two will be charged as children (under 12 years old)).

Perhaps the least expensive rooms you still have the best chance of getting this late are the CAT-11 inside rooms. Not all of them sleep 4 (some sleep only 3).

You might even try to get a CAT-11 GTY (guarantee status). Your reservation will not assign you to a particular room at reservation time, but you may get assigned when Docs arrive, or when you get to check-in at the port.

This is a popular attraction for some cruiser because they like surprises, and it gives Disney more options to upgrade you. You will find lots of occasions where this has happened (we're batting 1000). The upgrade is never guranteed, however, so book the minimum category you will be satisfied with in case you are not.

Lastly, use a good TA or DCL to book. Often TA's will beat Disney prices or offer other "perks." The host of this board "Dreams Unlimited" is highly recommended by those who have used them. Another choice might be one specializing in DCL, like All Seasons:

http://www.allseastravel.com/

Either way, get several quotes before deciding.

You might not be able to do a 7-night for your budget - I just checked e-cruise.com for a CAT-11 Guranteed for the dates you can sail:

The 3-night will run about: $ 2189 (fees and taxes included)
The 4 night will run you about: $ 3223 (fees and taxes included)

Good Luck!

 

[mickeyboat]

DCL has two ships. The Wonder sails 3 and 4 day cruises which go to the Bahamas. The Magic sails 7 day cruises to the Carribbean. The Magic alternates weekly between the Eastern and Western Itineraries. If you are set on a date to sail for a 7 day cruise, you will have no choice on which itinerary. In your case, it sounds like the Eastern.

The Eastern Itinerary goes to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay (Disney''s private island in the Bahamas). It has 3 days at sea. The Western Itinerary goes to Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Castaway Cay. It has only 2 days at sea. The choice of itineraries is based on what ports of call you prefer and how many days at sea you'd like. (We - myself, DH, DD3 and DD4 are sailing the Eastern in March - we want to go back to St. John, where we went on our honeymoon),

You are planning late for April, 2004. Many people book a year or more in advance. Generally the closer you are to sailing date, the more expensive the cruise will be. The price will be even higher for school vacation and holiday weeks. (We booked in September, 2003)

Cabin choices are a personal preference as well. Some feel that they will spend so little time in their rooms they don't mind the smaller, inside staterooms. Some people will not sail without a porthole and some won't sail without a verandah. (We chose a GTY11 inside)

Another consideration is booking a hotel close to port or MCO and flying in the night before. It will make for a much more relaxing first day and ensure you will not "miss the boat." (We did not do this, much to my dismay).

My suggestion is to go to one of the travel sites, Travelocity or Expedia and get a quote. It will give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of price. For more information, try these websites

www.wdwig.com/cruise.htm
www.CruiseCritic.com
www.disneycruise.com
www.castawayclub.com
www.themagicalmouse.com
www.dcltribute.com

You should find all the information you need. Stay tuned here too. You will find disboards a valuable planning tool.

Good Luck!

Denae

 

[my3kids]

I just looked at disneycruise.com, the official website. The cost for a family of 4 in a category 11, inside stateroom was: "Category 11: Standard Inside Stateroom
SAILING PARTY TOTAL=$7,364.68" That was with air(I clicked Charlottesville VA because that was the first VA I came to, with insurance also. Booking air yourself can be cheaper, and there are other companies that offer travel insurance for less money. This was for the western trip. Hope that helps.

 

[PhotoLisa]

When I first did research for the cruise we're taking 2/21-28/04, Mardi Gras week was $5,000 cheaper for the three rooms and ten people we were planning for than going during Easter or in the summer.

It made it a no brainer for us to skip Mardi Gras this year and cruise instead. Instead of locking yourself in for only one possible week, select several different weeks throughout the year before making the decision.

I've cruised Eastern and Western and prefer the snorkeling on the western hands down!

Our cruise this time around is Eastern but for the price difference, I couldn't see booking Easter or summer just to facilitate a Western course.

Lisa

 

[wdwlover88]

Thank you all so much!! I honestly didn't expect all this. I think you guys did more research than I did (it just might be due to my LAZINESS) Everything helps immensely!! It sounds like I need to get my act together and book something! Thanks Again!