How/When to Plan our First Cruise?

[BuzzLightYear3]

Hi.....we've been talking for years about going on a Disney Cruise. We delayed thinking we'd like to wait until our youngest is old enough to really enjoy an occasional visit to the kids club and not feel like he's getting dumped. (Working mom guilt.....he already spends time in daycare.) We have 3 kids...DS (10), DD (6), and DS (just turned 4.) We'd need to do the cruise during a school break or during the summer. We have several key questions:

1) How far in advance should we book the cruise? A while ago it seemed like there was a pretty good cost advantage for booking well in advance. Is that still the case?

2) Whom should we book through? I'd like to support Dreams Unlimited (given all the help we get from this website). Any pros or cons to go elsewhere?

3) How long should we go the first time? I haven't found anybody who hasn't liked the Disney cruise. I know some who have said the 3-day or 4-day was too short If we can afford it, should we go for the 7-day the first time, or is it better to ease into it (e.g. to make sure we don't have any family member problems with sea sickness)?

4) When should we go? The earliest we'd go would be the 2nd half of 2004 of later. One thing I'm thinking is that we should go before our oldest has to pay adult fares. If we go for the 7-day, we'd either need to go New Year week, on Spring Break (week starting with Easter Sunday) or during the Summer (mid-June through mid-August.) Given those options, what's the best time?

5) What are the best accomodations for a family of 5? Would we be best off getting a Cat 4 (Family suite which accomodates 5) or 2 of the lower categories.

That should be enough to get us through the first step. Thanks for the help!

 

[tchrmom]

Buzz........

Your children are the PERFECT ages for taking the Disney Cruise! We took our first last year, when our son was 10 and our daughter was 7. They WANTED to go to the clubs and be with their new friends. In fact, they would RUSH throught dinner every night, to join their new friends! While the Disney cruise ship is also appropriate for children of ALL ages, those who benefit the most are those who are old enought to enjoy all that the kids' clubs have to offer.

We took our cruise last year at the begining of the summer, and it was great. However, we booked this during the school year, and saved $2000.00. We are working with the kid's teachers, and I'm getting a sub. for 5 days.............but I feel it is worth it. I'll let you know in October!

At first, I was worried that a 7 day cruise was going to be too long. I mean, what if we were bored, right? WRONG! It wan NOT enough!!!!!!!! If you can swing it, do the 7 day cruise. It was by far, the BEST vacation that we have EVER taken!!!!! NO LIE! And, as an added bonus, it was the 1st vacation that I did NOT come ho,e exhausted!

As for accomidations, we had a cat 11 last time, and that won't work for your family, so I can't help you there. We did upgrade to a cat. 10 this time, but I'm not sure that would be big enough for you.

If I can help you any other way.....let me know!

Good Luck, and I hope you enjoy your trip!

(ps- I didn't check this for typos, so please forgive any....I'm NOT a typist!)

 

[floridaminnie]

There are 4 of us that travel and we LOVE cat 10. We only sleep in the room, so we don't spend much time there.

If you have the money, go for the 7day!

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Good morning BuzzLightYear3.

We delayed thinking

I did the same thing for a while in the '80s...

3) How long should we go the first time?

Go the whole way. It can be a long swim to shore...

5) What are the best accomodations for a family of 5?

Probably a cat. 1...

 

[Hygiene99]

lol bd .............
would go on a 7 day dont bother with 3 or 4 to short........

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Buckaroo's Dad
Go the whole way. It can be a long swim to shore...

 

[puckhog45]

3) How long should we go the first time? I haven't found anybody who hasn't liked the Disney cruise. I know some who have said the 3-day or 4-day was too short If we can afford it, should we go for the 7-day the first time, or is it better to ease into it (e.g. to make sure we don't have any family member problems with sea sickness)?

I would recommend the 7-day. We did the 4 WDW/3 DCL in '99 (before the 7 day existed) - my sons were 10 and 13 and they had a blast - but it was way too short. They have always wanted to go back and do the 7 day and now next summer we are going!!

Go the whole way. It can be a long swim to shore...

BD - you are so funny!! I always enjoy reading your posts. I loved your picture from Veranda Man's DIS meeting. Should we be calling you "Wilson" - wasn't that Tim Allen's neighbor from Home Improvement?

 

[cindala]

Originally posted by sdoane
There are 4 of us that travel and we LOVE cat 10. We only sleep in the room, so we don't spend much time there.

In category 10 is there an ocean view/window, or do you have to go to category 9? We are trying to plan very far in advance, but DH would also like a verandah, and I know that is much more $$$!!!

 

[thegales]

5) What are the best accomodations for a family of 5? Would we be best off getting a Cat 4 (Family suite which accomodates 5) or 2 of the lower categories.

When you are looking at the pricing for the lower categories, realize the first two in a room count as adults. Therefore, you will be paying for four adults and one child.

In category 4, the fifth bed is a murphy bed, which blocks the door to the verandah. The door still opens (it's a slider), but you need to climb over the bed to use it. A lot of folks have asked that the bed not be pulled down, and the kids fall asleep in parents' bed. When time for parents to sleep, they pull down murphy bed and transfer kid(s).