I think I talked DH into a Cruise!

[Amy&Dan]

My husband has never wanted to take a Cruise but since we are Disney addicts (have been to Disneyland and WDW 10 times now) he is interested in taking a Disney Cruise at long last. How far in advance do all of you seasoned cruisers book? Do you use a travel agent or do the planning on your own? I just sent in to get a quote from Dreams Unlimited and also looked on Expedia and Disney's website. We are thinking of June, 2006. I am not telling the kids, especially my daughter since the last time we had a cruise planned we ended up cancelling to do just a WDW vacation. Don't want to get her hopes up. So are Disney Cruises as fun as they look? Sell me so I can sell him! Thanks for any suggestions or input you might have for this novice.

Amy

P.S. Thank goodness I recorded Travel Channel's special this week, he's watched it three times now!

 

[WDWLVR]

Hi Amy - click here for a copy of the Magic Disney Cruise Guide. It is a great resource and should answer most of your questions. Happy planning!

 

[ohMom]

AMY! how exciting for you and your family! you will have an AWESOME cruise We booked our first land/sea package about 8 mos in advance and our next cruise in Nov 2005 we booked about 15 mos in advance. I booked through Platnium Travel - who had comparable prices and I was hooked by Barb's DCL knowledge and willingess to share her opinion and suggestions based on her many cruises. I have found her to be very helpful -- bottom line is get several quotes and go with the TA you are comfortable with

Congratulations and good luck in your trip planning!

 

[smilingmouse]

As far as TAs go, I'd recommend Dana at www.micdan.com She's great!!!

 

[dzneprincess]

As far as TAs go, I'd recommend Dana at www.micdan.com She's great!!!

I'd have to second taht recommendation of Dana! She is an awesome TA with an awesome attitude and she specializes in DCL. I have booked many cruises thru her, but not before I look around to make sure I am getting the best bargain. I can tell you she has always beaten my lowest quote, except once. And that one time she could not beat it, she told me straught up, that is a great deal jump on it!

Yes DCl cruising is as fun at it looks. I like to boo as soon as the dates open up. The longer you wait to book, the price only goes up up up. For example I already have my 05/06 and my 09/06 cruises booed. I booked those back in Sept when they releases the dates. The 05/06 price has already gone up considerably!

 

[jazstar87]

I wish i can talk people to go on the disney cruise

 

[American Scrapper]

Amy&Dan, that is great. It took me a very long time to get my DH to cruise also, and now he loves it! Our first cruise we booked in October for January. You should have no problem looking for 2006. We booked through All Seas travel. Dreams Unlimited (who host this site) has also been a favorite of many.

Kathy

 

[jcemom]

I recently booked our September 2006 cruise through Sue Ellen at Dreams Unlimited. (so...18 months in advance) She's absolutely terrific! I've requested a quote from Dana at micdan on more than one occassion and have never heard back from her. So, I don't know if I got the lowest price available or not, but I'm happy with it, and I'm happy with Sue Ellen/DU!

 

[dzneprincess]

I recently booked our September 2006 cruise through Sue Ellen at Dreams Unlimited. (so...18 months in advance) She's absolutely terrific! I've requested a quote from Dana at micdan on more than one occassion and have never heard back from her. So, I don't know if I got the lowest price available or not, but I'm happy with it, and I'm happy with Sue Ellen/DU!

I have to step up in Dana's defense here, I know that recently she had a major surgery. Although I do not know for sure, I am certain that probably attibuted to your lack of response. I have never had a problem getting touch with her.

 

[jcemom]

Sorry, I didn't mean any offense to Dana, since I don't know her. It wasn't just recently that I requested the quotes though, since we've been considering a cruise for quite some time. The first time was back in September, then again in November, and again in January. I didn't get a response any of the three times...I don't know why.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you so much for all of the speedy replies everybody! I sent in a request for a quote from Dreams Unlimited so we shall see. I feel like I need to do it quickly to get a good price and while DH is ready and willing!

 

[WDWLVR]

Another supporter of Dreams. We've had 3 cruises booked with them as well as a Disneyland trip for December. Got an e-mail yesterday that pricing changed on the Disneyland trip and they saved us $279! That going the extra mile is why I love Dreams.

 

[smilingmouse]

I have to step up in Dana's defense here, I know that recently she had a major surgery. Although I do not know for sure, I am certain that probably attibuted to your lack of response. I have never had a problem getting touch with her.

I agree with you completely. Dana and/or Michael have always gotten back to me very quickly when I contact them.

Jcemom, I'm sorry you didn't have better luck with getting quotes. I have had the same problem with DU in the past. Lately, I have gotten quotes from both, but Dana's prices have always been better.

Amy--good luck with cruise planning.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

My husband has never wanted to take a Cruise but since we are Disney addicts (have been to Disneyland and WDW 10 times now) he is interested in taking a Disney Cruise at long last. How far in advance do all of you seasoned cruisers book? Do you use a travel agent or do the planning on your own? I just sent in to get a quote from Dreams Unlimited and also looked on Expedia and Disney's website. We are thinking of June, 2006. I am not telling the kids, especially my daughter since the last time we had a cruise planned we ended up cancelling to do just a WDW vacation. Don't want to get her hopes up. So are Disney Cruises as fun as they look? Sell me so I can sell him! Thanks for any suggestions or input you might have for this novice.

Amy

P.S. Thank goodness I recorded Travel Channel's special this week, he's watched it three times now!

We never cruised so we had no idea how we would handle sea sickness if we had it or if we would freak out about not being able to leave the boat. So we booked the three night as a test. We loved it and are hooked. So maybe if you suggest a small one with a couple of days at the World after you will get a taste of cruising and have WDW to look forward to after. We love it!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yes, sea sickness is the main concern of my husband. So we are thinking the 4 day cruise. We will likely spend a few days at WDW at our DVC resort first, cruise, then maybe a couple of more days at WDW afterward. We like to take a 10 day vacation if possible. I am looking at either April or June of 2006. Anybody have any opinions about which month is better? According to the Dreams page, I can get a really good deal in April 06 if they still have availablity. DD and I just watched our Cruise video. I ended up telling her we were doing it, there is no backing out now! Also, does anybody know if Small World Travel does cruises? We have used them several times for our WDW vacations and always really liked them. I think I read though that they don't do cruises. Its over a year off but that gives us plenty of time to plan and save!

 

[NCDisneyMom]

Also, does anybody know if Small World Travel does cruises? We have used them several times for our WDW vacations and always really liked them. I think I read though that they don't do cruises. Its over a year off but that gives us plenty of time to plan and save!

Yup...they sure do book cruises!!

 

[DrCavin]

Sorry, I didn't mean any offense to Dana, since I don't know her. It wasn't just recently that I requested the quotes though, since we've been considering a cruise for quite some time. The first time was back in September, then again in November, and again in January. I didn't get a response any of the three times...I don't know why.

Dont take it personally jce.. I never got a response back fromt her either after two attempts... same time frame as your requests.. I will stick with allseas....

 

[logan1_2000]

I think most of the recommendations are sincere, not involved in any secret kickbacks or extras, just folks who had a good experience and want to feel like they have helped others by passing along that experience. I try to be objective--like, I think Allseas has a great website for easy week to week and category to category comparisons for price. But I have never booked through them, and I say as much. I transferred the ressie from DCL to DU for my cruise in less than 2 weeks (less than 2 weeks!), and that went smoothly. And I have booked through another TA and gotten an upgrade but I think that was more DCL than anything else. So go with whatever feels right after researching, cross referencing, and deciding what you need or dont need help with.

I noticed the OP mentioned concern of seasickness and that would lead to the 4 night booking. Here is a prediction: you'll book a 7 day on the third day of your cruise when all of the sudden you realize it is ending just as you get the hang of it. And as for seasickness, it is a logical move you are making--trying to set it up so that you will not be stuck on a ship for 7 days if it turn out to be a seasick experience. But the likely nights/days for feeling seasick are the first and last nights, crossing the gulf stream. So ironically, on the 4 day you have a greater percentage of days that have a higher probability of feeling pukey. It is a dilemma. I didnt go for a week until my 3rd overall cruise, which was 2nd DCL. And wore a patch the first cruise, nothing the second or third, and not until night number one of our most recent cruise, 3rd DCL and 4th overall (on which the first night was our 16th "career" night on a cruise ship) did we feel sick.

So my prediction is that you'll feel fine, wish you were staying on board longer, and that you will book your next cruise while still on board your first.

That said, DW is getting the patches for our next cruise. I really dont plan on wearing it, though.