I want to cruise but don't know where to start...HELP!

[Honeychild]

I having been trying to get my DH to take our family (ds 10 and dd 6) on a Disney Cruise for some time. The answer is always the same, NO. Knowing that he usually give in to my "whims" I have been really pushing a cruise for my 40th birthday. I think I'm making headway because last night he showed me a brochure and asked "is this a good deal?"

My problem is I don't know anything about a cruise. I wouldn't know a good deal if it slapped me in the face. (Yes, I could understand FREE, but other than that I'm totally lost.)
So, please help me. Where do I start? I've read several web pages about the ships and I know that there are different categories with different costs. Would someone compare categories to hotel rooms at WDW. Is a Cat. 11 comparable to the All Stars, etc. We are Florida Residents do they offer any special discounts?


If I read correctly the cost of the cruise includes your meals. What are the hidden costs? This would help to to budget the trip and would give me a clearer picture of what to expect.

I appreciate any and all help that you can give me. Also, I'm sure there are many questions that I didn't ask that I should have asked, so feel free to share any tips you may have.

 

[abitjaded]

You probably have these:

www.castawayclub.com

www.dcltribute.com

To save money and find out if there are any Florida resident deals, especially off season, but usually only a few months in advance:

www.mousesavers.com

Most of the websites will give similar prices for a cruise, just keep reading these boards. You will see ways to save a bit: early booking, Costco, AAA, Disney Visa, etc. Some "deals" come in the form of cabin credits.

All the rooms are huge, the cat 11 and 12 do not have the split bath and are therefore smaller, but at least as ship cabins go are not "economy" by any stretch of the imagination. Someone recently posted a cost analysis that showed verandah prices to mesh with premium resorts and all others to mesh with moderate resorts (the same way Disney divides the land and sea packages, there ain't no All Stars on the ship or land.)

The easiest site to price it for yourself:

www.cruisesonly.com

All food, and tons of it, is included. There is a premium adult only restaurant, $5 charge for Palo dinner, $10 brunch. Liquor is extra. Tips are added to liquor. Budget some for end of cruise tips, which are detailed on Barb's site. Shore excursions are extra.

Carla

 

[Born 2 Cruz]

Just keep looking all your answers are here...

I started reading the site about a month ago and found out everything from how to bring beer on board and get them to help you with it, to the fact that on the 7 day they serve lobster tails on castaway cay in the adult section.


My only advice is to c ompare room sizes with other ships Disney has the biggest going and the biggest verandahs..

Dave

 

[DisneyGator01]

Yes, DCL offers Florida Resident deals, more so during off peak times (holiday's spring break/easter)...You can go to the DCL sight and get a free travel video and catalog.

 

[GenieDana]

Honeychild

We wouldn't be cruising Disney without the Florida Resident Discounts.

Might I suggest a small investment to answer many of your questions (besides being a good read). A book called the "Passporter's Disney Cruise Line and it's Caribbean Ports of Call" is probably the best reference besides spending lots of time on this Board looking for answers. You can find a good price for it online at:

http://www.bestwebbuys.com/books/compare/isbn/1587710064/isrc/b-home-search

Also, you can check Florida resident rates at this TA:

http://cruises.allseastravel.com/c/5/5738/1147576_5738.htm

Note that the FLR rates are offered for non-peak times during the year.

Good luck!

 

[Mjasp]

Oh Honeychild...Did we overwhelm you yet LOL

You have questions???? We have answers

Start by getting the cruise video and brochure from DCL. Go to www.disneycruise.com and request it. The brochure has a list of all the cabins and differences and their dimensions.

Then ask away and before you know it we will have you booked and at a sailaway DIS meet.

Have Fun
Joanna

 

[abitjaded]

Forgot these:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/ right here at home with lots of new info

and

www.wdwig.com especially note Mickey's (Magical) guide, he is a Passporter consultant.

Uncle, Uncle, or more?

Carla

 

[jrabbit]

point of clarification on "hidden" costs that was mentioned above. A 15% tip is add automatically to all beverage purchases (not just alchol - soda (not during dinner), smoothies, bottled water all have the auto gratuity added).

You can go on the cruise and the only additional cost will be for tips for your wait staff, room steward and the porters at port canaveral who help you with your bags both comming and going. You will also need to tip the hotel or rental car shuttle driver (or taxi). You don't need to tip the bus driver if you come via DCL transportation (I think)

But... these are typical additional costs you will incure
*Drinks throughout the day - there is the water,coffee, tea, milk station on deck 9 thats free along with non alcholic and non soda drinks during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
*Pictures at Shutter - mostly irresistable (we spend too much money there)
*Shore excursions - this is a lot of the cruise experience - to experience the different islands you stop at - and this adds up fast
*Spa Treatments: lots of people do these and look forward to them (we never have been in the spa - and don't think we've missed anything. Until we cruised the first time we didn't think we had missed anything by not cruising before )
*Souveniers - 'nuff said
*the vidio arcade
*wine tasting "tour" on the ship
*Palo: for dinner a manditory $5/person charge and for brunch a $10/person charge - you will want to tip more!!!
*If you need to stay "wired" to the rest of the world, there is the internet cafe - you pay per minute or for the entire cruise
*If you drive to the port, parking fees for your car

I think that is a complete list of other things you can/should pay for while crusing.

Have fun planning, and more fun cruising!!

 

[princssdisnygina]

I sent you a PS in your CPuser folder! Gave tons of info!

Gina