ILLUMINATIONS CRUISES-What they are--How to book--FIND ONE TO SHARE

[Lucky and Pooh]

Illuminations - September - Post 74
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=832064&page=5

 

[MamaKate]

"Specialty Cruises"

I know alot of people that would like to go out
On an Illuminations Cruise but the Boats are
Booked or are too expensive
So the next best way is to "Share a Boat"

I am working on Booking a Speciality Cruise
for "Mid to Late Sept." and was wondering:
Has anyone ever set a price per person

I am thinking of having eight guests
8 Guests @ $25 per person = $200

The additional amount collected would be
For all my time and work in making the reservations
Collecting the money and co-ordinating everything
My spouse and myself would then go at no charge

I would be Booking the Illuminations Cruise
Giving a CC Deposit & paying by Credit Card
Getting a confirmed cruise: date - time - location
Collecting the money & Sending out confirmations

Q:
How much do you tip the Captain/person who drives the boat?
We understand that the boat goes out in light rain but
What happens if it storms bad & the cruise is cancelled



Illuminations Cruise Central - September - Post 74
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=832064&page=5

More than likely all the dates for this time period are sold-out. You can look for cancellations, but alot of times that is only a week or so before the trip, so it wouldn't give you alot of time to set-up a group.

Also, you don't pay a deposit when you book the cruise. They only need a Credit Card to guarantee the cruise & only charge you if you don't show up. When you arrive for the cruise you can either pay with Credit Card or Cash.

Tip for the driver is usually around $20-$30. More if he makes your evening memorable.

Good Luck with trying to find a boat this late out.

,
Katie

 

[Lucky and Pooh]

What are the differences between a
specialty cruise and a magical fireworks voyage

 

[kpm76]

DH and I have a Wishes Cruise for September 26th and we have 7 spaces available. If anyone would like to join us, please PM me. It leaves from the Poly and you need to be there by 8:15pm. Let me know if you're interested

 

[Mad2Scrap]

"Specialty Cruises"

I am thinking of having eight guests
8 Guests @ $25 per person = $200

The additional amount collected would be
For all my time and work in making the reservations
Collecting the money and co-ordinating everything
My spouse and myself would then go at no charge

Illuminations - Wishes - Cruise Central - September - Post 74
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=832064&page=5

I didn't do it this way and I don't think most people do it this way. I booked the cruise, taking the risk that my family would have the boat to ourselves. When I was able to fill the boat I charged everyone 1/12th (there were 12 of us including 3 kids) of the total charge, including tax. Everyone, including the kids, paid an equal share. We all put in cash while on the boat for a nice hefty tip. I think we tipped $10/family. So with 5 families that was a nice tip but he was a great captain!
Marsha in Seattle, going again in December!

 

[Lucky and Pooh]

"Share a Boat & Expense"

The price for the boat and driver is
about $150 including taxes + $50 Tip

Eight Guests @ $25 per person = $200

If you do not mind paying $25 pp

Read - Illuminations - Cruise Central - September - Post 74
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=832064&page=5

 

[MamaKate]

RE:
I am thinking of having eight guests
8 Guests @ $25 per person = $200

The price for the boat and driver is
about $150 including taxes + $50 Tip

The Max. we will have on our boat is 10

I too booked the cruise Planning to have the cruise to ourselves
When I came across this thread I thought it would be nice to share..
I have to know that the people will be going and how much to budget

I agree it's nice to share cruises (I have one booked on 9/24), but I'm just wondering why you are expecting other passengers to pay for your way??

I know you run the risk of people not showing up, but if you were planning on doing it anyway, it shouldn't make a difference.

I invited people to join on my cruise, but I'm budgeting for the whole cost, just in case someone doesn't show-up.

Hope you have fun on your cruise!
,
Katie

 

[Mad2Scrap]

I agree it's nice to share cruises (I have one booked on 9/24), but I'm just wondering why you are expecting other passengers to pay for your way??

I know you run the risk of people not showing up, but if you were planning on doing it anyway, it shouldn't make a difference.

I invited people to join on my cruise, but I'm budgeting for the whole cost, just in case someone doesn't show-up.

Hope you have fun on your cruise!
,
Katie

The way I did it was I asked people to send me a check for their share of the ride. I guess the risk is their's then (in case I hadn't actually booked the trip and they showed up to find no boat). But we emailed several times, I think we got familiar with each other and gained some trust. I asked this board how people handled it before I decided how to do it. I am pretty trusting as I think most people are.
Marsha in Seattle

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

DH and I agreed that we would not ask our guests for money up front. If they show up we will be thrilled to have them along, if not, then we will have the boat to ourselves! We decided that it would be worth the expense for just us and DS to go - other guests are welcome but not mandatory.

I wouldn't ask my guests to foot the bill for my family because organizing it and getting up early to call for a reservation wasn't a big deal, and if others share with us they are really helping us by reducing our out of pocket costs.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Can I suggest that you ALWAYS get a cell phone number from all sharing parties? Be sure to touch base with each party the day before, remind them that you want to meet at 8pm at Bayside Marina. Also, determine a "drop-dead" time, basically at what time are you instructing the driver to depart from the marina.
There is nothing worse than standing at the marina with 3/4 of your group and not knowing where and when the remaining people are.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I've posted this on the CP threads, but so far, no responses, so I thought I'd try it here...hey, can't hurt.
Has anyone ever done both the CP dinner package and an Illuminations cruise on the same evening? I hope to have an early dinner, then catch the 6:45 CP (which should get out around 7:30-7:45ish). IF I get a cruise (yeah, a reach, I know!), would it be do-able to get from the American Pavilion to the boat dock where Illuminations cruises leave from (is that Bayside Marina?)? How long does it take to walk from point A to point B? Take into consideration huge holiday crowds.
Oh, by the way, if I get a cruise, I'll share...there's only 5 of us. 3 adults, 2 teens.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Just thought I'd share, I we changed our trip dates last week, and I thought I'd ask about cruises just in case. Illuminations cruises were booked of course, but I had my choice of 3 different days for a Wishes cruise! I believe it was 8/29, 8/30 and 9/2 but I'm not sure now. I took the one on 8/30.

Hoping this helps someone!

 

[betterlatethannever]

I've ... I hope to have an early dinner, then catch the 6:45 CP (which should get out around 7:30-7:45ish). IF I get a cruise (yeah, a reach, I know!), would it be do-able to get from the American Pavilion to the boat dock where Illuminations cruises leave from (is that Bayside Marina?)? How long does it take to walk from point A to point B? Take into consideration huge holiday crowds.
...

Illuminations will be at 9:30 during the Christmas season because of CP. Therefore you would need to be at the marina no later than 8:30. You will be done with CP no later than 7:30. It would take about 30 minutes to walk at an average pace from the American Theatre to Bayside Marina (far end of the YC).

Ed

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Illuminations will be at 9:30 during the Christmas season because of CP. Therefore you would need to be at the marina no later than 8:30. You will be done with CP no later than 7:30. It would take about 30 minutes to walk at an average pace from the American Theatre to Bayside Marina (far end of the YC).

Ed

Thanks so much, Ed! That's exactly the information I was looking for! It gives me more incentive to try for that Illuminations cruise now!

 

[minster22]

Am I crazy or did I see somewhere that the cruises for Illuminations have increased in cost to over $200.00? I am hoping it was a mistake or bad dream or some other kind of cruise. Anyone know anything about this??

 

[Happydinks]

We are looking for anyone who may have room for two adults on their boat on October 14,15,16,18, 19, or 21. This will be a "test ride" for our big family gathering October 2006. We've never been on it before. Hope someone may have room. PM us please. Thanks!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Our "basic" cruise will cost just under $235. The new prices go into effect on October 1, 2005.

 

[minster22]

Thanks for the quick reply.....last time I went, October 2004, it was $120.00.All I can say is.....wow!!!

 

[jpmom]

Looking to share a cruise Sept. 6,7,8 or 9

We have 4 adults and 5 well behaved children.

Thanks!

 

[TiggerStac]

I have, also, joined another family for a wishes cruise. We were originally suppose to have 2 other groups, but one got stuck on the WDW transportation system and the others cancelled at the last minute.
We brought the $$ with us the night of the cruise and gave it to the one who had booked it. I gave her some extra, I felt bad with everyone not showing up...but I didn't have to as she had the same attitude as others. If people show up and join us, great, if not...oh well, they had it to themselves. We did wait around for a little bit for the family who was stuck on wdw transportation trying to get to the contemporary.