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

[funshipm174]

Hello all!

I would like to get an idea if anyone is interested, for an Illuminations cruise booked for Thursday, November 10th, leaving from the Y&B club.
We are three people (DW, DS8 and I). Everyone who books would split the cost equally for the cruise, depending on the number of people that book. Also, I will include the captains’ tip,($40.00) which we all would share.
Children of all ages are welcomed, but they do count as one paying person. So if anyone is interested, please PM me at the DIS BOARDS if interested and I will e-mail you with further details.
First come, first serve! I know how hard it is to book these cruises, so I would like to give everyone an opportunity to share in this magical evening!

 

[mushumadness]

can u book for december yet

 

[chipmunkfan]

Well I gave it a shot this morning, but no such luck . If anyone has room on an Illuminations cruise between Dec 5-8 for 2 adults please pm me.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Well I gave it a shot this morning, but no such luck . If anyone has room on an Illuminations cruise between Dec 5-8 for 2 adults please pm me.

Try getting on one of the MouseFest Boats, look here:

http://www.mousefest.org/calendar.htm

 

[NandP]

My DW and I have an Illuminations Cruise booked for 9/30 (with two other DIS-couples)...

We are looking for 1 other couple (or adult individuals) to join us to help split the cost ($150) and have a nice evening on the water... That would be $37.50 per couple (not including a tip).

We would like adults only, we have NOTHING against kids, it's only because we just got back from a 2 week WDW-trip with our 2 & 8 yo boys, so this is our Adult-Get-away (not to mention our 11th anniversary) .

So if you are seriously interested, PM me and we will take the first couple. We can exchange details once we make contact.

Thanks !

 

[mushumadness]

woohoo

i managed to book a wishes cruise on 12/5, we do have spaces

 

[kimbac3]

Anyone have space on 11/30 - 12/3. There are 5 of us. PM me if you do.
Thanks,
Kimba

 

[bigbabyblues]

I just wanted to post a little report, we were very lucky to get an Illuminations cruise for last week! I booked it 9-10 days out, I don't remember what day now, but it wasn't long before the trip.

We arrived at the dock a little early, so we checked in and walked over to the Boardwalk to look around and pass time. We came back to the marina and met Michael, our captain. He was very, very nice. My kids took to him, the older one talked his ear off, but he didn't seem to mind. We cruised around the lake awhile, by the Swan and Dolphin, the Beach Club and over by MGM. It was fun to see MGM from the water, I hadn't expected that. We saw a firework or two from the beginning of Fantasmic (I assume that's what it was anyway, it was by MGM), and then we made our way over to the spot for Illuminations about 5 till 9 or so. The view was amazing! The cruise was worth every penny, and I hope we can do it again!

 

[HulaHoop]

For my family of 3, the cruises are quite expensive. Does anyone have space Dec 19 - 25 for 2 adults and one 11-yr-old?

 

[Rootskate]

Was anyone here lucky enough to get an Illuminations Cruise for December 8th? I tried this morning, but no luck.

 

[mushumadness]

Correction / Update

Hiya

My wishes cruise is for december 7th, we have booked a boat with the food drink and decorations.

There are only two of us so we have spaces for six more people if any one is interested pm me

thanx anna

 

[aubriee]

I got a pontoon for an Illuminations Cruise for Saturday Dec 10th. I'm taking my 73 y/o mom for her first ever trip to WDW and really wanted an Illuminations cruise for her. I guess I got too excited because I forgot to ask the CM for all the details. He told me it was $234.74 (plus taxes? or not?). Also how much do you usually tip the captain ($50.00?). My mom can get on and off the boat without any problems, but due to the amount of walking at WDW I am renting her a scooter to get around in the parks. Is there anywhere at the marina to safely leave the scooter? He said the boats included snacks now (pretzels, chips, and sodas)? or we could get specialty dining. We will be eating at Marrakesh just before the cruise, so chose only the snacks.

Anyway we're supposed to be at the Yacht Club by 8:00pm that night. There's only the two of us, so we have eight spaces available if anyone is interested. We would just figure the total (inclluding the captain's tip) and split it among however many people we have. Sounds fair? He said I needed to call back 14 days out to verify our ressie and confirm how many people would be with us, in order for them to coordinate the number of life vests needed. Anyone interested in joining us just PM me.

 

[mushumadness]

just pm'd you

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Let me see if I can clear a few things up:

>I got a pontoon for an Illuminations Cruise for Saturday Dec 10th. I'm taking my 73 y/o mom for her first ever trip to WDW and really wanted an Illuminations cruise for her. I guess I got too excited because I forgot to ask the CM for all the details. He told me it was $234.74 (plus taxes? or not?).
Correct, should Total $250.00

>My mom can get on and off the boat without any problems, but due to the amount of walking at WDW I am renting her a scooter to get around in the parks. Is there anywhere at the marina to safely leave the scooter?
Yes, they could leave the scooter down in the dock area by where Breathless is parked. This is out of the way and down in a CM Only area and the scooter will be readily available upon your return.

>He said the boats included snacks now (pretzels, chips, and sodas)? or we could get specialty dining. We will be eating at Marrakesh just before the cruise, so chose only the snacks.
The "Basic" Cruise will include Soda, Water, Pretzels and Chips as of Oct 1st. You can still order additional foods (Cake, Cheese & Crackers, Finger Sandwiches, Dessert Platter, or just about anything from Private Dining.

>Anyway we're supposed to be at the Yacht Club by 8:00pm that night.
Hmmm, this is the only thing that CRO may hever erred, between Thanksgiving and NYE, IllumiNations is "usually" moved to 9:30pm due to the final show of the Candlelight Processional. Arrival time should be adjusted to 8:30pm, but there is NO harm in arriving early, telling the drivers that you are there, then walking around the Y&B, BoardWalk area until departure.

Enjoy your WDW visit! And be sure to tell us all about your cruise!

 

[budbeerlady]

Hey Everyone, we are a family of 3, dd will be 5, looking to share an illuminations or wishes cruise December 11, 12,or 16. If you have one with room to spare we would pay our share please Pm me, Thanks!

 

[Laurabearz]

You need to call 407-939-7529 exactly 90 days before the date you want to reserve. You can determine when to call by using the DIS's priority seating calculator if you CLICK HERE

Since these cruises are so much in demand, start calling about 6:55 am est. If you get a recording that they are not open yet, disconnect and immediately hit redial. If you get the recording thanking you for calling hit #3 right away, as soon as the second recording begins press #2, when the third recording begins press either your reservation number or phone number and finish with the pound sign. Then press #1, then #2. This will take you to a reservationist, if you have to hold do not disconnect or you go to the bottom of the queue.

When the reservationist answers do not make small talk, immediately tell him/her that you want to reserve the 8PM specialty cruise for such and such date.Do not ask to reserve an Illuminations cruise or you will waste time hearing that there is no such thing. After you get your reservation you can talk all you want, but these cruises are very difficult to reserve and seconds count when thousands of people are competing for only 5 boats.

Couple of Questions...

1) is it still 90 days out (I know dining went to 90+10)
2) When we ask for the 8 pm specialty cruise, there is no way they would confuss this with the WIshes Cruise right??
3) Is there anyway to skip entering in your phone number or reservation number to be faster into the queue?

Thanks bunches!!

 

[NJmouse]

answers to your questions
1. still 90 days
2. they know the difference between Specialty and Wishes Cruises
3. you have to put in your phone#

 

[Liisa]

I know that you are able to book additional food for the Illuminations cruises. Does anyone know if there is a menu available on line to see the different options?



Thanks!!!!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I didn't get one this morning for 12/12. Oh well, I'll try again on Thursday. But man, what an adrenaline rush first thing in the morning before work!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

I know that you are able to book additional food for the Illuminations cruises. Does anyone know if there is a menu available on line to see the different options? Thanks!!!!

The food come from Private Dining (Room Service). With enough time, they could provide you with just about anything, sandwiches, hot wings, pizza, wine & cheese, fruit platters, salads...........