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

[ezmark1]

I will say that the Illuminations cruise is much harder to secure(we only saw 6 boats max on our voyage) and a lot more for the Wishes at MK. In fact one night on our stay at POLY we were approached by a cm who had a cancellation and asked if we had any plans for the next hour. We were going to hang out on the beach and watch wishes, instead we got a free cruise!

 

[tbrian22]

I just lucked out and got my reservation for the Illuminations cruise on March 30. This is only 85 days out. I just stumbled on this idea but figured I had no chance! It never hurts to try! We are only 3 in our party, so I am wondering if it is better for us to try to find a group to share with or just hog the whole boat up for ourselves? Some of the best times on our trips have been shared with great folks we meet waiting in line or for shows... thoughts?

 

[lindseesmom]

I still am hoping to get a cruise for us while we are in WDW. Can do Feb 13-16 and then the 18th. Need 3 seats..2 adults and a child. PM me if you have room!
Colleen

 

[disneyjunkie]

Is there an official share thread for April?

I'm hoping to book two cruises (one for Wishes and one for Illuminations).

Since I have a small family; just son and I; I'd be happy to share with other DISers.

 

[disneydoula]

Is it still 90 days out to get the boat ... I would love to get one for our trip this May (May 26-June 5 ... May 29 would be my best hope.) We will have 5 going and my sister, who will be going to Iraq shortly after our vacation so I want to make this vacation one to remember.
I would hate to find out too late that they changed the rules from 90 days out to 180 days (I got burned when they changed ADR's from 60 to 90 days out one year and who would have dreamed that it is 180 days out now for ADR's ... WOW!!!)
Anyone with the phone number and number sequence to get through to reserve the boat the quickest can PM me ... Thanks

It's still 90 days out.

 

[disneydoula]

Here's my question:

If Illuminations begins at 9, do I really request the 8:00 cruise and not the 9:00 one?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dode]

When I called, I asked for a "specialty cruise". At that point I was asked if we wanted to see Illuminations or Wishes. I said Illuminations and the CM checked availability and booked it. She said I have to call 14 days prior to my date and confirm the start time for Illuminations. We have to be at the Yacht Club marina at 8pm if Illuminations is at 9pm and our cruise will start at 8:30. Anyone know why you have to be there a half hour before cruising?

Susan

 

[maleficent_man]

Just bumping - I'm looking for two spaces on both an Illuminations/Wishes cruise for anytime between June 2 and June 17....many thanks!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

When I called, I asked for a "specialty cruise". At that point I was asked if we wanted to see Illuminations or Wishes. I said Illuminations and the CM checked availability and booked it. She said I have to call 14 days prior to my date and confirm the start time for Illuminations. We have to be at the Yacht Club marina at 8pm if Illuminations is at 9pm and our cruise will start at 8:30. Anyone know why you have to be there a half hour before cruising? Susan

Because it is much more than just a Fireworks Cruise. You depart early and cruise around Crescent Creek and Crescent Lake, pass by MGM Studios, and BoardWalk, prior to pulling in under the bridge.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Here's my question:

If Illuminations begins at 9, do I really request the 8:00 cruise and not the 9:00 one?

Thanks in advance!

Yes, ask for the 8pm specialty cruise. They will adjust the time to coincide with the fireworks times.

We got there a little early for ours (Illuminations was at 9:30, we were there at 8:15). Cap'n Mike said that we can leave the dock anytime we wanted, cruise around the lake looking at the resorts until time to park under the bridge for the show. Then our captain took us on an additional round to see the countries after the show. It was a great ride!

 

[kaw1106]

We just booked the illuminations cruise for January 22nd. (I know less than 2 weeks and we were able to book ) Anyway, we have 4 spaces. We are a family of 4 with 2 children ages 4 and 7. And my in-laws. So that leaves 4 spaces. It is short notice but if anyone is interested PM me.

Kathleen

 

[kimmie]

Can anyone give me the number sequence to call. I have it written down, but now I may have missed one of the numbers.

Thanks,

Kimmie

 

[Marseeya]

I'd be interested in sharing a cruise between the dates of June 3 and June 11th.

It would be me, DH, DD (10 yo) and possibly a 9 yo friend of DD's. We're not sure of that yet.

 

[Tinkerbell_Tiffany]

looking for someone to share on feb 10th -13th if anyone has any extra room.
2 kids and 2 adults
thanks

 

[canwegosoon]

How to book an Illuminations Cruise:



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.

If you want to try to find a cruise to share, or if you have a reservation for a cruise already and are willing to share with others please post to the appropriate Illuminations Cruise Central.

These are the directions from 1st post, and they worked for me (although I think I left off the last number-Call a day or two before-in the afternoon, and try it out.)

To answer some other posts, althought I have never done a cruise-have my first scheduled, I would think they would have you arrive 1/2 hour early to make sure you are cruising, and to be sure to have the right type of life jackets on board, then they can bring down the snacks, etc. I would think if you were not there they would try to re book with people that were hoping for a no-show.

Also for those that have not yet been successful, I would check at the 2 week mark, I bet that is when you would find cancellations, or show up at the dock at 8:30. Good luck.

 

[kimmie]

Got our cruise for April 14th! My sister also called and got through (we cancelled her right away so someone else could get in) . I can't believe that we both got through since it is Easter weekend!

We have ten of us going and are really looking forward to it!

Wondering if the huge jump in price from two years ago is making people think twice.

 

[Buzz2001]

I was able to book a cruise for Easter Sunday, 4/16. I forgot to wake up in time for my original day (Saturday, 4/15). I didn't think I would get in. Thanks again for these boards and the instructions.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

To answer some other posts, although I have never done a cruise-have my first scheduled, I would think they would have you arrive 1/2 hour early to make sure you are cruising, and to be sure to have the right type of life jackets on board, then they can bring down the snacks, etc. I would think if you were not there they would try to re book with people that were hoping for a no-show - or show up at the dock at 8:30. Good luck.

1. Show up at 8pm, the window opens at 8 to pay for the cruise. The Credit Card number taken during the booking is to HOLD the cruise and in case of a "No-Show" but the marina still has to ring-up the transaction.

2. After the cruise is paid for, and the appropriate life jackets are supplied (children 12 and under), the driver can depart as early as 8:15-ish. If you arrive at 8:30pm you are most likely to find an empty dock.

 

[Cherylzw]

Hi

Looking for someone who has booked a cruise for Mar 16-19, 2006 and has room for 2 adults.

Thank you

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Hi Looking for someone who has booked a cruise for Mar 16-19, 2006 and has room for 2 adults. Thank you

Go to THIS Thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=970511&page=1&pp=15