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

[Tink10]

After I booked our first Breathless cruise (we're going on 2), I got a little panicky about the cost, because I thought it was wrong......

So, I called back & confirmed & was told of the recent price increase & the added amenities (chips & drinks)....

It was somewhere around $237 + tax, which equalled $250.

I Hope This Helps!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

So the price for the Breathless has increased, too?

Yes, currently all IllumiNations Cruises are $250 for the basic cruise, including soft drinks, water, and snacks.

Pontoon Boats hold 10 guests, Breathless holds 7 guests.

 

[kors]

We are going 6/8-6/12...I called around noon on the first day I could book and got an Illuminations cruise from the Yacht Club. I called a few days later and booked the Grand 1 at the Grand Floridian for Wishes. It will be a blast! I know the Grand 1 is a little spendy...but...it holds 14, so the cost could be split up more, and as my Grandpa always said...."It only costs a little more to go First Class"!!! Have fun on your cruises!! I plan on taking lots of pictures!!

 

[Stitch1404]

So how impossible are these cruises to book? I was thinking of booking one for my birthday trip! I thought I could just get up at 6:55 and get on the phone and I would be fine. I guess I was forgetting one small detail....my birthday is New Year's Eve, I guess an IllumiNations cruise would be in even higher demand since it is a holiday. Oh well, I'm at least going to try!

 

[Cinderpals]

Hi,

There is so much going on during New Years Eve (went in '05) that there should be a boat available. Go for it!

 

[Goofygirls4God]

I cancelled the Wishes cruise for May 19th leaving from WL...it is the premium bday cruise with decor and music...

Wanted to give fellow Diser family first option...I called at 10:54am CST...

Blessings

 

[Crazy Hakim]

So how impossible are these cruises to book? I was thinking of booking one for my birthday trip! I thought I could just get up at 6:55 and get on the phone and I would be fine. I guess I was forgetting one small detail....my birthday is New Year's Eve, I guess an IllumiNations cruise would be in even higher demand since it is a holiday. Oh well, I'm at least going to try!

FYI, usually they have two performances of IllumiNations on NYE, and usually they offer specialty cruises on both.
The early performance should be standard pricing, $250.00 for the boat.
The midnight performance will be MUCH higher, closer to $500.00 per boat.

I say usually and should be because all of this information is subject to change. Last year they originally planned not to offer the cruises on the early performance, then decided within the last 7 days to open them up to WDW-PLAY.

 

[Stitch1404]

FYI, usually they have two performances of IllumiNations on NYE, and usually they offer specialty cruises on both.
The early performance should be standard pricing, $250.00 for the boat.
The midnight performance will be MUCH higher, closer to $500.00 per boat.

I say usually and should be because all of this information is subject to change. Last year they originally planned not to offer the cruises on the early performance, then decided within the last 7 days to open them up to WDW-PLAY.

Thanks! That gives me a lot to think about. Not sure I can justify that amount of money for a short cruise. Maybe we will go to a really nice dinner instead.

 

[subtchr]

Hi, all

I tried to send this message before, but I can't find it, so I'll try again; sorry if the other one shows up!

Well, my obsessive personality paid off -- I started calling the reservations number at 6:55 this morning (the opening of our 90 day window), and the first time the system answered that they were open, I pushed my preset button to go through the menu items. I was not put on hold, so as soon as I got a real person, I just blurted "I need a Breathless specialty cruise at 8 pm on June 24!" Did I really NEED to do it that way? Who knows? But I got it!

In case anyone is wondering what I mean about my preset, (it might help for CRT or some other hard-to-get reservation, too), on my phone the memory buttons can be programmed to dial a series of numbers with pauses. So I programmed one of the buttons to dial: "3 - pause - 2 - pause - my phone number # - pause - 1 - pause - 2" and it worked like a charm. I did not have to listen to any of the prompts as it worked through the menu to get to a reservationist. I'm not sure if all phones that have memory buttons can do this, and I would definitely try a "dry run" before your actual date to make sure it works -- I know I did!

Good luck to anyone trying to reserve a cruise -- I can't wait!

And yes, it is $250...ouch! But what an experience, by all accounts. My kids (14, 17, & 20) will love the Breathless, as will DH & I. And not only is Epcot our favorite park, but Illuminations is one of our very favorite things to see in all of WDW.

 

[Msslaydbug]

I just canceled a Wishes Cruise for May 12 at 8pm leaving from the Grand Floridian. I canceled right at closing time so if you call in the Am hopefully you can get it. Good luck !!

 

[Tink10]

Hi, all

I tried to send this message before, but I can't find it, so I'll try again; sorry if the other one shows up!

Well, my obsessive personality paid off -- I started calling the reservations number at 6:55 this morning (the opening of our 90 day window), and the first time the system answered that they were open, I pushed my preset button to go through the menu items. I was not put on hold, so as soon as I got a real person, I just blurted "I need a Breathless specialty cruise at 8 pm on June 24!" Did I really NEED to do it that way? Who knows? But I got it!

In case anyone is wondering what I mean about my preset, (it might help for CRT or some other hard-to-get reservation, too), on my phone the memory buttons can be programmed to dial a series of numbers with pauses. So I programmed one of the buttons to dial: "3 - pause - 2 - pause - my phone number # - pause - 1 - pause - 2" and it worked like a charm. I did not have to listen to any of the prompts as it worked through the menu to get to a reservationist. I'm not sure if all phones that have memory buttons can do this, and I would definitely try a "dry run" before your actual date to make sure it works -- I know I did!

Good luck to anyone trying to reserve a cruise -- I can't wait!

And yes, it is $250...ouch! But what an experience, by all accounts. My kids (14, 17, & 20) will love the Breathless, as will DH & I. And not only is Epcot our favorite park, but Illuminations is one of our very favorite things to see in all of WDW.

Congrats Sue!!!

We managed to book the breathless for Illuminations for 2 nights in a row & can't wait!!!

 

[jbs13]

We are going June 14--June 18 We are a family of four, age 9 and 12 for the kids. We are looking to share a cruise with others that week.
E-mail: jbsmith13@earthlink.net
I want to surprise wife and kids

 

[Crazy Hakim]

We are going June 14--June 18 We are a family of four, age 9 and 12 for the kids. We are looking to share a cruise with others that week.
E-mail: jbsmith13@earthlink.net
I want to surprise wife and kids

Don't forget to call 7 days in advance (407-WDW-PLAY) and check if the 4th pontoon boat has gone unused by the concierge.

 

[zalansky]

I am sure this has been posted somewhere but my computer is acting up and moving so slow I cannot possibly go back and read all posts. Anyway, does anyone know how many pontoons are available for the Illuminatiuons cruises during each show? Just trying to see what my chances are!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

I am sure this has been posted somewhere but my computer is acting up and moving so slow I cannot possibly go back and read all posts. Anyway, does anyone know how many pontoons are available for the IllumiNations cruises during each show? Just trying to see what my chances are!

Yes, I can.....
There are 5 pontoon boats and Breathless. They fit 3 across under each side of the bridge between UK and France (3 on each side).
When you call 90 days in advance they only book Breathless and 3 of the pontoons. One pontoon is held back for the Yacht & Beach Concierge, if they do not book the 4th pontoon it drops into the normal DRS system 7 days in advance, so it's good to check on this morning again.
The remaining pontoon boat is set aside for visitors on the Grand Plan (Platinum Plan), and this boat will fill with various parties until a maximum of ten guests is reached. If this pontoon is not booked by any guests, it is available only the day of the show, and only by checking at Bayside Marina, it will NOT be available thru the DRS system. Just stop in at Bayside Marina during the day (between 10am and 5pm) ans ask at the window (they usually will post a sign in the window).

 

[zalansky]

Thank you Crazy Hakim!

 

[dobelover]

Hi - So let me get this straight. I am arriving WDW on Dec 13, 2006. I call the number 90 days prior to arrival and ask for the special cruise. Wishes or Illumination. Really appreciate this information.



Thanks, Sue

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Hi - So let me get this straight. I am arriving WDW on Dec 13, 2006. I call the number 90 days prior to arrival and ask for the special cruise. Wishes or Illumination. Really appreciate this information.Thanks, Sue

The first post says it all:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=560160&page=1&pp=15

 

[dobelover]

LOL, that is the 1st post I looked at and thought after 2 years something would have changed, go figure!

Thanks again,

Sue

 

[subtchr]

Hi, Sue,

Another Sue here....

All the basic information on the initial thread is correct except (as you can imagine) the prices! From what I understand, ALL Illuminations cruises are now $250 (that includes tax but not a tip for the driver). I just reserved the Breathless for our trip in June. My post about how I did it is several posts earlier, but I would be happy to answer any other questions you might have!