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

[cruislovin]

We would like to share a cruise the week of June 4, 2006. We need room for 2 - my daughter, age 14, and myself. Can anyone assist with this request?

 

[gopherit]

I'm considering booking a cruise for our August trip. Some quick questions:

* For a Wishes pontoon, is there a resort that is "better" to leave from than another? Poly? GF? WL? Contemp? THinking about setting dinner plans and wondering if one marina or route to MK and wishes is better than another...

* If the fireworks are at 10 pm, what time do I ask for the cruise to be, or do I just say, "Wishes fireworks, August 12!" when I get through and they know when to schedule it?

* On the Illum. cruises... has there ever been an issue with the smoke? Often in the summer, if the humidity gets high and air is heavy, the smoke will cloud the area and, depending upon where you are, be downright blinding / asphixiating! Has anyone ever had an issue with this on a cruise? Or not being able to see the fireworks because of the smoek in the air? Last trip we stood near France and within one blast - that was it. We saw NOTHING after that. Would hate to pay big bucks for that same experience!

If you don't get Wishes piped in - can you hear it? Are there so many boats that DO have it piped in that you hear it anyway?

Thanks in advance for whatever help you can give! THis would be a really nice treat for DH on our anniversary, and something the kids would love as well!

 

[dobelover]

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!

Thank you, Sue. Your post was great. Now I can't wait for your trip report! Have fun.


Sue

 

[Butterfly73]

We would like to share a cruise the week of June 4, 2006. We need room for 2 - my daughter, age 14, and myself. Can anyone assist with this request?

Cruislovin,
Are you looking for the week ending June 4th or starting June 4th?

 

[maleficent_man]

Hi

I'm also looking for space for 2 adults anytime from 2 June -17 June if anyone has any space they need filled.

I'm also looking to find out about spaces for Wishes cruises - is there a separate thread for this anywhere?

 

[starseed]

Hello!
I have read through the first dozen pages of this thread, but didn't see an answer and then couldn't get myself to keep reading through the remaining 40 pages. So I hope I am not asking a redundant question...

My DFi and I will be marrying in DWD in January and wanted to cap off our wedding day with an Illuminations cruise for ourselves and our small group of guests.

I was wondering if the cruise ever gets cancelled for any reason. I know that Illuminations may be cancelled... but I was wondering about the cruise itself.

Also, I read a post earlier that someone had taken champagne on the cruise... would that be allowed?

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

I was wondering if the cruise ever gets canceled for any reason. I know that Illuminations may be cancelled... but I was wondering about the cruise itself.
Also, I read a post earlier that someone had taken champagne on the cruise... would that be allowed?

1. I think you mean, do they ever decide at Bayside Marina NOT to send out the boats? Yes, on a rare occasion that lightning is in the area a call will be made by the Coordinator's not to send the boats out. They do everything possible and wait until the last minute to make this decision, but it is for the safety of the guests and the CM's.
2. You can order Champagne, Finger Foods, or just about anything to be served on the cruise, you handle these arrangements directly with Yacht Club Private Dining, although it is helpful to advise the marina that these arrangements have been made in advance.

 

[cruislovin]

Cruislovin,
Are you looking for the week ending June 4th or starting June 4th?

We will be there starting June 4. Days that would work for us that week are Tue, Wed, or Thu - June 6, 7, and 8. Do you have room for 2 of us? It would be DD (age 14) and me!

 

[Butterfly73]

Cruislovin,
That's too bad. We are leaving on June 3rd so I was hoping that you were ending on June 3rd and not just beginning. My mother and I are doing the Illuminations cruise on May 30th and thought that it would be fun to have another mother-daughter combo! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[starseed]

1. I think you mean, do they ever decide at Bayside Marina NOT to send out the boats? Yes, on a rare occasion that lightning is in the area a call will be made by the Coordinator's not to send the boats out. They do everything possible and wait until the last minute to make this decision, but it is for the safety of the guests and the CM's.
2. You can order Champagne, Finger Foods, or just about anything to be served on the cruise, you handle these arrangements directly with Yacht Club Private Dining, although it is helpful to advise the marina that these arrangements have been made in advance.

Thank you so much for your response, Mike!

That would make absolute sense re: not sending out the boats due to lightning.

But I do have an additional question about ordering champagne and such with the Yacht Club. Once the order is placed with YC Private Dining, would we have to pick up the order ourselves at the YC before the cruise or does it get sent down to the boat ready for boarding? details, details!!

Thanks again!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Thank you so much for your response, Mike!
But I do have an additional question about ordering champagne and such with the Yacht Club. Once the order is placed with YC Private Dining, would we have to pick up the order ourselves at the YC before the cruise or does it get sent down to the boat ready for boarding?

OK, when you order with Private Dining, you deal directly with them, you make your payment directly to them (room or credit card), then they will deliver "whatever" directly to Bayside Marina prior to your departure.

 

[Lisa Foshee]

Would like to share a cruise to see Illuminations any night of April 7th-11th. 2 adults and 2 boys, ages 6 and 13. Please let me know if you have one booked.

Thanks!

 

[cruislovin]

Cruislovin,
That's too bad. We are leaving on June 3rd so I was hoping that you were ending on June 3rd and not just beginning. My mother and I are doing the Illuminations cruise on May 31st and thought that it would be fun to have another mother-daughter combo! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Yes, I agree - that would have been great! But we will miss each other.

Enjoy your special time together! My daughter and I were at WDW last October for 4 days and it was fantastic! Can't wait to do it again!

 

[Dogslider]

I am sure that the answer is here somewhere, so I apologize in advance.
Can a Wishes Cruise be booked on a night of MNSSHP? Would rather book it a night that we won't be in the park late anyhow.
Thanks!

 

[bandgeek7777]

i need codeS [/SIZE[/CO LOR]]

 

[mjtm610]

Save your money
We took the illuminations cruise 4/26/06. We go to WDW atleast twice a year. Illuminations is by far our favorite fireworks show. We go atleast twice each visit.
For a special treat I surprised my family by booking the illuminations cruise. We were all thrilled. It's an extra expense. What a waste. First of all the evening was cold. That was ok because we were dressed for it. We got there early. Took the ride down to MGM and across to BW and then we parked under the bridge to watch the show.
First of all the "captain of our boat " was very nice, but didn't go out of her way to point out anything, other that the swan and dolphin have mixed up statues. The refreshments were we each got a choice of a bag of pretzels or potato chips and either water or pop. That was still OK.
Parking under the bridge----3 boats on either side of the middle structure--which might be OK if you one of the 2 center boats----but we weren't. We would have had a better view up top. Plus the kicker----the show was shortrer. The part were all the kids sing---didn't happen. the lasers between building---didn't happen. And then we were back home. 2 nights later we went to illuminations---and guess what---they had the whole show...we mentioned this to the person at the marina that night and he said "Oh NO-----that never happened!!!!" Guess what it did!
Save your money get PS at rose and crown---you can see better, and not spend the money

 

[Crazy Hakim]

>Save your money
Definitely a matter of opinion.

>We took the illuminations cruise 4/26/06.
Hmmm, 13 days from today? Was that via Time Tunnel?

>For a special treat I surprised my family by booking the illuminations cruise. We were all thrilled. It's an extra expense. What a waste. First of all the evening was cold. That was OK because we were dressed for it.
Blame Disney for the cold weather?

>The refreshments were we each got a choice of a bag of pretzels or potato chips and either water or pop.
There is no "limit", not one per person....

>Parking under the bridge----3 boats on either side of the middle structure--which might be OK if you one of the 2 center boats----but we weren't.
The two middle spots? All 6 spots are just about equal in view, the further right you park (closer to France) the slightly longer before you see the globe moving to the center of the lake, but the majority of the show happens directly in front of all 6 boats.

>We would have had a better view up top.
If you had secured a space early enough, and stood there and guarded you spots.

>Plus the kicker----the show was shorter. The part were all the kids sing---didn't happen.
Cannot see this happening, the show is sequenced and automatic, I cannot fathom how the middle of the show was skipped.

>the lasers between building---didn't happen.
I have no idea what you expected, I do not recall seeing lasers between the buildings, definitely have lasers making a waving water effect when the globe is making its way to the center of the lake..... but between the buildings?

>we mentioned this to the person at the marina that night and he said "Oh NO-----that never happened!!!!" Guess what it did!
I would tend to agree with the CM who sees the show many more times than any normal guest.

>Save your money get PS at rose and crown---you can see better, and not spend the money

Well, it is all a matter of opinion. I for one than the view from the boat is the best view, absolutely nothing between you and the show, you are at water level, and your view seems to be ideal for the fireworks positions through the show. Add to that, you are seated on a couch like, padded seat! You arrive minutes before the show begins, you are relaxed, and don't have to fight the crowd after the show.

Can anybody else back me up?

 

[maleficent_man]

I'll back you up - like everything at WDW it's about opinions - if we all liked the same thing it would be pretty boring!

I personally loved the experience of the cruise and would love to do it again.

 

[Twinprincesses]

We went on our Illuminations cruise last Monday. First off we had PERFECT weather, so many stars our it was just beautiful. We had a total of 11 ppl ( 2 of them were 3 years old) we were all very comfortable and honestly could have fit a couple more on. On Captain was Nadia and she was very entertaining. We had a cooler full of water and sodas as well as a large amount of different types of chips and pretzels. We took a very nice ride around the lake them parked under the bridge. It was the little girls birthday on the boat next to us so all of the boats sang happy birthday to her. (it was cute cause my daughter asked if we brought the little girl a present). We had perfect viewing for the show. The fireworks were great and I would not have changed anything about our ride.

We have been going to Disneyworld almost every year since I was about 7 years old (I am 28 now). My dad is the type that goes all out for vacation and My husband and I surprised our whole family with this cruise as a "thank you" for the trip. My dad was shocked that in all his years of being a dedicated disney traveler and trying to do all the "special" things that he never knew about the specialty cruises.

My whole family was extremly greatful for the cruise and I have to say it was a great way to end a fun day at Epcot and a nice way for the whole family to relax together.

We are not a extremly wealthy family ourselves but we did not think that the $250 was a ton to pay for something so "exclusive".

I can see if you did not have good weather that the cruise would be a bummer but our trip was nothing less than perfect!!!

On a side note 2 boats by us were decorated for birthdays and they had a b-day banner and balloons, it was a very nice touch

 

[spookyuki]

Do you have to have the park admisstion to see Illuminations?

I didn't get the park hopper tickets and only days I have time are not the day of Epcot....


Mod, Could you please start the July thread?


Thank you