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

[Trish.Glenn]

DH and I are going to disney at the last minute and would love to share a cruise if anyone has one! First time we have been to Disney with out the kids and would like to do something special!!!

Anytime July 19 to July 28!!!

 

[toledo13]

Can I ask a sharing question? When one family shares with another family (say, from the Dis), what is the typical exchange of money process? Do people just bring cash and pay when they get there? Pay ahead of time? Will Disney split the cost for you (probably not, but just asking)? I've only rented the little run around boat for just my family- not shared a pontoon...

HELP! We want to share this year (Dec 11, 12, or 13).... but don't know how!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Can I ask a sharing question? When one family shares with another family (say, from the Dis), what is the typical exchange of money process? Do people just bring cash and pay when they get there? Pay ahead of time? Will Disney split the cost for you (probably not, but just asking)? I've only rented the little run around boat for just my family- not shared a pontoon...
HELP! We want to share this year (Dec 11, 12, or 13).... but don't know how!

Most groups decide on a price per person, let's say $35.00 and the person who made the reservation collects cash from each and then pays at the window. But, they can do just about anything at the window, room card, credit card, cash, and they can split or divide the total between two (or more) cards, or cards and cash.......
The $275 (plus tax) does not include any sort of gratuity.

 

[Jo'Michelle]

Most groups decide on a price per person, let's say $35.00 and the person who made the reservation collects cash from each and then pays at the window. But, they can do just about anything at the window, room card, credit card, cash, and they can split or divide the total between two (or more) cards, or cards and cash.......
The $275 (plus tax) does not include any sort of gratuity.

I booked a cruise yesterday for September. I have four definites in my party. I posted and found a party of two and a party of three and need two more as backup. I told them the $275+50(tip)=$325 divided between 10 people $32.50 per person. I'll collect cash when we board. I'm keeping it in good faith. The parties wanted to pay immediately but you know how real life may get in the way of fun vacation and things pop up so instead of paying now and having to refund, I'll just keep it in good faith. I also ordered a birthday package for my two kids for an additional $44.50 but we're paying for that. I hope this helps just keep looking on this site. Also in "search" put in the month you're looking for and "illuminations" or "wishes" cruise and it narrows it down to the month you're looking for. Good Luck

 

[charlielinda]

We're looking to join an Illuminations Cruise on September 18. We're a lovely couple in our early 50+ that are great company. If you have room for 2 please let me know.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

$275+50(tip)=$325 divided between 10 people $32.50 per person.

FYI, the $275 does not include Fla State Sales Tax.
So, it's $275 plus 7%
$295.00 for the Cruise

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I booked a cruise yesterday for September. I have four definites in my party. I posted and found a party of two and a party of three and need two more as backup. I told them the $275+50(tip)=$325 divided between 10 people $32.50 per person. I'll collect cash when we board. I'm keeping it in good faith. The parties wanted to pay immediately but you know how real life may get in the way of fun vacation and things pop up so instead of paying now and having to refund, I'll just keep it in good faith. I also ordered a birthday package for my two kids for an additional $44.50 but we're paying for that. I hope this helps just keep looking on this site. Also in "search" put in the month you're looking for and "illuminations" or "wishes" cruise and it narrows it down to the month you're looking for. Good Luck

What Mike says...you must take the tax into account. I know that the tip is strictly optional, but I'd hate to see the captain forgotten because of a miscalculation.
I tip 20% on the pre-tax amount, which is $55. Added into the total with tax, the cost with tip for my party would be $350. Divided by 10, you've got $35 per person for a party of 10.

(I actually threw in an extra $10 last cruise, because I liked our captain so much)

 

[tink713]

We just booked an Illuminations cruise for Sept. 11, looking to share. We are a honeymooning couple. So just two, hoping for another couple or two to join us!

 

[charlielinda]

Has anyone every ordered from Private Dining for a Wishes Cruise? What have you ordered and do you remember the costs involved? Thanks

 

[mtblujeans]

We just booked an Illuminations cruise for Sept. 11, looking to share. We are a honeymooning couple. So just two, hoping for another couple or two to join us!

Ok, I'll raise my hand for this one. We can change our plans a little to make this Cruise. I'll PM you...

 

[Angela Bricker]

I have 2 seats left. Anyone interested in sharing?

 

[disnemimi]

Hi, we are looking to share an Illuminations cruise or Wishes cruise Sept. 16 thru Sept. 21st. We are 2 adults (retired ages) and would love to join someone's cruise if you have openings.
Thank you.
Disnemimi

 

[Twende]

Are the exact directions on the first page still correct?

I want to schedule a boat to see Illiminations in December. I really want this to work out so I do not want to mess it up pushing the wrong number. Those of you who have done it recently, did you follow the directions to a tee?

Also if Illuminations is at 9:30 PM what time will the boat leave? We have dinner at Ohana at 6:30 and we want to see Illuminations after that. Will that work?

 

[disneybridetobe]

I called and reserved one last week. It's pretty easy, actually. I just remember the first prompt being for boat rental, and the second being 1. I asked to book a "Wishes Specialty Cruise" and they knew exactly what I was talking about. You shouldn't have any problem.
Depending on the time that Wishes is at, you *might* not be able to get to Illuminations, because you have to get back to the Marina, then to EPCOT, etc. But, nothing is impossible! (Ok, few things are )

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Are the exact directions on the first page still correct?

I want to schedule a boat to see Illiminations in December. I really want this to work out so I do not want to mess it up pushing the wrong number. Those of you who have done it recently, did you follow the directions to a tee?

Also if Illuminations is at 9:30 PM what time will the boat leave? We have dinner at Ohana at 6:30 and we want to see Illuminations after that. Will that work?

Do a test call a couple of days ahead of time. My suggestion? Hit the prompts for "visiting in the next 7 days"...it skips a lot of the marketing stuff. Also if it asks if you're staying in a Disney resort, say no...that way it's not tied to your reservations, and you don't have to bother entering in a bunch of reservation numbers. I don't remember what the prompts are exactly, but you will NOT screw it up if you make the easier/quicker prompt choices...when you actually talk to a LIVE CM, you can have it entered properly.

Also, when you do the test run, make note of the prompt orders. You don't have to wait til the spiel is finished before you hit the next prompt...gives you the upper hand, believe me. I've never missed out on an IllumiNations reservation, and I've reserved at fairly busy times...I even got the Breathless II with no problem.

 

[Twende]

Kim, I don't want a Wishes one. I want an Illuminations Cruise.

From what I understand you can only put 10 people on board and I have 17 people so I guess that will be two boats!

I tried Grand Gatherings to see if they could put something together but they referred me to Meetings. I emailed them and am not waiting on a response from them.

Man getting this all together this year is so complicated. It is good thing I have long distance included in my home phone. I hate to count the hours have spent on hold!

 

[Twende]

Yikes Mindy! I just tried the prompts as listed and got golf information!

I am going to have to work on this one a bit before my 90 day out mark which is in September.

Another thing that just hit my brain. Is it too cold at night in early December to enjoy a Specially Cruise?

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Yikes Mindy! I just tried the prompts as listed and got golf information!

I am going to have to work on this one a bit before my 90 day out mark which is in September.

Another thing that just hit my brain. Is it too cold at night in early December to enjoy a Specially Cruise?

Some nights yes, most nights no, it's beautiful. This past December (first week) it was absolutely gorgeous...no jackets necessary. A couple of Christmases ago, it was so cold that we wore winter parkas and STILL needed blankets! But usually it's light jacket weather.

 

[momto2inKC]

I just did my test call and only had to hit a button once, which was 1 for golf, cruises, etc...Then I was put on hold for the next available rep.

 

[ilovemyears]

Our family of four would love to share the cost of an Illuminations cruise on Aug. 1 if anyone has this available.

Thanks!