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

[teedee]

Hello all, I am a newbie at this. My husband, 2 daughters, and myself, will be traveling to Disney the week of 6/14-20. We will also be traveling with my parents, who are celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary the week before we are there. I am very interested in booking one of the speciality cruises, however, being new at all this, I am a little confused. Is the cost of cruise split by all on the cruise? How do you hook up with someone else and book together?

Sorry if these questions have been asked and answered before.

Look on the first page of this thread and you will see links for people who have booked and/or people wanting to share. You're still too far out, but they update the thread as time goes on. Right now June is the latest you can book so June is the last month that has a link.

I don't think you book together. One person books but you can tell them how many you will have on the boat. You have to give them a credit card number to hold your reservation, but they don't charge the card until your cruise.

Terri


Terri

 

[teedee]

Can you reserve a Specialty Cruise if you are not staying at a Disney Resort?

Thanks

Yes you can. The first page of this thread has a lot of good information, also a link to a calculator that will tell you what day you can begin trying to book.

Terri

 

[mowsluver]

About the lifevests...are they worn all the time or are they just on board the bout 'in case'? My kid would DRIVE ME CRAZY if she had to wear it through the whole thing!!!

 

[betterlatethannever]

About the lifevests...are they worn all the time or are they just on board the bout 'in case'? My kid would DRIVE ME CRAZY if she had to wear it through the whole thing!!!

It is only just in case.

Ed

 

[heidica]

Regarding the lifevest - children are required to wear the lifevests at all times, adults do not. But there are enough lifevest on board for everyone. I know when we did the cruise, all the kids had to wear lifevest. It is a Coast Guard requirement. If your kid is going to have a problem with it, maybe you can try and prepare her, so she isn't so upset. The kids didn't have a problem when we went and just got use to it. Good luck.

 

[tinkerbell625]

My family did that! It was spectacular! We had a breathtaking view of Illuminations. I recommend it to everyone!

 

[teedee]

My family did that! It was spectacular! We had a breathtaking view of Illuminations. I recommend it to everyone!

Did you have any problems with the smoke from the fireworks? We have booked a fireworks cruise for June, I was really excited when I got the reservation, but I've seen posts where people complained about the smoke. I don't think it would bother me, but I'm not so sure about my niece.

Terri

 

[dwdadio]

Am interested if available...they say wishes do come true in dw....
here's hoping!

 

[Paulie&andie]

We have a Wishes Fireworks cruise scheduled on May 28th. We are looking for someone who has an illuminations cruise on the 24, 25, or 27 of May, and would like to also see the Wishes Fireworks. We would be willing to share our boat if you share yours. There are only two of us and we are only looking to add one other couple or a small family.

I am still looking for someone if anyone is interested? Please let me know? Or we would share the price of a illuminations cruise if you dont want to see wishes. Anyone out there have these dates. I tried to book one. N0 left.

Paul

 

[bigcrit]

Does anyone have an Illuminations cruise to share anytime between May 15th and May 21st? We are a family of 4. My daughters are twin 8 year olds and very well behaved.

Thanks

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Did you have any problems with the smoke from the fireworks? We have booked a fireworks cruise for June, I was really excited when I got the reservation, but I've seen posts where people complained about the smoke. I don't think it would bother me, but I'm not so sure about my niece. Terri

Terri,

It is basically the luck of the draw, or how about "the answer my friend is blowing in the wind"

You cannot predict what way the wind will be blowing, the night of your cruise. Can it affect your view or your comfort, sure, but so can the rain or even the cold. But I would not let this possibility stop me from doing an IllumiNations Cruise.

 

[bigcrit]

Still looking for smoeone who is willing to split there illuminations cruise any day between May 15th and May 21st. We are a family of 4 willing to pay half or more of the costs.

Thanks

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Just got off the phone with Disney and there are MK fireworks cruises available b/w May 18th and the 23rd! Just thought I'd let everyone know!!!

 

[Mad2Scrap]

What day in June did you book your cruise? We are looking to book for a family of 5 between June 25th and June 30th.

 

[teedee]

What day in June did you book your cruise? We are looking to book for a family of 5 between June 25th and June 30th.

I booked for June 4. We're there from June 3 - 11. Sorry my dates don't work out, we only have 4. I had someone ask me about sharing, but I haven't heard back from them. My cousin and her family are thinking about coming up for that weekend so they may share with us.

Terri

 

[Soupermom]

I'm planning a WDW trip for my extened family of 8 during March 2006; hoping for an Illuminations cruise for the 13th, 14th, or 12th...in that order. Is anyone else planning this far out that would like to join us?!?! Group includes DD11, DS8, DH, and myself, plus DSis, DBIL, and Mom and Dad. Native Illinoisians. (Is that even a word?) I figure if we both try 90 days out one of us would be sure to get it! Has anyone booked lately...do the instructions on top of this thread still work with those exact numbers? I'm also not sure how sharing payment goes, but I figured whosever credit card it was on, the other group would send money beforehand so no-one has to worry about cancellations. Is that how most people do it? TIA...hope to hear from someone!

 

[teedee]

It's changed a little from the way it says on the first page. Here is what I did when I made mine a couple of weeks ago.

Start trying a few minutes before 7:00am Eastern time. Dial: 407-939-7529 then 3 for boat rentals Next if calling from the Orlando area or visiting in the next 7 days press 1, if reserving for upcoming trip press 2. Next enter phone or reservation number followed by the pound sign. Next if have been before press 1, if not press 2. Next if you have been more than 4 times in the last few years press 1 if not press 2. After that it takes you to a live person. I hope this helps, I know it sounds confusing!

Terri

 

[mysunshine]

I know this is a little late, but...I was looking to share a Wishes cruise sometime during the week of April 24th-April 29th. There are 4 of us - DH, DD4, DD20months and me. This will be our 1st trip to WDW and I wanted to make it special. Thanks! Lynn

 

[bigcrit]

Still looking for smoeone who is willing to split there illuminations cruise any day between May 15th and May 21st. We are a family of 4 willing to pay half or more of the costs.

 

[disney junky]

Does anyone know if I will be able to call next Friday morning (Good Friday)? Will they be working at the usual times? Do they man the phones on weekends? I'm really determined to book one of these cruises for our family.... Maybe someone could PM me if you know for sure. Thanks