I'm thinking of a first cruise June '04....where do I start?

[jennymouse]

Could all you pros & learning to be pros point me in the right direction? I know nothing! Should we get a veranda? porthole? Start out on a three or four day cruise or jump right into the seven day? I just started lurking here today and I'm already confused!

 

[dclwdwlover]

The verandah is definitely well worth the $. You have time to save up for it. Start with a 4 night. Three is too little & if you've never cruised before jumping into a 7 might be a little overwhelming. Others may not agree, but having cruised 5x prior I still wouldn't do it differently. NOW I would go straight to 7!
Check out all of the great DCL sites castawayclub.com & all it's links, disneycruise.com, mouseplanet.com, mousesavers.com, wdwig.com. Just a start. Call the cruise line & have them send you a video & brochure too. If you have AAA you can still book it yourself & transfer to them @ a later date for any of their savings. Check out all of those websites for discounts, too. There's a lot more, but I don't want to overwhelm you. I'm sure I'll think of some other stuff later, but here's a start.

 

[jennymouse]

Thanks for the start. I'll roll my sleeves up, check out those links & dig in!

 

[JCarangal]

Hi Jenifer!

We are planning our cruise for May 2004. We are doing a 7day after doing a 3 night last year (June 2002). The 3 night was a bit short -- 4 would have been better. DH and I have both cruised before and loved it, so now we are doing the 7 day. We are probably going with a verandah (or at least a porthole). The verandah is nice for us because we have small children who go to be early and/or nap, so at least one of us has to stay with them. I am looking forward to sitting on the verandah and reading! (don't get the chance to do that at home!)

I agree, check out the websites that were listed -- lots of great info. Then start looking into how you want to plan it -- through the DCL itself, AAA, an independent travel agent, etc. I am just starting to call around to get prices and such right now. For me half of the fun is planning and anticipating!

Good luck, have fun, and if you have any specific questions -- ask away!

 

[TootyJane]

We first did 3-day -- way too short!!! Adding one more day would be better but still would be short. Heck, it takes a few days to get used to where everything is on the ship and then it's time to get off!! I say go for 7 days. If you can afford the verandah do it. The only problem is once you have a verandah it's hard not to have one. HTH.

 

[Samsma]

Hi! I would go ahead and plan what date you want, and research the DCL site for the prices for several dates around your chosen one. Just being a little flexible with the dates could save you a lot. When you figure out when, book thru DCL to get the early bird discounts, then switch to a TA when you find the best deal. I think January, or Oct/Nov are traditionally the cheapest times. But not over holidays (Thanksgiving)

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by jennymouse
Could all you pros & learning to be pros point me in the right direction? I know nothing! Should we get a veranda? porthole? Start out on a three or four day cruise or jump right into the seven day? I just started lurking here today and I'm already confused!

Jenny,

We are in the same boat as you last year. We are taking our 1st cruise ever in Feb 2004. We decided to go with the 4 day first,catagory 6 with full verandah. Just start reading this board and you will learn a lot about DCL. We booked through (DU) and got the on-board credit and rebate, it was cheaper than using DVC points.

 

[dclwdwlover]

You made an awesome choice!!

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by dclwdwlover
You made an awesome choice!!

Thanks.....

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by ncligs
Jenny,

We are in the same boat as you last year. We are taking our 1st cruise ever in Feb 2004. We decided to go with the 4 day first,catagory 6 with full verandah. Just start reading this board and you will learn a lot about DCL. We booked through (DU) and got the on-board credit and rebate, it was cheaper than using DVC points.

Definately not using points for this cruise. I'd like to spend 5 or 6 nights at BCV then a four or seven day cruise. I've emailed DU and should recieve a quote for a 7 day catagory 6/verandah today or tomorrow....it'll just be myself & my DGD8. I won't be able to put the deposit down until after our June '03 trip, so I might miss some of the specials that are going on right now. I may need to get a quote from AAA too.

My DGD is going on a 3 day Disney Cruise with her "other" grandparents in November for her birthday. I told her to check everything out and if she liked it, her & I would take one. She's seen the movie Titanic and is a little bit worried the ship will sink.LOL I know when she comes back she'll be fired up to go on another though!