Last minute - First Time Disney cruise need advice?

[shanlynn1012]

My father recently passed and life really stinks, want to brighten things a bit, looking to book a last minute Nov 7th Disney Cruise from Port Can. Have no idea what to book or where to start, Kindly let me know your best tips and or advice?? Family of five
Thank you!!!

 

[squirk]

I am sorry to hear about your loss.

I recommend you get a TA, ideally, one that specializes in DCL and offers on-board credit. Let them do the last-minute footwork for you. The OBC might allow you some extra "play money" to plus up the trip given the circumstances.

Not sure about your budget. You can fit five into some cabins, but you might be better-served getting two connecting cabins for the extra space and second bathroom. If all your kids are small, a single family stateroom might be enough.

Inquire about GTY with your travel agent, especially if you are not picky about where your cabin is. GTY guarantees you a stateroom of a certain type (or better) but you don't get to pick where. In exchange, you can sometimes get some decent savings.

Bear in mind that if you get two cabins, and use GTY, there is no guarantee that the cabins will connect or even be anywhere near each other. In fact, they probably will not.

Do you all have passports, or birth certificates with a raised seal on them? If not, you need to get on that ASAFP.

Don't know where you live or where you are embarking from, but unless you are a half-day's drive from the port, you should probably plan to arrive in the port city the day before you embark. Don't plan on a flight or big drive the day of embarkation, because a mechanical problem with your car or a flight delay could cause you to miss the cruise.

Again, a good TA will cover all your bases on a more personalized level. So start there.

There might be some business around here that fits the bill.

 

[bumbershoot]

shanlynn, I'm really sorry for your loss.

or birth certificates with a raised seal on them

Or a flat swirly seal. Or whatever it is your county of birth uses for certified birth certificates.

 

[squirk]

Or a flat swirly seal. Or whatever it is your county of birth uses for certified birth certificates.

Quite so. A poor assumption on my part that she is in the U.S.

But if you are in the U.S., get the raised seal.

 

[shanlynn1012]

Thank you!!!! We do not have passports, i beleive we are ok with birth cert with raised seal? Any travel co you suggest? I did contact small world. thank you!!!

 

[squirk]

Thank you!!!! We do not have passports, i beleive we are ok with birth cert with raised seal? Any travel co you suggest? I did contact small world. thank you!!!

I suggest you consider the travel agency that makes this site possible: www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com.

 

[tee11]

Thank you!!!! We do not have passports, i beleive we are ok with birth cert with raised seal? Any travel co you suggest? I did contact small world. thank you!!!

That's the one we used! Very happy! I browsed the website -DCL's- as well so I could easily see the prices and options and cabins.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Quite so. A poor assumption on my part that she is in the U.S.

But if you are in the U.S., get the raised seal.

Well...... not really. Not all certified birth certificates have a raised seal. Or, indeed, a seal of any type. As long as it has the statement that it's a certified copy and the signature of the registrar of births on it, it's good.

 

[squirk]

Well...... not really. Not all certified birth certificates have a raised seal. Or, indeed, a seal of any type. As long as it has the statement that it's a certified copy and the signature of the registrar of births on it, it's good.

Yes, some have stamps where the registrar signs. It seems the issue is moot since she appears to have raised-seal certified birth certificates already.

 

[over50visits]

Yes, some have stamps where the registrar signs. It seems the issue is moot since she appears to have raised-seal certified birth certificates already.

Yes, your raised seal birth certificates are perfect. Talk about other types is just confusing, sorry about that.

As for a TA, I would recommend one that (1) has actual Disney experience and (2) will talk to you on the phone - surprisingly, there are some who just use email, but that is not good for beginners, IMHO. Since you pay the same total fare no matter who you use, the potential of a larger kickback (known as "On Board Credit" which is an amount deposited in your onboard charge account to reduce your final payment) from a TA who won't talk over things with you may or may not be worth it. For your first cruise, a TA who will spend some time explaining options is priceless.

Of course, you can just call Disney directly, they are (of course) quite knowledgeable about your cruise options, and you can find a WEALTH of information reading this board!