Looking for honest opinions here...(long)

[Peg911]

OK-- First of all, I apologize for the length--- I'm just a wee bit excited about all of this. (Also, I know I can get the best answers from here!!!)

(Preface- My darling Matt and I are getting married January 25, 2007. We are planning on honeymooning on the 4 day Bahamas Cruise).

Opinion Request #1: Would we be absolutely nuts to cruise that weekend (would leave on 1/28/07)? Don't worry-- my feelings aren't easily hurt. I mean is the weather "honeymoon worthy" in late January?? This is a once in a lifetime thing--- I want it to be perfect. If you don't think January is a good time, what do you think is the "ideal" cruise time of year (we don't mind waiting a bit to honeymoon).

Opinion Request #2: This one pertains to where we'll be staying. There's a part of me that REALLY wants to stay in the Walt (or) Roy Suite. It's my honeymoon for goodness sake!! Then theres part of me that says that we wouldn't be in the suite enough to make it worth the extra. What do y'all think? If you do think we should go all the way (for Walt or Roy that is!) which one should I request? - I plan on faxing my request soon! If you don't think that either cabin 8530 or 8030 are the way to go - what do yo suggest for the "ideal" honeymoon accomodations?

Opinion Request #3 (I promise this is the last one for now): What should we do excursion wise?? The only things I can think of are Atlantis and the Cabana Massage at CC. We will both be on our "virgin" cruise so to speak--- so besides the honeymoon- it will be a whole new adventure!

Thanks all in advance for any insight you might be able to provide!
Oh yeah--- almost forgot to include my mascot -
And, I promise to work on my siggie soon- really!!! --Peg

 

[Corryn]

Opinion Request #2: There's a part of me that REALLY wants to stay in the Walt (or) Roy Suite. It's my honeymoon for goodness sake!! what do yo suggest for the "ideal" honeymoon accomodations?

Okey Dokey, Peg....This is your honeymoon so this is the time to Splurge!!! (It's your honeymoon, you're gonna Use the Room!)
When we went on our honeymoon we rented a suite at $350 that overlooked Mallory Square in Key West. That was 13 years ago, so I'm sure the rates have increased. Once you have children and you're maintaining a home, you become a little more frugal with your vacation money and you'll want to spend it elsewhere(like souveniers & nice dinners) and get a cheaper room......So I say, Go with the Walt or Roy Suite! That might also mean putting off your honeymoon (ques.#1) but that's what I would do. Why not? You want something special and that is special, that's why everyone on these boards posts when they get the suite!
Congratulations!

 

[HeelMD]

Congrats. The weather will be fine. Will be a bit cool at the departure port, but will be fine once you get to sea. I would recommend a one bedroom suite for the cruise. I'm assuming it's just you and your groom cruising since it's your honeymoon. You will still get concierge service with a one bedroom suite and priority boarding, etc. The Cat. 1 suites will give you a living room, sitting room and a big dining table which I don't think you would ever need. The Cat. 3 (one bedroom suite) has a dining table, den, bedroom and 1 1/2 bathrooms. JMO.

 

[branv]

Congrats to you! Weddings are so fun to plan

About the Walt suite. You have to understand that no one here knows your financial situation. What seems like alot of $$ to one person, might seem like a little to another. That being said, I personally wouldn't do the Walt Suite, even if I had the money. One person on here just said the cost was $10K. Not to put down what others choose, but if it were my honeymoon, and I had that kind of money to spend, I'd spend that money for a much longer trip to Tahiti, Hawaii, Peter's Island or in Europe. But I'd take paradise with a beach room over an amazing room on a ship, that's my personal taste. However, in general I wouldn't have spent that kind of money on my honeymoon. I would have spent half of that, and the rest would go towards a down payment on a house (or if parents had their way, a minivan ). That's the frugal me. We spent 1/3 of that at an absolutely amazing 5* resort in Playa del Carmen (Royal Hideaway, if you're still looking around ) Good luck in your decision, you'll figure out what's right for you.

Though not to be a downer, but it seems like people's chances of getting the suite are few and far between even 2 years out.

 

[logan1_2000]

Just because I am a divorce lawyer, don't let the title line scare you--this is not the ugly turth about marriage--this is the ugly truth about January weather in the Bahamas.

Have cruised DCL twice in January. First time, a 7 nighter, weather was crisp but not a problem in port, great at sea and the eastern caribbean, but too cold to go in the water at CC, though otherwise 70 and lovely on the island. Second time in Jan., this year, the 4 nighter, it was cold, windy in port, really rough and the only night DW ever had seasickness in 26 nights on cruiseships in our marriage, and only in the 60's and windy in Nassau, again too cold to swim on CC. Not Honeymoon weather on my trips. Bahamas January is iffy--this year, as it turned out, the weather was gorgeous the week before we cruised. Hit or miss. Why risk missing.

Honeymoon truth, that you have already been told on here--and elsewhere, I imagine--you'll use the room. Splurge. We went to Hawaii for 2 weeks, I went Oceanfront in 5 star resorts on both islands--and flew first class--as was a penniless law student when I booked that trip. Its your honeymoon, you will never have another trip like it, even if you stay in fancy places later on. It sounds like you share that value, though as another has correctly pointed out, only you know your finances. So I will say--wherever you go, whenever you go, get the best accomodations you can manage without losing sleep about the cost.

I also saw the $10,300 quote on the Walt or Roy suite. I think that was for 4 people on a 7 nighter, though I could be wrong. You mentioned the 4 nighter, so is length of time an issue for you more so than $? Because a 7 nighter in a still terrific stateroom or even entry level suite might be the same $ as Roy/Walt for 4 nights, and you could really increase your odds of honeymoon weather on a 7 night (I'm partial to the Eastern, but thats another thread).

Momma always said, there are two ways to travel--First Class, and With Children. This Honeymoon (I hope!) will not be with children (though please do check the recent "souvenier" thread!!)--so enjoy, make it first class--get good weather (if it has to be a 4 nighter, I recommend early May, the weather is great, it is not yet hurricane season, and school is in session but spring break is over so the $ should be more manageable than other times), and a wonderful stateroom.

 

[tkd lisa]

I also agree that January weather on the 3 or 4 night is a guessing game. I personally have said that I will never again risk it. Our Jan 03 trip was reasonable weather, but not what I considered cruising or swimming temps. It was sunny, but only in the low 70s in Nassau and on CC. The kids swam, but their lips were blue.

As far as the suite question, that's really your choice. If it were me, I'd also use the same amount of money for a longer cruise in a cheaper room. There are only 2 cat 1s on each ship, so you'll have much better chances of getting a cat 3 (1 bedroom suite), and you could probably get a 7 night for the same price as a cat 1 3 night. I'm assuming that you really wouldn't want to change your wedding date in case the suites weren't available!

As far as excursions, I wasn't thrilled with the Nassau excursions. On CC, you might try parasailing if that kind of thing interests you. You can go up in tandem, which just seems like a honeymoon thing to do.

Have a great time!

 

[DancingBear]

As to weather, since you're getting married in January, that's when you're taking your honeymoon, so why worry about it? Unless you go to the Southern Hemisphere, the Bahamas cruise is about as good of an option as you might get, weather-wise.

As to the cabin, I think the Category 3 suite is a great recommendation. In the Roy or Walt Suite, you'd be paying for a lot of extra space for just two of you. The Category 3 is still a luxurious splurge, with concierge service (so you can order from the full dinner menu for room service, for example).

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Peg, first of all, congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

This doesn't have anything to do with the cruise itself, just the timing.

Would you ever consider going on your honeymoon a little later?

I'm only speaking from experience. Months of planning a wedding and honeymoon was overwhelming. I wished DH and I had waited just a few weeks after the wedding to enjoy our lovely Florida honeymoon. (And we would have loved to had time after the wedding to reflect on how wonderful it was.) It seemed as if everything happened so fast.

The Disney cruise is one of the most wonderful vacations you'll ever experience, and I'm just thinking how it might be even better when you're better rested and have had time to 'mentally unwind' from the excitement of your wedding. JMHO. Have a great time, whatever you decide!

 

[disneydizz]

Congats on the wedding!!!!! Take my advice... splurge on a nice cabin...at least cat3. I still regret not having splurged enough on my honeymoon. that was 10 years and 2 kids ago.... now splurging involves multiple character meals and other kid friendly activities.

 

[jgalecpa]

I believe that you will have an Amazing time in A Cat 3 cabin.

I've seen them with a family of four and it would be terrific for a party of two.

Timing: Go when you get married. That is your time. You will only notice the weather if you leave your cabin

Serioiusly. The "moment" is the thing. After your short cruise, you will rebook for a longer cruise when weather might be more to your liking.

Can't comment on excursions, since I've never done this itinerary.

Congratulations to you both.

Jim

 

[Peg911]

WOW!!! Only here could I get this much response in short amount of time!!!!

So, from what I can gather thus far, the Cat 3 seems to be our best bet (Anyone have any "best" rooms to recommend in this category-I plan on sending in my request pretty soon!)--- there is only the 2 of us, and it is only 4 days (4 day cruise mainly decided on as I want to go to Atlantis!! - and we "have" to stop by Universal and Discovery Cove "on the way home" (I might just have to slip in a WDW day or two as well )

We're getting married 1-25-07 as it's the anniversary of when we met.... By the time that rolls around we will have been living together for more than 2 years... So, the timing of the honeymoon is not AS important--- We both would rather have more predictable weather than a certain date..... So, based on that, I guess we'll scout out the early May cruises!!

Thanks again for all the assistance!! Peg

 

[TammiMcMan]

Peg, mid-ship category 3's are the way to go. Their setup is a little bit different than the others and you get a triple length balcony as opposed to the double length. Specific stateroom numbers to request are 8032, 8034, 8532 and 8534. We've cruised in both early January and May. Trying to predict the weather is a crap shoot. Historically, May temps will be higher, but there is also an increased chance of rain as opposed to January. Because the availability of the suite staterooms is so limited and I would move around my dates to accommodate a mid-ship category 3, let DCL decide when you go. Find out which cruise has one of those 4 staterooms available and pick that one. I don't think you'd be disappointed sailing during either one of those months.

Good luck and congratulations,
Tammi

 

[logan1_2000]

Always so hard to give advice here since we don't know the folks. An earlier response was that for the same $ he'd go to the south pacific--and there was a part of me that said "yup." But now having explained the desire to go to Atlantis (a personal preference of the OP's that I don't share, but then again I don't drink coffee but have never discouraged others from doing so), and Universal, and maybe WDW, we know a bit more about Peg and solidly understand why the Disney Cruise is the honeymoon of choice. Sounds like a good fit, if you want to go to Nassau and visit Atlantis, no finer way than DCL.

And between Shirley and the DCL's own in room "celebrations" and baskets, plenty of ways to make it special. Such as the aforementioned (yikes, a lawyer word from one of my briefs) restaurant menu available for room service.

And the hot tubs at quiet cove are open until about midnight should the two of you choose to enjoy that setting for a non-private moment of the honeymoon.

And my understanding is that it is the Groom who is to be congratulated--presumably for having the good fortune to have his proposal accepted by such a fine bride. Or at least thats what DW's Emily Post book of wedding etiquette says. So congrats to your groom!

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

I know you want to see Atlantis and that's great. Just wanted to say that I've done the 4-day and the 7-day and, for me, the 7-day was SOOOO much better. You can PM me if want my rationale.

As for timing, my only advice is not to leave the day after you get married. So, if you're getting married on a Saturday (I don't have a 2007 calendar to verify), wait a week until the next Sunday to go on the cruise. Otherwise, you'll spend half your cruise recovering from the wedding. We left for the airport at 4:00 the morning after our wedding - I don't think we woke up and started doing things on the cruise ship until the 2nd or 3rd day in - and it wasn't because we were newlyweds. It was all too much and getting to the honeymoon was too rushed. No need for the craziness if you can avoid it.

Congrats to you and your hubby-to-be.

 

[joshua121301]

Go for it, get the Walt or Roy. It is afterall your honeymoon. You just might be spending more time in the room than the other guest on the ship.

 

[tvguy]

Different opinion here. From an "oldie wed" ( 23+ years).
This is a special time, with "time" being the keyword.
I'd go on a 7 day instead of a 4 day, more time to celebrate your new relationship.
And get the least expensive cabin. It will be more private. Use the money you save to go on some of the more expensive and special excursions. And save some of that money for special dinners and overnight trips during your first year of marriage. The cruise will be the starting point for your honeymoon, but you really can make it last a year. Otherwise coming home is going to be a huge letdown.

Our honeymoon was a gift, a trip to Hawaii, from my mom. We sat down and planned out trips, that on paper seemed similar but some were twice as expensive. We finally told mom, give us a dollar amount. That gave us some structure......and forced us to decide what was more important, the best hotels, or more days in Hawaii. We opted for more time in Hawaii together.
We ended up not going to Maui at all. The cheapest hotel there, cost the same as the best hotel for 3 nights on the big island and on Kaui.

 

[challada]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I disagree w/most of the opinions here of "go for the suite" idea....I don't know your financial situation, so forgive me if I'm stepping on toes here, but I would think a wiser move than plunking down an extra several $K for a giant suite would be better served in a house down payment down the road. Don't get me wrong...still go and ENJOY...but being w/your sweetie will take priority over whatever size room you will be in!

 

[logan1_2000]

We did Kauai and Maui 13 years ago. You missed nothing on Maui. Loved Kauai, stayed at Poipu, when/if we get back, will do Big Island and Kauai.

Would consider Pride of America, perhaps, someday. But the staterooms are so darned small, something like 169 sq. ft. for a balcony stateroom, and for that cruise I would definitely want a balcony, which I can happily do w/o on DCL. Oh well.

For our DCL honeymooners--all this conflicting advise on this thread is made with best wishes, of course, and you'll sift through and see which is closest to your situation, circumstances, and finances.

 

[ColeenD]

I've been in January twice, weather sunny but not really warm enough to swim. As for the suite, no way will you use it THAT much to justify the cost IMO. Go for the 1 BR suite. Have a blast!