Many questions from a possible first time cruiser

[Cindy B]

I searched the important tips, and did a search a few pages out... so please go easy with me, and my questions!

We are in the "information gathering" phase of possibly booking a cruise for next year (2005)

In 2005, depending on the time frame of year I would either have a 10 or 11 year old son, and a 7 or 8 year old daughter

We got the Cruise line planning video, and I still have many questions...

We would be leaving out of PHL airport, or possibly driving from a land trip of WDW. I have seen that you can drive yourself, and pay cash to park the car.


Now, the choices are a 3 or a 7 day cruise, correct?

What EXACTLY is included in the cruise? Food, but not drinks? We aren't alcoholic drinkers, so we wouldn't use it.

What time are dinner seatings? What about snacks?

Do you have to do the excursions? Can you just relax and enjoy the boat? Is the entertainment, shows, etc. free?

I'm not into ultra fancy meals, or spa treatments if that helps


Lastly, our land WDW vacations have been fast paced, frenetic, and you don't really relax... is the cruise the same way?


Now Kids clubs, is there any extra cost to that? Can they leave anytime? I don't want them to be there the entire time?

We are pretty basic people, so we don't need fancy rooms or such. What type of staterooms would meet our needs? (we don't really use a lot of aneminites and aren't in our rooms a lot during our land WDW vacations)

Its a very overwhelming process.. and just gathering information to see if this is a right choice for us.

 

[makaylee]

First I would like to say we went on our first cruise in may and already have another one booked so I would highly recommend DCL. If you do choose to drive to the port you should know there is a $10 a day charge. Also you asked about a 3 4 or 7 day cruise, I personally would recommend the 7 day especially if you will be paying to fly. You might as well get your moneys worth, thats why we chose the 7 day. It also depends on if you would be happy just going to the bahamas or if you would like to go all the way down to the carribean. Almost everything on the boat is included in the price except for liquor which you said you didn't drink anyway so that should not be a problem. Also extra are spa treatments, soda unless it is with dinner (tea juice coffee and water (not bottled but still good) are always free and available) Palo, the adult only french restaurant has a $10 surcharge, and of course things like pictures and excursions are extra. Im sure im leaving some things out but if you read some more of these posts you'll figure things out quickly, everyone is real helpful. Also snacks are always free, yummy and available, the chicken fingers and pizza at Plutos are the best. The dinner seating times are 6:30 and 8:30 i believe, or they could be 6 and 8 I already forgot sorry. No you do not have to do excursions, you are free to roam around the boat and enjoy a fairly empty ship, everything on board is still open even when the ship is in port. Yes, all shows are free and highly enjoyable. Do not miss Disney Dreams. Kid clubs are free for those over 3, you can pick them up at anytime you wish except for transitional periods which I believe are like before, during and after meals. What catagory state room you prefer really varies from person to person. It depends on how much time you think you will be staying in your stateroom and if you think a window or verandah would be worth your extra money. I hope this helps.

 

[GenieDana]

I recommend you obtain a book, called "Passporter's Guide to Disney Cruise Line and It' Caribbean Ports of Call"

You can find it here from the author at: http://www.passporterboards.com/dcl/


You can also find it from several booksellers at:
http://www.bestwebbuys.com/books/compare/isbn/1587710064


You should also consider reviewing other great sources of DCL info online, including:

http://www.dcltribute.com/

http://www.castawayclub.com/

http://www.themagicalmouse.com/dcl/

http://allearsnet.com/cruise/Dcruise.shtml

http://www.disneyclubs.com/disney_cruise/cruise_accommodations.htm

And of course DCL itself:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/disneycruiseline/index?id=DCLRoot?clk=11808

 

[DisneyBill]

Cindy,
www.disneycruise.com has a frequently asked questions section that may answer some specifics for you as well.

As for the "pace" of activities, it can be rather busy and you'll likely get a lecture from the Cruise Director to "experience as much as possible & rest when you get home".

7 day would be my suggestion as well, check allseastravel for rates and you may be able to budget a higher level of stateroom than booking from DCL direct.

Also, you should be aware of about a $400 expense (exact suggestions are on DCL website) of tips for the waitstaff and stateroom attendant. You'll love it, but just think of it as WDW in water, there is always that unexpected family photo or souv that will push up the cost.

Keep reading this board and book as early as possible.

 

[tkd lisa]

For the driving part, it sounds like you plan to fly from Philly to Orlando, and rent a car there for a WDW part, then driving over to the port. That works really well, but you don't need to pay to park the rental car. Nearly all the rental car agencies have a site in Cocoa Beach to drop off your rental. You can then either rent again to return to the airport, take DCL's shuttle bus, or do a towncar/limo return. No reason to pay rental costs and parking costs while you're on the high seas.

As to how busy/frantic the pace is, the answer is up to you. If you're looking for relaxation, it's available. There are many activities, but you don't have to participate. The kids programs are completely free, and you can use it as much or as little as you like. Our kids enjoyed the programs, but didn't live there (they probably averaged 4 - 6 hours a day in the program). Food is free, and available everywhere.

Other people have given you lots of advice and web sites. I do like my passporter, and it does have a great deal of info. If you decide to take the cruise, I'd definetly recommend buying it. But for the information gathering page, I'd go to Barb and Tony's GREAT page www.castawayclub.com and look at the navigator's and their trip reports to get a more in-depth flavor of cruising. Barb and Tony don't have kids, but they do a great job of describing the overall experience.

Good luck, and keep posting questions. We're a friendly bunch!

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks so much for answering my questions. I did find some of those websites already, and some of the other sites provided were very very detailed.

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

Cindy, on our 1st DCL cruise our DD was 10. It was the greatest thing for her. She had a wonderful time. Like others have said she spent probably 6+ hours a day in the kids club. They will even take them to dinner if they are in the clubs during that time.

If you've never cruised before, you might want to consider the 4 day. That way if cruising is not for you, your not stuck on the ship for a full week. Many of the 4 day cruises have a day at sea (instead of Freeport). That is the day to really relax and enjoy.

Like you, we are pretty basic people. We did enjoy the food. It's not as "fancy" as the food we've had on RCL. I think DCL understands that there are a lot of families on board and kids can be picky eaters.

As far as the room, we prefer the inside. Mostly because of cost. We don't spend much time in there. If I'm going to sit and read a book or something, I want to sit out on the deck. We've tried the verandah, but don't find it worth the extra $$$. (MANY people will disagree with this)