Maybe a Disney Cruise?

[Whisky In A VAse]

Well I am back and already looking forward to next year. Although I have never been bothererd about going on a cruise but for some reason I really fancy it next year.

We are looking to next year and what to do and when to do it? We want to include a cruise but can't decide if we should do a 3/4/7 day cruise. We can't decide whether to stay on site or in a villa before or after the cruise.

Should we go on cruise early late or middle of holiday. We plan on going for 15/16 days.

Even what time of year to go? Early on in March or late in year October?

The DW has read the books but I am asking for your guys experiences of what you have learned from your trips.

Your help as always is appreciated.

Thanks

Neil

 

[Laurafoster]

We have done 3 Disney Cruises and LOVED every minute of them!
First time we did a 3 night cruise at the end of our holiday, you have to leave port quite early and if your flights not til late there would be a lot of hanging around so we stayed for 1 night back at WDW. Personally i didnt like going back to wdw for just the 1 night then going home lol!
The second time (also a 3 night cruise) we did 10 days in WDW then went on the cruise, then came back and did 3 nights back at WDW. That worked out quite well for us.
This time we flew out on the friday, stayed our first night at Port Canaveral, got on the ship on the Saturday for our 1 week cruise, then we went back and did another 13 nights at WDW. This was perfect for me - normally i would have been sad to get off the ship (still was) but i had WDW to look forward to.

 

[Melcatfish]

We did a 3 night in 2004 and have a 7 night booked for this August. I would say do either the 4 or the 7 night - 3 is really too short, you just get your bearings and then you have to leave. Also on the 4 night there is a sea day and this means extra activities including the Palo Brunch!

I would do it in the middle of the holiday so you still have something to look forward to when you get off but you get a nice change of pace \ scenery after a few days of your holiday. This time we are doing 5 nights at Old Key West, 7 nights cruise then 5 nights in a villa.

Take a trip over to the cruise board on the dis - there is a wealth of info there!

Mel
x

PS we booked with Dreams unlimited (board sponsor here) and they were great last time and this time - plus you get onboard credit

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi

Next year the Magic is coming over to Europe for the summer - I beleive its April through to Aug / Sep. That means there will be no 7 night cruises at that time.

The Wonder will continue to do 3 or 4 night cruises and some special 5 night cruises in June.

I've done 6 disney cruises in all ranging 3,4,7 11 nights long.

In my opinion the best one to begin with is a 4 night. Having the sea day gives you a chance to explore the ship and try out the activities disney plans. The 3 night is just too short. You feel you are in a whirlwind. Wheras the 4 night gives you a chance to wind down.

If you want to book a disney cruise - book either with Disney cruise line or Dreams unlimited -dont do it through an UK TA as the costs are higher. Dreams unlimited does give an onboard credit.

I always do wdw parks then cruise as the cruise is a chance to relax after the busy park days.

Not sure which is better Oct or March as I always go summer school holidays. I would ask on the cruise line section of the dis - they are a really friendly board.

Hope that helps Feel free to ask anyother questions- DCl is my fave topic

Oh I forgot to mention - DCL can be addicitive LOL

 

[Cyrano]

There are a few on here who will tell you how wonderful a Disney cruise holiday adds to the experience.
I have been listening and reading about the DISUNPLUGGED cruisers that returned after a fantastic 4 day sailing.
Would love to go on this 2010 cruise is already in the works, with details on the unplugged board.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

We got back Sunday from our first Disney cruise! It was great! The food and customer service were both superb, as were the shows, characters etc. We did a 7 night - I wouldn't want to do shorter because I like time to get settled in!

All I will say is you can feel a little restricted on the boat. Its kind of like being in a hotel for a week and just being able to get off for three short days. We are used to rushing around constantly on holiday so it was a bit of a shock to the system, and we felt a little trapped by the end. It was great though and we would definitely do another in a few years (we have one booked next year, but just feels too soon). If you like lay-ins and long lazy days it is ideal!!

 

[Whisky In A VAse]

WHat do you guys do with regards packing clothes and cases.
This year we took 4 cases, a pram car seat etc etc. Would we have to take it all with us on the cruise? How much room is there in the rooms on the cruise?

 

[Whisky In A VAse]

Still unsure on what you guys do with your cases when you go on the cruise first and then to Disney after?
Thanks
Neil

 

[wayneg]

We have always parked the car in the car park and left cases in the trunk.
But in the past parking fees have been lower and car rental costs lower so not too bad, now with expensive rental and high parking fees we are not keeping the car taking all onboard this August. Not too bad for us as only 3 of us so 2 cases (possibly 3 as we are there 25 nights)
If you are doing a Disney resort before cruise and again after cruise you can leave it with them. Have it taken to your new room.

 

[natalielongstaff]

Another vote for dreams unlimited here i cant help with your other q's we have not been yet !!

 

[Ware Bears]

Still unsure on what you guys do with your cases when you go on the cruise first and then to Disney after?
Thanks
Neil

We're doing our cruise in the middle of our holiday and as it's only a 3 nighter we're keeping our hotel room on so won't need to take everything.

 

[wayneg]

We're doing our cruise in the middle of our holiday and as it's only a 3 nighter we're keeping our hotel room on so won't need to take everything.

I forgot, we did that one year.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Hi!!

Having done a 4 night first, and then a 3 night last year - I would definitely say to go for the 4 night. This probably won't make any sense, but it really did feel twice as long as the 3 night!!

Keep in mind that, when we did the 3 night, we already knew our way around the ship, well I think as a first timer on a 3 night, you will only just about of got it 'sussed' and its time to get off again.

We would never do the 3 night again, but would definitely do a 4 night one (although ask me that again after next Christmas when we do a 7 night - and I might have changed my mind!!)

I would also always do the cruise at the beginning or in the middle of the holiday - we have always done that and when you hear all the people leaving the ship who are on the way to the airport, you feel really lucky that you still have a great time ahead!! (and it is hard enough getting off the ship as it is, without thinking you haven't got anything except a flight home to look forward too!!)

 

[disneyholic family]

There are a few on here who will tell you how wonderful a Disney cruise holiday adds to the experience.
I have been listening and reading about the DISUNPLUGGED cruisers that returned after a fantastic 4 day sailing.
Would love to go on this 2010 cruise is already in the works, with details on the unplugged board.

we're scheduled for the dis unplugged podcast cruise in december 2010....
we were supposed to be on the first one this past May, but DS decided to get married exactly that week...

hopefully, we'll actually get on the 2nd one....we have a stateroom reserved....

as for DCL - we've been on two DCL cruises....both on the wonder...
a 3 day and a 4 day...

we loved them both....