My 1st post, couple questions...

[ErinColette]

Hello everyone,

Been surfin the board for a few days just kinda observing, reading.

My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon and after a lot of debating we both decided that a Disney Cruise is the best thing to suit our personalities. We are both very exctied. Our wedding is May 28, 2005 and we wanted to cruise the week after but I discovered about the whole "west coast thing" which put a little speed bump in my plans.

Does anyone have any updates on the whole west coast thing? If so, does anyone know a possible ittinerary? I thought maybe Hawaii or Alaska but he says both are most likely too far. Maybe Mexico?

Another question... The whole booking and planning process has been basically been left up to me for the honeymoon... well actually for like the whole wedding! surprise, surprise, fiance's no help in this department ugh anyway, I am not sure the best way to book the cruise? Should I use a travel agent? Should I book directly through Disney? Should I book air travel with Disney and avoid the hassle of transportation from airport to ship and vice versa?

Also, I am looking at catagory 6 and 7 rooms. I want a catagory 7 room but I'm not wild about the Navigators Verandah, I was thinking about maybe the obstructed view on the cat7 room. How badly is it obstructed?

Also, I am considering ordering the Romance at Sea package. Is this something worth doing? I dont think that the price is bad and the priority reservations for Palo (not having to worry about getting reservations) seems like it's a good deal. Also, What will Disney do for us special, being that it is our honeymoon? What can I expect?

Well, let me see, I think I covered all that I have been holding in for the past few days.

Um... I do have one more question but I doubt that it will be easily answered. My fiance is in the Navy (let me tell you how enthusiastic at first about spending his life on a ship and then vacationing on a ship, but then I told him he wouldnt have to work this time!) Anyway, what would make this trip ultimately special for him is a tour of the engine rooms. In the navy he a gas turbine system specialist and the engines (I researched a bit) are similiar to some of the engines that he has worked with but I think the ones on the Disney ship are on a much bigger platform. He has mentioned a couple of times how cool it would be just to see these engines or at least talk to the enginemen. (get this, we are going on our honeymoon and he wants to talk shop! Does anyone think this is a possible dream or is this an impossibility?

Thanks in advance for your information.

Erin

 

[NCRedding]

Welcome to the cruise boards. I think a cruise would be an excellent honeymoon. I have no info regarding the whole west coast thing. I would recommend working with dreamsunlimitedtravel.com: I've booked 4 cruise through them and they do a terrific job. They also sponsor this wonderful forum. I alos recommend dave's site: dcltribute.com and castawayclub.com for information, as well as allearsnet, which has a "magical guide" that explains alot. Have fun planning!!

 

[WDWLVR]

Erin,

Welcome to the DIS. Can't help with the West Coast question, but a few suggestions.

Was it the ship that you wanted or was it the port of calls? If it was the ship consider doing the Disney Wonder on a 3 or 4 day cruise. You could do some days at Disney (we honeymooned at the Grand Floridian and loved it) or consider doing a back to back 3 & 4 day. That would give you a sea day and 2 Castaway Cay visits.

As for who to book through let me suggest Dreams Unlimited. They sponsor this forum. Just click the link at the top of the page. We've booked a number of both land vacations and cruises with them and they are great.

As for the tour of the engine room - no they don't do it. However once you have booked it wouldn't hurt to write Disney and tell them of the circumstances (honeymoon, Navy vet etc.) they might be able to at least arrange a meeting with one of the Engineers.

Good luck with your planning and hope you stay around and post with us often!

 

[muntzfab4]

Hi Erin and welcome to the boards! You will find a wealth of information here.
I can't answer all of your questions, but as far as making a reservation, check out dreams unlimited. They help sponsor these boards and their quotes are among the lowest around.

Good luck!

 

[ThreeCircles]

Hello Erin and welcome to the Dis Boards!

I can't help you with all of your questions but here are my takes on a few of them...

Does anyone have any updates on the whole west coast thing?

This whole topic is very much up in the air. Disney has not really given any specifics about their intentions for the Summer 2005 dates. In fact, they have said that repositioning is possible at some point in the future and that new itineraries for the East coast are also being considered. Many people have taken the blackout dates as meaning that the ship may be repositioned. They have also connected this to the Disneyland Resort's 50th anniversary. However, this is simply speculation and nothing is for sure until Disney, who owns the company, gives the final stamp of approval. Unfortunately, this lack of information really makes it difficult to plan a vacation for that time period.

I am not sure the best way to book the cruise? Should I use a travel agent? Should I book directly through Disney? Should I book air travel with Disney and avoid the hassle of transportation from airport to ship and vice versa?

I have always booked my cruises directly through Disney Cruise Line. There are a couple of reasons as to why I do this and as to why it is the best for my situation. First, I live in Florida and usually cruise under Florida Cruise Rates. These rates are about the best you can do as far as price goes and it's just easier for me to book through DCL directly. Second, I don't have to arrange air travel, and that again, makes it easier. Third, we've attempted to use a travel agent in the past and found that it was actually more of a hassle than booking through DCL (again, given our situation) and we didn't gain anything price-wise. However, if you have to do all of the planning yourself, arrange air transportation, and airport to port transportation, booking with a TA may prove to be helpful or financially beneficial. (Keep in mind that Disney has their own travel agency that will do much of this.)

Anyway, what would make this trip ultimately special for him is a tour of the engine rooms. Does anyone think this is a possible dream or is this an impossibility?

I have never heard of any "tours" of any behind-the-scenes areas on the ship except for limited tours of the bridge, Walt Disney Theater, and galley. These tours can actually be booked free of charge once onboard. As for the engine room, you could always call DCL and make the request. They'll know for sure.

Sorry I couldn't help with your other questions!

Enjoy your cruise and once again welcome to the Dis!

Jason

 

[crisi]

Air travel and transfers with Disney avoid a lot of hassle. We booked through DU, booked our own air, and caught a towncar to the port. We spent one night at the port (if I did it again, I'd spend that night in Orlando rather than the Cape). But if you have a wedding to worry about, one phone call to Disney might be easiest.

I'd doubt they'd let you close to the engines. After 9/11 bridge tours stopped completely, and they've just started doing that again. However, it never hurts to ask.

Like most Disney packages, its cheaper to do the Romance at Sea package ala carte by yourself. However, it may be worth the cost to avoid the ressie rush. Getting Palo/Spa ressies as you get on board is not a relaxing way to start a honeymoon.

 

[EmmasGrammy]

All of your question can be answered here!!!

I think most of your previous question have been addressed, I just wanted to say congratulation on the upcoming wedding. Our DD is getting married 2 weeks before you. I know how busy you must be making all your plans. (I'm going NUTS!!!)

I think the DCL is a great honeymoon choice!! My DD and SIL will be honeymooning @ CSR @ WDW because that's where they met!! Ain't love grand???

Good Luck to you. Enjoy your planning. Best wishes to you and your future husband!!!

 

[Hygiene99]

WELCOME........

And I say u book your own Air..

Go with the Disney transportation.......

AND DEFINETELY BOOK CAT 7 obstructed view room we have stayyed in one and have another for our next cruise.....
If u would like to See how little the obstruction is go to www.castawayclub.com and u can see actual pictures taken by others from this forum....

HoneyMoon Make sure u go to guest services on the ship and Get your free pins that Say u r on your honeymoon....

And let them know at the port when u check in ..

My Brotherinlaw and his new bride Enjoyed his honeymooon very much... and Also Got to go to the front of the boarding line Because he was on his honeymoon....................First ones on the ship......

 

[ErinColette]

Wow! I didnt expect such a response so fast! Thanks for all your information. I think having you guys around for the whole planning process is going to make my life a whole lot easier!

EmmasGrammy- congrats on your DD getting married! Yes we are getting close to insanity with all the wedding decissions to be made but one decission that was fun to make was where to honeymoon!

For everyone that recommended Dreams Unlimited I will check them out, I really want to look into the pro's and con's of using a travel agency vs Disney themselves.

As far as the tour of the engine room goes, I think that you guys are right, it doesnt hurt to ask. As soon as I actually book the trip I think that I will write a letter to them and give them as much possible time to make a decission.

WDWLVR - The port of calls was really a big factor for us. My fiance (Robbie) has been in the navy for 7 years now and during his sea tours he spent a lot of time in the Virgin Islands. His favorite place in the world is a little unknown beach in St. Johns. He really wanted to show it to me but I guess if the Magic is going to the west coast that kinda of ruins those plans. We still want to take a cruise... we will just have to find St. Johns another day.

-Erin