Need HELP! 1st Time Cruisers. Need Planning Expert Advice!

[bellenbuzz]

Please Guide Me Along.....
BEST absolute way and best cost efficient way:
Family of 4, 2 DD's ages 5 & 8 then. For November 2006.
Want 3 night cruise first, then 6 nights at WDW resort. Never Cruised Ever, But Love WDW.
HELP !
Where to start ?? How to book ?? Too early to book ??
It is overwhelming and I want your expertise !!
PLEASE PLEASE Suggestions, Ideas and Tips from those of you who have already done this.
THANKS a Big Ole' Disney Bunch !

 

[videogal1]

Please Guide Me Along.....
BEST absolute way and best cost efficient way:
Family of 4, 2 DD's ages 5 & 8 then. For November 2006.
Want 3 night cruise first, then 6 nights at WDW resort. Never Cruised Ever, But Love WDW.
HELP !
Where to start ?? How to book ?? Too early to book ??
It is overwhelming and I want your expertise !!
PLEASE PLEASE Suggestions, Ideas and Tips from those of you who have already done this.
THANKS a Big Ole' Disney Bunch !

Start by pricing the two (WDW and cruise) separately at the Disney sites on line.
Then price a land/sea for your dates and add your extra days.
Then contact AAA, Costco, Dreams Unlimited, and any other discount agencies you know of. Compare the prices and extras (stateroom credits)

The best non-agency booking discounts come from booking your cruise early , or with a Florida resident discount. For the land portion the best discounts are for Florida residents, special codes published in travel ads, or the discounts offered if you have an annual pass for WDW.

Read the info in these boards under different related categories and if you have ANY questions, ask, ask, ask...

 

[daisy112878]

We booked both our cruises through Dreams Unlimited. They have great customer service and prices. Definitly check out a travel agent to book the cruise. Everyone I checked with were alot less then going through DCL directly. Also I have read that if you want to do a land/sea type thing book each separately and you'll save money. I haven't done a land/sea so I don't have any personal experience with it.

I would definitly go ahead and book b/c the prices go up the closer it gets. We booked our October 2006 cruise when the dates came out. You just have to put down a deposit per person to make the ressie for the cruise. If something happens and you need to cancel you have up until 75 days out from the cruise to cancel and get your deposit back.

Good luck. I have learned so much from these boards.

 

[Focusdude]

I am looking to book a 7-day WC for 10/2006 - are all the deposits the same (I priced it out through Disney and the deposit was $1,000).

We are planning October because it is our anniversay - should weather be a factor (it will still be hurricane season!).

Also, does anyone know if the Category 9 staterooms are comfortable enough for four?

Thanks in advance for any help!!

 

[daisy112878]

Our deposit was $250/person. So my DH and I paid $500.

We have a cruise planned this Sept and one for Oct 2006. 2004 was a huge year for hurricanes and was abnormal. We know there may be one and that we could be affected but we are prepared for that. We're a very flexible family and we're not worrying aobut it unless it happens.