Never cruised and need some advice.

[abt426]

I have been lurking this board for awhile and know that there are many cruise experts here, so please help me with a dilema.

My dear 84 yo GM has decided that she wants to take our whole family (16 adults and 4 kids) on a cruise. I have been asked to make some decisions because I travel a bit. Well I have never cruised but have been interesed in DCL becuase of course I love WDW.

Anyway, becuase of the large amount of people we will require 9 rooms which means with our budget (no more than 10,000) a 3 day cruise in category 11 rooms. From my research we could afford nicer rooms (oceanview or even verandah) on other cruise lines for the same money. Having never cruised on DCL or any other cruise line what should I do?

Sell everybody on inside rooms? Look at Carnival or Royal Carribean cruises? Or ask people to cough up extra money to upgrade rooms (not easy for some of family, and I am afraid different classes of rooms for different people will hurt feelings)?

Also has anyone done a family reunion cruise? I did a key word search and didn't really hit much. Does Disney do anything special for group or arrange seating so that we can all eat together?

Sorry this is so long, I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read and help.

Alena

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Having never cruised on DCL or any other cruise line what should I do?

Hi abt426. I think you should first decide what you wish to accomplish on the cruise. If length of time or cabin category are important, then you are better advised to look into alternative cruise lines such as RCCL.

If, however, the family is partial to Disney then work within those offerings special to DCL.

Either way, it is a truly generous gift from your Grandma!

 

[Bev J]

We have cruised RCL many times and had a great cruise every time. There is really something for everyone, every age on RCL. We have seen many people doing family reunions onboard.
They also discount their cruises alot. For our family, we sailed on DCL for 4 days, our upcomming cruise on RCL in October is about the same price for a Cat C suite for 7 days. For all the planning you will need to do to make a family event happen it is not worth going for only 3 days.
I am the cruise planner for our group, usually 7-8 cabins. We have a meeting and decide what cruise line and east or west. carib. Then I start the search on that line for prices for a usually 2 ships. I make up a packet for each family with info on the ship and prices for several cabin choices. Time for another meeting. Some people go with balcony cabins, some with inside cabins.
Since GRandma is paying once you get an average cost you could give each family the choice of cabins with a preset $$ amount per family if they wish to upgrade to something better they can pay the difference, then no one is treated better by grandma, they make the choice themselves.
Inside cabins are usually pretty small, if you have familys with children you will probably want at least a outside cabin.
There are many internet sites available to give you information on ships and cabin costs. mytravelco.com has info that gives you a 360degree look at your cabin choices. For lots of info on cruises and boards look at www.cruisecritic.com.
Good luck with your planning.

 

[house_of_princesses]

Abt426, have you asked DCL or DU about a "group" rate, or a cabing quantity discount? I haven't heard of anything like this, but I"m relatively new to the whole cruise experience. I know other industries often offer quantity discounts. If not on the room, maybe somewhere else?