Never cruised before and don't know where to start??

[ribbot]

Hi all,

We just got back in April from Disney in Florida (DH, DS5 and myself) and am now pondering doing a cruise for next year. I used the Disboards faithfully for our past trip and now seem sorta scared to embark this on my own because I've never cruised in my life! I've heard they're great fun.

I don't have a clue as to where to start planning for this---can somebody send me some ideas as to where I should start? What's the best time of year for a cruise. Does Disney do all cruising or do I have to split days with the park? Do I use a travel agent or plan by myself? Is it too early to start planning for next year?

Any info or direction would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[Jrsy Boy]

You are going to get a ton of advice on this one, so be prepared. Start by reading up on Disney's cruise website and ordering the informational DVD. Read these boards regularly just to see what other people are asking and/or talking about.
We did the 3 day land/4 day sea package and loved it. We will definitely do it that way again. Some people will tell you to just cruise - you can do 3 day, 4 day, 7 day or 10 day. You have to consider it all and make up your own mind.
It is never too soon to begin planning. We are back only a week and trying to figure out how soon we can do it again. You may be limited only by when the rates are posted, but that shouldn't stop you from preparing yourself.

 

[JSCTRico4]

You will get a lot of good advice! The earlier you book, the better your price will be most likely! I've heard the land and sea packages are more expensive than booking them separately. You can always go on a 7 day cruise ( I would recommend this as 7 days didn't even seem long enough.... we are doing 14 day in August) and you can always stay longer to enjoy your favorite parks. I personally think the more you plan and research, the better your time, only because you will feel like you aren't missing something obvious. You are smart to get a jump on planning/researching!

 

[crisi]

It isn't too early, in fact, depending on when next year, you may discover that early seating is already booked up!

Cruises are very easy.

Decide when you'd like to go. School holidays are very expensive on DCL, Fall is cheaper.

Decide if you want four days, three days or seven days. If seven, would you like Eastern Carribean or Western (you may not have a choice if your dates are firm).

Decide which cabin category you want - basically four categories, suites (which are expensive), veranda rooms (less expensive but still pricey), porthole rooms (less expensive yet) and inside staterooms (which are the least expensive rooms on a cruise ship, which doesn't mean they are cheap.) There are multiple levels in each category, which have to do generally with which deck you are on.

Book you cruise.

From there you can show up and have a lovely time being told what to do and pampered.

Or

You can come here and obsess about what is good on each menu, which excursions to book, how early to get to the theatres to get a really good seat, how to make sure you get a hammock at Castaway Cay, what happens if you don't like your tablemates, and which spa treatments to book. As well as questioning all the original decisions you made about rooms ("we thought a porthole would be ok, but I'm regretting not going for the veranda." And its sister worry "we booked a veranda, but now I wonder if we will spend enough time on it for the money.")

 

[whnim64]

You can also check to see if your local library has a copy of Pasporter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line. The third edition is out, now, but any of the previous editions can answer all of your questions. Of course you could always purchase your own copy of this book, also. We got the first edition after our first cruise was booked. I wished I would have gotten it earlier.

 

[Momeska]

Ditto on the Passporter! That's how I found these boards, my lifeline to all things DCL.

 

[CM_Mom]

Another Ditto on the Passporter's Guide to the Disney Cruise Line. You can get tons of info on the boards...but you can't read them sitting in a carpool line waiting for school to be out the many other times when you have a few minutes to kill without a computer handy. WE found it very informative and I have a DD working on the ship.

 

[jrabbit]

First of all Don't Be Scared!!!! Cruising is easy and painless (except on the wallet!!) You get on the ship, unpack your bags, go places, get off of the ship, get on the ship, eat wonderful meals, experience magical entertainment, relax and then finally pack up your bags and leave the ship (ok this last part about leaving is the HARDEST part of cruising!!!)


No one gave the other obvious online resources so here it goes...

Here is a list of links to DCL resources

DCL Official Site
Dave's DCL Tribute (be sure check out the "External Links" section for more resources ie Cast A Way Club )
Magical Disney Cruise Guide (see links on the left) The Magical Disney Cruise Guide is HUGE document about all things related to a DCL cruise

There is a book called the "Passporter" for DCL that has lots and lots of information about cruising with Disney.
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Time of year to go. Since your son is in elementry school, you pretty much can go whenever you want. We were paranoid about pulling our kids out for a weeks vacation - but it turned out to be absolutly no problem. Not too much of an issue in middle school, and there is almost no way I would pull the kids out of high school.

Easter, spring break and summer vacation, christmas / new years are the most expensive times of the year to go. Huricanne season is from June to November (but most activity is in the August to October time frame). Sept / Oct. are some of the least expensive times to go. December / January are a bit cooler (the water too) than the rest of the year, August is Dang Hot and Humid. If you are going to do a 7 night eastern then the weather isn't much of an issue during the winter months - St. Maarten and St. Thomas are pretty nice and you will notice the Bahamas are cooler. 7 night western doesn't go as far south as the eastern so the daytime temps might be an issue for you.

Length / Type of Cruise:Disney offers serveral different cruises: 3 and 4 night Bahamas, 7 night eastern caribbean, 7 night western caribbean and a 10 Caribbean holiday cruise again in 2006. They also offer a "Package" Land/Sea cruise that give you 3 nights at WDW and 4 on the cruise OR 4 nights at WDW and 3 on the cruise.

the Bahama cruises stop in Nassau and Castaway Cay (DCL's private island). The Eastern goes to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. The western goes to Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay.

Dinning and Entertainment:All meals are included in the price of the cruise (unless you and your significant other want to eat a dinner at Palo - the adults only dinning room - $10 per person fee for a fabulous meal!!) Soda is included at sit down meals, there is soda available at the drink station. Adult beverages, smoothies, speciality coffees carry an additional charge. For dinner you are assigned a dinning rotation (which dinning room you go to each night), a table number and wait staff. You sit at the same table number for the duration of the cruise (for dinners). Your tablemates and wait staff stay with you throughout the cruise. For breakfast and lunches you have the choice of a sit down or buffet meal.

There is lots of entertainment provided for your enjoyment. Nightly there are shows in the main theater (Walt Disney Theater). These are mostly Broadway class productions. There are other, smaller events available in other locations.

Kids Clubs:There is a club for kids to go to during the day and night (like 8am to 1am). There are actually two clubs: one for 3-7 and another for 8 to 12yo (I think that's the age breakouts). Most kids love these and don't want to leave. Some do not. DCL has a lot of great people working with the children. Really no issues here. There is a third club called the Stack (or Aloft depending upon the ship) for 13 to 17yo.

The last thing that I'll leave you with is the issue of gratuities. DCL and most cruise lines say that the cost is the cost of your cruise. What they don't tell you is that they don't pay their wait staff and room stewards squat. We are expected to "pick up their salaries" in the way of gratuities (tips). When you "do the math" your first reaction is "dang, that's a lot of money!!" But when you think about it, it's pretty inexpensive for the amout of service that you are receiving and how much that they want you to have an excellent experience. The total cost for gratuities based on the current guidlines is about $11 / night / guest. So for 3 people (yes the children do count) the "published guidlines" for 3 nights is $97.47, 4 nights: $131.25 and 7 nights is $228.75.

 

[Jules123]

We just got back from our first WDW trip two weeks ago. Now I'm also thinking about a Disney cruise. Is April a good time to cruise? Also, what about money on the days you're at a port? What's a reasonable amount to spend in a day for a family of four? I know it depends on the excursions you choose, but maybe a guesstimate or range of money? We're looking at a 4 night Bahama cruise.Thanks