Never cruised before and have ?'s please help!!!

[OregonMickeyLover]

Hi! My name is Traci, and DH and I were planning on surprising our DD for her 10th b-day (10-29) with another trip to DL. This would be our third DL trip during her b-day and Halloween (2007 & 2009). We are planning on leaving 10/29 and staying for 7 nights. Then I saw...the Kids Cruise Free to the Mex. Riv. and it just so happens that one of the eligible cruises leaves on 10/30!!! So I decided to see what DH thought about the idea, and he loved it! None of us have ever cruised, and have only been on ferries to and from Victoria, B.C. I would love some opinions, suggestions, answers, etc.

Questions...

What is included when you cruise?

What are things you would need to pay for, or things you would like to do that will cost money?

Do the cruise ships do anything if we are on the ship for Halloween?

Is there enough to do on the ship, or what would a 10yo DD like about the Wonder/cruising?

Is the full payment required to book the cruise, or just a deposit with payment due to many days out? (I looked on the DLC website, but couldn't find it).

I know I am forgetting a whole bunch, so throw it at me, and I will also be reading the threads in the meantime

I am so excited at the possibility of doing this, but need to decide quickly, which is horrible for a planner like me

Thank you so much in advance for any help!

Traci
(My ticker may be changing )

 

[kcashner]

Booking normally requires a deposit of 20% of the cruise fare. The balance must be paid by 75 days before you embark.

The cruise cost includes almost everything on the ship--entertainment, food, most beverages, kid programming, etc. The "extras" are alcohol, specialty coffees (like Starbucks), smoothies, canned sodas (fountain service locations are free). There are a few activities with fees--wine tastings have a small fee, the adult only restaurant has an upcharge. Bingo costs big time. Shore excursions are extra. The fitness center and locker room are free, spa services come at a cost.

They will do trick or treating on halloween. there is PLENTY to do on the ship.....movies/shows/pools/kid activities/family activities/eating...sometimes I even find time to sleep. There are characters to be seen and photographed with, deck parties to attend, flubber to make, etc. The list goes on and on!

If you book on line, you'll get a $25 onboard credit. If you pay with a Disney Visa (all payments), you'll get a $50 onboard credit. If you use my TA (and many others) you'll get an additional OBC based on the cabin category you choose. A TA who knows what they are doing can get you ALL the same OBCs that you can get on your own, plus any that they add.

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

WOW!!! Thank you sooo much for the quick response and answers! After now looking more at the DCL site and the cabins, etc. I think I need to go to a TA because I have no idea what a good deck or cabin would be. The kids cruise free limits you to deck 2 or 9, with 9 being more money. I am assuming this is because people don't want to be right by the rest. etc.?

My other question is, because DD is an only child, she is less likely to want to be "dropped off" in one of the kids areas, and left on her own. Is there still enough for us to do as a family?

I am really excited by what I have learned in just one hour, so thank you very much! I know I have more questions, but just don't know them yet

Traci

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

I just thought of a question in 5 min. Is there anything we can do special for DD 10th b-day, and I forgot to mention that mine will be during the cruise as well. Maybe a surprise in our room, or something else?

Is there a thread for the MR cruise for 10/30-11/6?

And what in the world is a fish extender?

 

[Mom2Chachi]

All I can say is JUST DO IT!!! You will LOVE it. We went on our first Disney Cruise last year and we are hooked. We also have an only child who just turned 8 on the last cruise and there was so much to do together she never even used the kids club. Although I do hear they are great and she's interested in trying them next month. But don't feel like you have to drop your kid off for them to have a good time.

Regarding the birthday make sure to mention it when you are booking and they will put a note on your reservation. She (and you) will get a birthday pin at check-in and a cake at dinner that evening. It's not too much because I believe most people on board are celebrating some type of occasion. You can also order goodies from the Disney website to have delivered to your room or have them decorate the stateroom but these are extra.

The fish extender is where you meet people ahead of time who will be on the same cruise as you and everyone exchanges gifts onboard. I've haven't participated yet so I can't give too much info on that but I'm sure someone will chime in or you can find lots of info here on the boards.

Oh before I forget...something to note that I didn't hear from Disney and found researching. There is a pirate party one night and some people like to dress up and since you go around Halloween time you could probably get a pirate costume pretty easily.

Good luck deciding and I say go for it you wont regret it.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I would bring DD10 to kid center first day to look around. She might like it.
If she finds someone her age they'll get to play together on and off all week.

 

[patsal]

Plenty to do and see. I have a DD not an only but the youngest and her brother doesn't vacay with us anymore. After booking I go to the cruise meet thread above and try to hook her up with other children her age so they can have a buddy before they even embark. emails, pM's and facebook really help the kids to get to know one another pre cruise. This has worked very well for my DD and I thought she'd want to hang with DH and I but she was gone into the wee hours of the morning with the teen club and her cruise buddy!

Pick the 9th floor, though higher in price the views from there are much better if you get a window or verandah room.
There will be more to do than you will ever get to complete in one cruise. Teh only real big extra expense is if you get a wine package, order photos or do lavish excursions. You can keep your expenses on a cruise well controlled otherwise. Don't forget to budget tips into your cost though.

 

[SLM]

I think going to a TA is a great start-they will have brochures and a DVD. You also get shipboard credit for booking with them.
Once you book a cruise you can go to the cruise meet thread and post some information-our Nov. 5th cruise thread is starting to get busy-moms are comparing info on children's ages-your daughter might have another little girl her age cruising she could meet when you arrive.
We took our only daughter on a cruise in 1998 (!) and she had a wonderful time! She is married and teaching school now, so this cruise it will just be DH and I. I'm so glad we took her all those years ago-and hope to take her family with us one day!

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

Thank you all so much, I so appreciate all of the advice!!! I have put in a call to a TA, and am waiting for a call back. DD has no idea we were even planning the DL trip, although we have almost blown it a few times She mentioned a few months ago wanting to go in a limo someday, so the plan is to wake up on her b-day (Sat. 10/29) and get her up to "go to breakfast", and when going outside the limo will be waiting. Instead of going to a restaurant, it will take us to the airport. It is not uncommon for us to go and sit and watch the planes, so she won't think twice about it initially. When it pulls up to the departures area, we will get out, and I will have a Disney recorded phone call come to my cell phone at that time, and that's how she will find out!!!! If we do the cruise, none of this would change because we still need to fly from Portland to LA. The only "problem" is that we would have to pay in full right now, because we are within the 75 days on the 16th. With DL, you can buy the different things spaced out. We are not a credit card family, so this is a hitch. We will see what the TA has to say, but I am excited at the possibility, and DH thinks it's a great idea.

I'm sure I will have more questions, but thank you all again

Traci

 

[DisneyOHFan]

I hope it works out for you. I agree you will be hooked.

We have an only child so I am always hesitant on trips likes this, but after our first Disney Cruise, my worries were gone. He is shy, but LOVED the kids clubs and we hardly see him he is having so much fun.

 

[SuperRob]

I just thought of a question in 5 min. Is there anything we can do special for DD 10th b-day, and I forgot to mention that mine will be during the cruise as well. Maybe a surprise in our room, or something else?

Seeing all the things you have planned to make this birthday "special", you're not leaving a whole lot of room for Disney Magic to just happen. Plus, you're not leaving a whole lot of room to do something more special on the "big" birthdays.

Not trying to be overly critical, but I'm just saying ... the experience of going is usually special all on it's own, and Disney tries hard to delight people who are celebrating. Your over-the-top presentation may make those unexpected delights less magical.

(That said, if there's some reason you haven't expressed for trying to make this birthday in particular "special", I apologize for the criticism.)

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

I hope it works out for you. I agree you will be hooked.

We have an only child so I am always hesitant on trips likes this, but after our first Disney Cruise, my worries were gone. He is shy, but LOVED the kids clubs and we hardly see him he is having so much fun.

Thank you! It's nice to hear from other parents of an only child, that their child had a great time on the cruise. I especially like the suggestion to find the thread for our cruise, and try and find other kids her age who are going.

As for SuperRob (not so super), I am not quite sure why you felt the need to make such a post. I asked very specific questions, to which you answered none. You have stated that I am "over-the-top", "not leaving a whole lot of room do to something more special for the BIG birthdays", and in essence I am not allowing the Disney magic to shine. Then you end it with "not trying to be over critical, but...", and you apolgize if there is a reason that I have not expressed for trying to make this birthday "special". Again, I ask, what was the purpose of your post, if it wasn't to criticize and judge, rather than answer some of my questions as a first time cruiser? You may think I am spoiling the magic, and my child. You may not think a 10th birthday is "special" enough, and that I am "over-the-top". But those aren't things for you to decide for me or anyone else. I don't need to inform you or express any reason to you, as to why I MIGHT take her on a cruise!!! I can't imagine what kind of things have or have not happened in your life, to make you post something so judgmental and hurtful, but I feel bad for you.

This was my first ever post on the cruise line boards, and I appreciate those prior to your post who gave me genuine and helpful feedback. Your kind of "feedback", not so much. I don't know that further posts here are in my future, if I am opening myself up to this kind of judging. Thanks to those who did try and answer my questions

Traci

 

[MrsMas]

Thank you! It's nice to hear from other parents of an only child, that their child had a great time on the cruise. I especially like the suggestion to find the thread for our cruise, and try and find other kids her age who are going.

As for SuperRob (not so super), I am not quite sure why you felt the need to make such a post. I asked very specific questions, to which you answered none. You have stated that I am "over-the-top", "not leaving a whole lot of room do to something more special for the BIG birthdays", and in essence I am not allowing the Disney magic to shine. Then you end it with "not trying to be over critical, but...", and you apolgize if there is a reason that I have not expressed for trying to make this birthday "special". Again, I ask, what was the purpose of your post, if it wasn't to criticize and judge, rather than answer some of my questions as a first time cruiser? You may think I am spoiling the magic, and my child. You may not think a 10th birthday is "special" enough, and that I am "over-the-top". But those aren't things for you to decide for me or anyone else. I don't need to inform you or express any reason to you, as to why I MIGHT take her on a cruise!!! I can't imagine what kind of things have or have not happened in your life, to make you post something so judgmental and hurtful, but I feel bad for you.

This was my first ever post on the cruise line boards, and I appreciate those prior to your post who gave me genuine and helpful feedback. Your kind of "feedback", not so much. I don't know that further posts here are in my future, if I am opening myself up to this kind of judging. Thanks to those who did try and answer my questions

Traci

Traci, please do not let one person's feedback/opinion ruin your being on this board. I am the mother of 1 daughter who would do whatever to make my child's birthdays special whether it is her 3rd, 10th, or 16th. I feel your plans for your daughter are awesome. It would be great to be escorted to the airport in a Limo to begin your travels and then off to LA where you would then board the Disney Magic.

Do really consider the cruise. Your whole family would love it. Again, my daugher being the only child, absolutely loved the cruise. We are going on our second one in about a month and we will be booking one next year.

Have fun with the threads and good luck with your daughter's birthday.

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

Traci, please do not let one person's feedback/opinion ruin your being on this board. I am the mother of 1 daughter who would do whatever to make my child's birthdays special whether it is her 3rd, 10th, or 16th. I feel your plans for your daughter are awesome. It would be great to be escorted to the airport in a Limo to begin your travels and then off to LA where you would then board the Disney Magic.

Do really consider the cruise. Your whole family would love it. Again, my daugher being the only child, absolutely loved the cruise. We are going on our second one in about a month and we will be booking one next year.

Have fun with the threads and good luck with your daughter's birthday.

Thank you so much for the kind words. I have to say, I was a bit sad after reading that post, but you are right in that I shouldn't let one person's feedback keep me off the board.

I am glad to hear from yet another parent of an only child. Could you tell me how the different clubs for kids work? Can you experience some of it with them or are they all drop-off's? Also, are there people who you can have make you an FE? And what about these cute door magnets?

After reading through some of the threads, I can't believe how much goes on with these cruises I was trying to take in so much info., and finally had to just stop

Thanks again!

 

[MrsMas]

I don't know much about the kids clubs. My daughter was 14 when we went last year so she did not want to do the club. She spent a lot of time in the movie theatre watching movies or hanging with the DH and me at the pool, bingo, etc.

As for the FE, I have not done that either. I'm sure someone else can give you some advice about that. However, this time around I will be decorating my door because this is my birthday cruise. There are many threads that speak of this and DISigners that can DISign something for you to then turn into a magnet for your stateroom door. I have created two so far and I am waiting on one DISigner to finish making another one for me.

You can truly become addicted to this. I love reading all the threads.

 

[newbie2011]

We just got off the DREAM a couple of weekes ago and are hooked on disney cruising! In fact we just booked a december trip on the Wonder.

I have children 3, 9, 12 and 18. The kids clubs are amazing! My DD3 loved the activities and was hooked when Princess Tiana personally welcomed her in the first night. They have tons of activities and all are spelled out for you each day, so each member of the family is able to do exactly what he/she wants!

There were so many activities that we didnt get to do everything we wanted but still had an excellent vacation!

 

[newbie2011]

It is basically a "secret santa" exchange with the folks that you get to know on your cruise meets thread. You hand a "mail box" (called a fish extender cause it hangs from a fish) outside your stateroom door and small gifts get delivered to you just about every day...several times a day.

There were 28 staterooms in ours and my kiddos had a blast peeking into our FE every time we came back to our stateroom. Gifts ranged from jewlery, notepads, water bottles to stickers and color pads.

 

[nikicares]

Traci,

Everyone here is giving you lots of great advice, with lots of good tips for a great cruise!

PLEASE do not let some people get to you, this is YOUR cruise, and you do what you want to make it special for YOU and your family!! That is what Disney is all about!

My best advice is to find a local Travel Agent who has personally cruised with Disney to help walk you through your wish list and give you great advice with a personal experience to back it up.

Use this board to make friends and gain knowledge about how to have a good time

You will not regret taking a Disney Cruise, and your daugher (also a mother of an only child) will have a great time as well! The kids clubs are amazing! Our daughter was 10 on her 1st Disney Cruise and after day 1 we had to drag her out of the club to have dinner with us She had made friends and all the fun activites the clubs offer will give her lots to do!

Please keep us posted on what you decide

 

[mommy2tati]

I would have to agree with the previous posters! Take the plunge! Make it as magical & over the top as you want! You know what will make your DD happy so go for it! Don't mind what the OP said.

My DD9 is also an only child & when we cruised in 2009 she swore to me she wouldn't stay in the kid's clubs because she wanted to spend all her time with Mommy . After one day in the kid's clubs she wouldn't leave! I literally went to pick her up at 11PM - 12AM every night and it still wasn't enough for her.

So no worries. Your whole family will have a great time!

 

[Kaizen]

Traci,
I, too, have an only child and we celebrated her 10th birthday on a cruise last year. She will tell you (and anyone else who will listen ) that that was the absolute BEST birthday of her life!! Disney truly makes you feel special. She received a birthday pin (which she proudly wore all day!) and any CM that noticed it wished her a happy birthday. That alone made her feel like a VIP!! She got a cake after dinner and a whole slew of wait staff sang to her. In addition, a personalized signed photo was waiting for her in our stateroom.

I brought a banner from home and a few decorations (no balloons allowed) and decorated her room when she fell asleep the night before. I also brought a Minne Mouse t-shirt from home and asked that Minnie personally sign it (you can ask at Guest Relations) and it was waiting in her room as well. Truly magical!!

As for the kids club, she found a lot of things to do but still spent quite a bit of time with us. She enjoyed the "freedom" to chose. We had amazing tablemates and they had kids her age. We got along SO well it was like we hand picked them. Get to know your fellow cruisers and if possible get the kids talking. We met some of them for breakfast as Grills by the terminal and it was a lot of fun - like starting your vacation that much earlier - who can argue that??

Bottom line - JUST DO IT!! There is absolutely nothing to regret! And contrary to what one poster said, there really isn't anything that will take away from the magic of a first cruise so make it as special as you want. It will only add to the experience and create all the more unforgettable memories. Even after a year, my DD still talks about it with the same enthusiasm as when we first got off the ship.

Warning: Be prepared to book again while you are on board. They have a great discount! We are going again next summer!