Never Cruised before.....

[nyyankees5]

we have just returned for yet another trip to WDW and have now decicded that next year we would like to cruise. We have never cruised before so any help would be greatly appreciated. We are looking into the 7night Western cruise.....

What is the best time of the year to cruise?

What is the best deck to stay on?

We would like to have a verhanda. It will be myself, DH, DS (4), DD(2)

Again any info will be helpful.



Thank you

Erin

 

[DisneyBill]

Erin,
Welcome to the DCL obsession! A great deal of information can be obtained by reading this board often. Accommodations are best explained by acquiring the Disney Cruise Video, at disneycruise.com. Best time of year likely has more to do with your family's schedule/budget than anything else. The "best deck" issue sort of dovetails into the budget thing. It is always a blast regardless of time of year, or what type of stateroom you select!
Bill

 

[plutojudy]

The DISNEY CRUISE PASSPORTER can answer a lot of your questions. Best time to cruise depends on the person. We like to cruise in the Springtime. The temperature is warm and thinking about the upcoming cruise helps us get through Winter. But it is definately personal preference. We like deck six. Easy to take the stairs up or down. We like to leave the elevators for the elderly and people in chairs.

 

[KarenK]

Time of year that you sail is really personal preference. We like the fall since we live in New Jersey. We ususally go late October into November. This way you leave home with weather about 50 degrees and spend the next 76 days in 80 degree, sunny, hot weather. The kids love to spend their entire vacation in swimsuits and in the water. It is a real treat since back home we are now in sweats and winter coats. As far as decks, my favorite is Deck 8 forward. Close to the spa, adult pool, all up one flight of stairs. Also close to the forward elevators which do not get too busy, for a trip down to the clubs and restaurants. But I have stayed mid ship and that was fine, thought I did have to wait for elevators.

The real reason we like the front stateroom, is that we can send the kids for pizza at night all by themselves and just watch as they run up the steps. They can also fill the refillable mugs for up at the adult bar. Well what are kids for!!!!

 

[jgalecpa]

After looking in the passporter at the combination of temps and prices/crowds, it seems late april - early may is quite ideal.

The islands haven't heated up yet, and you get some skin color before your firends. Prices aren't up for summer yet either.

Obviously, this is because most kids are still in school.

If I had kids the ages of yours, I would definitely look into this time of year.

(My two cents)

Jim

PS I'd avoid the fall, personally, because of hurricane season. Why take the chance?. Just me.

 

[Mjasp]

NYyankees...Check out the prices on the Western sailing for August 28,2004. We are sailing then and alot of other NY and easterners are sailing then as our kids don't go back to school till after Labor Day. They priced it as an off season sailing.

OK now forget what I said as your kids aren't in school yet, we sailed in May and the waters were like glass, calm as can be.

Joanna

 

[nyyankees5]

Joanna...my ds will be in school next year but we are trying to avoid hurricane season. I also have no problem taking the kids out of school as long as they are doing well. DH can't stand the crowds.

jgalecpa....We will also be avoiding the fall. with never cruising before I don't think I would want to chance hurricane season.


KarenK.....Did your room have an outside verandah or Window. Not to sound stupid, I am assuming that deck 8 is towards to top of the ship?

plutojudy....It looks like it will be springtime for us also. How was Deck 6. DH is looking for a room with an outside verandah or big window. He don't want to fell enclosed in his room.

DisneyBill....Thanks for the welcome. We have the video. Having a budget is always a good thing. This is why we are starting to plan now. If we have to wait till 2005 that will be fine too.

Has anyone been on the 7night? Which did you prefer Eastern or Western?

Any taken other cruises beside Disney, with small children

Thanks again.

Erin