Never Cruised - Saving my special 1st time for DCL!!!

[Meemoo]

I'm starting to do some research for my next family adventure. We have just returned from 3 weeks at Disneyland and would next like to do WDW with a Disney Cruise. We will most likely do a short cruise, and definitely to Castaway Cay.

I was really impressed with the images and youtube posts of the new big ships, the Dream & Fantasy, my kids love the look of the Aqua Duck (and so do I!!) Should I be looking at the big ships, or am I underestimating how great the smaller ones are?

This will likely be our only ever Disney Cruise (unless they send one over to Australia for a bit)

How far ahead is it recommended to book and if I book early will I save more?

Would 3 or 4 nights be enough. To be honest the look of cruises has never appealed to me but I love Disney Hotels, I'm a DVC member and I think anything Disney I should enjoy. Which of the other stops via Castaway Cay should I look out for, which ones do families enjoy the most?

Lastly, weather. We don't like the heat all the much. We are thinking perhaps January (not next Jan) hows the weather? Thank you

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm starting to do some research for my next family adventure. We have just returned from 3 weeks at Disneyland and would next like to do WDW with a Disney Cruise. We will most likely do a short cruise, and definitely to Castaway Cay.

I was really impressed with the images and youtube posts of the new big ships, the Dream & Fantasy, my kids love the look of the Aqua Duck (and so do I!!) Should I be looking at the big ships, or am I underestimating how great the smaller ones are?

This will likely be our only ever Disney Cruise (unless they send one over to Australia for a bit)

How far ahead is it recommended to book and if I book early will I save more?

Would 3 or 4 nights be enough. To be honest the look of cruises has never appealed to me but I love Disney Hotels, I'm a DVC member and I think anything Disney I should enjoy. Which of the other stops via Castaway Cay should I look out for, which ones do families enjoy the most?

Lastly, weather. We don't like the heat all the much. We are thinking perhaps January (not next Jan) hows the weather? Thank you

Let's see ---
We did our first DCL cruise on the Magic (one of the smaller ships). But, even "smaller" is pretty big. I prefer the Magic class over the Dream, but any cruise on a Disney ship is worth it.

The further out you book, the lower the prices are. The lowest prices are typically offered on opening day for any given cruise. As the space onboard fills, prices rise. We book as soon as we know we want to cruise, as much as 1 1/2 years in some cases.

If you only want a short cruise, I'd recommend 4 nights over 3, since you'd get a sea day with the 4 night, and part of the cruising experience is sea days. I'll also suggest you make peace with the fact that you won't be able to do everything onboard, there just isn't enough time. Remember it's your vacation, take some time to just sit on deck and read a book, or watch the sea go by. My personal preference is nothing less than 7 nights.

Not sure what you're asking "Which of the other stops via Castaway Cay should I look out for, which ones do families enjoy the most?" All the ships on the Caribbean/Bahamas itineraries stop at Castaway Cay (weather permitting).

Haven't cruised in January, but, for the most part, weather south of Florida is warmer, and could be wetter.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I'm starting to do some research for my next family adventure. We have just returned from 3 weeks at Disneyland and would next like to do WDW with a Disney Cruise. We will most likely do a short cruise, and definitely to Castaway Cay.

I was really impressed with the images and youtube posts of the new big ships, the Dream & Fantasy, my kids love the look of the Aqua Duck (and so do I!!) Should I be looking at the big ships, or am I underestimating how great the smaller ones are?

This will likely be our only ever Disney Cruise (unless they send one over to Australia for a bit)

How far ahead is it recommended to book and if I book early will I save more?

Would 3 or 4 nights be enough. To be honest the look of cruises has never appealed to me but I love Disney Hotels, I'm a DVC member and I think anything Disney I should enjoy. Which of the other stops via Castaway Cay should I look out for, which ones do families enjoy the most?

Lastly, weather. We don't like the heat all the much. We are thinking perhaps January (not next Jan) hows the weather? Thank you

Congrats on trying DCL, it's a fantastic vacation. If you are traveling from Australia, I would recommend a 7 night cruise if your budget allows. If not definitely go with the 4 night over the 3 night so you can have a relaxing sea day on the ship.

Our first cruise was on the Dream and is was nice but we actually fell in love with DCL on our second cruise, (7 nights on the Fantasy). Our 3rd cruise was also on the Fantasy and we just finished a cruise on the Wonder. Overall, our favorite is by far the Dream class ships, my son and I ride the Aquaduck at least 20 times a day!

If you don't like high heat I would say January and February are great times, also are less expensive than summer.

Cruises through May 2017 were released not to long ago so you should be able to get decent pricing still. So book soon if possible. We always cruise in inside cabins because we love the magic portholes on the big ships and don't spend a ton of time in the cabins do we go without the veranda.

My family really loves cruising because we spend a ton of quality time together without our iPhones and other technology. Our teenagers rarely are in the clubs and we do a lot of games, trivia, towel folding classes and stuff like that together.

We live about 6 hours from Disneyland and used to be annual pass holders, it was by far our favorite vacation. Since our second cruise, DCL has now stepped into the top spot. We still go to Disneyland once or twice every year but not nearly as often because we'd rather use that money for an annual cruise.

If you're going to go to WDW before your cruise that's another reason I would try the Dream class ships. Disney transportation to and from the airport, WDW and Port Canaveral is so easy, they take care of everything, you just sit back and relax and enjoy that part of your vacation.

I wish you luck in your decision and happy sailing!