New to board - lots of cruise questions

[doindisneyagain]

Hello!

I'm getting a lot of useful information from this board. I have a few questions for you all.

First a little background: My first visit to Disney was in Feb of this year with my husband and 2 girls (1 1/2 and 3 1/2). We stayed off property at a villa we rented and flew down - from Ohio. I loved it. We said we wouldn't go back for a few years, but I've already made reservations at Fort Wilderness for Feb 2003. We just can't resist the fun and sun! This time we're driving with our pop-up. And now we've decided to take a 7 night disney cruise in 2007 (the girls will be 7 and 9). I know I have 5 years to go, but it's going to take us that long to save up (and I like to plan!).

My questions are this:

1) Is it worth the extra money to get a deluxe family stateroom with veranda? I'm seeing almost a $2000 difference than an inside stateroom.
2) Do you recommend going through a travel agent as opposed to booking on-line at disney?
3) What time of year is best to go?
4) How early ahead can I book my cruise?
5) We have never been on a cruise - should we go on a shorter cruise before then to get our feet wet?

I know I had a lot more questions - but I'm drawing a blank now.
I guess any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you all!

Brenda, Brian, Emily (4), and Kenzie (2)

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Originally posted by doindisneyagain
2) Do you recommend going through a travel agent as opposed to booking on-line at disney?

I think I'll go with Dreams Unlimited next time as they have the $200 stateroom credit. That could really help out with the tips and treasures. Go with the best perks, keeping in mind that you want to still have your sanity for the cruise, so an agent that really talks with you and knows what they are doing is worth a lot. If there were no other perks out there, I'd use DCL, just to eliminate the middleman, e.g., get docs directly from them.

 

[zurgswife]

Here's my personal advice...

We have a family of 6 so cruising can be quite expense...

1) I hear if you've never had a verandah you won't miss it and if you have you never want to go back..
2) I used Dreams Unlimited from these boards because there price was competitive and I've heard good things...personally I'd use DCL online booking to get an idea of the cost (when it gets closer of course) and then shop the TA around...
3) We are going in March...i figure still kind warm night quite spring break season
4) I booked my 1 year in advance and I think you can book up to about 18 months in advance
5) I opted for the 4day for just that reason....not sure if we all would love it and didn't want to spend the extra money until I'm sure...

Kimball

 

[peg2001]

1) Is having a verandah for 7 days worth $2000 to you? I wouldn't even consider it but each family must decide for themselves. Since you said that you will have to save for several years to afford the cruise, I would go with a less expensive stateroom. You get the same food, service, entertainment, and pay much less. We'll be cruising with an inside stateroom.

2) Disney Dreams has been great. I would suggest them.

3) Hmmm. . .fall is the least expensive but is also hurricane season. Spring break, summer, and holidays are very expensive but your kids would not miss school. I decided on January because the rates are less expensive and there is no threat of hurricanes.

4) Check the DCL website for dates. I think they book a couple years out.

5) We've decided to try to 4-day cruise first but I don't think you'll regret taking the plunge for the 7-day!

Good luck and have fun with the planning.

Peggy

 

[MarkRG]

Originally posted by doindisneyagain

My questions are this:

1) Is it worth the extra money to get a deluxe family stateroom with veranda? I'm seeing almost a $2000 difference than an inside stateroom.

I would definitely say a veranda is a huge difference, however, the actual room layout is not very different, other than you have no windows to the outside, and a combned bath and toilet, instead of two separate rooms each with its own sink.(I think that's how they're configured)

2) Do you recommend going through a travel agent as opposed to booking on-line at disney?

I recommend Dreams Unlimited, whose banner you can click on at the top of the forum, they are the owner/operators of this forum, and you've been mostly reading thier knowledge! And, they do keep track of all applicable discounts and send your documents direct from Disney, not through the travel agency.

3) What time of year is best to go?

Hurricane season is the times to avoid, if you don't want any risk of your cruise being changed.

4) How early ahead can I book my cruise?

They already taking bookings for 2004, that's about it right now.

5) We have never been on a cruise - should we go on a shorter cruise before then to get our feet wet?

Yes, definitely, take a 3 or 4 day and see if you like it before plunging in on a 7 day. I think you will, but, that way you get a good idea of how the longer one is going to be.

 

[SC Minnie]

We went on our first cruise ever last January. Me, DH, and DD then 7. We chose this 7 day because we were celebrating our 10 yr anniversary and wanted to do it right. Well, we are going on a 3 day next week and have a 7 day western booked for 2004. Needless to say we are hooked. After 7days I was not ready for it to be over and I was one of these people that for our hineymoon 10 yrs ago I did NOT want to be stuck on a ship for a week.

The earlier you book the better your rates are going to be. I think the farthest out DCL books is about 18 months. When we orginally booked I told DH that I at least wanted a porthole. Having never cruised before I wanted to be able to see the sunshine from the room. This may be an option from the vereandah if $ is an issue. In 2004 we have decided to go with one of the secret porthole rooms. We had a verandah in January and loved it but decided to try the porthole room to save a little $. We enjoyed the verandah but did not spend as much time out there as he had hoped.

As far as a travel agent, for the Jan cruise we went thru Dreams Unlimited but this time we decided to go directly thru DCL. The rates were about the same and we weren't spending enough to get the $200 credit. When the time comes, do your homework and shop around. DU did let us know when the price of our Jan cruise dropped two different times. It was comforting to know they were on top of those things.

As far as the time of year we loved going in January. The weather was absolutely perfect. Highs in the upper 80's everyday. February shouldn't be bad either.

Hope this answered some of your questions.

 

[doindisneyagain]

WOW! I didn't expect so much information so quick. Thanks!

I've heard the same thing about a verandah - you won't miss it, but if you have one you'll never go without. My philosophy was that it may be a long time before we do another cruise - we might as well do it up right! But it also seems like once you go on a cruise you get hooked, and you'll most likely go on another one soon! Just like visiting Disney I guess! I think I like the idea of going on a shorter cruise (inside stateroom) and see how we like it. It would be a shame to spend the extra money, than never even use the verandah.

Keep those tips coming - you guys are all such a big help!

 

[TeamMom011]

Doindisneyagain -- I think you've already gotten good answers to your questions but I'd like to add as far as the veranda goes that's something that shouldn't be decided until you have considered how you might be spending your time on the ship. We have booked a room with a veranda because my dh and I plan to spend most evenings in our suite because we aren't real party people so we don't plan to be doing the clubs or bars or that kind of evening thing. If indeed you are the kind that anticipates taking advantage of the ship's nightlife as well as the many excursions and scheduled activities during the day, you're likely to not make enough use of the veranda to justify the expense.

And let me add that those of us Type A people have really gotta admire someone who starts planning five years ahead. You go girl!