New to DCL

[MinnieNurse]

Hello,

While not new to Disney I am new to DCL. My family took their first cruise several years ago with Royal Carribean and while it was ok none of us loved it. I have talked DH into trying a short Disney cruise just to see if we like it. I have a few questions though:

1. We wanted to do a land/sea vacationl. If I book separate Disney World and DCL reservations will we still be able to use DME from airport and from port? I prefer to book myself but if I need to call to get it under one reservation I will.

2. Is Christmas a fun time on DCL and what is the weather usually like cruising out of Florida in December?

3. Is there a list anywhere to look at which rooms are the top picks for each category on the different ships.

TIA

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello,

While not new to Disney I am new to DCL. My family took their first cruise several years ago with Royal Carribean and while it was ok none of us loved it. I have talked DH into trying a short Disney cruise just to see if we like it. I have a few questions though:

1. We wanted to do a land/sea vacationl. If I book separate Disney World and DCL reservations will we still be able to use DME from airport and from port? I prefer to book myself but if I need to call to get it under one reservation I will.

2. Is Christmas a fun time on DCL and what is the weather usually like cruising out of Florida in December?

3. Is there a list anywhere to look at which rooms are the top picks for each category on the different ships.

TIA

1. Magical Express is a free shuttle service from MCO to WDW resorts and back. To get to/from MCO and the port you can book DCL transfers at $35.00 per person each way. You can add the transfers to your reservation when booking. Or call DCL after you've made your reservation to add them.

3. Which rooms are "best" is entirely subjective. Some people prefer inside rooms, while others prefer Concierge. And the rest fall somewhere in between. We prefer deck 2, while there are others who wouldn't book anything lower than deck 6. You should look at the deck plans and figure out what location/category works best for what you want.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

Hello,

While not new to Disney I am new to DCL. My family took their first cruise several years ago with Royal Carribean and while it was ok none of us loved it. I have talked DH into trying a short Disney cruise just to see if we like it. I have a few questions though:

1. We wanted to do a land/sea vacationl. If I book separate Disney World and DCL reservations will we still be able to use DME from airport and from port? I prefer to book myself but if I need to call to get it under one reservation I will.You should be able to book DME from your hotel to the port separately

2. Is Christmas a fun time on DCL and what is the weather usually like cruising out of Florida in December?Christmas is a great time to cruise (everything is decorated to the nines) but the weather can be a bit iffy. Average highs in Florida around that time are in the mid-70s, and IMO, the water in the Bahamas is a bit to cold to swim in. As for the parks, they are in their peak season, and the closer to Christmas you are the more crowded they get

3. Is there a list anywhere to look at which rooms are the top picks for each category on the different ships. This is a tough one. We always try for a cat 7 or a cat 6 towards the back of the ship.

TIA

Should add that we cruise both DCL and RCL, and like them both for different reasons. IMO, Disney is a good step up in décor and service, but there's more to do on RCL.

 

[Capt_BJ]

My family took their first cruise several years ago with Royal Carribean and while it was ok none of us loved it.

If you share what it was that soured you, we might be able to tell you if DCL would be different or not. While DCL has the "Disney Touch" it IS a cruise line and in many ways the same as other cruise lines. Hanging ears on "it" can only have so much impact . . .

As you have obviously already seen, DCL costs a bit more than RCL for the same number of nites ... the Disney Touch ain't free . . . will dollars make a difference? Well, be it the Holiday Inn or the Ritz Carlton, some folks do NOT like hotels, PERIOD!

 

[RHSTigerMom]

Hello,

While not new to Disney I am new to DCL. My family took their first cruise several years ago with Royal Carribean and while it was ok none of us loved it. I have talked DH into trying a short Disney cruise just to see if we like it. I have a few questions though:

1. We wanted to do a land/sea vacationl. If I book separate Disney World and DCL reservations will we still be able to use DME from airport and from port? I prefer to book myself but if I need to call to get it under one reservation I will.

You'll want to make separate reservations with WDW and DCL. They are basically separate entities and you'll have more control booking yourself. The Magical Express from the airport to WDW is complimentary. The DCL transport from either WDW or airport to Port Canaveral or vis versa is $35pp each way

2. Is Christmas a fun time on DCL and what is the weather usually like cruising out of Florida in December?

We were on the Dream in December 2012. I didn't notice a lot of "Christmas" stuff except a large tree and a gingerbread display. The weather was ok but it's a crap-shoot in December anyway. We were unable to dock at Castaway Cay due to the winds and currents so we basically got an extra day at sea. The winds were very strong on our back to Port and the captain advised to stay off the outside decks.

3. Is there a list anywhere to look at which rooms are the top picks for each category on the different ships.

Definitely a personal preference. We had a veranda on deck 6, mid-ship and loved it.

TIA

Enjoy the process!!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Hello,

While not new to Disney I am new to DCL. My family took their first cruise several years ago with Royal Carribean and while it was ok none of us loved it. I have talked DH into trying a short Disney cruise just to see if we like it. I have a few questions though: How short? Most people have found the three-day Dream cruises are just too short, and prefer at least four days


2. Is Christmas a fun time on DCL and what is the weather usually like cruising out of Florida in December? We loved cruising at Christmas with the extended family, but you should do a cost comparison. The holidays are very pricey. We had great weather. Orlando was chilly, but the farther south we sailed, the warmer the temps.


TIA

Have fun!

 

[BrookeMQ]

We went a few weeks before Christmas. It was nice having all of the extra holiday things going on while on the ship. I think its a good time to go. For us its nice to leave the cold for a bit so we like to sail in the winter.

Florida weather varies in December. i have been when its warm. One December in Disney World we wore shorts and t-shirts a few days.
Another time when our plane landed early in the morning it was only 36 degrees!

The further you get from Florida the warmer it usually gets. Castaway cay can be chilly in December. If your cruise goes to Cozumel or other places (not Bahamas) it is usually warmer.

 

[MinnieNurse]

Thanks to everyone for the tips. I always think Disney is worth the extra money so the cost difference is not a concern I just did not know if we would be able to thoroughly enjoy all the cruise has to offer in December. I love Disney World at Christmas and that was why we were looking at that time frame, just wasnt sure if we should do a cruise another time of year.