New to DCL

[Andie272]

Hello, we are new to cruising on Disney, but have cruised on other lines a few times. We have done WDW a few times and I have used Disboards for all the planning and have always booked myself on Disney.com.

We are planning this trip as a surprise for my daughter's 13th birthday, we are looking at the Fantasy 7 Night Western Caribbean, leaving on 10/15/16.

What is the best way to book, will I get a better deal if I book through an TA and bundle my airfare in?

Also, room suggestions would be great, I want an OV room.

Any tips you can provide for a first time DCL cruiser would be appreciated.

-Andrea

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

If you book direct or by a TA the price is the same but many specialist DCL TAs give you on board credits a type of rebate.

For a new cruiser a DCL TA is a good idea, to answer your questions, get the best stateroom locations and see if there are any last minute deals for you. They give you extra support and you do not loose any control just your payments go via them.

Normally airfare is better if you book it yourself, there will not be any discount to bundle it in and if you book it you choose your flight route, airline and times.

Book a midship, middeck location as forward and aft have the most movement.

 

[Andie272]

I got pricing from Dreams Unlimited, she didn't mention anything about on board credit, should I ask? If I book with them, will I still be able to go online and add excursions and all that kind of stuff? I want to look at the birthday stuff for my DD, will I be able to add it myself?

(I have control issues )

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I got pricing from Dreams Unlimited, she didn't mention anything about on board credit, should I ask? If I book with them, will I still be able to go online and add excursions and all that kind of stuff? I want to look at the birthday stuff for my DD, will I be able to add it myself?

(I have control issues )

DU should give you OBC you should ask, yes if you book with a TA you can still book shore trips and adult dinning and Spa direct when your booking window opens at 75 days, pre cruise, the birthday stuff is expensive for what it is but you can add that anytime you wish direct,

 

[Andie272]

Thank you! I reached out to DU and there is a some OBC, depending on which room we go with. I can't decide which room category we want to do, I want an OV, but if a better room won't be much more I would do that...it shouldn't be so hard

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Go for a verandah room if you can, its worth it.

 

[Andie272]

Go for a verandah room if you can, its worth it.

Which category? If it isn't a big jump from the OV I may be able to sway my DH. I really like midship, but am hesitant to be on Deck 2, but I don't know why.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Which category? If it isn't a big jump from the OV I may be able to sway my DH. I really like midship, but am hesitant to be on Deck 2, but I don't know why.

Any verandah cat is fine, you may get more OBC on it, it will be worth it, room service on it watching the sea.

Midship is good.

I am in agreement with you on deck 2.- Enclosed, engines, waterline, wave movement.

 

[Andie272]

Any verandah cat is fine, you may get more OBC on it, it will be worth it, room service on it watching the sea.

Midship is good.

I am in agreement with you on deck 2.- Enclosed, engines, waterline, wave movement.

Although they say water level is the best for less motion....

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Although they say water level is the best for less motion....

A "Few" say that most understand it is not,

Basic science.

The closer to something you are the more you notice it.
The closer to a sound the more you hear it.
The closer to movement the more you feel it.

So higher decks are further from the engines further from the sea, so the further you are the better it is. Is the sound of a train more the closer it is to you or further away?

Lower decks have the random ripples of the waves and that's the big cause of seasickness the movements are ironed out the higher you go.

The best place is midship middeck, the cure if seasickness is get fresh air and view the horizon at its widest point neither possible on deck 2.

Most people spend seadays on the pool deck that is higher, they spend more time there then their rooms the pool water doesn't run out it has a gentle glide back and forth, whereas on lower decks its random a sudden move one way or another.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/prevent-motion-sickness-cruise-1777.html

Most people who get seasick are also a bit claustrophobic and inside rooms do not help, your ears detect movement and your eyes say walls do not move hence your unwell, if you go up and view the sea the brain works it out.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Lower and central to avoid motion is the way to go. Also, if the verandah is out of your budget don't worry about it. We have had them in the past but never book them now and don't miss them at all. We are usually too busy out and about to spend much time out there.

 

[Andie272]

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and experiences.

I usually only book the balcony because the price difference isn't that much more on Carnival (what we usually cruise) we are doing our first inside cabin on a RCI cruise this October. I am a little claustrophobic which is why I get a balcony so I can get some air, but we hardly ever us it because we aren't in the room much.