Newbie looking for advice

[Ellester]

Hello all! While we are WDW veterans, we have never been on a Disney cruise. My MIL has asked me to get some info so we can possibly cruise together. I am looking for basic advice from you oh-so-experienced cruisers! To make this work, we have to be somewhat budget conscious. Here are the basics:

My DH and I have 3 kids, currently 6, 3, and 8 months. Also traveling would be my inlaws, in their 60's. Possibly my single SIL, 33. We could also have my mom, 61. Or possibly my dad and his family. For such a large group, how is the best way to get a quote? Is it better to go through an agent (I know Dreams Unlimited sponsors this board) or through Disney? When is the cheapest time to travel? I'm not opposed to taking my kids out of school. We're also not in a hurry, 2006 would be fine. I was kind of thinking Jan. 2006 would work, my DH will be 40 on 1/31/2006. We would drive to Canaveral, no flights needed for anyone. We could split the kids up to have some with the grandparents to avoid a Cat 4 room. I don't think I'd want a veranda anyway with the way my little monkeys are. I'd be a wreck wondering if they were going to hop the rail!

My SIL has been on a few NCL cruises. My DH, mom, and I have very little cruise experience and my IL's have never cruised (neither have my kids). I've done some research on my own and we have the DCL dvd. But I know that you all will have much more info than I could get on my own.

Any advice as to how to make this work would be really appreciated. You seem like friendly types on this board!

Many thanks!
Ellen

 

[pvangordon]

Well, you came to the right place to get help. There are many forum frequenters who will no doubt have great advice for you.

I can't help on the cabins, as I have only sailed with just me and DH (quite a bit easier than coordinating a group of your size). I would recommend going through an agency, since you're not sure of a lot of things, this is your first time on a DCL cruise, and you may have a large group. You can find many threads lauding several DCL specialist TAs who can cut right to the chase and save you some money.

If you don't mind taking the kids out of school, it's definitely less expensive to travel during the standard school months (with the except of spring break and Christmas/New Years). Hurricane season is something like June to Nov, so Sept/Oct may have decent rates (that's when I've sailed previously, but obviously you're at the whim of Mother Nature, as many discovered this past year). Early December also seems to be a good time and the ship is decorated for the holidays.

I'm sure you'll get much more input along the way. Good luck!

 

[floridaminnie]

All Ear's have a comprehensive guide http://allearsnet.com/cruise/mdcg.pdf

Also...the passporter is very useful also. http://www.passporter.com/dcl/

 

[Ellester]

Bump, hoping for more replies now that everyone is off their tryptophan highs!

 

[Dreamer04]

Hi! and welcome to the cruise boards! First of all, I suggest you check out allseastravel.com. You can compare different cabin combinations and prices.

DCL is a great option for everyone in your family. Another site to check is dcltribute.com. There you will find all sorts of info from drive times and maps to daily personal Navigators that give the 411 on the many activities available onboard.

Then check out the trip reports. Lots of info there.

Also, at the top of the list of threads you see one that has all kinds of useful info.

Good Luck

Ursula

 

[Ellester]

Thanks!