Newby Questions- Including Deposits and Ports

[disneylandlocal]

Hi All,
I am a longtime Disneyland local but have never done a cruise (Disney or otherwise!). I am having some sticker shock, especially because I am stuck booking during high periods (summer vacation, spring break, fall holidays). I am working with a travel agent for the onboard credits and price shopping. A few questions:

1- Is there any reason not to put a deposit down on 2-3 cruises? I know you get the best pricing booking far out but I worry we will have scheduling conflicts with my job (attorney). Other than the obvious having to pay the expense of multiple deposits, if I cancel within the time frame, am I OK? Or missing something?

2- Any particular favorite itineraries? I am looking at 6-7 night. I am in Southern California but will probably do one out of Florida because the San Diego cruises are limited.

3- How is the Miami port? Do people prefer Port Canaveral bc of proximity to Disney or something else?

4- Has anyone done a cruise over Thanksgiving? It is almost 2k cheaper than the cruises over my kids' spring break. I know we will lose some of this savings on the airfare but it sounds like a good option.

Thank you!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi All,
I am a longtime Disneyland local but have never done a cruise (Disney or otherwise!). I am having some sticker shock, especially because I am stuck booking during high periods (summer vacation, spring break, fall holidays). I am working with a travel agent for the onboard credits and price shopping. A few questions:

1- Is there any reason not to put a deposit down on 2-3 cruises? I know you get the best pricing booking far out but I worry we will have scheduling conflicts with my job (attorney). Other than the obvious having to pay the expense of multiple deposits, if I cancel within the time frame, am I OK? Or missing something?

2- Any particular favorite itineraries? I am looking at 6-7 night. I am in Southern California but will probably do one out of Florida because the San Diego cruises are limited.

3- How is the Miami port? Do people prefer Port Canaveral bc of proximity to Disney or something else?

4- Has anyone done a cruise over Thanksgiving? It is almost 2k cheaper than the cruises over my kids' spring break. I know we will lose some of this savings on the airfare but it sounds like a good option.

Thank you!!

1. As long as you cancel prior to the paid in full date, and have not booked a Concierge room, you'll get all your money back on a cancelled cruise.
2. I'm not the right one to ask, I'll pretty much take any cruise, as we've not done all of them yet.
3. Port Canaveral is best, especially if you opt to add a Walt Disney World visit as part of our trip. We tend to do that, or a back-to-back cruise, since flying from the west coast costs so much anyway. We try to bunch up our trips so that we don't have to pay to fly too often.
4. Lots of people travel over Thanksgiving. If that works for you, go for it.

 

[apathetic]

1 I believe if you cancel according to the timeframe, then you get your money back. I don't know if they flag you if you cancel a bunch of times.
2 The main 7 night itineraries are Caribbean. The Fantasy does a 7 day starting every Sat., one is east and one is west. The Wonder does 7 nighters, in the summer mainly to Alaska and some west coast. The Wonder right now also goes out of Galveston and Canaveral when it is back east. The Magic does a lot in Europe and then Miami. You would have to search each ship for 7 nighters to see if there is something you like. The Fantasy itineraries are popular and pretty decent. The Dream generally only does 3 and 4 nighters to the Bahamas.
3 Never been to Miami, but they don't sail out of there much. I think it is just the Magic when it is not in Europe. The large ships, Fantasy and Dream, are out of Canaveral so most people sail from there. Proximity to WDW also makes it popular.
4 Peak time prices are always a concern. I would think spring break would be 2nd in popularity, on Disney, only to Christmas. The summer is always expensive because kids aren't in school. I haven't done Thanksgiving before and it probably isn't as popular a time as some of the other holidays. Plus, not all schools get the full week off, so that makes it a restricted audience at Thanksgiving. Knowing how Disney does things, a Thanksgiving cruise would be worth the money since they do a great job on special events.

 

[disneylandlocal]

Thank you! I put a deposit down on a Disney Magic cruise out of Miami Thanksgiving week. I will put a deposit down on one for the Spring on Fantasy out of Canaveral. I think we would skip DW because we are at Disneyland once a week and I want to save the kids' first DW for a special occasion. We are just doing OV.

On the the next thing, what do I need to know about booking restaurants? Oceaneers Club? Excursions? There is so much to plan!

 

[bumbershoot]

The only time you don't get your deposit back is if you book concierge. You can move the deposit to a different date by *changing* a concierge reservation, but not if you *cancel*.

 

[disneylandlocal]

The only time you don't get your deposit back is if you book concierge. You can move the deposit to a different date by *changing* a concierge reservation, but not if you *cancel*.

Thank you, concierge is out of our budget. I am booking OV (not even verandah!)

 

[disneyfaninaz]

75 days before your cruise, once you're paid in full you can book excursions through DCL. The only restaurant you need to book is Palo (adult only). You are allowed one dinner and one brunch (if offered) for your cruise. There is an upcharge per person for this restaurant. The other restaurants are part of your cruise cost and you are assigned a dining room rotation. No need to book Oceaneers Club, you register and you can do that when you board or in the terminal before boarding.

 

[disneylandlocal]

75 days before your cruise, once you're paid in full you can book excursions through DCL. The only restaurant you need to book is Palo (adult only). You are allowed one dinner and one brunch (if offered) for your cruise. There is an upcharge per person for this restaurant. The other restaurants are part of your cruise cost and you are assigned a dining room rotation. No need to book Oceaneers Club, you register and you can do that when you board or in the terminal before boarding.

Thank you! I have heard of Palo. Is it a must do? What is the approx up charge?

 

[ajo]

The charge for Palo is $30 for brunch or dinner. Both are lovely Italian meals, but we prefer brunch due to the buffet style with so many wonderful choices.