Oct 18th 2007, 3 nights?

[Disney_4_us]

Is there going to be anyone on this cruise? Or do we get the whole ship to ourselves?

 

[pearlieq]

I just spent an hour last night searching for a thread for this sailing! I'm so glad there are other DISers on this sailing!

We just booked last night--a reward for putting up with a grueling few months of work. It's just DH and I--I'm 27, DH is 30 and this will be our 3rd DCL trip, but our first 3nt and first trip on the Wonder.

Thanks for starting the thread!

 

[Disney_4_us]

There has got to be more than just two families going, it's going to be an awfully empty ship......bumping this up to try and find more people....

 

[SettinSail]

We are also on this cruise!!! Myself, husb and 10 year old son.
Our first cruise ever!!! I just joined this board so I could post a response.
Still trying to figure out all the lingo, etc.

 

[Disney_4_us]

Glad to see there will be some other people on the cruise... It will be myself, DW, DD(10) and DS(7) almost 8, but they wont budge on excursions.....

 

[SettinSail]

What do you mean they won't budge on excursions?
They won't get off the ship??

Have you guys been on a Disney Cruise before?

 

[Disney_4_us]

What do you mean they won't budge on excursions?
They won't get off the ship??

Have you guys been on a Disney Cruise before?

Sorry, I should have been a little more clear on that statement... Disney will not budge on the age limit for excursions! My 7 year old, who will be 8 in December, wanted to go on the jet ski tour, but they wouldnt allow it even though he will be so close to 8 And yes, this is our first cruise, we picked the 3 night just to see if we were going to like cruising...

 

[pearlieq]

Glad to see everyone!

About the excursions--are you looking in Nassau or CC? If it's in Nassau, you can usually book them for younger kids if you go directly through the vendor instead of DCL. Just an idea if your youngest has his heart set on participating.

 

[pearlieq]

We are also on this cruise!!! Myself, husb and 10 year old son.
Our first cruise ever!!! I just joined this board so I could post a response.
Still trying to figure out all the lingo, etc.

Welcome! Glad you joined!

I've sailed a couple of times before, and I'm a long time DISer. If you've got any questions I'm happy to help.

Less than 2 months now!

Is anyone going to WDW before or after the cruise?

 

[Disney_4_us]

Is anyone going to WDW before or after the cruise?

Yep, We are going for 6 nights following the cruise. Staying at Port Orleans this time.

 

[Disney_4_us]

Glad to see everyone!

About the excursions--are you looking in Nassau or CC? If it's in Nassau, you can usually book them for younger kids if you go directly through the vendor instead of DCL. Just an idea if your youngest has his heart set on participating.

This was for the Eco tour at CC. We already have a room booked at Comfort Suites, and plan to spend all day at the Atlantis..

 

[pearlieq]

Yep, We are going for 6 nights following the cruise. Staying at Port Orleans this time.

Sounds like fun! I've always wanted to stay there. We're spending 5 nights at the Wilderness Lodge afterwards. We have the dining plan again this time but now I'm wondering if that's such a good idea after the cruise! I'm sure we'll be stuffed by the time we get off.

The Atlantis day sounds like fun. I'm trying to figure out what to do in Nassau. I was pleasantly surprised with the rates at the Comfort Suites--it's more reasonable than I was expecting. A great value for a family.

I don't know how much DH and I would use the slides, and CC is plenty of beach for us, so I was thinking about maybe just getting Dig passes. That is, of course, if I don't immediately lose DH in the casino.

 

[SettinSail]

Sorry, I should have been a little more clear on that statement... Disney will not budge on the age limit for excursions! My 7 year old, who will be 8 in December, wanted to go on the jet ski tour, but they wouldnt allow it even though he will be so close to 8 And yes, this is our first cruise, we picked the 3 night just to see if we were going to like cruising...

Ohhhhh,OK gotcha! We are also just trying the 3 day cruise just to see if we like it.......not going to WDW before or after -

 

[SettinSail]

Welcome! Glad you joined!

I've sailed a couple of times before, and I'm a long time DISer. If you've got any questions I'm happy to help.

Less than 2 months now!

Is anyone going to WDW before or after the cruise?

Thanks!!! We are really looking forward to it.
I can't decide whether to ask alot of questions or just go for it and see what happens

 

[SettinSail]

This was for the Eco tour at CC. We already have a room booked at Comfort Suites, and plan to spend all day at the Atlantis..

This I don't understand - if you book a room at Comfort Suites in Nassau,
you get to use all the facilities at Atlantis ?? If this is true, I will be booking
and cancelling our excursions!!

 

[SettinSail]

Sounds like fun! I've always wanted to stay there. We're spending 5 nights at the Wilderness Lodge afterwards. We have the dining plan again this time but now I'm wondering if that's such a good idea after the cruise! I'm sure we'll be stuffed by the time we get off.

The Atlantis day sounds like fun. I'm trying to figure out what to do in Nassau. I was pleasantly surprised with the rates at the Comfort Suites--it's more reasonable than I was expecting. A great value for a family.

I don't know how much DH and I would use the slides, and CC is plenty of beach for us, so I was thinking about maybe just getting Dig passes. That is, of course, if I don't immediately lose DH in the casino.

We stayed at Wilderness Lodge for a week last October & REALLY enjoyed it!
We also had the dining plan and ate at mostly buffets
It was also during the Food & Wine festival so talk about being STUFFED!!

I would like to know more about the Comfort Suites/Atlantis deal ??
Thanks

 

[pearlieq]

I would like to know more about the Comfort Suites/Atlantis deal ??
Thanks

Guests at the Comfort Suites are eligible to use all of facilities at Atlantis. You are given wristbands when you check in and you just walk on over. You can use the pool, slides, and beach, and you can also explore their aquarium (the Dig) and all of the rest of the hotel facilities.

It's really a great deal for a family. Here's the website for the hotel:

http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=bs003

If you search the day we're going to be in Nassau (Oct 19th) and select the internet user's rate, I'm coming up with $135. There is tax and a surcharge of $10/day/person for energy and housekeeping, but it still beats paying for the Disney excursion for 4 people!

 

[SettinSail]

Guests at the Comfort Suites are eligible to use all of facilities at Atlantis. You are given wristbands when you check in and you just walk on over. You can use the pool, slides, and beach, and you can also explore their aquarium (the Dig) and all of the rest of the hotel facilities.

It's really a great deal for a family. Here's the website for the hotel:


If you search the day we're going to be in Nassau (Oct 19th) and select the internet user's rate, I'm coming up with $135. There is tax and a surcharge of $10/day/person for energy and housekeeping, but it still beats paying for the Disney excursion for 4 people!

That is FANTASTIC!!!! Thanks for the info - I will check with Hubby tonight
and see if he wants to book.

 

[SettinSail]

Pearlieq-

When I went to reserve a room at CS, I noticed check-in time is 3:00 pm.

Would we be allowed to get our armbands for Atlantis early that morning when
we arrive? Would we actually have to wait until 3:00 to get a room?

Hubby & I are wondering with this deal, why would anybody book the Disney
excursion to Atlantis at the much higher rate?

Maybe I can find a thread with more info about this-
We definitely want to do it for this rate!

 

[pearlieq]

I haven't done the Comfort Suites deal myself (last time we were in Nassau we just took a taxi up and walked around the lobby/shops/casino) but here's what I know.

My understanding is that you can check in at any time and get your Comfort Suites room key/ID. Then you go over to Atlantis and show that for a wristband to get access to the pools, etc. You may not actually get a room until the stated check-in time, so if you had been hoping to use to room for a nap or changing facilities that may be something to take into consideration.

As for why people would book through Disney, there are a few reasons:

1.) They don't know about Comfort Suites. They just see the excursion on the list and book it.
2.) Comfort Suites has a cancellation policy. If for some reason the ship misses Nassau, you may be out your money. It's a risk you take booking the hotel.
3.) The Comfort Suites isn't always this cheap. Room rates can go as high as the high 200s before. Once you add in taxes and fees, it may be less expensive for a small family to book through Disney. Plus the Disney excursion includes transport and a lunch voucher. If you book through Comfort Suites you have to take care of transport and food by yourself.

Definitely search the cruise forum and/or start a thread with any questions you have about it. Lots of people have done it, and I'm sure they can give you their first-hand experiences.