Ok....We've decided! Maybe.

[DDreamer]

Hi everyone! After a few weeks of some serious decision making we have decided to book a Disney cruise. We were trying to decide if we should take the kids on a 7-night RCCL ship or to do a 4-night Disney ship. The 7 day on RCCL costs the same as the 4 day Disney, so you can see the reason we were undecided. We decided that we would take the Disney now (well, we won't go until 2004 when our youngest will be 3 and potty trained) while the kids are young and all of them really enjoy it and then try something else when they get older. The problem is, now that I've been comparing a 7 day and a 4 day I really would rather do the 7 day (obviously) but need some tips on how to possibly drop the cost. Any tips? Any one else ever been in this situation? And if so, what did you chose to do? Do you think we made the right decision?

 

[floridaminnie]

What type of room are you looking at? How many adults and kids? Are you going to fly or drive? What type of excusion do you want to do?

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there..

Does the RCCL have a kids club? And if they do - do you pay extra? Is it as extensive as the activities geared towards kids on the Disney Cruise? Remember, your kids will be safe and entertained and you and DH can have some time together without worrying.

I'm sure your family would enjoy both cruise holidays but the Disney ships are really geared towards family & kids. Imagine seeing all the characters on board... meeting cinderella, having tea and cookies with Wendy Darling. The shows at night that the whole family will love.. like Disney Dreams with wonderful sets and costumes...

Such a hard decision I know, but I can't say enough good things about disney.

What category are you looking at? Perhaps a lower category can bring you more in budget?

>>^..^<<

 

[DDreamer]

We are a family of 5 (DD 2, DD 9 and DS 9). So we are looking at getting 2 adjoining rooms. We would love SPR, but really are counting on getting oceanview rooms (don't know if we would be able to stand an inside room). DH and I have cruised twice before by ourselves on Carnival and RCCL-both just 3 day cruises. Now we want to take the kids. As for excursions- we want to take the kids to Atlantis on our own in Nassau. Other than that, we really haven't decided. We know we definately want to wait until our youngest is potty trained (can't see being on a ship in 80 degree weather and not allowing her to swim in "mickey" while watching older brother and sister do it). Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[DDreamer]

Sorry, forgot to answer your question about flying or driving. Since we are in NH we can't take the time to drive down so we will be flying from Manchester. Probably on Southwest since they have a nonstop flight and have the best fares.

 

[DDreamer]

To cass ...RCCL does have a kids program. Actually, from what I've read at other sites too, many people prefer RCCL kids program better than Disney. Can't figure that one out (LOL!) I know that our kids probably will not be spending all their time in the clubs without us (we would prefer it that way-since we have cruised without them before-this cruise is all for them) so the fact that some people liked the RCCL kids programs better did not really make a difference to us. We really liked the idea that on the Disney Cruise you can go with your kids to the clubs use the facilities with them. I don't think you can do that on RCCL.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there..

Okay - I didn't know that! I took an RCC cruise in the 80's (before kids) - I didn't find the cruise that kid friendly - I actually can't remember seeing alot of families... I guess times have change and cruises have gone for romantic trips for 2 to family holidays.

Let us kow what you decide to do

>>^..^<<

 

[bettemom]

Remember...time of year makes a difference in price also...Have fun either way...

 

[floridaminnie]

I don't know if this will be in your time frame or not, but if you could book your cruise for when your 2 yr old is still two, but turning 3 on the cruise (and potty trained), you'll pay the infant price versus the kid price. The potty training though is the key. When we went on our July cruise, just a couple of weeks after my 3 yr old DD turned 3, she was potty trained a week before. She was stuborn that was all. But she knew she had to use the potty on her own to be able to go on Mickey's boat. I think that was incentive enough for her.

I would recommend booking as early as possible, and if you book through certain trave agencies, they also offer onboard credits and other stuff. You might want to look at the two adjoining rooms that are the secret window. You pay an indoor stateroom price with a window. 6502, 6504, 6002, 6004. I don't know which ones have the connecting door, but someone here does know.

If possible, book during the off-season (when the kids are in school), because that is when it is cheaper. It can get really expensive when you go in the summer or other times when the kids are out.

I also have read on people saving up money by taking the whole price, dividing it by how many days they have to the cruise to see how much they have to save each day, or by month. That way it doesn't seem as so much.

 

[DDreamer]

Hey, that's a great idea! Potty training may be simple this time around with an incentive like that! If we book it for when she is still 2 but turns 3 on the cruise will she be allowed in the kids clubs or still just Flounders? What a birthday that would be!

 

[sap1227]

My cousin was a month away from turning 3 and potty trained and he got to go "with the big kids". He loved it so much that when we went to pick up his older sister he showed his wristband to try and get back in
Have fun!
Christy