Ok we've got the Cruise bug-help needed

[mommystieg]

We watched the Disney Cruise Line show on the Travel Channel and now I HAVE TO GO!!! We have never, ever cruised so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am thinking about a cruise in 2005 - maybe during DD's spring(mid-March) or fall break(early October) or maybe Thanksgiving. Are these good times? I know absolutely nothing about cruises other than they are vacations on a big boat. Are there any really helpful guide books? TIA

 

[Hygiene99]

Check out these site and u can get alot of your questions anwsered. www.castawayclub.com and www.dcltribute.com

 

[eye R.N.]

Spring break and Thankgiving are busy times. I agree check out the websites that have been mentioned, you might try Disney own website and plug in the general dates you are thinking about just for 2004 instead of 2005 to get an idea of prices.

 

[westjones]

October will be the best rate out of the 3 times you listed. Also, if you decide not to do a 7 day, try to do at least 4 days. We just got off of the 3 day and it was not enough!

We have been on two 3 days, a 4 day and a 7 day. Next year we are doing a 7 day again. We never felt 'relaxed' on the 3 day because we were trying to do so much.

Also, be aware that these cruises are addicting! We went on our first one thinking it was a 'once in a life time' trip and now we have 4 under our belts and have 2 more booked for next year.

DJ

 

[mommystieg]

Originally posted by westjones
Also, be aware that these cruises are addicting! We went on our first one thinking it was a 'once in a life time' trip and now we have 4 under our belts and have 2 more booked for next year.
DJ

Oh no, I was afraid of that LOL. After our first trip to WDW we purchased our most expensive souvenir--DVC. I can't afford to be any more addicted to all things Disney.

Since we have never cruised we were thinking of the 4 day--3 days just didn't sound like enough time.

Thanks all, I will check out those sites so I can come back with more questions!!

 

[jrabbit]

As many on this board will say (I just got in here first), they are called "Ships" not "Boats". The ship carries boats incase the ship fails.

Our first cruise was a 4 night once in a lifetime adventure, ... we're signed up for number 4 in 2004 (all have been 7 nights since then, 3 or 4 nights are no longer enough).

Someone suggested checking out the rates for 2004 to get an idea of the cost - good idea - just don't go looking at 2003 rates because they won't have any early booking discounts in them.

Since you picked up the DVC "souvenir" you can look into using some of your points to book a DCL cruise.

There is a wealth of knowledge here on the DIS-DCL boards, just ask any questions and we be more than happy to give you first hand advice/answers.

 

[westjones]

We became DVC members last year too, and it is a BIG investment (still can't believe DH agreed).

If you are planning to use your DVC points for a WDW visit at the same time as your cruise, you may want to consider a 3 day cruise. That is because of the way the points work for DCV.

The 3 day cruises are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (disembarking on Sunday). We just completed one of these cruises last week.

What we did was spend 4 nights at WDW with our DVC points (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) and then went on the 3 day cruise.

It just works out better with the DVC points.

Of course, we have decided that we may want to try a 4 day cruise (which sails on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights) and then just go two nights to WDW with one of the nights on Thursday (a lower point night) and only one night on the weekend rate (Friday).

One reason that might work for us is because we need a couple days to drive there and back. I hate spending weekend points, but we may decide to do in the future (next year we have a 7 day cruise booked).

So all I am suggesting is that you may want to consider your DVC points if you want to visit WDW and do the cruise in the same week.

DJ

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Our "first" was Feb. of 2000. Off peak was great!!!! The pools weren't crowded excursions weren't sold out etc. It was great for a "first" cruise.

 

[Born 2 Cruz]

I think it's best to go on a cruise when it is cold where u live or whenever you have an excess of money that u don't know what to do with..

But as far as using DVC points you get the most bang for your buck by using them at Disney resorts and paying cash for the cruise if you can afford it.

Hope that helps..

 

[westjones]

I wasn't suggesting using DVC points for the cruise. I was talking about using them at the resort during the week they decide to cruise. If they are wanting to do both, a cruise and visit to WDW in the same week, and they want to use DVC points for their visit to WDW, then going on the 3 day at the end of the week works well so that you can stay at WDW in a DVC resort for 'weekday' points instead of using 'weekend' points.

As a DVC member, you could book a Sunday through Wednesday DVC resort at WDW. Then go on the 3 night cruise beginning on Thursday and disembarking on Sunday.

We just did that, and it was 'nice', but I do prefer a 7 day cruise. But it was a way to visit both WDW and go on the DCL in the same week.

DJ

 

[mommystieg]

We are planning on paying cash for the cruise. We borrowed our 2005 points for our extended family trip in 2004 so we were thinking of skipping a WDW trip(but I don't know if I can be so close and not go).

Alright so I have read some stuff about the rooms. I am currently looking at Cat 6, 7 or 8. I think I would like to have a verandah or is it worth it?

 

[jrabbit]

Well here it is, the veranda question. Everyone has an opinion on them, most say they are necesary, some people need at least a window and others are just happy to be on board. You will be recieving many, many responses to this question.

We have sailed with inside rooms and with a port hole. We used to think that not having at least a window was no big deal, but ever since having one, we probably won't go back to a windowless room.

The biggest problem with the inside rooms is that there is NO natural light, so if you wake up in the middle of the night - it might be 3am or 11 am or 3pm!! You'll never know unless you have a glow in the dark clock. Other than that there really is not any problem with the inside rooms - you just don't spend much waking time in them.

With a port hole we spent a little more time in the room rather than in the common areas. If you have a veranda you may spend much more time in your room.

It comes down to two things, personal preference vs. cost. If money is not object, definatly go for the veranda. If it is, then you will have to weigh the "cost vs benefits"


Remember, being on the Magic or Wonder in ANY room is better than not being on the ship at all.

 

[nisiemouse]

mommystieg:
We saw the disney cruise line special also and dh looked at me and said, "Why haven't we done that?" He may regret that statement. We are also DVC members and already have our trip for 2004 booked so we are looking at the 7 day for early June 2005. I wish we had a fall break. October has some great prices. I can't wait for them to release rates so we can book. In the meantime I ordered the Passporter Disney Cruise Line book and I think it will be very helpful. We have never cruised before.
Have fun planning!
Denise

 

[hilltopfamily]

Originally posted by nisiemouse
mommystieg:
In the meantime I ordered the Passporter Disney Cruise Line book and I think it will be very helpful. We have never cruised before.
Have fun planning!
Denise

Denise is "right on the money" with the Passporter book. I read mine cover to cover about 3 times and reread individual subjects or sections pertinent to my planning over & over. I was so prepared--it was great and it did NOT take any of the fun or excitment out of the cruise. Now I have that book in my folder of cruise memories, it may help jog my memory once Alzheimers sets in and I want to relive the experience!

 

[Hans Solo]

Once A Verandah, Always A Verandah

 

[mommystieg]

What about cruising during the summer? How busy is it? I don't think DD's fall break will work with the cruise schedule. We usually visit WDW during early June. Is there a good time to go during the summer months?

 

[mommystieg]

Just bumping myself in hopes of getting an answer.......

 

[Hans Solo]

I can't speak from experience, but from what I have read here at DIS, you have to be prepared for the heat and humidity. Also, tropical storms may impact your itinerary from cruise to cruise. I believe the ship is pretty full during the summer months because of the kid's school schedules.

 

[christinou]

We went on the 3 night at the beginning of August and it was great, it was hot, but it was hot everywhere.....
The ship was full but it never felt crowded, I am not sure how they do it, but it always feels very confortable.
We are going in February next, and I am sure that we will love it, anything to get us out of upstate NY that time of year is great....