Okay, so where do I start planning?

[classicpooh]

So much information! We have decided to do the cruise - but there are so may websites. How do you start planning and find the best price? HELP!

 

[faireygod mother]

First decide what category you want. If you go to DCL's web site you check pares and then compare with Dreamsunlimited and allearsnet.com. Some of the DIsers also use AAA. We have a private TA and deal strictly with her.

If you are unsure what Cat. you might want to check out this web site, dcltribute.com, is a great source of info. You can also order the passporter from passporter.com. It too is an awesome reference tool.

You can also just keep asking questions here and people will be glad to share their experiences with you.

Oh you also need to decide if you want a 3 night, 4 night or 7 night cruise. The if you choose a 7 night you need to decide between a western or eastern. If you can cruise the end of October early a November, I highly recommend it. The weather is great and the price is lower.

Hope this helps, if not just keeping asking questions.

Happy sailing.

 

[American Scrapper]

You have already started! This is the best place for anything you need to know for your up and coming trip. The wonderful people here can answer just about any question you have and can direct you to any website that you may want to look at.

Kathy

 

[Lil1062]

classicpooh

just a side note - so sorry you are missing Philly - we had first snowfall last night - just a dusting - but it doens't matter because the Eagles won!!!

Lil

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

So much information! We have decided to do the cruise - but there are so may websites. How do you start planning and find the best price? HELP!

you have come to the right place to help with planning. start at what time of year you want to cruise. then work on what catagory of stateroom you want. then make payments on the cruise. then this is where the fun begains, start your budget for the cruise. save money here and save money there. make a list of all the things you will need for the cruise. dresses, tux, dress shirts, make up, haircuts, over the door shoe hanger(a must if there is more then 2 in a room. and ofcourse all the little things you will need and do while on the cruise. i hope this is helpful to ya.

 

[ericamanda01]

Ok check with each of these TA's and any others you can think of, get a price quote from each of them.
Dreams unlimited, Micdan.com, allseas, costco and check the DCL site so you can see how different the price is from the TA's.

You need to plan for the cruise, transportation, air, and hotel if you are coming in before the cruise. Also like faireygod mother said decide the length of the cruise but also decide if you want a land and sea or just sea. These boards can help you with everything you need. Just ask and don't worry about a question you may feel is silly. There are no silly questions! And the most important thing to do while planning is have fun!

 

[pixie Mom]

Classicpooh


I pm you some info....

 

[Family Manager]

We just returned from the 7-nt Eastern cruise on the Magic (1/8-15). I have *never* felt more prepared for a vacation than this one. Here are a few of the sources I used:

Passporter - purchased the cruise line guide on their website. They also have a discussion forum and an e-newsletter - www.passporter.com

allearsnet.com - there is a GREAT link on this site to an unofficial cruise line guide that I downloaded for free.

These boards are excellent for asking questions. I learned quite a bit about what I needed/did need for the trip, excursions, etc.

It can be quite overwhelming. Just break up the planning into phases (pre-planning, booking, excursions, packing, etc.). We started planning approx. 6 months before actual sail date.

It is a great vacation, but the more you know ahead of time, the better. It makes you feel less like your missing out on something.

Happy Planning!!

Stacey S.