Planning 1st Cruise... suggestions, anyone?

[amy delaune]

I am looking into a cruise for 2017 to celebrate my 40th (woohoo). It really must be Disney. I have not been on a cruise and the options have me wondering which cruise (destination/ship) to choose. Any suggestions, especially from someone who has been to more than one of the destinations is greatly appreciated. Is going to castaway cay a must for a first time trip (possibly a one and only trip)?
I am quite the Disney fan, that is why I ask about Castaway Cay.

I plan to go in November 2017 (Thanksgiving week). Although, this can be moved to the summer. So, that may play into destination, etc.

Also, I live in New Orleans, I realize i can get away with a cheaper trip by leaving from Galveston (can drive). But, I should be able to fly, if needed to leave from Port Canaveral.

Thanks for any feedback.

OH! I have 4 children... ages (at that time) 19, 17, 13, and 6 years of age (3 boys, 1 girl)

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

If you can a seven night Disney Fantasy cruise. New ship, great entertainment, kids will love it and castaway.

 

[amy delaune]

If you can a seven night Disney Fantasy cruise. New ship, great entertainment, kids will love it and castaway.

Thanks! I am looking at a 7 night. Is it cheaper to book further out?

 

[squirk]

I am looking into a cruise for 2017 to celebrate my 40th (woohoo). It really must be Disney. I have not been on a cruise and the options have me wondering which cruise (destination/ship) to choose. Any suggestions, especially from someone who has been to more than one of the destinations is greatly appreciated. Is going to castaway cay a must for a first time trip (possibly a one and only trip)?
I am quite the Disney fan, that is why I ask about Castaway Cay.

I plan to go in November 2017 (Thanksgiving week). Although, this can be moved to the summer. So, that may play into destination, etc.

Also, I live in New Orleans, I realize i can get away with a cheaper trip by leaving from Galveston (can drive). But, I should be able to fly, if needed to leave from Port Canaveral.

Thanks for any feedback.

OH! I have 4 children... ages (at that time) 19, 17, 13, and 6 years of age (3 boys, 1 girl)

We live in Covington, and as you said, it would be a lot easier and cheaper to go to Galveston, but we always drive to Port Canaveral to sail on the Dream-class ships. I might guide you to do the same if this is truly a "one and only" trip. We have done the E. Caribbean and the Bahamian itineraries, usually in late May right after school gets out.

Southwest is by far your best bet to fly to MCO from MSY in terms of price and schedule. Driving is much cheaper, of course, provided you have enough room on your schedule for a full driving day there, and another back. Thanksgiving week is pricey, so take a good look at those summer fares before you book.

For a crew of your size and ages, I don't think you want to squeeze everybody in one room. Two connecting cabins will most likely be much cheaper than a suite.

Bear in mind, your 19-y.o. is in kind of a no-man's land in terms of their age. They are too old for the teen club, but not old enough to drink. DCL has added some ad-hoc spaces for such young adults, but there isn't a dedicated space for people their age.

It is almost always best to book as far out as possible. Not only do you lock in the lowest fare you are likely to get (especially for Thanksgiving week), but you also have a better selection of rooms.

And yes, CC is worth it.

 

[emnems34]

Definitely do not miss castaway! Especially if it might be your only trip!

 

[amy delaune]

We live in Covington, and as you said, it would be a lot easier and cheaper to go to Galveston, but we always drive to Port Canaveral to sail on the Dream-class ships. I might guide you to do the same if this is truly a "one and only" trip. We have done the E. Caribbean and the Bahamian itineraries, usually in late May right after school gets out.

Southwest is by far your best bet to fly to MCO from MSY in terms of price and schedule. Driving is much cheaper, of course, provided you have enough room on your schedule for a full driving day there, and another back. Thanksgiving week is pricey, so take a good look at those summer fares before you book.

For a crew of your size and ages, I don't think you want to squeeze everybody in one room. Two connecting cabins will most likely be much cheaper than a suite.

Bear in mind, your 19-y.o. is in kind of a no-man's land in terms of their age. They are too old for the teen club, but not old enough to drink. DCL has added some ad-hoc spaces for such young adults, but there isn't a dedicated space for people their age.

It is almost always best to book as far out as possible. Not only do you lock in the lowest fare you are likely to get (especially for Thanksgiving week), but you also have a better selection of rooms.

And yes, CC is worth it.

Thanks! This is the kind of info. I need. I will pay more for a better location and ship (and, we always fly SW!). My 19 year old can deal, lol. We don't drink, so he will be okay. He is actually the one who is begging for a cruise... we keep "dragging" him to DisneyWorld.

 

[Imahikergirl]

There is the 1820 Society for the 19 year old. They have their own activities that are listed in the Navigator.

 

[squirk]

Thanks! This is the kind of info. I need. I will pay more for a better location and ship (and, we always fly SW!). My 19 year old can deal, lol. We don't drink, so he will be okay. He is actually the one who is begging for a cruise... we keep "dragging" him to DisneyWorld.

Then I'd compare summer vs. Thanksgiving week. Depending on when you can sail in the summer, it might be cheaper and less crowded. Given how early we get out of school down here, we always book as soon as possible after that last day of school in the third week of May. That is usually much sooner than the North gets out, so our fares are lower than they will be in, say, the first week of June.

Also, consider Mardi Gras week - most of the country is not out of school then, and fares are even cheaper. We will be doing this Fantasy 7-day E. Carib itinerary for the fifth time this coming February (during Mardi Gras week). Castaway Cay might be a little colder than we'd prefer, but we're willing to give it a shot.

 

[amy delaune]

Then I'd compare summer vs. Thanksgiving week. Depending on when you can sail in the summer, it might be cheaper and less crowded. Given how early we get out of school down here, we always book as soon as possible after that last day of school in the third week of May. That is usually much sooner than the North gets out, so our fares are lower than they will be in, say, the first week of June.

Also, consider Mardi Gras week - most of the country is not out of school then, and fares are even cheaper. We will be doing this Fantasy 7-day E. Carib itinerary for the fifth time this coming February (during Mardi Gras week). Castaway Cay might be a little colder than we'd prefer, but we're willing to give it a shot.

I looked up the Summer, not any cheaper... huh. Anyway, our lovely school district brought us down to a 3 day Mardis Gras break . However, I believe this is only for this upcoming school year.

 

[amy delaune]

Also, I do not use a TA for WDW trips, as I feel as though I am pretty perfect at planning these . But, I have read for a cruise, I may get more OBC and such. Do you all use TA for your Disney cruise?
Do you care which section of the ship (aft, forward, midship)?

 

[squirk]

Also, I do not use a TA for WDW trips, as I feel as though I am pretty perfect at planning these . But, I have read for a cruise, I may get more OBC and such. Do you all use TA for your Disney cruise?
Do you care which section of the ship (aft, forward, midship)?

We use a TA, primarily for the OBC. You have to relinquish some control in terms of planning (you can't make payments yourself, you can't modify your res yourself, etc.), but so long as you have a good TA, it's worth it. OBC is usually about 5% of your fare.

We like Midship because the elevator takes us right to the kids clubs, but we prefer Aft because the elevator takes us straight up to Cabanas and straight down to Animators.

 

[CScott095]

So, we have been on 4 Disney Cruises to date and the itineraries have been Key West, Alaska, Eastern Caribbean, and a Western Caribbean. I recommend going to CC because of the beauty, ease, activities, safety, and cleanliness. I do not recommend Alaska as your first, and possibly only, Disney Cruise because it is a completely different experience. It looks like you are already committed to 7 nights, which I'd also recommend and I love love love the Disney Magic!

 

[amy delaune]

So, we have been on 4 Disney Cruises to date and the itineraries have been Key West, Alaska, Eastern Caribbean, and a Western Caribbean. I recommend going to CC because of the beauty, ease, activities, safety, and cleanliness. I do not recommend Alaska as your first, and possibly only, Disney Cruise because it is a completely different experience. It looks like you are already committed to 7 nights, which I'd also recommend and I love love love the Disney Magic!

Any preference on the eastern or western (I realize then destinations are different).

 

[CScott095]

Any preference on the eastern or western (I realize then destinations are different).

I really loved Tortola, it was amazingly beautiful, pushing me to recommend Eastern. For Western, I love Cozumel for scuba diving, Caymen can sometimes be tricky because it requires a transport from the ship to the Port, and I'm not a fan of Jamica. I think the truth is you just can't go wrong on a Disney cruise. If you don't want to get off on the port or you can't find a fun inexpensive excursion then you stay on the ship and it's a total win anyway! We are doing Bahamas in January and I fully intend on staying on the ship for Nassau and I won't feel like I missed a thing! Make sure you try the shawarma not matter what though!!

 

[MPS516]

Any preference on the eastern or western (I realize then destinations are different).

We do prefer the Eastern, more sea days and enjoy the ports. A big plus for Castaway Cay is swimming and snorkeling, water can be chilly in November but many still swim.