Planning a Dream Cruise for parents' 50th - Summer 2012

[baseballmickey]

Hi everyone!

My wife and I did a cruise on the Wonder in 2002 (back before we got married). Now I find myself in the position of coordinating the cruise portion of my parent's 50th anniversary trip next summer. They want to do the DCL, and in total, I am looking at 18 people. 12 adults, and 6 kids (although in DCL world 4 of those kids are adults).

I am working with an agent from Small World Vacations, but my nightmare right now is I can't get these people to decide what they want!!! I am dreading trying to get deposits from these people too!! (Sorry... just needed to vent.)

I'll be browsing these boards endlessly over the next year. If anyone has suggestions or experience with large groups cruising together, or ideas on how we could make it extra special for the guests of honor, feel free to share.

My kids will be 5 and about 15 months old when we go, so suggestions for the very young are welcome too.

Lastly, a specific question I have is about the transfer service? can you use it if you fly in the day before the cruise? has anyone done that? just don't want to take the chance of having something happen to our flight the morning of the cruise and miss the boat!!!

Thanks for reading!!

James

 

[pxlbarrel]

Most people on this board recommend that you fly in at least one day before the cruise so that any flight delays don't cause you to miss the ship. We flew in a few days before hand and spent a day at Epcot before getting a car to take us to the port.

If there are so many of you, it'll be cheaper if you find a limo service to pick you up from your hotel/airport and take you to the port. The Disney transfers per person for that many people will be extremely costly. Even if you arrive at different times, if there are more than a couple of you at a time, a limo service may still be cheaper than the transfers.

As for any advice about booking such a large group? Take lots of aspirin and have lots of patience. LOL You might be better to not give them any choices. Pick a cruise, date, and tell them what they have to pay. Giving that many people too many choices will result in no decision making for a long time.

 

[sc507]

We have 14 in our group and are flying in the day before. We chose to book a van with Happy Limo to our hotel (Country Inn and Suites) for much cheaper than the cost of Disney transportation. Good luck deciding and with all the planning!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

To the OP, I feel your frustration. My Mom is starting to plan a cruise on the Dream in 2013 to celebrate their 60th. If it happens, Mom & Dad have offered to pay for the cruise, which is very generous. There will only be 11 of us, but a few of those may not appreciate the Disney part of the cruise. Good luck with your planning. -- Suzanne

 

[baseballmickey]

Thanks for the advice so far.

I guess I just assumed that the DCL transportation was complimentary just like DME. I never knew it was so expensive!! Looks like booking a car service is probabably the way to go. As far as transportation goes, I'm only worried about how I am getting my foursome there (me, wife and two kiddies). The rest can discuss the auto train, driving, flying, whatever... I am going to fly down, get us to the boat somehow, then rent a car for our stay at WDW afterwards before flying back home.

Right now, I am just waiting on my sister to let me know if her family of 4 is all staying in one room, or if she wants her kids divided up into the other rooms. Then I think we are set to make our request and get it booked!!

 

[mmouse37]

I have organized several large family/friend groups on a DCL cruise.....next June we have about 35 people going on the Fantasy.

First you all have to decide on a date and an itinerary and even a ship. Once you have the date down I would get sample prices for an inside, o/V and verandah for 2 people give people the prices and explain that if you have more than 2 in the cabin the price is going up etc. You can even get a price for a triple so people have an idea of the the cost.

I find it is much easier to have everyone handle their own deposits, names, birthdates, etc. directly to DCL or the TA if using one. To try to collect and handle all the money yourself will be a huge headache and if any of the info is wrong they can't say you messed it up.

I try to give out all the options and give advice but it is ultimately up to each family to book the cruise. I also find that if you have the conversation that not everyone has to be attached to the hip at the cruise and that people have the freedom to do what interests them....they are more inclined to not feel pressured. We always have dinner together but during the day everyone is free to do their own thing....if many want to do an excursion together...great...but no one should feel they have to do whatever everyone else is doing. By verbalizing it ahead of time it can really help people's expectations.

Sometimes I will just book a cruise and then tell all our friends/family when we are going and if they want to come fantastic.

Just want to add that NOW is the time to get them to commit to a specific date....summer 2012 prices have steadily been going up and booking a year out is common...actually booking further than a year out is very common on DCL.

MJ

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I echo what mmouse37 said - you should book ASAP. Summer is busy and the prices are already high and will just keep going up. You can always book and get the deposit back if you have to cancel or if the relatives don't pay you!

 

[baseballmickey]

I think it's time to put our proverbial foot down... and get this trip booked! At the very least, my sub-group of 4 will be booked for the cruise! Making one last round of calls to see who's on board with getting booked this week... all slackers on their own after that!

 

[baseballmickey]

Just updating that we officially booked the cruise, August 1, 2012!!! Everyone is booked!! Let the planning begin!!!

Thank you to all who read this thread and chimed in with comments and suggestions!