Please help a confused newbie!

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Hi all

We are thinking of doing the 12/12 Wonder cruise which would be our first cruise with kids and 1st disney cruise ever. I have too many questions to even ask on one thread, but I am totally at sea here () and really need your expert help.

1. Can we do better with prices by booking with someone other than WDW? if so, where?

2. Is it better to buy airfare and transfers and insurance separately to save money, or too risky? Our quote for airfare seems very high.

3. Is a category 9 just too tiny for a group of 4 (me, my mother, my sons ages 3 and 5)? [DH gets sea sick]

4. Are Disney cruises really the only way to go with kids? Other cruise lines seem less pricey.

Thanks so much for any help and suggestions.

 

[cristit14]

Hi, I can't help with all of your questions, but I will see what I can do.
1. Not sure. Maybe someone else can answer.
2. I think it probably is better to book airfare, transfers and insurance separately. When we went in July we had DCL do all of it and I think that we could have gotten a better deal doing it on our own. Also we could have had some say in our flight times.
3. Cat 9 should be fine for the four of you. We had cat 9 in July for myself, DH, DD 8 and DS 6. We had plenty of room and storage room.
4. Not sure if it is the only way to go with kids. Our first cruise was Disney and we booked another Disney cruise for next year. I like the fact that there is no casino and all of the staterooms are non-smoking.

Have fun planning!!!!

 

[ncyorkclan]

Better pricing? I do not know, we are DVC members and have always booked through DVC. Sorry.

Book Separate? Again, we always book separate. These days you can usually get better airfare quotes off the internet.

Category 9? I would suggest Cat 6, for two adults and two youngsters the ages you indicated. However, your budget must be your guide. I have stayed in large cabins and small cabins, and had a great time regardless of the cabin size.

DCL for Kids? My personal opinion is that DCL cannot be beat for young passengers. My DS was 5 on his first Disney cruise, and he couldn't get rid of that smile on his face. One night he sat in Goofy's lap watching the Goofy Movie! How you like to watch [your favorite movie] with [your favorite actor]? Yes, other cruise lines are cheaper, and I have cruised with them ad had lots of fun; however, for young children, there is no beating the DCL.

JMHO

 

[goofyforlife]

Don't feel bad we were all new at this once...

1. Some times you can do better than DCL prices by pricing around. Try search on the internet or look at who some of our other posters have tried. My last two cruises I booked directly with dcl because if I want to make changes....I can call them myself. (with a travel agency you have to talk to them and then wait until they talk to DCL.)


2. I've always gotten my air and transfers (rental car) myself and saved money and time because we can make our own schedule and aren't herded onto disney's schedule and bus.

(But if your not comfortable with handling all the luggage and since it's your first time...consider Disney Transportation.)

3. Category 9 should be OK for four. (but the lower deck location is not always the best.)

4. Lastly, yes there are other cruise lines with lower prices....but you have to realize a disney cruise is more kid friendly...NO casinos and heavy drinking/parties on the ship...., the kids programs and characters are great and I have to say that Disney's private island is to die for......

I wish they would just stay there for two days.....

 

[din]

Let's see we can muddy the waters more!!!

1. Try the different web sites, particularly the sponsors on this site. Best is booking on board for the next trip....

2. We always book air by ourselves, that way we can control departure time and locations.

3. We always have cat 9. Lots of lights and big enough for the four of us. But anothe rposter said it appropriately, let the budget be your guide...

4. Do not know about other line, but from the people we have met on the ship loves DCL over other cruise. Bias maybe...

I donot know of other cruise does this, but DCL limits the number on of kids on each cruise. In looking at other cruise, DCL seem to offer longer kids club hours and also more activities.

It is a shame that your DH is not coming. Just to let you know I am the only one in the family that is prone to sea sickness. I was a little concern before our first cruise, but as you can see we are now hooked on cruising. Only once did I need to use a patch due to med waves seas. Something to consider....

 

[pvangordon]

Another opinion for you:

1. Can we do better with prices by booking with someone other than WDW? if so, where?

Generally yes and I wish I had known this myself! Non-Disney rates can run several hundred dollars less than the prices paid directly through Disney. If you book directly through Disney, you can transfer the booking to an agent to receive better fares. Agents often specialize in certain lines and buy a block of rooms to get group discounts. I can't recommend a specific agent, but when I booked two cruises on other lines for 2005, I did so through two different websites. After talking with both agents on the phone, I found I really liked one over the other and will be using her again (in fact, I'll be transfering my next DCL booking to her). So you may want to do a search for Disney-specialist websites and call the agencies behind them to find one you like.

2. Is it better to buy airfare and transfers and insurance separately to save money, or too risky? Our quote for airfare seems very high.

I always book my air separately because I like to choose the airline, schedule, etc. Most people recommend that you fly in at least a day before in case there are any travel snafus. As I was waiting to catch my outbound flight last Saturday, I was amazed at how many people arrived for the 9/18 sailing at 11 am and even later.

I like the convenience of DCL transfers. The feeling of walking from the plane to the main terminal and seeing lots of blue-jacketed DCL reps ready to help me and make my trip special gets me excited for the trip! I like having my luggage taken directly from the airport to my cabin. The buses are comfortable and you get to watch a video that prepares you for the adventure. Transfers can be pricey for a family or larger group though (it's just me and DH traveling, so not a big deal).

I got insurance through Disney for my first two bookings, before I learned I didn't have to buy it so early. This time around, I'll let my agent help me with it.

3. Is a category 9 just too tiny for a group of 4 (me, my mother, my sons ages 3 and 5)? [DH gets sea sick]

No idea about the Cat 9, as I've only stayed in a Cat 7. Generally they say lower is better for motion, but I've heard people say they felt it more on lower decks.

4. Are Disney cruises really the only way to go with kids? Other cruise lines seem less pricey.

Kids will probably have fun on just about any cruise, but I think DCL would be extra special. Everything is very geared towards families and the pre-existing familiarity with Disney should make it that much more exciting. I've been telling all my co-workers and friends with kids that they HAVE to do a Disney cruise at some point.

 

[PoohJen]

For Question #1, good sites to look at are www.allseastravel.com and www.vacationstogo.com

I like these sites b/c they post prices right on the web, so gives you an idea for comparison.

As for #4, DCL was my first [and only]choice for my 3 kids under 12 - first, because Disney always impresses me with their quality when we do Disney vacations and second, b/c of the great variety of family/kid/adult activities. I liked that there is children's programming from 9 to midnight, so we can do family things and also have time for my DH and I to try some "night life". (of course, who am I fooling?! We'll be exhausted by 9pm, I'm sure! ]

Happy Planning!

 

[lbgraves]

3 - We were in an 8 with DH, myself, DD 3 & DS 5 last year & it was plenty of room for us on a 7 day. We booked a 10 this year so that we have the same sq footage.

4 - IMO with kids that age, DCL is the best there is out there with their kids programs. We wont be trying anyone else for a while.

 

[daisy112878]

Hey,

I highly recommen Dreams Unlimited and Sue Ellen. I got quotes from Disney Cruise, Dreams Unlimited and All Seasons. DU had the lowest price of all three. Our price included transfers and insurance but not airfare. We are doing that on our own. For us it is cheaper to do airfare ourselves then through disney and we wanted to come into Orlando on friday. Everyone I have talked to recommended flying down on friday so you have plenty of time to make sure you get down there. We are going to cancel our transfers to the port and actually rent a car and drive over there. Then spend the night at the Radisson by the Port.

On insurance you'll get plenty of opinions about if it is worth it or not. We got it just to make us feel better and for just in case something may happen.

Can't help with the question about kids b/c we don't have any. But my whole family including my niece and nephew are planning on going summer 2006. They both love love love disney and the characters so it's perfect for them.

 

[luvalldisney]

I am FL resident so I don't do airlines or transfers, but I can talk about a cat 9 cabin. We went in June with 4 adult women and had enough room. It took a few hours to sort out space, but after a while we each had staked out our territory and it was fine. We had the over the door shoe bag for the back of the split bathroom and the sweater holders for the closet so storage was fine. We put the suitcases and the life vests under the beds. I would have loved to been upgraded to a verandah, but we weren't and we were comfortable. Mother (76) and Mother in law (86) slept in the split bed. I (52) slept on the sofa and daughter (25) slept in the overhead "bin". DM had part of the closet and the dresser, DMIL had part of the closet and the chest, DD and I used the sweater holders in the closet as a dresser and then one drawer of the desk for each of us. The extra storage of the sweater holders and shoe holders made all the difference for us. While we tried to pack light (lol) you can't get grown women from 4 different households to pack light or even share suitcase room. If we would have had the money a suite or verandah would have been great, but it was not to be. We were on the second floor aft (2016 ?) and it was a great room. The only problem was the first night I did not close the drapes over the porthole window and at 7 am the window washer was out there doing our windows! I was not ready for someone working outside my room while in the middle of the ocean! If you can afford a bigger room get it, but if you can't you will be fine with 2 adults and 2 kids!

 

[Mainebound]

I want to thank you all for your replies. This has just been a tremendous help.

We are still not sure what we will do, but I'm feeling a lot better about our options.

thank you!!