Please help me plan my cruise!

[thotfulspot]

I'm in need of some expert advice, and who qualifies more than the experienced, knowledgable Disney Cruise sailers here?

In two years, I turn 40 and my Dad turns 65, and I want to celebrate with a family Disney Cruise. School vacation times limit us to a week either in October or just after Christmas (or summer -- would a Caribbean cruise in summer be a recipe for disaster?).

How should I start my research? Does anyone have an opinion on the best time to go? We're going to be the four of us plus my Dad -- what cabin options would be the best?

I bow to your collective wisdom! Thanks a lot for any help!

 

[westjones]

Well if price is a consideration there is a BIG difference in October and the week at Christmas.

If you are on a budget, I would say to watch for when the 2006 dates open and on that day try to book the secret porthole rooms (they go very fast). Then you will get a 'free' window and you will get early booking savings.

To compare prices, just look at 2005 priced on All Seasons Travel website:


http://www.allseastravel.com

If cost isn't a problem, then book at Christmas, it is suppose to be beautiful that time of the year (we haven't gone then yet, but love the pictures others have posted).

Figure you budget and work from there. That is my suggestion.
DJ

 

[TheWog]

Summer in the Caribbean is not a disaster, but you will have a full ship with lots of kids for a lot of money. October will be your most cost effective time to sail, beware it is hurricane season so a port or two could change. The weather in summer will be very hot, other times it will be just hot. So it depends on what you want and what your budget allows. We go in January and love it. Weather perfect, temps are great. Christmas would be great with the decorations, but as said above very costly.

Go to dcltribute.com, cast away club.com (no spaces) and passporter.com. Order the passport guide to DCL and that will help you tremendously. Also go to websites for the islands you wish to visit. They can give different ideas on temps or activities for different times of the years and of course keep asking questions here. We know everything

Good luck in your research.

 

[KELLIE JONES]

why not go in october and get a catagory 3 suite?


http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/d...dex?id=C3OneBedroomSuiteWithVerandahStateroom

or maybe a 2 bedroom suite

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/d...dex?id=C2TwoBedroomSuiteWithVerandahStateroom

it really all depends on what your budget is. if you cant get one of the suites, then you might want to consider 2 staterooms.

 

[thotfulspot]

Wonderful! Thank you for all the tips! Now I've got a great place to start!

 

[Zandy595]

The least expensive category that sleeps 5 people is cat. 4. Or you could book two cabins. Some people book a cat. 6 with a verandah and a cat. 11 (inside, no window) right across the hall.

 

[PoohJen]

I originallly booked the Family Verandah for my family of five, but then reallized for the same $$ I could get a Cat 6 verandah and Cat 11 across the hall (much more space, plus the extra bathroom). (AND THEN my new pals on the Cruise Date forum hooked me up with their group rate and I got 2 verandahs side by side for less $!!)

Also, note that DCL has LOTS of connecting staterooms!

Have fun! You'll be posting pink bouncy things with the rest of us in no time!

 

[PinClubs]

I have only sailed in the summer because of the school year and enjoyed all of them.

If you have a large party make note of the rooms that connect. For example click on the link and look at the rooms with the small black triangles that point to each other. This means the rooms are connected.

Disney Cruise Ship Deck Plan - Deck 6

The best deal is to book while on a Disney cruise, since this is not an option choose a date far in advance (18 months - 2 years) and book when the dates are released. An early booking discount can save you $1,000 or more dollars depending on room category and party size.

Your best bet is to check in here and read the posts. A lot can be learned from this message board. Most cruise boards are dedicated to cruising which covers all the cruise lines, but this is the best board for Disney cruises so hang out and have fun.

Good luck,

Jeff

 

[DutchsMommy]

Have you looked at the DIS "home" page? I often forget about the huge amount of info on this site - I just go directly to the boards. But if you hit "home" at the top of the page, there is tons of info about the Disney Cruise Line (DCL). There are pics of the staterooms - even video or 3D pics (I have never gotten these darn things ot work but that's my computer I'm sure). I agree with the other posts. I also have the Passporter Guide to the DCL and it is great!