Please Help This Cruise Newbie

[cicero]

HELP! Where do I start??!!! I've become fairly expert (if I do say so myself!!) over the past few years in arranging my family's WDW vacations, and have prided myself on knowing how to get the most bang for our buck.

Now we have decided to take a Disney cruise, and I feel like a complete beginner. The only knowledge I have is our preferred sail date (February 12, 2004). When it comes to issues such as room sizes, land and sea packages vs. sea packages alone, 3 day vs. 4 day, air fare included vs. air fare arranged on our own, availability of discounts (AAA? Government employee? Disney Club?), booking through Disney vs. through other sources, etc., I am at a loss and have no idea where to begin. So.....PLEASE HELP!!! Where do I start??!!!

Some details: Family of 4 (kids are daughter 6 and son 4), Northern NJ, would like to combine cruise with short (@ 3 day) WDW stay,...

Thanks!

 

[Karel]

Personally, if you have the time and like to plan, I think it's cheaper to book Disney World on your own, apart from your cruise.

Take it one step at a time, deciding length and room category first. I recommend a four night unless you think some of your party may dislike the cruise and you just want to try it out first. OTH, a three night would go nicely with a WDW trip. Then look through discounts, because you have to compare apples to apples. I think air is one of the last things you can tack on, especially if you do WDW on your own. Then you'll have to book your own airfare.

 

[KarenK]

Price is going to be the biggest option, 3, 4, 7 days on the ship has a very broad range. I would get a spreadsheet going and see from the Disney site the cost of the cruise, maybe pricing all three options. The call DU and get their price. Then try cruise.com and another on-line travel agent to get their prices. Just make sure you compare apples to apples. Say a 4 day cruise with airfare and transfers included from all your travel sources. I find the base prces to be pretty much the same everywhere. It is the early booking discont that will lower the fare and if the TA is giving back any money or stateroom credits. If you book with AAA, I hear they give you the refillable soda mug as a gift.

I would recommend the 4 day cruise with 3 days at WDW. I just find the 3 day cruise too short and by time you get your sea legs and know where you are headed you are of the ship.

Now if you are a govt employee book the land portion on your own because you will get a great discount on hotel rooms. Disney charges $49.00 per person for transfer you might be able to rent a car for less since you are going to WDW beforhand.

Just keep the questions coming, we will all be glad to answer.

 

[Dodie]

In addition to this site, visit:

http://www.dcltribute.com/
http://www.castawayclub.com/

Print the Word version of the Magical Cruise Guide from here:
http://wdwig.com/mdcg.doc to read at your leisure.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

If you go to www.disney.com and go to get a quote you will see that sailing or being at WDW for Valentines day is a lot more expensive than the week before. It looks like a Feb. 5 thru 12 pkg. is about 1400.00 less expensive than the week of valentines day............good luck!!