Question About Booking a Cruise....

[RLRDA]

Hello...I'm going to be booking a Disney cruise for our family for next August, 2012. Does MS book cruises for DVC members that are paying cash or just if they're using points? When September rolls around, I'll be booking the land portion of our trip and I want to ensure that both reservations get linked smoothly.

Also, do the majority of you DVCers that cruise go directly through Disney to book? I've heard that travel agents can't give you a better price but may have on board credits to offer. Is that accurate??

Thanks for any and all info!!

 

[erionm]

MS can only book cruises if you book at least one passenger on points. If booking all cash, either book direct with DCL or a TA. If all cash, pricing will be the same regardless of who books it for you, but many TAs offer better on board credits.

 

[mrsfascinating]

We booked our cruise for 2012 earlier this year and paid cash rather then points (which gave us the ability to throw another Disney trip in next year). We booked through Dreams Unlimited travel (they advertise on disboards) They gave us $150 on board credit (the amount is based on how much you spend on your room category) . We are also using our Disney Visa to purchase the trip and will be receiving another $50 onboard credit once we are paid in full. I checked out several company's including AAA before booking with them the cost of the rooms are all the same, but the amount of onboard credits are all different.

 

[disneynutz]

I'm not positive but I don't think that MS can link DCL and DVC reservations. Disney Travel can if you book a land sea package.

We went on a 7 night incentive cruise last December and we were on our own to make the DCL, DVC, and travel to the port arrangements.

Bill

 

[RLRDA]

Thanks...I saw the add for Dreams Unlimited and clicked on it. I think our cruise would qualify for $150 credit plus I plan on using our Disney Visa as well.

disneynutz....I'm guessing that I could book ME separately then (for the DVC stay then the cruise)?? That was the only reason I thought I would link them if possible.

 

[disneynutz]

disneynutz....I'm guessing that I could book ME separately then (for the DVC stay then the cruise)?? That was the only reason I thought I would link them if possible.

We booked DME for the WDW/MCO transportation and we rented a car for WDW/port and port/WDW transportation. You can pay Disney to bus you from WDW/port and return. If I remember correctly they wanted $75 per person.

Bill

 

[CarolAnnC]

The above is correct, there is no "linking" for a DVC stay and the DCL cruise. The Disney transportation to and from the Port will be more expensive for a family of 5 (like yours) than renting a town car. We always rent our own car and park it at the port. That way we can leave some things in it that we may not actually need on board the ship.

Enjoy!

 

[CarolAnnC]

I'm not positive but I don't think that MS can link DCL and DVC reservations. Disney Travel can if you book a land sea package.

We went on a 7 night incentive cruise last December and we were on our own to make the DCL, DVC, and travel to the port arrangements.

Bill

Actually there are no more "Land and Sea" packages. They did away with those a while back. Times are a changin....

 

[thepops]

Actually there are no more "Land and Sea" packages. They did away with those a while back. Times are a changin....

And yet (as far as I can remember) they still show Captain Hook checking in for a cruise at the resort on the ME buses.
(making you think there still is a land/cruise package)

 

[CarolAnnC]

And yet (as far as I can remember) they still show Captain Hook checking in for a cruise at the resort on the ME buses.
(making you think there still is a land/cruise package)

They do still offer DCL transportation to the Port from selected WDW Resorts. Not Magical Express, there are per person charges. But, no Land and Sea packages..

 

[RLRDA]

And yet (as far as I can remember) they still show Captain Hook checking in for a cruise at the resort on the ME buses.
(making you think there still is a land/cruise package)

Yes, I think that was what gave me the impression that ME would possibly take us from WDW to DCL .

 

[RLRDA]

The above is correct, there is no "linking" for a DVC stay and the DCL cruise. The Disney transportation to and from the Port will be more expensive for a family of 5 (like yours) than renting a town car. We always rent our own car and park it at the port. That way we can leave some things in it that we may not actually need on board the ship.

Enjoy!

So you rent the car for the length of your cruise and leave it parked at the port? Is there a charge to park there - like at the airport?? It would probably still be cheaper than paying per person for the 5 of us, you're right.

 

[mrsfascinating]

We are flying in a day early renting a car and staying a night at a hotel in cape canaveral. They have several hotels that If you stay 1 night you can leave your car there for no extra charge and they shuttle you to and from port. We figured it's less stress worrying about the flight in on day of departure and we always like exploring new area's plus the hotel was around $100 with breakfast and shuttle. Parking at the port is $15/day or less if you park farther away and you still have to drag your luggage to the door.