Questions (long) re: 3-night cruise/All Seasons Travel

[Dodie]

Background:

I've been flipping back and forth and fussing over taking a belated 10th anniversary trip with DH for a few months now. (Anniversary is actually 10/30/2003, but DH has new job - no vacation time until 2004, so I've explored spring 2004 dates.)

We did the Eastern cruise in spring 2002 and, at the time, said we'd do the Western two years later (spring 2004).

I've checked prices with DU a couple of times on a few March/April DCL dates, but have been faced with sticker shock. The Western costs more than the Eastern to start with and prices are SIGNIFICANTLY higher than they were in 2002.

I checked with All Seasons Travel (based upon mentions here) and their prices were consistently hundreds of dollars less, no matter which dates I chose. I love DU, have had only good experiences with them, and know that they are intimately related to this board, but a buck saved is a buck saved!

We need a get-away so badly that I have even recently considered asking DH if he could work a couple of weekends to obtain a Thursday and Friday off, so we could cruise (3-night) on our actual anniversary (10/30-11/2).

Questions:

Option 1 (3-night in October 2003):
If you've done the 7-day cruise and the 3-night cruise, how "awful" is it to only have 3-nights on the ship? Is it good, just because it's Disney, or is it depressing because it's just long enough to begin to relax?

Has anyone sailed in October (hurricane season) and encountered awful seas/weather? How did you deal with it?

Option 2 (7-day Western in late April 2004):
Why is the Western more expensive than the Eastern?

If you've done both, how does the Western compare?

Miscellaneous:
I'd like some reassurance about All Seasons from people who have used them. It's so difficult to trust an internet entity to start with and, I've become comfortable with DU but just can't see paying several hundred dollars more to book with them instead.

Thanks!

 

[Michelle]

Of course the 3-night isn't long enough, but if that's all you can do it is definitely worth it! I find that you just pack as much fun into the time you have and enjoy. It's not depressing at all as long as you know that SOMEtime in the future you'll be back for a longer cruise.

The Western is slightly more expensive (on an even comparison with the Eastern regarding early booking savings tiers) because there are more ports, thus higher port charges. As for any one sailing being higher priced than the next; that could be due to a season change or the fact that the more expensive sailing is in a higher early booking savings tier as it is more booked up.

I love both cruises, it's a toss-up between Eastern and Western.

Good luck deciding!

 

[mmouse37]

Going on my 9th DCL cruise on 9/25 - a 3-day. We have already done 1 3-day, 2 4-day and 5 7-Day cruises....I'll take whatever DCL cruise I can get...no matter how long or short!!!

MJ

 

[Dreamer04]

Hi Dodie. I sailed the 4day Wonder in Jan'03. I thought it was too short. But, I couldn't afford the 7 day at that time, Eastern or Western. I promised myself I would go on a 7day Western, and we are booked for 4/10/04. I chose Western because I have never been to those ports of call.

I have sailed twice during hurricane season. Sept 16. The second cruise( to Bermuda) we hit a hurricane. The ship skipped one port, not sure which one (they were both on Bermuda).
I did become seasick. By the time it hit me, I couldn't keep down medicine. It only lasted one night, the next morning I kept down some Dramamine, and that was that. That is the only time I have become seasick, in 4 cruises. And the only storm I've hit.

I can't compare Eastern and Western. I've been on neither.

As for All Seas Travel, I am using them for my trip in April. I am dealing with Sandy and she is a credit to that organization. Knowledgble(sic), helpful, polite and personable. A joy to work with. I was in customer service for over 20 yrs and I am picky. No problems at all. Plus, they have great rates!

If all goes well for this trip, and I am assuming it will, I plan on using them for all my travel plans. They're that good.

Good Luck!

Ursula

 

[ElaineMc]

I will sailing the October 9th 3 day cruise (would love to go longer but DD is in school) and used All Seasons Travel. They have been great in my opinion. I've never cruised before so everything was new to me. I knew how to get the best airline, best hotel deals, but had no clue about cruises. I booked with DCL and then searched the web for" cheap cruises". I came upon AST and emailed for a quote. They were able to save us $1000.00 for the two cabins which I thought was great and called DCL to takover the reservation. I don't know if $2300 including all taxes and insurance is expensive for a category 4 or not but it worked for my family. There's kind of a hodge podge of us going so it is only costing my family $800.00. I've heard others complaining about not receiving their documents in a timely manner ( not necessarily form AST) but I received mine on August 30th, way before cruise date. I say go with whatever travel agency you can save the most with unless it's only a few dollars, then I would go with your regular agent. Good Luck!