Hey everyone. I just got back with my wife, mom, sister, brother-in-law and 3 nieces from Disney's Saratoga Springs. I strongly looking into taking the Disney Cruiseline in May for our 12th Wedding Anniversary. I know nothing of cruises. Even when they talk about credits. Can I get a crash course lesson and tips on our next vacation? It would be help us very much. Thanks, Kevin
Too much to write in a post, but I encourage you to read the boards, including the FAQ post and other helpful information posts at the top of the forum, and consider buying or borrowing a book like the Passporter book, that contains a great overview of everything you need to know about DCL.
I agree. We basically did the same thing as you. We had just finished our amazing WDW vacation at Coranado Springs and on the way back to the the airport (on the Magical Express) they showed the DCL video. We went on the website to start getting our basic information. We chose the date(s) that we could travel and destinations that we would want to go to. From there, we selected a cruise and booked it through our travel agent. As for cabin choice, we just kind of chanced it and took one of the cabins available on the deck we wanted. I did buy the Passporter's Cruise book for extra info after we booked and then spent lots of time on these boards. We just got back from our cruise and had a wonderful time. But the book and the boards can give you lots of info ahead of time (prior to your reservation) on cabin choice, Palo reservations, excursions, etc.
Read the boards and ask any questions you may have. Check the frequently asked questions on the top of the page, and then check the link in my sig line. Its more of a condensed version of the faqs and tips threads that are on the board.
You have to start somewhere. I first went to the DCL website and looked at everything they had there. I priced out cruises and played with my options. You can order the DVD there. Next, I found the DIS boards. Just read ask questions. Look at the photos. Look at the Navigatiors. I loved photo of the day. You can really educate yourself between the two sites and then book your cruse and just enjoy. Then book your next one and next one..... Enjoy the journey....
You can't go wrong with a DCL cruise if you like WDW. The cruise is better than the parks. OK, start by choosing your dates. You can look up prices on many web sites on line. Prices vary with the date and the cabin category. Most cabins hold 4 people--with your group of 8, you'd be looking at 2 cabins. You can get them with an interior door between them or not. You might choose 3 cabins for a bit more room (you and wife in one, sis/brother in law in one, grandma and at least one kid in one, other kids wherever.) You pay adult fare for the first 2 people in a cabin regardless of age. OK, then you decide--inside cabin, outside with porthole, or outside with balcony. In my experience, the shorter the cruise the less we use the balcony. You could even choose one or two cabins with a balcony and the third across the hall inside (which would be cheaper). The talk of credits--some travel agents give you an onboard credit as a "thanks for booking" gift. These work just like real money and can be applied to any onboard expense, including tips. In addition, if you make ALL payments using your Disney Visa card, you would get $50 onboard credit for each cabin. You also get $25 per cabin for booking on line (your TA can book this way for you too). SO...you can get $75 per cabin from Disney + whatever more your TA may give you. The nice thing is that the listed cost of the cruise includes everything you NEED to spend except tips (tips are $12 per person for each day of the cruise, so on a 4 night cruise you would calculate $48 for each person in your group). You CAN spend a small fortune on the ship or you can have a totally wonderful cruise and spend very little. Places that you can spend money are Shutters (photo shop) $10-20 per photo depending on size. OUCH! We use our own camera. The character attendants are happy to take family shots with your camera. Soda/milk/juice/coffee/tea are included. Alcohol, smoothies, and specialty coffees are extra...but you are allowed to bring your own alcohol if you wish. Shore excursions--prices range from a $6 tube rental on Castaway Cay to $400 for a "Dolphin Trainer for a day" experience. You can bring your own snorkel equipment, and you can have a great time exploring islands on your own. For a first timer, I'd suggest an expert travel agent who specializes in Disney. I'd only deal with one who has sailed on DCL and who would speak to me on the phone before, during, and after the booking. I'd choose experience and service as more important than the amount of onboard credit or booking gift they'd give you. That's for starters. REad here...consider the passporter, but realize that DCL is constantly changing and that any book is out of date by the time it is printed despite the best intentions of the authors. The info here is actually more current.
