September Cruising

[FamilyGuy]

Let me preface this by saying that our family has never cruised before, so that the question doesn't seem to petty or silly....

Pricing a cruise for late 2006. It seems as if the pricing is considerably more attractive in Sept 2006, than Oct, Nov or Dec. Other than returning to school in August, and then taking the kids out in Sept for a cruise, I see no other negatives to a September cruise. Is there anything I am missing?

IE... hurricane season, or some other reason why I would not want to sail in September? I mean, I am aware of the hurricanes in Sept of 04, but that was rare, not something that occurs annually.

I am just trying to make sure as we have never cruised before, is there something I am missing?

Also, I am sure the opinions are varied on this one too... keep in mind that we have to book 2 rooms as there will be 6 of us travelling, will inside staterooms be completely sufficient? Or will I really miss the oceanview?

 

[webray]

Hubby and I took our first cruise Sept. 2003. It was fantastic, including the pricing and we wouldn't hesitate to book in September again. The weather was perfect, the seas were calm.

 

[kcashner]

I think we have sailed the past 5 years in September. Yes, it is hurricane season. That had an impact on our cruise in 2004, but not the other years. Generally, the weather is good (the captain will steer away from any bad stuff), the crowds are gone, and the teen population is small. As the mother of a teen, this is important to me.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

 

[zellda]

September or October is my favorite time of year to cruise. Hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30 - so to completely avoid that, you would have to give up 6 months of the year! If there were a hurricane, the ship would just change itineraries as they have done in the past. Prices are so much lower in September that it makes a lot of sense to go then, unless you have children that can't miss school.

Happy planning

 

[HeelMD]

We took the 4 day DCL cruise this past September. It was right in the middle of Hurricaine Frances. Cruise was changed from Sunday to Thursday to Tuesday to Saturday. DCL busted their behinds to make it a good experience which they did, but it did make me a bit gun-shy about Sept. cruising.

 

[FamilyGuy]

Thanks so much to all, for confirming that Sept would be a fine time to sail.

Any opinions as to inside vs outside rooms? I am leaning toward inside staterooms at this point....

 

[Andrea N]

I've cruised a lot, but never in September. That said, I've booked our first Disney cruise for 9/8/05. I also purchased insurance just in case a hurricane comes along and makes a change in our plans.

 

[skoi]

Another confirmation for September. We cruised in Sept 2003, then late Oct. 2004. September was much better. The ship was less crowded. The weather was beautiful-- hot and sunny except for a little spit of rain in Cozumel. The seas were smoother in Sept. but the best thing, FEWER PEOPLE and a much more laid back feel to the cruise.

Inside vs Outside:
We haven't done inside, but we have had the cat 8 outside cabins. I liked the natural light very much. So much we're getting a verandah next time. If it was a choice of we need to have an inside or we don't go, or we have to cut back on excursions, trip to Disney, etc. I'd take an inside. If you want a double bathroom, make sure to get a cat 10. The double bathrooms are great. I wish I could give you better guidance.

Julie

 

[nursegardener]

My hubby and I had a balcony the first cruise and loved it but found that we stayed out there too much and missed other things on the cruise. On the 2nd cruise, we booked an inside and loved it!! Unless the view is a must, I'd say - save the money and book an inside. It forces you to get out and enjoy the ship!

Karen

 

[ChrizJen]

Hi there!
We've only been on one DCL cruise, and it was a 4-night on the Wonder in Sept of '03. The weather could not have been more beautiful! (and I think we were even dodging Hurricane Isabelle!) You can see by my countdown that we're booked again for September on the Magic!

There are only 2 of us, and we did a category 11 (standard inside) on deck 7. We LOVED it!
The only time we were really in the room was to sleep, and the total darkness made sleeping REALLY nice!!!
So I'd recommend inside stateroom, although you'll probably want to go with the deluxe inside since you have more than 2 people. Some category 11-12 sleep 3, but I think it would be a little tight.
(Of course this is coming from someone who's never had an outside stateroom. So maybe I just don't know what I'm missing yet!! )

HTH!
-Christal

 

[cbcable]

no you are not missing anything you hit all the big items (school and weather)
however i know people that have cruised in September and the only problem they had is they will change the ports of call if there in bad weather so they still do everthing they can for you to have a truly magic trip.


hope to see ya there

September 9,2006 magic western

 

[ImNarek]

My DH and I have been on 3 DCL cruises, all in September, and we're booked again for this September. My only worry ever is getting to Orlando - In case the airport itself is closed due to weather. Once I'm there I figure that we're going on a cruise and we'll end up somewhere interesting no matter what because we're already somewhere interesting on a Disney ship.

That said, we do always add travel insurance to help protect against the unknown.

Though I suppose we should say September travel is awful and don't go, you'll have a lousy time, just to keep the crowds down!.