Thinking about a 7-Night Cruise with 2 calls at CC, need help

[RayRing]

I was thinking of making reservations for the: 7-Night Caribbean Cruise with 2 Calls at Castaway Cay, for either October 14, 2006 or November 11, 2006 (which I would think would be November 12, 2006).

We are a family of 2 Adults and 2 small children, and DVC Members. We have not cruised before, but have Reservations on a 3-Night Cruise on March 3rd, 2005.

I have poured over the posts here, but have additional questions. It would be great if some experienced cruisers could help out.

1) How do people think the new, 7-Night Caribbean Cruise with 2 Calls at Castaway Cay itinerary will compare to the other 7-Night cruises, for a family with a 4 and 6 year old. Are there other 7-Night cruises that would be better?

2) I wanted to select a cruise which was a compromise between: cost and weather (calm and warm - but not hot). Does anyone have thoughts on which would be better Mid October or Mid November. Are there other Dates, that you think would be a better selection?

Comments on these questions, or any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hieatt]

We cruised DCL once before in October of 2001 with a 3 and a 1year old, and we are booking the October 14, 2006 cruise with our kids who will be 8, 6, 4 and 3 at time of sailing.

Our absolute favorite time on our first cruise was Castaway Cay and we commented that we wouldn't mind if it was the only stop... I don't think the excursions to the other ports are all that great with young kids, so we are excited about the 2 calls to Castaway Cay.

The weather was just fine during our 2001 cruise - I recall it being really hot and humid when we embarked, but the whole trip I thought was perfect weather. I wouldn't know about November, but I would expect it to be just as good, if not a little better even.

 

[Reenieny18]

My family and I were on the first 10 day cruise that took us to Costa Maya and Galveston. Many of us rebooked again for 2006. The 2 days at CC will be great. Costa Maya was so relaxing. They only allow 2 cruise ships a day there. August was hot but you had the pool and oceans right there... it was not miserable for us(most of the time).

think about Aug 19 2006 and join our thread...
Doreen

 

[RayRing]

Thanks for the info.

I like the idea of two stops at CC with the Kids. I think they would like that much more then the traditional ports of call.

I am leaning towards October, because I think, on average, it will be a little bit warmer at CC and in the Ocean. Also, we have been to WDW in October, and the weather was just about right.

My wife is leaning towards November, because she thinks it will be a little bit more of a Cold Weather get-away (we live near Boston). Also, we have been to VB twice in October, and the ocean was a little rough from some small weather patterns out to sea.

Now we just have to take our best guess, and hope for the best.

 

[dclwdwlover]

I agree with everyone else. If you have young children, they would probably much prefer CC to the other ports. CC is non-commercialized & there is a play area for young children in the water at the family beach. With the other stops you would have to do (& pay for) an excursion. I don't know if you have to pay to go onto the beaches at the usual ports on that itinerary.

I don't like HOT weather, either & we traditionally cruise in October, but last year it was early Nov. & I found the weather very comparable. We're looking at the same two dates as you are & when I called DCL, the prices were cheaper for the same room/same people on the October sailing.

 

[RayRing]

Well I called the same TA we used for our upcoming March 3rd., 2005, 3-Night cruise.

I asked them a thousand question and was still no closer to making a decision between Oct. 14 or Nov. 11, 2006.

I was going to think about it for a week or so, but then thought, that the even if the price didn't go up, the room selections would be less.

I decided on the Nov. 11, 2006 7-Night cruise. I booked a Cat 6 (and tried not to think to much about the marginal cost between a Cat 9 and a Cat 6)

dclwdwlover, you are right. the Nov. 11th. cruise was about 200 dollars more than the Oct. 14th. cruise.

I don't know if we will use some of our DVC points and stay at WDW before or after the cruise (and go to the parks a couple of days). It is a long way off, and there is plenty of time for planing.

I just hope that when the cruise finely arrives, that the wheather is great!

Thanks to all.

PS.

When we were given our room selection, I had a couple of concerns. I called the TA back, and asked if we could change. He kept me on hold while he call Disney and found another possible room.

While I was on hold, I did a quick search in this forum, for our room assignment.

To my surprise, there were several good reviews of the room location.

When the TA came back on the line, to give me the alternative, I said, "I know I asked for another room, but I want to keep the first selection". He said OK, and it was booked.

Thanks again to everyone who contributes to these forums. It's like having a ton of friends you can share information with.