Thinking about a cruise...help!

[kelscross]

We were thinking of changing up our annual trip to WDW this year by going on the cruise instead. I have NO clue about the DCL. I have two children ages 3 and 4. I was looking at the website for some idea of pricing but they only give adult prices. Is there a different price for children? What time of year is good to go? I am in nursing school so I can only go on break which would be the end of March, Middle of June through Labor day and December.

Which would be better the land/sea or the 7 day cruise? Will my children enjoy a cruise? They love swimming and stuff like that.

Help...I'm clueless!

 

[Pidge]

You may want to purchase either Passporter's Guide to the Disney Cruise or Birnbaum's Guide to the Disney Cruise, both can answer many of your questions and I found them to be quite helpful before taking our first cruise. You can purchase these at Amazon.com or at Borders.

 

[DrCavin]

You have found a great spot for gaining knowledge of a Disney Cruise, this board is amazing at what you can find out....

Not sure how Disney displays their pricing, but look at http://www.allseastravel.com/ they have pricing listed on it.

If you want to do a land/sea package, people here have recomended that you book it yourself & not as a package deal, saves some $$ & gives you more options.

One thing to keep in mind is booking early will save you some $$$..

 

[kikipug]

IMHO, 3 (or 4) days isn't enough time to cruise OR enjoy WDW- I would either choose a 7-day DCL cruise, or do a full week in the parks (and hit SeaWorld too)... don't try to cram both into one week!!

 

[alexandrew]

is appropriate if you have never cruised before...cruising is not for everyone, so a 3 or 4 day is a way to get a taste of the cruising experience without the financial and time commitments of the 7 day....maybe do a 3-day and MK for 2 days...I dont recommend a DCL land/sea package, as you could do much better cost-wise booking your own accommodations....

 

[daisy112878]

When looked at the DCL website the price they give you is a total amount. On the front page of the website on the far left is a box that you can put which length of cruise, month and year, and how many adults and kids. If you put 2 kids then they will ask ages for them. It should then give you a listing of all cruises and category rooms avaible in the month you chose. Then the next screen will give you a total price not per adult. We have gone though Dreams Unlimited (www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com) to book our cruises. I highly recommend checking out Travel agents for lower prices.

My sister, her DH, and their two kids are doing a 7 night for their first cruise. Just prepare yourself with medicine for motion sickness.

I have also heard to book land/sea separate without using disney. Everyone says it's cheaper to do it separte.

Good luck and the disboards are great for info. Also check out www.dcltribute.com

 

[faireygod mother]

We have done both the land and sea and the 7 day with 3 and 4 yearold. To be honest I think the cruise was a bigger hit. There was so much to do and there were characters. They could be on a schedule with nap time as well. While at WDW it was difficult for naps and they ended up being cranky.

The cruise is like a vacation for both adult and child. You and your DH could have some alone time while the children are at the oceaneers lab having a grand time.

Then you can have family time with activities and the pools. Some of the ports have great beaches as well.

I agree with alex either do a week at WDW or the 7 day cruise or do the 3 or 4 by itsself to see if you will like cruising.

We are taking our DN next month on a 3 day cruise to see if he is going to like it.