Thinking about taking a cruise.

[Jimmy Mouse]

We’ve already done Disney World twice and already have reservations for September 2018. My girls, 6 and soon to be 4 are begging me to take them on a Disney cruise. Spring break will be our only option. So if I book it, do you recommend just winging it? Or should I try to reserve certain events. Also do they have a casino? We would be cruising out of port canaverial.

 

[Dug720]

Spring Break 2018?? Availability is probably slim and rates have probably risen.

No casino on DCL, thank goodness.

You cannot book excursions or Princess or Frozen meet and greets until 75 days in advance. If you want the character meets, you definitely need to sign up for those. Most excursions as well.

 

[COASTIEandMATE]

Just to add to Dug720 post, DCL has family Bingo on most sea days! yes kids can play, and kids can win as long as they are with an adult! It is really a lot of fun ad your Bingo team will keep you laughing!! Shake 'em up Betty!!

 

[soniam]

Actually, depending upon when your Spring Break is, DCL is offering a $100 onboard credit. Here's the link. Discounts are few and far between, so this makes me think that certain dates are not selling well.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/new-disney-cruise-line-offer-includes-100-onboard-credit/

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

it’s been years since I’ve done DCL. Been on Royal Caribbean a few times and loved the casino. I’ve got a package in my cart. Just haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Actually, depending upon when your Spring Break is, DCL is offering a $100 onboard credit. Here's the link. Discounts are few and far between, so this makes me think that certain dates are not selling well.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/new-disney-cruise-line-offer-includes-100-onboard-credit/

The March 10 one isn't showing a lot of availability. It has gone up in price, but for some people, that's just the cost of making a later decision. The March 3 is cheaper. It could be that they have some sailings they want to hype, so they've added in all the spring sailings?

 

[GPaLarry]

Since it was our first DCL cruise (EBPC - 2 weeks) many years ago, we did not plan for anything specific except for a couple excursions and Palo. It kind of depends on how long your cruise is and how much you want to pack into it. Don't over plan your trip, let it come to you. When you see your first Navigator with all the day's activities, you'll wonder how you can squeeze everything into one day, then the next one comes, and the next... In any case, you will have loads of fun with the mouse and friends.

 

[Dug720]

it’s been years since I’ve done DCL. Been on Royal Caribbean a few times and loved the casino. I’ve got a package in my cart. Just haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

If a casino is make or break for you, skip DCL.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

If a casino is make or break for you, skip DCL.

Not a deal maker or breaker. I just couldn’t remember if they had one or not.

 

[NS8VN]

The biggest differences most people might notice between DCL and RCCL (aside of price) is: no casino, no library, and no unlimited drink packages (but unlimited fountain soda is included).

Also, if you haven't been since 1995 you might find things very different since that was back in the Premiere Cruise Line days. It was a Disney themed cruise, but wasn't Disney Cruise Line. So this will be a whole different experience for you.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

The biggest differences most people might notice between DCL and RCCL (aside of price) is: no casino, no library, and no unlimited drink packages (but unlimited fountain soda is included).

Also, if you haven't been since 1995 you might find things very different since that was back in the Premiere Cruise Line days. It was a Disney themed cruise, but wasn't Disney Cruise Line. So this will be a whole different experience for you.

HA! I'm glad you pointed something out! I had to do some research and call my oldest daughter.... It was a Disney cruise. I know this 100% because we went to castaway cay. She then told me I'm getting old lol. We were on the cruise in 1999, she was 9 years old ... born in 1990. funny how we can't quite remember things as we get older lol.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Another consideration would be to take the RCCL cruise this year and watch for the 2019 DCL cruise offerings, which should be out in the next month. You could do 2018 spring break on RCCL and 2019 spring break on DCL and then you'll get the cheapest possible DCL price by booking on opening day.... or wait until 2019 opening day to see the prices and then decide between 2018 and 2019. Book RCCL after that, if you're still interested.

 

[Trera]

The March 10 one isn't showing a lot of availability. It has gone up in price, but for some people, that's just the cost of making a later decision. The March 3 is cheaper. It could be that they have some sailings they want to hype, so they've added in all the spring sailings?

Is that a $100 on board credit from DCL or from Dreams Unlimited?

 

[JWG]

Always book your cruise through a TA. Not because you need to or need their help, but because you'll pay the same price and get an onboard credit (usually).
We love our Disney cruises. Our non-Disney sibling and family love Disney cruises.

 

[Dug720]

Not a deal maker or breaker. I just couldn’t remember if they had one or not.

Ok. I couldn't tell since you mentioned how much you liked it.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

Ok. I couldn't tell since you mentioned how much you liked it.

yeah I do like it ... not all the time though. I used to go to Vegas once a year and always set my limit to $100 per day. If I made money great! if I lost it then oh well. I got to have fun and that's the best part. And a casino will always comp a meal if you gamble so when I did lose and that was quite often, I got to eat a good dinner so the money did not go to waste.

 

[SteveMP]

The biggest differences most people might notice between DCL and RCCL (aside of price) is: no casino, no library, and no unlimited drink packages (but unlimited fountain soda is included).
.

Really? The biggest differences we noticed between our DCL ship compared to RCCL was no FlowRider, no ice skating, and no rock climbing wall. The casino on our RCCL ship you wouldn't know was there if you didn't go looking for it. I took MiL one night because no one else would. It was fine, kind of small, and not very crowded. I guess on DCL i usually bring my own book and tead in the coffee lounge or adult pool area, never really missed having a library.

 

[Dug720]

Really? The biggest differences we noticed between our DCL ship compared to RCCL was no FlowRider, no ice skating, and no rock climbing wall. The casino on our RCCL ship you wouldn't know was there if you didn't go looking for it. I took MiL one night because no one else would. It was fine, kind of small, and not very crowded. I guess on DCL i usually bring my own book and tead in the coffee lounge or adult pool area, never really missed having a library.

Which ship?? Not Radiance class...the bloody thing is right off the atrium and the sound and the stench of smoke permeates everything around it on Radiance Class. No need to "go looking for it".

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

Really? The biggest differences we noticed between our DCL ship compared to RCCL was no FlowRider, no ice skating, and no rock climbing wall. The casino on our RCCL ship you wouldn't know was there if you didn't go looking for it. I took MiL one night because no one else would. It was fine, kind of small, and not very crowded. I guess on DCL i usually bring my own book and tead in the coffee lounge or adult pool area, never really missed having a library.

I Loved RCCL! It's been awhile but I sailed on Sovereign of the Seas twice. We docked in Puerto Rico and had a night of gambling and dinner at the Condondo Plaza. Very memorable vacation! But I am more interested in a vacation for my kids now days. But when they get older .....

 

[starvenger]

Which ship?? Not Radiance class...the bloody thing is right off the atrium and the sound and the stench of smoke permeates everything around it on Radiance Class. No need to "go looking for it".

Yeah that’s a terrible spot for it. I will say that on Harmony, the elevator banks closest to the smoking half of the casino smelled heavily of smoke. Yet in the non-smoking half it was actually quite pleasant with barely any smell.