Thinking of cruising July 2007---questions

[JessetheCowgirl]

We would be visiting WDW first---our annual tradition since becoming DVC members.

We have NEVER cruised before---it would be me, DH, DS 8, DS 6, DD 3 (projected ages----oh, my babies will be so big then!!), and maybe my mom if we can convince her.

I am thinking we will go with the 4 day cruise.

This will be to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary

Questions:

1. Is July miserably hot on the cruise? (We have visited WDW many times in July and survived just fine)

2. When should we reserve?

3. I know we want 2 bathrooms---can't decide whether to go 2 connecting Cat 6 or just go with Cat 3---pros and cons of each???

4. I keep hearing how "relaxing" cruises are. Is this true when you're hauling kiddos around?? Chasing them at the pool? Going on/off the boat for excursions? It sounds about as action packed as WDW to me---am I wrong??

Thank you in advance for your help/suggestions!!!

 

[minnie10]

I can only answer your number 4 question about how relaxing the cruise is. We just returned on Thursday from the 4 day Wonder Cruise. Was it relaxing? The answer is yes and no and it depends. First let me say that it was our first cruise and it was wonderful. I say that it all the magic of WDW without the stress of a million people, and hot long lines. It could be very relaxing if your children cooperate. My DD 10 loved the kid's clubs, but my DS6 was nervous about us leaving him. We actually had to stay with him most of the time to get him to stay. As it always goes on the last day, he started to enjoy staying by himself. The cruise did wonders for my mind. It is peaceful. You can make it as busy or as relaxed as you want it to be. There are lots of things to do or just do nothing. I think you would be fine with the kids the ages that they will be. If they are not afraid to stay without you, I think they would really enjoy the clubs. The cruise was a great experience. I hope this helps.

 

[DrCavin]

If you survived WDW in July, you should be fine on a cruise - yes it will be hot..

Book as soon as the rates are released, watch these boards & you will know when they are released.

Typically booking 2 lower cats are less expensive than one cat 3. With 2 rooms you also have more room.. You do loose the concierge service when booking 2 lower cats.

 

[westjones]

We are DVC members also, so I just wanted to point out that we have found that the 3 day works good for us with our points because we can go to WDW from Sun-Wed nights on points, and then do the 3 night over the weekend when DVC points are so high.

I must admit, I love the 4 night cruise, and do prefer it, BUT when combining a visit to WDW on points with a cruise, it works out better point wise to be on the cruise over the weekend.

Now that said, we ARE using points for a WDW stay as well as going on a 4 night Disney cruise. We are using studios though. I won't use points for 1 or 2 bedrooms on weekends (and I don't really like using points for studios on weekends either--but at least it isn't as bad as the bigger units).

Anyway, just wanted to point that out in case you hadn't thought about it yet. I didn't think about it until I read a comment on the DVC about doing both the cruise and visiting WDW during the same week.

DJ

 

[Buddy Bear]

We have cruised over the 4th of July twice and loved it both times.

The rates should be released at the end of September, early October - book right away as the rates rarely go down the closer you get to your cruise.

The Cat 6s have split bathrooms (a sink and shower in one, a sink and toilet in the other) so you may not need a Cat 3.

Relaxing: It is what you make of it. There are so many activities that you could run around like crazy, but it is your choice.

The Oceaneer's Lab & Club have lots for the children to do so you could have some quiet time if you wanted. Again, with so many choices you can relax as much as you want or go crazy running from activity to activity.

 

[Lew]

We have been on two Disney Magic cruises: the first was a 4-night, the most recent a 7-night eastern. They were both wonderful cruises; however, I must tell you that we packed so much into the 4-night cruise that we were extremely tired upon disembarkation.

We were so thankful that we didn't have to fly home that day. We drove to OKW where we recuperated for a week before returning home.

You just might want to consider planning your WDW stay after your cruise. It makes re-entry back into the real world so much easier if you can do this after your cruise.

Think about flying into Orlando the day prior to your cruise, staying off property (near the airport or the port), enjoying your cruise, then a stay at WDW.

Whichever way you do it you'll have a wonderful time...

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Thank you all for your answers.

I'll keep an eye out for when the rates are released.

Is there a link that shows the layouts of the cabins? I am trying to visualize the difference between two Cat 6's and one Cat 3.