to Cruise or NOT to Cruise

[Claud26]

looking into our Next Vacation for 2009 ... and DH said he would like to try something different from Disney .... mmmm what about a cruise??
So i'm looking into a DLC for December 2009....
Any suggestions, ideas, comments ?? I'm looking for a Canadian Perspective. Flying out of Buffalo. Ofcourse!!
who did you book with?
When do you fligh in? the night before? where did you stay?

I have no clue... and this would be our first cruise.

 

[Ham Ham]

Oct 2007 DCL 7 Day Western Caribbean, flew spirt out of Detroit to MCO, rented budget one way, Stayed Friday evening in Cocoa Breach atLunasea Motel hot cooked to order breakfast included at local restaurant. Dropped of the car at Budget then a five minute drive to the port.

Loved the seven day and glad we did it. 3 or 4 days must go by so quickly.

Did not go in this pool though. Stuck with the Goofy and Adult pools.

 

[mkmommy]

We just came back at spring break, had a great time.

Flew out of Buffalo,the only way to go.

In my signature is a trip report.

Can't wait for the next one.

 

[dhluvsDisney]

We just took our first one NYE and booked it ourselves thru DisneyCruise Line. Everything went smoothly for us. It was our first cruise as a family and we booked for 4 days not knowing what to expect and if the kids would like it. Well, not only did they like it, they LOVED it! So much so, that we re-booked right away on the ship for the Jan 3/09 cruise. It was such an incredible experience! Service and smiles were abundent. It will definately be on our yearly vacation list.

 

[disneyfan2]

so does everyone here recommend the Disney cruise as oppose to other lines? It seems like alot more money for Disney then the others. Am too, planning a cruise next year, but if it is decided Disney it will be 2 yrs later, and no vacation next yr to offset the price.

 

[LadyKay]

We did the 3 night cruise and stayed in the Walter E Disney Suite this past March. It was incredible. Went by way too quickly however. Definitely worth every penny. We plan to do a 7 night in 2 years.

 

[mkmommy]

For us it was worth the money, and it was really not that much more for spring break anyway. I looked at RCI and it was going to be $800 less, but the ship left from Miami and I was finding that flights to Miami are much more expensive than Orlando so that would have ate into the $800 pretty fast.

I wanted a cruise that would be mainly families and not have to worry about will there be enough to entertain the kids. Disney really does a good job of making the kids feel special, and this trip was all about the kids. My girls love the characters so they were in heaven not having to wait in long lines to see them.

We had friends that did an RCI cruise a couple of weeks before us and they came back and said how crowded the ship was. The cruise we were on was full, but the only time I found the ship crowded was at the Sail Away party, we even got the pools to ourselves some times.

My girls have actually said they would much rather go on a cruise than back to Disney World. Everyone has different ideas on the value of things, but I sure felt it was worth the money and we are going back next spring break.

If I could just find the way to get on one of the Panama Canal cruises

 

[phabric]

We have not been on a Disney cruise but have done 9 cruises with other cruiselines. Diseny was more expensive than the cruiselines. They all have children programs. Depending on the ages on your children you might want to check with another cruiseline. Check out the different ports of the cruiselines and decide where you want visit.

Always take travel insurance (medical, trip cancellation and trip intrerruption).

Fly in the day before encase there are plane/ weather problems especially in the winter months. Two times on our return flights the planes had mechanical problems, we would have missed our cruise if we were flying in the day of our cruise.

Find someone that knows cruises that can answer any of your questions. Our first cruise I booked with Sears and she knew nothing about cruises except how to book it. Since this is your first cruise, I would book with a travel agent. There is a Disney specialist in Bolton, 905-857-3611, Fairtale Destinations.

 

[realfam]

We did a 7 day western last fall and absolutely loved it. We are booked onto a 7 night eastern this fall and can't wait.
We found it to be a completey different magical experience than the parks.
We booked through our TD travel visa rewards center. The have a specialty cruise dept. We did leave a day earlier so we could do WDW's MNSSHP.
I am a big fan of flying from Buffalo, but on these trips we have booked air through DCL (which is Air Canada). The advantage I found with booking through them was, the price was not overly bad $450 pp, that includes your transfers to and from MCO to port (a $100approx value pp), and most importantly, if you have a problem with your fight and miss the boat. It is DCL responsibilty to get you on at the next port (I liked that added security).

If your questioning doing one. Just booked it and you'll love it guaranteed!!!

 

[mkmommy]

We did a 7 day western last fall and absolutely loved it. We are booked onto a 7 night eastern this fall and can't wait.
We found it to be a completey different magical experience than the parks.
We booked through our TD travel visa rewards center. The have a specialty cruise dept. We did leave a day earlier so we could do WDW's MNSSHP.
I am a big fan of flying from Buffalo, but on these trips we have booked air through DCL (which is Air Canada). The advantage I found with booking through them was, the price was not overly bad $450 pp, that includes your transfers to and from MCO to port (a $100approx value pp), and most importantly, if you have a problem with your fight and miss the boat. It is DCL responsibilty to get you on at the next port (I liked that added security).

If your questioning doing one. Just booked it and you'll love it guaranteed!!!

Did you get a direct flight on Air Canada?

Thank you

 

[realfam]

Did you get a direct flight on Air Canada?

Thank you

We sure did. We left Pearson at about 9am, landed in Orlando around 11:30am. check in to the Hyatt (thats where DCL puts you up for the night prior to cruising. Its right in the airport). Picked up our car rental, shopped at Walmart (bought a case of water to bring on the ship) and we were at the Magic Kingdom by 2PM. Doing WDW the day before cruising really got us in the mood.

Counting the days until Oct. Were doing the exact same thing.

 

[tone.def]

I would love to cruise!!! I want to do a 7 night eastern Caribbean on DCL in January 09 when it stops in St. Croix... hopefully work schedules in my household will allow.

 

[tgropp]

We flew out of Detroit ( 4 people) on a Thursday night and stayed at the Dolphin for 2 nights. We had a full day at WDW before the cruise. We rented a car for two days and it was still less than 1/2 of the cost of the Disney transfers that are offered. We also got to shop a little and get a case of beer and a bottle of Baileys for the ship stateroom since Disney will let you take your own alcohol on board. It was the best vacation that I ever had. Seven days at sea is a must and do you ever enjoy those sea days. Arrive a day before the cruise and try to spend a couple days in florida after the cruise. I would imagine that it would be depressing to hop on a plane and depart for home right after a cruise.

 

[yxe dad]

so does everyone here recommend the Disney cruise as oppose to other lines? It seems like alot more money for Disney then the others. Am too, planning a cruise next year, but if it is decided Disney it will be 2 yrs later, and no vacation next yr to offset the price.

It really depends on your children's ages. I took my boys(6&8 at the time) on a 3 night cruise on the Wonder and they loved it. They have so much for the kids to do that my kids didn't want to leave the kids areas.
The shows and entertainment on board were also great and kept the boys in there seats without complaining. I would like to try a 7 night on the DCL as I feel the Disney service is always amazing.

That being said if your kids were 12 or over, most ships have teen areas that are similar. So you can enjoy bigger ships with maybe more for them to do, at a cheaper price. I've sailed on the Sun Princess, and the Grand Princess with both being great ships with great service. I would not hesitate to try a new ship again as I feel that exploring the ship is part of the fun.

 

[surfer_ed]

Loved the cruise, going in November 2009 for Cast Away Cay double dip!!!

We stayed at ASMo, the night before. Places in Cocoa were too expensive and the drive was not that far. Still on board in time for lunch.

 

[fivebyfive]

Warning: cruising with Disney will become a very expensive habit.

It's a different type of Disney vacation. Indeed a more relaxed one.

 

[Claud26]

I am a big fan of flying from Buffalo, but on these trips we have booked air through DCL (which is Air Canada). The advantage I found with booking through them was, the price was not overly bad $450 pp, that includes your transfers to and from MCO to port (a $100approx value pp)

Quick Question about staying at the Hyatt. did you book that with DCL and was that included in the price $450 pp... when I go on line they only ahve the option of flying out the DAY of the Cruise... is that something you requested with TD Visa Travel?

 

[fivebyfive]

when I go on line they only ahve the option of flying out the DAY of the Cruise

When booking through Disney or with a Disney Vacation Specialist, you have the option of flying in the day before (or whenever) should you choose to do so.

It might not give you that option on line, but it can indeed be done.

 

[realfam]

Quick Question about staying at the Hyatt. did you book that with DCL and was that included in the price $450 pp... when I go on line they only ahve the option of flying out the DAY of the Cruise... is that something you requested with TD Visa Travel?

Hi there,

Once I booked with TD Travel, DCL wouldn't speak to me directly. Everything had to go throught the travel agent. TD just got DCL on the phone and made requests for me while I was on hold.
The departing the day earlier and staying at MCO Hyatt was book via my TA through DCL. I believe it was about $200 to do it. Money well spent.
If you chose to book through DCL directly you could make that request over the phone to a cast member.
We found DCL a little more expensive than some of the other cruiselines, but after experiencing it. I would say I can see why. The value you receive for the money you spend is incredible. The nightly shows are incredible (as only disney can do), the food was amazing, and we noticed that every cast member went out of there way to make our daughter feel extra special. She was always refered to as princess.
One thing I have noticed with DCL, the further out you book, the better the price. As your depart date gets closer, the price goes up. Were sailing in Oct and we booked last Sept and the price has already gone up approx $1000.
As far as I know they really dont discount there cruises. There seems to be no need cause they fill up. Again ours is pretty well full except for some of the higher cats..

 

[disneyfan2]

Do you end up paying alot of "hidden"fees like some other cruise lines(ie-non alcoholic drinks, gratuties, room fee-i think they charge a pp on other dcruise lines.) Or can you get something where everything is included?