to Cruise or NOT to Cruise

[Charleyann]

We got a 5 day cruise with Carnival for $209.00 per person! We are going from Miami to Key West and then off to Cozumel, Mexico. With everything included for my son, age 11 and I, the total was $532.00 Cn. I have to pay for drink cards. $16 for my son and $20 for me. Gratitudes are $40 per person the whole length. Not too bad!

Then we are checking into Disney for 2 weeks and then off site for 10 days! Can't wait! This is our first cruise....


Charleyann

 

[grantclaire]

We had our first cruise ever this past March on the Wonder. I have never been treated so good, we flew in the night before stayed at the Hyatt. We booked the cruise with Cruiseshipcenter. Check out the Cruise trip reports there is lots of info!

 

[purplepeg]

We just went on our first Dsney cruise in January. We had cruised before with other cruise lines but never since we had our children. The link to my trip report in progress is in my siggie. It was well worth every penny. I would highly recommend it.

 

[crash2000]

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.

as a 2 time past cruiser ( not disney), try the cruise you'll love it, we had booked for DCL, but the price was over budget so, we opted to goto the resorts instead.

steve

 

[realfam]

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?

You do have to pay for alcohol, but all pop,coffee,tea is included. DCL lets you bring your own alcohol on board. I think the only other cost may be gratuties.

 

[crash2000]

tips
photos
booze
bingo

 

[Claud26]

how much do I need to budget for the tips? and is there a set amount you have to give and to whom?

 

[disneyfan2]

how much do I need to budget for the tips? and is there a set amount you have to give and to whom?

thats what i am wondering too. I like the fact that even non alchoholic drinks are included so i like knowing ahead of time what i need to budget for. Then i can budget for the extras. But not knowing how much i need for basics is difficult. My DB went on a cruise this year and his TA did not tell him about all the extra charges. He ended up with a $500 bill at the end of the cruise and he was shocked at all the fees. although about $150 was for charges of stuff he bought, the rest was gratuities, and other charges.

 

[realfam]

thats what i am wondering too. I like the fact that even non alchoholic drinks are included so i like knowing ahead of time what i need to budget for. Then i can budget for the extras. But not knowing how much i need for basics is difficult. My DB went on a cruise this year and his TA did not tell him about all the extra charges. He ended up with a $500 bill at the end of the cruise and he was shocked at all the fees. although about $150 was for charges of stuff he bought, the rest was gratuities, and other charges.

Figure about $125per person in tips, and what ever else you'll spend on booze, excursions and souvenirs. Our check out bill was about $1000, but we planned that. We had almost $650 in excursions for 3 people. This time were not planning on any excursions and we have a on board credit of $250 for rebooking onboard. Therefore our bill will not be that bad.
Other than tips, no matter what vacation you go on you will spend money excursions, souvenir and possibly booze. Its not bad as long as you don't go over board. Remember there is a Disney show every night. How much would it cost you to go see a Disney on stage production 7 nights in a row (a lot).
Still excellent value, you just need to stay on a budget.

 

[mkmommy]

http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

Here is a link that will calculate the standard tip amount.

If you are going to book with a travel agent check about the on board credits they offer, if you book on the Disney web site you get a $25 on board credit, but if you check around with travel agents they offer additional on board credits, When I booked my cruise I got the $25 drom DCL plus another $100 from the travel agent I gather DCL does not allow travel agents to discount the cruises so the offer on board credits instead. The best I have heard is from Costco, but you can only use it in the States on online.

 

[disneyfan2]

Thanks for the link. So housekeeping calculator is appr $14 per night based on 4 people. Wow, considering how small the cruise rooms are that seems high. does it cover any other charges

 

[Claud26]

has anyone booke with DU or used a Canadian TA like Fairytale Dreams?
DU is offering a great OBC ...but i feel more confortable booking with a Canadian Company, which is only offering the DCL OBC credit of $25.00.

Not sure what to do ... Not to metion that i have booked with FD before and always had great service ... not sure if I can pass up the $200.00 OBC

 

[tgropp]

We went on the Feb 3-10 2007 cruise and booked through CAA. Sometimes CAA book a block of rooms. We paid $1,605 American and got a $75 shipboard credit

 

[mkmommy]

has anyone booke with DU or used a Canadian TA like Fairytale Dreams?
DU is offering a great OBC ...but i feel more confortable booking with a Canadian Company, which is only offering the DCL OBC credit of $25.00.

Not sure what to do ... Not to metion that i have booked with FD before and always had great service ... not sure if I can pass up the $200.00 OBC

I booked with Christine, at FD she is great I got $25 DCL OBC plus $100 for a Cat12 7 day cruise.

 

[springsteenmickey]

As you may or may not be aware, Disney pays travel agencies a commission when they book a trip with them. When an agency gives an on board credit to a client, that money is coming out of the commission of the individual agent - and this is done simply to lure more clients to the agency to book their trips.

Established relationships with clients are better served when the client realizes the true value of using a travel agent - and the agents time.

You could always ask your agent... and see what they say.

 

[Claud26]

As you may or may not be aware, Disney pays travel agencies a commission when they book a trip with them. When an agency gives an on board credit to a client, that money is coming out of the commission of the individual agent - and this is done simply to lure more clients to the agency to book their trips.

Established relationships with clients are better served when the client realizes the true value of using a travel agent - and the agents time.

You could always ask your agent... and see what they say.

Thank you !! I actually did NOT know that ...

I absolutly love Kathryn at FD, she has been a great help with the 2 trips I have booked with her and I truly value our relationship.

 

[springsteenmickey]

You're welcome.

It's been my experience that no matter the industry, when you find someone who provides great service you stick with them.

 

[shaycamp21]

has anyone booke with DU or used a Canadian TA like Fairytale Dreams?
DU is offering a great OBC ...but i feel more confortable booking with a Canadian Company, which is only offering the DCL OBC credit of $25.00.

Not sure what to do ... Not to metion that i have booked with FD before and always had great service ... not sure if I can pass up the $200.00 OBC

We have booked two DCL cruises and three WDW vacations with DU. The service was fantastic!!! I highly recommend them.

 

[minnie56]

As you may or may not be aware, Disney pays travel agencies a commission when they book a trip with them. When an agency gives an on board credit to a client, that money is coming out of the commission of the individual agent - and this is done simply to lure more clients to the agency to book their trips.

Established relationships with clients are better served when the client realizes the true value of using a travel agent - and the agents time.

You could always ask your agent... and see what they say.

Well that is not 'entirely' the case. Many times there is a promo being offered by various Cruiselines during sales established between the C/L and a particular Agency. Yes, an Agent can also 'sweeten the pot' with an OBC that they themselves offer up. That would be out of their commission.

CAA and ALL agencies often take Groups out on many sailings/many Cruiselines. They do not block actual cabins--just X amount of Balconies-Oceanviews-Insides etc. As the sailing nears--the space is gradually recalled.

Whether to book a Cruise with DU or another is your choice. BUT it is in a Canadian Consumers best interest to 'buy Canadian' purchasing under the safety umberella of TICO.