Tons of Disney Cruise ???

[Disneypal]

We are thinking of booking a cruise as a Christmas gift to our 3 children (20, 16, 12). Here are my ???

1. Is the Disney Cruise line something they will enjoy or is it geared to younger children?
2. Are there many other teens for them to mix with?
3. Are the teen programs good?
4. How is the food?
5. Are there refill cups or drink cards (alcohol drink cards for the adults)?
6. How are the prices compared to other lines on the drinks?
7. Is there a midnight buffet?
8. Would it be better to get 2 rooms or a suite for a family of our size and age group? Then which type and where should we request a room?
9. Does Disney run specials on thier cruises, if so how do you get them?
10 I read about an on board $50 credit for DC members (we are members)?
11. When would be the best time to cruise (we were thinking Feb.)?
12. Which cruise is the best one to take? Our kids have never cruised and we have gone one other time on RCCL for 4 nights to the Bahamas (were not impressed with Nassau)?
13. Is there service from the airport and is there an additional charge (we used Your Ride last time and it was great but we paid extra)?
14. Is there a rate at the Disney resorts for arriving the day before or is it just as good to get a hotel of site?
15. In forms of entertainment are there comedy shows, dance shows, play like productions and how many shows are there a day?
16. Can anyone tell me anything about the private island?
17. Is there a shopping area?
18. How is the food and are there enough choices?
19. Is all of the food included in price of cruise?
20. Anything else I should know about?

Thanks so much for all of your advice!

 

[MarkRG]

My guess the title should have been "Teens on Disney Cruise"

Lots of questions.

1) They have a separate track for teens too, and honestly, at least a few of the kids are eligble for the adult excursions and events too.
2) Ususally good numbers of all ages.
3) Whenever I saw them they seemed to be having a good time too.
4)Exceptional and enough so even the growing 12yo won't be going hungry.
5)There are soda mugs and beer mugs that can be refilled almost anywhere.
6) I think teens may get the full use of the unlimited soda program. Adults who won't drink as much of that as water is another matter. I don't rmemeber the miug price.
7) Depends on the cruise, but some of the foodservice locations up on the pool deck are open late.
8) Don't have enough experience to answer this one fully, but there are adjoining cabins with a lockable door between them.
9) The only real killer deals are to local residents and are usually last minute. But, again I'm not experienced enough to really answer this one accurately.
10) Know it exists, just think you have to tell them you're a DC member when you make the reservations.
11) The only potential bad time is during hurricane season, but even then you can have a good cruise. Have gone both in May and October and have had no worries.
12) This one's a whole subject to itself. The only real good thing for Kids at Nassau is Atlantis. Do a board search for info on that. A 4 day is the best bet for a first one as the Disney island is not to be missed and the 4 day gives you 2 days for a good shot at docking there.
13) Any route to the terminal is going to cost you extra. Disney has their own service that'll claim your luggage for you at the airport, and deposit it at the door to your room, and transport you in a very nice tour bus from Olando Int'l to the terminal, for a reasonable fee.
14) No there isn't a special rate, unless you do the split plan for x days at WDW then the cruise. There are hotels at Cocoa Beach that have some kind of shuttle to the cruise terminal.
15) Another that's a whole subject to itself. They have numerous clubs running events thru the day/evening, and a broadway grade theatre that runs a big production show every night. Do a search for 'navigators' to read up on the programming yourself.
16) The private island is exceptional. 3 beaches, lots of activities to do and a cookout lunch that is good. It's called Castaway Cay and do a search for that and read on!
17) Yes, mostly souvenirs of viting the island, they tried to get regular bahamian shops to come on, but it hasn't worked out. Most people are too busy enjoying the facilites to shop.
18) It's typical cookout fare, buffet style, and there is a good, wide selection and ample amounts.
19) Meals are all included, right down to room service, but some things are excluded, such as alcoholic beverages or other specialty drinks.
20) Lots. Just read the messages on here and the Cruise trip reports!

 

[wovenwonder]

Wow -- I don't know where to begin -- but it does seem that most of your questions have been answered. I would just throw out a suggestion that in the future you may receive more feedback if you post each question into a seperate thread.

 

[mmouse37]

I'll tackle some of them.....

1) the 20 year old is considered an adult and would be have access in all the adult clubs, activites, shows, etc. The 16 year old would fit into the Common Grounds Club (13-17). The 12 year old would be in the Oceaneer Lab. By no means do they have to stay at these clubs/labs...it is an optional thing. Most teen meet up on the first night at the teen411 and then do their own things with new friends.

2) On any given cruise there are plenty of teen of all ages. Obviously summer and holidays have the most teen, but are more expensive. We sailed in Feb and there were about 100 teens 12-17 vs. our summer cruise where there were about 500 teens.

3)Yes, depending on your child. Some like to take part in all club activites, some like to go their own way.

4) Yes, and is very good and unlimited....24 hour room service is free also. Three different dining rooms that you rotate thru, plus many options for food up on deck.

5) There is a refillable soda mug plan for $5.00 per day per person. Unlimited amount of soda refills. No real deal for adults drinks.

6) The Same as other lines with 2 for 1 on some days. They always have a drink of the day that is a bit less than other drinks.

7) No midnight buffet, but Disney brings around trays with nibbles on it at midnight - very nice. There is one night on the 7 day cruise with a midnight dessert buffett - YUM!

8) We have five in our family and sailed 4 times in Cat 4 family suite. It has a veranda and is very nice. This time we are going for two Cat 9 cabins on Deck 2 because we need more bathrooms now that they are older DD18, DS17, DD14. Cat 9 is the lowest price oceanview and Cat 10, 11, 12 (are inside cabins and priced lower)

9) Keep checking this boards...right now Costco is running some specials for the fall if you are a member. If you are not sure about how your kids will like cruising go for the 4 day, the three is too short. We personally love the 7 day. The most relaxing of all of them. Eastern or Western Itinerary...Eastern has three sea days and Western has two sea days.

10) Call them and tell them you are DC members and first time cruisers.

11) See #9

12) See #2

13) Yes, Disney transfers are most convenient but expensive compared to limo service or renting your own car one-way from MCO to the Avis drop-off at the Radisson in Cocoa Beach (about a mile from ship). They have free shuttle service from Avis to ship.

14) Rates at Disney depend on time of year, season, hotel category, etc. There are not special rates for cruisers. If you don't want Disney Themes....book offsite and save some money.

15) The shows are very well done. There are three main stage shows, plus comedians, variety shows, 50, 60, 70's theme shows in the clubs (depending on the cruise). Check out www.dcltribute.com or www.castawayclub.com for the daily Navigators to see what shows are on each day and what activities are being offered.

16) Castaway Cay is fantastic......Tropical Paradise. Also has a sep. adult beach (18 and older) and a sep. teen beach as well as the family beach. Lunch is included on the island...BBQ. Fresh Fruit, side dishes, punch and lemondade.

17, 18, 19, 20) Yes, CC logo items and souvies...Yes, there are plenty of choices for food on the island and in the dining rooms, all food is included, just keep reading these boards to gain as much info as needed.

MJ

 

["Ginger"]

Disneypal,
The best way to get a good price for a Disney Cruise is to book it as early as possible. This is also true for the best stateroom availability. When booking your cruise check the prices for both, a larger stateroom if available which will accommodate your whole family those being category 1, which is next to impossible to get, they're usually book 2 years in advance. Catergory 2. also very hard to come by, then there are some 3's and 4's that sleep upto 5 people. If you are looking to cruise this year your best bet may be to book 2 staterooms connecting. If looking for inside staterooms you could book (2) 12's, 11's or 10's. Outsides staterooms you'll have an ocean view with a large window or a closed verandah(Catagory 7's are Deluxe Staterooms wuth the Navigator Verandah) or you could get staterooms with a verandahs you can sit on(Cats. 1-6). Not knowing how much you want to spend I can't suggest any staterooms in particular. No matter what deck your stateroom is located on I would suggest Mid Ship and near an elevator. This will save you a little time coming and going.

 

[Greg K.]

You'll love it! My wife and I (40-somethings, no kids) cruised last fall -- two weeks, back to back!-- and had a blast. We're veterans of Norwegian, Princess and Celebrity Cruise lines, and this was by far our most enjoyable vacation at sea. (But we love Disney to begin with, so perhaps that betrays a bias...)

In no particular order...a couple points.

Disney offers at least one midnight buffet which, as I recall, is pure chocolate. It was delicious. They also have a late night buffet one night on deck by the pool, which is also very good. In fact, we didn't have a bad meal the entire trip. The only food which is not really included in your price is the special adults only restaurant Palo. (Do it -- the dinners, brunch and afternoon tea are all excellent! I believe it's only $10 or $15 pp service charge.)

When we cruised, we flew into Orlando Friday night, stayed over at the Hyatt at the airport, and then rented a car at Avis the next morning to drive to the port. I recommend that very highly. (You drop the car at a hotel near the port, and take a shuttle to the ship, about a mile away.) It enables you to get to the ship EARLY -- we arrived around 10:30 and were among the first in line for a 12:15 boarding. That allows you to have first dibs on reservations for Palo or the spa. And, since the car rental can run $45-50, it's also a decent value.

The private island, Castaway Cay, is a real treat -- several people on board expressed disappointment that we were only there one day. The theming and activities are all terrific fun, and they have a good bbq that they serve for lunch. (TIP: DO NOT MISS the staff as they gather to wave goodbye from the dock -- it's very cute!)

We found the entertainment good, not great, but I know others disagree. There's a different show each night, and movies during the day, too (but who wants to sit in a dark movie theater when the Caribbean is right outside?)

Also: they have an internet cafe on board, with a dozen or so computers. When we sailed, you could pay a fee for unlimited access. I enjoyed that. Before breakfast, while my wife was showering and getting ready, I'd head downstairs, grab a cuppa coffee, and surf the net for 20 minutes or so and catch up on the news or write emails home.

Do it. You'll love it. Really. And I think your kids will, too.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by mmouse37

the 20 year old is considered an adult and would be have access in all the adult clubs, activites, shows, etc.

However... the drinking age onboard and at Castaway Cay is 21, and they enforce this.

 

[Disneypal]

Thanks for all of the advice. What does a Disney cruise run. Last year we went on RCCL for $179 per person (I know it was a steal). I would like to keep it at $500 per person or lower. Also the 20 year old may not get to, all get along very well so I am not worried about sharing a room but want to be as economical as possible. Help!