What do I do?

[Disney Dad of 2]

This is my first post, first question, first everything!
We (me31, DW30, DD2.5 and DS5) want to go on a DCL cruise in April of '07. What do I need to do? We have done WDW several times, but this will be our first cruise ever. My DW is a perpetual planner but she to is unsure about where to start. We know what a good price per night for a Resort room is, but we have no idea if we are getting a good deal on a cruise. What stateroom do we want? What about eating!? That is scary just to think about. I hate uncharted water (excuse the pun!) What do we need to know?

 

[PoohJen]

First, relax, you're in the right place!!! Welcome to the DIS!!! You'll find everything you need to know from the helpful and friendly folks right here!

Re: prices. It is my understanding that all TAs charge the same now for DCL (i.e., DCL doesn't discount to the TAs). First, check the price of your cruise on the DCL website if you want to check against a TA's quote. Next, look for TAs that offer perks, like stateroom credits. I think both Dreams Unlimited (which hosts this site) and AAA are offering credits.

Next, go to the Disney (DCL) website and order your free planning DVD!!

Also, consider getting a book on DCL cruises, like the one Passporter puts out.

You need to decide how many days you want, what itinerary (i.e. ports) you want, and when to go. When you set your date, check in with the Cruise Meets forum to meet the folks going on that date!

If your wife is a compulsive planner, she will LOVE these boards!!! Chock ful of folks (like me!) who love to obsess about...er, I mean plan...every detail of our Disney Cruises!!

Happy Planning!!!

 

[Buddy Bear]

Pooh Jen is correct this is THE forum for getting all your DCL questions answered. You are doing great so far. Stick around here and you will be a DCL expert in no time.

1. Budget is normally a big issue so you will want to get price quotes from Disney Cruise Line - 800-951-3532 and perhaps Travel Agents like the one that sponsors this forum - Dreams Unlimited. There are many good TAs (Travel Agents) and it doesn't hurt to call around. There are companies like Costco that have some good DCL packages too.

2. Stateroom Category: This choice goes hand-in-hand with budget. There are many places to view the different stateroom categories (there are 12) including a link at the top of this page or the DCL website. If you are confused then ask, we will be happy to explain the differences.

3. Easter falls on April 8th in 2007. I mention that only because holidays are PEAK season for DCL. Also you will generally pay more when school is out of session.

That should get you started. Choose a budget, pick a date, a stateroom, and you are on your way.

Good luck,

Jeff

P.S. One more thing - DCL has two main dinings: Main (early) and Late. Although there are slight variations on the times they are going to be around 6:00 for main and 8:30 for late. With the little ones I would suggest the early dining. Dinner usually lasts between 1:15 and 1:30; having your children fall asleep in their desserts can be fun to watch, but they will enjoy them more at 7:15 than 9:45.

 

[becka]

I guess you first need to decide if you want to do a 3 night, 4 night or 7 night cruise or if you want to do a 7 day land/sea package with both a cruise and a few nights at WDW. Then decide if you want an inside room (no windows), ourside rooms (with porthole) or a verandah room.

Then I would look at what dates work for you and go ahead and try to find a group rate with a travel agent or book directly with DCL. DCL has changed their pricing where there are very few discounts available and everyone pretty much pays the same price. You can sometimes find group rates through travel agencies like Dreams Unlimited (the sponsor of the board) but since you are booking for spring of next year there are probably not very many group rates left.

After you have locked in your rate (which is important because the price on DCL only goes up as you get closer to your cruise) stick around here and read all of the great info available. You can find out all about meals, tipping, entertainment, staterooms, excursions, etc..

 

[Disney Dad of 2]

Thanks for the quick replies already.
We have already looked on the DCL website. I guess I should have mentioned that. For a CAT 4 departing on 4/22/07 it was about $3900 for us.
We will probably be going around April 22. DW little sister will be a senior in high school and her marching band will be marching in a parade at the Magic Kingdom sometime around then. We plan on doing a few days at the park (which we will book seperate) and then leave on the cruise. Lil sister-in-law dosen't know yet when she will be there for sure, but she does know it is going to be the third or fourth week of April. I was sure glad of that. Spring break will be over and colleges will be back in session. Hopefully it won't be too crowded.
I will definitely do some comparison shopping. Keep the tips coming!

PS-Not that we would be booking it or anything, but what is the deal with CAT 1,2,and3? They don't even list these on the DCL website. How would you get a quote for those?

 

[Disney Dad of 2]

Then I would look at what dates work for you and go ahead and try to find a group rate with a travel agent or book directly with DCL. DCL has changed their pricing where there are very few discounts available and everyone pretty much pays the same price. You can sometimes find group rates through travel agencies like Dreams Unlimited (the sponsor of the board) but since you are booking for spring of next year there are probably not very many group rates left.

After you have locked in your rate (which is important because the price on DCL only goes up as you get closer to your cruise) stick around here and read all of the great info available. You can find out all about meals, tipping, entertainment, staterooms, excursions, etc..

So would you consider us in a time crunch at this point? DW always has trip planned 9 months ahead at a min. She is starting to get paranoid. But, we don't know what to do since lil sis doesn't know her exact date for parade participation. What would you recommend we do?

 

[becka]

So would you consider us in a time crunch at this point? DW always has trip planned 9 months ahead at a min. She is starting to get paranoid. But, we don't know what to do since lil sis doesn't know her exact date for parade participation. What would you recommend we do?

I would not say you were in a time crunch because I am sure you can get a room but the prices do keep going up the closer you get to the cruise. If you have a good idea of when you will be going it is probably best to try to book when you know. It might save you $100-200.

Cats 1,2 and 3 are suites and you have to call DCL directly to get them. A lot of the time there can be a waitlist for these rooms since they are very popular. If you are looking at a 3 or 4 night cruise those rooms are reserved for those on the land/sea package first. At a certain date if they have any available they are released to the general public.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Once you set the date for sure, go to the cruise meets thread on this site and look for your cruise. You need to post there and you can get aquainted with others on your cruise. You will learn lots from those people too. It is really great to get aquainted ahead if time, then meet on the ship. This will really add to the excitement of your cruise.
If you dont see your date, then be brave and start the thread yourself. Just keep it bumped up and someone who is going on your cruise wil lsee it and join you. If your not sure about his, just click on a few posts there and read them, you'll see what I mean about how much fun it will be.


mom x4,grandma x4

 

[WDWLVR]

Welcome to the DIS and the DCL forums! You've already gotten some great advice. Yes book as early as possible for the best pricing.

Joining the cruise meets thread once you have picked a cruise date is a great idea. Meeting other DISers, especially experienced cruisers, will greatly enhance your cruise experience. It is wonderful being able to cruise with DIS friends.

I'd also suggest you read over the DIS DCL FAQ (which is found at the top of the forum or you can click the link in my signature). That should help answer a lot of your first time cruiser questions.

Enjoy planning your cruise!

 

[crisi]

While a Disney cruise is relatively "all inclusive" you will likely leave the ship with $1000+ bill - consider that in your budget. This will include tips, drinks, excursions, bingo, photos, spa treatments, etc.

It sounds like it might be five of you? Most of the people here would recommend looking into two connecting staterooms for five. It will probably be cheaper than the suite - maybe even the category four - worth looking at.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I highly recommend buying the PassPorter guide book for DCL cruising. Buy it now and it will help guide you in making your initial choices. If your book store doesn't have it, you can purchase it on line at www.passporter.com

Biggest tip in initial planning....arrive the day BEFORE you cruise.

 

[ericamanda01]

Welcome to the Dis! Our first cruise was during the same time of year that you are going. While the land and sea is a great convience, it can also cost more. You can find some great deals on resorts if you book seperate. Since you said your wife is like us, an uber-planner, than have her compare the difference. Also the company that sponsers this board, Dreams Unlimited was the travel agentcy that I used for my first WDW/DCL vacation and they were fantastic. But remember the closer you get to the cruise the higher the price will get. Hope this helps.

 

[Buddy Bear]

PS-Not that we would be booking it or anything, but what is the deal with CAT 1,2,and3? They don't even list these on the DCL website. How would you get a quote for those?

It is basically a supply and demand type situation, there aren't that many

Cat 1 - Royal Suite: 2 (The Walter E. Disney and the Roy E. Disney)

Cat 2 - 2 Bedroom Suite: 2

Cat 3 - 1 Bedroom Suite: 18

Total: 22 suites.

You should be able to call DCL or a TA to get a quote, but in many cases Inventory Control takes requests for these suites often months in advance.

Jeff

 

[ericamanda01]

It is basically a supply and demand type situation, there aren't that many

Cat 1 - Royal Suite: 2 (The Walter E. Disney and the Roy E. Disney)

Cat 2 - 2 Bedroom Suite: 2

Cat 3 - 1 Bedroom Suite: 18

Total: 22 suites.

You should be able to call DCL or a TA to get a quote, but in many cases Inventory Control takes requests for these suites often months in advance.

Jeff

In some cases up to a year in advance.

 

[ScouterJT]

Sounds like you are looking at a 4-night Wonder (22 Apr 2007 is a Sunday) -- if you are even just "pretty sure" that is the date you want, go ahead and book it now. It will only "cost" you the per person deposit to lock in the rate.

The Passporter guide is great -- very comprehensive (especially relative to any of the other cruise books out there)

 

[nzdisneymom]

Sounds like you are looking at a 4-night Wonder (22 Apr 2007 is a Sunday) -- if you are even just "pretty sure" that is the date you want, go ahead and book it now. It will only "cost" you the per person deposit to lock in the rate.

I have to agree ~ if you're pretty sure you're going to take a cruise, then go ahead and book it when you think you'll be going. Your deposit is fully refundable and your reservation is transferable to different travel dates up to a certain point (75 days, I think, but always double check when making reservations about cancellation and transferring dates policies). The amount of deposit varies with the length of the cruise.

In addition to checking the Cruise Meet threads and reading this main board, be sure to read trip reports as that will help you with planning, knowing what kinds of things to expect, and even in picking the length of your cruise (3, 4 or 7 nights).

Have fun!

 

[Disney Dad of 2]

It sounds like it might be five of you? Most of the people here would recommend looking into two connecting staterooms for five. It will probably be cheaper than the suite - maybe even the category four - worth looking at.

We (me31, DW30, DD2.5 and DS5) want to go on a DCL cruise in April of '07.

Nope, just four of us. We decided not to have any more kids after our and our . Besides, my wife says it would totally mess up her uber-planning if she had to book for 5 instead of 4. She says four is the ultimate number as far as booking a room, ADR's, and riding rides!

 

[Disney Dad of 2]

Thanks for all the info. As a family we have decided to pay off some debt before we take another vacation. Maybe spring 08. Thanks for your help.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Borders usually has a deal online that you can print out a 20% off coupon...we used it towards a Disney Cruise book, it came to about $8.

 

[barbmouse]

Good luck with your planning! Even though you have decided to wait a year I would still suggest you visit this site often as well as read the Passporter. I did research for about two years prior to our cruise this past June. Planning is part of the fun for me and I felt so knowledgeable from the info on these boards that I think it made the trip more fun...I'm not much for the "unknown"!!