What should I know prior to booking a Disney Cruise???

[Steve19842015]

My family and I have been on many cruises, all with carnival. I'm all set to go to WDW this coming March but I really want to start planning a Disney cruise possibly March 2017. By then my kids will be 13,6 and 2. Any tips before I start searching?? Oh and haven't decided which cruise, I live in AZ so I could go from California to avoid the airline cost or I could go from FL.

 

[jdb in AZ]

There probably won't be any west coast cruises in March 2017. DCL usually has a repositioning cruise from San Diego or Los Angeles up the coast to Vancouver, but that would be in May.

 

[Saamh]

Many DCL TAs (Dreams Unlimited for example) offer an onboard credit for booking with them.

Disney cruises from California are few and far between. They sailed from San Diego this October but aside from some repositioning cruises, it had been 2 or more years since they last sailed out of California. They do not have any California cruises planned for March 2017.

Children who are not potty trained cannot use the pools. There are no swim diapers allowed and even without swim diapers, if they look young (pre-potty trained age) you may be asked to remove them from the pool.

Opening day is when you will find the lowest prices. Currently the schedule is released through Spring 2017. The remainder of 2017 may be released around March 2016 based on previous releases.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

My family and I have been on many cruises, all with carnival. I'm all set to go to WDW this coming March but I really want to start planning a Disney cruise possibly March 2017. By then my kids will be 13,6 and 2. Any tips before I start searching?? Oh and haven't decided which cruise, I live in AZ so I could go from California to avoid the airline cost or I could go from FL.

The March 2017 dates were released a couple weeks ago so if you want the best price book ASAP. DCL pricing is the opposite of CCL, earlier bookings get better prices. DCL has no ships on the west coast in March so you would be stuck flying to FL and sailing out of PC or Miami. The Magic and the Wonder are the 2 original and smaller ships. The Magic just went through a major dry dock and received major updates. The Wonder is scheduled for a major dry dock in fall 2016. The Dream and Fantasy are the 2 newer larger ships. All 4 are beautifully maintained. There are no casinos and smoking areas are very limited.

 

[Steve19842015]

Thanks everyone... Thinking about it now. Club Disney Chandler... How funny. I live in Gilbert, practically neighbors. No casinos!! Oh well. All good info. I didn't realize they typically don't sail Out of Cali. That makes my choice easier. Orlando or Miami. Reading the previous post about very young kids I thinking I should leave my smallest behind. I didn't realize they charge 1 year olds half the kids price. Hmmmmm. Let me check again my choices. I'll report back in a few what my options area and your opinions.

 

[KT2038]

Hi I am a youth activities Counselor in my opinion, it is best to wait until your 2 year old is 3, that way they can participate in our youth programs. If you have any questions let me know

 

[Steve19842015]

Here's my options...Prices are for 2 adults and 2 kids. Basic stateroom.

1) March 16th-3day Bahamas from Orlando on Wonder. $2200

2) March 17th- 3day Bahamas from Orlando on Dream. $2500

3) March 12th- 4day Bahamas from Orlando on Wonder. $3,000

4) March 13th-4day Bahamas from Orlando on Dream. $3400

5) March 12th- 5day Western Caribbean from Miami on Magic. $3200

5) March 17th- 5day Bahamas from Miami on Magic. $3300

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Here's my options...Prices are for 2 adults and 2 kids. Basic stateroom.

1) March 16th-3day Bahamas from Orlando on Wonder. $2200

2) March 17th- 3day Bahamas from Orlando on Dream. $2500

3) March 12th- 4day Bahamas from Orlando on Wonder. $3,000

4) March 13th-4day Bahamas from Orlando on Dream. $3400

5) March 12th- 5day Western Caribbean from Miami on Magic. $3200

5) March 17th- 5day Bahamas from Miami on Magic. $3300

I've yet to go in the Magic and prefer Dream over Wonder. The Dream inside rooms are great because they have the magical portholes, which I love. It's an LCD screen made to look like a real porthole that streams live video in your room and every 45-60 minutes a Disney character will show up. With that in mind, I'm in the longer is better camp and would do the western Caribbean on the Magic, second choice would be the 4 night on the Dream. Just my $.02. I'm trying CCL for the first time in June on the new Vista.

 

[Flossbolna]

I would do the 5-night Wester Caribbean on the Magic. The Magic has been refurbished not so long ago. She does not have all the bells and whistles that the Dream has, but is not too far below. I like that this is the longest itinerary and it usually gives you two sea days to enjoy the ship. In my experience a lot of first time cruisers feel that they are lacking time to experience it all and I think this itinerary gives you the best chance to experience a lot.

 

[Uncleromulus]

My tip would for you would be to get the Passsporter Guide to the DCL....

 

[Steve19842015]

My family and I have been on 5 total
Cruises from 3 day to 7. Been to Bahamas twice and western Carribean once but not Cayman. It was Cozumel and Yucatan. I did read that magic went a renovation and I believe wonder will be undergoing the same in the near future. Price difference for 1 day does make a big difference in price too. Thinking about it more it would be nice to experience a different park while being in Orlando.hmmmmm

 

[Steve19842015]

Alright all reserved. Put deposit down. Talked it over with the wife and taking information on these threads. Booked Magic for 5 days from Miami. Never been to Cayman Islands so that will
Be a nice setup. Been Bahamas already. So castaway and Cayman it is.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Alright all reserved. Put deposit down. Talked it over with the wife and taking information on these threads. Booked Magic for 5 days from Miami. Never been to Cayman Islands so that will
Be a nice setup. Been Bahamas already. So castaway and Cayman it is.

Congrats, GC is awesome, you'll love it. The duck boat tour there is great. If you have any specific questions let me know neighbor.

 

[Steve19842015]

Thanks a bunch. I'm sure I will as every day passes. I called Disney earlier today to ask about transportation. I read on a different forum where they recommended a hotel that offered to and from shuttle

 

[Steve19842015]

$40 a person road trip seems like a lot for a short ride from Miami airport to the ship.

 

[Steve19842015]

Comfort Suites was the hotel mentioned.

 

[jdb in AZ]

$40 a person road trip seems like a lot for a short ride from Miami airport to the ship.

$200 is a bit(!) pricey for a family of 5. Have you looked into renting a car?

 

[Flossbolna]

Congratulations, that sounds like it will be a fantastic cruise!

I would not start looking for a hotel and transport before you know which airport you are flying in. A lot of people find that it is much cheaper to fly into FLL. And there are a number of shuttle companies offering transfers from FLL and airport hotels there to the cruise port for good prices. There are several Miami port threads out there, you might want to search for those to get some more info.

 

[mousekemom3]

Here's my options...Prices are for 2 adults and 2 kids. Basic stateroom.

1) March 16th-3day Bahamas from Orlando on Wonder. $2200

2) March 17th- 3day Bahamas from Orlando on Dream. $2500

3) March 12th- 4day Bahamas from Orlando on Wonder. $3,000

4) March 13th-4day Bahamas from Orlando on Dream. $3400

5) March 12th- 5day Western Caribbean from Miami on Magic. $3200

5) March 17th- 5day Bahamas from Miami on Magic. $3300

We are on the Magic on the 12th from Miami. We are leaving kids home for this one as they still have school. We have only been on the Dream so far and this will be our first on the Magic. The Dream is much bigger than the Magic.
I have three kids, one w special needs so here are my thoughts. 1) If you want any kid-free time, plan to make use of the nursery...it's an extra expense like paying for a sitter (around $10/hr). 2) Not potty-trained, while not allowed in pools, have access to splash area. 3)I highly recommend an itinerary that gets you to Castaway Cay. There are tons of age appropriate choice as well as family-friendly options. Its better than paying for a beach day at Nassau. CC boast a family beach, teens only area, kids club area, adults only area. Also the activity package is pretty reasonable...stingray adventure, 1hour bike rental, tube, snorkle equipment, etc for under $55 for adults and less for kids. 4)access to characters w much less wait time. Younger kids will love meeting Elsa&Anna without a 6hr wait like at the parks. 5) choose early dining...kids can sleep at second shpw rather than over plate. Hope that gives you some thoughts to consider.

 

[atcmomma]

$40 a person road trip seems like a lot for a short ride from Miami airport to the ship.

If in not mistaken, that hotel is one of many located west of MIA. I would got to the "hotel" site and see if you can find another that you'd prefer, unless the hotel has an airport shuttle, then expect a $10-20 cab fare. Doral is where most of the hotels are located if that helps for your search. As for how to get to the port, instead of the $40 cab ride, try Uber. Everyone is very happy with them here. FLL is also an alternate way to fly in, prices are usually cheaper airfare wise and there are several hotels nearby that do have shuttles to the airport. Once again, I'd suggest the Uber ride to the port in Miami. Even the news station did a bit on how they were much cheaper of a ride & well worth it.
I hope that helps. (Oh and if it's the Comfort Suites located directly north of the airport on 36th Street I'd consider another, IMO)