Where do I start

[tigger334]

MY dh and I are thinking about taking a cruise in 2006 where do I start?

I don't know anything about cruises. When is the best time to go? We don't have any kids so we could go anytime.

I think we would like to do the land/sea package. Is it cheaper to book everything seperate?

What are the best rooms, but not too expensive? How much time do you really spend in your room anyway?

Any good books out there on this?

Any advise would be great!

Thanks

 

[skyhawk]

One of the best places for information is right here on the Boards. Another great way is "The Passporter's Guide to the Disney Cruise Line". You can get it at most bookstores. There are also several great web-sites.

Just to give you some info - I would suggest NOT going during hurricane season. I was on the first "Hurricane Cruise" this past August. Changed itineraries, frantic airline, rain, etc (still had a wonderful time).

Enjoy!

 

[bossladypu]

I would definitely book the cruise and WDW separately. I think
it's much cheaper. Go to the Disney Cruise line page and check
out special rates, they'll have a list of cheap cruises (well cheap
for Disney). Since you can go anytime that would be the way to
do it and I wouldn't go during hurricane season either. I see
nothing wrong with category 11 rooms. They are nice and
comfortable and like you said - you don't spend much time in your
room. We loved our category 11 because at night it's so dark
and we slept like babies. I haven't gone in Dec. yet, but we
have a Dec. 12 cruise for this year booked because we wanted
to see the Christmas decorations - that may be an option. We
also got a good rate for this time. I have no idea what the
weather will be like, but just seeing the decorations is going
to be great. I hope this helps. My husband and I had never
cruised before either until March 2003 and we decided to go
with Disney because we are Disney nuts. The Dec. cruise
is going to be our 3rd cruise and it'll be the first one with kids.
Disney knows how to make adult only people feel comfortable
too. There own adult only pool, adult only side of their
private island. If you have any questions please feel free to
ask.

Gail

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I saw that Birnbaum's just came out with their own version if the Disney Cruise Line guide. I read through the whole thing right there in Border's and though I've been an avid Passporter's Guide to the DCL fan, I thought this was good also. (I liked the fact that it was very colorful and had pictures, too).

I would start with one of these guides, and also go to a travel agency and get their DCL brochure, there's a lot of info there. You can order the video from DCL which is fun (though not particularly informative), and if you can, catch the Travel Channel special on the Making of the DCL (which is how I got hooked). Also there are good pictures on http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/ and you can look at the DCL website and of course the Disboards.

Good Luck!!

 

[DrCavin]

Wow someone from NorthEast Ohio!! Like people have already said, just read these boards for awhile & you will get great ideas on where/when/how to book your cruise.

welcome to the addicting DIS....

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My best advice is to take a 7 day!!! I had the choice of a land/sea package or a 7 day cruise, it was my first time on a cruise so of course I chose 4 day cruise/ 3 days land. I wish I would have gone with the 7 day, you can always add on a few days before/after the cruise at WDW.

 

[jrabbit]

Time of Year - January/February - because the weather at home is still yucky and the caribbean is nice and warm and you can get some pretty good rates that time of the year since school is in session.

 

[disneygatorfan]

have you done WDW before? If so, I would say skip the land part, and go for a 7 day. If you haven't done the parks or love the parks and can't do Disney without them, then not sure what to say really. I'd lean for a 4 day sea, 3 days on land. 3 days just isn't enough for me when it comes to cruising. 4 days is a great beginners cruise. But I would definitely reccommend booking land/sea seperate. You have more options as far as room and resort choices. Also, you can plan the land portion to come before or after your cruise, whichever you prefer.

As far as best time, depends on what you want... spring-break/summer tend to be more expensive, since school is out, and its peak season...

End of November-Early Feb can have rough seas at times. This is due to weather changes, etc. But I have sailed 3 times during these months, and only experienced 1 bad sea day, out of 15 days cruising during the winter.

As far as room, depends on what you want. I find I spend more time in the room during a 7 day, so I splurge for a verandah then. But maybe I spent more time in the room on my 7 day because I had a verandah??

On my 3 and 4 days, really was only in the room during the day to change, and then at night after the activities, might watch an in-room movie before going to sleep--hardly in the room at all really.

If cost is a factor, and you can play with dates a little, they have "secret" porthole rooms, which is a room with a obstucted view, at the inside price. There are only a few of these rooms, and they go fast.

 

[tigger334]

Thanks for all of the ideas! My husband went to AAA today to get a brochure on the cruise.

I will have to get either Birnbaums book or Passporters book.

Thanks

 

[TheWog]

Go to disneycruise.com and order the DVD. Its interactive and pretty neat. My vote is for Jan/Feb for cost and change of temperature/climate. Have fun.

 

[scrapperjill]

Just wanted to second some of the opions menioned already...We had our choice of the 3-4 or 7 night...and I'm soooo glad we picked the 7...even that wasn't enough time. I also wanted to add that while doing the 7 night we still didn't spend much time at all in our stateroom. Just enough time to sleep, shower, get ready and change here and there. I'm sure a verhanda would be great...but the added cost and the fact that there is sooo much more to do on the ship...for us it's a "extra" we can pass on.

No matter what you pick...land/sea...3,4,7 nights..inside or verhanda...you'll have a wonderful time. It's also lots of fun to plan and learn all you can prior to going...but beware...your trip plans can change without notice.

 

[jrabbit]

Here is a list of links to DCL resources

DCL Official Site
Dave's DCL Tribute
Magical Disney Cruise Guide (see links on the left)

copy this line into your browser and take out the spaces after the "www" and before the "com" to the end of it:
www .CastawayClub. com
(because the link is now a bad word )
Another way to get there
Click here, then Tribute Sites on the left then on "Platinum Castaway Club"

The Magical Disney Cruise Guide is the free version of the passporter (therefore it's might not have everything the passporter has - but it is very complete!)