Where to start....SOOOO many questions!

[we3travellers]

So we have decided on the 7 nt Med cruise, Aug 27, 2016 departure. We have cruised before, but this will be our first Disney cruise! I have read a lot of cruise TR's and other planning threads, but my head is spinning! This should probably be a few posts, but here goes:

1. When and with whom should I book? Direct or TA? Is now too early?

2. When should I start looking at airfare to obtain the best fares?

3. Excursions - necessary to prebook, or can we wait until we board?

4. On board activities requiring booking (mixology) - can this wait?

5. Dining - necessary to prebook Palo, or can we wait until we board?

6. Fish extenders - ?????

7. How many nights pre-cruise should we do in Barcelona and when should I book this?

Sorry for all the basic questions, but other than booking, I really don't know where to start. TIA

 

[NCConch]

I'll take a stab at a couple...

1 - prices tend to go up, so book now. Since you are not new to cruising, you could get away without using a TA. If you are a control freak, do it your self. If you like to have people do things for you, then choose a TA. Researching TAs may be almost as important as researching cruises. Some are very knowledgeable and quick to react. Others, not so much.

3 - Prebook because the fill up. As a new-to-Disney cruiser, you booking window will be shorter unless you travel Concierge.

4 - On board activities are done once you board. On my last trip I did two tastings. Mixology filled up but for Tequila/Margarita I was the only participant.

5 - A longer trip may have more vacancies.

6 - We participated in the FE on our first trip. It was fun. We have not done it since.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

1. When and with whom should I book? Direct or TA? Is now too early?

Book now prices go up and up and up with limited Med cruises in 2016 the demand us high supply low they will sell out.
If you book direct it's in £ if your in the UK and $ in USA or local currency where you are.
I say book with a USA TA as you get on board credits with most firms and they can help you with questions like these. If something goes wrong they can help and support you.
If in the UK you may have exchange rate risk in booking in $ with a USA $ TA so you may prefer booking direct, the £ has been low do there us more chance it will go back up, if it does if booked in $ it gets cheaper if booked in £ the low exchange rate is locked in.

2. When should I start looking at airfare to obtain the best fares?

11 months out, again some companies like VA and BA have sakes but generally from about six months pre flight the prices rise fast.

3. Excursions - necessary to prebook, or can we wait until we board?

Pre book they sell out in the Med I did my own private tours there so I could see more do more and most were cheaper then DCL for my family. They do sell out. ( they did add some on my Med cruise in 2014 but they got an extra coach or two but you cannot guarantee that.

4. On board activities requiring booking (mixology) - can this wait?

Book on board on embarkation, however book Palo brunch and dinner at your booking window online.

5. Dining - necessary to prebook Palo, or can we wait until we board?
Pre book. Brunch sells out in fact it nay be sold out to new cruisers before they can book if do book it straightaway on embarkation if you can or get on a waist list. Brunch is on sea days only.
6. Fish extenders - ?????

Up to you post on your cruise meets thread in the cruise meets sub forum and say you want to do it, and there is a FAQ on the DCL A>Z thread at the top of this forum.

7. How many nights pre-cruise should we do in Barcelona and when should I book this?

I booked mine independently The city is wonderful I stayed there for a week first DCL cruise ( I had been therefore without a cruise) and last year three nights before and two post the cruise and wish I had more time there. Hotel Jazz is a great hotel and is a great location to stay and has a good roof pool where you can see the city.

 

[elena_n2o]

We're doing the same cruise!!! It will be our second Disney cruise (we did the Norwegian fjords a couple of weeks ago), and booked the Med one onboard.

It's 424 days away (not that I'm counting ) but already I can't wait.

I'm hoping to be able to do Palo Brunch this time, but seeing there are only 2 sea days, by the time I can book it online I'm sure it will be fully booked...

I've started to have a first look at the excursions, may try to do some through DCL and others independently. My plan is to research as much as possible so that by the time I can pre-book them online I have everything planned... That plan is not going too well so far I have to admit...

 

[MouseMomx2]

So we have decided on the 7 nt Med cruise, Aug 27, 2016 departure. We have cruised before, but this will be our first Disney cruise! I have read a lot of cruise TR's and other planning threads, but my head is spinning! This should probably be a few posts, but here goes:

1. When and with whom should I book? Direct or TA? Is now too early?

Book ASAP to lock in the lowest price. We don't ever use a TA but if you prefer to use one then you can certainly book that way.

2. When should I start looking at airfare to obtain the best fares?

I would start looking as soon as fares are released for your dates. I have found that, with most carriers, fares are best about 4-6 months before departure. If you are looking at the lower-price airlines (Icelandair, Ryan Air, etc.) their prices are usually best when the schedule is first released. Start looking at what average fares are now so you'll have an idea of what a good price will be. When you see a fare that you feel is good, go ahead and book.

3. Excursions - necessary to prebook, or can we wait until we board?

Definitely pre-book if there is an excursion you don't want to miss out on. They do fill up. Also look at independent providers in each port. You can often save a lot of money by not booking with DCL. Keep in mind that you'll want to make sure you leave yourself a decent time cushion when on private excursions. The ship will not wait for you if you are late.

4. On board activities requiring booking (mixology) - can this wait?

Unless the meet group for your cruise is setting up private sessions, you cannot pre-book activities like Mixology. Go to Guest Services (or the location specified in the Navigator) when you arrive to sign up for them.

5. Dining - necessary to prebook Palo, or can we wait until we board?

You will want to pre-book Palo, especially for brunch. They do keep some slots for booking on the ship, but it is better to pre-book, especially if you want a certain day/time.

6. Fish extenders - ?????

Fish extenders are a gift exchange organized by guests. It is not a DCL activity. You can participate if you want to, but don't worry about it if you don't. Your best bet is to find the meet thread for your cruise and see if there is a FE Exchange planned.

7. How many nights pre-cruise should we do in Barcelona and when should I book this?

As many as you'd like, but definitely at least one. It is always best to arrive at least a day before you sail. As for booking, I would book it as soon as you can. You can usually book 11-12 months in advance at most hotels. Also, unless you find a fantastic non-refundable rate, I would try to book a refundable reservation so I could reshop it over the next year...just in case the price goes down.

Sorry for all the basic questions, but other than booking, I really don't know where to start. TIA

Answers above in red. Hope they help.

 

[ChicosWife]

We're doing the same cruise!!! It will be our second Disney cruise (we did the Norwegian fjords a couple of weeks ago), and booked the Med one onboard.

It's 424 days away (not that I'm counting ) but already I can't wait.

I'm hoping to be able to do Palo Brunch this time, but seeing there are only 2 sea days, by the time I can book it online I'm sure it will be fully booked...

I've started to have a first look at the excursions, may try to do some through DCL and others independently. My plan is to research as much as possible so that by the time I can pre-book them online I have everything planned... That plan is not going too well so far I have to admit...

I see that a few people say that they book their next cruise while onboard their current cruise. Is it cheaper to do it this way?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I see that a few people say that they book their next cruise while onboard their current cruise. Is it cheaper to do it this way?

Yes. Basically, booking onboard (except for block out dates) you get a 10% reduction on the cruise price, you only pay a 10% deposit for cruises 7 night and longer (instead of 20%), and Onboard Credit ($200 for cruises of 7 night and longer; $100 for cruises less than 7 nights).

 

[ChicosWife]

Yes. Basically, booking onboard (except for block out dates) you get a 10% reduction on the cruise price, you only pay a 10% deposit for cruises 7 night and longer (instead of 20%), and Onboard Credit ($200 for cruises of 7 night and longer; $100 for cruises less than 7 nights).

Really? Where do you book at, while onboard? Do they charge the 10% deposit to your stateroom?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Really? Where do you book at, while onboard? Do they charge the 10% deposit to your stateroom?

There is a future cruise desk (near the atrium). No, the charge goes directly on a credit card.

 

[ChicosWife]

There is a future cruise desk (near the atrium). No, the charge goes directly on a credit card.

Good to know! Thanks again!

 

[we3travellers]

Thank you all for your replies. I feel a little more comfortable now and know where to begin.

elena_n2o - So nice to meet someone else on our cruise! And I'm jealous you were on the Norwegian cruise! We like that itinerary, but the dates do not work for us and DH would rather the med anyway. I'm worried about not getting a Palo res, but at least now I know it may not happen and I will try not to be disappointed. Who are you travelling with? We are myself, DH and DS9 (by then anyway!).

 

[elena_n2o]

If you don't get Palo don't worry, there's plenty of amazing food and beautiful restaurants everywhere... And then you have something left in your 'To Do' list, so you have an excuse to book another cruise

This time it's just the three of us, DH , DD (she will be 5) and me . On the fjords cruise my parents were also travelling with us. They already had another cruise booked for next year, otherwise I think they would have joined us again, they loved it so much... My mom is still seriously considering joining us anyway

 

[firegal21]

I think it may be a little far out, but you can start booking around 90 days out for the onboard stuff depending on your castaway club level;

 

[gumbypee]

Yes. Basically, booking onboard (except for block out dates) you get a 10% reduction on the cruise price, you only pay a 10% deposit for cruises 7 night and longer (instead of 20%), and Onboard Credit ($200 for cruises of 7 night and longer; $100 for cruises less than 7 nights).

holy cow! I did not know about this when i first (and only) cruised DCL in october 2012! Thanks!

 

[Bruiserknits]

So we have decided on the 7 nt Med cruise, Aug 27, 2016 departure. We have cruised before, but this will be our first Disney cruise! I have read a lot of cruise TR's and other planning threads, but my head is spinning! This should probably be a few posts, but here goes:

1. When and with whom should I book? Direct or TA? Is now too early?

2. When should I start looking at airfare to obtain the best fares?

3. Excursions - necessary to prebook, or can we wait until we board?

4. On board activities requiring booking (mixology) - can this wait?

5. Dining - necessary to prebook Palo, or can we wait until we board?

6. Fish extenders - ?????

7. How many nights pre-cruise should we do in Barcelona and when should I book this?

Sorry for all the basic questions, but other than booking, I really don't know where to start. TIA

1. Either direct or TA. However, many TA's give on board credit which you can use for tipping, drinks, pictures, excursions, gifts, Palo, etc.

2. Well, the dates aren't out that far out, so it's hard to even project.

3. Yes; prebook your excursions, especially if you really want to go. You do not have to prepay for them and can cancel or change them at anytime.

4. Most onboard events can only be booked once onboard and some the night before.

5. Yes; prebook Palo. Otherwise you may not get in.

6. Eh, it's personal. Some of the things we got were great and others were just eh and we ended up bringing home a ton of candy we don't really care for. If you do a FE for a longer voyage maybe try to find a smaller group that has rules like "no candy" or "no dollar spot items."

7. My TA recommended to get there at least 24 hours before the ship sails so that she doesn't get more gray hair. I think we are probably going to get there 36 hours early and stay at least two nights in Barcelona.