Where to start??

[cjappert]

Hi everyone! My family ( me, dh, dd7, dd2 and ds 4 months) were just surprised yesterday by my parents that they will be taking all of us on a Disney cruise January 2016. It was going to be January 2015 but we already have a 2 week vacation to Disney book, and they already have a cruise booked.
We love Disney World, but we are new to the Disney cruise. My parents have cruised before but we have not, and I have been put in charge of most of the organizing since I'm home on maternity leave.
Where do I start?
is booking even available for 2016 yet? My mother wants a 7 day, Western Caribbean cruise. We will be 8 people (my parents, my sister, me , dh, and our 3 kids.)

Is there a ship that's better than another?

My mom saw that on other cruise ships ( not Disney) they have a suite, with 2 connecting rooms, does Disney have something like this?

I would love some tips and help getting started. I'm really excited but really overwhelmed since I'm still in the process of planning our January 2015 trip!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Hi everyone! My family ( me, dh, dd7, dd2 and ds 4 months) were just surprised yesterday by my parents that they will be taking all of us on a Disney cruise January 2016. It was going to be January 2015 but we already have a 2 week vacation to Disney book, and they already have a cruise booked.
We love Disney World, but we are new to the Disney cruise. My parents have cruised before but we have not, and I have been put in charge of most of the organizing since I'm home on maternity leave.
Where do I start?
is booking even available for 2016 yet? My mother wants a 7 day, Western Caribbean cruise. We will be 8 people (my parents, my sister, me , dh, and our 3 kids.)

Is there a ship that's better than another?

My mom saw that on other cruise ships ( not Disney) they have a suite, with 2 connecting rooms, does Disney have something like this?

I would love some tips and help getting started. I'm really excited but really overwhelmed since I'm still in the process of planning our January 2015 trip!

Where to start.

The date you want to cruise.
Your budget.

Work from there.

Then see what cruises they offer at that time.

Then select the home port you wish or can use.

All four ships are great in there own ways.

Fantasy and Dream are the newer ones with loads on them like Aquaduck but they only sail from port Canaveral and are crowded.

Magic and Wonder are older smaller but still nice and can sail in the Caribbean, or ALASKA or Europe depends on the time of year.

Book through a specialist DCL TA who will give you personal advice and also on board credits as a refund in part of the commission they gain.

Jan to March 2016 is out soon, they'd just Caribbean and Bahamas runs, the rest of 2016 will be out in spring 2015.

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

2016 has not been released yet.
But you can start by deciding where you want to go, how long, and which ship.
Go online and look at the DCL website, they can answer most of those questions. You can also call DCL and talk to a cast member if you have questions.
If you use a TA, call them so they are prepared to purchase the first day as the prices are usually the lowest then.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi everyone! My family ( me, dh, dd7, dd2 and ds 4 months) were just surprised yesterday by my parents that they will be taking all of us on a Disney cruise January 2016. It was going to be January 2015 but we already have a 2 week vacation to Disney book, and they already have a cruise booked.
We love Disney World, but we are new to the Disney cruise. My parents have cruised before but we have not, and I have been put in charge of most of the organizing since I'm home on maternity leave.
Where do I start?
is booking even available for 2016 yet? My mother wants a 7 day, Western Caribbean cruise. We will be 8 people (my parents, my sister, me , dh, and our 3 kids.)

Is there a ship that's better than another?

My mom saw that on other cruise ships ( not Disney) they have a suite, with 2 connecting rooms, does Disney have something like this?

I would love some tips and help getting started. I'm really excited but really overwhelmed since I'm still in the process of planning our January 2015 trip!

No, the 2016 itineraries haven't been released yet.

Personally, I prefer the classic ships (Wonder & Magic) more than the new ships (Dream & Fantasy). I'll put a disclaimer on that - I like the pre-imagined Magic, but haven't been on her since her re-do. There are others who prefer the other way around. And others who don't care one way or the other.

I'd suggest spending a little time on the DCL website, checking out the various room type descriptions (be sure to check both classes of ships, since there are some variations within a category).

And, read up here. The FAQ sticky (near top of first page) is quite helpful. And just read the first couple of pages of comments/questions here.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

If your mother is looking at 7 day Western Caribbean, you'll probably be on the Magic. That is if they keep things the same as they are for this January. I haven't been on the classic ships but I know the Dream class ships have plenty of connecting cabins that you would be able to book.

Many people are reporting that booking for early 2016 will start next week. Your best price and chance to get adjoining cabins will be next week. I would be research like a crazy person this week.

As a first time Disney cruiser you will not be able to book opening day, however I'm sure there will be tons of activity on Disboards as to what ships are doing what runs, so you will be able to get some info.

I would start researching the Magic and the Fantasy if you're looking for a 7 night cruise. Also, if you go to cruisecritic.com and click on Disney cruise line you will be able to access a deck plan for all 4 ships so you can find what cabins are adjoining. If you want access to each others cabins without going into the hall, you want adjoining cabins not connecting. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions regarding the Fantasy. Enjoy your cruise and tell your mom if she wants to adopt a son I'm available.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If your mother is looking at 7 day Western Caribbean, you'll probably be on the Magic. That is if they keep things the same as they are for this January. I haven't been on the classic ships but I know the Dream class ships have plenty of connecting cabins that you would be able to book.

Many people are reporting that booking for early 2016 will start next week. Your best price and chance to get adjoining cabins will be next week. I would be research like a crazy person this week.

As a first time Disney cruiser you will not be able to book opening day, however I'm sure there will be tons of activity on Disboards as to what ships are doing what runs, so you will be able to get some info.

I would start researching the Magic and the Fantasy if you're looking for a 7 night cruise. Also, if you go to cruisecritic.com and click on Disney cruise line you will be able to access a deck plan for all 4 ships so you can find what cabins are adjoining. If you want access to each others cabins without going into the hall, you want adjoining cabins not connecting. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions regarding the Fantasy. Enjoy your cruise and tell your mom if she wants to adopt a son I'm available.

Not correct. If you want rooms that have a door between your two rooms that's inside the rooms, you want connecting rooms. Adjoining means next to each other (but not necessarily connecting).

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Not correct. If you want rooms that have a door between your two rooms that's inside the rooms, you want connecting rooms. Adjoining means next to each other (but not necessarily connecting).

Thanks Schmoo, I don't know how many times I can get that reversed??? I don't know why I screw them up every time.

 

[jrabbit]

Thanks Schmoo, I don't know how many times I can get that reversed??? I don't know why I screw them up every time.

How big is your bar bill on the cruise ... Just Sayin'

and Oh, Sorry ... Didn't mean to start any rumors ....

 

[cjappert]

thank you all for the help! i'll be doing a lot of research this week!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

How big is your bar bill on the cruise ... Just Sayin' and Oh, Sorry ... Didn't mean to start any rumors ....

Be careful what you say, I don't want the folks at DCL to see that! We finally got a bottle of wine taken off our credit card from our June cruise that was put on our bill by mistake, now they're gonna think I was living about it. LOL

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

How big is your bar bill on the cruise ... Just Sayin' and Oh, Sorry ... Didn't mean to start any rumors ....

Be careful what you say, I don't want the folks at DCL to see that! We finally got a bottle of wine taken off our credit card from our June cruise that was put on our bill by mistake, now they're gonna think I was living about it. LOL