Who provides the best deal for Disney Cruise?

[luckytso]

Hi,

We have never been on a cruise before, and I would really like to take a Cruise in 2004 with my hubby, 2 kids (will be 6 and 3). Can someone help me answer the following questions:

1. whom should I book it with to get the best deal, or should I wait for those last minute deals?

2. which one (3, 4 or 7 days) do you think is the best one for a family never cruised before?

3. are the kids old enough to fully take advantage of the cruise?

4. which month is the best time to go?

Thanks so much.

 

[alexandrew]

Many who post on this board use Dreams Unlimited. Click on the banner toward the top of your screen...

 

[Irishmom23]

We have use Dreams for 2 cruises and 2 WDW stays and the personal service, quick responses to all questions no matter how trivial, and the great itineraries put together for your trips, far outweigh any "bargains " you may find with any other travel service. Each time we have booked, we have received the best prices, and most times the prices went DOWN because they look for bargains for you. The TA's actually CARE that you have a great time, and are "Disney Fanatics" so KNOW and have EXPERIENCED WDW and DCL! Having use other "discount" travel agencies or online bargain outlet groups, nothing has compared to the service I have received from DU!

 

[SC Minnie]

Get a quote from Dreams Unlimted and Disney then shop around. If the price of the cruise drops at all Dreams will notify you and adjust your account. When we sailed in January our price dropped twice that fall (after 9/11). I read about here on the board and by the time I got home to check e-mail there Dreams had already sent us a message.

Disney does not usually offer 'last minute' deals so the best bet is to book as early as possible.

Our DD8 absolutely loves cruising. If your children are outgoing enough to stay and enjoy the clubs they will have a ball (and so will you )

 

[luckytso]

Thanks for the info. I contacted DU and plan to book a 4-night Wonder with them. The board is great!!!!

 

[Hygiene99]

HI some people say that Costco has the best deal , however
we also do our booking threw Dreams unlimited
love them they r great ......
Peter

 

[ennazus]

checked out AAA, direct through DCL and Dreams. Dreams was the lowest and I was very happy with their service!! I would absolutely use their services again.

We took a 7 day cruise (our first cruise) and can't imagine taking a shorter cruise! It might be an option if you lived right in Florida and just wanted a little quicky vacation, but not when traveling from Maine, imo.

Our son was 7 (turning 8 on the ship) years old & it was a great age. I think I could safely say that it would be fine for a 6 year old too. I won't speak for a 3 year old, though... anyone else?

I also agree with the 'book early' method. I continually watched the cruise price at the DCL website and it did not go down after we booked. (we booked less than 1 year in advance.)

 

[luckytso]

Thanks for all of your replies.

Peter - do you know you were the one who got me really thinking about taking a Disney Cruise?!!

DU got us 2 connecting rooms (cat 10) with those secret portholes. They are on the right side of the deck plan. I think the stand-along cabins (one on each side) are better in terms of the views. But since we need 2 rooms, I figured connecting rooms are better.

I am really looking forward to this (4/25/04). The kids are too young to know what it really means yet. It will be fun to find out as we get closer.

How is the weather in late April, early May?

 

[Hygiene99]

CANT GO WRONG WITH THE SECRET PORTHOLE ROOMS
FOR YOUR FIRST CRUISE GOOD VALUE AND U GET A WINDOW ..
HAVE A GREAT IME LONG WAY OFF BUT IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE U KNOW IT... going to hhave to rent some points to pay
for the cruise lol..... peter and thank u again
for renting to us ..... Christine

 

[my3kids]

Well......everyone on this board knows I'm a big advocate for booking with Costco.....or at least I was. (Costco changed from using National Leisure Group as their agency to using an in house travel agency)When I booked the trip I just returned from they deducted 10% and I saved over $400. I rebooked on board and called to inquire about transfering the reservation. I called Costco and the savings was only $175. I called National Leisure Group and it was MORE! I emailed Dreams and the savings was $150. I called AAA and a large regional agency....both of them were exactly the same price as rebooking on board. So now I wonder if there are any good discounts. I will keep it with DCL for a while and wait for a special offer from someone and transfer it then. Dreams has offered a shipboard credit in addition to the discount periodically. I will watch for that and see how much of a discount that would offer.

 

[CathyCanada]

Hi my3kids,
I just wanted to let you know of the conditions that Disney has regarding our shipboard credit promotions for Dreams. The date that the reservation was called in is what they term "booked". So if you transferred the reservation to Dreams during that period, it would not be eligible because you "booked" it on your last cruise. The only way to be eligible would be to cancel your current reservation and rebook it, but you could stand to pay more that way, so it would not be worth it.

Dreams does offer the rebate, based on the total dollar value of your cruise, though and if you want more information on that, please don't hesitate to ask.

Cathy

 

[madcoco]

Do you have any friends relatives who are airline/travel employees that are considering going?Interline rates can be the best and usually allow booking an extra cabin for non employees as long as they are traveling with eligible members.

 

[my3kids]

Oh Cathy...I'm so sad. I thought when DU offered the shipboad credit that transfered reservations WERE eligible. Thanks for clarifying the information. It looks like there really are no big discounts anymore.

 

[kendo9114]

WE USE ALLSEASONS TRAVEL OUT OF JACKSONVILLE FLA AND HAVE GOTTEN A SUPER RATE FOR NOV.16 CRUISE

TRY EM www.allseastravel.com

 

[Melrosgirl]

I priced AAA, DU and Kim's Kruises (an online website that I've used before with no problems) and Kim's Kruises beat each of them by at least $100 (including any rebates, onboard credits, etc.). She can beat any of them.

She also automatically checks the rates too. My last cruise was with Princess cruises and she saved me $2000 more than AAA could which was pretty amazing.

www.kimskruises.com

She mainly specializes in Princess cruises, but she was still able to get a good Disney price for me.