Would love to go on Disney Cruise, are there ever any good discounts?

[disneyfanforever]

I would love to take my family on a Disney Cruise. I have two boys ages 6 and 3 and I think they would love it. We are Disney nuts and go to Disney World every year from Arkansas. A lot of the reason we are able to do this though is that my parents are DVC members so our room is taken care of. I just can't see how we can afford a cruise. The price seems so high in general and also when compared to other cruise lines.

When researching cruises, I notice that RCCL and Carnival seems to always have a large number of discounts but I don't see the same for Disney. Am I looking in the wrong places (expedia and travelocity)?

Also, is a Disney cruise worth the extra money compared to another cruise line like RCCL and Carnival. I think the kids programs with Disney would be hard to beat. Also, how are the crowds on the Disney cruises? Just coming back from Disney World a little while ago, the crowds during Spring Break nearly made me want to tear my hair out. Are there always crowds of people around or is the ship large enough to where you don't notice it.

I would appreciate any advice you have. Thanks

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

MBNA offers a credit card that pays you back 2% up to $800 per trip. We went on a FREE carnival cruise two years ago this way and we will be cruising in April on the disney Wonder and the $800 credit paid for the kids to go free.

 

[Mary Anne]

If your parents are DVC you can use the points to pay for your cruise. Keep in mind that it cost a lot more points to do the Cruise then a week DVC hotel. Also, many will tell you it is not point cost efficient to use points to cruise. I do suggest you have your parents check out what the points will actually be for the time period you want to cruise. A lot of people then rent enough points out to cover the CASH cost of the cruise.


You'll get the best value by early booking with Disney. They rarely have last minute specials.

With Kids, I would pick a Disney Cruise over the others you've mentioned. I've cruised 5 or 6 difference cruise lines and while I do chose one or two others over Disney for Adult type things, Disney by far is the #1 when you have kids. (Just my opinion)

 

[madoug]

Last May, my two sisters and I cruised on Carnival 5 nights for just over $400 each. We enjoyed the trip but felt like the many other passengers with very high bar tabs were offsetting the cost of our cruise. We did not drink or gamble, but most others did. We had a good time and were not bother by the heavy partiers, but I would not want my 3 kids to in that enviroment. I looking at a 1/2/05 4 night disney trip that would be $650 each but I'm expecting the enrivoment to be much more pleasant.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Your best discounts on Disney Cruise Line will be the earliest booking window that you can obtain. They sell in tiers, so as rooms are booked, the rates rise. They usually sail full ships, so there is no need to discount the prices to draw the people in.

If you are sailing with children, and you are used to the DVC accommodation experience at the parks, I believe you would truly enjoy the Disney Cruise far more than most other lines. Our Budget Board has some great threads on how to earn/save $$ for upcoming Disney trips. Give them a try, and talk the folks into booking with points if possible! Good luck!!

 

[Bbgrizzle]

We always thought a DCL cruise would be too expensive for us too. And truthfully, they are. But it helps if you book a cruise way in advance and keep making payments toward it, like a lay-a-way plan. You are very fortunate that you are a family of four. You can still fit in a lower category room so that will save you a lot of money. Once you are a family of five, like us, it gets much more expensive. Also, try to go during value season, that will save you money as well.

 

[missycat1925]

i would check about sailing in september..it seems that it is alot less expensive...but of course you would have to take your kids out of school.

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

Definitely check out the rates in September. The only way we can afford to cruise DCL is by going off season.

Also, don't be afraid of the inside staterooms. They have plenty of room. You get the same treatment in a Cat 12 or a Cat 4.

Also, the Disney Visa can be helpful. Often if you book using it you'll get credit. Also, any purchases add up to credits to use on board.

 

[missycat1925]

how is the weather during september?

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Disneyfanforever......We are booked on our 4th DCL cruise in 4 years. I gave DD's (14 and 12 now) an option...... Beaches (allinclusive) or another DCL sailing. They said "Disney Cruise of course!!" Sometimes you can't put a price on happiness. DCL may be more expensive, but seeing the look in their eyes as that DCL bus goes over the bridge in Port and they see that ship.......is truely irreplaceable.
As Bbgrizzle has said.....check out off peak times. We sailed in Feb and Dec. Off peak, not crowded and less expensive.

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

September weather is really nice. It's still very warm. The water is still warm in Castaway Cay.

The only issue is it is hurricane season. Not to worry. Captain will sail around any activity out there.

We've sailed 4 different times in September. We're wondering what we're going to do this September since we're sailing in May this year. I take the good rates when I can get them.

 

[westjones]

Check out the prices on this website:

http://www.allseastravel.com

It is a good layout to see when the prices are low. We go in September. That is the least expensive time to sail.

I usually book with the down payment and then make payments.

BTW, I have never used All Seasons Travel, but many on here have said good things about them. I use Dreams Unlimited. I just like the All Seasons Travel website for reviewing prices. They can sometimes beat the prices of others also. Get about 4 quotes if you can. Maybe one from Disney, one from AAA, one from Dreams, and one from All Seasons Travel (or whatever TA you want to try). See who can give you the best price.

The 3 and 4 days are not too bad, the 7 day is much higher. On the shorter cruises you get the BEST parts of the cruise. You see all of the Disney themed shows, you get to eat in all the restaurants, and you get to visit Castaway Cay. Those are the best parts of the cruise.

DJ

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

I am a single Mom with a 5 year old DD and we have been on two Disney Cruises. I could never afford to go in the Summer and so I booked twice of October/November time periods. Great weather and rates Once I was in a Cat 11 inside and it was just fine and then the other was the Secret porthole room Cat 10.
If you just want a 4 day I would not worry about taking the kids out of school. My DD's teacher was very understanding and I tried to plan around when they had scheduled days off for teacher meetings...
Inside rooms are very affordable and you are not in the room that much anyway. We love Disney and even when the ship is full you would never know it!

Sometimes at night I would walk the upper decks and look around and think???? "Where is everyone" So relaxing and nice. I would much rather cruise than go to WDW.

I just booked through allearsvacations and got a great rate for our first 7 day cruise on the Magic! It is booked for October 2005 and I got one of the secret porthole rooms again!
This gives me plenty of time to pay for it.

I am also planning on buying 50 Disney dollars per month and setting them aside till we go. That will give me almost $1000 to spend while on board.

Good luck!
Michelle