Disney Cruise Line

[Guest]

Hi All

Thinking of doing Disney Cruise in 2011 for 3/4 nights. Can someone who has done it tell me what you think? What's it like? What do you think we should do with a room, is the basic ok? Any good tips or advice you can offer? I'm hoping that the meals are included in the price, is this right? Then tips on top etc?

Can someone help me?

Thanks v much.

Jen

[wayneg]

If you think you might like it, do it, we didn't think we would and loved it, have our 6th booked for next August, 4 nights on Disney Dream.
1st time we were upgraded to outside cabin with verandah, complete waste for us, only used it 10 mins in 4 nights, next year book inside again with the new virtual porthole. Only use the room to sleep and get changed.
Yes all meals included, surcharge for Palo of $15pp, well worth a visit but not essential. Soda incuded with meals or from drinks station (pay at bars) even room service is included
Tips on top
Personally I would not do 3 nights, 4 nights is over in no time 7 nights much better.

[LPCKG]

Fantastic! This was our first ever cruise and we did the 3 night cruise. Castaway Cay is amazing, its the best private island I have ever visited. We booked an oceanview cabin, which was fine for 3 nights (and would be for 4 nights). The ship is great, entertain wonderful, restaurants (you keep the same staff but move to a new restaurant every night - if visit all 3 by the end of the cruise).
We've done 4 other cruises since with RCI and now always have a balcony cabin. I wouldn't want to do a cruise now without a balcony BUT the entertainmant is none stop so you really spend much time in your cabin.

[Guest]

Sold - fabulous! Thank you. Looks like a go-er! So, I could probably get away with a basic room for our first time, but if its not much more, could look to upgrade it. We're thinking of 14 nights Orlando and 3 or 4 nights crusie, would you put the cruise at beginning or end? I'm thinking end to chill out and relax maybe?

Defo gonna do Bahamas, as we loved Atlantis...

Let me think, what else do i need to know? Is it best to book in advance? and do you have and recommendations who to book through? And what abotu which boat? I was thinking of Disney Dream, purely because its the new one... what do you think?

Thanks for quick responses...

Jen

[plain_waffle]

we had the 4 night cruise on the wonder back in september 2008 and loved it! just me and my hubby and it was alovely break from all the business of the parks! we paid for a cabin with a porthole but got upgraded to one with a verandah like another poster did. and like them it was pretty much a waste for us! we took a couple of pictures from there, but never actually sat outside on it. we prefered to go on deck for better views!

the food is amazing. the only thing you pay for is tips. and nothing is too much for the servers and all the staff on board. they really do make it a magical holiday! castaway cay is a lovely islan with plenty to do. we were lucky because our day at sea was cancelled for some reason so they took us to the island for a second time which was great!

[LPCKG]

It will depend on the itinerary/number of nights as to which ships are sailing those routes. I'd have a look at the Disney website first as they may be doing 'onboard spend promo'. We usually do the cruise during the first week but this a personal perference issue, so I'd do what suits you. You will usually be off the ship by 9/9.30am on the final day.
Also, if you are driving, you have to pay to park at the cruise terminal. This year, we have put our own package together so our collecting our car from MCO (Hertz) and returning it Cape Canaveral (Hertz), they offer a free transfer to the port. We then get a new car on return and return it to MCO at the end of the holiday. This has saved money in terms of rental charge (because its not a package holiday) and we don't have to pay to park at the port.
Happy sailing!

[BevS97]

We did the 3 night cruise and had an internal cabin with no window - it didnt bother me in the slightest, we were rarely in the room unless we were going to sleep as there was so much going on. I'd rather have the internal room and spend the money on an excursion of other nice treat.

[wayneg]

Earlier the better to book, as I said we booked for next August, already it s gone up $140/adult (child price same)
If you look thru my albums there are loads of pics from the Disney ships especially the Disney cruise 09 folder, plenty of food pics in that one s6.photobucket/home/wayneg1/allalbums

[Guest]

Thanks Wayne, I'm looking into it now. What way do you find the most const effective way to book it? Direct through disney or through an agent?

Many Thanks

[wayneg]

Prices should be same wherever you book, I usually book direct with disneycruiseline.com as you can do it yourself online then transfer to dreamsunlimitedtravel.com who give extra onboard credits, will only be about $25-$50 for a 3 or 4 nt cruise but better than nothing. I have also used cruisedirect.com & Thomas Cook for booking Royal Caribbean cruises.