Can't resist a bit of early planning ...

[Guest]

I know it's absolutely aaaaaaaaagggggeeeeeeesssss away (don't look at the countdown, it's far too frightening ) but i can't resist asking a few questions!

We're planning on doing our 1st Disney Cruise in August 2011! Think we'll go for the 4 nighter as Beth keeps insisting 3 days just isn't long enough! I wonder who gave her that idea - mentioning no names - JOA! I had wanted to do the 7 nighter, but they don't run in August so 4 nights will just have to do! Anyway i keep hearing people saying you get a much better price the earlier you book, so when's the earliest i'll be able to book?

Andy will not splash out on a bigger/outside cabin and insists a Cat 12 will be fine! Will it be ok for the 3 of us or are they truly awful (please be honest!) The space doesn't really bother us as we are used to sharing, but our friends will be going for an outside cabin with balcony so i'm worried we'll feel like the poor relations!

Also we're planning on having a 3 week holiday so when would you do the cruise? I'm thinking either in the middle of our stay (staying onsite at Disney first, then doing the cruise, then a few nights at Universal) or should we do it at the end?

And do we book direct with Disney or through a TA? I've also seen talk of requesting certain cabins? How would i know what i want?

Oh, one more! If i decided to book using DVC points how easy is it to do and will i be able to do that as soon as our dates are available or do i have to wait? I know it's probably not the best use of points, but it's something we may consider as we may not be using our points for a couple of years!

Sorry for so many questions! Many thanks V xxx

[BarryandCaron]

No idea Vron but thought your thread could do with bumping.

Bev is using DVC points for their cruise this year I think.

Caron

[Maz]

Oh, you are going to love DCL!

The itineraries for 2011 should be our at the end of the year, but it has varied how soon in previous years. There should be a new ship arrivingthat year, so more variety of cruises. So, there may well be 7 night cruises, we will have to wait and see. No, 3 nights are not enough!

Can't really comment on the Cat 12, but I have heard people say that they are only in the cabins to shower and sleep, so the money saved on not having a verandah can be used elsewhere.

[truesdpr]

Haven't done Disney cruise but have done 2 others. Our preference in a 3 week trip is to do the cruise at the beginning. Nothing like getting off the ship and driving back to the villa knowing that you have another 2+ weeks in Disney - it really feels like a very long holiday. I don't think I could cope with it at the end as I'd be anticipating it and I'd hate to come off the ship and fly home

Also as we always book a villa we did the cruise at the beginning and could book the villa for when we came back along with the car hire so I "saved" us 5 nights villa rental and car hire and as all our food was included on the cruise I saved us a fortune

Pam.

[TinkTatoo]

It's never too early to start planning

They'll probably release dates for 2011 around the end of August this year but might be slightly later as the new ships are due in 2011. It will be widely publicised on the net so you'll get plenty of notice of when you'd need to book.

The prices are better the earlier you book so you might be better off booking right away and then waiting to see how many points the cruise would cost as I don't think they release the points straight away. Also prices drop the later into August you go so it might be worth doing the cruise towards the end but I wouldn't do it right at the end as I wouldn't fancy coming straight off the ship and having to head to the airport.

I've also got a feeling that they don't have cat 12 cabins available for booking right away so you'd probably have to start with a cat 11 and keep checking the DCL site to see if they release any cat 12's and what sort of price they are. It's easy enough to switch and DCL will credit you back the difference.

It's simple enough to book it yourself on the DCL website or you could as a US TA to book it for you. I think a few people on here have done that and they could tell you who they used although if you're going to switch the booking to DVC points you'd be better booking it direct with DCL.

As for staterooms, there's a section on the Dis cruise boards where you can see reviews on state room numbers so you can see which ones are good and which ones not so good.

Phew - I'm off for a lie down now

[Embraer]

Originally Posted by Vabeth

Oh, one more! If i decided to book using DVC points how easy is it to do and will i be able to do that as soon as our dates are available or do i have to wait? I know it's probably not the best use of points, but it's something we may consider as we may not be using our points for a couple of years!

See more...

Cruises can be book further out than normal resorts, if you login to DVCMembers.com and select "My Vacation Points" you'll be able to see how far out you can book a cruise. Mine says Jan 2011 but we've just used 2years worth of points on a 7night cruise. You're right that they probably aren't as effective a use of your allowance than staying in a DVC resort, but we've a 15month old son and spending time traipsing round the parks isn't my idea of having fun This is his second cruise, his first was a 4night one as a 4month old - youngest person on the boat by all accounts

[sdf]

Look at my countdown! We did our first DCL in November and it was fantastic. We have just got to go again and plan to return 2012 for my 40th.

We managed to go on the 7 night western and that was at the end of our holiday. We first spent 10 nights in Florida. We were also fortunate to get a cat 6 cabin with verandah. That was great but for a 4 night cruise I don't know if I would bother.

The earlier you book the cheaper it is and what I found is that if we had waited then a cat 9 would have cost us what we paid for a 6 so get in early.

Check out Dreams Unlimited (dreamsunlimitedtravel.com) - they are an agency in USA and specialise in Disney holidays. They will arrange it at no extra cost and offer better on board credits (money to spend on board). When we booked we got a $200 credit. When you book you can also request particular rooms. The deck plans are also on their site.

Any other questions just ask!

[Guest]

Ooooh, i knew you lovely people would have the answers! Thank you!
I'm quite excited now i know i'll be able to book part of my trip this year! It won't make the countdown seem quite so bad ... please remind me i said that when i start whinging and moaning in a few months time!

[JACKIEC]

Hi,
Its very easy to book using points - just ring Member Services and you will know your cabin number before you get off the phone.
As regards a Cat 12 cabin we had one when we did the DCL Med cruise for 11 nights in 2007 and found no problem with three 'larger ' adults in it.
We love the Disney cruises, we have just come back from a P and o caribbean cruise and it did not compare in any shape or form to Disney Magic or Wonder. In fact when we got back we booked a 7 night cruise using points in December.
Go for it you'll love it.
Jackie

[Guest]

It all sounds fabulous! Many thanks again for all your help!