Tell me all about..........Cruising!

[Whitequeen]

DH needs a new Florida challenge! It's the only way I'll get him there again next year. :wink:

Sorcerer Mickey's wonderful photos have excited the senses and I want to know all about 'Cruising'.

How big are the.......errr.........rooms...........berths..... .....whatever they're called? :confused:
Are there Handicapped rooms? Can any accomodate 5? Can we take an ECV?
Book seperately or Land/Sea Package?
How much are we looking at here? Will I have to sell a child? Would anyone like to buy one? :D

Tell me all you know, please. :thumbs:

[OKWTink]

I'll take Emma, please. NO! Samantha! No! No! James! Heck, I'll take all three. :Please:

[Whitequeen]

Sold!!! :d

[OKWTink]

:banana: :excited: :bounce: :clap: :bigsmile: :woohoo: :cartwheel

[Slowhand]

No doubt you`ve read all that`s contained in this link (http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/cruise.html) WQ, but if not there is loads of useful information inluding FAQ`s.

The DCL are the only cruises I`ve done and from what I am told the cabins are more spacious than the norm...don`t expect them to be palacial though!

There are a number of larger staterooms or suites than can accommodate 5. You could actually sleep 4 in a cat 5/6 room, but you would have to be really good friends as it would be a tad cramped!

Here (http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/cruise.html) also is the link to the DCL site where you will find the rates etc.....Go for it gal! :thumbs:

[Whitequeen]

Thank you, honey pie. :D

[Lisa1976]

Is it possible to do the Cruise bit first and then go to WDW afterwards?? Also is it part of a package or something that can be booked DIY ???

[Slowhand]

Is it possible to do the Cruise bit first and then go to WDW afterwards?? Also is it part of a package or something that can be booked DIY ???

I`ve never done the Land/Sea package, but I believe that normally you do the "land" part first and then you are taken to the ship by DCL buses.

You can book your cruise independantly and go for any of the ones [3,4,7 day etc.] which take your fancy! This is what we`ve done on ours.
We also have a couple of agents here on the boards [Mickeymac and Cinderella] who could sort things out for you.

[PaulaK]

Queenie, the whole thing has totally baffled me :wacko: Do you mind if we explore this whole new adventure together? :D

The Disney website is confusing. It would be a lot easier if you could put a departure date in and it shows you what's available rather than having to pick a cruise and then choose a date it sails.

Why don't CAT 1, 2 or 3 prices appear? Is that because they're full or because they're too scary to show? :gairy: :lol:

From what i've found so far Queenie a 4 night cruise in a CAT 4 family cabin with balcony off peak is gonna cost us $4000+ .

How can we get any discounts or are they unheard of? How far in advance do we need to book? :unsure:

[Slowhand]

[QUOTE=PaulaK]

Why don't CAT 1, 2 or 3 prices appear? Is that because they're full or because they're too scary to show? :gairy: :lol:

[QUOTE]

Paula, if you click on the "Cruises" icon at the wavy band at the top of the DCL site another screen appears.
On the left is a list of all the cruises.
Click on any of them and another screen appears with the rates for all the stateroom catagories. Be prepared for a shock with some of them though!

[Whitequeen]

See, we need Slow to hold our hand's. :D

I've just been having a quick look and chose Oct. 19th 2006. It wasn't as costly as I first thought. :)
I would, personally, arrive at WDW on the 17th for 2 nights, whizz off on the cruise, then come back to WDW or villa for rest of trip. This sounds like a plan. :thumbs:

I had a heated discussion with DH yesterday and *told* him I'm not playing the *don't take the kids out of school thing* next year as the school wants to change it's start and finish times to suit them. He HAD to admit defeat!!! Yes! :D I'm not gloating.........................much. :wink:

Terry, is it a lot of hastle to drive to the ship? It may be a better option for DH & ECV.

[PaulaK]

Thanks Slow! :D I still can't get anything above a CAT 4 to appear. I'm just curious how much a suite would cost in case my numbers come up :hehe: Maybe they're all full already?

[Slowhand]

Paula, not sure if this will work but I`ll give it a go!
These are the rates for a 4 day cruise


4-Night Bahamian Cruise

Use the information below to find Stateroom rates by category. Please note that these are general rates; for a specific offer based on availability, your travel dates and the size of your travel party, visit Reservations. And remember, the wonderful food at the ship's remarkable restaurants and superb snack bars is included with the price of your cruise.

View Dates »
Get a Quote or Book Now! »



Category Ship Accommodations Rates

1 Royal Suite with Verandah* $2,699 - $3,249
2 2-Bedroom Suite with Verandah* $2,299 - $2,849
3 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah $1,549 - $2,449
4 Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah $1,084 - $2,049
5 Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah $939 - $1,799
6 Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah $889 - $1,699
7 Deluxe Stateroom with Navigator's Verandah** $839 - $1,599
8 Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom $789 - $1,449
9 Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom $689 - $1,349
10 Deluxe Inside Stateroom $639 - $1,199
11 Standard Inside Stateroom $579 - $1,099
12 Standard Inside Stateroom $499 - $999
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Guest
Under Age 3*** $99
Ages 3-12 $329 - $1,199
All Other $379 - $1,199


Woo hoo it worked!

[Slowhand]

Terry, is it a lot of hastle to drive to the ship? It may be a better option for DH & ECV.

So far I`ve always used the DCL buses WQ.
However from the replies to my thread yesterday "Anyone Driven to Port Canaveral" it seems like it`s a good option.

I do know that the parking lot is right across the road from the terminal, but apparently there is a guest/luggage drop off point right next to the entrance.

[PaulaK]

Thanks Terry :thumbs: for some reason it won't actually let me choose those categories to book though which is why i'm thinking they might be sold out already. Those prices are per person aren't they, not per cabin?

[OKWTink]

I've not ever cruised DCL, but do know from researching other cruises that DCL unlike many cruise lines does not lend itself well to waiting to book. Some cruise lines see a sharp drop in price the closer to the sailing date, however DCL does not. Book it when the dates and prices you want are available (or in lieu of prices you want, at least the dates)!

The drive to Port Canaveral is quite easy. The drop off point is "right there." I've gone over a time or two. It is so very impressive to see the DCL ships in port. The port is a very nice one too.

I would think that a limo could be arranged, Whitequeen?

I've seen any number of folks on a cruise using ECVs or WCs. They seem to get around just fine. The only thing to be really concerned about would be the size of the stateroom/cabin. It can be tight quarters and Mark might have to "motor in" and then "motor out backwards" if that makes any sense?

On NCL there are HC staterooms available. I can't imagine their not being on DCL.

So, October then Whitequeen? I'll ready the rooms for the children. :D :hyper: Alert the little girls they'll be sharing. :yes:

[Slowhand]

Those prices are per person aren't they, not per cabin?
Unfortunately yes Paula. :shrug:

[Redkop]

queenie i make a good cabin boy and do own my sea ships (over 100 tons) driving licence, they could let me have a go :D

[Whitequeen]

Captain Redkop! Yeah, that sounds good. :D

[Cinderella]

The Disney website is confusing. It would be a lot easier if you could put a departure date in and it shows you what's available rather than having to pick a cruise and then choose a date it sails.

Why don't CAT 1, 2 or 3 prices appear? Is that because they're full or because they're too scary to show? :gairy: :lol:

From what i've found so far Queenie a 4 night cruise in a CAT 4 family cabin with balcony off peak is gonna cost us $4000+ .

How can we get any discounts or are they unheard of? How far in advance do we need to book? :unsure:


Paula here are some answers to your questions

Click on this link, http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/disneycruiseline/ratesanddates/ratesanddatesindex?id=RatesAndDatesRoot
choose the sailing you are interested in and then choose "view dates" to see the sailing date for each option

Three night cruises always sail on Thursdays
Four night cruises always sail on Sundays

The only time this changes is around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, depending on when the holidays fall

Suites - you cannot book them online, only over the phone. There aren't many of them so they do sell out very fast

As OKWTink said with Disney the best prices on the cruise is to book as early as possible. Cruise prices go up as the ships fill up and I have never seen Disney offer last minute specials like other cruise lines sometimes do

We have some special rates on some sailings in 2006 that are lower then the prices on disneycruise.com

(edited March 18 - I had posted some information on the dates in 2006 that we have some special rates on for cruises. I took this off because I didn't ask permission to post this and didn't want to cause any problems. I will ask the powers to be if it's ok to post)

[Cinderella]

DH needs a new Florida challenge! It's the only way I'll get him there again next year. :wink:

Sorcerer Mickey's wonderful photos have excited the senses and I want to know all about 'Cruising'.

How big are the.......errr.........rooms...........berths..... .....whatever they're called? :confused:
Are there Handicapped rooms? Can any accomodate 5? Can we take an ECV?
Book seperately or Land/Sea Package?
How much are we looking at here? Will I have to sell a child? Would anyone like to buy one? :D

Tell me all you know, please. :thumbs:

Here is information on the rooms and if you click on each description it will give you a floorplan along with the size of the room
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/disneycruiseline/ratesanddates/ships/stateroomgroupingindex?id=StateroomDescriptionsGrp ing

Also on the deck plan - it will show you which rooms are handicap accessible, these cannot be booked online but need to be requested over the phone. A medical form needs to be faxed in within 10 days of booking the room
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/disneycruiseline/ratesanddates/ships/deckindex?id=Deck1

If you don't need or want a balcony, it is usually less expensive to get two connecting category 10 (Deluxe inside) or Category 9 (Deluxe ocean view). Sometimes though the savings isn't that much (depending on the sailing) and the balcony may be worth the little extra. At other times the savings is significant

[Cinderella]

When booking a land /sea package the land is always first. The tickets are automatically included and are the magic your way premium tickets.
4 day for the 3 night cruise and
5 day for the 4 night cruise

The resort room is discounted when booking a land/ sea package. It used to be that it was less expensive to book a room separately and the cruise separately. If you aren't an annual passholder this is no longer the case. Since if you are a passholder you don't need the admission tickets. The only exception to this rule may be around the Christmas/ new years holiday. I would check it both ways

[Cinderella]

is it a lot of hastle to drive to the ship? It may be a better option for DH & ECV.

It's a pretty straight run from Disney World to port canaveral once you get on the highway. Each pier has a parking garage across the street and the parking is $10 per night

[SorcererMickey]

DH needs a new Florida challenge! It's the only way I'll get him there again next year. :wink:

Sorcerer Mickey's wonderful photos have excited the senses and I want to know all about 'Cruising'.

Glad to hear I tempted you into going :evil: :lol: .

[PaulaK]

Thanks! :D

Which do you think would be the best time to go, 3rd week in October followed by 2 weeks at WDW or 2nd week in December & WDW for Christmas. :unsure:

[Cinderella]

Paula, I would let the price help you decide on when to go.

[Slowhand]

Thanks! :D

Which do you think would be the best time to go, 3rd week in October followed by 2 weeks at WDW or 2nd week in December & WDW for Christmas. :unsure:

Just a thought Paula, but whenever you go, if you are planning to do the cruise first before WDW, then why not do as we have other years?

We spend the first night at the Hyatt Hotel at MCO.
You leave your bags outside your room early the following morning and they are collected and transported to the ship for you. The next time you see them is when they are delivered to your cabin on board.

You catch the DCL bus to the port from the hotel after pre registering with the CM`s in attendance.
After your cruise, you can get a rental car from Cocoa Beach which saves you the cost of rental/parking while you are on your cruise.

I find this method to be an ideal start to our vacations.

[Whitequeen]

Keep asking the questions, Paula. I'm following you. :D

[PaulaK]

Thanks Jo and Slow! :D

Queenie, shall we break the cruise news to our DH's together? :wink:

[Whitequeen]

It might be a good idea, Paula. :lol:

I keep going through my 'speech' in my head. :unsure:

[PaulaK]

I just made it sound cheap! :lol:

First you give them the cost for a Christmas cruise, then a few hours later while they're still digesting the $4000+ total you threw at them, you say ...."hey, look at this deal if we go in October! :wink: once they've agreed you start pushing for extra days on land/cabin upgrade etc. :whistle:

[Whitequeen]

I haven't even mentioned it at all yet. :unsure:

He keeps asking me why I'm being nice to him. :lol:

[PaulaK]

:lmao:

[Mickeymac]

Paula, you are shameless.

I am impressed. :D

Whitequeen, if it's any help, a neighbor of ours brought an ECV on the ship, and were in a connecting accessible room, I think on Deck 7. It was the two of them in one room, and two in the other. it worked out very well. The only time the poor guy had issues was when all the grandkids asked him for rides down the hallway. :hehe:

[Whitequeen]

So did they book 2 rooms, Mac?

DH won't go for 2 rooms and it does say some Deluxe sleep 5.

[Mickeymac]

They booked two rooms, but I don't think I have all the information. The rooms I'm showing connecting are on Deck 8, but I could have sworn they were on Deck 7. Hit me on the head to remind me to ask them tonight... :hehe:

[PaulaK]

Shameless is the only way to be Mac :wink:

[Mickeymac]

I know you've said that before, but I really think you and Queenie should set up shop in the "Husband Handling" department. ;) you could make a mint and afford all your trips to Disney!! :D

[PaulaK]

The thing is though, i'll probably be paying for at least half of it! :rolleyes:

[Whitequeen]

Yeah, I have to have at least some money to throw into the pot before I can even consider discussing the subject. :rolleyes: It's a challenge but I can rise to it. :thumbs:

oooo! he's just come in and I mentioned it!!!! :afraid: He didn't say no, but he did pull a face. It's workable though. :D

[Slowhand]

Just a small tip guys.
There is so much going on during the cruise that you really will not be spending a lot of time in your cabin. The same obviously applies at the WDW resorts, but more so on the ship.
Therefore don`t waste your money on too much of an upgrade. A verandah is great, but apart from a bed. and assuming there is enough room in your cabin to swing a cat you will be fine honest.

[Breeze]

Just a small tip guys.
There is so much going on during the cruise that you really will not be spending a lot of time in your cabin. The same obviously applies at the WDW resorts, but more so on the ship.
Therefore don`t waste your money on too much of an upgrade. A verandah is great, but apart from a bed. and assuming there is enough room in your cabin to swing a cat you will be fine honest.


Are cats allowed on the cruise ship :unsure: :wink:

[BevW]

Gads, I'm glad I'm not the only one that was confused when I first started researching the Cruises...it does get better the more you read and ask questions. Poor Cinderella, I know I've bugged her silly with all my questions..but they were questions that only she could answer! :lol:

I love the fact that we have 2 separate bathrooms...well at least one full bath and then a half bath.

We wouldn't have even gone for this cruise if it wasn't for uscwest and wdwgrandma. I think what's so cool about this upcoming cruise is that we're going as couples! NO KIDS>>>waaahhoooo

[OKWTink]

One little other item to consider Paula and Whitequeen. October is still hurricane season. December is not.

[PaulaK]

I thought of that too 'Tink and it did worry me a little, but the food and wine festival is reeling us in again! :D

[Whitequeen]

I too, had visions of rolling about on the sea or worse still being cancelled. I want to go to the MNSSHP though. I've never been. :(

I was doing a bit of research last night. :yawn: Actually two Cat. 12 worked out cheaper than one Family Deluxe and they'll put his ECV outside the room to charge it.
Anyone know if they have Handicapped Cat.12?
I'm *sited* (Emma's word for excited) about this. I'll be much more relaxed on this year's Christmas trip if I've got next year's *under my belt*. :wink:

[Cinderella]

Lesley
The category 12 rooms are guarantee basis only so it means that you won't know the room number until closer to sailing that. This also means that the rooms may not be anywhere near each other


Category 11 has handicap rooms and you can choose two rooms next door to each other based on availability (these do not connect)

[Whitequeen]

Thanks Jo.
I don't mind if they don't connect.
I'm still working on DH and I have to move some money around. :wink:

I'll get there and soon. :thumbs:

[AliLouise1974]

what is the entertainment like on board. I worry about cruises because of things on tv ive seen where its basically reps who dont really have much talent trying to do stuff on stage. The result is just corny. Its not all over the top 'lets join in and clap our hands' stuff is it? I'm a bit of a snob like that! Hate that kind of thing!!!

[Slowhand]

what is the entertainment like on board. I worry about cruises because of things on tv ive seen where its basically reps who dont really have much talent trying to do stuff on stage. The result is just corny. Its not all over the top 'lets join in and clap our hands' stuff is it? I'm a bit of a snob like that! Hate that kind of thing!!!

The entertainment on board really is second to none. It`s not amateurish at all, in fact Disney Dreams is a must "see show" and the effects at the end are truly amazing.
Even the duo playing in the mid ship bar are very professional, despite the fact that they are not really a "show" as such.

[AliLouise1974]

i didnt think it would be your 'average' cruise type stuff but it was on my mind...

maybe one year we will do this. I feel it would cost more than your average 2 week Disney holiday so would have to save up!