Cruise line help

[cemeb4dk]

Disney reservations are down for maintenance.

So I have some quesitons.

Thinking of possibly going to a 4 night cruise Feb 8-12, 2009. Then staying 1 night at a disney resort then flying home friday.

So here are my questions:

1) Sould I fly into Orlando or Fort Lauderdale, I know the cruise line bus will take me to the port and back. So then do I book the ME to take me to my resort or is there a bus from port to resorts.

2) never being on a cruise before is 4 days enough, and my daughter will be three will she have enough to do?

3) anyone taken one in Mid February hows the weather?

4) we will need passprts correct ( we are US citizens)

5) was looking at a Deluxe family state room. Is this big enough for 3 adults and a 3 year old.

Thanks in advance I was thinking baout going on a 3 day trip to Disney land but with airfare and hotel and park admissions it about the same to do the cruise.

 

[cemeb4dk]

Thanks Dave, we are DVC members as well. So it would just be the sea part also and points for the room. And cash for the Cruise as I don't see how someone would use points for a cruise unless you an a huge amount of points. Not feasible for our 150 pts a year. Thats high for transportation fees. I will look into the trip myself just for a base and then try KK as I have heard nothing but marvelous things about them. I too am a do it yourself planner, but maybe in over my head with a cruise thing as never being on one. Would hate to miss out something because I am a noob. LOL

 

[cemeb4dk]

well the decision is made, we are going on a 4 night cruise leaving Feb 8 2009. Staying in a deluxe family stateroom with veranda. I think cat 5.

Thanks to all that helped and gave info on the subject.

 

[ErickainPA]

You actually can get a passport card instead of a passport. They are cheaper than getting a passport and good for sea and land travel, just not for air travel. We got ours in the mail the other day, we applied before they even started producing them. You will still need to have 2 photos just like for a passport but the cards are sort of like a credit card instead of a booklet.

Deluxe Family Staterooms are actually category 4. We would have to be in the same rooms since we have 5 people.

We are thinking of a cruise in 2010 when our son is 4 and our twins are 3.

 

[Phonedave]

well the decision is made, we are going on a 4 night cruise leaving Feb 8 2009. Staying in a deluxe family stateroom with veranda. I think cat 5.

Thanks to all that helped and gave info on the subject.

Excellent !! You will have a great time.

Now comes the next series of decisions ..... shore excursions


-dave

 

[PlutoFan4Ever]

I am jealous. I love the Disney Cruise Line. I have been on 4. The 4 day is perfect for the first time. The 3 day is way too quick. Here is something I copied from DCL website. I strongly suggest you get your Passport...

"At Disney Cruise Line®, we ask that you provide your passport number at least 75 days prior to the start of your vacation in your Guest Information Form in My Online Check-In. Please be aware that it is your responsibility to acquire proper citizenship documentation (passport and/or green card). Those without proper documentation at time of departure will be denied boarding."

I go in January, and it can be a little chilly, but still warm in the day. The water is some what chilly, but easy to get use to. I went to the Dolphin Encounter at Nassau and the water was a LOT colder there, so be prepared.

I would suggest that you make reservations at PALO. It is $10 per person and only adults allowed (so kids would need to go to the children programs-which look so fun). I don't have kids, but all the adults I have talked to say their children loved the programs and you get a pager in case they need you. But PALO is worth the money!!! The food on the cruise is good, but I always find out what night is Parrot Cay, and book Palo for that night. I do not like the atmosphere at Parrot Cay-unless it is the Pirate Party Night.

Your daughter will have so much to do. Be sure to arrive at the Sail Away Party about 45 mins prior to the sail time so she will get a good place and be close to the characters when they come out and dance with the kids.

And last thing...(sorry for the rambling post-I'm just excited for you!), depending on how old your daughter is and if she is a night owl, but I suggest requesting 2nd seating for dinner. This gives you the option to go to the early shows (which are a must, especially the Golden Mickey's) then go to dinner after that. I have found that the second sitting is more relaxed and the crew staff seems more engaged because you are their last tables for the night, plus on your last morning, you can avoid the crazy rush of people leaving early in the morning and have a good breakfast and then have less crowds when claiming your baggage.

Have a great time!!! Try to go see Who Wants to be a Mousekateer show at least once. Great time!

 

[cemeb4dk]

Thanks all and please son't feel like your rambling.

Yes we are cat 4. about 1/3 in the front of the ship. right by a set of elevators. And it looks like 1 deck below all of the happenings. So we should be close. And yes we did get second seating it was only thing available. And my daughtrer who will be 3 on the trip is a night owl, so we figured no big deal and I like the idea of the staff being looser..

Ok now here is another question, I just noticed my 75 days out when ful payment is due will be believe it or not while we are at WDW for 10 days over Thanksgiving. Nov 25 is our 75 day mark and we wont be back til Dec 4. SO you think I should just wait tiol then to book everyhting or should I try and call onthe 25th and get things booked.

And this being our first cruise what are the things we must do and book. Do the Live show need reservations or are they just show up?

Again thanks for everyones help, first in getting this booked, now with help to make this the best trip for my family. I can plan a WDW trip like an expert, the cruise I am lost.

We also decided we think we are going to drive down from Chicago, just in case the weather is bad and the airport gets backed up and delayed. So right now at least it leaving Fri night get there sometime Sat, sleep ina hotel at Port canveral and get to the ship bright and early Sunday.

Thanks again everyone....:sohappy:

 

[cemeb4dk]

ok,

One flaw in my plans. My family and myself are talking more about this trip than our 10 day trip in November over Thanksgiving. :ROFLOL::ROFLOL:

 

[Laura]

Yes we are cat 4. about 1/3 in the front of the ship. right by a set of elevators. And it looks like 1 deck below all of the happenings. So we should be close.

What is your room number? That sounds like where my room was. I think ours was 6562. We were right next to the elevators and directly below the kids' clubs. The location was ideal. We also had a perfect, beautiful view of Castaway Cay from our verandah.

 

[cemeb4dk]

room number 8026, its on deck 8. BY the map we are between the midship elevator lobby and the forward elevator lobby.

 

[Phonedave]

And this being our first cruise what are the things we must do and book. Do the Live show need reservations or are they just show up?

You must do everything Seriously, if you try to do everything, you will feel too rushed. Take some time to relax.

Shows do not required reservations. There are two shows a night, and they coordinate with the dinner seatings. So with a second seating, you will be going to a show before you go to dinner.

Movies do not require reservations either.

Things that DO require reservations are shore excursions/activites, spa treatments, and dining at Paolo's (if you choose) and thats about all I can think of right now. Sign your daughter up for the Oceaneers Club (the kid thing) before you go - but its not a reservation, you can drop her off and pick her up anytime.

Pretty much anything else first come first served. On a nice day at sea, it can be tough to find deck chairs aroun the pool for example. Ping pong tables fill up quick too, as does the sports deck. But there is allways somthing to do all over the ship, and if you really want to hang out at the pool, some watchful "hovering" will get you a chair eventualy And of course allways have your own private verandah.

Now the following is up to you, but ....... When/if you book shore excursions, take a look at the times and where they are. For example, swimming with the sting rays at Nassau is very nice - at first. Swimming and feeding the rays is a lot of fun. However the excursion is on this island that is a 15-20 boat ride away from the ship. They bring you out there in the AM, and then after 2 hours or so, you are done with the rays. You get lunch (hamburger/hot dog) at a snack stand, and then all thats on the island is a beach (with shower/changing rooms) and a gift shop. You are "stuck" there for another 2-3 hours until your launch heads back to the ship. My feeling was that while the sting ray portion was nice (and worth the price) I felt like I was "held hostage" for another 2-3 hours when we could have been either in Nassau doing something, or enjoying shipboard stuff.

Excursions at Castaway Cay are all on/around Castaway Cay, and as such when you are done, you can walk back to the ship, you are not stranded away from the ship


-dave

 

[DisneyJoe]

You actually can get a passport card instead of a passport. They are cheaper than getting a passport and good for sea and land travel, just not for air travel. We got ours in the mail the other day, we applied before they even started producing them. You will still need to have 2 photos just like for a passport but the cards are sort of like a credit card instead of a booklet.

So why not get the full passport and be covered in case you need to fly somewhere? Yes you save a few dollars, but is the savings worth it in the long run? The price difference is $55 for a first time applicant, $50 for a renewal. Both last 10 years.

Here's my point - if you get a Passport Card now for a cruise this year, and maybe the following year, but then you want to fly to Europe or Mexico - your Passport Card is no good for flying - you would then need to get the Passport Book.....

 

[cemeb4dk]

Thanks to all for the help.

I am going to my local borders and going to check out the passprter disney cruise guide, it seemed to have some good reviews in it.


Thanks again

 

[ErickainPA]

Disney Joe - We don't plan on doing international air travel for several years, no point in spending so much on a passport when it was only about $35 for our kids to get the passport card and $45 for the adult. Minors cards or passports are only good for 5 yrs and my kids are only twin almost 1 yr olds and an almost 2 yr old. Getting passports for my kids would have been: $85 each and $100 for mine. So this was a cheaper option for us since we only were going to go to Canada or on a cruise in the near future.

I know if I am going to put out $6000 for a cruise for my family, and then have the option of spending $195 for 5 cards or $455 for passports, I would choose the cards if I know I am not going to be flying somewhere. Coming up with the money for the trip itself is work in itself without having to spend even more on passports. But to each his own.

 

[Phonedave]

Disney Joe - We don't plan on doing international air travel for several years, no point in spending so much on a passport when it was only about $35 for our kids to get the passport card and $45 for the adult. Minors cards or passports are only good for 5 yrs and my kids are only twin almost 1 yr olds and an almost 2 yr old. Getting passports for my kids would have been: $85 each and $100 for mine. So this was a cheaper option for us since we only were going to go to Canada or on a cruise in the near future.

I know if I am going to put out $6000 for a cruise for my family, and then have the option of spending $195 for 5 cards or $455 for passports, I would choose the cards if I know I am not going to be flying somewhere. Coming up with the money for the trip itself is work in itself without having to spend even more on passports. But to each his own.

I can see your point - really I can, but let me ask you - are you getting trip insurance ? How much extra is that ?

The extra money for passports is just like trip insurance, If someone gets sick, or there is a bad storm or malfunction and the ship has to port in a forigen port, then you have the ability to get home without playing "please help me" with the American Consulate.

Of course if you dont have trip insurance, then this whole point is moot.

I believe the cards were created because of the number of people that drive back and forth between US/Canada US/Mexico complained about the cost of a passport.

-dave