DCL Question

todpatcam

todpatcam

Active Member
Original Poster
We've visited WDW for three strait years and thought for 2011 we would look into a DCL trip.

We've visited WDW in Sept - Nov during our three trips and would most likely want to do the DCL trip during one of those months as well. We would not be opposed to a summer trip; Jun - Aug if that is a better time to cruise.

Any help with cost compared to a 7 day WDW moderate with hopper - no water parks, best dates, 4 day or 7 day cruise, and things to do or any other DCL advice would be greatly appreciated. This is for 2 adults and a 9 yr old. :shrug:
Thanks :)
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
My advice is do it! You will not regret it.

The best prices for cruises are in September. It is hurricane season but the captains do everything they can to avoid them. Sometimes they can't and itineraries have to be changed, but it's not the norm.

We've cruised in January, February, April, May, and September. January and February were a little cool, but the prices were good. Late April and May were great weather. We had to sail around some hurricanes in September but the cruise was wonderful.

I'd say go for as long as you can. 7 days is the best. If you can't swing it, the new 5 day cruises with two stops at Castaway Cay are awesome.

Prices vary widely based on when you book and when you go, but there are deals to be found. When you consider how much you're getting for your cruise dollar the price seems a lot better.

Here's a couple of links to some of my cruise trip reports which may give you a better idea of what to expect:

An 11 night Med cruise:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=581876

A 7 night Caribbean cruise:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=448041

A 4 night Caribbean cruise:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=392959
 
RobnRachal

RobnRachal

Well-Known Member
After six yearly trips to WDW we did our first cruise last December and we loved it. . .we're hooked, and going back December 2011. Of course since we're already in Florida a quick trip to WDW is a must. . . Our advice is book early because the rates are better. A 7 night cruise would be wonderful but our desire to try the new Dream won over. Mix up the cruise with a disney stay :sohappy:. . .just a suggestion :D
 
A

ann0d

Active Member
After doing nothing but Disney for years we decided next year to go on the Disney Dream. The Aquaduct convinced my 11 year old. We are doing the 5 day in June. The price for us was comparable to spending 7 days a Fort Wilderness.
 
stillgoofy

stillgoofy

Well-Known Member
Disneyfalcon said:
My advice is do it! You will not regret it.

The best prices for cruises are in September. It is hurricane season but the captains do everything they can to avoid them. Sometimes they can't and itineraries have to be changed, but it's not the norm.

We've cruised in January, February, April, May, and September. January and February were a little cool, but the prices were good. Late April and May were great weather. We had to sail around some hurricanes in September but the cruise was wonderful.

I'd say go for as long as you can. 7 days is the best. If you can't swing it, the new 5 day cruises with two stops at Castaway Cay are awesome.

Prices vary widely based on when you book and when you go, but there are deals to be found. When you consider how much you're getting for your cruise dollar the price seems a lot better.

Here's a couple of links to some of my cruise trip reports which may give you a better idea of what to expect:

An 11 night Med cruise:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=581876

A 7 night Caribbean cruise:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=448041

A 4 night Caribbean cruise:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=392959
Click to expand...

Tammy,

I loved reading your trip reports. It gives me a great idea of what to expect on our first cruise next year. Now I really can't wait. Great pictures by the way!
 
mickeysshoes

mickeysshoes

Well-Known Member
We have done 11 trips to WDW but have never done a Crusie of any kind..(Well that is not the 100% truth...we won one in 2009 but was not sold on it...not with Disney) and this year being our 20th anniversary we are going to change things up just a little....we normally do 8-9 days on land..August 2011 we will 7 day land and 4 days at sea. Just a little taste to see if we like it. and if we do....we will go BIG for 2012...ALAKSA!!!! With Disney of course!!!!
 
the1nonlysinger

the1nonlysinger

Active Member
We did a Land and Sea Cruise in January 2009. We spent 4 days in the parks, and 3 days on the boat. It was fabulous and great to get the best of both worlds! Highly recommend DCL though- same top notch quality and lots to do.
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
stillgoofy said:
Tammy,

I loved reading your trip reports. It gives me a great idea of what to expect on our first cruise next year. Now I really can't wait. Great pictures by the way!
Click to expand...

Thanks, stillgoofy! I love writing them! My next cruise is on the Dream in January, and then we are sailing to Alaska in May!:sohappy:
 
stillgoofy

stillgoofy

Well-Known Member
Disneyfalcon said:
Thanks, stillgoofy! I love writing them! My next cruise is on the Dream in January, and then we are sailing to Alaska in May!:sohappy:
Click to expand...

I can't wait to see your trip reports from the new Dream. Our first cruise is the one you booked for us next November (seems so long away). I'll just have to live through everyone's trip reports in the meantime.
 
todpatcam

todpatcam

Active Member
Original Poster
How much can we expect to add to the trip price for extras? Not shopping but things like snorkeling and other activities that I'm sure cost extra.

I assume food is included in the price but not tips - correct?

Can you request certain areas of the ship for your room? We've never taken a cruise and we've heard it is best to stay near the center of the ship.

Is 7 days too long for first timers? Thanks.
 
W

wizards8507

Active Member
I know this is blasphemy but the Disney Cruise Line is the biggest waste of money in tourism. The cruise itineraries are almost exactly the same as what you'd see on any other cruise line, but you're going to pay double the price. Sure, it's a fantastic experience, but so is any other cruise line. Why not save yourselves potentially $,000's of dollars.?
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
todpatcam said:
How much can we expect to add to the trip price for extras? Not shopping but things like snorkeling and other activities that I'm sure cost extra.

I assume food is included in the price but not tips - correct?

Can you request certain areas of the ship for your room? We've never taken a cruise and we've heard it is best to stay near the center of the ship.

Is 7 days too long for first timers? Thanks.
Click to expand...

You don't have to add anything for excursions. You can do them on your own, just walk around the towns, etc. How much you spend on them is totally up to you. For us it totally depends on where we are going. We usually spend the $25 on Castaway Cay for snorkeling. We've done a great snorkeling excursion in St. Thomas that was $69 per person. We've also just taken a taxi to a beach for minimal costs in some ports.

All food, 24 hours a day, with the exception of some packaged snacks served here and there, is included. You will never be hungry.:lol:

Tips are about $12 a day per person, and that's the industry norm.

You can pick your exact room number most of the time. Sometimes a category is almost full and you can't pick a room number.

Our first cruise was 7 days and we were in no way ready to get off.:)

wizards8507 said:
I know this is blasphemy but the Disney Cruise Line is the biggest waste of money in tourism. The cruise itineraries are almost exactly the same as what you'd see on any other cruise line, but you're going to pay double the price. Sure, it's a fantastic experience, but so is any other cruise line. Why not save yourselves potentially $,000's of dollars.?
Click to expand...

Yep, it's more than other lines. It is not double the price, that's a common misconception. You may find a week here or there where another cruise line is running a special and Disney is not, and the other line is half the price. But that is not the norm. I have compared all 5 of my cruises with identical itineraries and dates on other lines and have never seen a bigger savings than 20%. That includes my Alaska cruise scheduled in June.

Disney charges more, because they can. There are other great cruise lines, but the Disney quality is worth the extra to a lot of people.
 
stillgoofy

stillgoofy

Well-Known Member
I agree. I don't think I would even consider another cruise line. The Disney quality and customer service has always won me over. You can't beat the shows and entertainment offered too. I also like that Disney is expanding their cruise itineraries. I always wanted to check out Alaska. So maybe that one is in the works someday too. I will always look for deals and discounts with Disney but to me Disney is worth it anytime.
 
D

DisneyJoe

Well-Known Member
wizards8507 said:
I know this is blasphemy but the Disney Cruise Line is the biggest waste of money in tourism. The cruise itineraries are almost exactly the same as what you'd see on any other cruise line, but you're going to pay double the price. Sure, it's a fantastic experience, but so is any other cruise line. Why not save yourselves potentially $,000's of dollars.?
Click to expand...

I'd pay the extra money to NOT have a casino onboard as well as the extra headaches that go with it.
 

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