thinking of first cruise, many questions!!!!!

[mikewdw]

just finished our 14th WDW vacation but thinking about going on a cruise next year. my wife wants Disney cruise (me too) but since we have never done one would anyone recommend another cheaper cruise first to see if we like it?
I believe obviously that a Disney cruise would be better but for us but just getting a quick look at (planning for next june) carnival we could go for about $1000 -$1100 for 5 days and a quick check at a Disney cruise looked about $6000. big difference. we have 3 kids (8, 6, 6) me and wife.
what would some of you recommend and where is best place to get idea about basic info, any chance of deals (price could easily make us decide against Disney cruise) and any other info. i dont think i know enough to even ask questions.
thanks
mikewdw

 

[Crush Dude!]

just finished our 14th WDW vacation but thinking about going on a cruise next year. my wife wants Disney cruise (me too) but since we have never done one would anyone recommend another cheaper cruise first to see if we like it?
I believe obviously that a Disney cruise would be better but for us but just getting a quick look at (planning for next june) carnival we could go for about $1000 -$1100 for 5 days and a quick check at a Disney cruise looked about $6000. big difference. we have 3 kids (8, 6, 6) me and wife.
what would some of you recommend and where is best place to get idea about basic info, any chance of deals (price could easily make us decide against Disney cruise) and any other info. i dont think i know enough to even ask questions.
thanks
mikewdw

Just back off my first ever cruise, and it was on the Disney Magic!

Well worth every penny, have nothing bad to say about it, it was simply amazing!!!

 

[maggiegrace1]

My thoughts..having been on carnival...amazing, nice,loved it and Disney Dream last month...BEST CRUISE EVER!..I would, if you could afford it...do Disney.

Carnival has a kids club for the kids and pools...Disney..has a kids palace, pools, slide, and WHOLE boat for the kids.

There is so much to do and see that we need to go back to finish the first one..:lol:

I know it is expensive,but I truly believe it is worth every single cent.

Go to the cruise website and explore, then do the same at carnivals..you can also read reports here, and visit Cruise forums and decide that way also.

I believe you will love Carnival, but I believe you will fall in love with a Disney cruise..especially with kids.. even without kids...

Good Luck on deciding and let us know..

 

[Crush Dude!]

My thoughts..having been on carnival...amazing, nice,loved it and Disney Dream last month...BEST CRUISE EVER!..I would, if you could afford it...do Disney.

Carnival has a kids club for the kids and pools...Disney..has a kids palace, pools, slide, and WHOLE boat for the kids.

There is so much to do and see that we need to go back to finish the first one..:lol:

I know it is expensive,but I truly believe it is worth every single cent.

Go to the cruise website and explore, then do the same at carnivals..you can also read reports here, and visit Cruise forums and decide that way also.

I believe you will love Carnival, but I believe you will fall in love with a Disney cruise..especially with kids.. even without kids...


Good Luck on deciding and let us know..

Have to agree!!

I cant imagine using any other cruise line

 

[madswithano]

This is a suggestion that I think a lot of people are very wary of but my suggestion is to go during hurricane season, if you're at all flexible with regards to when you want to go. The rates are always cheaper August - October. I know. It sounds crazy, but honestly, we've been on 4 cruises with disney right in the midst of the season and we haven't ever had a serious problem. ONCE we had to re-route to another port due to storms but between you and me, one day out of the 32 that we've cruised during hurricane season isn't too bad. We've always had beautiful weather and smooth seas, and saved a lot of money in the process.

 

[Crush Dude!]

This is a suggestion that I think a lot of people are very wary of but my suggestion is to go during hurricane season, if you're at all flexible with regards to when you want to go. The rates are always cheaper August - October. I know. It sounds crazy, but honestly, we've been on 4 cruises with disney right in the midst of the season and we haven't ever had a serious problem. ONCE we had to re-route to another port due to storms but between you and me, one day out of the 32 that we've cruised during hurricane season isn't too bad. We've always had beautiful weather and smooth seas, and saved a lot of money in the process.

We have the Fantasy booked for august next year :sohappy:

 

[paul436]

I think most people like cruising. Many of the people who've told me that they don't like cruising have never been on a cruise because the whole idea of being "trapped" on a ship is repulsive to them. I've never heard anyone who has been on a cruise say they didn't like it.

I know Disney cruises are more expenive but I don't think they are 6 times as expensive as you stated. Are they comparable cruises (i.e. # of nights, ports of call, etc.)?

Order the free Disney Cruise DVD from their website. I just got mine yesterday and it was great! I'm booked for my first Disney cruise next August (sailed twice on Carnival).

 

[madswithano]

We have the Fantasy booked for august next year :sohappy:

So you know first hand how much cheaper it is! (Well...cheaper relative to disney...who we all know does not accept the word "cheap" in their vernacular.)

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Disney cruises on the Dream and Fantasy are high right now because everyone wants to try those new ships!

There are some deals still out there if your dates are flexible at all.

Disney tends to be a little more expensive, not usually as much as you found, but as others have said they are worth it! You will be treated like kings and queens.

 

[Crush Dude!]

So you know first hand how much cheaper it is! (Well...cheaper relative to disney...who we all know does not accept the word "cheap" in their vernacular.)

Our cruise was just $3300 dollars for 3 of us and after already spending 11 nights on the magic, it was a no brainer!!

Treated like Kings and Queens and $200 onboard credit was a nice bonus :sohappy:

 

[Crush Dude!]

Disney cruises on the Dream and Fantasy are high right now because everyone wants to try those new ships!

There are some deals still out there if your dates are flexible at all.

Disney tends to be a little more expensive, not usually as much as you found, but as others have said they are worth it! You will be treated like kings and queens.

Could not Have Ssid it Better :wave:

 

[ChuckElias]

just finished our 14th WDW vacation but thinking about going on a cruise next year. my wife wants Disney cruise (me too) but since we have never done one would anyone recommend another cheaper cruise first to see if we like it?

Mike, if you're already basically committed to doing a cruise, MHO is that you should not "cheap out" on another cruise line. It will be nice, sure, but if you love Disney and you know you're going to cruise, you should just look for the best price you can on a Disney cruise.

If money is an issue (and isn't it always?), there are options that lower your cost. An inside stateroom is almost always cheaper than an oceanview or veranda stateroom for the same number of people. And on the Dream, the inside staterooms have a virtual porthole, so you actually have the ocean view anyway.

And as others have pointed out, the prices are lower at certain times of year, as well. You can also take a shorter cruise (3-nights) if you're dying for a cruise but a little short on cash.

Or you could move to Florida and get those Florida resident deals that I've heard about. If I lived in Florida, I'd be broke, b/c I'd be on DCL every other weekend.