Be cautious when looking at the different travel websites. Many appear cheaper because they aren't showing you the taxes & port fees until the very end of booking. Disney Cruise Line does not allow any travel site or agency to grab blocks of rooms so they can offer deeper discounts. Disney's prices are what they are. The prices or specials you see on their website is the same prices anyone else can offer. Others just quote without adding those taxes & fees up front. Kinda sneaky. If you book using a travel agent you often can get onboard credits as a thank you. Good agents can help with all the planning & details so you don't have to contact big call centers getting a different person each time. There's no charge to use a travel agent. If you book direct with DCL then the commission dollars for your booking go to Disney Travel Company. If you use an agent the commission dollars go to the booking travel agency.
Personally, I prefer to use Tammy w/Kingdom Konsultants. They're a Disney specialized agency and all their agents are good. Doesn't hurt that they also are a sponsor here.
My dad is retired Navy (24 yrs). He can't fathom a cruise either. I wish he'd give it a try. Cruise ships are floating resorts, fabulous & elegant. They are not the utilitarian military vessels.
And you don't have to work at all.
