Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance I'm thinking of doing a Disney cruise at some point next year and am wondering if anyone here has ever been on one? Where should I start for good info on them? Any secrets to getting good deals? Any insider info you want to share on what a cruise is like? Where did you cruise to?
Originally Posted By leemac I've been on quite a few - and will be on the inaugural Disney Dream cruise next month (can't wait!). The official DCL website is about as good as it gets. I've never found an unofficial site that really gives enough detail in a digestible format. The Official Guide is a great place to start too: <a href="http://www.laughingplacestore.com/Product-13309.asp" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplacestore....3309.asp</a> I've always booked my DCL packages with MouseEar Vacations (the folks in the banner ad at the top of LP). You might think that I'd be bias as they are the official LP travel agent but they are exceptional. I've never seen or heard them be beaten on price and the level of service is exceptional (like helping with onboard bookings etc. which can be very difficult unless you are in the top Castaway Club membership bracket). CC - you won't regret going on a Disney cruise. The ships are the best examples of true Disney magic out there - they are better than anything offered at any Disney resort, period. You might want to try one of the sort Bahamian cruises to start with (3/4 nights) on one of the two older ships (Magic or Wonder). The Disney Dream is 50% larger and its size will definitely be daunting if you aren't an experienced cruiser. I honestly can't champion DCL enough - the overall experience is still the best out there - on either land or sea.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance Awesome! Thanks Leemac! We were thinking of a West Coast cruise since we live here on the West Coast. And could drive to the Port in Vancouver, Canada. I actually picked up the official guide yesterday, I love those guide books. Does MouseEar Vacations charge a fee for booking with them? Do they offer prices lower than you can book with Disneycruise.com?
Originally Posted By leemac <<Does MouseEar Vacations charge a fee for booking with them? Do they offer prices lower than you can book with Disneycruise.com?>> I don't believe they charge a fee. Every time I've looked they have been cheaper than Disneycruise.com - plus you get a much better level of service.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance What kind of "stuff" is there to do on the cruise ship? I have a 3 and nearly 7 year old, and am wondering if there is enough to keep them excited after so many beloved visits to Disneyland.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo CC - there is loads for them to do, besides the obligatory swimming pool experience, cinema, live shows, character meet and greets, and dining, there is a wonderful kids club aboard too, so that as long as they enjoy activities, I do not think they will get board at all. There is so much to do, I think you would have a blast.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance Do the movie theaters show Disney only movies or current movies? Are there any character dining options?
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ Didn't know that you had been on a Disney cruise before. CC - the various kids' clubs are excellent - there is a lot for them to do - to the point where they won't want to spend any time with you! The Oceaneer's Club is for younger kids (3-7) and Oceaneer's Lab is for older kids. I'm sure if you Google Disney Cruise Navigator (the daily newspaper) you'll find some images that show all of the activities. You can't beat a Disney cruise. It is as immersive in the magic as you can get.
Originally Posted By leemac Only Disney/Touchstone movies. Only the 7 day cruises have character breakfasts. There are Meet 'n' Greets in the atrium and the characters are regularly inside Oceaneer's Lab and Club. They also appear at Castaway Cay.
Originally Posted By tashajilek I have researched a lot on cruise prices too and found vacations to go was the cheapest i could find.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance So, I can't quite get a feel for how the dining works. Do you get to pick where you eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at while you're there? Or do you prearrange it, or do they pick for you?
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb You rotate between the 3 restaurants, they arrange, for dinners. Unless you have an evening at Paulo, that night you are out of rotation. I believe breakfast and lunch you choose from the available dining.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance That's so awesome. So if it was a 5 night cruise, I wonder if they would allow you to choose which of the 3 you want to repeat? We won't be having an evening at Paulo with 2 little people in our crew, so it would just be the 3 for us.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Connie, DCL is a GREAT product. Can't speak higher of it ... Best deal going if you can swing the time off (and the airfare) would be one of the Magic's 14-night transatlantic repo cruises. Did the eastbound last April and it was one of the best vacations I have ever had ... not Disney vacations, not cruise vacations ... vacations, period. And I travel extensively. Got an incredible deal $599 a person (you are reading that correct) and booked thru Continental Airlines as I also picked up 20,000 miles as a 'bonus'. Planning on doing westbound Magic next September (love 25 hour days plus adding some Carribbean destinations along with the European ones). I know you mentioned Vancouver because of where you live, but I can flat out guarantee you'll pay considerably more for those seven nights because it's the first time DCL has done the Alaskan cruises and will have quite a premium. Also, one correction, but on my cruise they had films that were not only Disney products including Precious and The Blind Side showing in the Buena Vista Theater ... where I also saw Alice in Wonderland for first time! ... still with 14 nights at sea saw plenty of Disney films, including things I swore I'd never watch like Cinderella 3!
Originally Posted By leemac <<So if it was a 5 night cruise, I wonder if they would allow you to choose which of the 3 you want to repeat?>> The rotation plan is pre-agreed - you don't have a say I'm afraid. It just isn't possible to allow thousands of guests their choice.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Also, one correction, but on my cruise they had films that were not only Disney products including Precious and The Blind Side showing in the Buena Vista Theater ... where I also saw Alice in Wonderland for first time! ... still with 14 nights at sea saw plenty of Disney films, including things I swore I'd never watch like Cinderella 3!>> Didn't know that - thanks for the correction. I don't believe you get non-Disney product on the shorter cruises but I'll have to check now. I've still never set foot in the BV Theater for a movie! It always seems like such a waste of time to me but on the repo cruises I guess that makes sense. I think I'd go mad with a week at sea.
