Originally Posted By basil fan Can anyone tell me how far in advance one should book a Disney cruise? I'm accustomed to booking Disney hotel rooms, but never a cruise. So far, anyway. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Couture <a href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/disney/buzz.html" target="_blank">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/...uzz.html</a>
Originally Posted By Disney Joy As soon as possible. There are reservations out for next year. The earliest you book the lower the price will be. The more the cruise fills up the higher the price goes up. It could be the difference of hundreds of dollars. You can always put down a deposit and change or cancel later. Go to Disney Cruise website.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Also, the more desirable locations go quickly. The "prime staterooms" mid-ship near the main elevators book early. Book late and you can end up aft which is less convenient and can pick up a fair amount of engine vibration... especially when docking. Since you pay the same for all locations for the same room on the same deck, you might as well book early to get a great location.
Originally Posted By MsLindanne Check out small world vacations! They can give you a quote and answer any questons. Plus, if you book with them, you can get some onboard credits which will come in real handy. They will require a deposit once you book, then the whole trip needs to be paid in full about 3 months in advance. So this requires some serious planning. But if you can do it, you will have memories to last a life time!! Were going on our 3rd cruise, and a trip to WDW and everytime we've been on has been thru small world. They are the best for us!
Originally Posted By basil fan Thanks, that's very helpful. Another question: I've been to WDW many times and know how to get from the airport to my hotel. But how do you get from the airport to the dock for a cruise? I don't even know where in Florida the ship docks. You do fly into Orlando airport, right? Kuzco, Disney's Bad Boy Hero <a href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/disney/kuzco.html" target="_blank">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/...zco.html</a>
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Yes, MCO is the airport to fly into. Disney operates Cruise Line buses between the airport and Port Canaveral. I believe it is about $75 per passenger round trip. There are considerably less expensive shuttles available, but as usual Disney is the most convenient. Once they have your luggage at the airport you don't have to deal with it again, it will be delivered outside your stateroom door. Be sure to pack a small carry-on with whatever you might need before your luggage is delivered.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I believe it is about $75 per passenger round trip. There are considerably less expensive shuttles available, but as usual Disney is the most convenient. Once they have your luggage at the airport you don't have to deal with it again, it will be delivered outside your stateroom door. >>> It actually can be even more convenient than that. If you are arriving by airplane the same day as your cruise departs, then they will mail you special tags to put on your checked baggage: then you check it in with your airline at your home airport and the next time you see it is in your stateroom that evening - no need to do anything with luggage at the airport. And, on the way back home, if you fly out of MCO on the same day your airplane departs, it's the same way: they check you into your flight on board, and give you luggage tags. You put them on your bags and place them outside your stateroom the night before your cruise arrives back, and then the next time you see them is on the baggage carousel at your home airport.
Originally Posted By basil fan Oh, yes, I've used it for park vacations. I wasn't sure it was available for cruises, too. Thanks for all the good input. Just what a first-timer needs! Disney Trivia Quiz <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/disney/dquiz.html">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/...uiz.html</a>
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I wasn't sure it was available for cruises, too.>> The main difference is while tha Magical Express is free, the Disney Cruise Line buses are not.
Originally Posted By basil fan Yes, but as I won't have a car, it seems like the way to go. It's Tough to Be a Bird <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/disney/tough.html">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/...ugh.html</a>
