Booking first Cruise

[playtime123]

I'm getting ready to book my first cruise for 2009. . . it's a graduation celebration for my daughter:) I was wondering if there is any significant discounting anywhere or if there are advantages to using a travel agent or Disney directly? Any suggestions from you experienced cruisers?? Favorite travel agents? We'll be paying cash, not using points.

Thanks for any help!!

Stacie

[mkhurley]

Sometimes you can find places that'll give you room credit, if Disney isn't doing the same already, they'll usually match it. Everytime I look around I always end up back at Disney because everything is there, no hit you later charges. Never flown down for a cruise though so don't know if the airline end of it will make a difference, it might.

On using points/cash, if you can book 1 person on points (can even be the 3rd/4th I think) you get a pretty good discount on the others. Just something to think about.

Enjoy, we booked our 3rd with Disney for May '08, can't wait.

[Plutofan2]

The earlier you book the more savings. As the ship fills up Disney raises the price. We already booked our July 2009 cruise. Your best deal is to book early and use a travel agent that offers cash back after you return. I will PM you with some iformation on our travel agent. Also booking through Disney is always more expensive.

[parrisk]

After you book, keep a check on the price of the cruise you booked, if they lower the price, just call Disney and they will credit you the difference. :santa:

They lowered the price on our cruise this past October. I called Disney Cruise Lines and within minutes they had credited my credit card $80. It's not much, but it made me happy!

[carolina_yankee]

Disney lowers prices of cruises? :hahahaha:

I think you can get a good deal by going through a Disney travel specialist. I would try getting quotes from the ones that advertise on Allearsnet, through Mousesavers, or Mouseplanet. I've also heard great things about Costco and Disney cruises.

I believe Disney eliminated travel agent discounts, which means the only way a travel agent can offer a lower price than Disney is if they have inventory left from the early bookings they made on spec. That is, cruises come open, agents book a block of rooms at the lowest price, and then offer them at those prices even after Disney has jacked up the rates as the cruise date approaches. Travel agents often give nice incentives, too. We ended up with stateroom gift and several $25 stateroom credits. I couldn't figure out the rhyme or reason, but they kept appearing. Let them know you're DVC, too. DVC sent us a gift basket, even though we booked before becoming owners and paid cash.

As for flights and cruises - the advantage to booking your flight as part of the cruise package is that Disney will hold the ship should your flight be delayed (if you're scheduled to arrive day of cruise). If you make your own arrangements and are late, the ship can sail without you and you have to catch up with them. Not a problem if it's Key West next day, but a real bummer if it's the Eastern itinerary or the shorter cruises. However, if you book your own flights, you can get better rates. I would just plan a very early flight that gets me into Orlando around 10ish.

A lot of people fly in the prior day and either spend the night at WDW or near Port Canaveral. The Radisson there (maybe it's Cocoa Beach?) is a very popular night-before-cruise hotel with free parking and shuttle to port.

We stayed at WDW the night before on points and book a DCL transfer. You can also do a one way car rental and turn it in near the port, then shuttle to the port. Budget (Cocoa Beach) is the best location for that.

Dirk

[mkhurley]

Dirk is talking about the Radisson Resort At The Port (http://www.radisson.com/capecanaveralfl) for a place to stay in Cape Canaveral. They have parking packages if your driving down also, leave the car there and they take you to/from the port. We've stayed there a couple times now and it's nice. Last time some poor woman fell at the pool and shattered her leg, kept seeing her on the cruise.

[carolina_yankee]

Not that I would ever want physical harm in any way, but if I have to break a leg prior to a cruise, I would want it to be a Disney cruise.

I'm amazed and impressed that she got her leg set in time to set sail. I hope she managed to have a good trip and recovered well.

Dirk

[mkhurley]

Not that I would ever want physical harm in any way, but if I have to break a leg prior to a cruise, I would want it to be a Disney cruise.

I'm amazed and impressed that she got her leg set in time to set sail. I hope she managed to have a good trip and recovered well.

Dirk

She said they set it, casted her and put her in a wheelchair for the cruise, would see her Dr when she got home, she was set on making the cruise. It happened early afternoon the day before we set sail. She seemed to be having a great time, and she got the elevator all to herself. Wasn't much room left with her leg stick'n straight out like that.

And as a side note, if you happen to be staying in Cape Canaveral before a cruise and would like to get started on some good food. Head up to Titusville to Dixie Crossroads (http://www.dixiecrossroads.com/2007/index.html) and get some Rock Shrimp, fresh as you'll get and they are good. It can be a little far for dinner for most, but it's worth it, ADR's are encouraged, specially on weekends.