Hubby and I are dying to do a Disney Cruise. We have decided that the best and most realistic option for us is to do it for our 10 year anniversay. That will be July 2008. Yes, I know that is way off into the future but we are going to start saving now. (It's going to be a huge trip)
Currently, according to the Disney site the latest cruise dates that can be booked are for January 2007, so Im figuring by next spring we can at least book the trip.

I have several questions.
First off. We have only been (as a couple) to WDW once (we are hard core Disneyland geeks). We had a wonderful time, and even though we had 10 days we till missed a LOT of stuff. So our thought is to do 7 days in WDW, then a 4 day cruise, then tack on another 7 days in WDW afterwards. I guess to some (maybe most?) people that may sound like 'too much Disney', but trust me it's not. We can and have spent 10 days in Disneyland before and its never too much for us ;). Our thought is that the cruise portion in the middle will be a nice relaxing time in between all the hectic-ness of running all over WDW. Does that make sense? Will the cruise be as relaxing as Im assuming? Is the four day cruise truly enough to really experience it? I have always head the western Carribean is better than the eastern...is this true? The western Carribean is a 7 day cruise, and I'm not sure I can afford quite that much. (depending on how much it all comes out to, this is likely a once in alifetime thing for us so we want to do it right) Is it cheaper to do a land/sea package and then add on days? or is it cheaper to book the cruise and the WDW parts independantly? We certainly are not rich, which is why we want to try to start saving towards this trip now.
We were thinking of doing the 3 days land/ 4 days at sea package and adding on 4 days in front and 7 on the back end....but we want to do it the best way. But in looking at the itineraries, it technically looks like its only 3 days 'at sea' since you dont get to the port till 4 pm on the first day, and you dock at 7 am ish on the last day....so it's really a whole day cut off. 3 days then = 2 and 4 = 3.
Next, since we have never been on a cruise in our lives we really are unsure about the rooms. We are looking at a Deluxe Stateroom with a Verandah (http://apsc.disney.go.com/dcl/images/ratesanddates/staterooms/popstateroomcat56img.gif). My main thoughts about the verandah....whats the difference in the regular verandah and the Navigator's Verandah (http://apsc.disney.go.com/dcl/images/ratesanddates/staterooms/popstateroomcat56img.gif)??? I cant see any difference??? Also since you're clipping along at a pretty fast pace, are the rooms with the verandahs really worth the extra??? I love the thought of having that private space and being able to be outside and not fighting for a place on the main decks (which would have no privacy)...but since the ship is moving along is it ridiculously windy and silly to think that sitting out there would be enjoyable?

Hubby and I do not drink or gamble and nightlife is not our forte'. We would enjoy the shows and thats probably about it.

And last (for now) and certainly not least. Hows the weather in July? I expect it to be nightmare hot in WDW, and I assume we will just have to get over that. But our anniversary is in July. I suppose we could boost it up a few months to take advantage of less heat (we are cold weather people and about died in WDW in May/June when we were there last.) We are simply not used to any humidity and that much 'hot'. I assume making it later in the year is silly , since well into October its hurricane season......So perhaps early spring is best? So When is the best time of year to go? And how would you who have experience suggest we go about this?

Thanks in advance for any help. :)

So our thought is to do 7 days in WDW, then a 4 day cruise, then tack on another 7 days in WDW afterwards. Our thought is that the cruise portion in the middle will be a nice relaxing time in between all the hectic-ness of running all over WDW. Does that make sense? Will the cruise be as relaxing as Im assuming? Is the four day cruise truly enough to really experience it?

A cruise is VERY relaxing, but being the die-hards that you are, you might find youselves doing a lot more than you thought -- thus, not relaxing at all. If you CAN afford a seven-day, I would reccommend it over the 3 or 4 day -- you will have more time to enjoy it all before going back to the hustle and bustle at WDW.

I have always head the western Carribean is better than the eastern...is this true?
It depends. Western has one more port than Eastern. Eastern you get more "tropical" (St. Thomas and St. John) also you get one more day at sea -- Western you go to Mexico, Grand Cayman and Key West. I've done Western and the four day to nassau; next year we're doing Eastern. It is waht you make of it. Personally. I spent one hour in Cozumel and headed back to the ship :)

Is it cheaper to do a land/sea package and then add on days? or is it cheaper to book the cruise and the WDW parts independantly? We were thinking of doing the 3 days land/ 4 days at sea package and adding on 4 days in front and 7 on the back end....but we want to do it the best way.

This you might want to check with your TA or do some Internet research. There are advantages do doing a package -- convience comes to mind -- but since you are doing so many days at WDW, you might find a better price on your own. The shuttles (if you buy transportation) go from certain WDW resorts to the port. After your cruise, while most shuttles return to the airport, some go back to the resort (just make sure you get on the right one).

Next, since we have never been on a cruise in our lives we really are unsure about the rooms.... My main thoughts about the verandah....whats the difference in the regular verandah and the Navigator's Verandah (http://apsc.disney.go.com/dcl/images/ratesanddates/staterooms/popstateroomcat56img.gif)??? I cant see any difference??? Also since you're clipping along at a pretty fast pace, are the rooms with the verandahs really worth the extra???

Difference in Veranda is the baclony itself, the Navigator verandah is slighly enclosed. Regular veranda is not. Some people like having the balcony to sit on and have room service breakfast. I don't spend enough time in the cabin to require a balcony (most people you meet do three things in the cabin: shower, sleep, change). I DO like having the large window to look out of (and tell the difference between day and night) -- but if, like you said, you are watching your $$$ go with a seven-night in an deluxe outside cabin.

And last (for now) and certainly not least. Hows the weather in July? So perhaps early spring is best? So When is the best time of year to go? And how would you who have experience suggest we go about this?

Yes, July is hot -- but this is Florida -- it is ALWAYS hot. Summer vacations (vacations of any kind) or more crowded. If you go in October/September or Jan/Feb the prices go down, but the hurricanes go up. I went in the summer, yes, it was hot and humid, but we always had water with us....

Wow thanks! This is exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for.

So it's best to go with a 7 day oceanview window room as opposed to the 4 day verandah room (the price is pretty comparable that way)

I'm not planning on using a travel agent, we will book this ourselves. we have always done very well in doing these things on our own (and with the help of all the Padders here) ;)


As far as the weather...then maybe March - May would be the better dates? I wasnt aware hurricane season lasted through Jan/Feb. Wow. Im a bit paranoid of hurricanes. I've never been on a ship and Im a bit nervous about it. As big as those things are....they are still nothing more than a matchstick in the ocean.

If we do a 7 day cruise we may snip off a couple of days of the land portion. maybe 5/6 days WDW ~ 7 day cruise ~ 5/6 days WDW. 10 days was what we did before so we could do 10 again split with the cruise to save money.

I really dont think we could take it hotter than it was when we were there the last part of May first part of June (2 years ago). It was awful. Again, though, we live in the mountains. The hottest it ever gets here is maybe 95º (and that's stretching it) but with maybe 15% humidity (again,stretching it). Our normal summer days are around 80º or so. We had two weeks worth of clothes with us and fortunately we had laundry facilities because we wore all our clothes in the first 5 days. Im sure that sounds whiney to people who are used to humidity but we just arent. it makes a huge difference.

Thank you so much :)



Oh and in looking at the oceanview rooms I see a price difference of approximately $300 between level 8 and level 9 (which is where those rooms are). If the rooms are the same, what is the difference??? Is there a level we should seek?

I'm not planning on using a travel agent, we will book this ourselves. We have always done very well in doing these things on our own (and with the help of all the Padders here) ;)
Poke aroud, you'll probably find some good stuff.

As far as the weather...then maybe March - May would be the better dates? I wasnt aware hurricane season lasted through Jan/Feb.

Jan/Feb might not have the hurricanes, but if you re flying from somewhere where the weather is a little iffy in the winter, it could delay your flight. (I flew LA-Miami-Orlando)

If we do a 7 day cruise we may snip off a couple of days of the land portion. maybe 5/6 days WDW ~ 7 day cruise ~ 5/6 days WDW. 10 days was what we did before so we could do 10 again split with the cruise to save money.

I think you will LOVE the 7 days. It really feels like a vacation. We got off the four day and both my best friend and I said that we wished it was longer. So we went back in 2004 for seven days. It is amazing. The wait staff totally knows you after seven days. On the first night I told the waiter I LOVE desserts ... every night he brought our table one of everything -- regardless of what we ordered. He also knew the way you like your food, and the assistant waiter had our drinks waiting for us when we sat down.

Oh and in looking at the oceanview rooms I see a price difference of approximately $300 between level 8 and level 9 (which is where those rooms are). If the rooms are the same, what is the difference??? Is there a level we should seek?

The difference is that cat. 9 rooms are on a lower deck 1 or 2 (I'd pick 2 -- one big window instead of two smaller ones -- but you can be midship (my preference). Cat 8 rooms are higher up, but located on the front and back of the ship. Last year we were underneath the adult area -- which was perfect since we spent a lot of time there -- and we knew if we kept going up on our side we would hit the adult pool AND the spa (no criss-crossing). :)

So it's best to go with a 7 day oceanview window room as opposed to the 4 day verandah room (the price is pretty comparable that way)

Absolutely do the seven day. We did a three night for our first cruise and came off saying was too short. So our next cruise was the 7-night. I still came off saying it was too short. (We went to WDW with Lani and Alex afterwards, and Lani and I kept wanting to get back on the bus to go back to the ship.) We're on the 14-night, and I think that will be about right for me.

As far as the weather...then maybe March - May would be the better dates? I wasnt aware hurricane season lasted through Jan/Feb. Wow. Im a bit paranoid of hurricanes. I've never been on a ship and Im a bit nervous about it. As big as those things are....they are still nothing more than a matchstick in the ocean.

You don't need to worry about being the ship going into a hurricane. The ships actively avoid them. That's why, last year, they dropped a number of guests off in Galveston Texas, because they couldn't get back to Port Canaveral. The real concern with Hurricane season is that your cruise may be canceled or shortened, or you may get stuck on board the ship. If you have felxability in your timing, it's not a bad time to go, especially for price. But if you absolutly have to be off the ship on a specific day, it may be good to avoid that season. Official Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.

Oh and in looking at the oceanview rooms I see a price difference of approximately $300 between level 8 and level 9 (which is where those rooms are). If the rooms are the same, what is the difference??? Is there a level we should seek?

The difference is location. We've done the category 9 twice and will again for our fourth cruise in November for my family reunion. All three times, we've been in the same stateroom - 2572. I absolutely love it. Great big window, in the center of the ship, and we really didn't miss having a balcony. For the 14-night, we are doing a navigators veranda cabin. With as much time as we will be at sea (8 days!) I figured having a balcony at that point would be worth it, especially as we go through the Panama Canal.

Jan/Feb might not have the hurricanes, but if you re flying from somewhere where the weather is a little iffy in the winter, it could delay your flight.
Ahh I see. Not an issue. We will flyout of Phoenix (closest airport to us)

The wait staff totally knows you after seven days. On the first night I told the waiter I LOVE desserts ... every night he brought our table one of everything -- regardless of what we ordered.


terrifying!

I also have heard that cruising is all about the food. I will be 2 years post op from Gastric Bypass surgery by then (hopefully it will be happening this year). My world will most certainly not be revovling around food. (The planned cruise is also a gift to me from us for reaching my goal by then - planning ahead ;) )



The difference is that cat. 9 rooms are on a lower deck 1 or 2 (I'd pick 2 -- one big window instead of two smaller ones -- but you can be midship (my preference). Cat 8 rooms are higher up, but located on the front and back of the ship. Last year we were underneath the adult area -- which was perfect since we spent a lot of time there -- and we knew if we kept going up on our side we would hit the adult pool AND the spa (no criss-crossing). :)


So correct me if Im reading this wrong. Category 9 rooms although cheaper are better as long as you get onto deck 2, because they are more centrally located?



Oh and you have both now sold me on the 7 day :D Im getting excited and this is 3 years away...sheesh. LOL

I'm with Shoshana -- we did the seven-day Disney Magic last year and can't even imagine doing a 3-4 day cruise. Just when you're getting used to the cruise, you're done! No no, honestly. You will be kicking yourself if you don't do the longer one, believe me. It's akin to someone visiting Disneyland for the first time and only having a day!

My suggestion is that you consider doing a 7-day trip, then do WDW for the following week. We did it in that order, and it was great. The first week gave us a chance to really relax (and believe me, we NEVER felt bored, ever!!!!!). I spent some of the best quality time with Alex... just having fun, not a care in the world. Not worrying about paying for dinner or going to work or even answering a cell call. Walking around and playing ping pong just 'cause. Sitting down at the pool just 'cause. It was heaven on Earth, let me tell you.

You get just enough Disney on the cruise... then you get to the parks, and zowee! Lots of Disney stuff! You're all energized for a great stay at the parks!

Doing WDW then the cruise will be a downer... when you get back to land, you have to go home. :(

Doing WDW then the cruise will be a downer... when you get back to land, you have to go home. :(

Not us...read again ;) we are planning on doing 5/6 days in WDW then the 7 day cruise and then another 5/6 days in WDW :D

so its more like ZOWIE....relax in heaven and then another ZOWIE at the end ;)

I also have heard that cruising is all about the food.
Yes, you CAN get food 24/7 (including free room service, ice cream and pizza) But, there is a flipside :) There are "healthy" selections every night and if you don't see something, ask the waiter and they might be able to get it for you. Tip: avoid the elevators. They can get very crowded and be a bit slow. Stairs are always faster and you will get exercise that way, too. :) And congrats!


So correct me if Im reading this wrong. Category 9 rooms although cheaper are better as long as you get onto deck 2, because they are more centrally located?

That's my take, some people prefer the ends since they say they are quieter (less people pass by at night) I never found it to be a problem. I don't like the far rooms on either side because if you forget something in your cabin, it is quite a shlep to go back and get it... Just don't get an inside -- trust me, you will want the porthole.

Oh and you have both now sold me on the 7 day :D Im getting excited and this is 3 years away...sheesh. LOL

We should get commission! It is never too soon to plan, and there are Early Bird fares for those who book in advance.

We should get commission! It is never too soon to plan, and there are Early Bird fares for those who book in advance.

I agree you should! :D

I didnt know about the early bird fares...yay! Thats perfect for obsessive compulsive anal rententive schedulers like me :D ;)
Seems I cant book into 2008 yet, but I will keep watching. I assume once the bookings are available it will show up first on the website. (What I mean is that a travel agent couldnt do more than I could, can they?)

We stayed in a room with a larger room but no balcony,and it was totally fine. We didn't miss a balcony at all, since it was real easy to get up to where we could hang by the railings.

Our room was toward the middle so less chance of seasickness.

Our room was toward the middle so less chance of seasickness.



Oooooh good point. I have no idea if either of us get seasick :eek:

My opinion--you need to do the 7 day cruise! 3 and 4 are NOT enough time to really enjoy yourselves. The 7 days at WDW prior to the cruise are a good idea because then you relax on the ship. July is a terribly hot month to travel--why not just go maybe end of May or early june--still warm but not as bad and both sailings we have done on those months have been great smooth seas!

You will be kicking yourselves for waiting so long after you cruise--you will be IN LOVE with the sea! :cool: