Hi there! I am currently trying to find the BEST deal for a 3 day cruise for this coming November 16th. I have a family of 5. I got a quote from DCL of $3045.75 & from AAA for $3045.75, but AAA gives a stateroom credit of $50 for booking with them. So my question is, which do I go with? Pros & cons? Any stories or concerns with AAA for the cruise? I went on this cruise in 2002 and booked with DCL. I had no problems with anything. But a $50 credit is nice :) I'd like to hear of past experiences! Thank you!

Hi there! I am currently trying to find the BEST deal for a 3 day cruise for this coming November 16th. I have a family of 5. I got a quote from DCL of $3045.75 & from AAA for $3045.75, but AAA gives a stateroom credit of $50 for booking with them. So my question is, which do I go with? Pros & cons? Any stories or concerns with AAA for the cruise? I went on this cruise in 2002 and booked with DCL. I had no problems with anything. But a $50 credit is nice :) I'd like to hear of past experiences! Thank you!

We booked our package with AAA (one of the people involved with the trip worked there) and got the $50 credit. No experience booking with DCL. However, I booked my last WDW trip with Walt Disney Travel Co. Even though we hit snags with Animal Kingdom Lodge, WDTC totally took care things for us to get it straightened out.

Of course, in that fare range, you'd get a $100 cash back check (http://www.wdwvacations.com/CashtoYou.htm) from MousePlanet sponsor Small World Vacations....

You can also get the $50 stateroom credit and 0% for 6 months with the Disney Visa card if you go through DCL. (I think new applicants get 12 months for a limited time, but you would have to check the current offers and their details.)

Additionally, what I have done in the past is to put the deposit down on the Disney Visa - got 6 months at 0% on that part, then got another 6 months at 0% for the rest of it when I paid the balance a few months down the road.

My 2 cents... go with the best price you can find with the offer that you think would give you the best value. For me, the financing is a great perk and is usually my first choice. For others, the extra cash back is a benefit.

There are usualy no super sales (no pun intended) when it comes to Disney Cruises - so you have to look at what gives you the best "value" for you and your traveling companions. To be honest, between DCL, AAA, and Small World Vacations, you are not going to go wrong with any of them.

One quick note... if you plan on doing a trip to WDW before or after the cruise, then I will say that your options expand even more. Let us know if that is the case and we can help with that as well.

I do have a Disney Visa. I did not even think about using it for 0%, but now I will. Do I have to call some specific phone # to get it done with 0%? Or does it come automatically when I make the Disney Cruise purchase?

We are planning to come in 1 day early and stay at WDW. Maybe do a 1/2 day at the Magic Kingdom. I need to see what time they close on Nov 15th. Can the cruise reservationist with DCL book 1 night at WDW too? As an add on? Most likely I will use Happy Limo for transportation to the Port. They worked GREAT last time for us!

Thank you for all your help!!!

If you call DCL and book with your Disney Visa, 0% is automatic. We always make sure we tell them that it is a "Disney Visa." Just check your statement afterwards and be sure.

The last time I tried adding a day to a cruise only package, DCL would not do it. (They did do it when I did a 7 day land/sea package, though.) You can check with DCL when you call.

If you stay a day at the parks, you should still be able to purchase a transfer from your resort hotel to Port. Not sure how costs will compare with Happy Limo, though. I do know, however, that if you take a DCL bus to port, once you load your luggage on the bus, they will offload it at port and the next time you see it will be at your stateroom. (Makes it real easy.) Being that I have always done it that way, not sure how it works if you come in using private transportation. (Others can chime in on that to verify - I just dont know.)

Hope that helps.

VERY HELPFUL :) Thank you!!!!!!!!!!! I will go with the Visa 0% plus I will ask about the $50 credit too......awesome info!