I want to book a cruise and am debating between using AAA or Small World Vacations. What advantages/disadvantages does each one have? Does Small World Vacations help book Palo or with the Nursery?

How is the stateroom that are a Cat. 9 room 2072? Anyone have this room before that can tell me about it? Does it have one porthole or two? There will be a crib in the room, because we would be bringing an infant. The baby will just be over a year old. Does anyone think this is too young? I noticed that this is on deck 2? Since you are near the bottom of the ship, can you feel the motion of the water? We are on a tight budget, but is Cat. 8 a better choice? If Cat. 8 is better choice, any stateroom # advice?

There are a lot of questions, but this would be our first cruise and on a very tight budget. I would love to hear any advice. This would be for the 4 night cruise on the Wonder.

I want to book a cruise and am debating between using AAA or Small World Vacations. What advantages/disadvantages does each one have? Does Small World Vacations help book Palo or with the Nursery?

How is the stateroom that are a Cat. 9 room 2072? Anyone have this room before that can tell me about it? Does it have one porthole or two? There will be a crib in the room, because we would be bringing an infant. The baby will just be over a year old. Does anyone think this is too young? I noticed that this is on deck 2? Since you are near the bottom of the ship, can you feel the motion of the water? We are on a tight budget, but is Cat. 8 a better choice? If Cat. 8 is better choice, any stateroom # advice?

There are a lot of questions, but this would be our first cruise and on a very tight budget. I would love to hear any advice. This would be for the 4 night cruise on the Wonder.

We haven't stayed in 2072 before, but we have stayed in the same room exactly opposite from it - 2572. And to be honest, we love it - we've had it for 3 of our four cruises, twice on the Wonder. It is almost exactly midships and perfectly positioned. It will have one large porthole (the two small portholes generally only show up on deck one).

In general, the lower you are and the more centered you are in the ship, the less motion you will feel. So being on deck 2, midships is about as good as it gets. A Cat 8 stateroom will generally be on a higher deck, towards either the bow or the stern, so more likely to feel motion. You will hear the swishing of the water faintly, but we find it incredibly soothing and relaxing.

We know a lot of people who bring their little ones, including a couple of family members on your Thanksgiving cruise last year. Michael (14 months at cruise time) loved Flounders. The staff there is fantastic! As for the crib, be aware that it is actually a pack-and-play (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009V0TAG/sr=8-1/qid=1147875497/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-6971168-4978262?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance), and not a true crib. Wasn't a problem for Michael - he slept perfectly well. You will have a blast with the baby, and will also be able to leave him/her at Flounders when you want some couple time.

As for booking agency, I would generally recommend Small World Travel. They will have the exact same pricing as AAA, and to be honest, an independant travel agent will almost always do a better job of helping educate you, and guiding you through the process.

Now, Sue can't normally book Palo, Flounders, or the Spa for you in advance (no travel agent can unless you are booked into a Cat 1-3), those can only be done on line. But she can call you a few days before you are eligible to make those reservations, and tell you how to book those. She can help with excursions and other arrangements.

As for other hints and suggestions, there will be some here on the board. But also keep an eye on MousePlanet in the next 1-2 months. I have a large article about making the most of your cruise coming up. I just have to finish writing it.

Tony

There are a lot of questions, but this would be our first cruise and on a very tight budget. I would love to hear any advice. This would be for the 4 night cruise on the Wonder.

Welcome to the world of cruising -- warning: it can be addictive... :) Keep the questions coming ... someone on here will almost always have the answer for you.

There are a lot of questions, but this would be our first cruise and on a very tight budget. I would love to hear any advice. This would be for the 4 night cruise on the Wonder.

Welcome to the world of cruising -- warning: it can be addictive... :) Keep the questions coming ... someone on here will almost always have the answer for you.

I want to book a cruise and am debating between using AAA or Small World Vacations. What advantages/disadvantages does each one have?

- While I know that SmallWorldVacations has a great rep and you will find great comments about them, the only reason why I go through Disney is so I can get 0% for 6 months on my Disney Visa card. Do that for the deposit and then the trip itself and I found I can do this twice for the same vacation.

When Mrs. GusMan booked our last trip, the prices between what Disney offered and what an agent offered (not necessarily SWV, as I forgot the name of the agency) was basicly the same. I do know that some agents, though, have other perks or cash back offers that may be attractive as well. As for personalized service, an agent would score very high in that area but DCL is very good about it as well.

Does Small World Vacations help book Palo or with the Nursery?
- Nope. However, you can book Palo online (via DCL) a short time before the trip, if I recall correctly.

There will be a crib in the room, because we would be bringing an infant. The baby will just be over a year old. Does anyone think this is too young?
- Not too young at all. My son went on his first DCL trip at 5 months old. He loved it.

I noticed that this is on deck 2? Since you are near the bottom of the ship, can you feel the motion of the water?
- Lets put it this way... You will feel the ship move regardless of where you will be. :) I found the lower decks to be a little "louder" than others, though...

I think when it comes to vacationing on a budget, a cruise is a great idea because you can do so much yet control costs. Remember that the shore excurisions, alcohol, the spa, and nursery care do cost extra. When you get your shore excursion guide you will be able to see what costs what. You do not have to do an excursion - a nice stroll downtown Nassau may be enough.

Oh, and I find that they do try to sell a lot of bottled water. The tap is just fine. Also, you can invest in a refillable mug for like $3. There is free soda 24 hrs/day deck 9 aft.

If you have any other questions, just ask...

I want to book a cruise and am debating between using AAA or Small World Vacations. What advantages/disadvantages does each one have?
I can only vouch for Small World Vacations cruise agents, as I am a SWV Agent. :D

We are required to not only have extensive knowledge of whatever product we are representing, but also to have first hand experience. We also do not have any Agency change or cancellation fees (only Disney's apply), which you might incur with other travel agencies. And as Tony graciously pointed out, it's fun walking hand-in-hand with a Guest on their maiden voyage. It's Guests like you who remind me what the nervous first-time-jitters and anxious anticipation is all about, and how much fun it was to go on our first cruise. First-time cruisers bring the childlike wonder into our day. I digress...

The Disney Visa 0% financing is independent of where you book. Guests who use it while booking through either SWV or AAA would receive the 0% financing, however, you need to make sure both the deposit and the final payment are made with the DV card to take advantage of any onboard booking credit.

Also, again as Tony pointed out, SWV offers additional cash-to-you incentives and onboard credit incentives, or sometimes run promotions which can help with the budget. Check your monthly Mousesavers.com newsletter for the latest offer.

Finally, SWV also books group space as soon as it is available, which can be very beneficial if you are looking for certain dates that an agency might be offering. Definitely ask.

Does Small World Vacations help book Palo or with the Nursery?
Palo's? Love those 3AM Palo's bookings. :D I do, but it depends on the Guest, and might depend on the agent. Shore excursions and spa treatments too. Most of my Guests prefer to book their own via their wish list at Disneycruise.com. That wish list feature is rather addicting, and very easy to use once set up.

Travel Agents are not supposed to book the nursery or child care bookings; this is due to security reasons, as you are required to have a pass code and provide private information. It is for the children's safety, and we are blocked from being able to book this for our Guest.

How is the stateroom that are a Cat. 9 room 2072? Anyone have this room before that can tell me about it? Does it have one porthole or two?
There is 1 porthole in it; the ones with 2 portholes are on Deck 1. There's not a lot of 'floor' activity going on above you; you're pretty near the central elevators, and have someone across the hall from you, if that matters. I'm not sure what you are comparing it to, but you're in a decent central location, low down in the ship which will counter ship movement, which is good.

If you do decide on Cat 8 and have another young child, I love Deck 5 rooms - there are few rooms on this floor, and the children's centers are located here, so a quick trip away.

There will be a crib in the room, because we would be bringing an infant. The baby will just be over a year old. Does anyone think this is too young?
The only Guests I find who think this is too young, are Guests who have not been on a Disney Cruise. And if you do decide to book, be prepared to get a few unsolicited comments about your baby being too young. ;)

I totally second Niwel's advice - crusing can be very addicting! ;) Castaway Cay is my personal dream of Utopia. Now, if they could only get my husband to stand over me with a palm frond for a few hours, I would be happy. :D

Finally, I hate that my note sounds like a SWV parade, but I just don't know AAA's cruising policies, and can only vouch for our own, and I hope someone with AAA experience could perhaps elaborate so you can compare, or just feel free to get a quote from all concerned on your own and compare that way.

The Disney Visa 0% financing is independent of where you book. Guests who use it while booking through either SWV or AAA would receive the 0% financing, however, you need to make sure both the deposit and the final payment are made with the DV card to take advantage of any onboard booking credit.
If this is the case, then not only do I stand corrected after all this time of thinking such, but that means I can gladly take my business elsewhere. Not that DCL or Disney Travel have been bad, mind you - just want options and competitive pricing AND get my 0% financing.

Gusman, it's okay - it's in Disney's best interest to let you continue booking that way, frankly. They don't have to pay a middle man, in essence. But you're right, it's always best to shop around. That's why sites like Mousesavers.com are so invaluable. The wealth of advice she's uncovered is just truly astounding.

I hope you find a wonderful deal on your next cruise! :D

Thank you for the so much for the advice. Everybody's comments help.

Just a little plug for my former employer . . . I used to be a cruise agent for Costco Travel. They do Disney Cruises too and get better rates than calling the cruise line themselves (or AAA!) Any room that is available at the time is available to you - they do not block rooms. Most of the Costco agents have been through The Disney College of Knowlege and know quite a bit about the cruise line. (I have my graduation ears, still!) The only draw back is you have to be a Costco member. There are sometimes perks for executive members, but not much. You are asked to pay the deposit at the time of booking and the balance is due at a specified date that the cruise line requires (they'll tell you this date exactly if you want). I would suggest NOT calling on a Monday - that's their busiest day. It's been two years since I worked there . . . left on maternity leave and decided I like being a mom more than a travel agent. I miss it at times. Anyway, just another suggestion. No matter who you decide to book with, have fun!!!!