1st Disney Cruise - Help!! what time / what ship?

[cfergy21]

Hi All,

I am planning our first Disney Cruise and don't know where to start. We have been to WDW twice in the last 2.5 years and now would like to try a cruise. I have been on a Carnival cruise years ago but this would be my 6 yr old daughters first cruise. I am a single mom of one so trying to keep price as low as possible.

We live in NJ so we would probably go out of Miami or Port Canaveral or wherever is cheapest. I don't mind traveling in hurricane season and not really picky about where cruise is going. We're more focused on meeting characters, dining, swimming and on board activities. I would like at least 4 nights. Hoping someone can help with some questions or maybe point me in the right direction. I've googled for hours and can't find what I'm looking for.

Is it possible to get a Disney cruise under $1000 for the 2 of us?

Which ship is the best or is there a grid somewhere that compare the 4? Are certain things offered on one and not the other?

What time of year and ports are cheapest? Assuming Bahamas or Caribbean?

Do I need to book character meals / activities 180 in advance like in the parks? (I am usually the one up at 4am on day 180 waiting for BOG adr's She will definitely want princess meals and bibbity bobbity.

Sorry if I'm rambling but thanks in advance for any suggestions. I am super planner and want to learn as much as possible before booking.

 

[tmarie]

Hi All,

I am planning our first Disney Cruise and don't know where to start. We have been to WDW twice in the last 2.5 years and now would like to try a cruise. I have been on a Carnival cruise years ago but this would be my 6 yr old daughters first cruise. I am a single mom of one so trying to keep price as low as possible.

We live in NJ so we would probably go out of Miami or Port Canaveral or wherever is cheapest. I don't mind traveling in hurricane season and not really picky about where cruise is going. We're more focused on meeting characters, dining, swimming and on board activities. I would like at least 4 nights. Hoping someone can help with some questions or maybe point me in the right direction. I've googled for hours and can't find what I'm looking for.

Is it possible to get a Disney cruise under $1000 for the 2 of us?

Which ship is the best or is there a grid somewhere that compare the 4? Are certain things offered on one and not the other?

What time of year and ports are cheapest? Assuming Bahamas or Caribbean?

Do I need to book character meals / activities 180 in advance like in the parks? (I am usually the one up at 4am on day 180 waiting for BOG adr's She will definitely want princess meals and bibbity bobbity.

Sorry if I'm rambling but thanks in advance for any suggestions. I am super planner and want to learn as much as possible before booking.

Hi!

I am so excited for you! A Disney cruise vacation will be a dream come true for you and your daughter. I have only been on one cruise and have my second one booked, so I am no expert..........but I can tell you with confidence that you are going to LOVE it!

There are a lot of characters on the ships that just wander around as well as many scheduled meet and greets. Each day of the cruise you will be given a "Navigator" that tells you the days activities. Honestly, there are so many fun activities to do that you can't attend them all....you just have to pick your favorites. (Good reason to book another cruise, right??)

Disney has 4 ships and each of them are amazing. You can certainly do a four day cruise but I can assure you, it's going to go by fast and leave you wanting more. I highly recommend a seven day cruise. The nice thing about DCL is that you can schedule cruises up to 18 months in advance and they let you make payments - in my mind that makes it more affordable. Check out the website listed below for more information on the ships and destinations.

www.disneycruise.disney.go.com

You can book a cruise thru that website or of course there are other options as well. I choose to use a travel agent as I found it a little more affordable. I've heard others say that they have booked thru Costco travel too. There are a lot of different options available - you'll just have choose what is best for you.

Finally, the DISboards are amazing and will give you SO much helpful information. Don't say I didn't warn you - they are addicting

I hope I have been a little bit helpful. I'm sure others will join in and give you lots of helpful advice.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Hi All,

I am planning our first Disney Cruise and don't know where to start. We have been to WDW twice in the last 2.5 years and now would like to try a cruise. I have been on a Carnival cruise years ago but this would be my 6 yr old daughters first cruise. I am a single mom of one so trying to keep price as low as possible.

We live in NJ so we would probably go out of Miami or Port Canaveral or wherever is cheapest. I don't mind traveling in hurricane season and not really picky about where cruise is going. We're more focused on meeting characters, dining, swimming and on board activities. I would like at least 4 nights. Hoping someone can help with some questions or maybe point me in the right direction. I've googled for hours and can't find what I'm looking for.

Is it possible to get a Disney cruise under $1000 for the 2 of us?

Contact a specialist DCL TA and get them to do the research for you.

Which ship is the best or is there a grid somewhere that compare the 4? Are certain things offered on one and not the other?

The best is subjective and also the best will be the most expensive, the best really is the two newer ships Dream and Fantasy who for example have Aquaduck but all four have characters, shows good entertainment and food.

What time of year and ports are cheapest? Assuming Bahamas or Caribbean?

Late August September, October, November and January excluding any public holidays .

Do I need to book character meals / activities 180 in advance like in the parks? (I am usually the one up at 4am on day 180 waiting for BOG adr's She will definitely want princess meals and bibbity bobbity.

Only character meals are on the older ships Magic and Wonder and on most seven night or longer cruises and are not like a Chef Mickeys they do not need to be booked in advance. Meals are included bar optional book able adult meals and all planed for you.

Sorry if I'm rambling but thanks in advance for any suggestions. I am super planner and want to learn as much as possible before booking.

Answers above best advice contact a good DCL TA

 

[MommyAJof2Girls]

I think it's absolutely amazing you are doing this with your daughter. This is a special memory for the both of you. As a single mom for many years, I did many "small" vacations with just my daughters. When the boyfriend joined the picture, we would do a weekend here and there, but my girls and my vacation was something to be cherished. We have planned our cruise for December of next year and they won't find out just yet. I think this will be well worth it if planned in advance for your budget! Great job Mom!

AJ

 

[Kholtdis]

We did the Dream in the Caribbean when my kids were 5, 3, and 1. It was a wonderful place to start Disney cruising. Have fun planning!

 

[MrDisneyFan]

Great advice here. You can work with a TA to do the leg work.

I concur with the previous poster said. Book as far out as you can and make payments on it so it's spread out and maybe more affordable. You only have to put a small deposit and can pay it out over the next however many months until your cruise.