Illuminations and Happily Ever After Cruises - Find One To Share

[hiroMYhero]

I have booked an Illuminations cruise and have read that it is customary to tip your captain. I have no problem with doing this but I have no idea how much is expected. Has anyone who has done this cruise tipped their captain and if so how much did you tip? Thanks!

Merging you to the Illumination Cruise thread where tipping has been discussed.

 

[chiisai]

Looking to share Illuminations cruise Friday, April 7. We are four, two kids two adults. It's pricy @ about $370, would like to split with at least four more folks (can take up to six more). I can book it, would want cash payment at time of cruise. If interest, post here and PM me.

I will go ahead and book it if even one person is interested, but unless more join or the other party wants to pay half, I'll likely cancel. Much $$!

 

[chiisai]

April Revelers - hear ye, hear ye!

I have booked an Illuminations cruise on Thursday April 6. We are four; there are two open spots. In addition to the spouse, I've got an 11 yo DS and a 7 yo DD. There is one other group of four joining so far. of We would love to share this with other peoples!!!

The total cost is $371 and change. I'd like to fill all spots, but it's ok if not. I'm asking $41 cash per person, which would, should we get all 10 people, include a $40 tip. If I can get at least three more people, I'll cover the remaining empty seat cost - meaning, you only pay $41, no more.

More details:
I'll take your cash when we meet on the dock.

It comes with chips and soda.

Right now the boat is scheduled to leave at 8 from yacht club, and everyone must be there by 7:45. If illuminations changes, I will change the boat time.

I can cancel up to 2 full days prior. I will do so if:

• I do not have at least three more people, unless I have one or two who want to join who are willing to cover the cost of three.
• It looks like a really really good chance of rain (but I'll try to find another night, too). I will be watching the weather like a hawk. (I will not cancel if it's just sprinkling or off and on.)
• Illuminations is cancelled.

 

[windchime]

Looking to fill two spots? If so, my husband and I would like to share the Illuminations fireworks cruise with you any evening from Sunday, April 23 to Saturday, April 29 or Friday, May 5 to Monday, May 8, 2017. We would prefer Monday, May 8, our last day at WDW, but we're flexible.

We’ve been to WDW many times and fortunately have had the opportunity to share the Illuminations cruise with wonderful Disney folks on our last few visits. Now we're spoiled as the view of the fireworks under the bridge is beyond compare! Please PM me or post a reply. Thanks so much!

Valerie

 

[egraciano]

I'm planning to book a pontoon boat for Illuminations on May 2, 2017. We have 5 people in our party so there are 5 more spots. Message me if interested.

 

[chiisai]

April Revelers - hear ye, hear ye!

I have booked an Illuminations cruise on Thursday April 6. We are four; there are six open spots. In addition to the spouse, I've got an 11 yo DS and a 7 yo DD. We would love to share this with other peoples!!!

The total cost is $371 and change. I'd like to fill all spots, but it's ok if not. I'm asking $41 cash per person, which would, should we get all 10 people, include a $40 tip. If I can get at least three more people, I'll cover the remaining empty seat cost - meaning, you only pay $41, no more.

More details:
I'll take your cash when we meet on the dock.

It comes with chips and soda.

Right now the boat is scheduled to leave at 8 from yacht club, and everyone must be there by 7:45. If illuminations changes, I will change the boat time.

I can cancel up to 2 full days prior. I will do so if:

• I do not have at least three more people, unless I have one or two who want to join who are willing to cover the cost of three.
• It looks like a really really good chance of rain (but I'll try to find another night, too). I will be watching the weather like a hawk. (I will not cancel if it's just sprinkling or off and on.)
• Illuminations is cancelled.

Hi all, I moved my cruise to Thursday, April 6. Let me know if you are interested. I also edited my original post. Thanks!

 

[Ronferr80]

April Revelers - hear ye, hear ye!

I have booked an Illuminations cruise on Sunday April 9 We are four; there are six open spots. In addition to the spouse, I've got an 11 yo DS and a 7 yo DD. We would love to share this with other peoples!!!

The total cost is $371 and change. I'd like to fill all spots, but it's ok if not. I'm asking $41 cash per person, which would, should we get all 10 people, include a $40 tip. If I can get at least three more people, I'll cover the remaining empty seat cost - meaning, you only pay $41, no more.

More details:
I'll take your cash when we meet on the dock.

It comes with chips and soda.

Right now the boat is scheduled to leave at 8 from yacht club, and everyone must be there by 7:45. If illuminations changes, I will change the boat time.

I can cancel up to 2 full days prior. I will do so if:

• I do not have at least three more people, unless I have one or two who want to join who are willing to cover the cost of three.
• It looks like a really really good chance of rain (but I'll try to find another night, too). I will be watching the weather like a hawk. (I will not cancel if it's just sprinkling or off and on.)
• Illuminations is cancelled.

I so wish this said Monday April 10th!!!! lol .....good luck and if you happen to change your date for WHATEVER weird reason keep me posted!!!!!

 

[chiisai]

I so wish this said Monday April 10th!!!! lol .....good luck and if you happen to change your date for WHATEVER weird reason keep me posted!!!!!

 

[flowergirl45]

Good morning. Anyone looking for 2 more people February 13 or 15? It would be my husband and myself. Thanks!

 

[chiisai]

Because we are going to be at Epcot late now on April 6th (due to FEA fastpass availability), I decided to move our Illuminations cruise to April 6th, too. It's a Thursday.

Let me know if you are interested. I have two open spots!

 

[tooncanator]

Hello

I can't believe I'm this late in the game, but thought I would take a shot. We are traveling April 10 to April 17, we are two adults and two children, anyone looking to rent space? Thanks for listening,

Toon

 

[cntrygrl914]

I know this is way way way early, but we'll be there in December 2017 and would be interested in sharing an Illuminations cruise if there are any takers. We will be a party of 4. thanks!

 

[PrincessDuck]

Because we are going to be at Epcot late now on April 6th (due to FEA fastpass availability), I decided to move our Illuminations cruise to April 6th, too. It's a Thursday.

Let me know if you are interested. I have six open spots!

I am possibly interested. It would be for a family of 4.....daughter is 13 and son is 11.

 

[chiisai]

I am possibly interested. It would be for a family of 4.....daughter is 13 and son is 11.

Hi there, I'll PM you to continue the conv.

 

[chiisai]

I am possibly interested. It would be for a family of 4.....daughter is 13 and son is 11.

Ok, I think I PM'd you, I haven't done that since the conversion so I'm not positive I did it right. I started a "conversation."

 

[Springtime girl]

Hi, my DH and I would love to join an illuminations cruise in our next trip from sept 3rd to sept 15th if anyone is interested in sharing?

 

[Losione]

Illuminations cruises are a fun and special way to view the Illuminations fireworks at Epcot. These cruises are very popular and require some advance planning in order to get a reservation.

You will tour seven seas lagoon prior to the beginning of Illuminations and be entertained, by your boat's pilot, with Disney trivia and views of the Boardwalk and other resorts, then you anchor beneath a bridge for an unobstructed view of the fireworks. One of the things we enjoyed the most about our Illuminations cruise was being able to just get off the boat and go to our car without fighting the huge crowd that was leaving Epcot afterwards.

Illuminations cruises are technically called "Specialty Cruises". There are 3 levels and prices for these cruises and you can read about them HERE.

There are only 5 boats available for this activity and they depart either from Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach Club Marina:

Pontoon Boats: Only 4 pontoon boats are available for this cruise. Each pontoon boat will accommodate up to 10 adults or 12 passengers if some of them are children. The cost is not determined by the number of passengers, so sharing a cruise is good idea if you want to reduce cost.

The Breathless: This is a reproduction of a 1930's ChrisCraft Runabout. It will accommodate a maximum of 7 passengers. This boat departs only from the Yacht &Beach Club Marina. This vessel has more speed than the pontoons.

In addition to the basic cost of the cruise, you should allow a gratuity for the Captain. We had 4 passengers on our cruise and tipped our Captain $25. He did a great job and paid special attention to my 6 year old nephew, my dh says now, that he wishes he had tipped him more, because he just made the whole experience wonderful.

How to book an Illuminations Cruise:


You need to call 407-939-7529 exactly 90 days before the date you want to reserve. You can determine when to call by using the DIS's priority seating calculator if you CLICK HERE

Since these cruises are so much in demand, start calling about 6:55 am est. If you get a recording that they are not open yet, disconnect and immediately hit redial. If you get the recording thanking you for calling hit #3 right away, as soon as the second recording begins press #2, when the third recording begins press either your reservation number or phone number and finish with the pound sign. Then press #1, then #2. This will take you to a reservationist, if you have to hold do not disconnect or you go to the bottom of the queue.

When the reservationist answers do not make small talk, immediately tell him/her that you want to reserve the 8PM specialty cruise for such and such date.Do not ask to reserve an Illuminations cruise or you will waste time hearing that there is no such thing. After you get your reservation you can talk all you want, but these cruises are very difficult to reserve and seconds count when thousands of people are competing for only 5 boats.

When the reservationist indicates that you have obtained the reservation, tell him/her that you want to see Illuminations. He/she will then make arrangements for your cruise to depart the marina about 1/2 hour before Illuminations begins.

You will be told that they cannot guarantee that you will see Illuminations. They tell you this because, if Illuminations is delayed for any reason, your boat will still return to the marina at the end of your hour. So far, there have been no known instances where Illuminations was not seen.

If you have flexibility in your WDW itinerary, it is best to try to reserve a cruise for the first night you have available. That way, if you don't get the reservation, you can try the next day and the next, if necessary.

If you are unable to secure a reservation for an Illuminations cruise, do not give up. Cancellations happen every day. Keep calling and trying for that reservation, even when you are in WDW. I was told by a captain of one of these cruises that his boat has often sat idle because someone cancelled. You can snag a cancellation. I know, because I was lucky enough to get a cancelled cruise only 6 weeks before our trip last year.

You can also sometimes find someone who has a reservation already and is willing to share the space and cost of his cruise with you. The Illuminations Cruise Central posts on the Theme Parks board are there to help people match up for these cruises. There is an Illuminations Cruise Central for each month, beginning 3 months ahead of time.

If you want to try to find a cruise to share, or if you have a reservation for a cruise already and are willing to share with others please post to thread.

Good luck getting a reservation for an Illuminations Cruise, I hope this information is helpful to you.

Katholyn

Hey all, wow such an nice experience, would like to try this atraction, hope wil do it soon! funnily i found this by searching for viagra lol. Have a good day!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have a 3rd of July MK fireworks cruise booked. We are 4 adults and have room for 4 adults.
Price boat is $478. We want to give an $80 tip. So total $558. $69.75 per person.

We leave from Contemporary. Tentative time to meet is 7:45, but we are to call 2 weeks ahead of time to verify.

Send me a message and post here. I am also putting this on the DVC Board.

Bobbi

 

[omegak]

I know this is way way way early, but we'll be there in December 2017 and would be interested in sharing an Illuminations cruise if there are any takers. We will be a party of 4. thanks!

Which dates in December? I'm planning on being there then as well two adults.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have a 3rd of July MK fireworks cruise booked. We are 4 adults and have room for 4 adults.
Price boat is $478. We want to give an $80 tip. So total $558. $69.75 per person.

We leave from Contemporary. Tentative time to meet is 7:45, but we are to call 2 weeks ahead of time to verify.

Send me a message and post here. I am also putting this on the DVC Board.

Bobbi

Just bumping this up! There will be some snacks on board, chips, pop, water.