First post Disney Cruise questions

[fatherboyle]

Hi, my name is Tracy and I am a single mum with two boys age 8 and 6.

I love Disney, and so do my two boys. We have been to Florida twice in 2009 and just came back this year about 6 weeks ago.

 

I am considering a Disney Cruise either in 2012 or 2013 depending on how much it is going to cost. Looking to go on a 14 night cruise around the Caribean on either the Dream cruise ship or the Disney Fantasy.

 

I am also considering a package I have seen with Virgin. 3 nights at the Doubletree on IDrive, then a 7 night cruise then back for 4 nights at the Doubletree but I think with park tickets and spends this may just be too much.

 

I have a few questions if anyone can help thanks.

 

1. Is all soft drinks free on the cruise?

 

2. Are alcholic drinks reasonably priced?

 

3. I have never booked a holiday seperatly before always used travel agent, however I think this may be the cheaper option. If so how easy is this to book flights and cruise seperate or is it better just to book this through virgin?

 

4. When I look on Disney sites re the cruise it does only give me the option for a 7 night cruise, however on virgin there is one were you sail from Barcelona can this be booked seperatly or do I have to book this particular package through Virgin with flights included.?

 

5. Im not a big drinker, just have the odd glass of wine with meals, how much spends would you think I may need.

 

6. Would you think doing this in October would be ok weather wise?

 

sorry I said a few questions didnt i :p xx

[ducklite]

 

1. Is all soft drinks free on the cruise?

 

Yes

 

2. Are alcholic drinks reasonably priced?

 

That's subjective, maybe someone could post current prices and you can decide for yourself. Also DCL is one of the very few lines that allows you to bring your own alcohol on.

 

3. I have never booked a holiday seperatly before always used travel agent, however I think this may be the cheaper option. If so how easy is this to book flights and cruise seperate or is it better just to book this through virgin?

 

You'd have to price it both ways and see which was a better deal. I don't think anyone can answer this without knowing a lot more information.

 

4. When I look on Disney sites re the cruise it does only give me the option for a 7 night cruise, however on virgin there is one were you sail from Barcelona can this be booked seperatly or do I have to book this particular package through Virgin with flights included.?

 

DCL hasn't released 2013 dates yet, and they are not planning on being in Europe in 2012. You are probably seeing the 2011 sailings on the Virgin site.

 

5. Im not a big drinker, just have the odd glass of wine with meals, how much spends would you think I may need.

 

Perhaps someone has recent pricing for you. I can't imagine it's more than $10 or so for a glass.

 

6. Would you think doing this in October would be ok weather wise?

 

sorry I said a few questions didnt i :p xx

 

If you are talking about the Caribbean, you always take the chance of bad weather in October but they will divert to other ports if there is a hurricane in the way. I sailed in October on my last cruise and it was hot and sunny the entire trip.

[fatherboyle]

Ah thanks so much thats a great help. Really got my heart set on a Disney Cruise now. Just hard on my own working part time, but going to start saving now!

Thanks again

Tracy x

[DISNEY FANTASY]

1. Is all soft drinks free on the cruise?

 

Nearly everywhere, there is an included in cruise price soda station on the pool deck, and with all meals its free, bars it has a charge, and room service there is a charge.

 

2. Are alcoholic drinks reasonably priced?

 

Like Disney parks they are not too bad, but its tourist bar rates, The drink of the day is normally a good one to have.

 

3. I have never booked a holiday separately before always used travel agent, however I think this may be the cheaper option. If so how easy is this to book flights and cruise separate or is it better just to book this through virgin?

 

I book a flydrive with Virgin and then book my DCL cruises with a specialist DCL travel agent who gives me an on board credit, thats most helpful, they also look after you when things go wrong, recently my room number changed for no reason the TA had it sorted in a hour. I find its best to book the parts separately, but if you do not mind when you go, then in the UK, Virgin have specail inclusive deals with flights and WDW, that might be a good alternative.

 

4. When I look on Disney sites re the cruise it does only give me the option for a 7 night cruise, however on virgin there is one were you sail from Barcelona can this be booked separately or do I have to book this particular package through Virgin with flights included.?

 

Yes, there are limited 7 night cruises this summer in the Med, for July and August, both are correct, booking direct on DCL you will not have the option of flights and its best not to choose this anyway. There are other cruises, ships, destinations and length on DCL site, worth speaking to a specailst DCL TA. Note there are no Med cruises on DCL for 2012 only.

 

5. I'm not a big drinker, just have the odd glass of wine with meals, how much spends would you think I may need.

 

There are good wine packages that cover a bottle a day and give a discount worth a look, bar that a drink of a glass of wine is circa $6 $8 and there will be a +15% tip.

 

 

 

6. Would you think doing this in October would be OK weather wise?

 

In the Caribbean that is very good we did a Halloween cruise on DCL for 7 nights and the weather was excellent, Key West very hot and sunny and Castaway was sunny, clear skys, when August had storms.