[kphil89]

I am starting to plan the details of our cruise for Sept 05. I haven't made the ressies yet b/c I am scared...yes I admit it. I am nervous about the whole process. This will be our first time cruising and we will have a 3 yr old and an 8 yr old. I am worried about how me and kids will adjust to the seas. I am worried about storms...I am just plain worried! Can someone provide a link to a site where I can read more information about cruising? I think we have decided to do a 4 day cruise and spend 3 nights in Orlando at our timeshare. After we pay the initial cost of the cruise what else would we be paying for? Are all the meals included? What about the activities for kids and adults. I want to be fully aware of the dos and don'ts. I am a obsessive planner if you hadn't already guessed so you can understand why I am freaking cause I don't know where to begin....breath slowly....

thanks for any info....

[Dana]

kphil -
I understand your anxieties about the new and uncertain. Passporter writes an excellent cruise guide. If it's half as good as their WDW guide, you will love it. I haven't ever been on a cruise (for much of the same resons you are afaid of it), but wanted to offer some comfort and steer you in a good guide book direction.

[woohoo]

Just do it!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!
The cruise is the crown jewel on my vacation! You will love the yellow people that will entertain your 3 year old and 8 year old! They will have so much fun that you will have to beg them to eat with you-
We had a very rough last night the last day we were there but the ship was so balanced that the only place you noticed it was at the dueling pianos when the glass would move a little- Otherwise we were fine and 2 of us get motion sick!
The only wierd thing was the whole- food is included thing- I kept looking for the catch- the only one was that the drinks were not- alcoholic that is!

[crystalrp]

The cruise is the ultimate! Don't worry...all of you will love it! Disney was our first cruise experience. Now we have been three times...and all want to go again. All the food is included...including room service. There are counter places that have pizza, burgers, chicken sandwiches, ice cream. Just go to the window and order what you want. All free!!! (well, you did pay for it when you paid your cruise, but it sure feels like it is free!)

[woohoo]

and then there are the grand shows each night! And Yellow People!! and Evening parties! and and and and and Yellow People!

[mickey]

Just so you know on the money end. Disney will require a $200 deposit per person, with the balance due 75 days before you cruise. Included in the cruise amount is all taxes and fees, all food an entertainment and all kids club stuff. The only things that are not included are alcoholic beverages, stuff like bingo, souvenirs, gratuities or shore excursions. If you have an infant, there is an hourly charge for the nursery.

[rlander]

I have to ask...what are yellow people?

[woohoo]

the people on the boat that you leave your kids with while you go and sit in the jacuzzi. They are sooooooooo good with the kids that my daughter who was real clingy at the time would not let me pick her up- she wanted to stay there with them, One night I went to check on her and she was sound asleep in one of the CM lap and the rest of the kids were watching a movie- I loved it because I felt safe with them so happy there.

[kphil89]

Thanks to all of you, I am feeling a little less anxious. I still think I will get the book and I will probably book the cruise by the end of this month...at least I hope so.

[MrDisneyfan1]

Yellow people make the cruise!!!! Our children had sooo much fun, as with that, we had a WONDERFUL time. Planning our third trip now!!!!
Any questions let me know, just got back with a 3 and 6 year old boys!!!
DEN

[pbharris4]

I just a booked my first cruise yesterday! We're doing the 3 night Bahama cruise. I'd love to do the 7 night Eastern or Western Cruise, but wanted to go in the summer and also wanted to see how my 18 month old would do. She'll just turn 2 when we go. We're also doing 4 nights at Saratoga Springs before we go. (We're DVC members)I found a VERY, VERY informative site (pics/menus and all!!) for the Disney Cruise Line it's www.castawayclub.com. It explains alot of things you need to know and do with the cruise. It is VERY helpful. I am not afraid to cruise, but I am a very organized person as well and like to know as much as possible to plan accordingly. That site will explain about parking, identification, boarding/leaving the ship, where to shop, etc. It put my mind to ease. Before you book though...one thing they recommend is that if you are doing both WDW and Cruise is to do WDW first and then you can relax more on the cruise. As far as storms..don't go in September that's when they all seem to peak for some reason. You'll have fun!!!! When we cruise our DD will be 2 and our other DD will be 9. We're not putting our 2 yo in the nursery though..we'll take her with us wherever we go.