[mairinmaureen]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

If I did Western Caribbean it would have to be during summer & I am NOT about to venture that during hurricane season.

We did RCI to the Bahamas in July '06 for our honeymoon...which I now know is hurricane season. For the most part the captain will steer the ship around any storms. However we did experience bursts of rain very similar to Orlando's. The worst part was the cancellation of three of our shore excursions and two ports of call because of high winds!

I HIGHLY recommend non-hurricane season. After a certain number of days stuck on a ship w/o a port of call, you begin to feel like jumping overboard.

On a brighter note...my grandmother-in-law wants the whole family to go on a cruise together for her 80th birthday in January and she picked the same Bahamian cruise that we had for our honeymoon. It will be great to have a do-over!

If I ever personally plan another cruise vacation, however, it will only be through DCL, especially after reading this thread.

[woohoo]

1) Pros & Cons of both the early & late seating options? My first instinct would be to request the early seating but how does that effect days when you are at a Port of Call. For instance, on the St. Maarten day it says you don't return to the ship until 7pm, early dinner seating is between 5:30-6:30?

We like the early seating because we get to enjoy the rest of the activities of the ship after we are done eating. The shows and the excitement after dinner is better than rushing to do it all before dinner and then not knowing what to do after you eat. As for the later ports of call, we have never had that before- we have always had to be back on the boat before we ate dinner- the ship was normally pulling out of port by that time.

2) Is doing one excursion at each Port of Call too much? Do you think we'll feel too rushed? I was considering the following:
- St. Maarten: 12-Metre Regatta (Daniel would LOVE this, ok so will I )
- St. Thomas: either the Tortola Dolphin Encounter or Atlantis Submarine adventure

I say do it all- your not going to be back anytime soon so why not!


3) When do you book & pay for these excursions?

We booked them online before we left either by booking through the cruise website or looking for some of our own online (was always cheaper than through the cruise and had more options) You can do some reaserch on reviews of the ones you book outside the cruiseline. Sometimes you need to take a cab to where the excursion starts but I have found some great trips outside that limited list the boat gives. We have always paid a deposit but paid the rest when we actually got there.

4) Do you usually arrange your own airfare or include it in the cruise package? I see you can keep the ground transportation even if you arrange your own flight but when I got a quote WITH flight they were charging me $600. extra just for Daniel and I. I KNOW I can get a better price through Continental. You fly into Orlando, right?

do your own fare! There is never a discount and its no more convenient


5) Has anyone ever added on the "romance package"? It seems to include a lot of extras like champagne, a bottle of wine at dinner, robes in your room, a rainforest spa pass for the week, a "gift" in your room, and includes getting advanced ability to book Palo.

I have never done it, we decided to get the wine package instead when we got on the boat. It was a different bottle each night for dinner. We never had issues booking Palo but we also were able to book it early because we are Castaway club member so we had early access already.

6) OK, REALLY, the "inside deluxe stateroom" with no windows could REALLY save us a lot of $, especially b.c this is a Spring Break cruise... is it REALLY depressing to have no portholes?

We have done both- They just make it look like there is a window that is covered by a curtain. We spent so little time in the room that it really never mattered. The only times we like the window is when we first get on the boat and we can look down- or when we are on shore and we can point to our room.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by jk8

6. Friends of ours had no windows last time and still had a blast on their cruise. They got a window this time and enjoyed it more. I don't think it will make you have a bad cruise. What level are they booking at right now? Sometimes if you book in GTY you have a chance of an upgrade, but you never know. The split bathrooms you get with the Cat 10 and up are a big plus as well.

Feel free to ask more questions!!

What is this GTY business & different booking codes? All I know is that this particular cruise is Spring Break '09 so if we're gonna do this we better roll soon. How would I find out the level?

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by KiKi

6. We booked a category 12GTY and were upgraded to a category 10 (inside deluxe). I absolutely would do this again! I did not find it dark or depressing to not have a window. There is a large round mirror where the porthole would be if it were an outside cabin and this gives a slight illusion of a porthole. We spent very little time in our room. When we were there it was usually to clean up and get ready for meals. Yes, it would have been nice to have a window, or a verandah, but for us it came down to a choice of being able to go on the cruise with an inside cabin or not going at all. I was not disappointed! The cabins are very nice. The split bath with the deluxe room is nice (we had 4 people to get cleaned up at the end of the day), so it made it much more efficient. But even if we didn't have the split bath it would have been okay.

Ask away if you have any other questions!

Once again, I have no clue what that category code 12GTY means. Is that something they do through the Disney Cruiseline website, or through the travel agent? So far I've only gotten a quote through the actual website.

It sounds like you hardly even noticed being in an "inside" cabin, this would save us nearly $500 so that would be awesome. Thank you for all your advice

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by jk8

Wish, don't forget to get a quote through Mouseketrips for the cruise. I found that better than booking through the Disney site.

Awesome, I already filled out the Mouseketrips request so as soon as I get a reply we'll make a decision!

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMagic

1) I prefer late seating. We're always late whenever we have early seating (usually because we're fighting over the hair dryer or shower or something). And we would miss pictures. I say definitely go late. Sometimes they have special show viewings for late dinner guests. And this way, you know you're hungry for dinner, and you're probably less likely to overeat at midnight buffets.

2) We usually do one excursion per port of call. St. Maarten is definitely the prettiest of the two islands. I suggest morning shopping time. And beware of beaches on the French side. You might be in for a surprise.

I hate St. Thomas. So I'm a little biased I suppose. But I do not recommend dolphin encounter. If you want to interact with dolphins, I suggest Discovery Cove. This is like the dolphin exhibit at Sea World. You sit around a pool with dolphins and they bring the dolphins up to you and you can pet them. And only one family can get in the water at a time. You aren't really swimming. They just bring them to you in like four feet depth. It's a disappointment. And in case you're considering snuba, I don't recommend that, either. Especially if "Cocoa Beach" is mentioned. Do not go there. We did snuba and they gave us one air tank for the five of us. We ran out in ten minutes. It was a rip-off.

3) You can book in advance online... or you can wait until you're on the ship. Actually, that's usually how we do it in the Caribbean. I know on RCI you can book using your TV.

4) Now, I'm not the one doing the money and stuff, but I read a lot of Conde Nast and Travel and Leisure, and neither recommends airfare and cruise line packages. However, if you do book them seperately, if something goes wrong with the flight, you're not guaranteed on the ship. (However, if for some reason you miss the boat, you can fly out via helicopter and catch up.)

5) Obviously I've never had a romance package. But it sounds delightful... go for it!!!

6) We have stayed in an inside stateroom once, and it really wasn't that bad. We typically don't spend that much time in our stateroom. It did feel a tad bit like a closet at first, but I got used to it. There is a fake window with a light, so it doesn't feel like you're trapped inside... just that your shade is permantly closed. Kind of an evening feel. But if you aren't going to be spending much time in your stateroom, an inside one will definitely work. And personally, I don't think there is much use for a verandah in the caribbean. All you see is blue... blue... and blue. But I don't find it depressing. No.

Well, hope you have a fabulous time on your cruise!

How come you disliked St. Thomas? I read more about the Dolphin Excursion and I totally understand what you mean, it does sound like A LOT of fluff for just being able to see & 'shake hands' with a dolphin for 5 minutes. I know Discorvery Cove is WAY more hands on but most likely, we'd NEVER take time to go do that in Orlando. Obviously I would have PLENTY of time to decide on excursions so I am not completely concerned about it. We might choose the mountain/nature/butterfly garden hike or something instead.

Did you ever feel like you were missing out on any late evening shows or activities on the boat with the 'late seating' dinners?

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by llama

1) For you and Daniel - take the late dining. This has a lot of pluses. If you're late getting back from an excursion you don't have to rush, the entertainment (and the entertainment on Disney cruises is AMAZING) takes place twice in an evening. By going to the early show, you miss all the kids who are at dinner. (Wow - this sounds like I hate kids - I don't, but when your two adults, these are things to take into consideration). After dinner you can go to a dance club or a quiet bar - still lots to do.

2) I agree that one excursion per island is enough. St. Thomas has excellent shopping - you might want to keep it free to shop and explore by yourself. Personally, unless it's something special we don't usually take the excursions - you can usually hire your own cab and driver when you get of the ship who will take you to the same places for MUCH less money. However - if it's something really special - take the excursion.

3) The best time to book it is when you board. You'll probably have a bit of a wait to get your stateroom or whatever, so that's a good time.

4) Book your own airfare.

5) Don't know anything about the Romance Package but it sounds good. Be sure to get a reservation for Palo for a romantic dinner

6) I've never had an inside stateroom, but I snooped last time and they were very nice. Not claustrophobic at all. But always ask for an upgrade - you never know when you'll get lucky.

You are going to have SO MUCH fun - as wacky as it sounds Disney cruises are the BEST for a couple because Disney is very strict about keeping the Adult areas off limits to kids. (there I go again - but seriously, it's so nice to have a pool of your own and your own beach at Castaway Cay. Book a massage on the beach - heaven.

What kind of shopping on St. Thomas? I know you said it was good, but like what do they have there, is it worth a couple hours or 1/2 the day?

Did you get to eat at Palo? What was it like?

Thank you.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by mairinmaureen

We did RCI to the Bahamas in July '06 for our honeymoon...which I now know is hurricane season. For the most part the captain will steer the ship around any storms. However we did experience bursts of rain very similar to Orlando's. The worst part was the cancellation of three of our shore excursions and two ports of call because of high winds!

I HIGHLY recommend non-hurricane season. After a certain number of days stuck on a ship w/o a port of call, you begin to feel like jumping overboard.

On a brighter note...my grandmother-in-law wants the whole family to go on a cruise together for her 80th birthday in January and she picked the same Bahamian cruise that we had for our honeymoon. It will be great to have a do-over!

If I ever personally plan another cruise vacation, however, it will only be through DCL, especially after reading this thread.

Yeah, I lived in South Florida long enough to know that booking tropical vacations during hurricane season is just, well.... risky! No thanks!
Congrats on the do-ver, this time it will be WONDERFUL, and storm free! hehe.

[LittleMissMagic]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

How come you disliked St. Thomas? I read more about the Dolphin Excursion and I totally understand what you mean, it does sound like A LOT of fluff for just being able to see & 'shake hands' with a dolphin for 5 minutes. I know Discorvery Cove is WAY more hands on but most likely, we'd NEVER take time to go do that in Orlando. Obviously I would have PLENTY of time to decide on excursions so I am not completely concerned about it. We might choose the mountain/nature/butterfly garden hike or something instead.

Did you ever feel like you were missing out on any late evening shows or activities on the boat with the 'late seating' dinners?

I found St. Thomas to be rather dirty. It also didn't help that I ended up on a yucky beach in the middle of nowhere. I've had bad St. Thomas experiences. Of course, I was young, and immature (still am ). Crying my eyes out. Which meant Daddy would feel awful and buy me pretty much whatever I wanted. (Which was usually a diet coke.) Compared to St. Maarten, though... St. Thomas is just... dirty. St. Maarten has lovely, natural landscaping. There just isn't much to look at at St. Thomas. I'm biased, I guess, though.

There are a couple of things we've missed during late dinner. Like events at kids clubs and such. Of course, we would have to leave dinner early at early seating to get there. Pretty much whichever seating you have, you're going to miss something. But the big stuff... you really don't miss any of that. They try to schedule it so you don't have to.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMagic

I found St. Thomas to be rather dirty. It also didn't help that I ended up on a yucky beach in the middle of nowhere. I've had bad St. Thomas experiences. Of course, I was young, and immature (still am ). Crying my eyes out. Which meant Daddy would feel awful and buy me pretty much whatever I wanted. (Which was usually a diet coke.) Compared to St. Maarten, though... St. Thomas is just... dirty. St. Maarten has lovely, natural landscaping. There just isn't much to look at at St. Thomas. I'm biased, I guess, though.

There are a couple of things we've missed during late dinner. Like events at kids clubs and such. Of course, we would have to leave dinner early at early seating to get there. Pretty much whichever seating you have, you're going to miss something. But the big stuff... you really don't miss any of that. They try to schedule it so you don't have to.

I appreciate your honest answer. I have been to Bermuda & the Bahamas before and even though Bermuda was gorgeous & fun, the Bahamas we found dirty, unappealing, and actually pretty boring. So I guess booking a fun excursion would be worth it, versus sitting on a crappy beach that I could find elsewhere without leaving the US.

Of course there are 'not so appealing' areas ANYWHERE you go in the world, sometimes I find that interesting, spicy, and I love checking out those areas... others, not so much. So thank you for the warning.

[cinderbella]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

You don't get Spring Break?!?! April 11th-18th is during mine, that's why we have to choose this cruise. If we could go whenever we wanted I would REALLY love to do the Western Caribbean cruise but I really have no choice. If I did Western Caribbean it would have to be during summer & I am NOT about to venture that during hurricane season.

We do but we will have different Spring Breaks next year since I'll be student teaching.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

We do but we will have different Spring Breaks next year since I'll be student teaching.

Oh man!!! That would be so much fun though.

[jk8]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

What is this GTY business & different booking codes? All I know is that this particular cruise is Spring Break '09 so if we're gonna do this we better roll soon. How would I find out the level?

When you book the cruise it will give you the prices for the catagories. Cat12 is the lowest price. Often in the earlier stages of booking they will offer Cat12 as a GTY. Here is what it gives you on the site when you try to select a specific cabin.

We are not able to assign you a specific stateroom in the category you've selected for your date and itinerary at this time. We guarantee ("GTY") that the room you are assigned will be in the stateroom category you book or better. Please click on the "Continue" button to move to the next step of the booking process. To change your category, please choose the "Go Back" button.

So, since there are only 12 of these Cat12 rooms on this ship some will book this Cat and end up in a higher Cat. They do this to entice more people to book at a lower price. Later in booking you may see a higher room group in GTY. What this means is good for you. You can book at the cheaper price if you don't care if you actually get a Cat12. In the process there is a "chance" that you will get upgraded to a higher Cat at no extra charge. You would typically find this out a month or so before the cruise.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by jk8

When you book the cruise it will give you the prices for the catagories. Cat12 is the lowest price. Often in the earlier stages of booking they will offer Cat12 as a GTY. Here is what it gives you on the site when you try to select a specific cabin.

We are not able to assign you a specific stateroom in the category you've selected for your date and itinerary at this time. We guarantee ("GTY") that the room you are assigned will be in the stateroom category you book or better. Please click on the "Continue" button to move to the next step of the booking process. To change your category, please choose the "Go Back" button.

So, since there are only 12 of these Cat12 rooms on this ship some will book this Cat and end up in a higher Cat. They do this to entice more people to book at a lower price. Later in booking you may see a higher room group in GTY. What this means is good for you. You can book at the cheaper price if you don't care if you actually get a Cat12. In the process there is a "chance" that you will get upgraded to a higher Cat at no extra charge. You would typically find this out a month or so before the cruise.

Oh, interesting. I had NO IDEA! I will definately keep an eye out. Thank you!

[WishUponAStar]

I have another question...

In your stateroom is there an in-room safe? Is it the electric touch-button kind or lock/key kind? I get so nervous about taking these valuable documents with me; ie. passport, etc...

Also, do they do "Mousekeeping" in your stateroom? If so, how often?

What about tipping on the boat. Who & how much should we figure?