[WishUponAStar]

Pertaining to the 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise specifically:

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?

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


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

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?

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.


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?

Thank you!

[jk8]

I am so excited to to able to answer questions about something I love so much!

1) I would advise late seating for you. It you are interested in doing alot at the ports it is hard to get back and get cleaned up for early seating. We by the luck have ended up with the 5:30 seating each time and it was a bit of a drag. We do eat early here at home so that part of early was good. The other part that is good is when they have a late dessert buffet you feel hungry enough to eat it vs. when you have late seating.

2. With the Eastern I don't think doing something at each port is too much. You still have 3 sea days to relax.
-Passporter cruisers give the Regatta a "10" rating. It only lasts 3 hours so that will give plenty of time for shopping or getting back to the boat.
-Atlantis sub only gets a 5 rating with people talking about cloudy water and that they enjoyed it but probably won't do it again. This particular dolphin encounter is too new for a rating. But my dh and dd did one last time and loved it! I would say go for that one.

3. You book online 75 days in advace up to when you are on the ship. They apply to your on-board account that gets charged to a credit card.

4. Arrange your own airfare for sure!! We at minimum fly in the day before so their are no chances of missing the boat due to a flight delay. We have flown in on Thursday and stayed 2 nights at disney before going to the port. We use Quicksilver to get us to the port.

5. We have not done this but advanced Palo seems like a plus. Return cruisers can book Palo 90 days out while 1st timers are only 75 days. Sometimes Palo books up at 90 days. But I have heard they save some reservations to book when you get on the ship if you get on early enough.

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!!

[cinderbella]

I have a question!! I'll just add it to this since Wish has already started this thread..is the cost of dining included in the cost of the cruise? I remember when I was a kid and we went on a cruise it was all-inclusive but I don't know if most of them are that way.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

I have a question!! I'll just add it to this since Wish has already started this thread..is the cost of dining included in the cost of the cruise? I remember when I was a kid and we went on a cruise it was all-inclusive but I don't know if most of them are that way.

I've been doing research on various sites & it looks like everything is pretty much included besides alcohol, shopping, & any excursions you may choose. You are entitled to breakfast, lunch, & dinner on the ship, all the shows & special events going on, on-board activities, ground transportation & travel insurance was also included in the quote I got on Disneycruiselines.com.

[KiKi]

We just returned from the 7 night Eastern a month and a half ago. Let me just start by saying that you will LOVE the cruise. It is such a wonderful vacation, I can't stop telling people about how great it was. I can't wait to go back again.

I'll try to answer some of your questions:

1. We had the late seating for dinner, but not by choice. Our children are 9 and 6 and we found the late seating too late for them. Most nights my ds6 was too tired to eat by the time we got to supper. If I was travelling without children I would prefer the late seating because it gives you more time to get ready for supper without feeling rushed, especially on the days you are visiting an island. I'm not sure of the ages of the people in your party, but if it is just you and your husband, late seating should not be a problem.

2. We didn't do any excursions with Disney, but I think one excursion on each island should be okay. The Dolphin encounter in Tortola sounds amazing. It will definately take up your whole day as the ship leaves early from St-Thomas, either 4 or 5pm.

4. We arranged our own airfare, flew in the day before, rented a car and drove to Port Canaveral Friday night, stayed at The Radisson, returned the car in Port Canaveral on Saturday morning and took their shuttle to the cruise terminal. Total cost of our car rental was under $40. If you don't mind driving yourself this is a great way to save some money. If you can manage flying in the day before I would highly recommend it. You never know what can happen with your flight.

5. We didn't have the Romance Package, but being able to book Palo in advance is definately a nice advantage.

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!

[jk8]

Bella, not only are meals included - you can get food from places any times of day - pizza, burgers, soft serve ice cream, etc. Soft drinks are included at restaraunts, but not at the bars where are drinks cost. Most things are free for room service as well!

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

[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!

[cinderbella]

Wow!! That makes a huge difference..I did not know ALL food was included!
The Dave will LOVE that.

[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.

[llama]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

Wow!! That makes a huge difference..I did not know ALL food was included!
The Dave will LOVE that.

Bella, a cruise is the most economical vacation you can have. And the food is amazing. You can literally NEVER stop eating.

[cinderbella]

I really want to go on a cruise now!!!

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

I really want to go on a cruise now!!!

OK, this is not a joke... I am TOTALLY serious about this. BOOK THE APRIL 11th Eastern Caribbean Cruise. This will be amazing. D & D can do the "Wii Challenges" in the adult lounge (yes, they REALLY have video game challenges) on the boat while we lay by the pool. This is a SUPER idea, we can dine together at a table with other couples too. This is a must do Bella!!!

PS: all you need to book right now is $500 (uh umm, 'stimulus' check or tax return?!?!) and you'll have until February '09 to pay the rest!!!!

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!

[WishUponAStar]

PS: I want to reply to everyone's helpful answers & I will in the morning I promise. We just got off the train from the city & I am BEYOND exhausted!

This is so exciting though & everyone is giving SUCH amazing help!

I have other questions too.

I'll be back.

[cinderbella]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

OK, this is not a joke... I am TOTALLY serious about this. BOOK THE APRIL 11th Eastern Caribbean Cruise. This will be amazing. D & D can do the "Wii Challenges" in the adult lounge (yes, they REALLY have video game challenges) on the boat while we lay by the pool. This is a SUPER idea, we can dine together at a table with other couples too. This is a must do Bella!!!

PS: all you need to book right now is $500 (uh umm, 'stimulus' check or tax return?!?!) and you'll have until February '09 to pay the rest!!!!


DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!

lol..school school school! Ours would have to be in the summer : Which seems more expensive
Maybe next summer..it sounds like so much fun though!

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

lol..school school school! Ours would have to be in the summer : Which seems more expensive
Maybe next summer..it sounds like so much fun though!

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.