Hi all,

I'm considering taking a Disney Cruise this coming January and had some questions I'm hoping some people on here can answer.

1) I'm thinking of flying in the day before my cruise in case of any flight delays. If flying into Orlando (MCO), what would be the best way to do this? Do people rent a car for the day to drive to a hotel near the port? Does Hertz have a rental location near the port to drop the car off at? How do people then typically get back to the Orlando (MCO) airport?

2) If doing a Disney Cruise, is it easier to stay at a Disney hotel the night before? How does Disney transportation work with getting me to the cruise ship? And from the cruise ship back to the airport?

3) Any recommendations on which type of cabin to take?

4) For the travel insurance they sell through Disney's site, would people recommend taking that?

Any other suggestions for a Disney cruise is always recommended.

Thanks in advance!!
-Matt

Matt, Disney is an exceptional cruise line! You're starting with a good one here. In answer to your questions:

1/2. Highly recommended to fly in the day before. You can do a pre-cruise package through Disney staying at one of their properties in Orlando and then using their transfers to the port. However, one day at Disney doesn't even give you a taste. I'd recommend at least two nights if staying at a Disney property. Alternatively, I'd recommend renting a car and driving to Port Canaveral and staying at a hotel there (the Radisson is convenient) or in Cocoa Beach. Avis and Enterprise have convenient drop offs, not sure about Hertz. There generally is no one-way drop fee for car rentals between Orlando and Port Canaveral.

After the cruise, I recommend the Disney transfers back to MCO.

3. Type of cabin is dependant on your budget and family. I generally recommend oceanview and above for first time cruisers, as no natural light can be very disconcerting to some. However, if you're booking the new Disney Dream, it does have "virtual portholes" in the inside cabins. Of course, balconies are wonderful if your budget allows.

4. I almost always recommend independent insurance as then you're also covered for supplier-related issues that the packaged insurance doesn't allow. While Disney isn't at risk of default these days, you usually can have more comprehensive insurance separately.

Let me know if you have other questions!

NO matter which insurance plan you pick, do get it. It only takes one glitch to screw up a whole vacation. If you are going in January, what about a snowstorm? I live in Philly and we do have them there and often the airport is a mess. COmbine the insurance with flying in a day early.

Here is a resource many use: Insuremytrip.com

http://www.bbb.org/boston/business-r...ick-ri-107632/

It provides information on several plans so you can make an informed decision.

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful responses!

Does anyone know if the current prices of the cruises may come down for something in January? Or for Disney, is that not very realistic?

Or perhaps, does anyone know of any special coupon codes or something like that?

Disney doesn't hold as many promotions as do the other lines - they simply don't need to. They've fairly strong in pricing integrity, so while you may find some sort of promotion between now and January, usually their early booking fares are the lowest. Several of my clients book each year as soon as the pricing is released for the following seasons in order to lock in the pricing and the cabins they want.

Can't help with the specific Disney questions as I've only done the Carnival cruises but I can help with some of the other ones.

I always fly in the night before in order to avoid any problems, weather, mechanical issues etc. If you are flying in later in the evening and won't have time to appreciate the beach you might as well stay close to the airport as its cheaper. You can find Hampton's etc. near the airport for about $60. You'll pay closer to 100$ for a hotel near the port.

Hertz has a car rental place right around the corner from the port with a free shuttle to the cruise ships. I rent at MCO and drop of at hertz and then do the same on the way back. Disney offers a magical express type transportation to the cruise port, but unlike the hotels it isn't free. If you are more than two, you might find you can get cheaper rates with a car rental and have a bit more freedom.

If you want to tie all this into a Disney visit and handle the cruise part yourself, rent the car to and from MCO and use the magical express to get too and from the airport to the Disney hotel. As long as you have a valid reservation at a Disney hotel you can use the magical express, regardless of when you flied in. Just walk up to the service counter to get your boarding passes.

This is a good resource too: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

I may be wrong, but I believe you can stay at the Hyatt at MCO and the Magical Express can take you from there. As others have said, if your party is large, it may be cheaper to rent a car and have some freedom.

We have done the DCL several times. We prefer the balcony rooms. They give a more open feel. DCL is one of the best and you will certainly enjoy it.

Which ship/itenerary?

Right now I'm looking at a Cruise on the Disney Magic for 7 nights to the Eastern Caribbean in January 2012. It's to be a surprise Christmas present for my girlfriend.

We've actually been to Disney World twice this year already, so I'm thinking of trying to skip the parks this time around.

My current plan based on some of the feedback here is to fly in the day before on the earliest flight, rent a car from Hertz (I have a free rental coming to me from them) and spend that first day at the Kennedy Space Center. Then spend a night at a hotel near the port and drop off the car rental at the Hertz by the port in the morning. After the cruise itself, it seems it would be easiest to use the Disney transportation back to MCO and head home.

I was also considering the MLB airport since it is a bit closer, but they don't have any direct flights from Philly, and I always prefer to fly direct as there's less chances of issues.

Your transportation plan seem like a very good one. I highly recommend you give cruisecompete.com a try for quotes from multiple agents for your cruise. We have consistently received the best pricing there (Yes, I know many agents will tell you there are no "discounts", but somehow, we always seem to find one).

Unless a member of your party is at high risk for a medical emergency, travel insurance is probably a waste of money. Insurance is designed to protect us from unbearably high financial loss. A missed vacation, while a loss, doesn't fall into that category--You will, over time, pay far, far more for Travel insurance than you will collect.

I disagree. all it takes is one case of appendicitis or a hurricane to throw a spanner into the mix. And I think the cost of a cancelled cruise can be a financial emergency. Most cruisers save for a long time to pay for their vacations.

This sounds like a good plan.

You will love the Magic. By cruise standards, the ship is smaller, but it is a great ship. I have not done the Eastern, but rather the Western, so I cannot speak to the specific ports of call. Disney usually offers some excellent shore excursions.

Bring your pirate attire for Pirates night and the fireworks.

If you are a true Disney geek, take the ship tours during the days at sea.

As far as hotels near the port, the Hampton and Doubletree are nice. The Hilton is a little dated. I am Hilton biased, but I know there are some MARYROT properties there as well

Have fun.

Matt,

Definitely get some sort of insurance.

Are you booking this directly or through a travel agent? I would definitely use a TA (In fact, my TA who booked a big cruise for us is a FTer.), since they can handle a lot of the odds and ends for you and will often throw in a bonus such as an onboard credit. They will likely have a better insurance policy for you, as well, than Disney's.

Mike

A couple thoughts:

1. The Magic is currently in Europe and is heading west with a great deal on a transatlantic cruise in a couple of months if anyone is interested. Check out their web site for details.

2. The Magic is a lovely ship, with attractive staterooms, etc.. However, my last Disney cruise will likely be my last Disney cruise. We had far too many loudmouths on board for my laid back style. There were also the families who's parents felt their children were "entitled." I watched as adults and children abused the youth counselors more than a few times.

3. Watch the port of calls, as Disney does not always have the best itineraries. This is simply a matter of taste, but I prefer more days in ports and less at sea. I believe their Eastern Caribbean itinerary has three days at sea, one at Castaway Cay, one at St. Thomas, and I think one at St. Marten (I could be wrong on St. Marten). Cruiselines like the sea days because they have a captive customer base that will spend money.

4. I've been trying to stick with Princess, as my status and perks keep climbing in their Captain's Circle loyalty program, but again, it's all a matter of taste. Disney does a nice job, but don't select Disney just because they are Disney.

5. Finally, I never purchase trip insurance on any trips (land or sea), as my credit card has built in trip insurance, which I've only had to use once. Even if I didn't have the coverage, I would not purchase the insurance. Again, just my two cents. Others swear by it.