I'm still trying to figure out some basics as far as what's included with the price, how excursions work, etc. I need a Disney Cruises for Dummies book I think.
But those are all things I could figure out after booking I think. Before I book, I'm trying to figure out the best way to book (through Disney, a TA, or Costco). I'm also trying to figure out what rooms are best as far as ship location. This is all brand new to me and I'm scared of making the wrong decisions, lol.
How to book:
I would book through a TA of some sort that give out some type of credit. If you use Costco, booking through them will get you a Costco gift card after the cruise (7-8%?) We don't shop at Costco, so we use
Dreams Unlimited (a sponsor of these boards) as our TA--we get some $ as on board credit that can be used for anything on the ship--excursions, alcoholic drinks, gratuities, etc. Dreams Unlimited is email only--which works for me as I hate making phone calls! I always look at the
Disney cruise line site first and figure out what rooms I might want--that way I already know the price, etc, and I just tell my TA that I want this room or that room if room #1 isn't available.
What room:
We go for 'value'...what is the cheapest category we are willing to book. DD18 and I are a little claustrophobic--so we can't do an inside room. Verandah rooms have been so expensive on the cruises we've done--we're not willing to spend that. So...we book oceanview rooms. We've been in a category 9C Aft room on deck 2 for both our cruises--near/or slightly forward of the aft elevators. The oceanview rooms on deck 2 have 1 very large porthole. Oceanview rooms on deck 1 have 2 small portholes. Most rooms on Disney ships are the same size--unless you're getting a family room or concierge...or a standard inside which is a little smaller. People generally suggest doing midship if you don't know if you'll get motion sick--so I'd avoid far forward and far aft.
What's included:
All shows/entertainment on the ship (except for Bingo which has a charge). Almost all the food (3 main dining rooms that you'll rotate through at dinner time, all the quick service places on the pool deck, breakfast/lunch in either a main dining room, the buffet, or those quick service places, and some snacks at the bars at night, AND Room Service (but please tip the delivery person!)) Pay for items are popcorn/candy/some items at the bar that you could order. There is a free 24 hr beverage station on the pool deck--soda, tea, coffee, etc. Most non-alcoholic drinks in the main dining rooms and the buffet are free. Specialty coffee, smoothies, bottled water, any drink at the bars, and alcoholic drinks will cost you (as do drink tasting classes).
Gratuities:
One thing you should know about before booking is that there are standard gratuities that will be charged to your credit card at the end of the cruise--$12/person/day--it covers the head server/assistant server/server, and the stateroom host.
Excursions:
You can either book your own or go through Disney. We've done a mix of both depending upon our comfort level and how much the Disney excursions interest us. If you do a Disney excursion, you don't pay for it until you actually take it...but I believe if you're going to cancel it, you need to do that at least 3 days before.
Dining Time:
Think about what time you'd want to dine...there are 2 dining times--either 5:45PM (main dining) or 8:15PM (second seating). By booking early, you'll have a choice. Generally you would go to the theater show at the opposite time that you dine...early dining means the late show...late dining means the early show.
Best of luck in your research! And if you do take a cruise and are enjoying it--be sure to book a 'placeholder cruise' before your cruise ends...for a $250 deposit you'll get 10% off a future cruise and either $100 or $200 on board credit on that future cruise--you have exactly 24 months to go on that future cruise to take advantage of the benefits. If you don't use it in 24 mths, you'll be refunded your $250 deposit.