We are seriously considering our first Disney cruise, if the prices don't scare us away. Unfortunately, it will be a spring break vacation, so I'm sure we are paying more. Does anyone have any advice on where to find disney discounts? Anything will certainly help! Should we book our trip directly with Disney? We need airfare, ground transportion along with our cruise.

Hi Rudy,<BR><BR>Disney discounts are tough. Best prices are in the fall, first two weeks of Dec. and first two weeks of Jan. Some travel agents will give you back some of their commission but Disney is not agent-friendly.<BR><BR>Paul

Disney only has a few ships and they know that they can fill them. They have very little reason to offer discounts.<BR><BR>Unless you cruise in the winter (like Paul mentioned) don't plan on getting any discount. Even when you get a discount, the only one that I am aware of is the Florida resident discount.

Sometimes bundling a land sea package with Disney will be discounted if you watch the Disney website. I've seen them give 10% off in the spring and early summer as we've been interested in that over the years.

Thanks for the input. You all really confirmed what I was already thinking.<BR>I was just hoping for some good news!<BR><BR>I am currently quoting other travel agencies for the cruise, but I am feeling a bit uneasy regarding service. Disney backs up their reservations with a "Vacation Protection" fee. They also assured me that if our flight was cancelled, they will arrange another flight. If that won't work and we miss the ship, they will put us up for the night, and fly us out to the first port.<BR>Disney also will tag our bags when we depart, and we won't have to pick them up in Orlando. They will automatically deliver them to the ship. Sounds good to me! Less hassle during a busy Spring Break!<BR><BR>Will other travel agencies go to this level of service? Does anyone have recommendations?<BR><BR>Thanks everyone!

The travel agencies won't, but the cruise line will if you purchase their trip protection insurance (or purchase it thru a third party). All of the benefits you used to describe Disney are available with most mass market cruise lines (RCCL, CCL, Celebrity, Princess, HAL, etc.)

The travel agency will call the cruise line in the event that the flights are cancelled, the agent will make sure that all is taken care of, Disney is agent friendly, I can tell you however discounts are few and far between during peak season

Thanks for the feedback.<BR><BR> I recently quoted Cruise Direct. Their quote came in the same as going through Disney, except they gave us a $250 discount. Any feedback on Cruise Direct? Will we have problems booking a cruise through them?

Rudy, we did the Disney land/sea package early last November and had a great time (husband, daughter, 2 grandsons). The cruise has something for everyone--lots of adult entertainment (not THAT kind and you'll be lucky if you can get the kids to join you for dinner! Speaking of dinner, when you get on board, sign up immediately for dinner one night at Palo's--it's a great restaurant and the chocolate souffle is incredible!

If you purchase insurance it will help pay if you miss your flight and have to catch up with the ship. Most policy coverages do not pay such a high amount. <BR><BR>To catch up with the ship at no charge to you .... you must purchase the cruiseline air. Although the air may be more expensive, Disney will guarantee getting you to the ship. This is what all cruiselines do for their air passengers. I have been on many ships that are held, sometimes until after midnight, waiting for their air passengers to arrive.<BR><BR>Disney or your travel agent does not tag your bags. You will receive baggage-tags in your cruise documents. You will tag the bags yourself before you leave home. Disney will take the bags from your plane to your stateroom. <BR><BR>As far as booking Palos, the alternative restaurant, when you arrive on the ship you should not book on the night when Animator's Palate is scheduled. This is the restaurant that changes colors (not that the food is any better).<BR><BR>Have fun,<BR><BR>Paul

you will love the DISNEY cruise! We booked directly through Disney. They usually do have some specials in January that they run. We too had a hard time having our children spend any time ith us - they loved all the fun and you are right there is plenty to do for adults and actually even the dining room -you never heard kids even though it was full. A great time and a great value. If you book and do Disney World first they pick you up on the big bus at airport and take you to the cruise ship - actually our room keys at the resort were the same ones for the ship! it was a great vacation!

Just booked the cruise through Disney.<BR>Can't wait to go!<BR><BR>Thanks to this forum, I was able to get my questions answered.<BR><BR>Thank you everyone!

Question for Peter...Why wouldn't a travel agency help out a customer who booked a cruise with them? Your anti-agent bias is ridiculous.

Carla - yes, I'm anti-agent as I am a self booker to include cruises along with air, hotel and rental cars. BUT - what I meant by what I said was that its not the agent who can help with insured travel problems - its the cruise line that sells the insurance (or third parties if you use them instead) that can solve the problem. Again, even if someone used an agent to book a cruise and part of the package included insurance - the passenger doesn't have to waste what could be valuable time trying to get ahold of their agent - call Princess or Carnival or RCCL directly (the number is in the brochures that advertise the insurance) to help resolve the problem. Thats what the agent is going to do anyway - why not DO IT YOURSELF?

In my experience Peter the cruise line will do nothing to resolve an insurance claim...at least not mine with RCCL. They refer you to the insurer. The insurer than requests that you send all the documentation, cruise docs, airline tickets, credit card receipts, proof of insurance purchase(you'd think they'd have that wouldn't you?), Drs info on and on. My husband had open heart surgery. I was frantic. My agent handled all the paperwork for me, gathered all the necessaries and delt with the insurance co on my behalf. They denied my claim. They said it was a pre existing condition. My agent dug her heals in and fought back, cause there was no pre existing condition. It took 2 months but she got my money back. Yes, I could have spent the time and effort to do it myself. Did I want to? No. I had a recovering husband who needed me. It cost me no extra and I got amazing service. Self book all you want. I'll use this agent again and again. Please don't make blanket statements about how bad travel agents are. Many people appreciate their services. Just because you don't, doesn't make booking with one wrong.

A statement from an intelligent woman. And the services she received were free.<BR><BR>Paul

Its easy to criticize when you take things out of context. Rudy's original question/dillema was that he felt comfortable with Disney because they gauranteed his flight and would put him up for the night and get him to the first port if he missed his flight or the flight was cancelled. He was going direct with Disney and wondered if all of this was still available if he didn't book direct and went with a travel agent.<BR><BR>I was pointing out that the agent had nothing to do with his concern - that the protection was coming from the cruise line, not the agent. Paul made a good point that insurance had nothing to do with airline cancellations or delays - you need to purchase the air thru the cruiseline in order to protect yourself for that danger.<BR><BR>Yes, in the end, no matter what you do; if you need to react quickly to events that may make you miss the ship - I would contact the cruiseline directly rather than wasting what could be valuable time trying to get my agent. If I had booked air direct with the cruiseline or had purchased the travel protection thru the cruiseline and I had traveling problems (not open heart surgery) on embarkation day - the only thing I'd be doing by going thru my agent would be to waste minutes or hours that I didn't have.<BR><BR>And Carla - nowhere in this thread do I make a statement about how bad travel agents are!

The cruise lines are not the insurer, they job that out to a separate entity, and will only refer you to them in case of a problem. If you are having a problem please press one, for policy requirements, please press two...We value your business, the next available service representative will be with you as soon as possible, thank you for holding......

Wow, after a whole year, Peter agreed with me on something. I feel like I have been knighted by the queen.<BR><BR>Paul

Just returned from a Disney cruise, and even with no discounts it is worth the extra $$$. The ships are wonderful (new, much larger staterooms, service that is top shelf, etc.). You'll enjoy the ship and you'll love Castaway Cay!! We booked our own flights (online at Orbitz.com is my favorite), but did reserve ground transportation from the airport through Disney. They make it so, so easy!! All you have to do is tag your bags at home and they'll arrive at your stateroom like clockwork. Not much different on the way home, either. The whole boarding and disembarking process runs like a well oiled machine. As for booking, we went through a travel agent that specializes in cruises, but there wasn't a price difference between using her, going through Disney directly or going on line. The Disney reservations people were great (800 #) when we had some last minute questions. One good thing about going through them is that you can get more specific information about your reservation online, which might have been nice. <BR><BR>While on board, don't miss the Spa, dinner at Palo's and at least one of the stage shows. The whole operation is first class. I think I'm spoiled for other cruise lines, now!! Have a great time : )