Disney Cruise 2008

[fantasmicmom]

I read that in a few days, Disney will be releasing the news that they are bringing a Disney Cruise Ship back to Los Angeles for the summer like they did for the 50th celebration!!! I hope this is true!! We want to go on a Disney Cruise so badly but by the time you add in airfare for four to Florida it's very expensive!!!
Anybody else up for a Disney Cruise (out of LA) in May of 2008????

[fantasmicmom]

Did you ever look into the cruise they did for the 50th? I didn't read about it until AFTER it was over but I guess they brought over one of the Disney ships for May thru September. They sailed out of the West Coast (I think it was LA but I know it was somewhere in CA) and then took a 7 day cruise to different parts of Mexico. I read someone's trip report on it and it sounded soooo fun! I was really bummed that I hadn't known anything about it or we may have done that. I think it was the summer of 2005 when the 50th anniversary first started.
Anyway, we'll have to watch and see if Disney announces this...if anyone knows anything else about this--let us know!!!

[fantasmicmom]

My girls would be at a great age too. Corinne will turn 7 in May '08 and Makenna will be 3. Morgan would be 3 too, right? It would be fun for the girls to get some kid time in their clubs that they have. I would LOVE some alone time in a spa and with my sweetheart!!! LOL
I have been researching DW and was very tempted to go there in October but then I read about this cruise and now I am thinking we may just have to do a short trip to DL in October and then the cruise in May of 2008--if it's really happening. And then MAYBE Disney World in October of 2008 but that would probably only work out in my dreams!!!
We're going to try to have another baby in the next year or two so then I don't know when i would want to go to DW...which is kinda why I have been thinking about DW this year while we still only have 2 and they are both potty-trained! I could do DL with a baby but I don't think I could handle DW. It's so much bigger and takes longer to get around.
I wish airfare and the Polynesian hotel weren't so expensive!!!!LOL

[fantasmicmom]

LOL...me too Shawna! I KNOW how our DL vacation will be and what we like to do. DW is so big and far away...and I'm a rookie so I wouldn't feel as prepared...LOL

[fantasmicmom]

Oh, and I have one of those DVD brochures for WD Cruises. I was watching it and Corinne started watching it with me at the section for adult entertainment. She said "Mom, I want to go on a cruise because you can order room service and get pampered and get massages!" It was so funny! I wonder if they've ever given a 5 yr old a massage!!!

[Tink]

I have that DVD as well, and the cruise looks so great I know I have to do it one day.
The 50th Anniversary cruise was in 2005, and did sail from the port of Long Beach, if I remember correctly.
It was very expensive, so be warned on that, but the biggest warning I have is this:
That cruise - announced in 2004, was fully sold out by January of 2005. Each of the 12 cruises.
So, be prepared for that if they announce another series of California cruises. Make your reservations immediately, or you will not be on the ship!
And now for my horrible thoughts.
The biggest reason I want to go to WDW is because of the Cruise package. Like you guys, I am scared to go there. I am so comforatble in Disneyland. So - if the cruise becomes a possibility from the LAX area again.....hmmmm gonna have to think about it! lol
Leanne

[fantasmicmom]

You're right Leanne. They said it could be announced January 24th at a big press release for 2008 Disney agendas. You can start booking Jan 31st 2007 and the cruises don't start until May of 2008! It is suppose to end in September. I hope it's true and that it's not too expensive. I always thought the DW cruises were a little high but doable because it includes all of your food and activities but it was too expensive when you added on airfare. I hope the prices are similar because it's much cheaper (and faster) to fly to CA. We'll have to wait and see!!!

[Tink]

And Katie - before you book, check airfare yourself so you know if you want to do it with the cruise line. Often you can get lower rates booking yourself, but not always because they have bulk airfare from some cities.
Leanne

[Tink]

I have to disagree there Shawna. As a former travel agent, and a former airline employee I can say that there ARE times when you want to book your airfare through the company.
Bulk airfare is one of those times (WDTC used to get bulk airfare with Frontier - and it was anywhere from $50 - 100.00 cheaper buying bulk that the cheapest fare out there).
Another advantage of the bulk air the cruise lines offer is the seamless travel they now have set up. If you use their airfare, you check your bags in at your departure airport, and don't have to worry about them again until you arrive at the ship (or in WDW, until you arrive at the hotel).
Leanne

[kristisomer]

We done a cruise in 1999 (not through Disney) and booked our air through the company and it was so nice to not have to worry about how it was getting to the ship. All we had to do was board the bus to the boat. But do recheck your seats and make sure you are seated together. This happened to us and both ways our seats was in separate aisles and we had to ask if people would be willing to trade us seats.

[Tink]

Okay the info is now posted:
<A href="http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en_US/cruises/overview?name=MexicanRivieraCruisesLandingPage">http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en_US/cruises/overview?name=MexicanRivieraCruisesLandingPage
The official announcement will be made on 1/24. I don't know if more info will come out then or not, but if you are thinking about this cruise, it does list the dates in that link!
Leanne

[Tink]

Yep and many agents now charge 25.00 or more per ticket since the commissions were cut. And that is the biggest reason I am no longer in the business. lol
So, if we don't get our tickets with a package, then we buy them online!
Leanne

[Tink]

Oh yes, it is horribly sad. But I am so happy with my job now!
Leanne

[Sue]

The Disney Magic will be going out of LA from May-Aug 2008 for Sun-Sun 7 night cruises. Costs appear to range from 1300-1700pp for inside cabins. The itinerary is:
Sun : leave LA 4pm
Mon: at sea
Tues: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Wed: Mazatlan Mexico
Thu: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Fri/Sat: At Sea
Sun: return to LA at 8:30 am
There will also be a repositioning cruise out of LA on 8/17/08 out of LA returning to its home port of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. It is 15 nights and goes through the Panama Canal. Several stops in Mexico, Columbia, Aruba and Castaway Cay (Disney's private island). Cost is VERY CHEAP for this cruise at well under 2k per person for this cruise (about 1400k is what I am seeing)...so definitely worth looking at!
Hope that helps!

[Sue]

Shawna,
I am not sure if the repositioning cruise will book quickly or not. I know it often does on other cruiselines, but 15 days is a long time to vacation with kids, so I am not sure. Also, many schools start in mid-August, and that could affect booking as well.
Typically with cruises, the earlier you book the better b/c then you have a better chance of being upgraded in terms of your cabin. They let everyone book at the lower rates, and you are rewarded for coming onboard early with upgrades.
I think that it would be an amazing cruise...I know we are going to be talking about it here! :)
Sue

[Tink]

I can answer an emphatic yes to that question.
Last year, the repositioning cruise sold out within days of being opened for bookings. Since it has now been on sale for a while it may already be sold out.
Leanne

[Sue]

From what I can tell from the Disney Cruise website, both the May 2008 Westward repositioning cruise and the August Eastward repositioning cruises are booked.
However, they will be adding two new boats...one in 2010, one in 2011...so more choices will be available, and let's hope that means a possible decrease in the pricing with more boats...

[Sue]

The repositioning cruises are booked....however there are still spaces on the LA 7 day cruises.
I wouldn't wait long! :)