Curious question about cruising in early Novemeber About This Page:

[BeckiO5]

I just had a curious question about the DCL Cruises to the Bahamas in late October and Early November. 1) Has anyone gone at this time of the year, and if so how was the weather when you went? I'm asking since I know it's during Hurricane season. 2) Are the ships usually crowded or are they normally occupied?

I was just wondering since DH asked me eventhough I still have a little over 3 years until my 30th Birthday how I wanted to celebrate it, so he can save up the money, and I told him I would love to go on a Disney Cruise with him and DS! My birthday is in early November right during Hurricane Season, so I don't know if we should think of other ideas.

I would love to help DH finally get some stamps on his empty passport, and give DS's passport also some stamps, not to mention it would be the best and most relaxing way for me to spend a Milestone Birthday with 2 of the best people in my life

Any advice about the Disney Cruises in November would be greatly appreciated and will help me with contemplating other options too. Thank you all for your help.

[HeatherD]

By November, you're pretty much out of hurricane season, so I wouldn't worry about it. It usually winds down in October. As people point out, in the case of a freak storm (which can happen anytime) or a long season, it most likely wouldn't ruin your trip...Disney would just reroute to another port or give you an extra day at sea, that sort of thing. I wouldn't worry about hurricanes (as a rule) in November - wouldn't give it another thought.

Happy planning/saving!

[Sandy_N]

I have done early November and it was great weather. Nice and comfortable, perfect for Castaway, still a very warm ocean.

Keep in mind if you are looking at 2012 November 8 & 9 are part of "Jersey Week". All the public schools close for the teachers to attend a conference and the joke is the state empties into Florida. We are all nice people but it does make for a fuller ship!

Enjoy

[Tink and co.]

We've cruised twice in early November, and the weather was perfect. In fact, much better than when we cruised in March. DCL does a great job of staying away from hurricanes, etc. We've cruised on very full ships and a relatively empty one (by Disney standards), and it really didn't make much of a difference in our experience. It's not like the parks where crowds can be overwhelming. There are only so many people allowed on the ship, and if you find a certain activity/area crowded (Mickey Pool comes to mind), do something else and return at another time. Have fun planning your adventure!

[BeckiO5]

Thank you all for your wonderful tips. Even though November is during the end of Hurricane Season, still in Florida I've lived through some of the hurricanes that time of the year and dreaded it. I've been on at least 4 cruises (2 of them I was still a baby/toddler so I don't remember them), and I remember one of them being during my Spring Break when I was 7 (March/April) and our last one my Senior Year of High School over Winter Break and we were on the ship over New Years! We had perfect weather from San Juan, PR to the Eastern Caribbean even in December.

I forgot Disney does the Land/Sea Packages, which if time hits perfectly during planning, we would head down and even add a few extra days at WDW to celebrate Halloween (one of my fave holidays) for MNSSHP.

Only thing I did forget about that since it would be timed for 2012 is that timing is right during Presidential Election Week (good thing for Absentee Ballots though), however it would be a great excuse to head to Florida instead of being on the outskirts of the Craziness of DC during that time of the year.

Thank you for giving me a positive to keep this as my main choice instead of thinking of other places to go, especially for the Disney Fanatic that I am. I just couldn't think of a better way to celebrate my 30th (DH will get his Big 30th Birthday Bash a year later), but a cruise (with your two best buds) with lasting memories seems a lot better than a big party where you wouldn't remember what happened.

At least I can try to make our first cruise together and DH and DS's 1st Cruise Ever something they won't forget! I've never cruised on DCL, but it has been something DH and I have been talking about over the past 3 years doing together.

Thank you all again for your wonderful advice and tips, even with Jersey schools being on vacation then and fleeing to Florida, it would be fun playing BINGO onboard with them, swimming in the pools amongst them, and even any fellow PPers who are on there, it would be a nice way to meet other PPers too that might be sailing at the same time as us!

[Carol G]

November is a great time to cruise. The weather is perfect, very comfortable. If you're thinking about doing a land/sea package ~ book them separately as it's much cheaper.

[BeckiO5]

Originally Posted by Carol G

November is a great time to cruise. The weather is perfect, very comfortable. If you're thinking about doing a land/sea package ~ book them separately as it's much cheaper.

Carol, thank you very much for the tip We will have to keep that in mind. I know we still have plenty of time to plan this trip, and save up for it I'm glad to hear you all think November is a Great time to cruise. I was worried that it would not be. As long as the weather is comfortable enough to enjoy at Castaway Cay and Nassau on the beach and the water is warm, that's all I could ever ask for, besides a lot to enjoy on the ship.

I did see the pictures of the parking lot, but is that for guests who are just dropping off passengers or is that where you would park your car while aboard the ship? I know some ships have space under the ship for cars, and some don't. We would most defanitely drive down but I just wouldn't know where we would leave our car while on the ship.

[HeatherD]

Only thing I did forget about that since it would be timed for 2012 is that timing is right during Presidential Election Week (good thing for Absentee Ballots though),

Your bday is right around DH's - his was ON election day last year. You could also do early voting, depending on timing...

[TinkMulanMickeysMom]

We did the Western in November 2007. The weather was beautiful, a little chilly at night, and the crowd was a good size. (we were part of that Jersey crowd )

Originally Posted by BeckiO5

I would love to help DH finally get some stamps on his empty passport, and give DS's passport also some stamps,
.

We visited Cozumel, and Grand Caymans, and did not get any "stamps" in our passport. We even took someones advice and walked to the Post Office in Grand Caymans in hopes of getting the kids passports stamped - but they said they didn't do it there anymore.

[BeckiO5]

Betty, thanks for your response. At some point I would love to do the Grand Caymans and Couzamel Cruise, and thank you for letting me know about the stamps. I felt so bad that I let DH pass up an opportunity for Culinary School abroad in Italy which he would have had his first stamp on his passport, but it happened to fall when he came to visit me when we first started dating and got engaged 3 years ago.

I would have picked another destination, but for DH and DS being first time cruisers going with an experienced cruiser I think a 4 day cruise might be enough for them as well as time to spend at Disney.

Thank you for letting me know it's a little chilly at night. That is very helpful especially with packing lists so I make sure I'm not a last minute packer and have the right kind of attire ready for us. If the rates stay similar as they are this year (I know they may increase over the next few years), a cruise in November might actually seem quite affordable since it isn't at a peak time of the year.

[dmpyron]

I haven't had my passport stamped in literally years. My last three visas were electronic. I don't even think Russia does it for cruiseship passengers, and they have paperwork for just about everything!!! No smilie, there, they just have so much!

I'm not sure about your question about parking. The terminal has a pretty large lot (secure, fenced, gated and patrolled) for everyone with a car. Were you talking about parking on the ship? Nope. In fact, other than ferries, I don't know of a single passenger ship that has more than token space for cars. "Token" meaning that if HRM were to sail on the Queen Mary 2, there is space for her car. But not mine!

[BeckiO5]

Originally Posted by dmpyron

I haven't had my passport stamped in literally years. My last three visas were electronic. I don't even think Russia does it for cruiseship passengers, and they have paperwork for just about everything!!! No smilie, there, they just have so much!

I'm not sure about your question about parking. The terminal has a pretty large lot (secure, fenced, gated and patrolled) for everyone with a car. Were you talking about parking on the ship? Nope. In fact, other than ferries, I don't know of a single passenger ship that has more than token space for cars. "Token" meaning that if HRM were to sail on the Queen Mary 2, there is space for her car. But not mine!

Thanks for your reply! The last stamp I got on my passport was from London in 2002. I wasn't sure how parking went for those who drive but are also staying on WDW property prior to the Cruise. I know when we went when I was 7 (mind you this was late 1989-1990ish, on Carnival Cruiseline, your car went below the cruise ship, and that's where ours was during our cruise. I wasn't sure if DCL was the same way. Do they have parking fees for those who drive? We also thought that if we go and drive, we would have our separate luggage already in the car with our clothes specifically for the cruise and leave all the rest of our luggage we wouldn't need just in our car. At least they have a secure lot for those who drive there.

[Lisa in Orlando]

November is a great time to cruise. We go mid-November every year. It's the end of hurricane season, so it's not guaranteed you won't have any storms, but more unlikely. And it is cheaper! As for parking, you can park your car at the port for $15 per night. Of course, it could be higher by the time you go, but at least you have an idea of what it is now. Happy planning! You're gonna love it!

[duck addict]

I got mine stamped in Nassau last year, but I had to go out of my way. Through a security check point, into the 'port' building, then past another security check point, then to the office that stamped it. (Exiting was faster, waving at the two check points as I exited their secure area)

[BeckiO5]

Originally Posted by duck addict

I got mine stamped in Nassau last year, but I had to go out of my way. Through a security check point, into the 'port' building, then past another security check point, then to the office that stamped it. (Exiting was faster, waving at the two check points as I exited their secure area)

Don thank you for the information about them stamping passports in Nassau I would love a stamp from the Bahamas as the first one on my new Passport All the other trips I've taken there were prior to when you needed a Passport to travel to the Bahamas!

DH has actually come to like my idea about us doing a Land/Sea Disney Cruise in a couple of years for my 30th Birhtday, however one thing he actually said when I told him I wanted to celebrate with my 2 favorite boys, him and DS, was "The little thing on a cruise?" (as a joke we sometimes refer to DS as the little thing or bitty man to save any confusion). I think he would actually prefer just going the 2 of us and enjoying all the "Adult Only" parts of the ship and Cast Away Cay!

Another quick curious question and this one has to do with Castawy Cay, the BBQ lunch that they serve on the island, is that actually included in your cruise or is that a separate cost? I know we're going to see about setting our limit on Gift Cards to give to the Concierge when we check in for Souvaniers and Alcohol Tab, so we don't rack up our credit cards. I wasn't sure if the BBQ was included or not (it didn't say on DCL's website). I know a lot of cruises unless you book an excurison in the package for that excursion some include lunch in their fees and some you're on your own (which happened to us plenty on our last cruise as we spent the days at the beach or short docking times just did a little shopping, but lunch was at our own expense).

You all are so helpful. Thank you again for your wonderful replies. If anyone else has anything to add, please keep it coming. This is helping me out a lot.