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[singhsongs]

I have never cruised before nor been to WDW OR any DLR resports for that matter.

We are planning on going to WDW for DS's birthday in January but we also thought about going on a cruise towards September...thing is I'm not sure where we want to go. I want to know what's different about the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic.

Also how do they work are they all inclusive? Please help us figure this out i'm getting jealous of you seasoned pro's I want to have all kinds of trips in my siggy too !

[MelissaL]

The Wonder and the Magic are very similar. They have different statues in the main atrium (one has Ariel and the other has Mickey), different names for a couple of restaurants, slightly different decoration styles (one is Art Deco and the other is Art Nouveau), and different kids' club policies for tweens (the Oceaneer's Lab on the Magic is for ages 8-10 and on the Wonder is for ages 8-12 -- on the Magic, there's a separate Ocean Quest area for 11-12 year olds).

Really, though, the major difference is in the itineraries. For most of the rest of 2009 and 2010, the Magic will run 7-night Caribbean cruises, alternating Eastern and Western, and the Wonder will alternate 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises. Next summer, the Magic will be in the Mediterranean and Baltic. In 2011, the Wonder will be cruising to the Mexican Riviera and Alaska, while the Magic will be back to Europe. (A new ship, the Disney Dreams, will set sail in 2011 -- itineraries haven't been announced yet, but it will probably be based in Port Canaveral, Florida.)

Disney cruise fares include all meals (except a $10-$15 per person charge for the adults only restaurant, Palo); coffee. tea. and soda with meals or at the drink station on the pool deck; meals and snacks from room service; Broadway-style shows; kids' activities for ages 3 and up; and numerous onboard activities. You would need to pay extra for shore excursions, bingo, video games in the arcade, alcoholic and specialty beverages (e.g., smoothies and lattes), nursery care for kids under 3, and gratuities for the cabin and dining room staff. I may be missing a few things, but basically, everything you need is included but you may want to spend extra on some things you want.

Each night cruise passengers receive a schedule showing activities for the following day. For most activities, you just need to show up at the proper time and place. A few things (such as the galley tour for adults and tea with Wendy or Alice) require free tickets that you can get at the Guest Services desk. Once kids over 3 are registered for the kids' clubs, they can be dropped off and picked up at any time (except during brief transition periods when they're moving from one location to another).

The daily schedule also shows which restaurants are open for breakfast and lunch each day; you can go any time during operating hours. For dinner, you'll be assigned a specific restaurant each night (on cruises of more than 3 nights, you'll visit some or all of the 3 restaurants more than once). Although the restaurant changes each night, you'll have the same servers -- they rotate with you.

Those are the basics I can think of. Please post any and all more specific questions you may have -- the "seasoned pros" around here are happy to help!

Happy planning,
Melissa

[chezp]

I think Melissa's already given you some excellent advice. If you're thinking of taking a Disney cruise, I can thoroughly recommend the Disney Cruise PassPorter. It will be invaluable in your planning and will help to answer a lot of your questions.

[singhsongs]

Would we need passports for the cruises? I am not sure how I should prepare?

[modisney]

We've only sailed on the Wonder. It's a beutiful ship. Understated elegance with Disney touches throughout. There's also the magic that only Disney can create; they announce your family as you board, there's the fireworks show, the sail away parties. On board there's plenty for famlies to together, plenty for kids of all ages to do on their own as well as the adult only areas. The Disney ships always rank amoung the top 5 for best ships with Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure. There's lots of videos of the ships, the sail away parties etc. on You Tube to look at and lots of great photos here on Passporter's to give you a better idea. Oh, can't forget the wonderful horn that plays "When You Wish Upon a Star"! good luck with your planning and enjoy your cruise when you go!

[nurse_mom]

yes you need passports. I'm not sure the actual rule on children. It's worth the $$$ to not have to worry about it. 2 of our DD's have one already. We will be getting our other daughters closer to sailing.

[MelissaL]

For a closed-loop cruise (one that begins and ends in the United States) U.S. citizens do not need passports. However, it would be a really good idea to have them just in case anything goes wrong and you need to fly home from a port, because passports are required to enter the United States by air.

Ordering passports several months in advance is about the only preparation you'd need. The ships visit well-developed areas, so you wouldn't need any vaccines (although our pediatrician did recommend a hepatitis vaccine for the kids just as an extra precaution).

Once you know which cruise you want (or to get more information), you can talk to a travel agent. It is possible to book directly through Disney, but travel agents don't cost any extra and can monitor for discounts and other specials. Cruise fares are often less expensive the earlier they're booked. A deposit is due within a few days of booking, but the remainder of the fare won't be due until 75 days before the cruise (and reservations can be cancelled with no penalty up to that time).

An experienced travel agent can help you choose a cabin type. The Passporter guide to Disney Cruises has detailed descriptions of the cabin categories. The Disney Cruise web site has descriptions as well, but they're not as clear. Your basic choices are an inside cabin (no windows), an outside cabin with a porthole, an outside cabin with an enclosed balcony (verandah), and an outside cabin with an open-air verandah.

Once you get close to your final payment date, you can plan which shore excursions to reserve, but you can't book them until 75 days out.

I find planning for a cruise easier and less stressful than planning a vacation at the parks, because there's less that needs to be worked out in advance (no dining reservations except maybe Palo, no choices about which parks on which days).

Happy planning!
Melissa

[SOmommy]

Originally Posted by chezp

I think Melissa's already given you some excellent advice. If you're thinking of taking a Disney cruise, I can thoroughly recommend the Disney Cruise PassPorter. It will be invaluable in your planning and will help to answer a lot of your questions.

Its worth the investment even if you're just thinking of taking a cruise. Mine has proven invaluable. Even if you decide not to now but think maybe sometime in the future you'll have a much better idea of what is to be expected. It is very in-depth!