Deciding whether to take the plunge on a first solo cruise (MDAS)

YawningDodo said:
Boss says it's possible to take the unpaid time; I'm just going to have to get my request in as early as possible and we'll verify that it doesn't create any conflicts (it shouldn't; January's not a particularly busy time for me). Looking like if I'm ready to get serious about this, I need to pick a cruise date and turn in that absence request, maybe even this week so I can hopefully have confirmation and be ready to book when we get back from Disneyland.

Edit to add: I'm surprised to see on the DCL site that some of the 5 night MDAS cruises have pirate night listed on the itinerary. I had assumed that Pirate Night was a specialty thing and MDAS would take the place of the pirate celebration. It's listed as taking place on the evening of the Cozumel port day; I'm curious as to whether I can expect that to be accurate (i.e. whether I'll be packing two costumes).
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Sounds like you'd better get busy!

I have seen it posted here that MOST/All of the DAS (SW or M) have a Pirate Night also. Some of them even have two sets of fireworks. But I don't have first-hand knowledge of that.

Let us know what you decide!
 
YawningDodo said:
The ones I'm looking at are five nights, so it's possible I might miss a dining room if my rotation changes (that's part of the reason I've been leaning against a Palo or Remy reservation, too; I'd like to experience the regular MDRs on my first go if I can), but I think it may still be worth it to spin that wheel and see how it turns out. Good to know about the limitations of Cabanas, too. I can make that decision a little later, when I actually make the reservation.

Boss says it's possible to take the unpaid time; I'm just going to have to get my request in as early as possible and we'll verify that it doesn't create any conflicts (it shouldn't; January's not a particularly busy time for me). Looking like if I'm ready to get serious about this, I need to pick a cruise date and turn in that absence request, maybe even this week so I can hopefully have confirmation and be ready to book when we get back from Disneyland.

Edit to add: I'm surprised to see on the DCL site that some of the 5 night MDAS cruises have pirate night listed on the itinerary. I had assumed that Pirate Night was a specialty thing and MDAS would take the place of the pirate celebration. It's listed as taking place on the evening of the Cozumel port day; I'm curious as to whether I can expect that to be accurate (i.e. whether I'll be packing two costumes).
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Some general DCL tips:
  • When you go to book, I'd suggest booking with a travel agent who can give you OBC (on board credit--free money to use on the ship.) I went with Dreams Unlimited, who is a sponsor of this board. They communicate through email only. Others will use Costco Travel and after their cruise ends they receive a Costco gift card worth 8% of their cruise. Even if it's a small amount, it can help cover your gratuities, drinks, etc!
  • Tipping: Your shipboard account will be charged $12/person/night in gratuities which covers the stateroom host, server, assistant server, and head server.
  • If you think you might cruise DCL again in the future, book a 'placeholder' on board at the 'future vacations desk' for $250--you'll get 10% off a future cruise and some OBC ($100 for cruises less than 7 days, $200 for cruises 7 days or longer). Your future cruise needs to start within 24 mths to the day of your placeholder booking. That $250 is part of the future cruise's deposit--if you don't end up using the placeholder your money will be refunded.
  • Sea sickness medicine. Since you've never cruised, it might be good to bring some sort of motion sickness medication to make sure you'll enjoy your cruise. If you don't bring any and need some--on deck 1, health services, there is a bin of free samples of Meclizine (generic Bonine). On our Wonder Alaska cruise, I went down and got some for DD17. Next cruise I'm bringing chewable Bonine for her now that I know how she reacts. Alaska was supposed to have 'calm' waters, so we only brought sea-bands (accupressure bracelets) and some ginger based remedies.
Based on all your posts, I think you'd enjoy the MDAS cruise. If you end up traveling solo, please don't worry about what others think on the ship. Most people are pretty self absorbed/too busy with their own vacations to even notice who is alone. As others have said, families split up all the time to pursue various interests, so it's not unusual to have a person alone at various activities on board.
 
ahain said:
As I understand it, you'd be better off booking the friend up front and dropping them off later on (before PIF). This will lock them in at the current $$ rate rather then the potentially increased future rate.
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I checked their cancellation policy and it looks like I'd lose the deposit in the event of a cancellation -- if it's a partial cancellation, would any deposit I'd paid for her reservation just roll into payment toward the general booking or would I lose that money?

Geomom said:
Some general DCL tips:
  • When you go to book, I'd suggest booking with a travel agent who can give you OBC (on board credit--free money to use on the ship.) I went with Dreams Unlimited, who is a sponsor of this board. They communicate through email only. Others will use Costco Travel and after their cruise ends they receive a Costco gift card worth 8% of their cruise. Even if it's a small amount, it can help cover your gratuities, drinks, etc!
  • Tipping: Your shipboard account will be charged $12/person/night in gratuities which covers the stateroom host, server, assistant server, and head server.
  • If you think you might cruise DCL again in the future, book a 'placeholder' on board at the 'future vacations desk' for $250--you'll get 10% off a future cruise and some OBC ($100 for cruises less than 7 days, $200 for cruises 7 days or longer). Your future cruise needs to start within 24 mths to the day of your placeholder booking. That $250 is part of the future cruise's deposit--if you don't end up using the placeholder your money will be refunded.
  • Sea sickness medicine. Since you've never cruised, it might be good to bring some sort of motion sickness medication to make sure you'll enjoy your cruise. If you don't bring any and need some--on deck 1, health services, there is a bin of free samples of Meclizine (generic Bonine). On our Wonder Alaska cruise, I went down and got some for DD17. Next cruise I'm bringing chewable Bonine for her now that I know how she reacts. Alaska was supposed to have 'calm' waters, so we only brought sea-bands (accupressure bracelets) and some ginger based remedies.
Based on all your posts, I think you'd enjoy the MDAS cruise. If you end up traveling solo, please don't worry about what others think on the ship. Most people are pretty self absorbed/too busy with their own vacations to even notice who is alone. As others have said, families split up all the time to pursue various interests, so it's not unusual to have a person alone at various activities on board.
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Thanks! I've never booked through a travel agent before because I'm a little bit of a control freak (tried once for my last WDW trip and ended up cancelling and rebooking on my own because my agent took too long to respond to me and I wasn't confident that they were getting me the best deal). I did just go to Dreams Unlimited and submit a request for a quote, though, and if they can match the direct price from DCL and also get me a shipboard credit...well, why not? We shall see when the quote comes in, I suppose. No Costco here in town or I'd totally book through them; they've had some good deals in the past but I only have access to their services if one of my parents books the trip. Not at all sure whether I can swing another cruise within 24 months of the first, but if the deposit will get refunded if I don't use it...again, why not?

Hopefully I won't get seasick, but you never know. I'll keep it in mind.
 
YawningDodo said:
Thanks! I've never booked through a travel agent before because I'm a little bit of a control freak (tried once for my last WDW trip and ended up cancelling and rebooking on my own because my agent took too long to respond to me and I wasn't confident that they were getting me the best deal). I did just go to Dreams Unlimited and submit a request for a quote, though, and if they can match the direct price from DCL and also get me a shipboard credit...well, why not? We shall see when the quote comes in, I suppose. No Costco here in town or I'd totally book through them; they've had some good deals in the past but I only have access to their services if one of my parents books the trip. Not at all sure whether I can swing another cruise within 24 months of the first, but if the deposit will get refunded if I don't use it...again, why not?

Hopefully I won't get seasick, but you never know. I'll keep it in mind.
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When we booked our first DCL cruise, it was the first time we'd used a travel agent in over 20 yrs--last time was our honeymoon. I, also, am a control freak and love the planning aspect...but I also love free money. :cool1: Travel agents should be charging you the same rate as DCL. Being the control freak...I do the research on the DCL website and tell my TA which cruise and exactly which room I want and an alternate room # in case it's already booked. As far as control--any payments would need to go through the travel agent (it's all done online through their website, but the charge is put through by Disney), as well as any changes to the reservation. You do your own online checkin, book port excursions, meet and greets, Palo, etc.
 


Geomom said:
When we booked our first DCL cruise, it was the first time we'd used a travel agent in over 20 yrs--last time was our honeymoon. I, also, am a control freak and love the planning aspect...but I also love free money. :cool1: Travel agents should be charging you the same rate as DCL. Being the control freak...I do the research on the DCL website and tell my TA which cruise and exactly which room I want and an alternate room # in case it's already booked. As far as control--any payments would need to go through the travel agent (it's all done online through their website, but the charge is put through by Disney), as well as any changes to the reservation. You do your own online checkin, book port excursions, meet and greets, Palo, etc.
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I'd been looking at saving some money and leaving myself open for potential upgrades by doing a guaranteed inside stateroom rather than choosing a specific room, since it's not like I know what part of the ship I'd prefer to be on until I get there and try it. Trouble is, they wouldn't let me input that, so I just picked the lowest inside category on their list and I'll see what they send me in the quote. Also they're gonna just love me already; five minutes after submitting the request I realized I'd miss a friend's milestone birthday if I went on the itinerary I'd chosen and so I need to change it to another. The new sail date is $200 more (bummer), but at least it supposedly bumps me up a category for their OBC payout, so that's only a $150 loss to change the date.

Also, it just occurred to me that I was wrong -- I have been on a cruise ship once. It was a river cruise in Russia, two nights. Had some weird dreams on the second night, when the water was rougher, but I did fine as far as nausea and theoretically the larger ship should be more stable. Also, before you ask, Russian river cruises are...pretty boring! All there was to do on the ship was drink in the one bar that they had open. Nice day trip on Valaam, though, which was the point.
 
I have cruised solo and with others on Disney and have had a great time on all my cruises. The nice thing about a solo cruise is that you can do whatever you like all the time. And, if you want to meet up with others that is easy to do. There are lots of adult events on the ship where you can strike up a conversation if you choose. I have had good luck with dining when placed with others, but have also enjoyed solo meals. Palo is great! Go and have fun!
 
I already got approval for the time off! :eek: This is happening.

Geomom said:
As far as control--any payments would need to go through the travel agent (it's all done online through their website, but the charge is put through by Disney), as well as any changes to the reservation. You do your own online checkin, book port excursions, meet and greets, Palo, etc.
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I poked through excursions on the DCL site a bit; once the TA does my reservation do I get a DCL login or something to book all that stuff?
 


YawningDodo said:
I poked through excursions on the DCL site a bit; once the TA does my reservation do I get a DCL login or something to book all that stuff?
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Yes, once you've paid the deposit, you'll get a disney cruise line confirmation email with your reservation #, so you can then log in to DCL. Your TA should also give it to you. You'll have 2 different confirmations, one for Disney and one for Dreams Unlimited. You need to pay in full before you can book excursions...and as a first timer, you can't book excursions until 75 days out.

Enjoy your cruise! As far as room location--we went with the cheapest category that I was willing to do. For us, we needed a window--DD17 and I have a bit of claustrophobia--being able to look outside when we want to helps, verandah was completely out of our price range. Oceanviews on deck 1 are 2 small portholes. On deck 2 it is 1 large porthole--so we went with that. 2116--category 9C aft, near the aft elevators. We loved the location so much that for our second cruise the same category, but slightly closer to midship--2108. At the aft elevator location you could feel some vibrations--but not too much; further aft would have been worse--so we realized that we don't want to be much further aft than 2116. We really loved deck 2--up the stairs 1-2 decks for restaurants, theater, shops; up the elevator to deck 9/10 for pool/beverages, etc.
 
Geomom said:
Enjoy your cruise! As far as room location--we went with the cheapest category that I was willing to do. For us, we needed a window--DD17 and I have a bit of claustrophobia--being able to look outside when we want to helps, verandah was completely out of our price range. Oceanviews on deck 1 are 2 small portholes. On deck 2 it is 1 large porthole--so we went with that. 2116--category 9C aft, near the aft elevators. We loved the location so much that for our second cruise the same category, but slightly closer to midship--2108. At the aft elevator location you could feel some vibrations--but not too much; further aft would have been worse--so we realized that we don't want to be much further aft than 2116. We really loved deck 2--up the stairs 1-2 decks for restaurants, theater, shops; up the elevator to deck 9/10 for pool/beverages, etc.
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All very good to know (I had looked at rooms on DCL but had no idea there was a way to game the system as far as getting one large porthole versus two little ones). I've halfway considered bumping up to an outside room; it's technically doable but I'm having a hard time talking myself into spending the money. Definitely no verandah; just having a porthole would be the most splurge I could do on the room itself. I'm not claustrophobic (the opposite, really; I like being enclosed in small spaces), but then I've never spent five nights in a windowless room on a moving ship, so I don't really know how I'll actually react. Hadn't thought about the vibrations. I'm impatient to get this booked, so I think I'll have to check DCL again for specific rooms and make up my mind whether I want to change to a more specific request before the Dreams Unlimited people get back to me, so we don't have a bunch of back and forth before I can get it booked. Their current OBC deal applies to bookings made before October 31; we'll be back from Disneyland before then but it'd be nice to get the basic reservation done before we leave and not have to worry about the deadline right after a trip.

Also, 75 days out is in November, so I'm not too bothered. Might have been if I'd actually planned this in advance, but as it is I'm so busy with everything that the time's going to fly by until then.
 
YawningDodo said:
All very good to know (I had looked at rooms on DCL but had no idea there was a way to game the system as far as getting one large porthole versus two little ones). I've halfway considered bumping up to an outside room; it's technically doable but I'm having a hard time talking myself into spending the money. Definitely no verandah; just having a porthole would be the most splurge I could do on the room itself. I'm not claustrophobic (the opposite, really; I like being enclosed in small spaces), but then I've never spent five nights in a windowless room on a moving ship, so I don't really know how I'll actually react. Hadn't thought about the vibrations. I'm impatient to get this booked, so I think I'll have to check DCL again for specific rooms and make up my mind whether I want to change to a more specific request before the Dreams Unlimited people get back to me, so we don't have a bunch of back and forth before I can get it booked. Their current OBC deal applies to bookings made before October 31; we'll be back from Disneyland before then but it'd be nice to get the basic reservation done before we leave and not have to worry about the deadline right after a trip.

Also, 75 days out is in November, so I'm not too bothered. Might have been if I'd actually planned this in advance, but as it is I'm so busy with everything that the time's going to fly by until then.
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I would not worry about the OBC deal going away...they've been running it nonstop since before we booked our first cruise in 2015. (I also was trying to rush to get that first cruise booked before the OBC deal ended at the end of the month...but it didn't end, the end date just changed.) You'll probably be fine in an inside room then, plenty of people love them. Most people don't tend to spend much time in the room anyways, other than sleeping/showering, etc. There are plenty of areas to enjoy the view--deck 4 promenade, deck 9/10, various inside seating by the windows, etc.
 
ahain said:
As I understand it, you'd be better off booking the friend up front and dropping them off later on (before PIF). This will lock them in at the current $$ rate rather then the potentially increased future rate.
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It's the same price for one person as it is for two. I'm not sure this would make a difference.
 
Geomom said:
I would not worry about the OBC deal going away...they've been running it nonstop since before we booked our first cruise in 2015. (I also was trying to rush to get that first cruise booked before the OBC deal ended at the end of the month...but it didn't end, the end date just changed.) You'll probably be fine in an inside room then, plenty of people love them. Most people don't tend to spend much time in the room anyways, other than sleeping/showering, etc. There are plenty of areas to enjoy the view--deck 4 promenade, deck 9/10, various inside seating by the windows, etc.
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Haha, I shouldn't be surprised that they pull that trick. Guess I won't worry too much, then, but I'm still excited to get this thing booked and settled.

The downside I'm running into right now is that with the ship sailing out of Miami rather than Port Canaveral, I'm not at all familiar with the area and get to try to suss out a decent hotel in which to crash for a night on either end of the cruise. It'll be a late night getting in before the cruise and an early morning leaving again the day after, so I'd initially looked at the hotel in the airport, but...well, the reviews are saying there are cockroaches. A lot of Miami hotels have reviews that involve cockroaches, actually. I don't want to spend a fortune on a hotel, but I also don't want to bring any passengers home.
 
YawningDodo said:
he downside I'm running into right now is that with the ship sailing out of Miami rather than Port Canaveral, I'm not at all familiar with the area and get to try to suss out a decent hotel in which to crash for a night on either end of the cruise.
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There are a number of people on this board who have cruised recently out of Miami. If you haven't already done so (I haven't checked the new posts this morning) start a new thread asking for Miami hotel recommendation or search old threads. They should have some good ones for you.
 
YawningDodo said:
Haha, I shouldn't be surprised that they pull that trick. Guess I won't worry too much, then, but I'm still excited to get this thing booked and settled.

The downside I'm running into right now is that with the ship sailing out of Miami rather than Port Canaveral, I'm not at all familiar with the area and get to try to suss out a decent hotel in which to crash for a night on either end of the cruise. It'll be a late night getting in before the cruise and an early morning leaving again the day after, so I'd initially looked at the hotel in the airport, but...well, the reviews are saying there are cockroaches. A lot of Miami hotels have reviews that involve cockroaches, actually. I don't want to spend a fortune on a hotel, but I also don't want to bring any passengers home.
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I am cruising out of Miami in February. You might want to look into the Blue Lagoon area just south of the airport. A cap from the airport to port is ~$25. Uber/Lyft should be cheaper. I am staying at the Comfort Suites Miami Airport North. The reviews seem good and they have complementary transportation to the port but I think you could be cheaper separating the costs.
 
Got the quote this morning, but I've got to change the date so I'm waiting on a new one now. Also did a quick search and found a couple older threads with Miami hotel reservations I'll need to check out, and started a new thread asking specifically about hotels.

Thank you guys so much for encouraging me to go for it and answering so many questions! I'm still not positive whether this will be a solo trip or if I'll try to bring a friend, but for now I'm booking it with the assumption that I'm going alone.
 
ahain said:
Good point...I'm used to dealing with the third person in a room... not the second one.
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When I was playing around with the DCL site it looked like the price to add her was about $200 for port fees, taxes, that sort of thing. Not sure if those costs can actually go up or if it's going to stay at that rate if I do end up needing to add her later (also, I assume there would probably be a cost to add trip insurance for a second person). Honestly, I'm more concerned about adding a second person on flight reservations if I'm waiting on an answer.
 
YawningDodo said:
When I was playing around with the DCL site it looked like the price to add her was about $200 for port fees, taxes, that sort of thing. Not sure if those costs can actually go up or if it's going to stay at that rate if I do end up needing to add her later (also, I assume there would probably be a cost to add trip insurance for a second person). Honestly, I'm more concerned about adding a second person on flight reservations if I'm waiting on an answer.
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My understanding is the taxes and port fees should remain constant. If you book a second person into your room after the reservation then they would pay the cost the day they are added and not the day you initially booked. I think you might be able to book a second person when you make the initial request and remove them before you pay in full if they are not coming. Doing this would also make sure there is room on the lifeboat for that room (if it is an issue).
 
TDR32 said:
My understanding is the taxes and port fees should remain constant. If you book a second person into your room after the reservation then they would pay the cost the day they are added and not the day you initially booked. I think you might be able to book a second person when you make the initial request and remove them before you pay in full if they are not coming. Doing this would also make sure there is room on the lifeboat for that room (if it is an issue).
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The taxes and fees often go DOWN and you are refunded (or not charged if not paid in full) the difference. If they increase after you book, I think DCL would eat the cost - but to be honest I think they overestimate and then refund much more often.
 
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