Planning our First Disney Cruise
Planning our First Disney Cruise on the Wonder
Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line
My daughter has been obsessed with taking a Disney cruise for the past year. Being on the west coast I never even gave it much consideration considering the cost to get to Florida and the cruise itself, I mean this girl just doesn't get the concept of money yet! News flash honey bun, it doesn't grow on trees, I cant just "write" a check or use my credit card, welp!
Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line
In planing what she would like to do for her big 10 I decided we would tighten the belt and plan of a couple nights at Disneyland and stay on property. After I came back to reality and regained consciousness (it's so expensive!) I wanted to get a good laugh and compare the costs to a cruise. That's when I had my aha moment and found that Disney Cruises sail right out of San Diego!!!! Oh and it just got better from there as I discovered they offered 3 day cruises that were actually doable and wouldn't kill my husband with an OD of Disney (he's not the biggest fan) They had longer cruises but quite honestly I didn't want to push our luck with the hubby so long story short our princess is getting her wish! Her birthday is in September but the cruise falls on the same weekend as an off road race in Mexico (gotta pick our battles ladies) so the next one sets sail in October and the kicker is it's a Halloween theme cruise! We've gone to Micky's Not so Scary Halloween Party for the last 3 years so this is right up our Main Street U.S.A!
Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator’s Verandah
So with the room booked it was time to engage into my costume shopping mode! Enter my girls next hobby, dressing up. With the latest Beauty and The Beast movie it has re ignited my daughters love for the story, the characters and the newly designed yellow dress! So happens our favorite costume and clothing shop Chasing Fireflies has an exclusive Disney dress inspired by the film AND it passes her main requirement....it must have a hooped skirt. Dress secured we are set to sail! I'm very excited for my girl, she is so adventurous in wanting to take a cruise and I'm just fine with not planning a party. I'm sharing all the info on the Disney Cruise line so you can check out out yourself. We booked our cruise through Costco travel, saved a few bucks compared to booking directly but they will also be sending me a GC to use at the store so my overall savings came out to around 300 bucks. Considering we are not bundling with airfare or transportation I think it was a good deal for the room we got.
Ports o call from San Diego include Ensenada, Cab San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán offering cruises from 2 day to 7 days (depending on destination) Sets sail in the months of May, September and October. You will need a current passport for everyone traveling in your party. Most of the ports o call in Mexico accept dollars, credit cards or good old pesos. FYI the Peso exchange rate is about 2 to 1 right now making any destination in Mexico a huge bargain currently. Disney Cruises offers "Themed" trips like the one we are set to sail on. The Halloween themed trips are avaliable on select cruises from September thru October.
Vis Disney Cruise Lines: Discover magical mischief and spellbinding surroundings as you commemorate Halloween at sea. This spook-tacular experience is available on most itineraries departing late September through Halloween. Thrills and chills await you at every turn, thanks to not-so-scary parties, eerie entertainment and bewitching décor—including an evolving Halloween tree that eerily transforms throughout your cruise.
Unearth some festive entertainment during this ghoulish cruise:
- Mickey's Mouse-querade Party. Shiver in delight during a scare-a-bration alive with ghoulish games, trick-or-treating, dancing and some favorite Disney Pals bedecked in Halloween attire.
- Halloween Activities. Unearth frightful fun for the entire family, including mask-making and pumpkin-carving.
- Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing and Scream. It’s “Season’s Screamings” during this interactive movie experience, followed by a meet-and-greet with Jack and Sally.
- Haunted Stories of the Sea. Listen to a ghost story or two during an eerie campfire-style storytelling experience on deck.
- Halloween Isn't Just for Kids. Shudder and shake at this adults-only party that includes a costume contest.
Wondering what's included with the cost of the cruise?
Your Disney Cruise Includes
- Onboard accommodations
- Broadway-caliber live shows
- Themed deck parties
- Fun-filled youth clubs
- Adult-exclusive nightclubs and lounges
- Wide variety of gourmet and casual dining
- Disney Character experiences
- And so much more!
So did you know that Disney Cruise Line even sailed out of San Diego? I didn't, but I'm so glad I found out! Something you would do? I'll let you know how it all goes!
