When to Book Your Cruise?

Spring Break 2015 Cruises Cheapest NOW!

When we book cruises we always get asked when is the best time to book a cruise so you get the cheapest fare? That is a hard question to answer but I can tell you I always book my clients into a category where we can switch to cheaper fares if they should become available. Cruise lines have these for their guests and very few people know about them.

SUPPLY AND DEMAND

One of the major reasons to booking early is as simple as Economics 101. As a ship fills up or even a category, the prices start creeping up. Disney Cruise Lines sails with every ship at 98% capacity, every time! That means the earlier you book the better your price.

When was the last time you priced a Disney Cruise? Was it within 3 months of the sailing? If so your price might have been a lot higher than it would have been 9 months or 12 months before the sailing. In some cases this can be as much as $400 per person higher! Disney Cruise repeat guests always book 12 months before

because they know the prices are just going to go up and their favorite cabin will likely sell out.

All cruise lines follow this model somewhat. That is why I always encourage booking early and locking in your favorite category and price. The price could fall but if booked in the right category you can change your rate with no problem!

Using a travel agent is highly recommended when booking a cruise. Most travel agents are given amenities to offer guests. Some are cruise specialists that can offer you information about the ship, the itinerary and offer suggestions on the excursions. There are tricks and tips with just about every itinerary and ideas they can bring to the table. 

Next, we'll look at cabin choices and why booking early is important in selecting the right cabin for your family. Please take a moment to like us on Facebook and share our post on your wall! We are growing by leaps and bounds but only continue our growth because of you! www.facebook.com/mackeymousetravel

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New Internet Packages for Disney Cruise Line

Over the next few weeks, new internet packages will be available onboard the Disney Cruise Line ships. Instead of charging by minutes used, the new Connect@Sea packages are based on the amount of megabytes (MB) used.
Your Clients can choose from the following package options:

• Pay As You Go ($.25 per MB): Perfect for Guests who are not sure how often they will be online.
• Small (100 per MB for $19): A good choice for Guests who want to check their email occasionally and then go back to enjoying their cruise.
• Medium (300 per MB for $39): Ideal for Guests that want to share their vacation photos with friends right away.
• Large (1,000 per MB for $89): This package covers all Internet needs. Guests can stream movies or their favorite music. 

Connect@Sea services will be introduced onboard the Disney Cruise Line ships on the following sail dates:

• Disney Magic  - Feb. 3, 2014
• Disney Dream - Feb. 16, 2014
• Disney Wonder - Feb. 26, 2014
• Disney Fantasy - March 8, 2014

Detailed information about the Connect@Sea options will be available in each Guest stateroom, at onboard internet cafes and at Guest Services.

Cruising and Passports

Cruising and Passports

Cruising has become an extremely popular vacation in the past few years. With all of the changes in our national security people are confused about the need of a passport on a cruise vacation. Years ago you didn't need a passport to take a cruise to the Caribbean. As long as you returned to the port you left from.

After 9/11 things changed. Our border security was tightened and more regulations put in place. You can still cruise without a passport, but its not a good idea! Three years ago we did it! We went on the Disney Wonder and you didn't have to have a passport, an original birth certificate was all you needed. Now, you can still use your birth certificate but it won't get you back in the U.S. if miss the ship, or something happens medically and you are transported to a hospital.

Protect yourself and your family. Get a passport. There are now two options when getting a passport. You can get the Passport Book which is the full passport. You can fly anywhere in the world, cruise on any cruise ship and cross any borders you want (as long as you don't need a visa to visit that country too!).

The Passport Book costs $110.00 plus a processing fee of $25.00 if you don't apply yourself online and/or are getting a renewal passport. There is an alternative to the Passport book. The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

The price for the Passport Card is $55.00 for first time adult passport applicants or $30 for an applicant that has held a passport before. That is a great savings if you never plan on flying to Europe!

Still confused? No worries! Consult a travel professional before making any decisions. It could be a savings and certainly a savings of your sanity!!

Payment Plans for Vacation

Payment Plans for Vacation

When Cara was young we had a small pop-up camper. We loved our camper! We would go camping every weekend and I could put it up by myself! Once I bought her actual play clothes (she was my first and I should have bought stock in Gymboree!), she could get out and tromp around in the creek or pet the bunnies, try to feed the peacocks. So many amazing memories! One day I was talking with my dad about camping and I said Cara just loves it! He said I know why, because she has you and here daddy 24/7. No phone, no tv (although we had tv with a DVD player because she needed her shows!), just us playing, relaxing and enjoying and growing. I miss those days!

Blink and 9 years later and an addition of a little brother we don’t camp much anymore. Too many things to do, too many irons in the fire! I’m sure like most of you, we try to schedule family time, maybe a family movie night, a girl’s day or a boys going to the game, but it’s not the same.

Sometimes the time isn’t always the issue. These days it’s hard to scrap together a large chunk of cash at once! That’s where MackeyMouse Travel can save the day! We can offer low deposits and monthly payments, giving your wallet a rest and allowing you to pay CASH for some much needed family time!

How can we do that? MMT has partnered with suppliers who offer our clients the best service and the best options for your family’s budget. Our largest supplier (well outside of Disney!) has now lowered their deposit to $150! Even on packages that include air!!!! Unheard of!!

Sit down tonight and talk to your kids, talk to your family and decide where you can reconnect together! Is it going to be on the beaches of the Caribbean with oodles of kid’s clubs activities? Or is it going to be on a ship at sea, where you can opt for a formal night for that family portrait? Or what about a magical trip to Walt Disney World where your princess can ride on daddy’s shoulders wearing her tiara and princess dress?  Where ever your dreams take you, MackeyMouse Travel is ready to help you plan it! Contact us today so we can get that vacation planned!

Trips with low deposits:

Walt Disney World - $200.00

Disney Cruise Line – Percentage of cruise fare

Most Major Cruise Lines - $100.00 - $200.00 per person

All Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean - $150.00

The Disney Wonder

Disney Wonder®

 

copyright: MackeyMouse Travel

Disney Cruise Line® has selected the most stunning destinations - in the most exciting regions around the world - for cruises you and your family will not soon forget. Enjoy the service and expertise of our dedicated crew as we guide you in your exploration of international ports of call, from the Caribbean to Alaska to Europe and beyond. Discover, in detail, the world of delights waiting for you.

copyright: MackeyMouse Travel

Paying homage to a time when ocean liners inspired awe and represented the best in artistry and architecture, this ship is distinguished for its sophisticated design and modern innovation. The interior reflects majesty and enigmatic beauty, with its swirling wave patterns, marble accents and touches of Venetian glass adding brilliance to the Art Nouveau décor.

• 2,400 passengers
• 11 decks
• Total length of 964 feet
• Maximum width of 106 feet
• Gross tonnage of 83,000

The Disney Wonder is the second ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, joining the Disney Magic (maiden voyage in 1998) before the Disney Dream (maiden voyage in 2011) and the Disney Fantasy (maiden voyage in 2012).

 

copyright: MackeyMouse Travel

877 total staterooms: 256 inside, 621 outside, 259 oceanview and 362 verandah. No wonder they sell out so fast!

Main Public areas include: the Atrium Lobby, the Walt Disney Theatre, The Buena Vista Theatre, Preludes Theatre Concessions, Shutters (photo gallery), Guest Services (deck 3) and Port Adventures.

Family Areas: Studio Sea, Wide World of Sports, Goofy's Family Pool, Mickey's Children's Pool, Mickey's Splash Zone water play area, Quarter Masters Arcade, Radar Trap Retail Shop, and Treasure Ketch, Mickey's Mates retail shops.

Youth Areas include: Flounders Reef Nursery, Disney's Oceaneer Club, Disney's Oceanear Lab, Vibe Teen Club, and Edge Tween Club.

copyright: MackeyMouse Travel

Adult Areas are: Route 66, Diversions, WaveBands, Cadillac Lounge, Vista Spa & Salon, Quiet Cove Pool, Outlook Cafe, Cove Cafe, Signals, and the Promenade Lounge

Amazing Dining Options are: Parrot Cay, Animator's Palate, Triton's, Palo (adult only fine dining), Beach Blanket Buffet, Pluto's Dog House, Pinocchio's Pizzeria, and Goofy's Galley.

  

Mickey Children's Pool!

Pirates on the Caribbean!

MackeyMouse Travel Family!