land/ sea package

[pinklife]

Hello, We are looking at the disney cruise for this Oct. Has anyone sailed during this time? I'm concerned about the weather. Also, which is better the extra day at sea or on land? And is it more economical for me to just book the cruise only and the land part separate? I plan to stay in the park. Thanks for your advice.

[kcashner]

If you book the land and sea separately, you can get exactly what you want on both portions. If you book the package, each cabin level on the ship is tied to a resort level on land.

In addition, in October there may be specials available since it is not a terribly busy time. Will the free dining still be available for your dates? You won't get that if you book a package!

I'd do a 4 day cruise just because a 3 day is very short. In addition, the 3 days will be crowded this fall as many people will be doing "bounceback" specials (a discount deal they got for doing a previous cruise.)

It is easy for the TA to book a land/sea. However...I'd work with an excellent TA who is a Disney expert and have them price it out both ways. See what works best for you.

[MagicMe]

I agree, you have so many more options when you book them separately. You can book a value resort and a high category cabin or book at the Poly and book a category 12 on the ship! You can mix and match easier. Also, as noted, you might be eligible for the free dining depending on when in October you plan to go. Plus you can even split the stay - couple days before, sail, and couple days after.

I wouldn't worry about the weather. We went in late Sept/early Oct last year and the weather was great.

[dwwlmw]

If you book the cruise and land portion separately can you still do transfers from the resort to the cruise? I am looking at 7 days at a WDW resort before the cruise with a car I rent from the airport. Is there a place i can return that car and then use the DCL transportation to get to the cruise and back to the airport? Just a little confused how all of this works.

[kcashner]

Yes, if you book separately you can still buy the transfers. You'll just need to let your TA know that you want them...OR you can buy them thru the "cruise hostess" who will be at a desk at your hotel provided that you use one of the "cruise hotels."

Note, the transfers don't run from the value resorts, Coronado Springs, or Contemporary. They will start running from Bay Lake Tower in August. If you choose a hotel without DCL bus transfer service, you can still take transfers from the nearest hotel that has it. In our case (several years ago), the bellman took us and our stuff over to Port Orleans.

[Kenmi's Mom]

I'm doing our first land/sea package too. I compared it as a package and compared it if I purchased separately. For us, the land/sea package was a better deal. However, depending on when you go, it could also be better to book it separately (it depends on the room rates).

Keep in mind though that if you book separately, you can't check in to the cruise at the resort when you first arrive, but have to do so at the terminal (there are a few minor perks you lose out on by booking separately). This was my understanding from reading the DCL website and dis boards, but please confirm or perhaps someone will correct me.

Good luck!

[hollieplus2]

We are doing a land and sea package. We booked seperatley since we got the free dining code. I am doing 4 nights at CSR and then 4 nights on the Wonder. We are doing the land portion first and then the cruise. I am doing the town car transfer to the port and then a rental car to the airport after the cruise so we can stop off at AK on the way back. Our plane doesn't leave until 6:30pm.