Cheapest way to do cruise/Universal/Disney?

[nilseks]

I'm looking at booking a Carnival cruise for our family of 4 next yeat at spring break (week of Easter). I would like to do it economically, even though I know that's not the most economical time to go. But DS in junior high does not want to be pulled out of school anymore, we have to work around travel sports, etc.

I'm looking at a 4 day cruise from Port Canaveral-Bahamas for $264/pp. That seems pretty reasonable. We have Southwest air miles to get us all there for free. BUT I think we would probably need a car to get from the airport to port, and back. After the cruise I would like to tack on a few days at the parks. We have always stayed on property at Disney but my kids are getting older and really into Universal. Since that's such a busy time, I think we should stay at Universal so they can have the ride passes to get on everything quickly. I can get free Universal tix with my credit card reward points. We would probably like to do one or two days at Disney parks as well.

Do I get a car for the whole week, leave it at port, then stay at Universal the whole time? Or do we move to a Disney value resort, or maybe even somewhere off property since we would have a car? I don't know if I would find any big discounts off property, since we would be there the week of Easter. ???

I am so used to just going for a week and staying on property at Disney the whole time. Not sure of the best way to go about this?

 

[peacelover]

Well if you want to do Universal on Easter Week, I would think that you would be better off staying at Universal for front of the line access, the crowds will be insane that week.
I think that the value resort may be a little cheaper than the Universal hotels that week... I just noticed you are doing Disney too.
You will getter a better rate at many offsite hotels that week, take a look at the Orlando Hotels board for some ideas.
As far as the rental car..... sometimes it costs as much to keep the car for 3 or 4 days, and have different drop off/ pick locations , as it is to just pick it up and return it from MCO. Just reserve it early.

 

[TiggerStac]

With southwest, just make sure you book early. Not sure if u know this or not, just want to make sure. the amount of points u used is based on the $$ value of the flight.

If the flight happens to go down at any point, you can change it and the points will go right back into account (love this perk)

 

[linnylu]

That's the exact vacation we did last spring break with our 4 kids. We flew to Port Canaveral, rented a mini van, cruised for 4 nights on the Carnival Sensation, then went to Universal for 2 nights and stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort. The front of the line passes were definitely needed and we were so happy we spent the money to stay on property. It was an awesome vacation. Our kids loved Universal, especially Harry Potter. We did go to downtown disney the day before the cruise.

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

It would be cheaper to rent a car for a week and much easier too. I would look into a hotel near the port that offers parking while you are gone and offers a shuttle to/from the port. We have stayed at the Raddison and the Country Inn and suites next door. Both were fine for a nights stay.There are others on the beach that offer this as well. If you didn't want to stay near the port the night before the cruise look into off site parking. We have used Park N Cruise it was 5.99 per day. I think it was 20.00 per day to park at the port.

Book your cruise early for the best deal. It you book under the early saver rate if your cruise price drops they will give you on board credit to use. Last cruise we had over 100.00 and it paid for the tips. The only downfall is no changes or cancelations allowed so be sure you read the fine print. Trip insurance is a good idea as well just in case you do need to cancel.

If going to Disney and Universal I would stay offsite. If going to just Universal I would stay onsite to get the front of the line passes.

Have a great trip!