Cruise or Disney?

[Aimros]

Ok, so I know it might be silly to be asking you whether or not I should plan a cruise or go to DISNEY but I need some serious suggestions. Here's the scoop:

My boyfriend and I went to Disney with the family last November. I looooved it, and he had a great time too. Now we want to plan another vacation (on a budget). He keeps saying he doesn't really want to go to Disney again and we should try something new, but he found some Disney brochures and tickets tonight and said that "it might be fun with just the two of us."

So, judging by budget, Disney vs. a cruise: Disney we would have to fly. A cruise we could leave from NYC and save on airfare (plus I hate flying, so that is a big advantage for me). A cruise you get food included with price, Disney you get if you purchase meal plan. A decent cruise will hopefully be around $700 not including tax...but how many more surprises will there be? and how many surprises at Disney?

Suggestions?

 

[Pixie Dust Luver]

That is a tough one because I love both. Have you been on a cruise before?
Where would you cruise to and for how long? I wish I could get my husband to go on a cruise, but he will not even talk about. I have been on 2 and loved it each time. A group of us from work went.

Wish I could be more helpful. Good luck on your decision.

 

[orangekid13]

Do both! They offer the package that includes a stay at Disney (like it'll really be that hard for him to put up with) and a disney cruise, including all the transportation between

 

[pepe of ohio]

I agree with the last poster, do the land and sea trip with Disney. We've been to WDW over 38 times and have been on only 1 cruise, Disney 7 nighter and left from Ddisney, cruised and returned to WDW for 3 more nights. A vacation from heaven, everything on board is covered in the price and the land/sea deal is the best of both worlds.

 

[bradisgoofy]

I agree with the last two. We did just that last year using our DVC points. It was GREAT!

 

[Aimros]

Oh yes, I forgot some very important information in the OP!

OK, I have been on 2 cruises before, and my boyfriend is from a big cruising family, but he has never been on one. So he has heard me, his parents, and his grandparents talk about how great their cruises were but never has been on one himself. He really wants to go to a beach with warm, blue, water.

Now, he likes Disney too, just not as obsessed as I am. So its not like it would be pulling teeth getting him to go there, but we did just go...so its more like trying to convince that it would be ok to go again. Likewise, I'm not opposed to a cruise, but just think Disney would be just as awesome twice in one year.

Some important Disney points:
1. we stayed off-property last time.
2. we are looking into getting a dining plan.
3. we are trying to plan on a VERY tight budget.
4. is there any way we can drive from Disney to a nice beach in one day trip? is there any way we could rent a car for just a day?

Thanks for all the input, hopefully this clears things up some more.

 

[lifenthetropics]

tough decision, good luck

 

[jenseib]

Yea you can rent a car for one day. You could also jsut do the disney cruise alone, without the land package. I love Disney, and love cruises. I think if I just did Disney a few months ago, I would go with the cruise this time. I know different cruiselines include different things, so youwould have to check. I've only been on Norwegian. They don't include any drinks except milk and tea I think. But I bought a "pass" that allowed me endless softdrinks becuase I love Diet coke!! I did have a few mixed drinks there too. Excursions are usually extra as well ,so keep those costs in mind. I'm not sure how Disney's cruises work. You would also have to fly for Disney cruises.
When are you planning to do your trip? That makes a different too, in price.

 

[mx55mom]

I think a cruise from NY would be the least expensive if you are on a tight budget. I love cruising and Disney. We are heading to Disney next week and I wanted to do a Disney cruise at the end but it was WAY to expensive for me. We opted to stay off site in a house and then do a four day cruise with Royal Caribbean at the end. As far as a car, if you are staying on site you can rent one right there. It would be about an hour drive to a nice beach which would be in the area of Cocoa Beach. Did you say when you are planning on this vacation? We did the NJ to Bermuda cruise this past Oct and had a blast! That was on Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Aimros]

yeah, I definitely think a Disney cruise would be WAY too expensive. We are looking to go probably sometime this summer, preferably late August.

 

[byoung]

Do both! They offer the package that includes a stay at Disney (like it'll really be that hard for him to put up with) and a disney cruise, including all the transportation between

I agree, you get the best of both.

 

[themudd4]

I would agree with most of the other posters and do the Disney Land and sea package. It may be a little higher than you were planning but it would satisfy everything...and Disney cruise line offers shorter trips so you may be able to afford one of the sorter ones and stay on the beach as you mentioned for an additional day or so.
If you are planning WDW...Cocoa Beach is closest I believe, but we like going down to Tampa.
What ever you decide...have great fun planning and on your trip!

 

[CdnMom2]

4 night Disney Wonder Cruise & 3 nights at WDW. Look into booking the parts separately if you're on a tight budget rather than a land & sea pkg. May be advantageous even with a 1 day car rental or other transfer costs to get to WDW after. You can adjust your tix, resort, etc. depending how you want it & possibly get some good codes.

Best beach for you -- Castaway Cay -- cant' drive there -- you have to go on DCL!

3 night Cruise is too short IMHO. By time you find your way around & relax, you have to leave.

Have fun researching & deciding. It'll be fun with either vacation, but truly DO BOTH is my vote!

 

[bettydau]

We took the Land/Sea vacation last month. Our vacation was more than we could have hoped for in all ways. AAA helped me with the plans-they seem to have great prices for Disney.
If you can do the Land/Sea you won't regret it. The Disney Wonder is truly an experience. We scheduled for next January before we left the ship , and will go with even MORE family members!