$$$$ Deals?? Help :)

[raysnkaysmom]

I have the deposit for my first cruise...but am hesitant to book without advicce from the pros I would love to do a land sea package..but need it to be less than $2000 for my 2 daughters and me... and advice or best places to check?? Thanks soo much!

 

[EthansMom]

I'll be surprised if you can do both a cruise and WDW for three people for $2000 or less.

That said, there are a few ways to save money. For the cruise, Carnival has some of the best prices -- I've used http://www.cruise411.com in the past and been happy with their services, so you may want to check prices there. Since all cabins pretty much the same service, you can save a bundle by booking a cabin that is inside and toward the bottom of the ship. Going during the fall (hurricane season) will generally save a bit of money. Also, booking early or else booking at the last minute will get you the best deals. If you book the cruise 2 or 3 months ahead of time, you aren't going to get the best discount.

There are different cruise ships that leave out of New York, New Jersey, Charlestown, Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans, etc... so if you have to pick between a cruise OR WDW, it may save you some hassle if you can find a port closer to your home. Definitely be open to the idea.

Personally, I love to cruise and am looking forward to taking my kids on their first cruise in the next couple of years.

Good luck with the planning!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Cheapest I can find is 4 night land/3 night sea for about $2800 in Jan and September.

We did a cruise in Jan for about $1400 (4 night). Maybe you can then make an offsite trip to Disney for a couple of days.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I shoulda clarified...Disney cruise is my only option - I've done Carnival and RCCL myself, but with my kids...Disney is the only way to go!! It's more expensive..but it's the experience that I'll love just as much as them!!
I may end up just booking the cruise, then do a solo day with the money I save until then.
Thanks for the hints tho!! I appreciate it all!!

 

[branv]

I don't know if you can do it for under $2000. Here's our situation:

DH and I are taking a cruise in January. We got, pretty much, the cheapest 4 night available at $399/person (though I think your second child is cheaper...and you can sail for 3 nights at $349 a person for off-season). We aren't using Disney transport or insurance, which meant our cruise for Cat. 12 came to $865.

Cheaper Insurance from another source with better coverage ( a must for cruising) will be about $75.

We're renting a car at the airport, using it at the parks, and dropping it off at the Port Canaveral Budget. Then picking it up again the day we disembark and driving it to the airport to drop off. Using the Costco code, it came to $108...which was about the same as using Disney transportation, but we can arrive earlier and it would be cheaper in your case instead of paying for 3 transfers.

We're staying 3 nights at Pop at $88/night.
No cost for tickets b/c we have leftover passes...you'd of course have to buy those.

And the costs that are just for two, meaning yours would be more: cruiseline tipping for 2 people, plane ticket for 2 people (about $300 total) , eating cheap at the parks.

Our MUST costs came to $1900.

This doesn't include the cost of: excursions, drinks on the ship, souvenirs, photos.

So when you add in your third person for cruise, tickets, food, etc. I'm not sure you can do it for under $2000.

BUT, I can tell you that I signed up for the Disney Visa...that gave me $50 free Disney dollars and $50 on board credit on the ship if you put the cost of the cruise on the Visa. It also gives you 6 months to pay the cruise off, interest free.

Good luck to you, I hope you can make it work somehow. Maybe just the cruise or the parks?

 

[geetey]

Have you checked out mousesavers.com? Mary may have some tips on how to book your trip and save the most $$.