Getting Ready to Book for Apr. '05 - Need Advice!

[mcnuss]

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would book a vacation this far in advance, but we have been dreaming of our second cruise since the day we disembarked last December. We already have April vacation of '04 planned (big trip to California, San Diego, LA, Monterrey & SF) so the next time that it's both convenient and affordable is April '05! I was shocked - happy shocked - that this one will cost us about $2000 less than our Thanksgiving cruise, and is solidly $1500 less than going in the summer or over a winter break.

All this said, we have a dilemma. Last time, we did the 7 day Western and for the dates I need, we'd be on the Western again. (Figures!) Or we could do the Land & Sea. I am not that keen on the itinerary for the 4 day, but it's really about the ship more than anything. We can do this for less than the 7 day Western in Cat. 6 staying at the Beach Club which we've always wanted to do.

What do you think? Same Western itinerary? Land and Sea? Opinions please!!

Thanks.

 

[Verandah Man]

If it was me, I'd rather do the 7 day Western again. We did a 7 day Eastern this August, and will be doing another 7 day Eastern next August. I think I spoiled my family to the 7 day cruise first, the 3 and 4 day just doen't seem long enough to me, IMHO.

 

[mcnuss]

That's kind of what I was thinking too. And it will have been 2.5 years since the first one, and since DD will be so much older, there will be more excursion choices.

The Beach Club is mightly appealing though! Perhaps we could swing a day or 2 there beforehand to set the mood!

 

[westjones]

It really is up to what interest you the most. This year, we could only go for 1 week, so we did a 3 day cruise and 4 days at Disney. We would have LOVED more time for both!

But the 7 day cruise is the BEST! And Beach Club is wonderful (we stayed there this past March and loved it). BTW, they have a DCL bus pick up at the Beach Club resort.

Next year we are doing 1 week at Disney World and 1 week at Beach Club. This is the first year we could do a 2 week vacation, and we are looking forward to it.

If you can't do more than a week, then everyone needs to think about what they want. My kids always prefer the cruise to the parks, but the love the parks too. If you only have a week, you could go on the cruise on Saturday for the 7 day, and then when you get off the next Saturday rent a car and go to Disney World (staying at Beach Club). You can walk to Epcot from that resort, which is great! Then fly out on Sunday. Most people say they can be at the parks before 10:00 am after disembarking (I haven't tried it yet).

Which ever vacation you pick will be wonderful!
DJ