Is the land and cruise worth it?

[tweetie]

We have never been on a cruise before and I was thinking of the 4 day land and 3 day sea in early November 05, I was wondering if the cruise is worth it and how is the weather on the islands at that time?

Thanks

 

[traycie2201]

I think you'll get an overwhelming yes the cruise is worth it on these sites, i guess it depends on your expectations, many may say go for the full 7nt cruise if it's in your budget but then again a 3 nt is a nice intro to cruising, just be warned you may become addicted. Happy cruising.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

We're doing the 4/3 land/sea in late August. I chose the land/sea for two reasons:

First b/c I can't imagine going to FL and not going to WDW and we could only go for a week.

Second b/c I wasn't sure we'd like cruising ... so the land/sea option seemed perfect for our first cruise.

That said, if I do a land/sea again I think I'd probably book the land and sea components separately ... that way I'd have more flexability over which WDW resort I stayed in ... maybe staying in a value resort, but getting a stateroom with a veranda on the ship.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I had the choice to take a 3 day land/4 day cruise or a 7 day cruise. I chose the land/sea package because I had never cruised before, after the cruise I regretted taking the land/sea package and would have loved to have taken the 7 day cruise. Lesson well learned for me!! I would choose all cruise over the land/sea package.

 

[dizprincess27]

Hi - I booked the 3/4 land/sea package for basically the same reasons as you did Memaw2Wm but in addition, I don't think I would be able to afford to stay at the Poly without the package even with the codes out there

We'll see how we do on the cruise but we live in NJ and I really can't imagine not doing WDW when we fly to FL

 

[DCLADDICT]

IN MAY, WE DID LAND AND SEA AND LAND! BUT WE DID NOT BOOK IT THROUGH DISNEY. WE BOOKED OUR CRUISE THROUGH OUR TA AND GOT AN AWSOME DEAL FOR 2 CAT 11 STATEROOMS( BOOKED 10 MONTHS IN ADVANCE), THEN WE WATCHED FOR DEALS ON WEBSITES FOR LAND DEALS. WE GOT A FANTASTIC RATE AT THE HOTEL ROYAL PLAZA IN DOWNTOWN DISNEY ($69 A NIGHT FOR SUITE, SLEPT ALL 5 OF US NICELY). WE STAYED THERE FOR 2 NIGHTS PRIOR TO CRUISE AND 3 DAYS AFTER THE CRUISE. WE PURCHASED PARK HOPPER PASSES ( THE BEST DEAL FOR REALLY GOING TO ALL THE PARKS ON YOUR TIME AND NOT BEING RUSHED AND TIRED FROM YOUR VACATION). THE HOTEL HAD DISNEY BUS PICKUPS EVERY 30 MINUTES UP UNTIL 2 HOURS AFTER PARK CLOSING. WE WERE ABLE TO ENJOY MORE OF BOTH WORLDS WITHOUT GOING ON OUR CRUISE AND HOME TIRED FROM OUR VACATION. THIS REALLY WORKED WELL FOR US. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MORE CONENIENCE, THEN MAYBE IT IS BETTER, BUT IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE ON THE TIMES WE HAVE GONE, IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE TO BOOK THE LAND AND SEA THROUGH DISNEY. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHOP AROUND BEFORE YOU BOOK AND EVALUATE YOUR WANTS AND EXPECTATIONS OF YOUR VACATION, SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR YOU. HAVE A GREAT TIME !

 

[ImNarek]

We've done 2 land/sea cruises and one 7day cruise with an additional 4 days at the parks tacked on. I've loved all three trips. The way I see it now, the land/sea packages are a wonderful introduction to the world of Disney Cruising. A few magical days at the parks, taking it all in, then a Disney cruise bus (we've always used Disney transfers - its just my DH and I and for two people they are cheapest and FUN) to whisk us away to the cruise terminal, followed by a wonderful cruise to relax and rejuvenate. We loved the land/sea trips!

Then last year, for our third trip and our 10th anniversary, we decided to do the full monty - 7 day cruise and additional park time. That was incredible! This year we're just doing the relaxing bit of the 7day cruise.

 

[two-foxes]

We booked the 3 nite land/4 nite sea, then added on 3 nights to the land (booked with a seperate package.) This was our first cruise as well and it was a great "test" for us. Just a word of warning, we got hooked and my savings account has never fully recovered.

Some may encourage you to book the components "a la carte" if you want to do a land sea trip, but I highly recommend the package thru DCL for first timers. It takes care of all the details so you have no extra planning to worry about (transportation, baggage transfers, checkin, etc).

We cruised in Oct and had beautiful weather. I bet there is a link somewhere that can give you historical weather trends for the Caribbean in Nov.

You'll have a blast!

 

[tawasdave]

The first time we did the Disney Cruise we did the land and sea package..the price was just to good to pass up (1999). We did have problem with extra day stay however. Since coming from Michigan...we came a day early so we would have a full day at the park first day. So we booked an extra night in the same resort...problem was they made us move to a different room after the first night...which was a hassle. When we went in April, I booked cruise and room seperate. Since I drove down was no big deal getting to ship. You do save big bucks booking seperate most of the time...so up to you....pay a little extra and have everything planned for you..or save some $$$$$ and do some of your own leg work...me..I am cheap and don't mind the leg work...

Either way..you will have a blast!!!!

 

[CruisingCA2005]

In 2001 we did the 3 day land/4 day sea with 3 extra days at the Port Orleans added on. We loved the cruise and wished we had done the 7 day instead. We had a great rate from National car rental so we rented the car for the entire time ($160 for 11 days for a full size) and parked it in the lot at Port Canaveral for the 4 night cruise. It was cheaper for us to do it this way rather than returning the car & picking up a new one or using DCL transfers for 4 people.

If I ever do a land/sea again, I'll book my hotel separately. Our next cruise will be on the west coast but I want to rebook a 7 day cruise onboard. We'll probably add on several days at the park and will book this ourselves. I enjoy planning things out and the people here on the disboards are great at answering questions about hotels, parks, cruises, etc.

 

[markm0926]

Just my opinion...

I was going to do the land and sea .....but... (since I have been on cruises in the past)...I had to go with the 7-night cruise.
I knew that 3 or 4 days just wouldn't be enough.

 

[kpros]

We started our DCL experience with a 3 day land/ 4 day cruise on the Magic back in 1999. We have since been on two 7 day cruises and are currently scheduled for the 10 day in December and the 14 day in May 2005.

Does that give you an idea of what we think about cruising with DCL?

Ken

 

[EmmasGrammy]

I think the 3 day land 4 day sea is the best introduction to cruising, especially if there are children involved. We booked the package deal and found the extra few $$ were worth the hassle of booking things separately. Next time I'll probably book a 7 night cruise and book 4 or 5 days at WDW prior to the cruise.

We had our 3 yr old DGD along with us this trip and the 3/4 was a perfect fit. I personally would have loved a longer cruise. But she was ready to come home!!

 

[PinClubs]

My wife and I were married at the Wedding Pavillion in WDW on July 1, 2002. We decided to stay 4 days in the parks (one of those days we would be married) and then sail for three days on the Wonder.

I called DCL to book a Land and Sea only to find that I couldn't book the resort I wanted. The combinations offered didn't allow me the choice I was looking for so I booked it separately.

We spent four days at the Wilderness Lodge and 3 days in a Cat 5 stateroom which for some reason wasn't an option and I paid less than if I booked a Land and Sea package.

To me, I am not really sure why they offer that package if it is going to have those types of restrictions.

Jeff

 

[mousefansmom]

tweetie,

We have done the 3 land/4 sea before and wished we had booked a longer cruise, BUT, we are doing the 3/4 again
Dec. 1-8 '05. The reason is that we have a large enough group going to get great group rates, but none of the other families have ever been to Disney or on a cruise. We truly believe that the combo is a great opportunity for those who haven't cruised before. I wouldn't do the 3 day cruise though, that really is too short for our preferences.

As far as booking, we got the following rates, and also shipboard credit on top of that- (families of four, with both children < 12y)

6- $3487.40

8- $3027.40

9- $2902.40

10-$2702.40

11-$2627.40

We are all adding on extra land days, but not through Disney, too expensive. For the combo though, we couldn't book separately and beat the prices that we got (I tried!) We initially had an early November booked, but it ran into Jersey week AND the group rates were already sold out for the cruise we wanted (Disney must limit the number) so we went for our 2nd choice and now we will get to see the Christmas decorations! Join us!!

HTH
Mousefansmom