"Land and Sea" package?

[KateMW]

There really isn't much info on these on the DCL website...actually there really isn't much info about anything on that website but that's for another post. Anyway, anybody have any helpful info about a cruise then WDW trip? We are thinking that's how we want to spend Spring Break next year. I've actually held the cruise we want to do {4 night out of PC on the Wonder} and then I was thinking about spending 3 days at WDW for a relaxed first trip for my then 3 year old.

Some questions I have...

1. Can both parts be booked now? For next March? Or just the cruise part?

2. If so, can they be booked on board? My DH and DD are on the Fantasy right now.

3. Do you actually save money booking them together?

4. The cruise leaves from PC on Sunday. I was thinking we MIGHT fly down Friday afternoon {from BHM so short flight} and spend Friday night and Saturday in the park too. That way we don't have to rush when we get back to get everything fit in?

Thanks!

 

[21stamps]

There really isn't much info on these on the DCL website...actually there really isn't much info about anything on that website but that's for another post. Anyway, anybody have any helpful info about a cruise then WDW trip? We are thinking that's how we want to spend Spring Break next year. I've actually held the cruise we want to do {4 night out of PC on the Wonder} and then I was thinking about spending 3 days at WDW for a relaxed first trip for my then 3 year old.

Some questions I have...

1. Can both parts be booked now? For next March? Or just the cruise part?

2. If so, can they be booked on board? My DH and DD are on the Fantasy right now.

3. Do you actually save money booking them together?

4. The cruise leaves from PC on Sunday. I was thinking we MIGHT fly down Friday afternoon {from BHM so short flight} and spend Friday night and Saturday in the park too. That way we don't have to rush when we get back to get everything fit in?

Thanks!

We are doing a Fantasy/WDW trip this coming winter.
There was no advantage to booking it as a package, I did each separately.

 

[Hundredacre]

You used to be able to book it as a package but I think now you have to book separately. (We did). Their website is awful. Yes you can book both now. Not sure about on board.

 

[KateMW]

Thanks all!


worst website ever.

 

[olookasquirrel]

We did this back in The Day, when there were only 2 ships and this was a heavily advertised thing. It's funny because you see hints of it on the website still, but you'd think they'd have an actual option for it. On the other hand, it's possible it wasn't heavily advertised, but since we used a full service travel agent she just took care of all the arrangements. This was back in the day of TAs booking your airline ticket too - can you imagine? I feel like a dinosaur!

Anyway, I would strongly encourage you, if possible, to schedule park then cruise. Park is go go go! And then you collapse onboard. If you go with a TA she can integrate your onboard booking with a park package deal if you're looking at that end of it.

 

[mmouse37]

As mentioned it really is to your advantage to book your WDW and DCL cruise as separates. You can add DCL transfers if you want to pick you up at WDW and take you to the cruise ($35 pp each way) to make it more seamless. DCL used to have a set 3 day park/4day cruise or 4 day park/3 day cruise package but that was years ago. Now you can book WDW through DCL but it does not make sense to me. By booking your WDW stay through DCL I believe you pay rack rates where if you booked your WDW on your own you could take advantage of any promos or pin code discounts available. You also have the flexibility to add dining package (if available) at WDW or park tickets, pick your own resort and book it for as many days as you like.

We are doing 3 nights at WDW this August and then 1 night in Port Canaveral and then going on the Fantasy for a week...then we are going back to WDW for 3 more nights. Booked everything individually.

MJ

 

[KateMW]

We did this back in The Day, when there were only 2 ships and this was a heavily advertised thing. It's funny because you see hints of it on the website still, but you'd think they'd have an actual option for it. On the other hand, it's possible it wasn't heavily advertised, but since we used a full service travel agent she just took care of all the arrangements. This was back in the day of TAs booking your airline ticket too - can you imagine? I feel like a dinosaur!

Anyway, I would strongly encourage you, if possible, to schedule park then cruise. Park is go go go! And then you collapse onboard. If you go with a TA she can integrate your onboard booking with a park package deal if you're looking at that end of it.

The issue with parks before is that there isn't enough time. My daughter can't miss any school due to advanced classes, etc. So the one cruise during spring break leaves when it leaves. Leaving us a day before and a couple of days after. So I guess we'll make it work. We are not crazy morning until midnight park people. We'll be back. We just want to have them both at Disney before our daughter is too old to enjoy it.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I remember reading the brochures with the Land and Sea packages. Your hotel was based on which category stateroom you booked for your cruise. If you wanted to stay at the Grand Floridian you had to book a really expensive stateroom. It's a lot more fun to pick and choose your own.

 

[ceecee]

When I called to book our cruise at DCL he suggested I book it separately.

 

[lanejudy]

We have done cruise first -- it was just the way timing worked out since you are somewhat limited based on cruise departure dates. I prefer land first, but you can have a great trip either way!

You DH can "reshop" the cruise you have booked to see if the OBB is better. If you recently booked, the OBB may be to your advantage if fares haven't increased considerably.

I also recommend booking the land portion(s) separately. WDW packages cannot be booked yet, but you can do a room-only if you want to lock in resort/room type and will travel with or without a special offer. Or 2017 packages should be released sometime June or July if you want to wait for s package. Special offers for that time of year won't be released for quite a while yet.

Enjoy your land and sea vacation!

 

[Imahikergirl]

Edited as someone gave an answer while I was slowly typing. Ditto the reshop opinion above. DH may be able to get a better deal for the cruise portions for you.

 

[hpsalb]

DH and I did two of the land/sea packages back when they promoted them. It was easy to book and I feel like it was a deal, but not a ton of options for schedule flexibility. I think people bypassed that option to set up their own trip, either to get a better deal or for a different schedule. So they don't formally offer that anymore.

If it were me, I would book the cruise onboard. Prices for spring break will only go up.

FWIW we did a similar trip with ODS just before he turned 3. It's probably one of my favorite trips, although he had some cranky moments. We did the parks first that trip. This past trip we did the cruise and then some Orlando area activities (Legoland, character meals...), but didn't actually visit WDW. Schedule wise it just worked better that way.

 

[Anna Chassereau]

We are doing three nights at WDW and then a 4 night on the Dream to the Bahamas this August...so excited!! We booked separately and there was no deal or anything...which kinda sucks! You would think they may offer some small discount for doing both.

 

[Anna Chassereau]

The issue with parks before is that there isn't enough time. My daughter can't miss any school due to advanced classes, etc. So the one cruise during spring break leaves when it leaves. Leaving us a day before and a couple of days after. So I guess we'll make it work. We are not crazy morning until midnight park people. We'll be back. We just want to have them both at Disney before our daughter is too old to enjoy it.

I don't think she'll ever be too old to enjoy it! I'm 34 and I love Disney just as much now if not more than I did when I was little!!

 

[KateMW]

I think she'll always enjoy it, but it will be fun for her to still be a little mystified.

I don't think she'll ever be too old to enjoy it! I'm 34 and I love Disney just as much now if not more than I did when I was little!!