Land/Sea w/ onboard discount or book separately?

[CACruisin']

I have sort of a complicated question. We had our first cruise on the Magic last month and rebooked a 7 day cruise onboard for a random date in 2006 with the intent of moving it to 2007 when the dates are released.

Now we are thinking that instead we would like to do a 3 or 4 day cruise and spend some time at Disneyworld also (sentimental anniversary reasons ) for 2007. I know in general it is better to book the land and sea portions separately. However, does this apply if we have our 10% discount and stateroom credit? Or does the difference in resort price really make a big difference. We are not FL residents, so we can't get those rates - too bad!

Our intent would be to stay at the Yacht & Beach Club (deluxe resort) for land, and book a secret cat 6 (priced as cat 7) stateroom for the 3/4 day cruise. This would be in mid March of 2007.

Ideally, we would do Disneyworld AND a 7 day, but the logistics on that won't work out.

I know it is early, but I am trying to get everything lined up, so I can be ready when the 2007 dates are finally released. My cruise is over and I need something to plan

TIA for any advice!

 

[kcashner]

Anne,
I think it would be impossible to predict all the variables in this. Since you rebooked on board, you got a 10% discount off the trip + the $200 onboard credit, right? If you change to a land/sea, I'm not sure what sort of deal you will get.

You do want to stay in a resort that is the right category for your cabin level, so you won't save money that way. It sounds like you will need park admission, so there's no room for savings there. It sounds like you are basically hoping for discounted resort rates...which might happen in March. Why don't you call DCL and find out exactly what your land/sea would cost and what discounts you would get (since you want a specific room, you'll need to book early.) Then price things separately on the internet and compare. I just realized that you are talking about 2007....so no DCL rates yet. Wait till the 2007 rates/dates come out (probably only a few more months) then do the above.

You really can't predict whether or not the resort will be discounted closer to the trip time......

 

[pppiglet]

From what I understood, you can't keep the same credits if you switch from the Magic to the Wonder. If you booked the Magic and switched to Wonder, don't you lose your credit?

 

[calmom]

I can somewhat speak on this - last month we rebooked aboard the Magic for a 2006 November cruise aboard the Magic and received the 10% discount and $200 shipboard credit. We are now going to take a 4 night cruise on the Wonder in May 2006. I was told by several Disney agents (I kept calling back hoping one would give it to me!) that you can not receive the 10% discount for the 3 or 4 night cruise. It is only for a 7 night Caribbean cruise - at least that is what they kept telling me. They could however offer me a shipboard credit, but it would only be $50, not $200. So we booked the $200 and kept on November cruise as we don't want to lose that discount. Now I just need to talk my DH into cruising twice within two months!

 

[kstelzner]

This brings up a ? I have. We are going on a 3/4 land/sea, the Wonder, in April 2006 and want to make reservations for the following year for a 7 day cruise on the Magic. Can you make reservations on the Wonder for a Magic cruise in the future? Thanks!

 

[clten]

Wait till the 2007 rates/dates come out (probably only a few more months) then do the above.

Just want to caution you if you want to compare booking land and sea separately. DCL may release their 2007 prices in a few months but it will probably be another year until WDW releases their's. Prices for 2006 were just released earlier this month.

kstelzner, you can book on the Wonder for a cruise on the Magic and get the same 10% off with shipboard credit.