Newbie q’s: SD hotels, cruise temp, adding DL days, Costco?

[HuskyGal]

Hello,
Cruise newbie. I have booked the 6 day (ETA 5 day cruise, not 6) San Diego to Mexico cruise for 3/2019 for myself, DH, DD who will be 7 yo, and DS who will be 4 yo. We will be flying from Seattle. Wondering if anyone has done this cruise and added Disneyland days and has any advice.
What is the best way to get from Anaheim to San Diego? Car rental? Train? Greyhound?
I’m thinking to fly into SNA, then fly out of San Diego after the cruise. Do I book as two one way flights?
Favorite hotel to stay in San Diego with Shuttle to cruise terminal?
Is it usually warm enough to swim in March?
BBB: does the most expensive package include princess meet and greet like at DL?
Cost savings for transferring booking to Costco?
ETA: thoughts on legoland vs Disneyland? We’ve taken our kids to Disneyland but not legoland. Would they be underwhelmed with legoland?
TIA.

 

[nancyjo1998]

- We always take the train down to San Diego. The San Diego train station is less then a mile from the port.
- Yes, in your situation book two one way flights.
- The SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront is across the street from the port - no need for a shuttle and they offer a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning.
- March is hit or miss with it being warm enough to swim.

 

[MelSpees]

Being that you're from Seattle, San Diego will probably be warm enough for you to swim.

 

[Ravenne]

Cost savings for Costco is about 8% back in the form of a Costco Cash card, plus 2% back if you're an Executive member.

 

[HuskyGal]

- We always take the train down to San Diego. The San Diego train station is less then a mile from the port.
- Yes, in your situation book two one way flights.
- The SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront is across the street from the port - no need for a shuttle and they offer a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning.
- March is hit or miss with it being warm enough to swim.

Thank you for responding! I eta to my op that it’s the 5 day cruise and thoughts on legoland.

 

[HuskyGal]

Being that you're from Seattle, San Diego will probably be warm enough for you to swim.

Oh haha. Yah. Probably so.

 

[HuskyGal]

Cost savings for Costco is about 8% back in the form of a Costco Cash card, plus 2% back if you're an Executive member.

Thank you! When I checked the Costco travel website, the cash card offered was much less than that,closer to 3% so thought I’d ask since I’ve seen others post about the 8-8.5% cash card.

 

[nancyjo1998]

Thank you for responding! I eta to my op that it’s the 5 day cruise and thoughts on legoland.

Legoland is fun, when my DS was around that age he really enjoyed it.

 

[HuskyGal]

Legoland is fun, when my DS was around that age he really enjoyed it.

Thank you! Now the FOMO in me thinks we should add 1 or 2 days of Disneyland plus 1 day of legoland.

 

[nancyjo1998]

Thank you! Now the FOMO in me thinks we should add 1 or 2 days of Disneyland plus 1 day of legoland.

I am the same way and can turn a week trip into 2 weeks by adding more and more things to see and do

 

[HuskyGal]

I am the same way and can turn a week trip into 2 weeks by adding more and more things to see and do

Lol. Thanks for making me feel better.

 

[Ravenne]

Thank you! When I checked the Costco travel website, the cash card offered was much less than that,closer to 3% so thought I’d ask since I’ve seen others post about the 8-8.5% cash card.

I could never figure out the math either. Costco has played around with the base price of my cruises and I'm all sorts of confused what % I get back, but at the end of the day, the price I paid is the same as if I'd gone directly through DCL, and the perks are higher than with any other TA out there that I'm aware of. At first glance, they give you a range of what the card would be worth, but once you actually get into booking it, even if it's a dummy booking and you don't fully go through with it, it gives you a more accurate idea. It's based on the base price of the cruise, not including port taxes, fees, gratuities, transportation, etc.

 

[HuskyGal]

I could never figure out the math either. Costco has played around with the base price of my cruises and I'm all sorts of confused what % I get back, but at the end of the day, the price I paid is the same as if I'd gone directly through DCL, and the perks are higher than with any other TA out there that I'm aware of. At first glance, they give you a range of what the card would be worth, but once you actually get into booking it, even if it's a dummy booking and you don't fully go through with it, it gives you a more accurate idea. It's based on the base price of the cruise, not including port taxes, fees, gratuities, transportation, etc.

Thank you for explaining! I didn’t go as far as trying to book it, just clicked on cash card and it said only 150-200 or less.

 

[Billinaz]

Thank you! When I checked the Costco travel website, the cash card offered was much less than that,closer to 3% so thought I’d ask since I’ve seen others post about the 8-8.5% cash card.

I got 8.5% on my next 2 cruises. Can I ask the cruise cost and the card amount you found?

 

[HuskyGal]

I got 8.5% on my next 2 cruises. Can I ask the cruise cost and the card amount you found?

I found out that I needed to go further than the first page where it initially says $1050 per person and cash card range on the left $160-190 for inside cabin. When I continue to book it then the cruise cost populates with~ $4k, cash card $285 which works out to 8% after deducting the port fees and taxes.