questions about back to back 4 & 3 night cruises

[organicb]

I'm in the process of booking back to back 4 & 3 night cruises. Has anyone out there done this and do you have any advice?
If I'm lucky enough to be reassigned the same stateroom can on leave my luggage on board? I know I'll have to disembark for a few hours. Also, will I be able to receive the castaway return cruiser ship board credit for the second cruise? When I cruised
this past January I had the American Express White Glove Package with the $250 on board credit. When I book my cruise(s) for 2003 can the White Glove Package be combined with the castaway credit?
I will be flying out of a small airport on Long Island that frequently closes down due to bad weather and I'm planning to fly into MCO the day before- any advice as to what hotel I should stay in - am I better off staying in Orlando or should I get a room closer to the port? I plan to use the cruise line transportation transfers.
Any advice is appreciated..............
Thanks in advance,
Bari

 

[SusanU]

I am sure because of customs you will have to go through with your own luggage as you disembark. Also the 3 & 4 day both have almost exact same itinerary-going to Nassau and Castaway Cay. The 4 day just has a day at sea added. Also considering the cost of each I think you would just about be ahead in costs if you took the 7 day and get a different itinerary. Meals are the same on the 3 day as the 4 with one night added in one of the restaurants. In any case, The Castaway club credit is available if you book within 120 days of your last cruise. Since you are booking both together I dont think you can work it out. I cruised once in Dec and got the credit, but couldn't wait to book my Jan till I got back from that one so therefore didn't get it the second time around. I believe it is combinable however with the AMX if available still or any rebates that Dreams Unlimited may offer for booking. I think you would be fine staying in Orlando the night before cruise. It is an easy 1 hr or less drive from WDW to the port. I haven't stayed close to the port, but those on this board report that some hotels are great with free shuttle to the port. Do a search to find out which ones they recommend. Either way you go-have a great cruise!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

If you have the same stateroom for both cruises, you should be able to leave your luggage onboard. They may ask you to disembark, however, for Customs/Immigration reasons while the boat's in Port Canveral.

The port is 47 miles from the Orlando airport, so if you are using Disney transfers, you'll want to stay somewhere near the airport. The Hyatt Regency is inside the airport terminal. It's very nice and very convenient (www.hyatt.com/usa/orlando/hotels/hotel_orlan.html). There are also over a dozen hotels within a mile of the airport. They all offer courtesy shuttles although not all shuttles run after midnight if that's a factor. Check a travel site such as expedia or travelocity for more info.

If you want to take a limo service out to the port, you'll probably want to stay at the Radisson in Cape Canaveral (www.radisson.com/capecanaveralfl). It's the closest hotel to the port and the only hotel with courtesy transportation to the port.

You may also want to consider renting a car from the Orlando airport. It's possible to rent a car and return it near the port without paying dropoff charges. That way you don't have to pay for renting a car while you're on your cruise... and you don't have to pay for parking. On your return, you can rent another car near the port and return it at the airport. For more info on this option, refer to my web site (www.dcltribute.com/carhire).

If you <i>do</i> rent a car, you have a number of options for overnight lodging near the port. For a summary of your options, refer to my web site (www.dcltribute.com/spacecoast/hotels.htm).