Should we do a Disney Cruise?

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Okay, I've been to WDW 5 times, but my wife wants to take a Cruise, for our vacation I want to go back to WDW, should we do a land-and-sea Disney cruise, or go to Disney a few days and book a cruise on another cruise line and if so which cruise line? I've never been on a cruise (unless you count Jungle Cruise) so this is all new to me.

 

[jrabbit]

I want to go back to WDW, should we do a land-and-sea Disney cruise, or go to Disney a few days and book a cruise on another cruise line

This is NOT an either/or question. If you go to WDW on your own you still can cruise DCL on your own. You don't have to do their official "land/sea" package. In fact there are advantages to booking each segment on your own (cost being one factor).

If you only have a week of vacation time to use, you can go to WDW for 3 nights then on to DCL for four nights. That way you can do both.

 

[PoohJen]

Danny,
we are certainly biased DCL-loving cruisers on this board!!! but we also want to give good advice, so....we need more info?

Been to WDW 5 times in how long - annually for past 5 years? Try the cruise!

Have kids? How old?

the Land-Sea may be a great option for you, as JRabbit pointed out. For me, I love WDW, but knew a 4 day cruise would be too short - I went w/ the 7 day Magic so that I could thoroughly enjoy the ship/cruise experience.

Contact Disney's website to get a free dvd/vhs infomercial on their cruises. It will give you some good visuals and an idea of what to expect.

Either way, you can't make a bad decision; with Disney, it's all good! Happy Planning!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Thanks for the help, our last trip to Disney was back in '97, it was also my wife's first trip, we have a one year old daughter but she will be staying with Grandma during our trip, Any other advice welcome.

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

Thanks for the help, our last trip to Disney was back in '97, it was also my wife's first trip, we have a one year old daughter but she will be staying with Grandma during our trip, Any other advice welcome.

Be prepared to possibly become obsessed with Disney Cruiseline if you go! I still love the parks, but I'd give anything to be able to cruise again soon! Since you haven't been to WDW since '97, a land and sea is a good option. Do the parks first and then relax on the sea -- it'll be a blast!

Stacy

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Hows the weather in Jan for the cruise?

 

[MassDisLovers]

We have been to Disney many, many , many times over the past twenty years, both with and without the kids. Until we did our first Disney cruise in 2002, we thought that was as good as it got. Now we are devoted cruisers! You wil not believe the level of relaxation you ge ton a cruise, plus you get to go to all those new and exciting places. A day on Castaway Cay cannot be beat. Try the shorter cruise first if you are not sure...I bet you'll book a 7 day very soon after! Enjoy!

 

[MrsMork]

We have been to Disney many, many , many times over the past twenty years, both with and without the kids. Until we did our first Disney cruise in 2002, we thought that was as good as it got. Now we are devoted cruisers! You wil not believe the level of relaxation you ge ton a cruise, plus you get to go to all those new and exciting places. A day on Castaway Cay cannot be beat. Try the shorter cruise first if you are not sure...I bet you'll book a 7 day very soon after! Enjoy!

Or like many of us, you will book that 7 day while you are still on board and get the $200 on board credit! Lovin' it!

 

[Jhalkias]

Back in 2000, we did our first cruise on a Wonder Land/Sea combination. It was a good alternative for first time cruisers, as everything was taken care of for us - luggage, room key, transportation. At that time, I was a bit apprehensive of cruising, and was thinking of it as a once in a lifetime vacation . . .

Well, we are more hooked now on DCL than on WDW! This December will be our 7th DCL cruise, and our fourth seven day cruise - I can't believe that we will have spent over a month of time on these beautiful ships!

If you are worried, land/sea can take away some of the apprehension about arrangements, but if you are independent enough on the first time, and follow the advice here on this board, you can make a better deal for yourself overall by booking seperately.

Do It!

John

 

[roscodog]

Whether you sail Disney or another cruiseline, you'll find the cruise experience unforgettable. We've done the 7-day and the land/sea and found both to be great. The land/sea offers an almost seamless experience between WDW and DCL. Try it, you'll like it.

 

[ncmouselover]

The cruise for sure. We went on a 7 day and loved it. Great service, activities. We even had 2 cat, 12's (smallest available) and still loved it. I wish we could afford to go again. We're going to Disney next week but it will seem like work after the cruise. If you go on he Eastern Magic, do the Jolly Roger Pirate excursion. They take you to a nice beach and hey make you dance and limbo he whole time.

 

[Evans Family]

Having grown up in Florida and my DH having worked there as a teen we have been to WDW hundreds of times. It still is not what I call a relaxing vacation. We seem to go, go, go and fall asleep everynight before our heads hit the pillow. There is always the question of "where do we want to eat" and "what shall we do next" that creates some stress because everyone in the family wants to eat/do something different. It seems like we always come home from our WDW vacations tired and in need of rest.

The cruise on the other hand, is a TRUE vacation. There are minimal decisions and it is much easier to split up and do different things. We find it REALLY relaxing. I (MOM) feels like it is really a vacation....no laundry, cooking, cleaning. We have only been on the 7 day. I don't think the 3 or 4 day would give us the same level of relaxing. We would be still trying to find our way around the ship!

Good luck with your decision. Both options are really fun...you just need to decide what type of vaction you want. We alternate now....cruise one time, Disney the next.

 

[MariettaC]

Do the 7 day cruise. You won't be sorry.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Any one else have any suggestions?

 

[allears]

We love WDW and even have trip planned to Disney Land this summer. However, after our first cruise, a land/sea package, we're hooked on the Disney cruise. We've now done 5 and are hoping to book one next year as well. The most recent 7 day was just my DW and I, and we had a blast.

The 3 days on land, 4 days at sea is a nice introduction to the cruise and a super comprmise to wanting to do both.

Weather in January is just as unpredicable as any other time of the year. We went this past Jan and it was so-so, but a heck of a lot better than New Jersey. I managed to sit out in the sun pretty much everyday.

 

[ericamanda01]

Boy did you ask the wrong group of people if you should take a Disney cruise, because we will all say YES! DH and I have taken 2 disney cruises and are planning our 3rd for Sept 2006. They are great vacations. We planned our land and sea vacation ourselves so we could have a longer stay at the parks. Our next trip is 4 days in the parks and a 7 night cruise. I would highly recommend a Disney cruise! They are heaven!

 

[ChrizJen]

My suggestion would be just do the 7 night! If you LOVE Disney (and it seems you do!), then the cruise would be a "MAGIC"al way for you and DW to get some rest and relaxation, and maybe even a little romance! (especially if DD is staying at home with G-Ma!!!)
The parks are great, but as other posters have said, the parks are a lot more work. On the cruise, you can sit back and let someone else do the work! And you'll always have the parks to go to as your DD gets older and more into the whole scene!
Hope that helps!!!