The Royal Suite on the Fantasy . . . ever increasing costs . . .

[MND]

For what this is worth, I checked the Oasis of the Seas for the same week. The cost for us in a similar cabin is actually a little more than the DCL option.

DWF

PS. As mentioned, I am looking for viable alternatives with a Saturday departure and return no later than the following Sunday. Makes choices limited.

PPS. Thought about Grand Canyon but it seems very cold in March.

Have you thought about an AI in Mexico? We stayed at a resort in the Playa del Carmen area 2 years ago over spring break and loved it. Plenty warm and the beach was great. There are choices in all budgets.

Mike

 

[Beth D]

PPS. Thought about Grand Canyon but it seems very cold in March.

The GC is actually closed in many parts from November - March due to weather. I believe only the south rim is open then, so this wouldn't be a good option.

What about DC for a week for all the museums and monuments, or NYC for Statue of Liberty and Broadway? Do you get into American History?

 

[disneywonderfun]

Have you thought about an AI in Mexico? We stayed at a resort in the Playa del Carmen area 2 years ago over spring break and loved it. Plenty warm and the beach was great. There are choices in all budgets.

Mike

Stayed recently (last year) at the JW Marriott in Cancun. Thought about trying something down the road (I.e. the Banyan Tree). Maybe that is the answer.

DWF

 

[disneywonderfun]

The GC is actually closed in many parts from November - March due to weather. I believe only the south rim is open then, so this wouldn't be a good option.

What about DC for a week for all the museums and monuments, or NYC for Statue of Liberty and Broadway? Do you get into American History?

Did that a couple years ago and stayed at the Hay Adams across from the WH in DC. Philly a few months ago.

Boston might be a thought, just not sure about that area in March.

DWF

 

[ALMinVA]

Did that a couple years ago and stayed at the Hay Adams across from the WH in DC. Philly a few months ago.

Boston might be a thought, just not sure about that area in March.

DWF

Boston might very well still be cold in March. We lived in Vermont for a number of years while DH went to UVM and I remember March/April still being snowy, cold, and/or mud season. Boston is farther east than Vermont but similar in temperatures I think. I recall a number of years snow as early as October 3 and through Easter.

Just depends on your weather preference. Boston is a great city.

 

[MND]

Stayed recently (last year) at the JW Marriott in Cancun. Thought about trying something down the road (I.e. the Banyan Tree). Maybe that is the answer.

DWF

There are a lot of options south of Cancun. We've stayed at Barcelo Maya which was nice. The beach was great. It wasn't Disney type of service, but the beach and pools were great. There are plenty of resorts to choose from.

Mike

 

[mamaode]

Hi DWF,

We have children almost the same age. We've been here once for a week and are going again this spring break. We are staying at the Villa Cascada over looking the playa ocotal in Costa Rica. The flight is not horrible and we go for the week. They have a few different villas to choose from. Amazing people and properties.

I'd save Yosemite/Jackson Hole (Spring Creek Ranch) or Grand Canyon for a summer trip. We did that trip a few summers ago and the kids say it was one of the best!

We have also traveled all over and did an ex-pat in Europe so they too have been everywhere sometimes its hard to choose.

Best of luck and book what make you all happy!

Hailey

 

[wallawallakids]

Did that a couple years ago and stayed at the Hay Adams across from the WH in DC. Philly a few months ago.

Boston might be a thought, just not sure about that area in March.

DWF

There could still be snow in Boston in March.

 

[anna08]

Seaside and Watercolor Florida are fantastic family vacation locales - we try to never miss a week each summer. Great family programming, powder white sand, great house rentals and warm Gulf waters - but sadly March is just a bit risky with weather in March. We've had great stays late April - September, but have heard about cold Spring Break weeks from friends who went in March.

We're headed to Arizona this February to see how we like it as an alternative to Florida in the winter. The Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain looks lovely, but I'm not sure if a week is too long there, or if the weather is warm enough in March.

 

[wcw57]

not having read each post here...

the OP wants opinions, I guess.

So, stop complaining about the escalating costs. Do or don't do. Either it is valuable to you or not. How can someone else make such a judgement call about how you spend your money when we all get so offended when others question our spending more on DCL vs almost anyone else in he first place.

You are fed up with the jokes yet you open yourself up to economical review and comparisons.....

my Mom would have said (not in these exact words) Poop or get off the pot!

 

[disneywonderfun]

not having read each post here...

the OP wants opinions, I guess.

So, stop complaining about the escalating costs. Do or don't do. Either it is valuable to you or not. How can someone else make such a judgement call about how you spend your money when we all get so offended when others question our spending more on DCL vs almost anyone else in he first place.

You are fed up with the jokes yet you open yourself up to economical review and comparisons.....

my Mom would have said (not in these exact words) Poop or get off the pot!

Not sure you took the time to carefully read the question. Yes, I did decide against the cruise in March primarily since I did not think it was worth the cost relative to other options. The absolute cost is not the issue. Since we have been in a Royal Suite on several occasions, the novelty has greatly subsided. The question obviously was asking for opinions on alternatives in March. Many thanks to the numerous suggestions already provided.

DWF

P.S. I have a high fiber diet, so your colorful reference likely is not necessary.

 

[Fleury]

Not warm but what about skiing in the Canadian rockies. Or Vancouver/Victoria BC would be spring temps in March. Other nifty options for you might be Churchill, Manitoba (polar bear capital of the world!) though not in March. Places like PEI, Nova Scotia and the Ontario Great Lakes regions are definitely more summer destinations!

 

[okstategrads]

We've also stayed at the Barcelo Maya and loved it. Very laid back which was perfect for us

 

[flinkerfrosch]

Not warm but what about skiing in the Canadian rockies. Or Vancouver/Victoria BC would be spring temps in March. Other nifty options for you might be Churchill, Manitoba (polar bear capital of the world!) though not in March. Places like PEI, Nova Scotia and the Ontario Great Lakes regions are definitely more summer destinations!

I would 2nd this! I live in Canada (Toronto area) and have been to BC multiple times! Its so beautiful and so much to do!
Whistler is amazing and would be a great trip for a week. Kelowna is gorgeous as well. Sparkling Hill Resort is amazing!
Good-luck with whatever you decide.
You're very fortunate to be able to travel all over the world

 

[tobikaye]

DWF, it sounds like you might want a vacation that is more on the relaxing side. So, these suggestions may not be options you are interested in, but they might be fun and different.

1. A driving vacation where you fly into one city and fly out of another. Example, fly into San Francisco and drive down to San Diego and fly back from San Diego or LAX. You could plan different places along the way. This could work with lots of cities in the US that are close. I have done trips where I just get in the car and head a direction with no destination in mind.

2. Find an event (concert, theater, festival, sport) that is of interest to your family, or part of your family, and plan a trip around that. I have made weekend trips to places for these types of events. It is great to have only a few things plans and then explore the area for more things to do. If you find a couple close to each other, you could do more than 1 of these during your vacation.

3. I do not know how old your children are, but if they are old enough, maybe everyone suggest a possible location. You and your wife would have veto power. Once everyone has an acceptable suggestion, put it in a hat and pick one out. Kids tend to find places that adults might overlook or not think the kids are interested in.

Off Topic, but I had never priced Concierge on DCL for summer or spring break. I knew I was getting a great deal with going in December, but I had no idea spring break in a T was $18K. I am pay less than 5K for 4 adults in a T & V connecting in December.

 

[ChrisParker]

I would love advice for a week in March with two kids, 8 and 14. We have traveled with them extensively (Western Europe, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, various Caribbean islands, Mexico, etc.) and without them have been all around the globe (French Polynesia, Eastern Europe, Egypt, Hong Kong, Israel, Cyprus, etc.) The problem I have with Spring Break is that we are limited to leaving on Saturday and returning no later than the following Sunday. So, my wife is not enthusiastic about any trip requiring an overnight flight since the trip duration is limited. Oh, we are doing Beaches at Turks and Caicos this upcoming Spring Break, so do not suggest that option either.

We live in the Southeast, so even Hawaii becomes problematic. We have done US trips (i.e. DC, NYC, but nothing really in the West). Always wanted to take them to Canada, but March seems less than ideal. Thought about Costa Rica (wife lived there for 6 months) but just do not find it appealing. African safari would take too long. Even thought something as simple as LA . . . hmmmm . . . that might be nice with the kids.

Any suggestions?

DWF

You could do a great week in Toronto in March. It's still a bit cold but there's tonnes to do for kids that age. PM me if you're interested and I'll hook you up with some ideas.

 

[Zeppelin]

Yes, $31,000 for a cabin for a 1 week cruise is very expensive, imho; however, DCL appears to be able to fetch that amount. If they don't sell at that price, they will lower to price.

As a Disney shareholder, I am very happy to see them charge that amount!

When I cruise, I book 2 adjoining oceanview rooms for 1/4 of that price.

Mike

my thoughts exactly Mike

and if you notice, the stocks done relatively well the past 2 years!!!