Universal, Royal Caribbean team up for land/sea package

[RedSox68]

Couldn't find this posted anyway, so sorry if it's a duplicate:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...niversal-cruise-package-story,0,7413648.story

Universal Orlando and Royal Caribbean International are teaming up to offer vacation packages that combine a theme park visit with a cruise out of Port Canaveral.

The "Way More Than a Cruise" packages will pair three- or four-night stays at Universal with a three- or four-night Bahamian cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas or a seven-night Caribbean sailing aboard the Freedom of the Seas. The packages include hotel and shipboard accommodations, multi-day passes to both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, admission to some CityWalk venues and ground transfers between airport, hotel, theme parks and Port Canaveral.

Bookings are open for travel beginning March 31. Universal and Royal Caribbean will be competing directly with Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line, which have carved out a lucrative niche combing land-and-sea vacations.

" Universal Orlando Resort is thrilled to enter this partnership, bringing together two incredible experiences to create one memorable vacation," Bill Davis, president and chief operating officer for Universal Orlando Resort, said in a written statement. "Our guests will not only enjoy some of the most entertaining theme-park attractions ever created, but also the world-class experiences and service Royal Caribbean is known for delivering."

Now let the competition begin

 

[d4est]

I was just reading about this and I think it's pretty cool. We're taking a DCL cruise Jan 2010 (4 nights, no "land" added). It's just under $2500 for 3 of us. I'd like to price out the RCI cruise w/Uni compare. There are no 2010 dates to do so. I did 12/4/09, just to give me some kind of price. It would be just over $3000 for 3 uni/4 cruise. Just under $600 more but we'd be getting 3 nights at HRH, park tickets and all transportation. I think that's pretty darned good!

Can't wait to learn more...

 

[Flyin2MCO]

Yep - this does seem interesting. Glad to see Universal up their game and get creative with vacation options.

I will say that the 3/4 day cruise is on a rather old boat (Monarch of the Seas)...

 

[Charleyann]

I got a quote for the extended cruise for myself and 14 year old son. We would stay three nights at Royal Pacific Resort and 7 night western cruise. Comes with park tickets too. Price 1540.00 tx in! The dates were Dec 10-21/09. I am booked this year with Disney cruise.I want next Dec.!

Very good!

charleyann

 

[keishashadow]

JMHO

nice they're offering it i suppose for convenience sake, still...have yet to see a non-supersaver package deal for U that beats what u can find on our own (AAA, AP) and the DCL land & sea packages are substantially more expensive than booking separately.

honestly, don't think u can truly compare DCL (ship or level of service) with RCs Monarch of the Seas...no personal experience, just going by how the guidebooks rank the ship. Im not a ship snob. I've been perfectly happy aboard Carnival, you just need to do your homework to make sure the ship will meet your needs.

if you are on any sort of budget, prepaying a package for a cruise/hotel probably also keeps you from enjoying any fare decreases that happen after you book; several sharply discounted cruise fares are non-refundable these days (there are some fantastic cruise deals now that don't have cancellation restrictions-other than the normal final payment ones) id hesitate to get locked into anything longterm as im just seeing the deals get better

 

[Darcy03231]

I've sailed both and while there is no comparison, the costs are also different. Its not like the US/IOA/RC package is the same cost as the WDW/DCL package.

I still think you're better off booking it yourself and separately. That way you can pick and choose your ships and itineraries.