Vacation Advice Please

[maciec]

DH and I have been talking about going on a Disney cruise forever now, but we have held off because of the price. For a 4 night cruise it will end up costing the 5 of us $3669.60 roughly His sister and her family who are really wealthy would like to go with us and we said that we would start planning a trip and even get my in-laws to go with us.

Now let me back track a minute. For the past couple of years we have been talking about going on a caribbean or Mexico trip with my in-laws, but for one reason or another it gets scrapped. Well next year was supposed to be the year and we were going to go to Mexico until the cruise came up. We did talk them into going on the cruise much to their chagrin.

As much as I would love to go on the cruise, it's just out of our price range. My parents are giving us a week of the Marriott that we are going to exchange so there would be no cost for our resort for a week. With everything that I could think of cost wise it would run us around $2290 for a whole week in a 2 bedroom condo.

So how do I convince dh yet again that for the money it's just not the best option for us? He cannot even find the deposit money in our budget , but yet he is still considering going on the cruise. With Mexico we don't have to come up with a deposit. Seems like a no brainer to me, but I think that his heart is over powering his brain.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Are you locked into only cruising during certain weeks? The price you quote would be for high season rates in an inside cabin. We generally take a 7 night cruise on Disney for right around $1000 per person (we have managed less as well and just spent that amount for a 10 night med. cruise on DCL).
Inside cabins are fine--you pretty much just shower and sleep there anyway. So, my first suggestion is to really price different dates (look at their special offers to start, low season tend to be Sept/Oct and January if you are pricing too far out for special offers).
I guess the thing to do would be to decide TOGETHER on what the budget can handle and then look to see what you can make fit into that budget.

 

[maciec]

Are you locked into only cruising during certain weeks? The price you quote would be for high season rates in an inside cabin. We generally take a 7 night cruise on Disney for right around $1000 per person (we have managed less as well and just spent that amount for a 10 night med. cruise on DCL).
Inside cabins are fine--you pretty much just shower and sleep there anyway. So, my first suggestion is to really price different dates (look at their special offers to start, low season tend to be Sept/Oct and January if you are pricing too far out for special offers).
I guess the thing to do would be to decide TOGETHER on what the budget can handle and then look to see what you can make fit into that budget.

We are locked into the fall. The price that I quoted was for everything regarding the trip not just the cruise (airfare, hotels, and flights).

 

[Brancaneve]

Is your price what was quoted by Disney? If so, you can find better deals if you book your own airfare and arrange your own hotel prior to the cruise. Also, transportation on the Magical Express from Orlando to Cape Canaveral runs around $75 per person. You would be better off renting a car in Orlando and driving the family straight to the port. We did this a few times and it was easy and convenient with their awesome shuttle service. Can you drive from Maryland in order to save money? I think the airfare for all 5 of you is the budget buster.

 

[NHdisneylover]

We are locked into the fall. The price that I quoted was for everything regarding the trip not just the cruise (airfare, hotels, and flights).

That makes more sense then. As the PP stated, flights and ground transfers are much cheaper if you book them on your own, but the ground vacation may still be a lot less with the free hotel. To truly compare, be sure to add tips and grand transportation to the cruise price and food, entertainment and transportation (taxis? rental car?) to the hotel price. Not having free hotels, cruises are nearly always cheaper for us (we do not buy drinks, photos or shore excursions though and we love all of the things to do on a cruise--we get bored just sitting at a beach or pool).

I go back to the idea of not even looking at what you can do first and just coming to an agreement together about what you can spend. THEN look at everything you want to do and how you can fit it into that budget.

 

[maciec]

here is the break down for dh, me, dd (10), ds (8) & baby:
flight to Orlando for 2 (hoping to have 2 ff tickets) est $211
hotel the night before the cruise est $120
food the night before cruise and day of $100
4-night cruise (quote by disney, I haven't been able to find anything lower) 2877.60
transportation to and from the port $100
Sorry I was off a little bit in my first estimate. This equals out to be $3408.60

I have gone to many different sites looking for better deals on a Category 4 room on the ship and what I find is that the price for the cruise is the same only the shipboard credits are different. I even read here on the DIS Cruise board that many are finding the same as me. If you all know of a different place for me to get a lower fare, please share.

Driving for us is not an option because it is a 16 hour drive and dh refuses to drive to FL. Plus, it would be cheaper for us to fly using miles.

For Mexico:
$90 for the hotel the night before the flight
$600 for the flight for 2 people (will have ff miles for the other 3)
Free 2 bedroom condo at our timeshare
$100 for the shuttle to and from the airport
$1500 for spending money (last time we went we spent $1000)
Total = $2290 for 7 nights

 

[maciec]

I guess what I am ultimately looking for is someone to support me and say that I am the person that is more realistic in what is the better deal. If I'm not please convince me because I would like to go on the cruise. It's just in looking at the numbers and what you get for your money Mexico looks mighty good to me. All that I am getting from his is "I don't know what we should do" . I think what I need to do is just show him the break down and then we can talk about everything. I am not against the cruise at all. I am just having a hard time justifying spending the money.

 

[HeatherC]

Does it have to be a Disney cruise? Reason I'm asking is that if you wanted to do a big "family" cruise, you could always consider Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas out of NJ. The ships are massive and beautiful, and there is just so much to do for everyone. You wouldn't have to pay airfare and can get some great rates. You can do a virtual tour of the ship on royalcaribbean.com.

As an example, we are paying $3600 for five of us. But....that is for a 9 night cruise over the Thanksgiving holiday.

I recently took the 5 day cruise in April on the same ship to Bermuda and paid less than $500 a person.

Just thought it might be an option if you wanted to satisfy the "cruise" desire and still stay within budget.

Have fun whatever you do!!!

 

[maciec]

Yup, he wants the Disney cruise or no cruise.

 

[GJM]

We also did the Disney cruise about 5 years ago - and it was expensive, as some one posted I could have gone on Royal Caribbean for 9 days for the price we paid. DH said after "for that price we should have seen Mickey 24 hours a day"

I would do the Mexico trip or look into another cruise. We just got off Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas - it was expensive but amazing.

 

[mjkacmom]

I did the 4 day DCL cruise, and, IMHO, I wouldn't do it again. Three nights is not long enough, and although it was nice, it wasn't worth the extra money over other cruise lines, especially those who leave from NY/NJ (20 minutes from my home). A four day cruise is just too short.

 

[golfgal]

We are locked into the fall. The price that I quoted was for everything regarding the trip not just the cruise (airfare, hotels, and flights).

I think you are getting a pretty good deal for a Disney cruise actually. Many of the hotels near the port will provide you transportation to/from the port so you could save some money there. You also don't have food factored into your Mexico trip unless that is "spending" money. Honestly, for the price difference I would still go on the cruise, especially since you have been to Mexico before. If your DH is dead set on a Disney cruise, have him figure out a way to get there. I think going on another cruiseline would be a good compromise. That will probably be less expensive then Mexico even.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Frankly, given the breakdown you put out, I would do Mexico, hands-down.

A Disney cruise is special. However, you can get amazing cruise experiences that the whole family will love for much cheaper. It's ridiculous to spend that money on a 4 night cruise. My family is taking a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise in a balcony cabin on the new Carnival Dream for what you're paying. We wanted RC Oasis of the Seas, but it didn't fit into my carefully crafted budget.

Why does your husband feel it's "Disney cruise or no cruise"?

 

[csjordan]

Did you try Vacations to Go? It is a discount cruise website that can offer significant savings? I took a peek at the 4 night cruises in the fall of 2010. They have prices starting around $399 and up per person. It depends on when you want to book. The website is vacationstogo.com.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Instead of pricing a category 4 room, price two connecting category 10s. This is often cheaper than one larger room and will give you more space. Just be sure to get connecting rooms (with a door between) and not adjoining room (next door but no door in between) unless you are comfortable with that set up with your kids (I was with mine by that age but they were also very familiar with the ship).
I think $1500 might be a bit low for meals and all entertainment for 5 for a week in Mexico unless you are happy to just sit at the beach every day. Or is that also only a 4 day trip?

 

[OhMari]

double post

 

[OhMari]

I know people feel safe going to Mexico, but right now, I don't think I would go into that country. I know people say, they stay at the resort the whole time, but you still have to transfer from the airport to the resort. And this is where they car jackings are taking place. It may have been safe just a year ago, but the last 4 months have really gotten more scarier.
For the extra $800, I would stick with the Mickey Cruise.

 

[Acklander]

I guess what I am ultimately looking for is someone to support me and say that I am the person that is more realistic in what is the better deal. If I'm not please convince me because I would like to go on the cruise. It's just in looking at the numbers and what you get for your money Mexico looks mighty good to me. All that I am getting from his is "I don't know what we should do" . I think what I need to do is just show him the break down and then we can talk about everything. I am not against the cruise at all. I am just having a hard time justifying spending the money.

Well, money wise of course Mexico is the better deal, but as far as your dh is concerned this isn't about the money, it's about quality family time spent together with his family. At the risk of sounding like a Visa commercial - time with those you love is priceless. You can't use logic and show numbers on spreadsheets to argue your point when he's looking at it from an emotional stand point. You're comparing apples to oranges. If it were me, I'd try to find a way to make it happen, even though it costs more.

 

[Traveliz]

Well, money wise of course Mexico is the better deal, but as far as your dh is concerned this isn't about the money, it's about quality family time spent together with his family. At the risk of sounding like a Visa commercial - time with those you love is priceless. You can't use logic and show numbers on spreadsheets to argue your point when he's looking at it from an emotional stand point. You're comparing apples to oranges. If it were me, I'd try to find a way to make it happen, even though it costs more.

This is along the lines I was thinking - it isn't always about the deal or what is cheapest. Now I realize financially it has to be viable but hopefully you can make it happen.

Liz

 

[Tinkermommy]

As much as I would love to go on the cruise, it's just out of our price range.

So how do I convince dh yet again that for the money it's just not the best option for us? He cannot even find the deposit money in our budget , but yet he is still considering going on the cruise. With Mexico we don't have to come up with a deposit. Seems like a no brainer to me, but I think that his heart is over powering his brain.

Sorry, but if you cannot afford the deposit how are you going to pay for the entire cruise? Honestly, they don't require much of a deposit so if you can't afford that, you really can't afford the cruise. And there are lots of extra money spent on the cruise as well (pictures, excursions, even taxis and eating on the islands.)

We have been on three 7-night Disney cruises and LOVED them. I would not book a 3 or 4 night (just too little time) But, we just looked at pricing on them for this past May and it was too high.

Not sure where in Mexico but is sounds like fun. I know Mexico City has a lot of problems but the tourist areas are well policed. They don't want bad press. Also, other cruise lines are great. RC has some really wonderful ships and they are much less expensive.

IMO houses, cars and vacations should not be emotional purchases. And both spouses should be in agreement. If you have your heart set on a Disney cruise, save up for a 7-night.