Vacation delimma-- need advice!

[Cindy B]

Ok, we were all set to go to Cedar Point, next month. We had just reserved the room, after hemming and hawing about it. The next day Dragsgter gets into another mechanical problem, and the ride is down.

There are no indications when the ride will be operational again.

This messes up our plans. Yes we could go and go on the other rides, but I think that the other coasters would get even more crowded due to this.

Our other vacation plans could be:


GO TO ORLANDO! However, there are a lot of options


1) Discovery Cove. We've been there before, but the kids haven't. Its beautiful, relaxing, but it is expensive. The nice thing is that you get a week of Seaworld with it, so we could do Discovery Cove/SW and go home


2) Universal/IOA. We've been there before as a family. However, now my son can ride the bigger coasters, and my daughter can ride more things. The annual passes are fairly low, and we MAY be able to get an oniste hotel with a pass holder rate. If not,any offisite hotel will do.

3) Quick inexpensive 4 day cruise on Royal Carribean. The cruise is only 1100, for the four of us. However, you need to take on tips and stuff. The ship is an older ship, and has gotten mixed reviews. (like the decor, smaller rooms and such). We have never gone on a cruise before.

We have a budget of about 3 grand. WE drive down, so air is not an issue.

What would you do?

Disney is out because we went last year.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I'd still go to Cedar Point -- the lines still might be reasonable (Sundays are a slower day, BTW) and if you're going for more than one day, there's plenty of time to ride everything.

 

[minniecarousel]

I would do IOA/Universal.

 

[4greatboys]

I vote DC and IOA/Universal.

 

[Cindy B]

We've already been to Cedar Point this year though. We do have a season pass that is good there.. but honestly, I'm not sure about the safety after the Dragster accident.

I'm not a safety hound, but if Dragsters closed, that means all the other coaster lines will be full of others. Mellinnum will be packed!

There is no indication when Dragster will reopen as well.

 

[vald1977]

I would do Discovery Cove/ Seaworld and maybe a day at Universal if it fit into the budget.

 

[CamColt]

Id do the cruise! Cruising is such an experience.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by CamColt
Id do the cruise! Cruising is such an experience.

I am leaning toward that, but I'm unsure. Its an older RCCL ship, and the reviews are mixed.

Im just afraid I;d hate it! I'm also worried about being nickled and dimed to death as well...

 

[Rajah]

I'd do DC/SW. The DC thing would be a fantastic experience!

Could you maybe combine them?

DC/SW for most of the trip, with a two-day hop over to IOA and US?

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Rajah
I'd do DC/SW. The DC thing would be a fantastic experience!

Could you maybe combine them?

DC/SW for most of the trip, with a two-day hop over to IOA and US?

We loved DC the last time we went. This time it would be with the kids. Could be a different experience! My DH wants to get annual pases to US/IOA, because its not much more than the two day rate.

DC is about $1000 for the four of us though. Thats the only drawback. That is with the AAA discount.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I would do Discovery Cove/Sea World since your kids haven't been to DC before. My 2nd choice would be the cruise...

 

[4greatboys]

We have Univeral passes and they give you lots of discounts. Its seems like all restaurants, shops etc give you a discount. So even if you are paying more for the annual pass than the 1 or 2 day passes you can quickly make up the difference. Plus they also give good resort discounts as well so you could stay on site and have the FOTL benefit (althought its altered some for summer time).

 

[jkovick]

Cindy- Are you talking about the ship Majesty of the Seas? We cruised on a 3 day in January. I was apprehensive too because of the mixed reviews. We found it to be a very nice ship, with very good food and good entertainment. The only drawback we saw was that the rooms are VERY small. Also RCCL private island was very nice.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Have you considered Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA?

It's not as far a drive as Orlando from where you are. The coasters there are awesome, park passes aren't very expensive, and hotels are reasonable there too. (I'd recommend staying in the Kingsmill area.)

 

[GoofItUp]

I'd take the cruise, hands down! If you've never been, you need to experience it and RCCL is a great line. Even if it's an older ship, I bet you'd still love it if you go in expecting to have a good time. Take the reviews you read with a grain of salt.....some people are just looking for things to complain about. The cruise will include your food and some activities, and you really don't have to spend a whole lot more unless you choose to. I bet you would have a fabulous time!

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by jkovick
Cindy- Are you talking about the ship Majesty of the Seas? We cruised on a 3 day in January. I was apprehensive too because of the mixed reviews. We found it to be a very nice ship, with very good food and good entertainment. The only drawback we saw was that the rooms are VERY small. Also RCCL private island was very nice.

This is a four day cruise on Sovereign of the Seas. The reviews are food (I can take that with a grain of salt). , small cabin (I can deal with that as well).

The things that bothers me are the raw sewage smell in some cabins., and the unfriendliness of the employees.

I just wasnt sure.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by jkovick
Cindy- Are you talking about the ship Majesty of the Seas? We cruised on a 3 day in January. I was apprehensive too because of the mixed reviews. We found it to be a very nice ship, with very good food and good entertainment. The only drawback we saw was that the rooms are VERY small. Also RCCL private island was very nice.

This is a four day cruise on Sovereign of the Seas. The reviews are food (I can take that with a grain of salt). , small cabin (I can deal with that as well).

The things that bothers me are the raw sewage smell in some cabins., and the unfriendliness of the employees.

I just wasnt sure.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by jkovick
Cindy- Are you talking about the ship Majesty of the Seas? We cruised on a 3 day in January. I was apprehensive too because of the mixed reviews. We found it to be a very nice ship, with very good food and good entertainment. The only drawback we saw was that the rooms are VERY small. Also RCCL private island was very nice.

This is a four day cruise on Sovereign of the Seas. The reviews are food (I can take that with a grain of salt). , small cabin (I can deal with that as well).

The things that bothers me are the raw sewage smell in some cabins., and the unfriendliness of the employees.

I just wasnt sure.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by jkovick
Cindy- Are you talking about the ship Majesty of the Seas? We cruised on a 3 day in January. I was apprehensive too because of the mixed reviews. We found it to be a very nice ship, with very good food and good entertainment. The only drawback we saw was that the rooms are VERY small. Also RCCL private island was very nice.

This is a four day cruise on Sovereign of the Seas. The reviews are food (I can take that with a grain of salt). , small cabin (I can deal with that as well).

The things that bothers me are the raw sewage smell in some cabins., and the unfriendliness of the employees.

I just wasnt sure.

 

[CamColt]

My first cruise was on the Big Red Boat which was also small and old...we still had a great time. We are also going on a smaller, older ship next month. My family has been on it quite a few times and they love it. I know alot of people do look down on the older ships, but I cant imagine any cruise being a bad one.

As for being nickled & dimed, I do see your concern, but remember all food is included in the cost of a cruise. All you really have to pay for is drinks, exursions if you do any, and souveniers. Tips of course add up too, but try to consider that as part of the cruise cost.

While on DCL a couple years ago we had a back up in our toilet which was not a pretty smell. We were told it sometimes happens while in ports. I think it can happen on any ship, even the newer ones.