What to do? Decisions, Decisions

[ChicosWife]

I am in a similar situation where we have the Oct 2nd 5 Night New England Coast cruise out of NYC currently booked. I have about a month before my PIF date, and we are trying to decide if we take that trip, or do a lesser cost week at WDW later in the month. We did get a really good deal on the cruise, but it would still be about 2x the cost of WDW. I am leaning towards the cruise, though. Since it is a special itinerary that doesn't sail every year, I really don't want to miss the opportunity if they never go back.

I will say, being an east coaster and going to WDW annually- I LOVE Disneyland. I agree with PP that the walkability is awesome and the park itself is more charming and less stressful.

I'm glad someone feels my "pain". LOL. I was saying the same thing that we got a discount on this cruise because it was an OBB and I hate to lose the discount and the OBC. DH says that the discount isn't sufficient enough to lower the cost significantly. I figure you get an experience that you wouldn't otherwise get and if we are going to pay for a cruise like this, might as well take advantage of it, while we have the discounts. If we book in the future, it's just going to be more expensive all the way around.

 

[ChicosWife]

How old are your kids?

10 and 7.

 

[Love2Cruz]

It sounds like you really want to do the cruise, but the expense is making you feel guilty...I hear ya! Do the cruise, you only live once, if it's economically feasible and doesn't strap you, don't feel guilty about spending the money for a vacation your family will really enjoy.
I just booked a 3 day on the Dream for the same price that I booked a 7 day on another cruise line. It was bugging me, but my DD will only be 7 once, and this is the age she really can appreciate the Disney product...plus, I get to save more vacation days. I have no regrets and can't wait to surprise me DD on her birthday. I've been making it sound like it's just too expensive for us, so she'll be pleasantly surprised. I also scored a good deal..keep checking website, it's amazing how deals pop up from one day to the next.

 

[ChicosWife]

It sounds like you really want to do the cruise, but the expense is making you feel guilty...I hear ya! Do the cruise, you only live once, if it's economically feasible and doesn't strap you, don't feel guilty about spending the money for a vacation your family will really enjoy.
I just booked a 3 day on the Dream for the same price that I booked a 7 day on another cruise line. It was bugging me, but my DD will only be 7 once, and this is the age she really can appreciate the Disney product...plus, I get to save more vacation days. I have no regrets and can't wait to surprise me DD on her birthday. I've been making it sound like it's just too expensive for us, so she'll be pleasantly surprised. I also scored a good deal..keep checking website, it's amazing how deals pop up from one day to the next.

That's awesome! I like the way you think! I keep telling DH that we can more easily do the WDW the following year, but we may as well go on the cruise now that it is booked and we received the discounts and OBC. If we cancel now and try to plan later, it will be higher in price AND no discounts!!! Then, we really wouldn't be able to justify that expense!

 

[Ofinn]

Backstory: We sailed on our first Disney cruise in January and loved it so much, we booked on board. Recently, they opened up itineraries in 2017 and we booked right away.

Now, that we have such a high expense to pay off by next year, we are now considering other options, like just doing a Disneyland, Legoland, Universal Studios tour (Southern California). The expense will be about half of the cruise cost. We really want to do another cruise before our kids get too old to enjoy it, but are having a hard time justifying the expense, when there are lots of other things we could do with that money. Any advice?

At 10 and 7 I think you have a while before your kids stop enjoying a Disney cruise. Even teenagers like Disney. I would not feel rushed to another cruise next year if it's not in the budget.

 

[belac]

I would look for a less expensive cruise with less expensive room cat. first within you sailing window; then look at less days? Yes your OBC will drop from $200 to $100 but it is still something and if you are saving $1000+/- on the cruise fare it is a win. IMHO a 4 or 5 day cruise is better than no cruise, and better than WDW. Then be on the hunt for the Disney GC at a discount and all the other $ saving ideas to help.
IMHO..I find the cruise to be much more relaxing for all of us. After 7 days at WDW I feel like I need vacation, scheduling dining, FP+, having to be at certain places certain times....no different than work, really.
Have a great Vacation either way

 

[ChicosWife]

I would look for a less expensive cruise with less expensive room cat. first within you sailing window; then look at less days? Yes your OBC will drop from $200 to $100 but it is still something and if you are saving $1000+/- on the cruise fare it is a win. IMHO a 4 or 5 day cruise is better than no cruise, and better than WDW. Then be on the hunt for the Disney GC at a discount and all the other $ saving ideas to help.
IMHO..I find the cruise to be much more relaxing for all of us. After 7 days at WDW I feel like I need vacation, scheduling dining, FP+, having to be at certain places certain times....no different than work, really.
Have a great Vacation either way

Thank you! We are exploring all of our options right now.

 

[ZerasPride]

ChicosWife

My situation is the exact opposite of yours! My DH is the one that insists we go on another Disney cruise despite the fact that for the same price we could cruise concierge level on one of Royal's newest ships. I was the one who insisted on the first cruise and apparently I did too good of a job because now hubby won't even consider anyone else. I finally realized what a PP said is so true, we only live once in this world and it won't kill us financially. Are there other things we could do with the money? Sure! Are there cheaper vacations? Of course!

But I have never ever seen my husband as relaxed and as happy as he was on our Dream cruise and it was only a 3 night. DH had me in tears as we said good bye to our wait staff. He is an extreme introvert so to see him having a great time and bonding with the cast members was truly priceless. DH even asked me if we could have the same cabin (done) and the same waiters (we'll be on the Fantasy so probably not). And Castaway Cay, don't even get me started on Serenity Bay and what a wonderful time we had on that heavenly adult only beach. Go for the cruise if you can afford it. If not, you have some other lovely options. Whatever you and your husband decide, relax and have a great time. That is what vacation and really vacation planning should be about. Once I adopted that attitude, I'm fine with the high Disney cruise price tag. Mostly. For DH's sake anyway.

 

[ChicosWife]

ChicosWife

My situation is the exact opposite of yours! My DH is the one that insists we go on another Disney cruise despite the fact that for the same price we could cruise concierge level on one of Royal's newest ships. I was the one who insisted on the first cruise and apparently I did too good of a job because now hubby won't even consider anyone else. I finally realized what a PP said is so true, we only live once in this world and it won't kill us financially. Are there other things we could do with the money? Sure! Are there cheaper vacations? Of course!

But I have never ever seen my husband as relaxed and as happy as he was on our Dream cruise and it was only a 3 night. DH had me in tears as we said good bye to our wait staff. He is an extreme introvert so to see him having a great time and bonding with the cast members was truly priceless. DH even asked me if we could have the same cabin (done) and the same waiters (we'll be on the Fantasy so probably not). And Castaway Cay, don't even get me started on Serenity Bay and what a wonderful time we had on that heavenly adult only beach. Go for the cruise if you can afford it. If not, you have some other lovely options. Whatever you and your husband decide, relax and have a great time. That is what vacation and really vacation planning should be about. Once I adopted that attitude, I'm fine with the high Disney cruise price tag. Mostly. For DH's sake anyway.

I agree with you 100% and we are in the same boat (pun intended). We could afford it and yes there are plenty of other things we could do with that money, but since it's already booked AND we have the discounts that we wouldn't otherwise get because we booked onboard, I think we should just do it and then that will be our last cruise for a while. We can do the WDW thing much more easily in the following years, but not so easy for the more expensive Disney cruise. I agree with your husband, now that we have been on DCL, no other cruise line matches up. The quality, the inclusions, the service. I did research other cruise lines and they nickel and dime you for all the things that DCL includes up front, thus the larger upfront pricing. It goes to show, with DCL, you truly get what you pay for!

 

[ZerasPride]

I am sure you made the right choice for your family!! We have never come home from a vacation and we have owned DVC for 15 years and DH talked about it for weeks. Our cruise was back in January and hubby still talks about it.

Seeing his joy and excitement has me putting aside the financial planner in me and I'm just going with the flow. Happy sailing!!!

 

[ChicosWife]

I am sure you made the right choice for your family!! We have never come home from a vacation and we have owned DVC for 15 years and DH talked about it for weeks. Our cruise was back in January and hubby still talks about it.

Seeing his joy and excitement has me putting aside the financial planner in me and I'm just going with the flow. Happy sailing!!!

I'm still convincing my DH. He is still on the fence, fighting with his want to go on the cruise vs. the less expensive WDW.

 

[ChicosWife]

So, this is my husband's idea. He wants to wait until right before the PIF date and see how much we have saved to make the final decision on the cruise. That means I would have to wait a WHOLE year to know whether or not we are going on the cruise or not!?!?! I'm not liking this option, but what's the compromise? WDW is our back-up, but in my mind, that is a much more easily achievable vacation that can be planned out anytime. When else will we be able to go on this cruise, with discounts and OBC? Ugh!!

 

[Floridatinaherb]

So, this is my husband's idea. He wants to wait until right before the PIF date and see how much we have saved to make the final decision on the cruise. That means I would have to wait a WHOLE year to know whether or not we are going on the cruise or not!?!?! I'm not liking this option, but what's the compromise? WDW is our back-up, but in my mind, that is a much more easily achievable vacation that can be planned out anytime. When else will we be able to go on this cruise, with discounts and OBC? Ugh!!

Waiting a year to make the decision would drive me crazy...of course I am the planner type who has to have everything planned as early as possible. Case in point our June 2017 cruise on the Fantasy has been planned in my head since June 2015 when we were on the Dream! And that also includes a week beforehand at WDW...it's my retirement vacation so we are splurging a bit!

 

[ChicosWife]

Waiting a year to make the decision would drive me crazy...of course I am the planner type who has to have everything planned as early as possible. Case in point our June 2017 cruise on the Fantasy has been planned in my head since June 2015 when we were on the Dream! And that also includes a week beforehand at WDW...it's my retirement vacation so we are splurging a bit!

I am like you. I am the uber planner!!! I need to have all the little details nailed down, not to mention the excitement and anticipation! Our September 2017 cruise was booked on our last/first DCL cruise this past January too!!! I guess I have to keep working on hubby to either get him to commit to going on the cruise or moving up the decision date! This wait will bug me daily!

 

[ChicosWife]

DECISION MADE!!!!! Now, that the rest of 2017 is out, we compromised from our reserved 7 night WC to a 5-night WC and saved about $1,500!!!! Yippee! The only downside, other than the shorter cruise, is that is 3 months further out than our previous reservation, but we still get to go, so NO COMPLAINTS here!!!

 

[ChicosWife]

Thanks to all who lended their ear and advice!!

 

[Dakota Red]

We looked at other cruise lines and although they were a little cheaper, not everything was included, like with Disney. For example, you would have to purchase drink packages, just to get soda and not all the restaurants were inclusive in the price of the cruise. And the kicker, they don't stop at Castaway Cay (because it's Disney's), and that is one of the main selling points to us.

It sounds like your decision is made but you do know that even if you went on another cruise line you could buy the drink package and go to a specialty restaurant and still save money right? They also do have MDR that do not cost extra.

I have been on Carnival and Norwegian, taking our first DCL this fall. I am very skeptical that DCL is worth the extra money. My kids were 7 and 11 when we were on NCL and they had a blast. After this Disney cruise we will be going back to Carnival simply for the fact the Disney screw over there customers because they know parents are suckers to keep the kids happy.

Edit: I misread pricing.

 

[DizMagic]

We decided to keep the Canadian coastline cruise. Especially after the 2017 prices were released. Opening day is $1,000 more than we paid for our current.