What would you do?

[adSimba]

OK so I have a crazy back story, I have a DW an DS (8 now) I got cancer and then flesh eating bactria when DS was just born, since then I have been on disability and slowly am making my way back through school, (MSW) so I can be a grown up again and take care of my own. I'm set to graduate in May '18, and to help encourage me to the finish, I have been promised about $6000 to take my family on a vacation right after (more or less) I graduate. (my favorite thing (besides DW/DS) is new experiences)

Anyway, we've never been on a cruise, and I'm looking into one for our big trip. With our budget, and knowing it will probably be a few years before another one could happen. What should we do?

Key facts,
1. $6500
2. I have lots of southwest air miles so I can get "free" airfare almost anywhere in the country, but not out, so the expense for that would be on the prior budget.
3. I live in the pacific northwest.

any ideas?

 

[MunFam]

I would do an Alaska Cruise...but not on DCL. Your money will go a lot farther on another line. Then I would use my SW miles to spend a few days at Disneyland at a different time.

 

[adSimba]

We've talked about an ocean view room for the first Alaska trip of '18, but there wouldn't be almost any cash for excursions...

 

[adSimba]

I would do an Alaska Cruise...but not on DCL. Your money will go a lot farther on another line. Then I would use my SW miles to spend a few days at Disneyland at a different time.

We were fortunate enough to do Disneyland last year, and DW and I agreed that while we loved the environment, we did not love the lines. Eventually we decided that Disney would be perfect for us if it was just food, shows, characters, and atmosphere, but way less lines, being stuck outside all day, and fast fall rides (our kid is a thrill junkie). When the idea of another vacation came up a Disney Cruise seemed made to order, we know it is more expensive than other cruise lines, but none of the other cruise lines sound good to us for relaxing and we don't like un-family friendly entertainment...

 

[poohs4me]

I am not sure when you want to take the vacation but what about a Panama Canal cruise?

 

[adSimba]

I am not sure when you want to take the vacation but what about a Panama Canal cruise?

That would be awesome, but the spring Panama canal trip would be way too early, I'd still be in classes, it would have to be the fall (September October?) I'm not sure I could get the time off of work when I am so new, but if I could, could we afford a 14 night cruise for 3?

 

[bumbershoot]

When the idea of another vacation came up a Disney Cruise seemed made to order, we know it is more expensive than other cruise lines, but none of the other cruise lines sound good to us for relaxing and we don't like un-family friendly entertainment...

FWIW, by 2018 that $6000 isn't going to go very far, IMO. And your son will be 10 or nearing that?

My son has been on DCL and Royal 4 and 3 times respectively, since he was 8, and after experience he decided he likes Royal better. The kid clubs are better to him because they interact more with the kids.

As for entertainment, DS likes the club so much that it doesn't matter if the entertainment isn't appropriate for him, because he's never there to see it. Same on Disney, actually.

Just my perspective!


As for a themepark, you might consider trying Universal! You could splurge at Universal Studios Hollywood with the VIP tour or the FOTL pass.

Or Universal Orlando is good if you want to head east. Stay onsite at the "top" 3 resorts and you get unlimited Express Pass and early entrance to Wizarding World which really help with the line issue, and there are more thrill rides than at Disney.

 

[Shanti]

OK so I have a crazy back story, I have a DW an DS (8 now) I got cancer and then flesh eating bactria when DS was just born, since then I have been on disability and slowly am making my way back through school, (MSW) so I can be a grown up again and take care of my own. I'm set to graduate in May '18, and to help encourage me to the finish, I have been promised about $6000 to take my family on a vacation right after (more or less) I graduate. (my favorite thing (besides DW/DS) is new experiences)

Anyway, we've never been on a cruise, and I'm looking into one for our big trip. With our budget, and knowing it will probably be a few years before another one could happen. What should we do?

Key facts,
1. $6500
2. I have lots of southwest air miles so I can get "free" airfare almost anywhere in the country, but not out, so the expense for that would be on the prior budget.
3. I live in the pacific northwest.

any ideas?

If you can wait until autumn for the trip, you can get relatively reasonable rates for the Disney Fantasy in the Caribbean, which is the cruise I'd recommend for you. If you graduate early in May, you might be able to get decent rates then, as well.

Your child would enjoy the bells and whistles on the Fantasy (Aqua Duck, Midship Detective Game, mini-golf, etc.) that are not on the Wonder, and you'd get to visit an easily accessible island (Castaway Cay), along with other lovely ports of call. The Fantasy also has an exhaustive supply of on-demand Disney movies in every stateroom, so if you were ever tired & needed to rest during your trip, you could have instant entertainment in your stateroom.

Just be sure to get good travel insurance, for whatever trip you choose, to protect that $6,500 in case anything unforseen occurs and to ensure access to quality medical care while out of the country.

 

[poohs4me]

That would be awesome, but the spring Panama canal trip would be way too early, I'd still be in classes, it would have to be the fall (September October?) I'm not sure I could get the time off of work when I am so new, but if I could, could we afford a 14 night cruise for 3?

It never hurts to look. You do not graduate until 2018 so you could book the Fall Panama Canal Cruise the first day it comes out. Right now the spring one in an inside cabin is under $6000. Maybe not a lot of room for extras but it is a 14 day cruise so who needs that many extras.

There are tons of options available but you didn't tell us what is important to your family. Extended time away, relaxation, or adventure? or something else?

 

[RedSox68]

We were fortunate enough to do Disneyland last year, and DW and I agreed that while we loved the environment, we did not love the lines. Eventually we decided that Disney would be perfect for us if it was just food, shows, characters, and atmosphere, but way less lines, being stuck outside all day, and fast fall rides (our kid is a thrill junkie). When the idea of another vacation came up a Disney Cruise seemed made to order, we know it is more expensive than other cruise lines, but none of the other cruise lines sound good to us for relaxing and we don't like un-family friendly entertainment...

While Disney would be a wonderful line to celebrate your incredible health success and healing, you can definitely get much more bang for your buck on another line. We sailed on HAL to Alaska, which included Glacier Bay (DCL does not) for half of what Disney wanted -- in a verandah room. Shop around to all the lines. Their websites are all so user friendly to type in the month and year and they will show you what they have available. You can narrow it down by the port you want to leave from. There is a lot you can do with that money, including a pre or post cruise stay in the city you depart from. Would you be interested in a cruise to Hawaii? Lots of sea days to relax and several west coast departure cities to leave from. Congratulations!

 

[MunFam]

I agree with the others. $6,000 will not go very far for 3 people in two years. That is why I suggested another line plus a Disney Trip. I thought you wanted Disney. Honestly, I just don't understand why someone with a firm budget would pay more for less. You could get 2-3 cruises on another line for that price...and maybe a 7 day on in inside cabin in the off season in 2018. I like to know that I am getting a good deal and stretching my money as far as it will go. We paid over $4,000 for 2 adults and a child on the 2015 WBPC cruise in an oceanview room...that was WITH a military discount and my agent commission included. We spent another $1,000 on minimal souvenirs, add ons (like drinks, activities, etc) and self-guided port excursions.

Being that this is such a celebration for you and your family, I would think that you want it to be a big celebration and not a quick little 3 night DCL cruise. $6,000 is a lot of money and a generous gift. Unfortunately, $6,000 will not go very far in 2 years on DCL. Especially, if the economy continues to improve.

 

[adSimba]

It never hurts to look. You do not graduate until 2018 so you could book the Fall Panama Canal Cruise the first day it comes out. Right now the spring one in an inside cabin is under $6000. Maybe not a lot of room for extras but it is a 14 day cruise so who needs that many extras.

There are tons of options available but you didn't tell us what is important to your family. Extended time away, relaxation, or adventure? or something else?

This is a good point, thank you, so, I realize it's going to sound really selfish, and I guess it is, The point of this trip is to do what I want, it just so happens that my DW and DS both happen to generally enjoy my favorite types of things too. I am not willing to go on a different cruise line until I can afford excursions every port, so my ship is a floating hotel with consistently safe food choices, because the reports of others on other lines make me thoroughly disinterested I don't like the entertainment, music party atmospheres etc of other lines.

I really am a 7 year old in a 35 year old's body. I am interested in relaxing and staring at the ocean at night for as long as I want, Eating nice Disney food, getting good Disney service, seeing new ports with few excursions, and being surrounded by Disney everything in a way that makes normal people crazy.

the reason I suggested Alaska, is that I want the scenery, and possibly boat stability, and it's by far the closest port. But looking at excursions, my family is only interested in what would amount to $2-300 worth of them total.

Perhaps I should be asking, is it better to take a longer trip in a cheap room or a shorter trip in a nicer one? and then which one?

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

For me, 2 years from now is the part that is concerning. I totally understand wanting to be on DCL because I am a DCL junkie and have a hard time considering doing a cruise with anyone else, even though I know the price differences. What I can tell you right now is that the people who are suggesting autumn are right on the money. (Literally). Disney Cruises are tremendously expensive, but hurricane season does impact pricing, along with back to school, when less people are sailing. For next fall (2017), my family of 4 is booked in a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom for just under $5300, sailing the second week in September for 7 nights Eastern Caribbean on the Fantasy. So, that being said, your budget is not impossible, but I am not sure what will happen with the pricing within 2 years time. May is a tougher time to hope for a price that would fit your budget. Luckily, you do have one less person that I do, so that could bring it down to being affordable at that time, or even more affordable in the fall. Best of luck. Congrats on persevering and on your impending graduation.

 

[adSimba]

If you can wait until autumn for the trip, you can get relatively reasonable rates for the Disney Fantasy in the Caribbean, which is the cruise I'd recommend for you. If you graduate early in May, you might be able to get decent rates then, as well.

Your child would enjoy the bells and whistles on the Fantasy (Aqua Duck, Midship Detective Game, mini-golf, etc.) that are not on the Wonder, and you'd get to visit an easily accessible island (Castaway Cay), along with other lovely ports of call. The Fantasy also has an exhaustive supply of on-demand Disney movies in every stateroom, so if you were ever tired & needed to rest during your trip, you could have instant entertainment in your stateroom.

Just be sure to get good travel insurance, for whatever trip you choose, to protect that $6,500 in case anything unforseen occurs and to ensure access to quality medical care while out of the country.

Castaway Cay sounds amazing! actually everything you talked about sounds amazing! I guess I'll look this year at cheaper late spring rates for something to look forward to

 

[adSimba]

While Disney would be a wonderful line to celebrate your incredible health success and healing, you can definitely get much more bang for your buck on another line. We sailed on HAL to Alaska, which included Glacier Bay (DCL does not) for half of what Disney wanted -- in a verandah room. Shop around to all the lines. Their websites are all so user friendly to type in the month and year and they will show you what they have available. You can narrow it down by the port you want to leave from. There is a lot you can do with that money, including a pre or post cruise stay in the city you depart from. Would you be interested in a cruise to Hawaii? Lots of sea days to relax and several west coast departure cities to leave from. Congratulations!

Hawaii is the best argument for another cruise line, but also, all of those sea days on a boat that doesn't pander to me sounds daunting, I know everyone is different, but I wonder if I would appreciate a veranda room enough to justify spending more for one... I don't thing I could consider an inside room for something with that much time at sea.

 

[mevelandry]

The relaxing and ocean part, the good food and good service you can also find on other cruise lines ... but if you want Disney, you'll only get it with DCL.

With that amount, you could do a land and sea. A short stay at WDW followed by a Bahamian 3 or 4 nights cruise (with Castaway Cay you don't need to book excursions). The Disney Dream is awesome. We've done this two times. It's definitely the best of both worlds.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

WDW season passes - you could make it the thing you do for the 12 months considering you have SW miles. Different seasons bring different events, celebrations at WDW. Lots of new construction happening now and should be completed before your timeframe. Passes get discounts at the WDW properties too. Just a thought. But, a little hotter than Alaska!

DCL cruise last min rates, restricted, but with SW miles (and hopefully vacation flexibility) maybe possible?

PC Cruise is longer, but port fees are on the high side, also only 2 dates per year. Trans Atlantic also only 2x per year, not sure on port fees. Both these tend to have lower per night costs. Yes, 2A, 1C can go for approx 6k for 14 nights, including port fees (depends on room choice). I'm booked for PC April 2018 (2A, 1C age 11, OV room for just slightly over 6K whick includes approx $1200 in port fees).

Maximize your money: Start Disney Vacation Account - get 2% back when spend $. Comes as a Disney gift card, which you can use onboard (if you request in advance). Use TA or Costco to book for various discounts, onboard credit. Peruse Disboards for ways to save money with other tactics - lots of ideas, just depends on your style.

Congratulations on improved health and being close to the schooling finishline. DIsney does offer a great family friendly environment.

 

[adSimba]

I agree with the others. $6,000 will not go very far for 3 people in two years. That is why I suggested another line plus a Disney Trip. I thought you wanted Disney. Honestly, I just don't understand why someone with a firm budget would pay more for less. You could get 2-3 cruises on another line for that price...and maybe a 7 day on in inside cabin in the off season in 2018. I like to know that I am getting a good deal and stretching my money as far as it will go. We paid over $4,000 for 2 adults and a child on the 2015 WBPC cruise in an oceanview room...that was WITH a military discount and my agent commission included. We spent another $1,000 on minimal souvenirs, add ons (like drinks, activities, etc) and self-guided port excursions.

Being that this is such a celebration for you and your family, I would think that you want it to be a big celebration and not a quick little 3 night DCL cruise. $6,000 is a lot of money and a generous gift. Unfortunately, $6,000 will not go very far in 2 years on DCL. Especially, if the economy continues to improve.

I guess my thing, when you say pay more for less, I'm seeing it like a difference of going to a nice steak house run by a company I know I like, versus going to a popular buffet where I don't like most of the food. I know the budget is crazy tight, that's why I want advice on how to best make it work.

 

[RedSox68]

I guess my thing, when you say pay more for less, I'm seeing it like a difference of going to a nice steak house run by a company I know I like, versus going to a popular buffet where I don't like most of the food. I know the budget is crazy tight, that's why I want advice on how to best make it work.

If you really want to sale Disney, do some research now -- look at pricing for 2017 on some of the time periods you are interested in and narrow down what ports you want to see. Then when the rest of 2018 opens, get in on pricing as soon as possible -- or get a TA to be on the phone for you. There is a link (I know someone here will know what it is) that shows the fluctuation of rates for the various seasons and years on DCL. See what seasons and itineraries show the lowest prices and it will give you an idea of what to shoot for. I know I booked the westbound Transatlantic for September 2017 and granted, while it is 3 nights less than 2007, we are paying $2,000 less than we paid in 2007 for the same stateroom and number of ports. So different itineraries can have a huge fluctuation in pricing depending on (1) how new it is and (2) how popular it is. Good luck and happy planning.

 

[adSimba]

The relaxing and ocean part, the good food and good service you can also find on other cruise lines ... but if you want Disney, you'll only get it with DCL.

With that amount, you could do a land and sea. A short stay at WDW followed by a Bahamian 3 or 4 nights cruise (with Castaway Cay you don't need to book excursions). The Disney Dream is awesome. We've done this two times. It's definitely the best of both worlds.

tricky. I'm avoiding the long days of walking that would be required by a wdw trip, but a combo... perhaps, but, we've never been, so I worry I wouldn't be able to restrain myself from trying to see/do/eat everything (we have a long term WDW trip theorized, in perhaps 6 or so years)