Help!!! Just the cruise or land and sea package?????

[WDWmazprty]

We've been to WDW a number of times, but have never taken the cruise. It looks awesome! But we're trying to decide whether to just do the 7 day cruise or go with the land and sea package. We don't wanna miss all the excitement of the parks, but everyone says the cruise is worth it just by itself. Any suggestions?????:shrug:

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I would say to go with the 7 day cruise. A 3 or 4 day cruise feels over right after you walk on. A 7 day cruise will give you enough time to settle in and relax so you can enjoy the experience. You will get to see more ports of call and enjoy more activities on board the ship. I say to go with the cruise without question.

 

[Phonedave]

I have never booked the land and sea as a package. But last cruise we took, we were at WDW 2 days before the cruise and 3 after.

We are cruising again in August, and while we have not set anything in stone, we will be bookending the cruise again.

I don't do the land and sea beacuse I am DVC and AP, so I use my points to stay and dont need park admission. So what I do is look for the cheapest flights. If that ends up 3 days before and 3 days after, thats what I do. If its 2 before and 4 after, then I do that.

-dave

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We've done a few Disney cruises and I'm leaving for another one on Saturday!!:sohappy:

The 7 night is definitely enough by itself. I think it's the perfect amount of time to be onboard. Well longer might have even been better, but 7 nights was definitely not too long.:lol:

I'd be a little worried that a 3 night would seem too short for me, but if you have kids you might consider the 3 night cruises this spring where kids sail free. That would be a great thing to add on to a trip at Disney if you just want to try it.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about DCL if you have them. We've been with large groups of family with all ages. It is an absolutely wonderful vacation, I would recommend it to anyone.

 

[WDWmazprty]

Thanks everyone! We reallly want to finally take the cruise in the next year or so. I think we're leaning more toward the 7 night cruise now. I've heard the restaurants are pretty good too. Anyoen been to the Animators Palette? Hows the food?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Thanks everyone! We reallly want to finally take the cruise in the next year or so. I think we're leaning more toward the 7 night cruise now. I've heard the restaurants are pretty good too. Anyoen been to the Animators Palette? Hows the food?

Animators Palate is wonderful. The changing of colors is awesome. The food all over the ship is great. Don't miss Palos, that is the best food on board. The best food off board is the soft serve chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream at Castaway Cay!

 

[WDWmazprty]

Isn't Palos the 'adult only' restaurant on the ship?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Isn't Palos the 'adult only' restaurant on the ship?

Yes it is. It is awesome. Every single thing is delicious.

 

[DDEPILLO]

I gave my girlfriend a ring on Christmas eve so now we are thinking about the wedding and honeymoon. I want to do 5 days on a cruise and 3 at the parks. WOW I'm gonna be married and get to go to WDW and go on the cruise :sohappy:

 

[WDWmazprty]

I gave my girlfriend a ring on Christmas eve so now we are thinking about the wedding and honeymoon. I want to do 5 days on a cruise and 3 at the parks. WOW I'm gonna be married and get to go to WDW and go on the cruise :sohappy:

Congrats on the engagement! :sohappy:

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I gave my girlfriend a ring on Christmas eve so now we are thinking about the wedding and honeymoon. I want to do 5 days on a cruise and 3 at the parks. WOW I'm gonna be married and get to go to WDW and go on the cruise :sohappy:

Yes, congratulations!!:sohappy:

 

[WDWmazprty]

We were looking online over the weekend on the cruise and saw that every time we wanted first dinner service it wasn't available. We're planning on going in Sept. or Oct. Ha anyone done second dinner service? If so, besides just being later, are there any advantages or disadvantages to eating at that time?

 

[Phonedave]

We were looking online over the weekend on the cruise and saw that every time we wanted first dinner service it wasn't available. We're planning on going in Sept. or Oct. Ha anyone done second dinner service? If so, besides just being later, are there any advantages or disadvantages to eating at that time?

None really. It just a matter of seeing the musical/show before or after dinner (provided you want to see the shows ...... and you should)

Some may argue that the wait staff is "fresher" on the first seating, but they have been working all day, so it not as if they have been resting up for dinner service.

Even if you do not stay at WDW, I cannot stress enough ARRIVE AT LEAST A DAY EARLY. Do not try to fly in, in the AM and go to the ship. The last thing you want to do (especialy since this is such a special trip) is miss the boat - so to speak.

I also recommend against the WDW bus service. It is nice, it gets you to the cruise terminal, and if they know a busload of WDW people are delayed, they may just delay the ship (maybe) However, the WDW bus service gets you there when they feel like it, in the afternoon. By the time you get there, there is a good chance the ship has been open for boarding for 2-3 hours allready. What is so bad about that you ask? Well, first that means 100's of people have hit the excursion desk and booked any remaining shore excursions (of course you can book your in advance on line). It also means that the ship, and all its attractions have been "open" for three hours while you have spent your time waiting for the bus. Do yourself a favor, spring the extra $50 or so over the bus for car service, and get to the cruise port early, and board as soon as you can.

Just like when you fly, take a carry on with bathing suits and other sundry items. Then board the ship nice and early, book your excusions, go to your room and change, grab a drink. And then you and your fiance relax poolside while thinking of the people who are still at their resort at WDW waiting for the bus

-dave

 

[WDWmazprty]

None really. It just a matter of seeing the musical/show before or after dinner (provided you want to see the shows ...... and you should)

Some may argue that the wait staff is "fresher" on the first seating, but they have been working all day, so it not as if they have been resting up for dinner service.

Even if you do not stay at WDW, I cannot stress enough ARRIVE AT LEAST A DAY EARLY. Do not try to fly in, in the AM and go to the ship. The last thing you want to do (especialy since this is such a special trip) is miss the boat - so to speak.

I also recommend against the WDW bus service. It is nice, it gets you to the cruise terminal, and if they know a busload of WDW people are delayed, they may just delay the ship (maybe) However, the WDW bus service gets you there when they feel like it, in the afternoon. By the time you get there, there is a good chance the ship has been open for boarding for 2-3 hours allready. What is so bad about that you ask? Well, first that means 100's of people have hit the excursion desk and booked any remaining shore excursions (of course you can book your in advance on line). It also means that the ship, and all its attractions have been "open" for three hours while you have spent your time waiting for the bus. Do yourself a favor, spring the extra $50 or so over the bus for car service, and get to the cruise port early, and board as soon as you can.

Just like when you fly, take a carry on with bathing suits and other sundry items. Then board the ship nice and early, book your excusions, go to your room and change, grab a drink. And then you and your fiance relax poolside while thinking of the people who are still at their resort at WDW waiting for the bus

-dave

Nice!!! Thanks man!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We were looking online over the weekend on the cruise and saw that every time we wanted first dinner service it wasn't available. We're planning on going in Sept. or Oct. Ha anyone done second dinner service? If so, besides just being later, are there any advantages or disadvantages to eating at that time?

I just wanted to add that sometimes it's also possible to change your dining times once you board. Especially if you fly in the day before and are among the first to board. We changed our dining time on our September cruise by doing that. I also just returned from a four day cruise and we changed table assignments when we boarded (we wanted to sit with just our group this time).

There aren't any disadvantages to eating late, in fact it may give you more time in port, we are just early eaters and didn't want to wait so late.

 

[Phonedave]

I just wanted to add that sometimes it's also possible to change your dining times once you board. Especially if you fly in the day before and are among the first to board. We changed our dining time on our September cruise by doing that. I also just returned from a four day cruise and we changed table assignments when we boarded (we wanted to sit with just our group this time).

There aren't any disadvantages to eating late, in fact it may give you more time in port, we are just early eaters and didn't want to wait so late.

I didn't think to mention that. We like the early seating, because it just seems more natural to go to the shows after dinner for me. However you are right, I do remember having to get back to the ship for dinner at times.

-dave

 

[CatsMeow]

We've been on 3 cruises - 7 days in Bermuda, 12 days through the Panama Canal and the 3-day Disney Cruise. Personally, we love the days at sea and the Panama Canal cruise was really awesome. It gave us plenty of time to relax and see the sights.

We took the Disney Magic cruise in late 1998. It was fabulous, but went very, very fast. Things might be considerably different now, but I'm sure it still goes quickly!

Quick synopsis -----
1st day - Bus picked us up at the Polynesian. We boarded the ship, grabbed a quick bite of a late lunch and then found our cabin. Soon afterward came the lifeboat drill, which took awhile as they called out everyone's name. As we had an early dinner seating, we headed back to get ready and then went to our dinner. After that, we headed to the show and some quick shopping. After that, bed! :snore:

2nd day - We were signed up for the historical tour of Nassau and the bus picked us up at 9:00. Got back to our ship at noon. Had some time to hit the pool and took a quick nap. Went shopping. Checked out the rest of the ship - which is GORGEOUS, by the way! Got ready for dinner and then afterwards headed to the show. Went for a few drinks and then bed!

3rd day - Castaway Cay! A wonderful day that went wayyy too quickly. :sohappy::kiss::ROFLOL::sohappy:
Ship heading back to Florida.

This is obviously very compressed, but the days went way too quickly. I did not have time to check out the spa (which books quickly), but will do it someday. I would go for the 7 day cruise in a heartbeat.