Land/Sea Cruise vs. MYW Package Honestly

[CajunEpcotLover]

We are going to WDW in December on a MYW (4 night/5 day) package and recently discovered we could do the 4 Night Land 3 Night Sea Cruise for about the same cost. We have been wanting to try the cruise, just never have done it. If you could do either one, which would be your choice and why? And another quick question about the cruise...do you have to have a passport? Thanks!

 

[smk]

If I could do the 4 night land/3 night cruise trip for the same price as just a 4 night vacation I would do the cruise/vacation. I have always wanted to take a cruise but never have, so I would want to experience both. Sounds like you have nothing to lose really, if you have the time to take 7 or 8 days (off work etc...) then go for it. I think you have to have a original birth (not a copy) certificate, but if that is wrong (ask a travel agent) then you have plenty of time to get the passports. Last I knew it was only taking about 5 weeks to get one and that was few months ago. Apply now and have them in plenty of time.

 

[shoppingnut]

Yes, you need a passport. I would definitely do the cruise, it was lots of fun, the shows on board are excellent, dining is all included and there are still meet n greet's for the characters.

 

[lscott933]

well i am going on a cruise this november. as of right now you only need your birth cert. until next year. then you will need a one of two of the passport types. i like going on the cruise first then to disney. then you can't do the land sea package. the room keys are the same for the ship and hotel. so you only have to check in once at the hotel if your on the land sea package. plus you can now add on meal to you plan too. it is really nice and a different from the park. a slower pace.

 

[DisneyJoe]

One thing to think about regarding a passport - currently it is not required to re-enter the US by land or cruise ship - but it IS required if you are flying into the US.

On the off chance that a medical condition occurs that the ship cannot handle, they may need to leave you at a foreign hospital - leaving you to fly home on your own (good argument for vacation protection insurance).

Without a passport, you will have difficulty flying back into the US.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

Almost all cruise lines other than Disney are requiring passport identification for cruises, and it is coming down the pike.

My recommendation is to get the passport. It is good for 10 years, and they will be utilized more frequently on all domestic travel in the near future.

 

[HS0411]

We are going to WDW in December on a MYW (4 night/5 day) package and recently discovered we could do the 4 Night Land 3 Night Sea Cruise for about the same cost. We have been wanting to try the cruise, just never have done it. If you could do either one, which would be your choice and why? And another quick question about the cruise...do you have to have a passport? Thanks!

If it's the same price, go for it! Just keep in mind the land/sea package does not have alot of options (like staying at certain resorts). You must book the same "category" for both land and sea. Also, I'm pretty sure you cannot get the DDP on a land/sea package. You must have a park ticket for evertday you are on land (4 days). The week works like this---
Sun-Wed (4 days): WDW
Thus-Sun (4 days): DCL
I know alot of people add an extra night to either the beginning or ending of their stay (not included in land/sea package) to make traveling a little eaiser and to get a more "full" day out of one of their park tickets. It's been a couple of months since my package training, and my notes are still on the ship!

While passports are not required right now, I highly recomend them. You will need your orginal birth certificate and a photo ID (like a DL) for anyone over the age of 18.

Hope this helps!

 

[Mystic]

Also, I'm pretty sure you cannot get the DDP on a land/sea package. You must have a park ticket for evertday you are on land (4 days).

Actually for 2008 the basic dining plan IS available for Land and Sea packages. You have to type "DINE" into the promotion code box on the website, inform your travel agent or the CM booking your cruise that you would like to take advantage of the dining plan while on the land portion of your Land and Sea Cruise. As of right now, the dining plan is only available for bookings for Land and Sea Cruises in 2008. No word yet on if if will be available in 2009 (the CM was not able to add it to my December 2009 Land and Sea Cruise).

Yes your hotel selection is limited depending on your stateroom category and yes you can add an extra night on in advance of your land package but in order so that you do not have to check in a second time at the start of your Land and Sea package, the extra night must be booked through the cruise line.

You will receive a 5 day park hopper ticket on a 4 day land and 3 day sea package and a 4 day park hopper ticket on a 3 day land and 4 day sea package.

As for a passport, this is what the Disney Cruise Line website has to say.

My Passport

Guests are responsible for obtaining proper documentation to board the ship. U.S. Government passport requirements continue to change; therefore, we strongly encourage Guests of all ages to have a valid U.S. passport for all cruises. Having a passport allows you to always be prepared to travel wherever you wish, and offers an added measure of security when you're traveling.

For air travel, however, the deadline was January 23, 2007. This means that all travelers, including U.S. Citizens and all foreign nationals, traveling to the United States by air, such as Guests flying to Orlando, Florida from Canada, are required to carry a valid passport after the effective date.