WDW vs. Cruise for Seniors

I'm always skeptical of cruises in general. I've heard too many bad stories. They sound relaxing, but ultimately if it goes south you have no escape. Besides, I think almost everything appealing about a cruise is available in WDW and so much more. I think there's a common mistake that the rides at WDW are inappropriate for seniors. With a few exceptions, I think that's completely wrong. Additionally, usually by that point you're at the age where you don't have to bring kiddos along, which is of course a big plus in my book!

Go with the park. More to do, and less annoyance.

I think cruises are great if you really don't get around well anymore and you want to enjoy a tropical-type vacation. Also, if resting is your goal, you never feel guilty about doing so on a cruise--you have nowhere else to go but the ship!

However, there's LOTS to do on cruise ships; you can keep yourself very busy if that's your preference. That makes it a goof vacation for just about everyone: be lazy if you want, or be busy if you want!

Cruises seem okay in theory, but most of my friends have given me bad reviews of their cruises (not Disney). Makes me leery of trying them out.

I know we're interested in taking a cruise around Alaska--lots of great ports and interesting things to see, plus they seem a little "lower-key" than the caribbean cruises.

Good morning!

First I want to thank everyone here for welcoming me and letting me hang out.

There's more to do on a cruise ship than you might think. I've been on three cruises (two Disney, one non-Disney) and thought all were great. My main objection with cruising is the single supplement.

Disney is extremely accomodating (sp?) to those of us with disabilities (I have cerebral palsy and very poor eyesight); all their ships have elevators and a few handicapped-accessible staterooms on each deck.

SpaceAce: I've looked into cruising Alaska as well, because a friend mentioned once about me and her and her cousin going on one. From my research, the Alaska cruises attract an older crowd and are more laid-back than the Caribbean ones, which have a reputation as "party ships".

"This is a day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it". (Psalm 118:24).

Jim

I know this is an older thread, but I'm facing something like this now.

My dad has LOVED going to WDW the past 30 years or so. He turned 81 this summer though, and when we took him down in July, it was a tough trip for him to get around. (And he REFUSES to get a scooter)

Since I don't want him to lose out on the Disney Experience, I've got his "lady friend" working on him to do a combination WDW-Cruise-WDW trip this fall. I'm thinking a couple of days at WDW, then the four night cruise, then two more days at WDW.

My thinking here is that the first couple of days he could go to the parks if he likes, do whatever. This will be strenuous, but then he'll have four days on the ship where the walking is minimal, he can rest as much as he likes, he can enjoy the Disney experience and then return to the parks to wrap up the perfect Disney package.

I would care less if he got off the ship in Nassau, although I'd probably want him to go in a cab to Paradise Island and Atlantis. Other than that, he could stay on board.

And I'd SURELY want him to visit Castaway Cay. Nothing like that place!

Cruises are totally what you make of them. On the Disney ships, you could be busy from morning to midnight and never have to go very far. Depending on the health and mobility of the individual, the cruise might be (at least partly) the way to go!

I think that's an absolutely fantastic idea. I've wanted to bring a disabled relative to WDW, but we've always been reluctant because she can't walk for very long without getting tired. Giving a "rest period" in the middle sounds like a great idea!

The walking is definitely difficult for folks, but I give him kudos for not getting the scooter. I keep hearing that mobility can decline even more rapidly if you allow yourself to stop moving (assuming, of course, that you could keep moving if you so desired--not always the case).

I like the idea of the WDW-Cruise-WDW thing, too. How close is his lady friend to getting him to agree?

Also--would that be a land and sea package, or all booked separately?

Yep--I think it'd be more our style, probably. Though I would like to do a Disney cruise sometime. I'd forgotten you'd gone, Jim. When and where were your disney cruises?

She and I are working covertly to make him WANT to do the cruise part. She's all for it, so I expect it will happen in the fall.

Everything will be done separately. I'll use some of my DVC points for part of it, and pay for the rest.

Was thinking of one of the DVC resorts on the front end, then maybe the Poly on the back.

BTW, the timing on this works great, since the four night cruises leave on Sunday. Go into Orlando on Friday, back home the following Saturday.

Good morning!

@Space Ace: I went on the MouseFest five-day/four-night Disney cruises to the Bahamas December 3-7, 2006 (followed by five nights in Beach Club room 3675) and December 2-6, 2007 (followed by five nights in All Star Movies and five nights in Animal Kingdom Lodge). These trips were separate, meaning one deposit for the cruise and one for the land each year.

Jim

Is that 20 nights total? In sequence? That's awesome!!

I love those long trips. Two weeks is where it's at!

Hello,

There was a nine-night (including cruise on the Disney Wonder) trip in 2006, and a fourteen-night (including cruise on the Disney Wonder) trip in 2007. The longest WDW trip I had without a cruise was 11 nights from December 3-14, 2003, staying in Room 8509 in All Star Music.

Jim

14 is still pretty good. But you were my hero when I thought you'd pulled off 20 days of magic in a row!

Giving this a bump

I think that seniors will enjoy traveling to either destination as long as they are prepared and plan well enough to avoid very hot and very busy times of year at the Parks. Some people like being at sea, some don't.

My in laws are the perfect example of senior cruising fanatics. Since Geordon's Dad retired they have spent at least three months of the year cruising. In fact they just returned from two months at sea visiting Asia and the Pacific Rim. They're amazing and really enjoy the whole relaxed cruise experience. On one of their trips they spent a day at Animal Kingdom before embarkation, but they were just "meh" about it.

We're in our 60's, and have no interest yet in cruising. We always have friends ask us what we DO at WDW? Do we actually go on the rides, etc.? Always with the incredulous tone that of course we are way too old for that. Well, yes, yes we do go on the rides (except roller coasters - stomach can't handle that!). We see all the attractions we can squeeze in, and thoroughly enjoy ourselves. Where else could we eat tie-dye cheescake, nutella waffles, popcorn, Dole whips, etc. and still come home a pound or two lighter than when we went?

When I raise the subject of cruising with Peter, he says we will save that for our geriatric phase. He thinks we would be bored to death (even though I say we probably would find plenty to do). I guess if you like stretching out on beaches, and relaxed vacations, cruising would be great. We like to do things, so WDW works better for us.

Yes to all of this! I have chosen to invest in Disney because I see it as a safe and amazing place for me to travel all through my senior years. It can be enjoyed at so many paces and levels. No cruise for me either - terra firma girl here.

I realize this is an old thread. My husband and I prefer Disney cruising to the parks. It is more relaxing for us. I like going to the beaches as a vacation. So the idea of going to Disney's private island is just a dream come true for me. We like the rotational dining without having to worry about making ADRs at the 180 day mark. We can relax, go to the movie theater, go to the adult only pool, the adult only beach, the spa, excursions to foreign countries, etc. we have been to the parks and still go. After all we are Florida residents and just live 3 hours drive to Kissimmee. We do the slower rides, no roller coasters for us. Our fave parks are Epcot and AK. We still prefer Disney cruising. Other complaints about cruises usually involve non Disney cruise lines.