Who's going on all the Wonder cruises?

[ChiTownZee]

I was doing some searches and it seems everyone says to do the Magic because the 3 and 4 nighters are just TOO SHORT. Someone must be booking these things without the land/sea package, right? I'd hate to book one and then go "I should have listened to the boards" and wished that I'd waited for 7 night. I've always researched the Magic cruises myself, but recently thought about the Wonder just because it's cheaper and while we really need a vacation wouldn't be able to swing a 7 night.

[CRSNDSNY]

If all you could swing is a 3- or 4-day, then don't let the shortened time stop you! We've done both 7-day and 4-day and have really enjoyed both. The benefits to the 4-day is that it is less expensive. The ports are different -- and I prefer the 7-day ports -- but that hasn't stopped us!
Both ships are equally magnificant with so much to do! You aren't treated any less because it is shorter length-of-stay on the Wonder. I can't say enough great things about it! We'd rather do more 3- and 4-day cruises more often than have to wait so long in between 7-day trips because of the expense. Just go and find out!

[mmouse37]

We love the 7 night cruises, but if it was a choice between the 4 night Wonder or no cruise....I would definately pick the Wonder!!!!

A lot of people start out on the Wonder and realize they had such a good time that they want to experience the Magic for 7 days!!!

MJ

[Wishing on a star]

Do the 4-day!!! :D

We too could not swing a seven day. And, having never cruised before, we actually prefered booking a 4 day. Especially with our son.

On a three day, you would just be getting unpacked and settled in, and then have to start packing again. I like 4 day vacations!!! Also, it seems like sometimes the pricing for the 4 days are just pennies more than the three days.

Also, I strongly recommend booking early for the early-booking-savings... We booked early, got an excellent rate, and now the rate for what we have reserved is close to what some seven night cruises might cost on other lines! There are some special rates still out there on cruises this fall. But, they are definately for only the lowest category inside cabins.

So, start planning a 4-day, and enjoy! You deserve this cruise vacation!

[Wishing on a star]

Hey, also just saw that, yes, you are a Florida resident... I am not, so I do not know about the Florida Resident Rates sometimes offered... Surely they offer these rates for the Wonder as well as the Magic? This might factor in to your decision as well! Good luck planning your cruise! :D

[donmil723]

We will be on the Wonder 3 day cruise beginning July 31st. Since this is our first ever cruise and we weren't sure if we would like it, we wanted to start with the shortest one. My DH was really hesitant as he is claustrophobic and cannot ride in an elevator without having a panic attack. Since we got a stateroom with a porthole, they have stairs onboard, and he knows he can get off the ship each day, he is willing to give it a try. Keep your fingers crossed for us!!!!

Donna

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi Donna.


My DH was really hesitant as he is claustrophobic and cannot ride in an elevator without having a panic attack.

I would STRONGLY recommend the lowest category stateroom with a verandah. It is supposed to be a VACATION for you BOTH, not a test of one person's "will" or a measure of his love.

I hope this doesn't sound harsh as it isn't meant to be. Based upon your description which I quoted above, the severity of your husband's claustrophobia is too great to "test" on a cruise - in my opinion...

[minniecarousel]

This summer is the third 3-day cruise for DH & I. (first ever for our DSs) The reason we do 3-day cruises, is because we also want to do WDW & can't be away for more than a week. Plus - flying out from the West Coast adds to the expense and time issue!

[westjones]

As much as I enjoyed our 7 night cruise last year, I have to say that the 4 night works out best for our schedules.

It takes us 18-19 hours to drive to Florida, so with the 4 night cruise sailing on Sunday, we can leave on Friday after work and drive part of the way, get up and finish our driving the next day and easily be at port on Sunday.

Our 4 night had a day at sea after Castaway Cay which was SO relaxing. I really enjoyed that versus having to pack to get off the ship the evening after spending the day on the island.

Also, we can go and spend two days at Disney World after our cruise. There is plenty of time on Thursday after you disembark to go over to Orlando, check in to a resort and spend the afternoon/evening at one of the parks. Then get up and go again on Friday to another park.

On Saturday we head back home and drive most of the way, and get back home on Sunday. So DH only has to take off 5 vacation days for this trip and we get in the cruise AND the parks.

With the 7 night cruise, it leaves on Saturday, so he has to take off on the Friday before for us to get there. The 3 night disembarks on Sunday and that means he also needs off on the Monday after to give us time to get home.

As much as I LOVE the 7 night, and as much as I want to take another. The 4 night really does work best for our family; and all the best parts of the cruise (in my opinion) is available on all three itenaries. So you will have great time no matter which you choose!

DJ

[tweetsie]

We always take 3 night cruises (will be going on our third in December) because we combine the cruise with trips to Disney/Universal and Seaworld. It works great for us.

[Grumbo]

We thoroughly enjoyed the three day Wonder and it showed us what DCL was like, and we found that it WAS for us. We then booked the 7 day.
I wouldn't hesitate in booking another 3 or 4 day cruise. We amalgamate the cruises into stays in the Orlando area no matter how long the cruise is so that isn't a consideration to us but the price of the cruise is :)
Booking for us during the kid's March break, booking as far in advance (While on the cruise for the $200 onboard credit) and then getting the best price we could (All Season's Travel) helped us to go for the 7 day this time.
3, 4 or 7!! All great options :)
Cheers,
Grumbo

[CamColt]

We have done 2, 3 day Disney Cruises. Our first was with the land/sea package...and my whole family. The second was just DH & I after 1 day in WDW. Sure a 7 day would have been much better, but the 3 day was 3 awesome days! At the times 3 days were all we could fit into our schedule, so we went and had a ball. Sure it was short, but too short to go again? No way, not if thats all we could do at the time. :D

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by Wishing on a star
Hey, also just saw that, yes, you are a Florida resident... I am not, so I do not know about the Florida Resident Rates sometimes offered... Surely they offer these rates for the Wonder as well as the Magic? This might factor in to your decision as well! Good luck planning your cruise! :D

See mousesavers.com (http://www.mousesavers.com/dcl.html) for special Florida resident rates.

[queenvic]

We did the 7-day Eastern last year and we are doing the 4-day next year. The reason we chose the 4-day this time was because of timing. We're going on Spring Break and it would be a lot harder to do a 7-day. I'm looking forward to seeing a different ship and seeing a different port of call.

[nicki dahling]

We plan to cruise on the four day for our first ever cruise . It will be for my daughter's graduation , my 40th birthday and our 21st wedding anniversary. We picked the four day because our college students are saving for the trip along with my mom and the 7 day was asking for a bit much on the finances . But I would rather go on a four day than no day ! We do plan to do the 7 day later ( probably just hubby and myself ) . Plus we have never been to the Bahamas . Looking forward to trying all of the different ports eventually .

[donmil723]

Thanks, Buckaroo Dad, for your comments. My DH really wants to try a cruise though. The only times he has problems is in elevators or when he had an MRI so he thinks he'll be okay on the ship. He has never had a problem flying in a plane either. Unfortunately, he got stuck by himself on an elevator in our state capital many years ago and since then, he can't use them. He also has an anti-anxiety medicine from his doctor just in case.

Hey using stairs will burn more calories so we can eat a little more. Right? LOL.

Donna

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi Donna.


Unfortunately, he got stuck by himself on an elevator in our state capital many years ago and since then, he can't use them.

I had a similar experience in a marriage...



My hopes and prayers for a truly enjoyable cruise you and DH!

[westjones]

If you get a room on the 6th floor it shouldn't be too bad walking. We hardly use the elevators because we don't like waiting and don't like being in crowded elevators.

The main elevators have a glass window side, so maybe that would help (being able to see out of them.

DJ

[donmil723]

westjones, we are on Deck 6. We thought that it would be kind of in the center of everything. That's good to know about the elevators having a glass wall. That might help. Do they tend to get pretty crowded?

Thanks.

Donna

[westjones]

They can get crowded, especially around dinner and show times. Only the main elevators (in the middle of the ship) have the window/glass. We usually just take the stairs because it doesn't seem that bad to us, especially when your room is on the 6th floor, you usually only go to either deck 3 or 4 for dining or the theaters or deck 9 for the pools or buffets. We also go to deck 5 for the kids' club. But by being on deck 6, you should be able to walk to everything you want fairly easily.

DJ

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by westjones
If you get a room on the 6th floor it shouldn't be too bad walking. We hardly use the elevators because we don't like waiting and don't like being in crowded elevators.

The main elevators have a glass window side, so maybe that would help (being able to see out of them.

DJ

I agree. In fact,we were near the forward elevator/stairs and the only time I think we used the elevators was when we were returning to the ship on Nassau day and were too exhausted from all the walking. Not many people around and we were alone on the elevator (boom chicka wow wow -- JK) ;)

[BabySam99]

Do the Wonder, we did, only because we have a 4 year old and thought it would be long enough for him...He did great! I would love to do the 7 night, but time does not allow...you will not regret doing the 4 day for your first Disney cruise. It was our best vacation! The only thing I see happening is that when you come back you will want to book another one!!!

Good luck and happy sailing!

[christinou]

We are doing the 3 day, it is our first cruise and I wanted to get a taste of it. Also when I am on vacation, I really do not want to wear formal wear, so I thought that a shorter cruise would be more our style, I just plan on wearing skirts and tops.....
We are also going to spend 4 days at WDW before the cruise and 5 days after....:Pinkbounc

[dreamflight99]

We were on the Magic last summer, on the 7-night Western. We loved it, and had a wonderful time. We had a Cat. 5 deluxe stateroom with a verandah. We booked lots of excursions, and swam with Stingrays in Grand Cayman, and Dolphins in Cozumel! It was FABULOUS, and our first REAL Disney Cruise (as we were WAITING for the 7-night cruises, and then went wild over the Western Itinerary) besides the Big Red Boat...LOL.

Our DD loved it SO much, I tossed in a quickie this summer on the Wonder (a birthday gift ), as we want to see Atlantis. I would have booked the 7-night Wonder, but have plans to take the Magic again next summer. Since we are traveling for more than 7~weeks (we do each summer), this cruise will be a little "added" surprise for DD (she thinks we are skipping this year). :p

I would not hesitate to take ANY of the Disney Cruise vacations. Especially coupled with a stay in the MAGIC of WDW. Enjoy!!

[gduvall]

We enjoy cruising so much on Disney, that my DW and myself are sneaking away for a long weekend without the kids in September for a 3 night cruise on the Wonder.

[taswira]

I don't know about <I>everyone</I> doing the <I>Magic</I>. Of my 9 DCL (past and future booked) cruises, only ONE is on the <I>Magic</I>. I LOVE the <I>Wonder</I>!

[raisin64]

Due to owning my own business, its easier to do a 3 or 4 night cruise. But sometimes I cheat and do back to backs. But since
we are only a short distance from Florida, if there was a major emergency I could always fly back from Nassau or Freeport.
( it better be a MAJOR emergency though) so far never had a problem

[eeyorekjs7]

We loved the 4-day land/sea. It was my first cruise and I was very nervous and I thought if I could get off of the ship every day I would be fine. I didn't think I would like cruising. I went for my husband. Now, I love cruising--even though I do still get nervous about rough water.

Donna-- we were on Deck 6 in a cat 6. We had a verandah which helped, but I never felt closed in--even with the curtain closed. We also used the stairs most of the time except when we were in port and were leaving the ship. I don't like elevators either, and I was especially scared of being on an elevator on the water, but it wasn't that bad!

I agree that if you take the stairs you can eat more! :D
Actually, after eating so much, you don't feel like getting in an elevator. You need to walk it off.

Another great thing for panic/anxiety attacks is the Promenade Deck. It's not crowded, it's close to the water and there is a wonderful breeze! Great when you need to get away! Take a walk around the whole deck and you'll feel great!

[BethC1952]

VERY claustrophobic husband and father-in-law did very well on the four-night. We've only done four-night cruises so far, because we love going to WDW before and after the cruise, but we're thinking about a 7 night next fall.

We were on Deck 6, so we could go down to Deck 4 or up to 9 or 10 when they needed to be outside for a while. The glass-backed elevators are great.

I can't wait to go back in December!

Beth

[ZerasPride]

I would love to do a 7 night cruise but we're using DVC points and it costs us enough for just the 4 night already! DH thought a 4 night would be good too because we've never cruised before and if we end up not liking it (fat chance, I know) then we aren't "stuck" on a ship for 8 days. I agree with him, although I'm sure we'll have a great time and wish we could stay longer. I say 3 or 4 days on a cruise ship is better than 7 or 8 days at home!

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by taswira
I LOVE the <I>Wonder</I>!

I prefer the decor and detailing in design of the Wonder over the Magic.