Will we like the Dream 4 night as much as the Magic 7 Night?

[Loriekins]

My family will be taking our second cruise in January. Both cruises will be in January, on the Magic for 7 nights. We will be booking on board for Thanksgiving 2013.

Sounds like by the time we cruise the 2013 we will know where the Magic & Wonder will be going. Right now our only choices are the Fantasy Western Caribbean 7 night (same cruise we are taking in Jan. minus KW/add Costa Maya & almost double of what we are paying now). or the 4 night Bahama on the Dream (about the same price as we are paying now, somewhere we have never been & on a newer ship).

From what we have to choose from so far, we would all pick the Dream. Would we be happy with only 4 nights after taking two 7 night cruises???? Not sure if we would take the Magic or Wonder if they weren't going to CC. Would have to love the ports.

I would love any feedback from anyone that has done a longer cruise (like a 7 night) & then a shorter cruise (like a 4 night).

Thanks!

 

[lbgraves]

We did 4 7-night cruises, a 15-night cruise and then made the mistake to think that we would enjoy a quick 3-night cruise because of the kids free offer. The 4-night might be a bit better than a 3-night because we had no down time/sea day. There are many activities that they simply can't schedule on a 3/4 night that they do on the 7-night cruises. The kids are close to your son's age and kept asking to do things they enjoyed on previous cruises but they weren't offered.

We went to Alaska and didn't have CC, but if given the choice between a western/eastern and another Alaska, would jump at that. Going to CC is nice, but I wouldn't choose a 4 day over a 7 day for it.

 

[kathi]

We also generally do week long cruises on the Magic. We did a quick 3 night on the Dream in September just to check it out. We LOVED THE SHIP, but 3 nights was terribly short.

There is so much to do on the Dream and the ship is beautiful. I would definitely recommend you try it but it will not be "the same" as a week long cruise. Even Disney cannot bend time!

 

[justmestace]

I hadn't done a shorter cruise (3-4 nights) in about 7 years, until last summer when we did a 4 night cruise. It wasn't nearly long enough, but I still had a good time.
I just did a 3 night on the Dream, and hated it. It was way too short, especially with the new ship and needing to learn where everything was. To me, it felt like being on another cruise line completely. Nothing familiar about it. I think it would have been better for me if it had been at least 4 nights.

 

[Otimon]

No matter whether you do a 3, 4, or 7 night cruise, they will all be too short. We've done all three over the years.

Take the 4 night Dream and enjoy all that it has to offer. You're going to love it!

Best wishes.

 

[NancyIL]

I would NOT wait until you are onboard in January to book a 2013 holiday cruise. I would book the Dream now, and then recheck prices when you are onboard. It's quite possible that prices will increase more between now and then than you would save with the 10% onboard booking discount and $100 onboard credit. If the price hasn't gone up much, then you can "reshop" the cruise when onboard to get the better deal.

 

[over50visits]

We also generally do week long cruises on the Magic. We did a quick 3 night on the Dream in September just to check it out. We LOVED THE SHIP, but 3 nights was terribly short.

There is so much to do on the Dream and the ship is beautiful. I would definitely recommend you try it but it will not be "the same" as a week long cruise. Even Disney cannot bend time!

We seemed to have found the magical dividing line - 3 days is really too short, but the move to 4 or more days makes for a truly magical cruise. Maybe it is the sea day that really is fun, since on the 3 day you don't get to see much ocean at all (both days are mostly in port).

 

[Loriekins]

I really appreciate all of the advice, it has truly helped. Different perspectives always help. We will wait to see what the Magic/Wonder have to ofter.

 

[NancyIL]

I really appreciate all of the advice, it has truly helped. Different perspectives always help. We will wait to see what the Magic/Wonder have to ofter.

There is no guarantee that the Magic and Wonder 2013 itineraries will be available by the time you cruise in January. If you really want to cruise Thanksgiving week and are seriously considering the Dream, I would book it ASAP.

 

[dthogue]

We have done several 4 nights and two 7 nights - If I had my choice I would chose 7 nights over 4 nights, but if all that was available was 4 nights I would do it.

We just did b2b 4 nights, than 3 nights - I would never do a 3 night by itself, just way too short.

 

[Loriekins]

We have done several 4 nights and two 7 nights - If I had my choice I would chose 7 nights over 4 nights, but if all that was available was 4 nights I would do it.

We just did b2b 4 nights, than 3 nights - I would never do a 3 night by itself, just way too short.

I think that is how we feel. The only thing that would get us on the 4 night now is the price & to do legoland or WDW before hand. I looked at doing a B2B & it was WAY TOO much.

I agree that a 3 night is too short, I wish they had a 5 night. Only way I would even think about doing a 4 night is doing something else too. Too long to go from Michigan.

 

[Loriekins]

I would NOT wait until you are onboard in January to book a 2013 holiday cruise. I would book the Dream now, and then recheck prices when you are onboard. It's quite possible that prices will increase more between now and then than you would save with the 10% onboard booking discount and $100 onboard credit. If the price hasn't gone up much, then you can "reshop" the cruise when onboard to get the better deal.

Thanks for the advice but there isn't anything out there right now that makes me want to rush & book now.

 

[disneymath]

Thanks for the advice but there isn't anything out there right now that makes me want to rush & book now.

I think what Nancy was trying to say was that if cruising Thanksgiving 2013 on a 4 day Dream is even a remote possibility it is best to book it now to lock in the current price ... since it is a popular cruise time the price can go up significantly ($1000s) in a relatively short time.

If something better opens up (e.g. Magic or Wonder 2013 itineraries that you like) you can always move your existing booking to that new date. You could then check out the prices when you cruise in January ... if you get a better deal onbaord, book it and cancel what you currently have. (There is no penalty to cancel prior to 75 days out ... unless you are looking to book a suite.)

 

[DL1957]

We have done nothing shorter than 7 days since 1999 and nothing shorter than 12 days since 2004 by either doing long cruises or b2b. That being said we are going on the 4 day Dream in December we are calling it our exploration cruise soley to see how the ship is. We are also going on a 5 day out of NYC in September. Plan to enjoy the ship and not think about how short our time will be!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

We have done nothing shorter than 7 days since 1999 and nothing shorter than 12 days since 2004 by either doing long cruises or b2b. That being said we are going on the 4 day Dream in December we are calling it our exploration cruise soley to see how the ship is. We are also going on a 5 day out of NYC in September. Plan to enjoy the ship and not think about how short our time will be!

I am doing exactly the same thing- doing a 4 night on the Dream in February to solely enjoy the ship and get familiar with the layout, offerings, etc to make sure that on the 5 night Dream cruise in May with my parents, one of which is a first time cruiser, get to enjoy it that much more by me being able to steer them in the right direction, having had some experience/familiarity.

 

[Loriekins]

I think what Nancy was trying to say was that if cruising Thanksgiving 2013 on a 4 day Dream is even a remote possibility it is best to book it now to lock in the current price ... since it is a popular cruise time the price can go up significantly ($1000s) in a relatively short time.

If something better opens up (e.g. Magic or Wonder 2013 itineraries that you like) you can always move your existing booking to that new date. You could then check out the prices when you cruise in January ... if you get a better deal onbaord, book it and cancel what you currently have. (There is no penalty to cancel prior to 75 days out ... unless you are looking to book a suite.)

I understand what she & you are saying but will not book something I'm not sure I want. I thought I had my mind made up but now am completely confused again. lol

Not going to worry about it. If I don't know by cruise time I will just book a dummy date for sometime in the future.

Thanks to everyone for the advise!

 

[Justacruiser]

My question is if you want to go on a cruise more or visit other places. The reason I ask is that if you MAINLY want to cruise, like myself. I would recommend a B2B 4-Day if a 7 Day is not available for you. I have seen all the down sides but I just want to be on the ship longer than 4-Days even though I am going on the 22-26 December Bahamas cruise (5th time). Right now I have a 7-Day B2B with a 4 Day is Septmeber 2012. I will get off the Fantasy, stay the night in Orlando and do laundry and get back on the Magic the next day (6th time). I spend a lot of money just getting to Orlando and considerable time in driving and time off. You can always book a B2B and change later maybe the type of 2 cruises that I am taking.

 

[Loriekins]

My question is if you want to go on a cruise more or visit other places. The reason I ask is that if you MAINLY want to cruise, like myself. I would recommend a B2B 4-Day if a 7 Day is not available for you. I have seen all the down sides but I just want to be on the ship longer than 4-Days even though I am going on the 22-26 December Bahamas cruise (5th time). Right now I have a 7-Day B2B with a 4 Day is Septmeber 2012. I will get off the Fantasy, stay the night in Orlando and do laundry and get back on the Magic the next day (6th time). I spend a lot of money just getting to Orlando and considerable time in driving and time off. You can always book a B2B and change later maybe the type of 2 cruises that I am taking.

I did look into a B2B, since one of the families concern is the length of time. The time frame I was looking at there was a 3 night then a 4 night on the Dream but it was a little more than the 7 night on the Fantasy.

If we only did a 4 night, we would do other vacation before hand. Like you said, it's a lot of money just getting to Orlando.

 

[Justacruiser]

I did look into a B2B, since one of the families concern is the length of time. The time frame I was looking at there was a 3 night then a 4 night on the Dream but it was a little more than the 7 night on the Fantasy.

If we only did a 4 night, we would do other vacation before hand. Like you said, it's a lot of money just getting to Orlando.

And, I have never read a posting on this forum that stated that they were so glad to get off the ship. I don't think it matters if it is 3 or 15 days that you are board, 99% of folks don't want to leave the ship.

Enjoy your time in Olando and enjoy your cruise.

 

[sayhello]

And, I have never read a posting on this forum that stated that they were so glad to get off the ship. I don't think it matters if it is 3 or 15 days that you are board, 99% of folks don't want to leave the ship.

Enjoy your time in Olando and enjoy your cruise.

Actually, after an 11-night Mediterranean cruise on the Magic in 2010, I was ready & happy to be off the ship. I was just sad I hadn't booked more time in Barcelona.

Sayhello