Is a three night cruise worth it??

[jennyjinx3]

So I just have to ask this question again. I know it has been asked before, perhaps even by me!

Is a three night cruise worth it? I am really hoping that we as a family would be able to tell from this cruise if the experience is something we want to repeat.

I would love to hear again about your experiences with the three night cruise. Anyone care to share??

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Is it better than no cruise? Definitely! But you will leave wanting more!!

[Ilion]

Originally Posted by "Cinder" Ella's Mom

Is it better than no cruise? Definitely! But you will leave wanting more!!

We left our 7 night cruise wanting more! You always want more!

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Originally Posted by "Cinder" Ella's Mom

Is it better than no cruise? Definitely! But you will leave wanting more!!

My thoughts exactly. DW and I are doing a four night Dream cruise only so we can say we have seen the ship. But I'm sure four nights will be way too short. Can't work a BB into our schedule for 2013.

[OrlandoDisneyFan]

One of my favorite cruises was a 3 night when just I and my 7 year old daughter went, leaving Mom and 3 year old son at home.

It was the perfect length for some serious quality time with her and I, yet she did not have time to start missing her Mom.

The whole three days, we were never apart, and I just did whatever she wanted to do, when she wanted to do it.

[Mikeyto_96]

I haven't been on a 3 or 4 nt cruise, just a 7 and an 8 coming up in 9 days. I would suggest though doing at least a 4 that includes a full day at sea. This way you can experience a couple ports and a sea day. For me a sea day is just as fun as port days as you never know what you might see at sea. Most of your 7 day and longer itineraries include at least 1 sea day, most of them 2 or more. Good Luck!

[GrassMaster]

Originally Posted by jennyjinx3

So I just have to ask this question again. I know it has been asked before, perhaps even by me!

Is a three night cruise worth it? I am really hoping that we as a family would be able to tell from this cruise if the experience is something we want to repeat.

I would love to hear again about your experiences with the three night cruise. Anyone care to share??

We have only done one 3 night and it was without the kids. It was wonderful, in fact we are doing it again next month. It goes by so fast but it will at least give you a taste.

[kcashner]

For us, a 3 night cruise involves the same flights, transportation to the port, etc. as a 7 night in terms of expense and hassle. We essentially lose one day either side from transportation (ok, can fly home day we get off cruise.)

The only way I'd even consider a 3 night would be on a fantastic bargain and combined with a WDW trip. Otherwise, it isn't worth the "getting there."

Better than no cruise--definitely. But a 4 night is not 1/3 better than a 3 night. It's a WHOLE LOT better.

[NCConch]

We chose a 3 night cruise due to the fact my wife and kids have not cruised before. In Navy parlance, this is a shakedown cruise. If one of us (wife) doesn't like it there is less misery.

[jennyjinx3]

Originally Posted by NCConch

We chose a 3 night cruise due to the fact my wife and kids have not cruised before. In Navy parlance, this is a shakedown cruise. If one of us (wife) doesn't like it there is less misery.

My DH just read this response and said "true that!!"

[Mandersons04]

I had asked that same questions when we taking our very first cruise ever. In 2011 It was between a 3 night and a 4 night. We were a little apprehensive about going for a longer cruise so we figured the 3 or 4 night would get our feet wet. While everyone said we'd want a longer cruise, they recommended at least the 4 night and that's what we did along with a Disney World visit. We LOVED it! And now we're getting ready for our 3rd cruise in March which is a 7 night!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

[over50visits]

Originally Posted by jennyjinx3

So I just have to ask this question again. I know it has been asked before, perhaps even by me!

Is a three night cruise worth it? I am really hoping that we as a family would be able to tell from this cruise if the experience is something we want to repeat.

I would love to hear again about your experiences with the three night cruise. Anyone care to share??

Count me in the camp of believing a 4 night is much, much better than the 3 night. Part of my cruise enjoyment is being at sea, and that just doesn't happen on the 3 night (first day you are busy eating etc. as soon as you depart and it is dark soon, 2nd day you're in the dock in Nassau, 3rd day you're in the dock at Castaway. I relish the day at sea...it is comfortable, the ocean is calming and serene, there are activities on the sea day not on the shorter cruise, you can have brunch at Palo or Remy, there is one more great show, more time to explore the ship, etc.

Since a 3 night is really only a 2 day cruise, the 4 night is 50% more days away and aboard ship (it is a 3 day cruise).

Also, on the 3 night cruise, first night is "welcome" and the second night they're already telling you how to pack your bags and fill out the customs form for debarking.

I know and agree that 3 nights are great, and of course much better than nothing, but I would see if I could find the time and extra money for the 4 night, I believe the increased value and enjoyment is well worth it.

[GusGus77]

The DisBoards convinced us to do a 4-night instead of a 3-night and I am very glad we did! We were first time cruisers (with a 2 and 4 yr old) and LOVED it. For us, the 3 night would have been way too short. The 4-night was a good first time experience.

That being said, the 3-nights must be popular and people enjoy them or they wouldn't offer them!

[Namsupak]

A 3 night cruise is a fine cruise. We have done 3 nights, 4nights, 7 nights and 7+ nights. We enjoy them all. Longer cruises give us more value and we would always pick longer of course, but sometimes we can fit a 3 night cruise into a long weekend and then we can take a cruise without really using up any vacation days or days where we would otherwise be making money more for cruises. For us the flight is only about 2.5 hours to MCO so sometimes we just take a long weekend in orlando or catch a quick cruise then back to work the next day.

[OrcaPotter]

Not worth the money, IMHO. My family had only ever done 7 night cruises before we took a chance with the 4-night Dream last January. We had an absolute blast but it was too short. We're going again at the end of this month with more family and friends who have never cruised before, and I imagine they'll feel the same way. For us, we love Disney and being less than an hour away from Port Canaveral, so for budget reasons the Dream is the best deal right now over the Fantasy. Plus, I'm a teacher, so taking a full week off from school is not good. While the 3-night would've been better, schedule-wise, if you're going to spend a good chunk of change, no less than 4 nights will do.