Will we be disappointed with a 4 day cruise?

[KATIESMOMMY]

I just could not pass up the kids sail free offer that came out and booked our family for the Feb 28th 4 day cruise. We have only done one other cruise, last December and it was a 7 day Western which we LOVED and now I am nervous that the shorter cruise is going to be disappointing. Is the 4 day a lot different than the 7 day outside of the sea days we wont have? I really am looking for a relaxing vacation, it will be DH and I, MIL, my 2 DD's who are 5 and 3 and then a 3 month old baby.

[luv that cruise]

any cruise is better than no cruise! While I definitely prefer the 7 (or longer), the 4 was okay but the 3 is almost painful... you embark thursday, just get started friday in the bahamas, and before you know they are talking about disembarkation castaway is the best part but by that time i have already started packing to go home. Be glad that you have your 4 days.

[kcashner]

I'd look critically at prices and how much you are or are not saving. If I'm looking at things correctly, you're going to be booking 2 cabins. In one cabin you'll have 2 adults and one "free" child. In the other cabin you'll have one adult, a 5 year old paying adult rates, and an infant. SO...what you're really getting free is one young child and one infant.

A lot will depend on your dates and categories, but I did 2 cabins of 3 adults each, 7 day sailing, each cabin was less than $1900. Granted, this was a cat 12 booked during cheap dates, and those joyful cat 12s aren't yet released for the Magic in 2010. What I'd do is to book the 4 day, but keep an eye on the 7 day rates as we get closer to 2010. You might decide to "upgrade."

So, will you hate a 4 day after doing a 7? NO. Any cruise beats no cruise. You'll have the experience of being on the Wonder and seeing the Toy Story show. Yes, you will miss many of the "special" things on a 7 day. But, after a 14 day, a 7 day actually seems short, but it's what we can usually do.

What I wouldn't do is a 3 day--it is SO short. It's really 2 1/2 days. You no sooner board than it's time to get off.

[KATIESMOMMY]

Thank You for your insight. So far prices are just outrageous for the 7 day for our family, the baby makes us require 2 rooms now and as you said no cat 12s to be seen. For the 4 day I booked me and the 3 kids in one room and mil and DH in the other. MIL I threw in because the price really was less than $100 to add her and I knew she would enjoy it plus help with the baby. For the 2 cat 12 rooms it is costing me $1820.52 with no transfers or insurance. Plus if DH decides he doesnt want to go, I am deciding whether I am brave enough to take the 3 all by myself....

Trust me, I would love to score a 7 day for next year, but wow, prices are just really high right now for them....

[Ski-and-Sea]

Originally Posted by kcashner

So, will you hate a 4 day after doing a 7? NO. Any cruise beats no cruise. You'll have the experience of being on the Wonder and seeing the Toy Story show. Yes, you will miss many of the "special" things on a 7 day. But, after a 14 day, a 7 day actually seems short, but it's what we can usually do.

I've done 5 Magic cruises and 4 Wonder cruises and I've never been disappointed with any of my Wonder cruises.

The key is to recognize that they are going to be different cruises - kind of an apples and oranges type of comparison. Sure, it would be "better" to be on a longer cruise but as kcashner points out there are those who view a 7-day cruise as short.

View your Wonder cruise as a separate type of DCL vacation and focus on those few "must do" type of activities. Remember with a shorter cruise that you can't do all the things that you have time to do on the longer cruises so prioritize what you want to do and recognize you will have to pass on doing other activities.

Look at the latest Wonder navigators and see what is offered on the different days.

View each day as a new adventure and focus on having as much fun as possible and it will be a great experience.

[mkmommy]

Do a 4 and 3 back to back and have 2 days at Castawy Cay.

[jsolar]

In regards to a 3 and 4 back to back, how does that work? Do you have to get off of the ship or can you stay on?
I just got off of a 7 day and can not wait to go back!

[kcashner]

We did a 4/3 back to back. It worked for us, but I'd still choose a 7. Don't get me wrong, we were treated like royalty on the Wonder. I have nothing but good to say about the crew and the ship, and I'm glad we did it. The two CC stops were great. Still, if I had a choice of a 4 + 3 or a 7, I'd take the 7 day.

The biggest thing about the Wonder is that it felt rushed. They were trying to pack all the best parts of a 7 day cruise into 3 or 4 days. My suggestion would be to "pick and choose" what you want to do and don't even remotely try to do it all! Remember to allow time to relax and enjoy!

[amystevekai&bump]

I did the 4 day on the Wonder and loved it - tried the 3 day last year and I wouldn't do it again. This won't make any sense, but the 4 day seemed 4 days (poss 5!!), but the 3 night went so fast it might as well have been 1 or 2 days!!

We would do a 4 night again, but wouldn't want the rush of the 3 night again.

[stlkeeler]

Originally Posted by amystevekai&bump

I did the 4 day on the Wonder and loved it - tried the 3 day last year and I wouldn't do it again. This won't make any sense, but the 4 day seemed 4 days (poss 5!!), but the 3 night went so fast it might as well have been 1 or 2 days!!

We would do a 4 night again, but wouldn't want the rush of the 3 night again.

I know what you mean, sorta. Last year we tried a 4 day. Loved it! This year we did a 7 day and it felt like 10! So much more relaxing. Next year I'm (by myself) doing a 14 day EBTA. Wonder what that'll feel like? Will I be able to go back to just a 7 day? Guess I'll just have to make do!

[amystevekai&bump]

Originally Posted by stlkeeler

I know what you mean, sorta. Last year we tried a 4 day. Loved it! This year we did a 7 day and it felt like 10! So much more relaxing. Next year I'm (by myself) doing a 14 day EBTA. Wonder what that'll feel like? Will I be able to go back to just a 7 day? Guess I'll just have to make do!

oh don't tell me that!! We are booked on the 7 night Christmas cruise next year, and I am already worried I won't be able to go back to the 4 nighter!!

[m&m's mom]

HA! My last DCL cruise was 15 days!!! I am really worried about 4 but since we are going on a 2 week European cruise in July, we should be OK.

[hillary33]

We have done 2 seven day (Eastern and Western), in 2008,we did a 4 day, My husband liked the 7 day better.
I loved it- of course if I had my choice I would do the 7 day. My husband is afraid to do another cruise line because I love the characters and everything Disney and he thinks I would be sad if I was not on a Disney ship. I would do any length Disney cruise and totally love it. We are booked for the Magic this Dec. and I can't wait!

[camarks1234]

We loved our 4 day cruise, are excited to go on another 3 day and are anticipating booking a 7 day because the 4 and 3 days are just not enough!!!

but...better than nothing!!!!

[Jerry@dvcstore]

You will not be disappointed in the 4 day cruise because the Cruise is Awesome, But you will wish it was longer. At the 4th day you finally feel relaxed and on Vacation, so having to get off the boat can be a bummer.