1st time on DCL...opinions please

[ars88]

Contrary to popular opinion, I would say go with the shorter one as your first cruise. That's what we did our first time, which we loved so much that we decided to book a longer one next time around, but I know people who absolutely hated their first cruise experience and, in the unlikely scenario that you're one of those, you won't be stuck being miserable for an extra two days.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

as your first cruise.

OP has replied that they've cruised before, this is first DCL cruise.

 

[Lisa F]

Most people prefer the 7 day over the shorter cruises once they have taken both. The issue is NOT that 7 days is too long to have a vacation on a cruise ship but more that if you have really rough seas, get really seasick easily - it can be a long time to be stuck on a boat, even a big beautiful mickey boat. The 7 day itineraries are further away and tend to travel at top speeds while the 3-4 days stick closer to home and are not going as fast, so are smoother rides (in general, this is mother nature you are talking about.)

If you have never cruised that is why people might advise taking a shorter cruise first, to see how you feel about cruising in the first place. Not everyone loves it but people on this board ALL seem to - no one who is miserable on a boat for 7 nights is going to be posting here regularly so you will get a skewed response.

I don't get seasick on either big or small boats, my son has not gotten seasick on small and medium boats - we live on an island with ferry service so we are on boats a lot in nasty weather but never for days at a time - so even knowing that I don't get seasick and he appeared to not get seasick, I still started with a shorter cruise to see how he felt about it. Now he DID sob when it was over and we DID take a 7 day two years later and he DID prefer the more relaxing atmosphere of a longer cruise (it was MUCH easier with many more opportunities to find quiet/empty times on the ship - neither of us love crowds) but I don't regret doing it the way I did it either.

But I am firmly in the camp with 7 days is much more relaxing than 3 or 4. I don't know how I'd feel about 5, that might be a sweet spot.

 

[kcamozzi]

Our very first cruise ever was a 7 night on the Fantasy. I was a bit apprehensive because I tend to get motion sickness easily (can't go on a park swing without feeling sick ) but I did surprisingly well! I only felt a bit sick once and that's because of very rough seas one night. My family and I loved the Fantasy! I have nothing to compare it to but everything about it was wonderful! We loved the 7 night itinerary and wished it were longer. We are all still going through the Disney blues even though our cruise was December. We originally chose the 7 night because we would be travelling from the west coast and I didn't think a shorter cruise would be enough of a vacation. We even tacked on 5 nights at WDW! Whichever you decide on will be magical I'm sure

 

[MomOTwins]

If you have never cruised that is why people might advise taking a shorter cruise first, to see how you feel about cruising in the first place. Not everyone loves it but people on this board ALL seem to - no one who is miserable on a boat for 7 nights is going to be posting here regularly so you will get a skewed response.

Lol, except me (I posted on this a few posts back)

The thing with this board is it is a board populated mostly be DCL fans, so just like if you ask on a Harry Potter fan message board "which Harry Potter book should I read," most people will say "all of them"--here if you ask whether 7 days is better than 5, people will most likely say 7.

I guess I'm the rare exception where I love DCL enough to keep coming back, but love it in shorter doses.

 

[ChicosWife]

As many here know - I'm firmly in the "longer is better" camp.

So my vote would be 7 night Fantasy.

7 nights on the Fantasy for sure, no brained for me.

Another vote for the 7-night on the Fantasy. I've been on all four ship and the Fantasy is definitely my favorite. Plus, the Caribbean beats the Bahamas any day of the week

What they said!

 

[Lisa F]

Lol, except me (I posted on this a few posts back)

The thing with this board is it is a board populated mostly be DCL fans, so just like if you ask on a Harry Potter fan message board "which Harry Potter book should I read," most people will say "all of them"--here if you ask whether 7 days is better than 5, people will most likely say 7.

I guess I'm the rare exception where I love DCL enough to keep coming back, but love it in shorter doses.

you're miserable for all 7 nights? Then why would a 3 night be any different? You must enjoy the first few nights but by a certain point had had enough. If you're miserable for the whole thing it doesn't matter if it's 1 day, 3 days or 7 days, cruising is just not for you!

 

[MomOTwins]

you're miserable for all 7 nights? Then why would a 3 night be any different? You must enjoy the first few nights but by a certain point had had enough. If you're miserable for the whole thing it doesn't matter if it's 1 day, 3 days or 7 days, cruising is just not for you!

Because if you like most Americans only have a week for vacation you can mix the 3 night with a land vacation and not have your only vacation for a year be a total bust.

 

[Lisa F]

Because if you like most Americans only have a week for vacation you can mix the 3 night with a land vacation and not have your only vacation for a year be a total bust.

No, I mean that you are not going to be miserable for an entire cruise and still be posting here. You may take a 7 day and say "it was too long, 3 days was enough" but you're not going to outright hate the entire experience.

 

[soniam]

Once you do a 7 night, you will never go back. It's kind of like a balcony room. It usually takes me a couple of days to really get into the cruise mindset, so longer is better for me.

 

[ILovePixieDust]

7 nights for sure!

 

[ChicosWife]

Once you do a 7 night, you will never go back. It's kind of like a balcony room. It usually takes me a couple of days to really get into the cruise mindset, so longer is better for me.

This is so true!!!

 

[Numtini]

If you're not worried about motion sickness, longer the better. Five day wasn't bad though. I advise everyone against 3/4. That's just way too short.

 

[MWGum]

We just booked our first cruise and went for the 5 night for a few reasons.
- It is our first cruise and didn’t want it to be too long or too short.
- We wanted the Marvel DAS cruise.

 

[TestingH2O]

Hi all...going to book our first Disney Cruise and debating between 2 itineraries. Which one should we choose? 5 night Bahamian cruise on the Magic?? Or 7 night western Caribbean on the Fantasy?? Thanks

The 5 night itinerary on the Magic is nice. My family really enjoyed Key West, plus a less crowded CC was delightful. Like most, I love a long cruise. I mean, I'm boarding the Panama Canal cruise tomorrow! However, that particular 5-night itinerary has a special place in my heart.

 

[mevelandry]

Hi all...going to book our first Disney Cruise and debating between 2 itineraries. Which one should we choose? 5 night Bahamian cruise on the Magic?? Or 7 night western Caribbean on the Fantasy?? Thanks

If money is no object, the Western Carribean cruise! Also, I prefer bigger ships.

 

[Mom24Princesses]

Also longer the better camp!

We ONLY go less than 7+ when schedule or budget requires we do so. We are doing a 4 night M-F Dream next for both of the above reasons. Already expecting major disappointment with 1/2 a cruise.

 

[JaimeInParker]

Hi all...going to book our first Disney Cruise and debating between 2 itineraries. Which one should we choose? 5 night Bahamian cruise on the Magic?? Or 7 night western Caribbean on the Fantasy?? Thanks

LONGER IS BETTER - by the time you get into the 'perfect' rhythm on a 5night trip, it will be time to get off - the extra 2nights are well worth it

 

[belle032]

Depends on who is sailing!

DH & I believe in a 7 night minimum no matter what cruise line we're on. Our 8 day itinerary a few years ago was perfect. Once we start getting more vacation time I completely believe we'll be booking longer sailings. So in your case, if money is not the issue, I'd go with the 7 night on the Fantasy for sure.

However, we do have friends that prefer 3-5 days and maybe/maybe not pairing it with something else. They start feeling trapped and ready to get off the ship after that point.

So bottom line, you really won't know until you sail! I don't think you can go wrong either way and you'll always know for the next time.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

I guess I am the only person who's going to recommend the 5 night...

I love the Magic. The Fantasy is my least favorite of all the ships. The Magic has a much more personalized experience due to the smaller size of the ship. The Tangled (MDR and Stage show) are my favorite on the line.

I did a Western Caribbean and didn't care for it. Personally it was far too long and repetitive. (4 beach days? that's a Pass.) I was so happy to get off the ship during debark at the port.

Each ship offers something different for each person and most importantly it is YOUR vacation. Both are phenomenal options. I hope you have an amazing trip no matter what you choose!