3-4 night cruise?

[autismgoesdisney]

My family and I have never cruised. I am really scared of getting sea sickness (I get motion sickness from just being on a swing sometimes!). My kids would LOVE to try a cruise, however I am scared.

Our 10 year anniversary is coming up in April 2013. We want to do something special and maybe even something different than *just* Disney which we do every year.

We are thinking of maybe just doing 3 or 4 day cruise from Port Carneval to Bahamas, and then doing Disney for the remainder of the week.

Is 3 or 4 days even worth it for a cruise? Is that a good amount of time to get a feel for it? How does Disney work a cruise/disney trip? Do they provide transportation if you stay at a Disney resort? We will be flying down probably since this trip will only be a week. We could possibly drive, if it saves a ton of money (which it probably will with airfare costing an arm and a leg lol).

Anyway, what are your thoughts for a first time cruiser?

 

[MagicMe]

I usually tell everyone thinking of a cruise to opt for a four day if possible. The three day is very short (really only 2-1/2 days) and the four day builds in the sea day to give you a better idea as to how a longer cruise would be.

My family was similar to yours in that we had some people concerned about sea sickness. Our first cruise was 20 people consisting of five families. We had a blast and found we love cruising!! My mom took a Dramamine before we boarded and took a 1/2 pill at dinner since there was a little storm. This was all for preventive measures not cause she felt she needed them. After that she never took it again. She's been on five cruises (2 more 4-days and 2 7-days) and never took anything more.

 

[Ready4NextCruise]

First, congratulations on your 10 year anniversary. My wife and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary by going on a Disney Cruise (on the Dream), and it was the best vacation we ever had.

3 or 4 night Disney cruises are definitely worth it, but my opinion is to go as many nights as possible. There is so much to do on the cruise (for any age group), that I feel you get more value the more nights you stay.

As a first time Disney Cruise participant, it may take you 2 days just to discover all the activities and get into a routine. I felt overwhelmed the first 2 days trying to ensure my entire family was involved in the activities they wanted to do. If you're only doing a 3 night cruise, the final day is spent packing, going to Shutters (the photo store, as there are plenty of photo opportunities), and cramming in everything you want to get done before stepping off the boat. Therefore I would definitely opt for a cruise longer than 3 nights.

I am pretty sure WDW does offer transportation from the resorts to the cruise. However, I didn't utilize that option, so I can't speak to it.

 

[scootch]

I have done both and would never do a 3 again. You dont' even unpack and it is time to pack again. 4 is a nice starter point especially if you are worried about seasickness. Last year we did a B2B(4night followed by a 3 night) and the pace and atmosphere was much more relaxed and enjoyable on the 4 night.

 

[autismgoesdisney]

My mom took a Dramamine before we boarded and took a 1/2 pill at dinner since there was a little storm. This was all for preventive measures not cause she felt she needed them. After that she never took it again. She's been on five cruises (2 more 4-days and 2 7-days) and never took anything more.

I have to be honest, but meds make me SICK! I can only take Advil of sorts. I know I'm odd I get sea sick from a swing and I can't take meds....but its true. So the thought of taking meds scares me almost as much as the damn ship! LOL!

Maybe I'm better off staying off the sea and on land ???

 

[Ready4NextCruise]

Maybe I'm better off staying off the sea and on land ???

I also get motion sickness from swings, cars (sometimes severely), etc., although I was perfectly fine on the cruise.

While I can't speak to your particular situation, I will state that while on the Disney Dream, I couldn't even tell we were moving most of the time. An occasional rocking from side-to-side, but it didn't bother me.

Why am I stating this? I wasn't sure if you were stating you get motion sickness in general or from boats. Cars and swings can make me sick, but I felt great the entire cruise.

 

[srferson]

I have to be honest, but meds make me SICK! I can only take Advil of sorts. I know I'm odd I get sea sick from a swing and I can't take meds....but its true. So the thought of taking meds scares me almost as much as the damn ship! LOL!

Maybe I'm better off staying off the sea and on land ???

We're trying a four night cruise for our first as well.

I have never tried them, but some people love those Sea Bands you wear on your wrist. If you want to avoid medication, you could give those a shot. I'm sure some people on DISboards will be able to tell you how well they did (or did not) work for them.

 

[mmouseforpres]

We cruised several years ago with Carnival. In our opinion, the cruise was just okay. My dd (12 at the time) and I experienced some sea sickness. We got off that boat not sure we would cruise again because it wasn't that great of a vacation.

We go to WDW almost every year. Our kids were begging to try a cruise again. So, last summer, we did a 4 night Dream and then 3 nights at WDW. We loved, loved, loved our cruise. Best vacation ever! None of us ever experienced any motion sickness. We are looking forward to our next cruise, 7 night, July 2012 Fantasy.

 

[DizMagic]

we were in the same position just this past year. went to WDW every year, never been on any cruise. decided we wanted to try and cruise, and we knew that only dcl would work we booked a 4 night on the dream last june for our 15th anniversary. it just so happened that i started having incredible panic attacks a couple months before the cruise. i was sooo nervous. the morning we were to board, i was so scared i was crying. i got on the ship (with the help of some meds) and had the best time ever. i did continue taking my meds - both bonine and zanax, but mostly for preventive measures. the only times i felt the ship moving were the first night in the theater going through the inter-coastal waterway and then one day during a 3-d movie (could have been the 3-d effects). either way, neither were bad or made me sick - just noticeable. my advice would be to try it. we are now booked for a 7 day western Caribbean on the fantasy next year and about to book a 7 day Alaskan. good luck.

 

[E&EMom]

We were in the same situation several years ago. My first cruise which was not on DCL I got sea sick on the last day because of rough seas and that was coming in to Tampa. I didn't know if I would want to try cruising again but we booked a 3 night on the Wonder with a kids sail free promo. It was AWESOME!. I will agree that a 3 night left us wanting more and it was really short but we all enjoyed it and we booked a 7 night on board for our next cruise and took it last year. We are currently booked for another 3 night because that is the only thing that will work with our timing and we have a 7 night for 2013 booked.

On the Wonder I never felt anything that would make me seasick and I was worried. The most motion I felt was the first night as we were heading out and down the coast of Florida. Once you get down to the Bahamas it is smooth usually. The night between Nassau and Castaway Cay they basically do a triangle in the channel because it's only like 6 miles between the two places. Even on the Magic last year I woke up the second night because the closet doors were rattling and noticed we were hauling to make up time since we left Key West later than they normally do and the ship was rocking but it didn't make me seasick like I had been on my first cruise experience with another line.

Try the sea bands and you can also try ginger pills and perhaps the ginger candies that they sell for pregnant women to help with upset stomach so you don't feel drugged.

Good luck and I know you will LOVE a Disney cruise - we were hooked after the first 3 night and I won't consider another line at this point.

 

[teach819]

We just did a 2-day WDW trip followed by a 3-night Dream cruise. I suggest parks first because they'll tire you out and then you can relax on your cruise. I would also start with a 4-night cruise. I really wish we just had a day at sea to really relax and not worry about going to an excursion.

My mom also used the sea bands and had not trouble. I took one dramamine the first day but nothing after that. Only occasionally could I feel the ship moving.

 

[magrudersmakes3]

I have to be honest, but meds make me SICK! I can only take Advil of sorts. I know I'm odd I get sea sick from a swing and I can't take meds....but its true. So the thought of taking meds scares me almost as much as the damn ship! LOL!

Maybe I'm better off staying off the sea and on land ???

I have this same issue. Advil is all I can use as well. I took sea bands on my first cruise and was fine. The pharmacist recommended trying Dramamine before bed week before to see how I would do. It made me a little nauseas and tired, but once asleep I was fine. My 2nd cruise I was glad I tried this as there was a storm so seas were rough. I only need meds first night and 2nd day. I was fine after that.

 

[mmmears]

I felt the same way you do -- worried about sea-sickness and not sure about booking a cruise.

My family tried the 3-night cruise and it was definitely worth it! It's a good started cruise if you have concerns, since most of the time the ship is moving is between dinner and breakfast (so your days won't be bad at all). I did use the patch and it worked great. We had a great time and later booked the 7-night Alaska cruise. But I think a 3-4 day cruise is the way to go if you aren't sure about cruising.

 

[ilovetexas]

I get motion sick. Cars, planes, merry go rounds, you name it. Boats and ships? You bet! I wasn't sure about a cruise but we did our first one in 2007 and never looked back. I've been cruising like a pirate ever since. Do I get motion sick? Yes, at times. But, unless I were in non-stop gale force winds for a few days, it would't ruin my cruise. I did end up in bed for 24 hours on my last one because we hit VERY bad weather. That was fine, my son found it amusing to make me watch The Deadliest Catch while I was laid up due to rolling seas.

Three day is fine for your first, no sea days = less opportunity to get sick. Although, I woke up one morning seasick from the ship moving all night!!

You're going to end up making yourself sick if you keep worrying about it. Just remember that a LOT of us get motion sickness and do just fine for the VAST majority of our cruises. Wear the sea bands (I did for a few cruises), keep an open mind, and just go take a quick nap if you start feeling poorly. But don't assume that every time the ship moves you will be sick; you won't.

Congrats on your anniversary!

 

[mickeynut1]

We are taking our first DCL cruise in June 2013. I opted for a 3 night cruise as DH and I have cruised before (although not Disney), but our two DSs have not. My oldest is a little hesitant, so I thought a 3 night cruise would be best so he can get the feel of it, but also not be stuck on a ship for 7 days if he didn't care for it (but with that said, I think he'll love it ). I think a 3 or 4 night cruise is worth it as it will give you a feel cruising, but it's also not too long to be on a ship should you decide cruising isn't for you. Good luck deciding, but I think you should give cruising a try .

 

[Disneyhenry]

My family and I have never cruised. I am really scared of getting sea sickness (I get motion sickness from just being on a swing sometimes!). My kids would LOVE to try a cruise, however I am scared.

Our 10 year anniversary is coming up in April 2013. We want to do something special and maybe even something different than *just* Disney which we do every year.

We are thinking of maybe just doing 3 or 4 day cruise from Port Carneval to Bahamas, and then doing Disney for the remainder of the week.

Is 3 or 4 days even worth it for a cruise? Is that a good amount of time to get a feel for it? How does Disney work a cruise/disney trip? Do they provide transportation if you stay at a Disney resort? We will be flying down probably since this trip will only be a week. We could possibly drive, if it saves a ton of money (which it probably will with airfare costing an arm and a leg lol).

Anyway, what are your thoughts for a first time cruiser?

I had the same concerns, so we did the 4 night, LOVED IT! We did 10 days WDW before, then the 4 night cruise, yes it was short but just enough for us to figure out if we liked it. We are now booked 14 night Hawaii! Have fun and congrats on the 10 years!

 

[familyfundisneyway]

We went on 1st cruise in feb. my husband felt a little queasy and even though i had packed sea band and meds he would not take anything.He enjoyed the cruise,but not enough to ever go again.It took 2 weeks after we were back when he announced out of the clear blue to book a cruise for next yearHe loved the Bahamas,the relaxation,and the ship!We did go on a 3 night cruise.It does go super fast and takes awile to get use to the surroundings.My advice would be to keep it simple,not overpack,and remember theres just no way you can do it all!If you like it alot-hopefully you can book another cruise.