3 day or 4 day

[jjnv]

Hi there,

I am trying to decide if to take the 3 day or 4 day cruise next January. My kids will have Jan 28- Feb 2 off. So if we do the 3 day, they only have to miss one school day. But I'd like to find out what we will miss before making a decision. Are we just missing one day at sea?

Many thanks for your help,

Jane

 

[PoohJen]

I think you will find that 3 days isn't nearly enough time to enjoy all the ship has to offer! For me, when choosing between the Eastern and Western Caribbean routes, I went with Eastern <because> it has the "extra" day at sea!

Happy Planning!

 

[PoohJen]

4 day also has these advantages (credit to the DCL "handbook" at http://allearsnet.com/cruise/cruise.shtml):

If you want to eat at Palo's, you can do so on your repeat night at one of the restaurants, instead of having to choose Palo over one of the 3 restaurant menus.

If the Captain can't dock at Castaway Cay on your assigned day, he can try again the next day on the 4 day cruise (i've seen this referenced on the DISboards; sure hope it doesn't happen to me, I'd be crushed b/c the Magic has no back-up day!)

Hope this helps!

 

[missyoh8]

Go with the 4................3 is not close to enough. There is no question about it...............

 

[232271]

my hubby thinks it is worth saving the $600 on the 3 day,
how do i convince him it is not!!!

I need more ammo!!!

please help!!

 

[jjnv]

In my case, the difference is only $300. But the 3 day fits into our schedule much nicer. My husband would want to do the 7 day instead if I can get the 4 days off work. Who would want to return to work on Friday? I booked my 3 day through Costco tonight.

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

Two years ago we did the 3 day land/4 day sea and the extra day included a stop in Freeport. Since we weren't interested in the excursions, we stayed on the ship. Yes, the extra day is nice, and although we'd love 4 days (or 7) at sea, this time we're doing the 4 day land/3 day sea to better fit our schedule.

 

[missyoh8]

I am not sure if you understood that the 4 day either includes a day at sea or stopping in Freeport. You would have to check the particular cruise. We booked this time through all sea travel........might want to try it, they are VERY cometitive in their pricing! Make sure you have dates with you that will work for a future seven day. When you are on the boat you will get 10% off your next cruise and a $200 stateroom credit if you rebook while you are on the boat! Your husband will love it and he will want more!

Good Luck

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Originally posted by missyoh8
I am not sure if you understood that the 4 day either includes a day at sea or stopping in Freeport.

I think the 4 day cruise no longer stops in Freeport. I think I heard that they they discontinued that last year.

jjnv - We went on the 3 day cruise this past summer because it fit in better with our schedule. Between working around my daughter's college schedule and working around a wedding that I wanted to attend, it was our only choice. It worked out fine and I never regretted that it was only for 3 nights instead of 4. When my children were in elementary school, it wasn't much of a big deal to take them out of school for a day or two, but now that the youngest is in high school, it is just about impossible. If it were me, I'd do the 3 day, but my kids are probably much older than yours.

 

[erikthewise]

It is true that the 4-day cruise is a better value, in that (1/4)($4-day) < (1/3)($3-day). So while the 4-day does cost more, you're getting more cruise per dollar.

It looks like you only miss one day of school on the 4-day as well as on the 3-day. So it just comes down to how much you want to spend. Don't let anyone tell you the 3-day isn't worth doing, it is!! It's just shorter.