3 day vs. 4 day... Comments???

[Tony M]

For those who have done both, Would you recommend a 3 night cruise?
I'll be going on my second annual 4 night cruise and was planning on rebooking onboard for a 2005 7-night cruise. But...I can't afford to fly to CA. to do a cruise(Airfare + Cruise = BAAAAD News for Mortgage payments, Car Payments, etc.).
With the "bad news" that Magic is REALLY doing a Western Cruise next Summer, I re-planned our Summer vacation into another family reunion with our Left-coast Siblings with a side trip to Disneyland to take part in the 50th Anniversary festivities(Shhh!!! ... don' tell my DW ). However, I am now spoiled by DCL and just might be able to spring for a 3-night 2005 DCL Cruise.
I just looked at the itinerary for both and the only thing missing is the day at sea. Is that all that I am missing?
Anyone care to help me with my decision???

 

[OJulie67]

I know you asked for answers from people who have done both...but, I have only done the 4 day...

The only things I can think of that you'll miss is the day at sea, which includes a huge seafood buffet lunch that is not to miss if you love crab and the mix...and the relaxation of that 4th day to just kick back and relax. We will never do the 4 day again and will only go on 7-days...we were left wanting more cruise. 3 days would definitely not be long enough for me!

 

[OJulie67]

You'll also miss "best of Master chef" which is the dinner menu on the 4th night...It is a "best of" menu.

 

[staceymerrill]

I have done the 3, 4, and 7 day.. and I would say .. YES !! Go For IT.... would be alot of fun.....Any days on sea is better than being on land..! ahhhhh

 

[tink1663]

I cannot speak from experience but I can say from being on the Dis board for a few months I don't think anyone has ever said they wished they did a 3 night cruise rather than a 4 night. I say go for the 4 night and enjoy the extra day.

 

[disneyisfun]

We just took our first cruise in April on DCL. We decided to take the 3 nights just to see how it was and how our 5 yr old twins would do. Needless to say, we wanted more. I think 4 nights would be perfect..we would have loved an extra day just to relax.

 

[wingawh]

We have done both the 4 nt and the 3 nt. We just returned from the 5/13 3nt. We felt it was a little rushed. The 4nt with the day at sea would have been great.

If you can only squeeze the 3nt in go for it! No matter what it is still great!

 

[westjones]

We have done both the 3 & 4 night cruises, and I would say the 4 night is better because the day at sea is very relaxing.

The 3 night is fun too (any time on the DCL is fun), but we like the 4 night much better than the 3 night.

DJ

 

[Dodie]

Stay on the ship at Nassau and you'll get your "day at sea." That's what we plan to do on our December 3 night cruise.

 

[lookingforward]

I totally agree with Dodie! Having cruised to Nassau at least 5 times (on other lines) I can honestly say I won't miss it! We sailed on Celebrity in March and stayed on the ship. It was lovely, uncrowded and totally relaxing. I considered renting a room at Atlantis for the day but I think we will just chill since we are only going to do the 3 night this year.

 

[jgalecpa]

About a year ago I calculated the Cost per hour on the cruise using the actual costs (at the time) for a Category 9 (I Think) room on a 3, 4 and & day cruise.

I did this by taking the actual costs divided by the number of actual hours from the time the ship leaves port canaveral until it returns, as listed in the passporter.

The suprising fact was that there really wasn't much difference per hour between the 7 and 4 day cruise. I believe the 7 day was about $15/hr per person and the 4 day was about $16.

HOWEVER, what was surprising was the cost per hour for the three day cruise. If I remember it was like $21/hr, or almost 33.33% more per hour.

As a CPA, that was sufficient reason for me to justify the four day cruise!

Jim