3 night vs. 4 night- What's different about "Day at Sea"?

[CamColt]

I have heard SO much about the Palo brunch, haha! I really may have to experience it myself! We were planning to do Palo dinner... is brunch better?

I personally prefer brunch over dinner. It's been about 3 years since we have done dinner but we make it a point to do brunch on every cruise.

 

[hpsalb]

My son has been dying to go to LL and we keep putting it off because it doesn't seem that cool, but everyone I know who has gone really liked it! I am pushing Universal because I am dying to do Harry Potter, DS is a huge Jurassic Park fan, and we were also thinking about spending a day at Volcano Bay. But yeah, maybe the 4 day cruise and just a day at LL. Ugh so hard to decide!! Did you do land first or sea first? Did you stay near LL or back in Orlando area?

For our last two trips, we've done some days in Orlando after our cruise - although for a full-fledged WDW/theme park trip we prefer to do the parks first and relax on the cruise. We did a Merrytime cruise in Nov 2015 and then LL after that. We enjoyed it much more than we thought, especially since our kids are younger. There is definitely a window for LL, not sure how old your kids are, but I can't see a teen loving it much. If it's on your list, I would do it sooner rather than waiting a few more years. We stayed in Orlando and drove down for the day. We contemplated staying down there and doing one LL park day and one water park day following our cruise earlier this month, but decided to do some other things in Orlando instead.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

Our first cruise was on the Wonder (4 nights). Our group was so glad to have the at sea day. It really allowed us to have an opportunity to breath and take it in. I believe if we would have been on the shorter cruise, we would have gotten off the ship feeling a bit unfinished. As it was, we said we needed to go on another cruise, but longer (we have twice now).

 

[YZFMoose]

I think it all depends with all that you have booked/ planned. I would much prefer a 4 day, cause Extra day of relaxation is awesome! Days at see are great in the fact that you get to interact with more people on the boat. When the boat is docked, I find that the boat usually becomes empty and only 'light' activities are planned (small live band on Adult only pool deck as an example). When in dock, the shops are closed as well. Not sure how the Rotational Dining works on the shorter cruises as well. Much prefer 7+ day cruises.

Catching a Movie on board on a day at sea is the best! We had Moana on the big screen last time we were on a cruise.

 

[Evoga]

I would skip Legoland as its not in the same league as all your other activities.

 

[Angeliki19]

For our last two trips, we've done some days in Orlando after our cruise - although for a full-fledged WDW/theme park trip we prefer to do the parks first and relax on the cruise. We did a Merrytime cruise in Nov 2015 and then LL after that. We enjoyed it much more than we thought, especially since our kids are younger. There is definitely a window for LL, not sure how old your kids are, but I can't see a teen loving it much. If it's on your list, I would do it sooner rather than waiting a few more years. We stayed in Orlando and drove down for the day. We contemplated staying down there and doing one LL park day and one water park day following our cruise earlier this month, but decided to do some other things in Orlando instead.

Thanks! Our kids will be 8 and 6. DS has been asking for years to do it. I guess my concern is that the rides seem like your average "state fair" or "boardwalk" type rides, just with a Lego theme. Of course I am a major Disney snob, ha! But I was really hoping to do Universal this time since I can't see us doing a "non-Disney" trip to Orlando again anytime soon. Its good to know though that everyone has positive experiences for LL! I have a feeling that's where we will end up at least for one day.

I thought about doing the theme parks first and then the cruise, but since the 4 night cruise is Mon-Fri, it really doesn't make a difference either way. I also thought about splitting it up and doing land-sea-land but that seems like a lot of packing and unpacking. I guess maybe its an option... we could do LL before the cruise, and then come back and do Universal.

Its really tough to decide between the two cruises! Every time I talk myself into the 3-night, then I read something that makes me change my mind back to the 4-night! Ugh!

 

[Angeliki19]

I would skip Legoland as its not in the same league as all your other activities.

This is what I am afraid of, but I keep hearing good things! We took a look at the attractions today over breakfast and they seem like normal rides we can ride at the Jersey Shore. But everyone who has gone said its really fun. Ultimately I want to leave it up to the kids, but I selfishly really would rather do Universal!!

 

[RedSox68]

I love sea days. I find they give you a chance to relax, not rush around, sleep in and more time to explore the ship.

 

[hardis5]

We've done 3, 4 and 7 day sailings and if looking at as potentially the only cruise in a while, IMHO I'd do a 4-day. Found the 3 day better than none but in hindsight it felt rushed as the first day/night is embarkation and getting oriented to the boat, the 2nd day in port one gets a feel for the boat and used to the routine and then Castaway for the 3rd day and you are already packing up and wishing it had not all gone by so quick. You cannot and should never try to get everything done possible (and we've found not even possible on a paced 7 day sailing) but choose and plan carefully what you want to do on-board (that is all you can really do once booked - learn all the ships have to offer and normally run for your length sailing) and then plan, re-plan, re-plan and before you know it 75 days mark is here and you then can book activity.

 

[Angeliki19]

We've done 3, 4 and 7 day sailings and if looking at as potentially the only cruise in a while, IMHO I'd do a 4-day. Found the 3 day better than none but in hindsight it felt rushed as the first day/night is embarkation and getting oriented to the boat, the 2nd day in port one gets a feel for the boat and used to the routine and then Castaway for the 3rd day and you are already packing up and wishing it had not all gone by so quick. You cannot and should never try to get everything done possible (and we've found not even possible on a paced 7 day sailing) but choose and plan carefully what you want to do on-board (that is all you can really do once booked - learn all the ships have to offer and normally run for your length sailing) and then plan, re-plan, re-plan and before you know it 75 days mark is here and you then can book activity.

Thank you! I have so much to learn.. I dont' even know what you can book ahead of time. Yeah, when I really thought about what a 3 night would be like, I can just picture how quick it must feel to be getting off the boat the next morning after CC. Its just so tough with the schedule. Besides the cruise part, every other aspect I look at (price, crowds, missed days of school, etc) works better for our "land" portion if we do the 3 night! Ugh.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Besides the cruise part, every other aspect I look at (price, crowds, missed days of school, etc) works better for our "land" portion if we do the 3 night! Ugh.

And that is why 3 day cruises are a thing. What about the 4 days but in February? Is that still an option for you? I don't know personally, but I don't think it will be SO cold. After all, lots of people do cruise in February. And depending on where you live, it could be a nice break from winter...

 

[Bethany10]

Us too. I just can't quite stomach the price of a 4 day when paired with Universal.

As for LL, look in the back of the lego magazines if you get them. And if you don't sign up, they're free and full of fun ideas for your kiddo. They tend to have BOGO coupons in there every time for both the joke that is the legoland discovery center (which we have and I hate but my kids love) and the bigger park. My deal is, I know they love it but no way am I paying full price.

 

[Angeliki19]

And that is why 3 day cruises are a thing. What about the 4 days but in February? Is that still an option for you? I don't know personally, but I don't think it will be SO cold. After all, lots of people do cruise in February. And depending on where you live, it could be a nice break from winter...

Yeah, I guess Feb is still on the table. Need to talk to DH and figure out what the priority is. If we did Feb we could still do the 4 night cruise, plus the 4 night land without the kids missing much school. But its over President's day so I don't know about crowds at the parks, or if it will make the hotel rates more expensive. Plus the weather is a big deal to us. But yeah, we need to figure out what the priority is and go from there!

I suck at decisiveness...

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Yeah, I guess Feb is still on the table. Need to talk to DH and figure out what the priority is. If we did Feb we could still do the 4 night cruise, plus the 4 night land without the kids missing much school. But its over President's day so I don't know about crowds at the parks, or if it will make the hotel rates more expensive. Plus the weather is a big deal to us. But yeah, we need to figure out what the priority is and go from there!

I suck at decisiveness...

Might be more crowded. Not sure about cost. April is a popular time too (Spring Break). Just remember, even if it is more crowded, remind yourself that you don't have to do everything, and that you will do a lot more in 4 days in Orlando than you would have in 1 day, and likewise, you will do more in 4 nights on the ship than you would have in 3.

Just decide to have fun and enjoy it! You'll do great!