3 or 4 Day Cruise out of Port Carnaveral to Bahamas??

[ErinsMommy]

Is this a fun first time cruise for a 9 year old? How is the weather/waters in late August/early September? If not, what are best times of year to go??

 

[MagicMe]

If you love the beach/water, that time of year will be fine. It does get a little hot but again if you spend time in the water you'll barely notice. Just keep sunscreen close. Our first cruise was a four day. We chose this to get a taste of what it might be like and I wanted to include a sea day so we went with the four day. Your 9 year old will love it!

 

[ladypiph]

Just a reminder hurricane season lasts from June to November. And this year Florida had a lot of rain during our summer months. 4 days are good so you get that sea day to enjoy the ship. And your 9 year old will have a blast.

 

[ErinsMommy]

just wondering what the likelihood is that August/September brings water swells. I don't know when else we would go =(

 

[sambycat]

Choose a 4 day

 

[PowerPantsPete]

I definitely recommend the 4-day over the 3. I have taken first week of September 4 days in '14 and '15. Weather was fine at both CC and Nassau, with the constant norm of it is Hot, but we're from Texas and that time of year 85 degrees in the Bahamas was cooler than a brisk Texas 98 degrees. The Bahamas that time of year is off and on with rain, so if it does rain it is usually for a short time. Our 1 sea day this year was rainy though, but plenty to do inside to not even notice. That's my best advice is to not worry about the weather more so than a Hurricane, but still Disney will accommodate you well if a hurricane threatens your plans. I'd worry more about how much sleep you really want to get on a 4 day cruise v. enjoying as much waking minute as possible enjoying the ship and activities abound.

 

[Sytrace]

Definitely a 4 over a 3 nighter. That extra sea day is awesome and you will get a good taste of what you might want to try later on down the line.

June and July hurricanes are rare as those are determined by cool air and warm water temps. By August and September the chances of hurricanes are greater but still nothing to worry about. The folks at DCL take great care to avoid any issues.
We were on a 7 day to Jamaica this past September and never had any problem , but the cruise that left on our disembark day got bad weather from Joquin.

Your 9 year old (and you as well) will LOVE your 4 night cruise. No doubt at all.

 

[truck1]

Is this a fun first time cruise for a 9 year old? How is the weather/waters in late August/early September? If not, what are best times of year to go??

We typically cruise in late August up to the middle of Oct. Personally weve found that its the best time to cruise for a number of reasons.
First, when all of the kids are in school, the prices are lower. Ive seen pricing for the same cruise be anywhere from 1000-1500 dollars cheaper, in later August and Sept then in the first week of August.

Another reason is that the closer you get to Halloween, the more likely you are to see the ships decorated for Halloween, and the events that go with it.

The 3 and 4 day cruises are probably the best option for trying out a cruise. Personally though Id with the 4 day to start with as you get a sea day and if the weather is iffy for Castaway Cay, theres options to make it before the ship comes home. The 3 day, by the time that you get comfortable, with the ship, its time to go home.

For a 9 year od, if they cant find something to do that's fun, remove him from the cabin and take him to the kids clubs. Its because he hasn't left the cabin yet. The kids clubs have age specific activities. Everything from making flubber to scavenger hunts, to interactive games. My kids couldnt wait to get to the clubs. Theres first run Disney movies onboard and the cabin has a large list of Disney classic movies like Petes Dragon, Herbie and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.