3 or 4 night cruise?

[wannabecruiser]

. I am hoping to be able to do a 4 night cruise but I am now thinking because of money I may just do a 3 night, from what I have been reading that I may not miss much at Nassau, so I thought that maybe I will just get off for a short time, maybe a few hours than go back on the ship and then I will still be able to take advantage of everything on the ship that day just like I would if I was on the 4 night with a day at sea. It will be me and my two teenage sons,(13 & 16). I am planning on going in the early summer of 2006, I know it seems far away and that I should be able to get the money by then but, as we all know money is tight. Thanks ahead for any input.

 

[disneygatorfan]

Even though the 4 day is more, I think its a better value overall.. You really do feel rushed on a 3 day.. You'll be surprised the difference one extra day can make.

Remember, one of your three days is the day you embark, then you wake up you are in nassau, wake up, then in castaway, then wake up and get off the ship... so it's quick.

 

[westjones]

The 3 day does go by fast BUT on the up side, if you want to combine WDW with the DCL and you only have 1 week, the 3 day works out better (for us anyway). We will go 4 night (Sun-Wed) to WDW. The parks are less crowded during the week (and we are DVC members, and the points are less during the week). The go on the DCL from Thur-Sat night. We can fly home on Sunday.

BUT if you have more time OR if you don't want time to visit WDW, then the 4 night is much more relaxing than the 3 day.

DJ

 

[dclwdwlover]

It's a hard call when it's a $$ issue. Having previously been a single mom (& sole provider) of 4 for many years, I understand the issue of 'tight funds'.

We've never done the 3-day, so I can't comment on how short/long it 'feels', but we always feel that the 4-day goes by very, very quickly. I agree that the day @ sea adds a lot to the cruise & gives you that much more time to enjoy everything & feel like you've gotten your money's worth.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Our first cruise was 3 nights and as I had nothing else to compare it to, I thought it was perfect. We travelled with an 18, 14 and 8 year old. The teens had a lot of fun getting off the ship and exploring Nassau, but my 8 year old and I stayed on board and enjoyed the pool and watched a movie in the theatre. My recommendation would be to try and get to the port as close to 11am as possible. That way, you'll be one of the first on board and you can stretch as much time out of your cruise as possible.

Our next trip is a 4 night cruise and then we'll hopefully work our way up to the 7 night.

I think you'll really enjoy it. It's a relaxing mini-getaway.

Tammi

 

[huckster]

we did both 4 day first then 3 day after 4 day land ..3 day flew by .. but if i only could afford a 3 day and not worry about spending more than i could afford i would go with the 3 .. just go 3 day 4 day the important thing is that you are going and your kids still enjoy vacationing with you . because that time goes so fast.. happy sailing!

 

[soleglo]

My sons and I did the 3 night in April and I did feel rushed. We are booked for the 4 night this time, and I am actually looking forward to the one day at sea. I did the 3 night due to finances also. Due to Florida resident rates I was fortunately able to get the 4 night and a verandah for what I paid previously for a 3 night Category 11. (Fortunately on the 3 night I was upgraded!)
Obviously on a 4 night you have additional tips to worry about also. Good Luck

 

[Mic]

Our first cruise was the 4-night, with a day at sea. It was just my husband and myself, and it was nice to to our spa treatments without missing Nassau or CC. The only down side: the boat moved slowly the day at sea(dare I say "rocked"), and I was sick for part of the day. Nine months later, we took our 4 kids on the 3-day, and we did feel a little rushed. By the time the kids were used to the ship layout, it was time to get off! My kids have been begging to go on the cruise again for 2 years, so I am currently researching prices again. Right now, a 4-day is not in our budget since we just purchased a new car for my 16-year-old and added her to our insurance policy(we could all do the 3-day cruise for what it is costing for 1 year of auto insurance for her!). Sometimes we just have to settle....