4N or 7N

[SeattleSuz]

My only DCL experience to date was a 6N October 2014 cruise on the Wonder. 6 Nights was great for us, but since the Wonder will be in dry dock Fall of 2016, we don't really have any other options.
Hubby has stated that he doesnt think a 4N is long enough, because "by the time you get settled in, you are having to pack up to leave".
That being said, I was looking into trying to do a 7N cruise out of Port Canaveral, but man alive, with only 4 ships running, the price is slightly over $1000 more than our 6N that we did!
I am still keeping the 4N in the running, simply out of cost effectiveness.

What is your opinion on this? Keep in mind, that we do have to travel CLEAR across the country everytime we go on a cruise, so airfare is not cheap for us...

TIA!!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Obviously you have to keep your budget in mind, but if you can swing it, then I agree with your DH. A 7 night is definitely preferable to a 4 night. And if you are already spending so much on airfare, don't you want to make the vacation last as long as possible? The other option would be do the 4 night then go to WDW for 3 days, but my guess is that combination would be more expensive than just doing the 7 night cruise.

 

[Crystal O_o]

I thought the wonder only had a 5N? When did they ever offer a 6N?

 

[mhconley]

I'm with your hubby! I've only been on a 7 night cruise but I could not see doing any cruise shorter than that.

Martin

 

[bethy]

We are from Seattle too and have to fly 5 people. My personal minimum is 9 nights for the whole trip. Our next Florida trip we are doing 4 nights at WDW, 4 nights at the beach and 4 nights on a cruise.

So I wouldn't cross the country for even a 7 night cruise.

 

[SeattleSuz]

I thought the wonder only had a 5N? When did they ever offer a 6N?

It was a random one that we snatched up, mid October, out of Miami. It was a great amount of time on the ship, 2 at sea days, 3 ports (not including MIA)

We are from Seattle too and have to fly 5 people. My personal minimum is 9 nights for the whole trip. Our next Florida trip we are doing 4 nights at WDW, 4 nights at the beach and 4 nights on a cruise.

So I wouldn't cross the country for even a 7 night cruise.

Yeah that's kind of my thought process as well. My idea was to spend 4 nights and 3 days at the parks prior to the cruise, which actually wouldn't add all that much to the vacation expense. And I do have enough mileage to basically get my airfare for free.

But when I crunch the numbers (not even including any shore ex), it's still pretty astronomical for price...

 

[Quellman]

Have you thought of doing a back to back 3 and 4 night. it might be cheaper than the 7nighter. Sure you lose some time with the port day in the middle, but it can be great if you have the same room for each trip. I don't think comparing prices in 2014 to 2016 is exactly equitable, and you are correct, the prices have really started to go up lately.

 

[SeattleSuz]

Have you thought of doing a back to back 3 and 4 night. it might be cheaper than the 7nighter. Sure you lose some time with the port day in the middle, but it can be great if you have the same room for each trip. I don't think comparing prices in 2014 to 2016 is exactly equitable, and you are correct, the prices have really started to go up lately.

Yeah but if we did that, wouldnt we be experiencing some of the same ports? That's an interesting idea though, I might have to look into that. Do you still have to pack up and get off the ship so that they can clean and restock?
Well, the pricing for 2015 went up quite a bit too, so I was a little sticker shocked at the 2016 pricing. But IMO, it IS totally worth it.

 

[Quellman]

Yeah but if we did that, wouldnt we be experiencing some of the same ports? That's an interesting idea though, I might have to look into that. Do you still have to pack up and get off the ship so that they can clean and restock?
Well, the pricing for 2015 went up quite a bit too, so I was a little sticker shocked at the 2016 pricing. But IMO, it IS totally worth it.

You would visit the same ports, the shows would be the same, and the menus wold repeat. All of those aren't necessarily a bad thing. You could do another activity during the shows, or resee ones you liked. You could do the premium restaurants as well. The ports would be the same if you sail port canveral on the dream, nassau and Castaway Cay. Again, CC isn't a bad thing if you just want to relax and not do whole heaps. There are some excursions, but you won't find ziplines, jungle tours, 4x4 rides, horse and dolphin encounters. Again depends what you want to get out of your vacation, we aren't into the local culture or visiting zip lines since our kid is only 2. In the future it may change, but until then sitting on beaches, or hanging out on the boat is vacation enough.

If you have the same room you do not need to pack up your stuff. The housekeeping will clean your room on the first castaway cay day while you are off the ship. It will be ready when you reboard. Speaking of turnaround day, you'll meet a DCL representative with a group of other B2Bers and be escorted off, cleared through customs, and then recheck to be on board. You'll be one of the first back on the ship before anyone else. You can visit the pool areas, or your room, or dining if open during this time as everyone else embarks. If you are changing rooms, you can pack up all of your stuff, and DCL will just move it from your old room to your new room.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

I thought the wonder only had a 5N? When did they ever offer a 6N?

October 2014

 

[SeattleSuz]

You would visit the same ports, the shows would be the same, and the menus wold repeat. All of those aren't necessarily a bad thing. You could do another activity during the shows, or resee ones you liked. You could do the premium restaurants as well. The ports would be the same if you sail port canveral on the dream, nassau and Castaway Cay. Again, CC isn't a bad thing if you just want to relax and not do whole heaps. There are some excursions, but you won't find ziplines, jungle tours, 4x4 rides, horse and dolphin encounters. Again depends what you want to get out of your vacation, we aren't into the local culture or visiting zip lines since our kid is only 2. In the future it may change, but until then sitting on beaches, or hanging out on the boat is vacation enough.

If you have the same room you do not need to pack up your stuff. The housekeeping will clean your room on the first castaway cay day while you are off the ship. It will be ready when you reboard. Speaking of turnaround day, you'll meet a DCL representative with a group of other B2Bers and be escorted off, cleared through customs, and then recheck to be on board. You'll be one of the first back on the ship before anyone else. You can visit the pool areas, or your room, or dining if open during this time as everyone else embarks. If you are changing rooms, you can pack up all of your stuff, and DCL will just move it from your old room to your new room.

OK, I am going to look into this. It sounds pretty fantastic!