5 nights on Disney Fantasy as first cruise?

[WinterSolider]

One other thing to add... we also don't really love the shows, which I know is blasphemy.

So we're a family who doesn't like the kids clubs and skips most of the shows, two of the things that people say make DCL the best... and DCL is still so good that it's our favorite vacation even without those things.

 

[pixiedust33]

We've done 5 night Bahamas twice, 3 night Bahamas, 6 night Bermuda, and 7 night Mediterranean. 5 night Bahamas is our favorite itinerary.

It's the least "adventurous" itinerary, you just plop yourself on a pool/beach chair for 5 days and relax. 3 or 4 nights is too short to get comfortable with the ship in my opinion, and 7 nights is a bigger commitment of time and money.

My kids HATE the kids clubs (10, 7, and 5 now, we've been sailing since they were 7, 4, and 1) and cruising is still their favorite thing in the world. This is going to be very unpopular for me to say, but the kids in the clubs behave like maniacs and my kids don't have the mental patience for all that hyperactivity. They'd much rather spend time in the lounges doing family crafts or hanging out on the pool deck, and we like being all together. The only times they go to the clubs are for scheduled activities like slime-making or on our last day when Mom and Dad need to keep them occupied while we pack.

The only change I would make to your plan if I were to make what I consider the most-perfect first cruise would be to do the Magic first, as the smaller ships are extremely easy to digest and the larger ships slightly more overwhelming. But I think the Magic is in Galveston next spring and my preference isn't so strong that the ship should override the dates and itinerary you prefer.

Stay on the ship in Nassau. Nassau sucks.

Thank you for this! Your kids sound exactly like my son and why I'm virtually certain he is not going to want to go to the kids club or would be having us called immediately. He finds large groups of kids overwhelming, hates loud spaces, and is definitely an introvert. Plus while his favorite people are still good old mom and dad, I'll take the time I get!

I had also initially googled to find the smallest ship and was also leaning towards the Magic, but we're thinking of pairing this with a couple park days or at least a resort stay, so that makes other ports less appealing. I'll think on that a bit more though.

Totally hear you on Nassau and that was my plan, but my husband really wants this dang stamp. Maybe I'll send him out alone to do that while we enjoy more ship time!

Finally - given your screen name, I have to ask specifically if you noticed any Marvel stuff on the ship/itinerary? My son is deeply obsessed with superheroes right now, especially the Avengers and most especially Captain America. I'm actually thinking of pairing this cruise with a couple nights at Universal rather than Disney to do the Avengers character meal if I can't get him a fix on the ship.

 

[sponica]

Thank you for this! Your kids sound exactly like my son and why I'm virtually certain he is not going to want to go to the kids club or would be having us called immediately. He finds large groups of kids overwhelming, hates loud spaces, and is definitely an introvert

I have this kid at home, on vacation I have to drag her out of the kids club. I think it's that she doesn't have to care about what these kids think long term. I don't know. I seriously had to put a disclaimer that I did bring her on vacation with me because she was in so few character photos.

 

[pixiedust33]

I have this kid at home, on vacation I have to drag her out of the kids club. I think it's that she doesn't have to care about what these kids think long term. I don't know. I seriously had to put a disclaimer that I did bring her on vacation with me because she was in so few character photos.

It is definitely true that your kids can surprise you! My understanding is that adults can go on embarkment day to check it out with the kids, so my plan is to do that and then let him take the lead if he wants to check it out when its kids only.

 

[Erica1016]

It is definitely true that your kids can surprise you! My understanding is that adults can go on embarkment day to check it out with the kids, so my plan is to do that and then let him take the lead if he wants to check it out when its kids only.

Yes, they will have open houses on embarkation day and sometimes on other days. So, that will be a good way for him to check it out without the pressure of being on his own.

 

[WinterSolider]

Thank you for this! Your kids sound exactly like my son and why I'm virtually certain he is not going to want to go to the kids club or would be having us called immediately. He finds large groups of kids overwhelming, hates loud spaces, and is definitely an introvert. Plus while his favorite people are still good old mom and dad, I'll take the time I get!

I had also initially googled to find the smallest ship and was also leaning towards the Magic, but we're thinking of pairing this with a couple park days or at least a resort stay, so that makes other ports less appealing. I'll think on that a bit more though.

Totally hear you on Nassau and that was my plan, but my husband really wants this dang stamp. Maybe I'll send him out alone to do that while we enjoy more ship time!

Does your husband know about the National Parks Passport program?

Finally - given your screen name, I have to ask specifically if you noticed any Marvel stuff on the ship/itinerary? My son is deeply obsessed with superheroes right now, especially the Avengers and most especially Captain America. I'm actually thinking of pairing this cruise with a couple nights at Universal rather than Disney to do the Avengers character meal if I can't get him a fix on the ship.

We're not big character greeting people, but we've definitely seen Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, and Black Widow on the ships even during non-Marvel-specific sailings.

 

[WinterSolider]

I have this kid at home, on vacation I have to drag her out of the kids club. I think it's that she doesn't have to care about what these kids think long term. I don't know. I seriously had to put a disclaimer that I did bring her on vacation with me because she was in so few character photos.

It is definitely true that your kids can surprise you! My understanding is that adults can go on embarkment day to check it out with the kids, so my plan is to do that and then let him take the lead if he wants to check it out when its kids only.

Just to be clear, my point wasn't to try and convince anyone that the clubs suck, just to reassure you that you will still have an amazing time on a Disney cruise even if the clubs aren't right for your family.

 

[pixiedust33]

Does your husband know about the National Parks Passport program?

Ha! He does indeed. If there is a collectible opportunity, he is all over it. We got one for our son last summer while visiting the Smokies and he's already planned the next decade of vacations with stamp objectives in mind....

We're not big character greeting people, but we've definitely seen Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, and Black Widow on the ships even during non-Marvel-specific sailings.

Amazing, thank you!!

Just to be clear, my point wasn't to try and convince anyone that the clubs suck, just to reassure you that you will still have an amazing time on a Disney cruise even if the clubs aren't right for your family.

Totally understood and appreciate it! Your information was reassuring. A lot of the reviews ARE very focused on the kids club as the reason why it's great for kids, but I had to assume there was a lot of full family stuff that was great too.

 

[sponica]

One other thing to add... we also don't really love the shows, which I know is blasphemy.

So we're a family who doesn't like the kids clubs and skips most of the shows, two of the things that people say make DCL the best... and DCL is still so good that it's our favorite vacation even without those things.

Oh we've never made it to a show. I do want to see Moana though.

I have one kid who lives in the kids club and the other one TBD (she wasn't fully potty trained last time around). I can see the younger one going either way....but she'll be happy splashing in the pool eating ice cream all day

 

[WinterSolider]

Oh we've never made it to a show. I do want to see Moana though.

I have one kid who lives in the kids club and the other one TBD (she wasn't fully potty trained last time around). I can see the younger one going either way....but she'll be happy splashing in the pool eating ice cream all day

Our first cruise was during COVID and there was a legitimate Broadway actress named Meredith Inglesby guest-starring as Mother Gothel in the Tangled show. She was so off-the-charts incredible that everything since then felt like a local community theater production.

 

[pixiedust33]

If people are still following this thread, would love thoughts on whether you would rather have a Pixar day at Sea or a stop at Castaway Cay? I've realized we could save over $2,500 if we switch to an early March sailing but the trade off is an extra day of sea instead of Castaway Cay, which was honestly a big part of the draw for me as it seems awesome. But it does still stop at Lookout Cay and we also pick up Pixar day, which I think my son would enjoy. The other trade off for us is we then have to figure out childcare for a week when he's out of school for spring break with no plans, but I think that may be a good grandparent activity!!

 

[jrez]

If people are still following this thread, would love thoughts on whether you would rather have a Pixar day at Sea or a stop at Castaway Cay? I've realized we could save over $2,500 if we switch to an early March sailing but the trade off is an extra day of sea instead of Castaway Cay, which was honestly a big part of the draw for me as it seems awesome. But it does still stop at Lookout Cay and we also pick up Pixar day, which I think my son would enjoy. The other trade off for us is we then have to figure out childcare for a week when he's out of school for spring break with no plans, but I think that may be a good grandparent activity!!

I think a five night cruise on the Fantasy is a great first cruise.

As for this question. Personally, I would rather have a Castaway Day than a Pixar Day. However, the comparison really comes down to Castaway or $2,500. My guess on a 5 night cruise that the $2,500 is a pretty significant amount.

 

[sponica]

If people are still following this thread, would love thoughts on whether you would rather have a Pixar day at Sea or a stop at Castaway Cay? I've realized we could save over $2,500 if we switch to an early March sailing but the trade off is an extra day of sea instead of Castaway Cay, which was honestly a big part of the draw for me as it seems awesome. But it does still stop at Lookout Cay and we also pick up Pixar day, which I think my son would enjoy. The other trade off for us is we then have to figure out childcare for a week when he's out of school for spring break with no plans, but I think that may be a good grandparent activity!!

2500 is a big chunk of change, I'm not a huge beach person and I love sea days, so I'd be ok with switching to early March.....

 

[pixiedust33]

My guess on a 5 night cruise that the $2,500 is a pretty significant amount.

Yeah the more I think about it, the more its seems kinda crazy to even consider paying the premium for the week before Easter if I don't have to with my 4 year old... I'm looking at Verandah rooms so, for the three of us, it's 7k versus 4.5k. And I'm pretty sure I'd save at least a few hundred on flights as well.

 

[Erica1016]

If people are still following this thread, would love thoughts on whether you would rather have a Pixar day at Sea or a stop at Castaway Cay? I've realized we could save over $2,500 if we switch to an early March sailing but the trade off is an extra day of sea instead of Castaway Cay, which was honestly a big part of the draw for me as it seems awesome. But it does still stop at Lookout Cay and we also pick up Pixar day, which I think my son would enjoy. The other trade off for us is we then have to figure out childcare for a week when he's out of school for spring break with no plans, but I think that may be a good grandparent activity!!

I love Castaway, but I would not pay an additional $2500 to go there. You'll still have a great beach day at Lookout and the added fun of a Pixar Day at Sea, which is not as common as Castaway. I'd save the extra money for your next cruise!

 

[pixiedust33]

I love Castaway, but I would not pay an additional $2500 to go there. You'll still have a great beach day at Lookout and the added fun of a Pixar Day at Sea, which is not as common as Castaway. I'd save the extra money for your next cruise!

This is where I'm leaning! But I've also now opened a whole can of worms for myself now that I'm waffling on the dates. I see the Magic also has a 5 night cruise out of Galveston that makes two stops in Mexico and includes a Marvel day at Sea, which my son would be HUGELY into. I could save $2k doing that over my original choice (so $500 more than the Bahamian itinerary on the Fantasy), even if I pick the President's day week, when he has two days of school too.

THERE ARE TOO MANY OPTIONS!

 

[WinterSolider]

If people are still following this thread, would love thoughts on whether you would rather have a Pixar day at Sea or a stop at Castaway Cay? I've realized we could save over $2,500 if we switch to an early March sailing but the trade off is an extra day of sea instead of Castaway Cay, which was honestly a big part of the draw for me as it seems awesome. But it does still stop at Lookout Cay and we also pick up Pixar day, which I think my son would enjoy. The other trade off for us is we then have to figure out childcare for a week when he's out of school for spring break with no plans, but I think that may be a good grandparent activity!!

There are many different "Double Dip" (Lookout and Castaway) that aren't immediately adjacent to Easter. I think Easter is the cause of your price increase, not Castaway per se.

Have you priced all of these?

• Feb 20
• March 6
• March 16
• March 20
• March 29
• April 3
• April 12
• April 17

Those all include both Castaway and Lookout and I would be very very surprised if they're all coming out $2,500 more expensive than Pixar Day at Sea.

 

[Erica1016]

This is where I'm leaning! But I've also now opened a whole can of worms for myself now that I'm waffling on the dates. I see the Magic also has a 5 night cruise out of Galveston that makes two stops in Mexico and includes a Marvel day at Sea, which my son would be HUGELY into. I could save $2k doing that over my original choice (so $500 more than the Bahamian itinerary on the Fantasy), even if I pick the President's day week, when he has two days of school too.

THERE ARE TOO MANY OPTIONS!

I wouldn't overthink it, they'll all be awesome! I'd pick the most number of nights for the least amount of money. We don't choose based on itinerary, for us the "ship is the trip". If it's Pixar or Marvel or a beach day, you'll have a great time. As far as dates, that's a bit tougher. Missing school vs. vacation time is a different decision, but two days doesn't seem like much, especially depending on the age.

 

[pixiedust33]

There are many different "Double Dip" (Lookout and Castaway) that aren't immediately adjacent to Easter. I think Easter is the cause of your price increase, not Castaway per se.

Have you priced all of these?

• Feb 20
• March 6
• March 6
• March 16
• March 20
• March 29
• April 3
• April 12
• April 17

Those all include both Castaway and Lookout and I would be very very surprised if they're all coming out $2,500 more expensive than Pixar Day at Sea.

Yes, this is definitely true! I am also virtually certain that it's the proximity to Easter that's driving the price increase and the Castaway thing is just incidental. I was limiting myself to February and March because that's when I usually desperately need a break from the cold and snow of the Northeast, but I only priced the March 15 and March 20 options. They are cheaper, but "only" by $500 or $1k respectively and flights are also still high. That wasn't enough cost savings for me to want to have my son out of school for two weeks in a row.

Looking now, the Feb 20 and March 6 options do have the double dip and do seem to be significantly cheaper and would work because they're farther apart, but I hadn't looked at it because it skips Nassau and my husband is still stuck on this passport stamp thing. Perhaps I need to revisit that with the "is the passport stamp worth $2k to you?" angle.

Thank you for helping me brainstorm and the travel agent like assistance!!

 

[pixiedust33]

Missing school vs. vacation time is a different decision, but two days doesn't seem like much, especially depending on the age.

He's only 4! So it's just pre-k. The only reason I was aligning with school breaks at all is because we both work so a school break means we don't have childcare that week. He's obviously too young to just like entertain himself alone for a week so I had initially started looking at this as just a fun way to fill that time and when we might otherwise take time off work ourselves.