6 nights this November or 3 nights this coming February?

[Cheburashka]

I'm currently booked for a 3-night Dream cruise in February. First time sailing concierge, because it's the first time a non-school holiday cruise has worked for our schedules- it wouldn't require my high school son to miss any school. Looking forward to it, but I'm a bit conflicted because for the same price, I could cruise 6 nights on the Wonder in an inside stateroom over Thanksgiving break (also my birthday) out of Galveston. When considering the price, I'm taking into account the fact that as Texans we wouldn't require flights, transfers or hotel nights. The trade-off is that we'd have to drive almost 4 hours each way. The Wonder cruise would also require my son to miss one day of high school, but I don't think one day is a big deal- he's missed a lot more than that this year due to health problems.

My son has an ear disorder that will make flying difficult, but the flights to & from Orlando would be nonstops, so pretty manageable, and he isn't prohibited medically from flying- it's more his anxiety about the pressure changes and the noise (we will sit up front). That said, he won't enjoy 4 hours of driving, either. I just think that driving will be less anxiety-provoking for him.

Aside from that, obviously, one cruise is twice as long as the other. They both go to Castaway Cay, which is important to us. The Wonder is supposed to stop at Key West, which I've always wanted to visit, but I doubt that will actually happen given the legal issues there. And obviously, what if the November cruise never happens? I personally think it will sail, but obviously February is a better bet. We also prefer the Dream class ships to the Magic class, and of course concierge would be nicer than an inside stateroom. We have sailed inside before, though, so that isn't a deal-breaker for us. I can't afford to do both cruises, or to sail in a verandah on the Wonder cruise- no oceanview cabins are available.

Which would you pick?

 

[HiStitch626]

In my mind, longer is always better, and we prefer the classic ships. I understand about not wanting to take the 4 hour drive, but when you take into account getting to the airport, getting through security, the flight itself, picking up bags, and then making your way to the port, all of that is longer than four hours.

Key West did indeed pass a measure that would mean the Wonder is too big to stop there, but whether that’s actually put into place in November, I don’t think anyone knows yet. I assume if they don’t stop in Key West it would just be another sea day, and we really enjoy sea days. Depending on the schedules of the other ships, maybe you could stop twice at CC. I think the other benefit to sailing in November is that the ship will be decorated for the holidays, and there will be special holiday activities.

I don’t usually advocate pulling kids out of school for a cruise, but as you said it is only one day, and if your son makes arrangements ahead of time he could probably get any needed assignments.

I forgot to add, we did a Thanksgiving cruise out of New York City several years ago and they had a special menu on Thanksgiving day that was really delicious.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I concur with @HiStitch626: the longer the cruise the better. You can always keep checking for oceanview availability. And I heard the Thanksgiving dinner was excellent. Hopefully, we will take a holiday cruise when I am done with my degree. Go for it.

 

[CamColt]

I agree, 6 nights plus not having to deal with flights would be my top choice. We have driven from MA to FL (even all the way to Miami once) for cruises so 4 hours seems like nothing from my perspective.

 

[MomOTwins]

My concern would be that Disney has not yet undergone a test cruise, and the one cruise ship it is testing is the dream, which has shorter itineraries. I would worry that 2021 will be 3/4 night cruises only and longer cruises will be on hold for a while. It is all guesswork of course, but I can’t help but feel your Feb 2022 Dream cruise is a sure thing, and November Wonder might sail, might not, but the uncertainty would drive me nuts in your shoes.

 

[Cheburashka]

My concern would be that Disney has not yet undergone a test cruise, and the one cruise ship it is testing is the dream, which has shorter itineraries. I would worry that 2021 will be 3/4 night cruises only and longer cruises will be on hold for a while. It is all guesswork of course, but I can’t help but feel your Feb 2022 Dream cruise is a sure thing, and November Wonder might sail, might not, but the uncertainty would drive me nuts in your shoes.

That's my biggest worry, too. Plus just the uncertainty of what the early cruises will be like. I wouldn't be surprised if DCL waits until November (after the CDC backs off) to resume cruising at all.

 

[Joe Brig]

A 3 night cruise is only 2 full days vs 5 full days on a 6 night cruise. A longer cruise will also include sea days. Sea days have much more ship activities than port days. If you book the Nov cruise you still have several months to cancel, if you change your mind.

 

[mevelandry]

I'm currently booked for a 3-night Dream cruise in February. First time sailing concierge, because it's the first time a non-school holiday cruise has worked for our schedules- it wouldn't require my high school son to miss any school. Looking forward to it, but I'm a bit conflicted because for the same price, I could cruise 6 nights on the Wonder in an inside stateroom over Thanksgiving break (also my birthday) out of Galveston. When considering the price, I'm taking into account the fact that as Texans we wouldn't require flights, transfers or hotel nights. The trade-off is that we'd have to drive almost 4 hours each way. The Wonder cruise would also require my son to miss one day of high school, but I don't think one day is a big deal- he's missed a lot more than that this year due to health problems.

My son has an ear disorder that will make flying difficult, but the flights to & from Orlando would be nonstops, so pretty manageable, and he isn't prohibited medically from flying- it's more his anxiety about the pressure changes and the noise (we will sit up front). That said, he won't enjoy 4 hours of driving, either. I just think that driving will be less anxiety-provoking for him.

Aside from that, obviously, one cruise is twice as long as the other. They both go to Castaway Cay, which is important to us. The Wonder is supposed to stop at Key West, which I've always wanted to visit, but I doubt that will actually happen given the legal issues there. And obviously, what if the November cruise never happens? I personally think it will sail, but obviously February is a better bet. We also prefer the Dream class ships to the Magic class, and of course concierge would be nicer than an inside stateroom. We have sailed inside before, though, so that isn't a deal-breaker for us. I can't afford to do both cruises, or to sail in a verandah on the Wonder cruise- no oceanview cabins are available.

Which would you pick?

Easy. Six nights. Ocean View cabins could become available again until then.

 

[Sykes]

Under normal circumstances I'd choose the 6-night cruise in a heartbeat, but the uncertainty of November might be a deal-breaker for me. In your situation I might just hold tight with my current booking, then hope that there's still room to swap over to the November itinerary later if it becomes more clear that the Wonder will sail with an acceptable onboard experience. Even if you can't swap over, you still have a February itinerary that will be amazing.

 

[Cheburashka]

Well, DCL has solved the dilemma for me, because the inside cabins are no longer available (interesting, because there were several available on different floors two days ago), and I'm not going to pay the big increase for a higher category. Looking forward to sailing concierge for the first time in February!