7 day Magic vs. 3 Day Wonder

[jkovick]

I have been on the Magic 7 day eastern and loved it.
DH & I are considering adding on a 3 day Wonder cruise to our WDW trip in January. What are the biggest differences I am going to notice? (Other than ports & length of the cruise)

Also does topsiders offer alternate casual dining in the evening? (I am thinking of the Nassau Day). Thanks for all your input!

 

[TheWog]

No Character breakfast.

 

[webray]

no formal/semi-formal night...and just not enought time on the boat.

We did the 3 day after doing a 7 day 5 months earlier...decided we just couldn't do the 3 day again, although it was great to be on the boat....just wasn't worth it to us.time went to quickly.

 

[westjones]

No Topsiders for dinner (but you can order room service).

One thing we noticed last year is how you get the 'tip' envelopes the second night you are there (or course, since the next day is your last full day onboard). It just seemed weird.

BUT you get the 'best' of the 'best' on board. All of the best shows, and a chance to eat in each restaurant (of course if you want to go to Palo, you would either have to skip one of the restaurants or 'double dip' and go to both). You also get a day at Castaway Cay. SOOO all the cruises are wonderful! The longer the better, but they are all great!

DJ

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We are doing the 3 day Wonder in August, my husband wants to skip Nassau and stay on board, (we have seen it and done it in Nassau). Do they pools stay full on Port Day? Are there things for the kids to do? Are the clubs open?

 

[TheWog]

Clubs are open for the kids, pools are usually not too crowded if at all. They also have activities planned, bridge tours, etc. I haven't been on the Wonder, but from what I hear Nassau is not that popular so it may be different at that port.

 

[jkovick]

We are planning to stay on ship the Nassau day if we book in January. We have been to Nassau several times and it is not that great of a port IMO.

 

[disneyisfun]

We just got off the 3 day wonder April 25 and we stayed on board while the ship docked in Nassau. There was plenty to do from the pools, activities, the spa, workout eat eat and more eat. We kinda just hung by the pool and had a yummy lunch it was a blast and a little less crowded then the other days as well.

 

[RickW]

We did a 7 day cruise in December 2001, and then a 3 day in September 2002. While we enjoyed the 3 day cruise, we don't plan on doing any more 3 day cruises (and probably won't do any 4 day cruises either).

We absolutely loved the 7 day cruise, but after that, the 3 day was a bit of a let down.

We were discussing the differences the other night (we just booked the 14 day FL-CA cruise, so DCL has pretty much been a constant conversation in our house the last week), and the best discription that we could come up with for our feelings about the 7 day cruise vs. the 3 day was this:

On the 7 day, we felt like we were at home, while on the 3 day, we felt like we were just visiting.

If we had the whole thing to do over, would we still do the 3 day cruise?
Probably
If we had the opportunity to do a similar trip again, would we do a 3 day cruise?
Probably Not

 

[vikingfans]

I totally agree with the suggestions above....I've been on 3, 4 and 7 day cruises...the 7 day is the best.

Going on another 7 day in October. The others are simply too short to relax and do what you want!

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

on a 3 day there is too much to do and no time to relax. on a 7 day you get days at sea to relax and unwind. remember this one thing "YOUR ON VACATION" so enjoy it