7 night worth extra $$$

[alamo mom]

I apologize if this is one of those questions that gets asked a lot! If you were primarily concerned with the cruise experience itself and not so much about where you were going, is the 4 night cruise sufficient? For example, does the 7 night cruise offer enough extras for the adults and kids in terms of entertainment and activities to justify the additional cost?

On the Disney Cruise website, I notice that some of the kid's activities say (7 night cruise only). Are any of these activities worthy of not missing? I really want my kids to have a magical experience, but if we can get that same magic on a 4 night cruise, then that might be the way for us to go. However, if there is much more to experience (e.g. special parties, events, and activities) on the 7 night cruise, then we'll go the extra mile.

On the other side of the coin, do any of you find that your kids begin to get bored when cruising for 7 nights? Does it become old hat and they're ready to get off the boat and do something different? My kids are ages 6 and 11, if that helps in answering these questions.

Any opinions out there? Thanks!

 

[markey]

Our first cruise in 2000 was the 4 day to test the waters. We have cruised every year since, 4 times, all on the 7 day I guess we are hooked. We are leaving for Florida in 2 weeks an are going on the 4 day Wonder because the Magic is in California and I know the 4 days will seem extremely short. The 7 day is more relaxing with the extra sea days. There are a lot of things missed by not doing the 7 day. A few off the top of my head are, Character Breakfast, the New Show only on the Magic, Mickey 200 soapbox race (made from vegetables), and a lot of activities in the kids club. Plus while we do like Nassau the ports are a lot nicer, especially St. Thomas on the Eastern and Cozumel on the Western. Our GK's never tire of the clubs, we have to sometimes limit their time in order to see them, they are now 10 and 11 and we have been taking them since they were 5 and 6. However if you have never cruised and want to test the waters also, the 4 day is a good place to start. Actually of you divide the cost per day I don't think there is really much difference, you are paying more but you are getting more days.

 

[ltviolets]

We thought that 7 days wasn't enough time to do everything.Our group, ages 3 to 75, never got bored. We need to go again to do what we missed. I don't even care what the ports are, I just want to be back on the Magic.

 

[WDWLVR]

The 7 night cruises offer more sea days so yes they do have some things that you don't have on the shorter cruises. A DVC member update meeting, galley tours, more of the behind the scene and adult of entertaining series. They also have a wider variety of nighttime entertainment. Also the longer cruises go to better ports of call (most people do not care much for Nassau).

Is it worth it? We think so. However we have also taken a number of 4 day cruises (and going on one in 4 weeks) and think they are great too.

 

[musicgirl]

We did a 4 night/3 sea the first time and had really wished we'd done the 7 because by the time everything was added up, it was about the same. We did another 3 night the next year with my sister's family and we both wished it had been a 7 night.

We finally did the 7 night, and now I really wished we had done all of them as 7 nights because it was the best vacation we have ever had.

We 're doing another 7 night in June.

For ds who was 11,12,13 and will be 15 for the next, he loves the cruise. I think for him the biggest difference in the 7 was that he really enjoyed getting to know a group of friends pretty well. He still keeps up with a few of them.

If money isn't an issue, do a 7 night. If I could, I would have done the 14 day through the Panama Canal, but the time frame was an issue. The cost when it first came out was not too horrible. If I could do a back to back now, I would do it in a heart beat!!!!

 

[djs113]

after going on many 7 day cruises, and the 10 day Christmas cruise - I can officially say that

A 10 day cruise is not enough time !!

Go for as long as you are comfortable with !

- David

 

[lindakmonty]

I have to agree I did the 4 night in 2000 and have done the 7 nights ever since... and could stay longer very easily. I can't imagine paying the cost for a 3/4 night when 7 isn't terribly much more... I want to do the 7 night eastern/and western back to back...then we'll be talking !! no, I don't think you would regret going with the 7 night at all! It is the ultimate vacation!

 

[kcashner]

We did 2 4 nights on another line and 2 4 nights on the Magic before the 7 day started. Now, we've done 10 7 nights on the Magic. A 4 night is just not enough for us.

Next, we are doing a 14 night on the Magic. DD loves it. She was one of the very first kids to have been in the Club, Lab, and Stack. She did miss COmmon Grounds as she was not age appropriate at that time.

There is a lot more stuff on the 7 day...for kids and adults.

 

[Sue Sullivan]

The 7 night cruise also has better ports of call. St. Thomas was so beautiful!!

 

[lbgraves]

We started out with a 7 night & were so glad that we did. The kids were 3 & 5 at the time & didn't want to get off the ship at the end of the week. We went a year later & are booked for our 3rd & 4th around the same time each year. They are already asking how long until we go on Mickey's ship again.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

We did the 4 day because it was our kids' first time cruising and didn't know how much they would like it. None of us were ready to get off the ship! We had a hard time dragging the kids out of the club every night. We have a 7 night booked for next fall but I would love something even longer!

 

[MelissaE1]

On the other side of the coin, do any of you find that your kids begin to get bored when cruising for 7 nights? Does it become old hat and they're ready to get off the boat and do something different? My kids are ages 6 and 11, if that helps in answering these questions.

Bored? Never. There is plenty to do. My kids were four and eight when we cruised the Eastern itinerary and both of them cried when we had to leave the ship. They wanted to live there! We didn't come close to doing half of the activities we could have. They are now the same age as your kids, 6 and 11 and we are doing the Western in October -- I would not book a shorter family cruise unless it was a lark, or an add on to a WDW trip. We'd rather save longer and cruise longer!

One thing to remember is that you actually get one less day than the number of "nights" advertised, in other words the day you embark is basically lost as you are getting on board, doing ressies, life boat drill, unpacking, etc. and the day you debark you are off the ship early in the morning, so the four night is actually only three whole days and the seven night is six days, twice as long.

I can tell you that in our "six whole days" we were often trying to decide between several enticing choices for what to do, but boredom never entered the picture.

 

[alamo mom]

You guys have me convinced! Thanks for all of your great responses! I'll book the 7 night. Now I have to decide between the Eastern and Western.......hmmmm.

 

[djs113]

do both - back to back

make it 14 days without getting off !!!

LOL

 

[lilo62]

You guys have me convinced! Thanks for all of your great responses! I'll book the 7 night. Now I have to decide between the Eastern and Western.......hmmmm.

Go for the Western! DH and I are going back next year!

 

[lindakmonty]

I've done the Western 3 times..and love it... we are doing the Eastern next to compare but I really like the extra day at port. Especially since so many people get off the ship... you about have the pools and things to yourself. it is very nice! grand cayman is my favorite, it is just beautiful and the people don't pester you ... Cozumel is beautiful but I would do excursions there because I don't like walking down and having tons of them on the street trying to get you into their stores. The swim w/ dolphins and snorkeling there is incredible! grand cayman we went down in submarine, went to sea turtle farms.. so many cool things to do!! Key West is nice... have fun deciding!

 

[woody73]

I suggest going on the longest curise that your schedule and budget will allow.

Woody

 

[angelam]

Our first cruise was a four night and we enjoyed it tremendously, but thought it was not long enough. We just did a 7 night Western in the spring and had another awesome time. There was plenty for the kids (6yrs, 10 yrs) and us to do. Even after 7 nights we didn't want to get off the ship! I would LOVE to do a back to back 7 night cruise some day!

-Angie

 

[brack]

do both - back to back

make it 14 days without getting off !!!

LOL

We did this and it is GREAT!!

I have even been trying to figure out how to do (read afford) four 7 day cruises back to back. A month on the Magic at sea must be heaven.

 

[MelissaE1]

We did this and it is GREAT!!

I have even been trying to figure out how to do (read afford) four 7 day cruises back to back. A month on the Magic at sea must be heaven.

Do you adopt people into your family? If so, I'm in line!