Advice on Cruise Itinerary

[pdwimmer]

Hi All:
I need advice on an itinerary for my family. Nearly 10 years ago I took my 2 small boys and hubby on the 4 day cruise, back then it was the Magic. This year we did the same route with family and friends, and our expanded family with 2 girls as well. I am now horribly bored with this route. Castaway Cay is wonderful. But now what to do?

Should we change to another cruise line? Or perhaps do one of the older ships in Mediterranean? We were spoiled by the upgraded housing on the Dream. Suggestions?

 

[sissy_ib]

Hi All:
I need advice on an itinerary for my family. Nearly 10 years ago I took my 2 small boys and hubby on the 4 day cruise, back then it was the Magic. This year we did the same route with family and friends, and our expanded family with 2 girls as well. I am now horribly bored with this route. Castaway Cay is wonderful. But now what to do?

Should we change to another cruise line? Or perhaps do one of the older ships in Mediterranean? We were spoiled by the upgraded housing on the Dream. Suggestions?

There is the Fantasy doing 7 night eastern and western itineraries.
You could also look at the Wonder in Alaska or Pacific coast or the Magic doing 5 to 8 nights out of Galveston or NYC.
The Med would be amazing, my only problem with it is the airfare!

 

[pdwimmer]

There is the Fantasy doing 7 night eastern and western itineraries.
You could also look at the Wonder in Alaska or Pacific coast or the Magic doing 5 to 8 nights out of Galveston or NYC.
The Med would be amazing, my only problem with it is the airfare!

I am with you on the airfare to Europe. Have you tried the Galveston departure? I can use my Southwest points to get my entire family to Houston for that departure.

 

[sissy_ib]

I am with you on the airfare to Europe. Have you tried the Galveston departure? I can use my Southwest points to get my entire family to Houston for that departure.

They start in September. We are booked on an 8 night out of Galveston on Feb 1. All of the Galveston cruises are Western Caribbean. One note, there is no Castaway Cay.

 

[jlwhitney]

They start in September. We are booked on an 8 night out of Galveston on Feb 1. All of the Galveston cruises are eastern Caribbean. One note, there is no Castaway Cay.

Actually they are western carribbean.

 

[sissy_ib]

Actually they are western carribbean.

Oppps! I know that. Don't know why I wrote eastern.

 

[Viva Pataca]

I was also back-and-forth in my bookings .... Dream B2B, Fantasy, or all out for a Med, Panama Canal, Alaska (seriously DCL's itinerary is quite not bad compared to 4-5 years ago, separate thread though ) ... it comes down to your families overall preferences.

What do you think overall is the best option for everyone. Personally I'd like to take a 20+ days on Holland America smaller ship like the Rotterdam cruising the Baltic, or the 12-day Disney Magic Med cruise, and visiting all the nice ports. But I honestly think my DW and children will have more fun on the newer Disney Dream or Fantasy and spending more time onboard activities and going to just some places warm. It is the classic debate: Port vs Ship - what is more important to you ... I mean your expanded family which could be different from individual's preference.

So for us, Disney Dream B2B is our latest plan now. Will see.

 

[kcashner]

It really depends on what you want--there are LOTS of choices available now. The best value is probably the trans-Atlantic...but that means that you have to be there for the ship and really enjoy the sea days. And then there is the airfare back to the US (groan).

If your usual is the 4 night to Nassau, I'd strongly suggest a 7 night cruise.