Anyone think two weeks is too long?

[maryisme]

Hi there,
My family and I are booked on the CA_FL repo cruise. DH casually mentions to me (last night) that he thinks two weeks is too long to cruise with the kids. The girls will be 9 years old and almost 2 at the time of sailing.

I was so excited about this sailing but now he has me thinking. I also have a ressie for a 4 day next August which I held onto just in case DH had trouble getting the vacation time.

What do you guys think? Thanks!

Mary

 

[rsschneck]

No Way! Two weeks will give you time to settle into the routine and maybe even relax!

We went on a Hawaiian 10 day cruise 2 years ago when DD was 5 and it was GREAT!

This should give everyone the oportunity for the Spa, Palo's, and taking advantage of shore excursions!

 

[SandraLee]

I was thinking that it would be too long. But, then, 1 week is too short. 10 days would have been perfect . . .

I said something to my sister about being on the ship for 14 days and thought the kids may get bored or restless. She laughed in my face and thought that was one of the funniest things she ever hear.

So, we are going. My DH is thrilled about cruising the canal.

 

[crisi]

Too long for us. I couldn't have my family in that little stateroom for two weeks ......

 

[ragdoll]

I guess it's really a matter of personal preference. Seven days is a bit long for me. I think that five or six days would be perfect. On the other hand DH would love to do a 14 day cruise. I might be able to stand it if there were more port days. There really were too many days at sea for me. To each his own...

 

[rsjj]

not doing the 14 day repo thing...but when we were on the 7 day, we felt it was a bit long. we couldn't wait to get back home. and eat "regular" food. don't get me wrong! we did enjoy it, it was a blast, we had a terrific time! and the food was wonderfully delicious. but both DH & i felt homesick, i guess. and even our DSs were missing "regular" food. just our opinion...

 

[TootyJane]

Just did a 2-week Panama Canal cruise this past February. Two weeks is just the right amount of time. Gives you time to get the "feel of the ship," etc. You'll actually have a chance to relax. Any more than 14 days though would be a bit much IMHO.

 

[figment52]

Originally posted by ragdoll
I guess it's really a matter of personal preference. Seven days is a bit long for me. I think that five or six days would be perfect. On the other hand DH would love to do a 14 day cruise. I might be able to stand it if there were more port days. There really were too many days at sea for me. To each his own...

To each is own is so true----I love the sea days and for the most part could due without all the stops in port -

 

[Luv2Dream]

I think the adventure of it all will be worth the possible "too long on a ship" problem that I might have. The only other thing helping me is that it is basically every other day on and off the ship. Those port days do go by pretty fast usually then you can relax one day at sea. A nice combination I feel.

 

[ivanova]

For us, we do 14 day vacation every other year. So this time we'll be on a ship instead of inside a hotel. We'll still be able to get off the ship at least 4 times (questioning Puerto Quetzal and Panama Canal - may not have time to do anything disembarking at those locations). As for the at sea days, there will be plenty of activities galore to participate in ... but I'm looking forward to sitting on our verandah and/or on deck, reading, being a slug, and truly relaxing (something I usually don't do if we're at WDW running around like a bunch of headless-commandos).

 

[epjenk]

We are still in debate mode here too. Our boys will be 5, 3 and 6 months. As of right now, MIL is going with us in adjoining Category 9's. I'm afraid 2 weeks may be too much MIL for sure . I think the great parts for us is that it is kind of a once in a lifetime thing to do Panama Canal with Disney, you do have all the great Disney kids programming, and with a 6 month old there are not a lot of more active vacations that you would want to do. Also, our oldest will be starting school next year, so this is our last chance for a long vacation without taking him out of school or going during peak times. We are on the 5/27 Wonder and we are going to try and get more of a feel for it while we are on the ship whether 2 weeks would drive us crazy.

The at sea days are the ones that worry me most too, and unfortunately I don't know that they are going to give us much info on the onboard activities before we sail to help me decide if we would be stir crazy. Even the in port days are pretty short times off the ship. At least we have a while to decide, right?

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I agree w/Ragdoll. It's a matter of preference.

I would love a 14-day, but DH and DD would eventually get restless. (When I read the repo itinerary, he balked at the number of sea days.) DD is usually ready to get back home after 7 days.

However, DH said he hopes DCL will eventually offer more 10-dayr's (hopefully for summer cruises.)

 

[kpgclark]

I'm taking my kids on the repo cruise, but they will be 11 and 8. I would not go on a two week cruise with a child that is 3 or under. That's just my personal feeling. I wouldn't want to run after a little one on a ship for that long especially with so many sea days. I also think it would be difficult have a child that young sit through what are generally long sit down dinners. Also the tight quarters with a little one can be problematic as well.

 

[jin diesel]

my friends have been trying to get inside my head ever since i booked! they keep telling me i paid too much, i'll be bored after 6 days, 14 days on the same ship will drive me insane, taking my daughter out of school for 2 weeks is wrong, etc.

meanwhile, i'm thinking - "are you kidding me?! 14 days isn't enough!!" i NEVER get a chance to relax. and one of the things i'm most gifted at is SLEEPING! (next to lounging around, that is!)

if i should ever get "bored" (which i doubt), i can always just sleep like the dad in the DCL commercial

 

[KimberlyB]

Just a few thoughts. We just got off of the 5/1 Eastern. By the 6th and 7th nights of the cruise the little kids were really kind of "losing it" or maybe it was their parents! A lot of late nights and an odd routine, strangers can be upsetting for kids. I personally think 14 days on the ship would not be as enjoyable as one thinks - maybe with older kids, who need some time away from parents. But with 3 kids in a little cabin, it could get crowded.
But hey , it's your vacation.
Just my thoughts.
Seeing(hearing) the screaming kids coming down the hall at 11:30 pm has colored my perspective.

 

[WDWLVR]

14 days is too long for us just because of our jobs. DH especially can't be away from work for that long. We're pushing it with the 10-day but it isn't as bad since it is over the Christmas holidays.

 

[webray]

We don't think it is too long, but, we aren't traveling with children.

We are looking forward to finally having some time to check out the ship and take advantage of the activities offered.

We are doing three weeks, the FL to CA repo, then the first mexi riviera..back to back..we can hardly wait!

 

[eye R.N.]

One of which is already balking at the seven day. Way too long

Now take the kids out of the equation and it is a different story. I think it would be heaven.

 

[jin diesel]

yes, i can see how 14 days might be way too much for those of you with 3+ kids! i'm lucky that i only have the one kid. hopefully we won't get too sick of each other...

 

[ceejay13]

We did a 12 day Hawaii repositioning cruise in 1999 and we LOVED it. We can't wait for August 2005 and our 15 day cruise. It is just my DH and I so I'm sure this may be different if you have kids. My brother and wife went with us in 99 and were worried they would be bored on the 5 days at sea back to the mainland and they loved every minute of it. They are going back on another Hawaii cruise next year. Besides the Panama Canal the thing I am looking forward to the most are the days at sea.