Back to back Wonder or 7 day Magic?

[Luckymommyx2]

Can someone help compare the two? First I'm wondering if there is much of a price difference. The itinerary doesn't matter much to me since we don't get off the ship much. (If we do the 7 day we would do the Eastern Caribbean and would get off the ship.)
Any experienced cruisers (Barb, that would be you) especially with the back to back, speak up please!! Thanks!!

 

[Bbgrizzle]

I vote 7-day Magic because you'd get 3 at-sea days.

 

[PiperG]

But on a back to back Wonder you get two days at Castaway Cay!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I thought about that PiperG!! Do you or does anyone know if I would have to get off the ship at the end of the first cruise? I would like to think I could just stay on the verandah waving at everyone else leaving! (Sorry, that's mean isn't it?!) Back to back is looking a little more favorable.

Anyone else??

 

[PiperG]

I am pretty sure Barb and Tony have done this. I bet she will reply to this post with her experience.

 

[tigger53]

we're trying something new for 2004, we're starting out with 3 park days then sailing on the 4 day wonder followed by 2 park days and then going on the 7 day eastern. this way we seem to have covered all the disney bases. can't wait.

 

[kcashner]

If you do back to back Magic weeks, you have the option of getting off the ship or not. If you do get off, you can not re-board until they open boarding for general passengers again.

2 days at Castaway is great...but I'd vote for a 7 day cruise. In most categories, this would be cheaper, there would be less in port taxes. The only advantage I can see to back to back WOnder would be the 2 castaway days.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I wish I could afford to do back to back Magic cruises but our budget is barely getting us seven days!

Tony and Barb...if we do the Wonder back to back would we have to get off the ship? Also, can you give some comparisons to the cost?


Thanks guys!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

this way we seem to have covered all the disney bases. can't wait

Uh Tigger.. you forgot one Disney "base"- a day or two AFTER the last cruise! Haha- just kidding...

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We're also wondering about this - we'd like to cruise June 2005 - but if the Magic repositions, we'll have to do back-to-back Wonder cruises. Not too thrilled about 2 Nassau days, but 2 Castaway Cay days would be great!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I know what you mean about two days at Nassau CaliforniaDreaming. We never get off the ship anyhow but I would rather trade in at least one of those days for an extra day at sea.

 

[DisneyKids]

We did back to back Wonder cruises in Oct. 2002. We did NOT have to get off the ship but thought I had heard or read later that you would (policy change). I can't verify this..sorry. It was nice to be on the ship with basically no one there during the switch from one cruise to the next. At the same time, there was nothing available. We were able to use the pool when they were finished cleaning and refilling it (about an hour before the next cruise boarded). It was great...our 2 kids in the Mickey pool all by themselves. That doesn't happen often. 2 days at Castaway Cay was great. The ports aren't as nice, in my opinion but we don't get off much either. There wasn't much time at sea, which is something we like and Palo brunch wasn't available (but I hear it is now). Also, you double up all of the shows. Both have good things. Both are great.

 

[izzinmac]

The two days at Castaway would be great on the Wonder, but I always think about food!!! The Magic will give you more menu variety at dinner with the Captains Gala, etc. Also, the Brunch was a definite plus, but looks like it will now be available on the 4 day.

Regarding Castaway, one thing I would consider is time of year you plan on doing this. If it is winter, the seven day gets you into more southern climates and warmer weather, while Castaway can be significantly cooler. We just did the Eastern in November, and had great weather on the second day at sea and St Martin and St Thomas. (85 degrees) The departure from Port Canaveral was cold, the first day at sea was cool, and Castaway was OK (70 degrees, but the water was cold). The Wonder cruises that closely matched our dates had cold weather throughout and one missed Castaway due to winds.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

izzinmac, you bring up a good point about the food. I didn't think about that one.

The weather should be okay because we're looking at May.

I've been doing some pricing for April and found that doing the back to back is $500-almost $1000 more! By the looks of that alone we would have to do the Magic.

 

[MrsPete]

Wonder comments -- good and bad:

Since you don't plan to get off the boat, you'd have a total of FIVE DAYS when most others would get off, leaving the boat largely empty for you. (2 Nassau days, 2 Castaway days, 1 embarkation/debarkation day). Great access to the pool, spa treatments, etc.

You'd have a repeat of the shows and the meals.

On the embarkation/debarkation day, you'd be unable to get meals, etc. for a few hours -- of course, planning ahead should alieviate any problems.

You'd have to attend the lifeboat drill twice.

New dinner companions halfway through.


Magic comments -- good and bad:

Without having looked it up, I think this should be slightly less expensive.

Larger variety of shows and menus, including Palo brunch.


Since you don't care about off-the-boat experiences, I think I'd go for back-to-backs on the Wonder.

 

[MrsPete]

Okay, you've got ME thinking about back-to-back Wonder trips now, so I looked up the prices in the official Disney brochure:

One adult on a 7-day cruise in a category 11 room: 899 - 1799

One adult on a 4-day cruise in a category 11 room: 509 - 999
One adult on a 3-day cruise in a category 11 room: 409 - 899

So the difference is $19 - 101, depending upon the time of year.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

That $19-101 price difference is just on the cabin right? Don't you have to pay taxes and port charges again? That alone for four people really adds up. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Happy New Year!!

 

[tigger53]

bibbidybibbyboo, after 17 days i think we might be a bit broke, i wouldn't mind a few after days though. maybe we'll hit the powerball and do a grand slam. happy new year.