Baja Mexico vs Bahamas cruise and other questions

[AlienBrain]

We're planning our first cruise, and I wanted to get some feedback on a few questions.

We (my wife, our two boys, and me) live in San Diego and are planning on doing a 4 night Halloween cruise in mid-October. Our boys will be 4 and 2 at the time of the cruise. My only concern is that Cabo may not offer as much for my young boys as Castaway Cay. Has anyone here been on the Baja cruise and the Bahamas cruise and can offer some comparisons?

Do you think boys of 2 and 4 would even be interested in the beaches at any of these stops - i.e. do you think they'd mostly just enjoy the ship anyway, and I could just be overthinking/overcomplicating things?

When considering travel costs, a Bahama cruise would be $1k more than a cruise out of San Diego. Is it worth $1k more to have the Castaway Cay and Nassau itinerary vs Cabo?

Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We're planning our first cruise, and I wanted to get some feedback on a few questions.

We (my wife, our two boys, and me) live in San Diego and are planning on doing a 4 night Halloween cruise in mid-October. Our boys will be 4 and 2 at the time of the cruise. My only concern is that Cabo may not offer as much for my young boys as Castaway Cay. Has anyone here been on the Baja cruise and the Bahamas cruise and can offer some comparisons?

Do you think boys of 2 and 4 would even be interested in the beaches at any of these stops - i.e. do you think they'd mostly just enjoy the ship anyway, and I could just be overthinking/overcomplicating things?

When considering travel costs, a Bahama cruise would be $1k more than a cruise out of San Diego. Is it worth $1k more to have the Castaway Cay and Nassau itinerary vs Cabo?

Thanks!

I've done both itineraries. Also live in SoCal. If you're talking about just doing a 4 night cruise, I'd just do the Baja one. Flying to Florida just for a 4 night cruise isn't worth it (to me).

Since it's your first DCL cruise, I'd say you may be overthinking it. I think your kids won't know the difference one way or the other. As long as you enjoy the trip, chances are they will too.

Nassau isn't that great, although I do recommend actually getting off the ship the first time you visit any port and make your own decision as to whether you'll do it again.

The beaches at Cabo are great. Lots of white, soft, sand.

 

[iloveeeyore]

Hi there! I'm new to DCL and have not done either of these itineraries. That said, I agree with the previous post, do Baja! You would spend an awful lot of money (and time and hassle) in transporting your young family across the country...and only a few hours on Castaway Cay. Save the stress and sail out of your home port. If your family finds you love the cruise, plan to travel to one out of Florida at a later date when you don't have 2 in strollers.

I'm actually really interested in the Baja itineraries. I'd love to see those ports! Please let us know what you decide.

 

[AlienBrain]

I've done both itineraries. Also live in SoCal. If you're talking about just doing a 4 night cruise, I'd just do the Baja one. Flying to Florida just for a 4 night cruise isn't worth it (to me).

Since it's your first DCL cruise, I'd say you may be overthinking it. I think your kids won't know the difference one way or the other. As long as you enjoy the trip, chances are they will too.

Nassau isn't that great, although I do recommend actually getting off the ship the first time you visit any port and make your own decision as to whether you'll do it again.

The beaches at Cabo are great. Lots of white, soft, sand.

Thanks for the feedback! Regarding the Cabo beaches, is there any easy way to get to them without an excursion? I've looked at reviews of the Cabo Beach Break excursion (which seems like the only beach one), and they haven't been stellar.

Hi there! I'm new to DCL and have not done either of these itineraries. That said, I agree with the previous post, do Baja! You would spend an awful lot of money (and time and hassle) in transporting your young family across the country...and only a few hours on Castaway Cay. Save the stress and sail out of your home port. If your family finds you love the cruise, plan to travel to one out of Florida at a later date when you don't have 2 in strollers.

I'm actually really interested in the Baja itineraries. I'd love to see those ports! Please let us know what you decide.

Thanks, we'll probably just go ahead with the Baja one out of SD. I'll keep you posted!

 

[DWillowBay]

I've done both itineraries. For such young children, it honestly won't matter and the Halloween on the High Seas out of San Diego is AMAZING!!! We just did it in October and it was terrific. They'll love it. I often function like a toddler and I loved it! Like Princess said, to travel to Florida, just is a lot of travel for young ones. Castaway is great, but I'd save that for when they can really enjoy it. ...Have a great trip.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

is there any easy way to get to them without an excursion?

There are beaches within walking distance of the tender port.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The beaches in Cabo are not good swimming beaches so I would suggest researcj based on what your beach goals are. The tides are an issue, as are drop offs along the shoreline.

 

[Adventurelawyer]

The beaches in Cabo are not good swimming beaches so I would suggest researcj based on what your beach goals are. The tides are an issue, as are drop offs along the shoreline.

This.

I do Cabo forthe fishing, which cannot happen with a DCL cruise, at least not at the level we like to fish, because of the go ashore/all aboard times. The beaches are not good to dangerous. The under-tow is deadly.

I grew up in San Diego and honestly, not many beaches compare to Mission and OB. I think your kids will be much happier on ship for a Halloween cruise anyway. That being said, Castaway is much fun and if you choose that itinerary, they will enjoy it. Beaches of the world just aren’t the same for San Diegans so think about picking your trip based on your on board opportunities or any other interesting port adventures you might be interested in.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

not many beaches compare to Mission and OB

OB is love.

 

[disneylandlocal]

My vote is Baja, then put down a placeholder and do a 7 day Caribbean when your kids are a bit older. We live in LA and are doing a Baja Halloween cruise next because of the convenience. The Baja one will allow you to decide if a DCL vacation is right for you. I cruise more for the cruise experience, I figure we can go to Cabo anytime (and we go every few years since it’s an easy vacation for us). Our last cruise in the Caribbean with young kids and at port we would taxi to a local beach or pool that offers day passes and caters to cruise guests. The ship is great on port days (less crowded!). Castaway is awesome but I agree to save that for another time.

 

[AlienBrain]

Thanks all for the feedback! Baja it is. Really looking forward to the Halloween cruise!

Time to go book a room ...

 

[auntlynne]

The tender boat ride in Cabo could turn out to be the highlight of a kids’ trip. Not that it’s anything special - but with kids, simple things can be great.

Four night cruises are short no matter the age. That’s a long way for a short vacation. Although people do it.