Cruise Castaway Cay Labor Day week or end of September? Does it make a difference?

[lisset005]

Looking at a last minute cruise on the Wish to celebrate my 40th birthday! We are looking at a 4 night on the Wish Labor Day week or a 3 night the last weekend of September and trying to decide if there is a more preferred/better time to sail? We know it is hurricane season, but wondering if maybe weather is better at the end of September vs beginning or vice versa...things like that. We just did a 4 night on the Wish at the end of May and loved it! Worried a 3 night may feel too short, however doing that cruise would land us at Castaway Cay on my actual birthday which would be amazing and it is a Halloween at the High Seas cruise. Either cruise is a win in my book vs. being home in Texas, lol! Appreciate any opinions, experiences etc from seasoned cruisers!

 

[dreamer17555]

I always prefer longer and I always suggest getting really good travel insurance when traveling during hurricane season- there is no way to predict the weather this far out.

If your family loves Halloween though, I could see that being a big draw vs an extra night. I would suggest watching some of the Vlogs from last year’s Halloween on the high seas on the wish and deciding if it is worth losing a day for. 3 nights go by really quickly but if you lover Halloween it could be worth it.

 

[Mommb]

The weather may be slightly cooler at the end of September compared to the beginning, but the chance of a strong hurricane may be slightly greater, it is possible the Labor Day will have more kids, since some schools in the northeastern US don’t start until after Labor Day.

I wouldn’t make a decision based on any of those factors, though — I would think more about whether you want an extra day or your birthday on an island.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Usually I pick the longer, but celebrating your actual birthday, and it being a Halloween cruise, I picked the three night.

We are going on a 4 night Halloween cruise on the Magic, earlier in September. I do not think the weather or hurricane concern is more for either.

 

[auntlynne]

Most common hurricane day is right in between.

It’s going to be hot. It’s still hot at the beginning of November.

(+) Labor Day cruise will be during the week - so possibly fewer school age kids.

(-) HOTHS is a 3-night weekend, sometimes reported as a different feel.

I would look at associated travel costs (air & hotel). Is there a big difference?

Otherwise, I’d go with an actual birthday.

Sure, it’s easy to say that if you are paying to fly/ drive time, why not one extra day.

But I look back on my 50th birthday - and know I was cruising in Tracy Arm in Alaska on that day. And I come from a family that treats the entire birthday month as a reason to celebrate. Half-births in June for December births, even.

…and if airlines are a mess over Labor Day, you dodge that bullet.

Either way, have a great cruise and a happy birthday.

 

[lisset005]

Most common hurricane day is right in between.

It’s going to be hot. It’s still hot at the beginning of November.

(+) Labor Day cruise will be during the week - so possibly fewer school age kids.

(-) HOTHS is a 3-night weekend, sometimes reported as a different feel.

I would look at associated travel costs (air & hotel). Is there a big difference?

Otherwise, I’d go with an actual birthday.

Sure, it’s easy to say that if you are paying to fly/ drive time, why not one extra day.

But I look back on my 50th birthday - and know I was cruising in Tracy Arm in Alaska on that day. And I come from a family that treats the entire birthday month as a reason to celebrate. Half-births in June for December births, even.

…and if airlines are a mess over Labor Day, you dodge that bullet.

Either way, have a great cruise and a happy birthday.

We will be driving from Texas either way, so no change in costs there. I think CC on my birthday would be epic! But we will have to disembark that cruise, drive home and everyone has school the next day, haha. I am so torn!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We will be driving from Texas either way, so no change in costs there. I think CC on my birthday would be epic! But we will have to disembark that cruise, drive home and everyone has school the next day, haha. I am so torn!!

Oh, I think that would make a difference to me. Do you not have to drive home and then work the next day for the other cruise? I think I would be planning on a “sick” day ….if that’s not acceptable, I would then pick the earlier cruise. (and be happy that it’s an extra day)

 

[lisset005]

Oh, I think that would make a difference to me. Do you not have to drive home and then work the next day for the other cruise? I think I would be planning on a “sick” day ….if that’s not acceptable, I would then pick the earlier cruise. (and be happy that it’s an extra day)

Great point! I do not work, but hubby will have to. He sets his own schedule so will likely work from home that day. I think we are gonna go with the birthday cruise. It will be such a priceless memory to have with my kids!

 

[kiford]

We found early September to be so very very hot. We only got off for about 30 minutes to walk around the new port area in Nassau and that was plenty of time outside for us. We didn't even bother going to the pool. We stayed inside the entire time. So although longer is always better in my books, I'd opt for later in the month.

 

[ElenaRN]

We were on a HOTHS cruise on my bday one year (and also have been in WDW) on the actual day (Nov 1).
Spent the day on Junkanoo Beach in Nassau eating jerk chicken and drinking frosty drinks! It was an awesome bday that I won't forget. I would have loved if it was CC day.
My other thoughts are the longer the better and I would worry about flight prices on the holiday weekend.

Sorry I really did help lol

 

[Girl of the South]

After a certain age, I tend to take a trip FOR my birthday, not necessarily ON it.

 

[lisset005]

After a certain age, I tend to take a trip FOR my birthday, not necessarily ON it.

Any DCL cruise is better than none! There just happens to be one on my 40th birthday. This started as let’s go to Orlando and stay on property for the weekend and hang out to booking a cruise

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Longer is always better-but don't listen to me, I am doing a 3 day Wish because it fits in with other plans in November. I did the HOTHS Wish cruise last year. Not a fan, but we were two adults. Weekend cruises have a different feel for sure. If you want to be on Castaway for your birthday, I would go for it! Sounds fabulous!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I would choose the longer cruise or a B2B. Dh always works the next day anyway, unless we're flying internationally and have to deal with jet lag, so that wouldn't even be a consideration for me. (Personally, I like when I'm off the next day because I'm the one to unpack and do laundry.)

We did our first Disney cruise for my 40th (long time ago!) in February even though my actual birthday is in June, which is peak season and very expensive. The price difference was too much to ignore and it's close enough to celebrate my birthday.

We have done 3-nt cruises when our kids were still in school and their days off perfectly matched the cruise dates, but they were teasingly short. Kind of like taking a few licks from a lollipop then taking it away.

If you're really still on the fence, let your family have a vote.

 

[OKW Lover]

I almost always go for the longer cruise. I find a 3-night cruise to almost be an aggravation so I'm solidly in the 4-night column on this question.

Weather wise there will be little difference between the beginning and end of September.

 

[ditchdiggert200]

I cast my vote for the 4-night Wish cruise. Here is my reasoning:
1. While being @ Castaway Cay on your actual birthday, I am in the 'Birthday Trip' school of thought, especially when it would allow more days on a Disney ship.
2. Having gone on the Wish already for 3 nights, I agree with OKW Lover, "I find a 3-Night cruise to almost be an aggravation"
2b. You said, "Worried 3-nights be feel too short."
3. Returning from the cruise on a Friday allows the weekend to recover and not have to be back at work the very next day, even if it's from home.

Just a few thoughts, but ultimately, you have to do what you want to do and enjoy your trip your way. Do you want the extra day or be on CC on your birthday and have the HOTH experience?

Curious what you decide either way. Keep us informed, both pre and post trip. I'm curious about your post trip thoughts once you get back!

 

[mmouse37]

Longer is always better-but don't listen to me, I am doing a 3 day Wish because it fits in with other plans in November. I did the HOTHS Wish cruise last year. Not a fan, but we were two adults. Weekend cruises have a different feel for sure. If you want to be on Castaway for your birthday, I would go for it! Sounds fabulous!

Me too....the longer the cruise the better but we booked a 3 day Wish last month last minute because of our schedule. It was great. I actually liked the Wish better the second time around. I think because I am over the initial shock of it being so different from the other ships. We had a great time!!

We have done several HOTHS cruises (always 6 or 7 days) several times and I always love them. This is from October on the Dream out of NYC to Bermuda....I am Cruella and the grandkids were the pups. Not sure about a 3 day HOTHS cruise with people dressing up but most everyone did on the longer cruises.




MJ

 

[OKW Lover]

I actually liked the Wish better the second time around. I think because I am over the initial shock of it being so different from the other ships.

This is so true! We've been on the Wish twice now and think it is nice.

 

[auntlynne]

We will be driving from Texas either way, so no change in costs there. I think CC on my birthday would be epic! But we will have to disembark that cruise, drive home and everyone has school the next day, haha. I am so torn!!

When does school start? Schools here would have been in session for a month by Labor Day. That would be a whole week of vacation at an awkward time if you had a similar school calendar. Or the first week of school if it starts that Tuesday.

Just curious.

 

[lisset005]

When does school start? Schools here would have been in session for a month by Labor Day. That would be a whole week of vacation at an awkward time if you had a similar school calendar. Or the first week of school if it starts that Tuesday.

Just curious.

They start August 13th. They already have off Labor Day and the following day so they would be missing 3 days to do the 4 night on the Wish. Either trip they are missing three days of school because we are driving.