Differences between short and long cruises?

[Rebecca Pocahontas]

We just booked a 7 night cruise out of Galveston. I have only been on one 4-night cruise with Disney, and I am wondering what the biggest differences of a longer cruise vs a shorter cruise is.

I am excited for the Animators Palate when we get to draw ourselves and they come to life. That is something I definitely missed only having 4 nights on a cruise. Are there any other special bonuses to having booked a longer cruise?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We just booked a 7 night cruise out of Galveston. I have only been on one 4-night cruise with Disney, and I am wondering what the biggest differences of a longer cruise vs a shorter cruise is.

I am excited for the Animators Palate when we get to draw ourselves and they come to life. That is something I definitely missed only having 4 nights on a cruise. Are there any other special bonuses to having booked a longer cruise?

Longer cruises you have different menus in the dining rooms each night (no repeated menus). Also different shows each night. That is, still the 3 standard Broadway-style shows, but the other nights will have individual entertainers or a movie.

In my experience I find the demeanor of the other guests onboard a longer cruise is much more laid back (no "gotta go do everything" feeling).

 

[havaneselover]

Atmosphere is totally different imo. I've done one four-day and doubt I would ever do another one. Too rushed, too much to try to cram in. Seven-days are so much more relaxed and in general everyone is much more laid back.

 

[OKW Lover]

Agree with the PP's that the overall atmosphere on the longer cruises is more relaxed. With the extra days comes the luxury of being able to enjoy more features of the ship at a leisurely pace.

 

[truck1]

Theres usually a few more options on 7 day trips that the 4s don't. The extra sea days come in handy for example. The shops for example are open longer and are usually empty so you can go in and browse at our leisure. You not fighting for space. On some cruises, theres also a matinee, (3 shows in stead of 2,) so you can go to an earlier show and spend time on the aquaduck for example at night, or go star gazing or any of the other things you wished you had time for on shorter cruises.

 

[Shanti]

Longer cruises have more themed dining experiences/menus than short cruises, and there is obviously more time to explore the ship, get settled in and have a chance to enjoy everything. There are also more/farther away ports. You'll love it. I haven't found the "atmosphere" on the ship to be any more or less rushed on a 7-night vs. a 3-night, however.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We just booked a 7 night cruise out of Galveston. I have only been on one 4-night cruise with Disney, and I am wondering what the biggest differences of a longer cruise vs a shorter cruise is.

I am excited for the Animators Palate when we get to draw ourselves and they come to life. That is something I definitely missed only having 4 nights on a cruise. Are there any other special bonuses to having booked a longer cruise?

3 days - sorry I couldn't resist. The biggest difference I've experienced is the ability to totally relax on the longer cruises. Enjoy your 7 days of heaven.

 

[MUN]

We just booked a 7 night cruise out of Galveston. I have only been on one 4-night cruise with Disney, and I am wondering what the biggest differences of a longer cruise vs a shorter cruise is.

I am excited for the Animators Palate when we get to draw ourselves and they come to life. That is something I definitely missed only having 4 nights on a cruise. Are there any other special bonuses to having booked a longer cruise?

The biggest difference between a 7 day cruise and a 4 day cruise is 3 extra days.

 

[CM Dad]

Once you get to a cruise of 7 days or more, there will be a formal night. Whether you dress up for this night or not is up to you.

 

[gismo1554]

Longer cruises have more activities on and in my opinion a wider range of things to do.

 

[truck1]

Something I just thought of. Longer cruises also have an option for fudge factor. If for example the ship cant get to a certain port on a 3 or a 4, you usually get an extra sea day. On the 5s and better, you generally have the option of getting to the port on a different day or a different port.

 

[rcchello]

The only bonuses for a longer cruise are personal, Disney counts a cruise as a cruise. I on the other hand consider the biggest bonus is the extra time to relax and enjoy the experience. I like the fact that I have more sea days and more days before I have to think about reentering reality.

You will also have more time to use the services on the ship, spas, specialty restaurant, sit and read on Deck 4 and less of a feeling of if I do this I won't have time for that.

 

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

Never done a 7 night but don't they have character breakfast? Were going on a 5 next trip the extra night will make a huge difference would love 3

 

[truck1]

Never done a 7 night but don't they have character breakfast? Were going on a 5 next trip the extra night will make a huge difference would love 3

Depends on the ship. The Magic class does, since they are smaller. The Fantasy does not. They did do a test for a character breakfast on the Fantasy, but I'm not sure how far that went or if it was discontinued.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Depends on the ship. The Magic class does, since they are smaller. The Fantasy does not. They did do a test for a character breakfast on the Fantasy, but I'm not sure how far that went or if it was discontinued.

All cruises of 7 nights and longer (with 2 sea days) now have a character breakfast. It's not the character breakfast that they've had in the past - where everyone is assigned to specific seating based on their dinner rotation. You book tickets during the online checkin process (Onboard Fun). Arrival times for the breakfast are staggered. Here's some other info from the DCL website:

• The Disney Junior Character Breakfast is presented on 7-plus night cruises departing from U.S. domestic ports with a minimum of 2 days at sea. While appearances may vary per cruise, Jake, Sophia and Doc McStuffins are typically the featured Characters.
• VIP Characters appear on 7-plus night cruises departing from non-domestic ports (including our Alaskan itineraries) with a minimum of 2 days at sea. Though appearances may vary per cruise, most sailings will include Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto.
• Character Breakfasts with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto are featured on 14-night transatlantic and Panama Canal cruises.
• Character Breakfasts are not currently offered on any 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-night cruises.

 

[truck1]

All cruises of 7 nights and longer (with 2 sea days) now have a character breakfast. It's not the character breakfast that they've had in the past - where everyone is assigned to specific seating based on their dinner rotation. You book tickets during the online checkin process (Onboard Fun). Arrival times for the breakfast are staggered. Here's some other info from the DCL website:

• The Disney Junior Character Breakfast is presented on 7-plus night cruises departing from U.S. domestic ports with a minimum of 2 days at sea. While appearances may vary per cruise, Jake, Sophia and Doc McStuffins are typically the featured Characters.
• VIP Characters appear on 7-plus night cruises departing from non-domestic ports (including our Alaskan itineraries) with a minimum of 2 days at sea. Though appearances may vary per cruise, most sailings will include Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto.
• Character Breakfasts with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto are featured on 14-night transatlantic and Panama Canal cruises.
• Character Breakfasts are not currently offered on any 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-night cruises.

Thanks. I knew they had tried something with the Fantasy but never heard anything past that.

So if I understand this correctly, the Fantasy 7 day cruise, you do an advanced booking for it on what ever day its offered, and its only the Disney Jr characters. However the Wonder, on its Alaskan gets MMGP.
MMGP are on all longer cruises.

I guess if you cant make it new, make it different.

 

[Winston Wolf]

On some cruises, theres also a matinee, (3 shows in stead of 2,) so you can go to an earlier show and spend time on the aquaduck for example at night, or go star gazing or any of the other things you wished you had time for on shorter cruises.

Really? I haven't see this yet. Would be great if it were more common though!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Really? I haven't see this yet. Would be great if it were more common though!

Typically those days that have a matinee are if the show is on a night of a sea day. Not when it's a port day.

 

[truck1]

Really? I haven't see this yet. Would be great if it were more common though!

Its not very common. afaik its only on the 7 day trips.

Like posted above. Like say Villians Tonight. My wife and I went to the Matinee show that night, we were at sea. Then when we would normally be in the show, we went shopping and just wandered the ship for a little bit.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

Greater variety of activities. More trivia games and crafts offered.