Eastern vs 5 nt DD vs WDW?

[JJsmama]

Hi,
I would really like to do another cruise, but I am trying to decide the best one for us before I start trying to talk DH into it.

When my older sons were younger we did a 4 nt Bahamas, then later a 7 nt Western. A few years ago we did a Western out of CA.

I love CC, especially that there are ample activities and it is easy - no bussing, not much pre-planning, and it is gorgeous and exotic without the stress that often goes along with being a tourist. i love the snorkeling especially! Dh doesnt enjoy the parks much and a cruise is much more his speed.

However, part of me would like to see more of the Caribbean too. DH and I have been to St Maarten and I loved the beach but we didn't think it was a great place for a week with the kids. How are the excursion on the islands on the Eastern?

One thing that is important in these choices is great options to spend time together as a family. I am not so interested in the Adult Only activities, since my kids are great companions and the oldest will be going to college before too long When we go to a regular 'to the beach' vacation, the teens spend about 1 hour a day out with us and then are bored and back to the ipads... (At WDW, they are happy and ready to go every moment.) I know they would enjoy the snorkeling and tubes, etc at CC and since the snacks and bikes, etc are nearby, would stay out longer with us. I worry that the 5 nt is not long enough though. We definitely were just getting the swing of things right before the 4 nt ended...

which of these do you think has the best family time options? Also, are the cruises worth the cost over even staying deluxe at WDW? I just checked the prices and either the 5 nt or the 7 would be $10K for the 5 of us

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Go for the seven night Eastern, do think that a cruise includes all good and entertainment, ( yes you could pay at Palo but all standard food included)

It's far more relaxing.

The good thing is you all can do your own thing, relax or pools or films, or shows or TV or clubs.

 

[Sunshine2U]

When our children were that age we exclusively went to WDW - no cruises. They are old enough you can cut them loose on their own - if you feel they have the ability to handle that. Our favorite stay was in the Epcot resorts. They could go out on the Boardwalk, the pools, and even into the back gate at Epcot. Otherwise we would go to parks together but DH and I would find a place to relax while they went to Space Mountain (or whatever). They wanted the action of WDW - my daughter would have loved to cruise as a teenager. My son, not so much.