Fantasy 7 nt Eastern OR back to back 3&4 nt Dream??

[BlondeAlligator]

Can't decide what to do? We LOVE Castaway Cay & were spoiled with a double dip on our first cruise. I like the idea of 2 days there on back to back Dream cruises, but also looking at Fantasy Eastern itin. This would be in late March 2017. Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[MickeyEarrings]

The back-to-back also puts you in muster drill twice, the same shows twice, same menus twice...but, it gives you two cruises toward your castaway club status, if that's important to you.

The 7-night Eastern gives you three sea days (and three opportunities for brunch at Palo, rather than one), a different menu every night, and you still visit Castaway Cay.

It's your choice, but I'd rather do the Eastern.

 

[scootch]

Definitely the 7 night. Have done both. While we enjoyed the double dip, the entire feel on a 7 night is just more spectacular. People are not rushing around trying to squeeze everything in around you. We did the four night first and then laughed watching all the three night people trying to cram everything in. Plus Lobster on the 7 night and the Caribbean is so much nicer than the Bahamas.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

Thanks! I was leaning toward the 7 night Eastern but hearing from you guys made the decision easier for me. I hadn't considered the same meals and shows...7 night here we come!

 

[hanscarlet]

we're doing the 7 night eastern in April and I already have the B2B on the Dream booked for 2017.... I have a feeling that my husband will want to rebook another eastern for 2017 because it's supposedly spectacular... however I really want to get to Gold so that's why we're doing B2B and plus we're doing our eastern on the Magic and I miss the bigger ships

If I was you I would do the 7 night if getting to Gold or Platinum isn't a consideration

 

[scootch]

Why are you wanting to get to Gold? We are gold but except for the 10% discount in the shops, doesn't mean much to us. Just wondering.

 

[scgustafson]

I would always go for the cruise with the more sea days, but also you don't waste one day in Port Canaveral on a 7-night. Echo the same about the repeats on shows and menus, go for the bigger variety, especially if you have never been on an itinerary. Also, agree that the Caribbean is nicer than the Bahamas. Lastly, on Disney Fantasy, there will be fewer newbies as when you go on Disney Dream, you will be subjected to two periods of clueless new people who step off of the elevators and stop, unaware of where they are going. The Disney Dream is a magnet for new cruisers as 3 and 4 night cruises are good toe-in-the-water trips, usually the longer cruises have a higher percentage of repeat cruisers.

 

[Mrslissaaa]

I was thinking of this as well. We are going in December.

 

[cpfolk]

Lastly, on Disney Fantasy, there will be fewer newbies as when you go on Disney Dream, you will be subjected to two periods of clueless new people who step off of the elevators and stop, unaware of where they are going. The Disney Dream is a magnet for new cruisers as 3 and 4 night cruises are good toe-in-the-water trips, usually the longer cruises have a higher percentage of repeat cruisers.

Better study the fantasy ship plans before my first cruise next month so I won't inconvenience the repeat cruisers

 

[scgustafson]

Better study the fantasy ship plans before my first cruise next month so I won't inconvenience the repeat cruisers

If you have been on Disney Dream, you will easily get around Disney Fantasy. And I was referring to first time ever cruisers who have no concept of where they are going period.

 

[cpfolk]

If you have been on Disney Dream, you will easily get around Disney Fantasy. And I was referring to first time ever cruisers who have no concept of where they are going period.

If you have been on Disney Dream, you will easily get around Disney Fantasy. And I was referring to first time ever cruisers who have no concept of where they are going period.

1st time on the fantasy, check!
1st time on DCL, check!
1st CRUISE EVER, check!!!!

We are bound to look like a bunch of rookies, but I'm thinking a girl with a couple of post grad degrees can figure it out after a few days

I hope those of you on the 3/26 sailing will be patient with my family of 13 as we navigate the ship. If you see a large group looking lost, just point us toward deck 9. That's where we are staying. Well, there or an ice cream machine. That can make any of us in our family happier even if we are lost

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

1st time on the fantasy, check!
1st time on DCL, check!
1st CRUISE EVER, check!!!!

We are bound to look like a bunch of rookies, but I'm thinking a girl with a couple of post grad degrees can figure it out after a few days

I hope those of you on the 3/26 sailing will be patient with my family of 13 as we navigate the ship. If you see a large group looking lost, just point us toward deck 9. That's where we are staying. Well, there or an ice cream machine. That can make any of us in our family happier even if we are lost

Ice cream is on deck 11, just always head up there when clueless, whether it's ice cream, chicken strips or any other snack. I just find myself going up there several times day and night. Enjoy the Fantasy, she's a great ship.

 

[DisneyFamily17]

Do you think the 7 day eastern is good for our 6 year old daughter? Or b2b on the dream? Or 7 day western so many decisions ! This will be her 2nd cruise.. we are such a disney family !

 

[hanscarlet]

Why are you wanting to get to Gold? We are gold but except for the 10% discount in the shops, doesn't mean much to us. Just wondering.

I don't really have a good answer LOL. I think it's a little bit due to being a control freak - the idea that I could get advance booking opportunities on opening day overr silver is something that excites me but I realize it's not a major advantage, to think I am only one cruise away to get advance booking when I can just do B2B and then achieve it seems easier. I also want to try concierge and B2B experiences and the concierge experience on the Fantasy seems like it's really expensive vs the Dream which appears to be more manageable.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

Do you think the 7 day eastern is good for our 6 year old daughter? Or b2b on the dream? Or 7 day western so many decisions ! This will be her 2nd cruise.. we are such a disney family !

That was one of my concerns, but I'm booking 7nt Eastern tonight. My DD will be 6 too when we cruise. She loves the kids club and I'm sure there will be tons of activities on sea days. We can't wait!!!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Do you think the 7 day eastern is good for our 6 year old daughter? Or b2b on the dream? Or 7 day western so many decisions ! This will be her 2nd cruise.. we are such a disney family !

I would think a 6 year old would hate getting off the ship twice, just my opinion I could be wrong.

West vs east in my opinion depends on what you're looking for. I think eastern tends to be more relaxing where western tends to have more adventures.

 

[DisneyFamily17]

Thanks everyone ! I really have to compare the port adventures..

 

[Saimaeve]

We were booked on the 7night Eastern on the Fantasy in March 2017.

The 3 night/4night Bahama was nearly $1000 cheaper. So we switched.

 

[2boysmommy]

We've done both and both have their perks.

Something to consider - on embarkation day (so twice on a B2B) the Oceaneers Club/Lab are only open as Open House until after the ship sets sail. This was the biggest negative to our kids on our B2B. They said they missed an entire day in the club! It was one thing I had not considered when comparing the two.

Granted, given the right price and itinerary option, we would consider a B2B again. But we will make sure and be prepared for the "boredom" that comes with the club being "closed"!!

 

[BlondeAlligator]

Booked our 7 night Eastern last night for 3/25/17! Thanks everyone for your opinions. Ultimately, going back to Port Canaveral and getting off and on the ship again seemed like it would be too much of an interruption of the relaxation. Plus I love the idea of seeing new places. Yay!!!