First cruise opinions needed!

[Librarian80]

I’m looking at cruises on the Fantasy for August (assuming they don’t get cancelled) and are currently trying to make a decision between two itineraries. I’ve never cruised before and wanted to get some opinions. Both cruises are almost exactly the same price for a guaranteed verandah, and both sail at the end of August (hopefully). It will just be me and my husband.

Would you choose a four night with a stop a Nassau and Castaway Cay, or a three night with a double dip to Castaway Cay?

Visiting Nassau isn’t a big draw for us, but we thought having another night on the ship would be nice. The second cruise seems too short, but two days at Castaway Cay is appealing.

Any opinions for this first time cruiser?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I’m looking at cruises on the Fantasy for August (assuming they don’t get cancelled) and are currently trying to make a decision between two itineraries. I’ve never cruised before and wanted to get some opinions. Both cruises are almost exactly the same price for a guaranteed verandah, and both sail at the end of August (hopefully). It will just be me and my husband.

Would you choose a four night with a stop a Nassau and Castaway Cay, or a three night with a double dip to Castaway Cay?

Visiting Nassau isn’t a big draw for us, but we thought having another night on the ship would be nice. The second cruise seems too short, but two days at Castaway Cay is appealing.

Any opinions for this first time cruiser?

I'm firmly in the "longer is better" camp. So a 4 night wins over a 3 night.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

Done both the 4 night and 3 night on the Dream. I definitely prefer the 4 night cruise as 3 is just too short even with 2 stops at Castaway.

The sea day on the 4 night is really enjoyable. You can always treat nassau as another day on the ship if you don't want to get off. It seems as though more and more people are choosing this option though.

 

[Joe Brig]

A 3 night cruise is only 2 full days. 4 nights will be 3 full days, so 50% more, sort of. I would choose a sea day over a second day at Castaway. Some love a second day, but it seems a bit redundant, there really isn't 2 days worth of actives on the small island for me. Disney adds lots of activities on the sea day though compared to a port day, plus great ocean scenery and its much more relaxing.

 

[mike314]

Go with the longer cruise, 3 day itinerary goes by fast

 

[Librarian80]

Thanks everyone. We’re going to go with the longer cruise. Fingers crossed they don’t cancel!

 

[brianvdb]

I’m looking at cruises on the Fantasy for August (assuming they don’t get cancelled) and are currently trying to make a decision between two itineraries. I’ve never cruised before and wanted to get some opinions. Both cruises are almost exactly the same price for a guaranteed verandah, and both sail at the end of August (hopefully). It will just be me and my husband.

Would you choose a four night with a stop a Nassau and Castaway Cay, or a three night with a double dip to Castaway Cay?

Visiting Nassau isn’t a big draw for us, but we thought having another night on the ship would be nice. The second cruise seems too short, but two days at Castaway Cay is appealing.

Any opinions for this first time cruiser?

Go with the longer cruise. A lot of your time on your first cruise will be spent exploring the ship, getting the routine down with dinner, show, activities, etc.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

I was probably looking at the same cruises as you were. I really wanted to do that double dip at CC but I also wanted that extra day onboard (sea days are awesome) so I went with the former. I've done a 3-night once and it was just super super short for me.

 

[AnnaS]

As much as I love Castaway Cay, longer is better. We have done all 7 nights, 1 11Nights Med and 1 4 night Double Dip cruise - Nice!!.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I am also in the longer is better camp, however, our first cruise was a 3 night with little kids. We found that to be perfect for us, for the first time. We came back exhausted! LOL. There is no wrong choice, you will have a blast! Good luck with your choice!

 

[GoofyGal3]

I’m looking at cruises on the Fantasy for August (assuming they don’t get cancelled) and are currently trying to make a decision between two itineraries. I’ve never cruised before and wanted to get some opinions. Both cruises are almost exactly the same price for a guaranteed verandah, and both sail at the end of August (hopefully). It will just be me and my husband.

Would you choose a four night with a stop a Nassau and Castaway Cay, or a three night with a double dip to Castaway Cay?

Visiting Nassau isn’t a big draw for us, but we thought having another night on the ship would be nice. The second cruise seems too short, but two days at Castaway Cay is appealing.

Any opinions for this first time cruiser?

Just booked 3 night double dip to Castaway Cay for Aug 28th for our 1st ever cruise. Really nervous about both the weather factor and flying in and out of NYC. But things seem to be lifting little by little up here & I could not pass up the deal. I am so excited!!! I know 3 nights is really short but being it's our 1st time & we are not sure how my husband will like being on the water for long periods of time- it seemed like the right one for us.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

I'd always choose a longer cruise, especially for a first timer. You will want at least one sea day to experience what the ship has to offer. With a 4-night, you can skip Nassau if you want and give yourself more time to enjoy the ship.

 

[mevelandry]

I’m looking at cruises on the Fantasy for August (assuming they don’t get cancelled) and are currently trying to make a decision between two itineraries. I’ve never cruised before and wanted to get some opinions. Both cruises are almost exactly the same price for a guaranteed verandah, and both sail at the end of August (hopefully). It will just be me and my husband.

Would you choose a four night with a stop a Nassau and Castaway Cay, or a three night with a double dip to Castaway Cay?

Visiting Nassau isn’t a big draw for us, but we thought having another night on the ship would be nice. The second cruise seems too short, but two days at Castaway Cay is appealing.

Any opinions for this first time cruiser?

Price difference?

The double dip at Castaway Cay is nice but not nice enough to pay an extra for it.

I'd probably pick the longer cruise with a nice excursion in Nassau.

 

[LizzyDragon]

I'd go with the 4-night. Pirate night has special menus that replace the regular resturant menu. So the 4-night gives you a chance to experience all three resturants in their normal mode, plus the pirate night experience.

 

[PadawanGirl]

I’m looking at cruises on the Fantasy for August (assuming they don’t get cancelled) and are currently trying to make a decision between two itineraries. I’ve never cruised before and wanted to get some opinions. Both cruises are almost exactly the same price for a guaranteed verandah, and both sail at the end of August (hopefully). It will just be me and my husband.

Would you choose a four night with a stop a Nassau and Castaway Cay, or a three night with a double dip to Castaway Cay?

Visiting Nassau isn’t a big draw for us, but we thought having another night on the ship would be nice. The second cruise seems too short, but two days at Castaway Cay is appealing.

Any opinions for this first time cruiser?

I would always go for two Castaway Cay days, but it depends on how much your group would enjoy that. If you like beaches, or any of the excursions you can do there, two Castaway Cay stops would be amazing!

 

[CamColt]

I totally agree with your way of thinking. CC is the only stop I care about so 2 days there would be something I would definitely want to do. With that said, putting a 3 night vs 4 night, I would probably lean toward the 4 night. 3 nights really is a fast cruise, where 4 gives just that little extra. And if you are looking for the best "value", 4 nights of food and entertainment wins out over 3 for the same price, of course.

 

[MomOTwins]

I think OP's odds of sailing of either cruise in August 2020 are now a bit moot

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I think OP's odds of sailing of either cruise in August 2020 are now a bit moot

Wonder what her Plan B is going to be for a "first-time cruise"?

 

[Drfate102]

I feel that your first cruise should be short and as cheap as you can make it to see if you like it. Best case, you get a taste and can plan more, worst case, it is only a few days and not as much money. It can be a little weird looking over the side of the ship and seeing miles of nothing. And there is something about standing on deck and looking at the night sky while at sea. Our first cruise was a 15 night Hawaii cruise, that was an experience, but we were told we were going on that and didn't have to pay for it.

 

[monkeydawn]

I think OP's odds of sailing of either cruise in August 2020 are now a bit moot

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