First Cruise - What would you choose?

[Tinkerfan4ever]

I have finally convinced my husband to go on a cruise!!!! We have gone to Disneyworld at least once a year since 2007. We are DVC members and want to try more of what Disney has to offer. But of course we can't decide on a destination. It would be myself, hubby, and our 13yo daughter. Sailing Oct 2020. We love sports, and being outside, but are not big drinkers or foodies.

Our top 2 choices are very different from each other and we can't decide which would be a better first cruise. Here are our choices:
1 - 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral aboard the Disney Fantasy
2 - 5-Night Halloween on the High Seas Canada Cruise from New York aboard the Disney Magic

Hit me up with the tips, the good the bad and the ugly. I appreciate any advice you can give!

 

[85glht]

The Fantasy is doing a 4 night? Maybe the Dream instead? Fantasy/Dream same size ships doesn’t matter I guess.... Anywho, I vote for the Bahamian cruise.... reason why, Castaway Cay... it is the best beach day one can have.

 

[TRTRguy]

The Fantasy is doing a 4 night? Maybe the Dream instead? Fantasy/Dream same size ships doesn’t matter I guess.... Anywho, I vote for the Bahamian cruise.... reason why, Castaway Cay... it is the best beach day one can have.

Yes The Fantasy is doing the 3/4 night Bahama cruises in the fall of 2020 while the Dream is in drydock

 

[Laura Anani]

I would do the Fantasy! Castaway Cay is amazing!

 

[Mom24Princesses]

You will wish it were an 7 night when it is over!!
But yes to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

Agree that you should do the cruise that goes to Castaway Cay.

 

[msmama]

My first Disney cruise was 5 night Halloween on the High Seas to Canada on the Magic. So I have a different answer than those above. I LOVED that cruise and we were hooked (my son was 8 at the time).

Now, I chose to leave from NY because I could get there without flying. Also, I'm not much of a beach person. And though I may get flamed for it here, I found Castaway Cay just kinda "meh." We spent a couple hours there and then headed back to the ship. That said, I live close to a beach and never go there, so I'm probably not their target audience.

The Canadian ports were in peak leaf changing so it was quite nice. We got off the ship and walked around the port areas so I have no input on excursions. It was cool, but my son still swam a couple of times (even if he was the only one).

I like the smaller ships (though I say that never having been on the larger). I've never been bored.

Also, I think longer is better (my second Disney cruise was 11 days Iceland/Norway, third was 7 day NY to WDW -including the stop at CC, and my upcoming fourth is the 2 week Panama Canal).

I don't think you'll be disappointed in either choice.

 

[Geomom]

I would probably pick the 5 nt Canadian cruise as well, mainly for the time of year. We've been to Disney World over Columbus Day weekend a few times and every time we went it was hot and humid, I can take the heat/humidity in the summer in Florida because I'm coming from heat/humidity...but October in MA is comfortable in the 60's and 70's. I'd also pick the 5 nt just to have the extra night and the ports would be more interesting to me. We've only been on the Wonder and Magic so far, we loved both those ships. We'll be on the Dream next summer doing the 4 nt cruise, but combining it with a DVC trip to Disney world. That will be our first stop at Castaway Cay. Our other cruises were Alaska and the Baltic Sea.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We've done both and DW & I recommend the Bahamian cruise. More activities ashore; you say you're into outdoor-sy activities so that falls into the Bahamian (with Castaway Cay). Magic is a wonderful ship and a personal favorite. Leaving out of NY was a great change up from PC & Miami and the HOTHS/Canada run was fun. Buuuut, I'd still recommend the Bahamian

 

[Tinkerfan4ever]

You will wish it were an 7 night when it is over!!

I am counting on it!!! I have been trying for years to get my husband to do a cruise! We agreed to do a short one first, just to get our toes wet, but if we like it, we will do longer ones in the future.

The issue is: we disagree on where to go! Hubby wants Castaway Cay and I want Canada! We are from WI so he wants the warmer weather and the beach. I want the colors and hiking. I also like the extra night. I love beaches too, but I burn easily and I have to hunt out shade no matter where I am! He could sit out all day and be fine. There are so many pros and cons to each. Maybe we do one and then while on board book another!!!! I might have to work some magic to do that!

 

[FloridaFun83]

I am counting on it!!! I have been trying for years to get my husband to do a cruise! We agreed to do a short one first, just to get our toes wet, but if we like it, we will do longer ones in the future.

The issue is: we disagree on where to go! Hubby wants Castaway Cay and I want Canada! We are from WI so he wants the warmer weather and the beach. I want the colors and hiking. I also like the extra night. I love beaches too, but I burn easily and I have to hunt out shade no matter where I am! He could sit out all day and be fine. There are so many pros and cons to each. Maybe we do one and then while on board book another!!!! I might have to work some magic to do that!

Maybe since he was the reluctant one, give him the itinerary he wants for the first shorter cruise to make sure he loves it and gets hooked. Then you get to pick the next one and for a longer cruise!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Agree, let him choose the first one (it's a guy thing). Then you choose the longer one next time.

 

[g_ppetto]

I would pick the 4 night Bahamas cruise as I always want to cruise to somewhere warm. We are also DVC members and like to spend a few days at WDW after a cruise before heading home. We don't exhaust ourselves trying to visit as much of the parks as possible. We do enjoy MNSSHP and yes, we try to visit all of the candy portals. You may be able to spend a day at Food and Wine too.

 

[fredandkell]

Personally I would do the four-day fantasy, especially with a 13-year-old daughter. I think she would like that more than Canada. Also the Caribbean route has a lot of first-time cruisers so you will not be as much of a disadvantage for booking dining reservations, port excursions, etc. as you would for the Canada cruise which I would bet attracts more veteran cruisers who will have priority over you.

 

[85glht]

Yes The Fantasy is doing the 3/4 night Bahama cruises in the fall of 2020 while the Dream is in drydock

I see... thanks

 

[MomOTwins]

I'm also partial to CC but I would choose the Bahamas for another reason as well: you have a teenager. Reports were last year's Canadian cruise had almost no kids/teens on board--nearly all adults. I think your daughter would find more friends at the teen club on the Bahamas cruise.

 

[Tinkerfan4ever]

Thanks for all the help guys.... I took all your advice and we are going to go ahead with the Bahamas. I made my husband agree to a veranda room and promise me that I get to pick the next cruise. I am bummed that we are not going to Canada, but I can absolutely get excited about the Bahamas. I am sure I will have more questions as we move forward in this process. You guys are the best!

 

[Tinkerfan4ever]

Maybe since he was the reluctant one, give him the itinerary he wants for the first shorter cruise to make sure he loves it and gets hooked. Then you get to pick the next one and for a longer cruise!

Agree, let him choose the first one (it's a guy thing). Then you choose the longer one next time.

My husband said.... "thanks for backing him up...... your checks in the mail!"