First time cruise...4 day Bahama or 7 day EC/WC?

[northshoremama]

you may have seen my other posts...we are still deciding on our first family cruise. Originally we were thinking of either Alaska or the Mexican Riviera. We live in Seattle so that's why those 2 destinations. However, now I've opened up the options to flying cross country to FL from WA to do either the Bahamas or EC (or WC).

As you know the Bahama cruise is either 3 or 4 nights. The Caribbean ones are 7 nights. For our first family cruise, what would you recommend?

Someone told me if I'm flying that far, we might as well do the 7night cruise. I agree, but my checkbook seems to disagree...since we have to account for at least $2,300 in airfare.

On the other hand, I was thinking we should start with a shorter cruise and build our way up to a 7night cruise.

Any thoughts?!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

you may have seen my other posts...we are still deciding on our first family cruise. Originally we were thinking of either Alaska or the Mexican Riviera. We live in Seattle so that's why those 2 destinations. However, now I've opened up the options to flying cross country to FL from WA to do either the Bahamas or EC (or WC).

As you know the Bahama cruise is either 3 or 4 nights. The Caribbean ones are 7 nights. For our first family cruise, what would you recommend?

Someone told me if I'm flying that far, we might as well do the 7night cruise. I agree, but my checkbook seems to disagree...since we have to account for at least $2,300 in airfare.

On the other hand, I was thinking we should start with a shorter cruise and build our way up to a 7night cruise.

Any thoughts?!

But, you'll be paying the same airfare cost regardless if it's a 3 night or a 7 night, right? I agree, if I'm paying that much and investing that much travel time to get to the cruise, at least 7 nights.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

For our first family cruise, we went on a 4 night Bahamas because we were concerned that we might get seasick & didn't want to be on the ship for too long. We ruled out the 3 night because that seemed too short. We went to WDW first & then cruise. No one felt seasick at all & we had a wonderful time.

For our next cruise, we booked the same because that fits our budget best, at this time.

Do you have any reason to think someone will get seasick? If so, shorter cruise might be best.

Will you be going to WDW before or after cruise? For us, flying to Orlando means a trip to WDW. That of course adds to the overall cost of vacation.

Only you can decide what your budget is. Look at it realistically & plan from there. If you can afford a longer cruise, go for it.

Happy planning!

 

[dclpluto]

Definitely one of the 7 night cruise.

 

[mernin]

Like BLTtinkerbell, we weren't sure if my DH would like it or get seasick so we went with a 4 day sandwiched between 3 and 2 nights at WDW. We go in Feb 2017 so can't tell you what we would do again!

 

[wilkeliza]

First ever cruise we did a short 4 night non-Disney cruise. That was just how it worked out. After that the 4 night Dream cruise was just way too short for us and so now we do 5 days or 7 days.

Totally up to you buy flying cross country I kind of agree that 7 days seems best. They are more expensive though so if the breaking point is money don't compromise rooms (inside vs ocean view) for a longer stay.

 

[T1nkerBell]

If I were in your shoes, I'd pick a 7 day cruise. If you have a specific reason to think somebody might getting sea sick, discuss options with your doctor. I believe that the percentage of people getting sick on a regular (non-stormy) cruise is small, so the risk is small.

We tried a 4-day first cruise due to the same question you're asking. We felt it was too short to enjoy everything. Many say that that's okay because you'll be back once you've started cruising. But since we fly ti FL from Europe, we don't have the opportunity to cruise often. So we want bang for our buck. And adding days and making the cruise a part of a longer trip is our preferred way.

Hope that helps in a small way to make your decision easier!

 

[PlanoNana]

Our first cruise was a 7 night EC on the Magic because we wanted to go to St.Thomas and St. Marten more than we wanted to go to Nassau. Considering that I thought the 7 night was too short I think I would really be bummed with a 3 or 4 night. And DH gets carsick easily but had no problem on the ship. And we've been very happy with Category 11 sideways inside rooms on the Magic so that's what we booked on the Wonder for our Black Friday cruise. Porthole or Verandah might be nice but I'd rather have more days and spend my time on deck or at the pool.

 

[wombat_5606]

you may have seen my other posts...we are still deciding on our first family cruise. Originally we were thinking of either Alaska or the Mexican Riviera. We live in Seattle so that's why those 2 destinations. However, now I've opened up the options to flying cross country to FL from WA to do either the Bahamas or EC (or WC).

As you know the Bahama cruise is either 3 or 4 nights. The Caribbean ones are 7 nights. For our first family cruise, what would you recommend?

Someone told me if I'm flying that far, we might as well do the 7night cruise. I agree, but my checkbook seems to disagree...since we have to account for at least $2,300 in airfare.

On the other hand, I was thinking we should start with a shorter cruise and build our way up to a 7night cruise.

Any thoughts?!

I have something else for you to consider:

Do the Alaska cruise, but save your money and don't cruise Disney. Try another cruise line. Then, once you know if you even like cruising with your children, you can do Disney next time. This way is the most economical. You won't pay the exorbitant Disney prices in Alaska and you will save a lot on travel expense.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I would do 7 night hands down. We started with a short cruise too and it was just too short... Unless maybe you can add 3 nights or something at WDW followed by 4 nights on the Dream.
What month would you be cruising in? If it's between Nov-Feb Bahamas can be on the cooler side, which we don't like. But if it's the Caribbean it's pretty hot even in the winter months. You still sail through the Bahamas but you keep going...

 

[northshoremama]

I have something else for you to consider:

Do the Alaska cruise, but save your money and don't cruise Disney. Try another cruise line. Then, once you know if you even like cruising with your children, you can do Disney next time. This way is the most economical. You won't pay the exorbitant Disney prices in Alaska and you will save a lot on travel expense.

Thanks for the input. I've looked at other cruise lines. Looked at a RCCL cruise out of Galveston. DH will NOT accept the fact that our girls will be separated in the kids club. My girls will be 5,9,10 (or 11) depending on when the cruise is next year. From what I've read, all three girls will be together on DCL, but on RCCL my 5 year old will be by herself. DH does NOT like that idea and he won't even consider another cruise line at this time. Ugh...talk about stubborn. I've told him how much we'd save by doing RCCL, but he refuses based ONLY on the kids club...but when I tell him the cost of a DCL cruise, he's like "OMG, we can't afford that!" Then I propose RCCL without the kids club...you know, just have the girls with us at all times. And he's like "well, we need adult time, too". Ugh....maybe a cruise isn't in our future anytime soon.

 

[wombat_5606]

Thanks for the input. I've looked at other cruise lines. Looked at a RCCL cruise out of Galveston. DH will NOT accept the fact that our girls will be separated in the kids club. My girls will be 5,9,10 (or 11) depending on when the cruise is next year. From what I've read, all three girls will be together on DCL, but on RCCL my 5 year old will be by herself. DH does NOT like that idea and he won't even consider another cruise line at this time. Ugh...talk about stubborn. I've told him how much we'd save by doing RCCL, but he refuses based ONLY on the kids club...but when I tell him the cost of a DCL cruise, he's like "OMG, we can't afford that!" Then I propose RCCL without the kids club...you know, just have the girls with us at all times. And he's like "well, we need adult time, too". Ugh....maybe a cruise isn't in our future anytime soon.

Maybe you should do what I did the first time....cruised with my girls and left the husband home!

 

[justme0729]

We're doing a 5 night in June with one at sea day. We have never cruised and figure it will be long enough to do most things but not feel stuck if we don't like it maybe a 5 night is an option?

 

[olookasquirrel]

Did you look at Miami sailings? Not sure what the calendars are like this year but last spring we did a 5 night out of Miami on the Wonder - it was way more in line with our budget, even booking outside opening day. Might be a compromise.

 

[northshoremama]

We're doing a 5 night in June with one at sea day. We have never cruised and figure it will be long enough to do most things but not feel stuck if we don't like it maybe a 5 night is an option?

Did you look at Miami sailings? Not sure what the calendars are like this year but last spring we did a 5 night out of Miami on the Wonder - it was way more in line with our budget, even booking outside opening day. Might be a compromise.

I did a quick check on 5night cruises out of Miami. From the initial looks of things, the dates don't work out for our family. Looking to cruise in April/May or Sept/early Oct. I'll get on my laptop tonight to looks things over better....thanks for the input!

 

[tlprice]

We did a 4 night for our first cruise last December because I didn't know if we'd like it. We did 2 1/2 days at Universal before and 6 days at WDW after, so it wasn't a short trip, I just wasn't sure how much we'd like the cruise portion. We liked it so much we are doing a 7 night in October with 1 1/2 days at WDW before and 3 days at Universal/WDW after. More sea, less land this time. I think a 4 day is good for seeing if you even like cruising though.

 

[bcwife76]

Have you considered the west coast repo cruises? In May it's 5 nights from San Diego to Vancouver and at the end of the Alaskan season it's 4 nights from Vancouver to San Diego. We did that one last Fall (same thinking, first cruise, let's try a shorter one and loved it). We are also on the West Coast (3 hours north of you *waves hi*) and we are doing a 7 night in January from Florida (again, no way am I flying that far for a 3 or 4 night cruise lol)

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I get asked this question a lot. My standard answer is, "It will take you 3-4 days just to figure out how to get around the ship." Just when you are finally settling in and getting into the swing of onboard life, you'd be done with a 3-4 day cruise.

 

[northshoremama]

Have you considered the west coast repo cruises? In May it's 5 nights from San Diego to Vancouver and at the end of the Alaskan season it's 4 nights from Vancouver to San Diego. We did that one last Fall (same thinking, first cruise, let's try a shorter one and loved it). We are also on the West Coast (3 hours north of you *waves hi*) and we are doing a 7 night in January from Florida (again, no way am I flying that far for a 3 or 4 night cruise lol)

ooh, never thought of the repo cruises. i see one for a 4night cruise from vancouver to san diego in sept next year. 2 nights a sea would give us time to actually enjoy the ship. definitely more in our price range. thanks for the idea! (*waving back!*)

 

[Amy11]

Longer cruises always better! I love eastern itineraries because they have locations that are more expensive to fly to and super beautiful! On the Fantasy EC Nov. 5 myself.