First time cruise questions?

[Dizma]

I never had any interest in doing a cruise, but you guys have got me. Now I have the bug. ..........So being a first timer, should we do a short trip or the full week. I have a friend that says not to cheat ourselves and do the full 7 days. If we do the week , what is better eastern or western? We have an 8 and 6 year old. We have done Disney a few times already and we are looking to try something new. Any help or insight is appreciated. Thanks!
P.S. Happy Holidays to all!

 

[kcashner]

It's really a matter of personal preference...but I like the 7 day Eastern. The reason is that you have an extra sea day with additional programming for both adults and children. I would strongly recommend the 7 day trip--4 days is just not long enough. You really can't go wrong on any of the trips. We started with the 4 day before Disney had the 7....now, we have no desire to do a short trip. DD is trying to get us to book "back to back" 7 day trips....maybe someday....

My best advise would be to book as early as you know what you want in order to get the best rates. If, by chance, your rates go down, Disney will match the lower rates. If they go up, you have locked in at the lower rates. Right now, AAA and most other agencies are offering a $100 shipboard credit on 2004 bookings made during January. We usually book a lower priced cabin as you spend very little time in the cabin anyhow. We have gotten free upgrades on occasion. This is a great site for specific questions.

 

[disneyholic family]

on the other hand, for our first cruise 2 years ago, we did the 3 day as we weren't sure if we'd be able to handle the motion (both my daughter and i have severe motion sickness problems on dry land)....
so we figured the 3 day would be the safest to try out...
we LOVED every second of the cruise....
this summer we'll be on the 4 day cruise....

 

[Dizma]

A bump, and thank you kcashner and disneyholic family. I'm told a verandah is a must, do you agree?

 

[disneyholic family]

i very much enjoyed our verandah and it's a must for us...
but i know there are people who do just fine without one (since there are many places on the ship where you can enjoy sitting outside...)
but as i said, i loved our verandah and wouldn't think of cruising without one....but it's a matter of economics...if you can't afford it, no big deal....there are other ways to enjoy the open sea other than on your own verandah...

 

[MrsPete]

We chose the four-day for our first cruise. Most people love it, but I've heard a few people say that they didn't enjoy the atmosphere or they were so seasick that it wasn't any fun. We thought it was better to try a short cruise first. Next time we'll definately do the 7-day.

I'd say that a verandah is very nice, but it's not a necessity.

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

I would say start with the 4 day. That way if it's not for you, you're not stuck on the ship for 7 days. If you're anything like us, you'll be hooked and want to go for the 7 days on your next trip.

I would say the verandah is not a necessity. We've had both inside and verandahs. I prefer the inside. Nice and dark to sleep and saves $$$.

Enjoy

 

[jwann]

Yep - I agree with the post above.
Our first was a 4-day and it was a perfect "sampler". FOr sure pick the 4-day with the day at sea and not the Freeport stop. IMHO, book the cheapest room you can. Then decide how you like it. We moved from an 11 to a 10 for our 2nd cruise but we just can't convince ourselves to pay the extra $$$ for a varandah.

 

[Trekker]

Our very first trip was the 7 day Western - and I have to say - it ended to soon. We booked the 7 day Eastern for this spring before we ever left the ship!

We do not think the veranda is needed for us - we never spent any time in the cabin. Basically went there to change clothes and sleep. This trip we have booked 2 inside cabins - 1 for DW & I the other for DS & DD.

 

[disneyholic family]

i'm the exact opposite of the above posters...
i loved being in our cabin and would have stayed there all the time except that my 18 year old daughter wanted me to go everywhere with her (to the adult clubs/spa etc)...
but had it just been me, i would have hung out in our room....it was so relaxing....like having my own private yacht...
we were in a cat 3 room with a very long verandah....it was heavenly to just sit out there...
on our next cruise, this coming summer, we'll be in a cat 1....definitely forking over an obscene amount of $$......but i know i'm going to enjoy every second of it....i doubt my daughter will be able to drag me out of there....
maybe i'd better bring my nephew along with us to keep her entertained this time....