Gonna Book my wife and I on our First Cruise..Recommendations?

[Matt@WDWR]

I'm going to surprise her by booking a cruise this month for June of 2012. Which cruise would you recommend?

I saw the 5 day cruise that had two stops at Castaway Cay. That looks cool.

Then there are the 7 day cruises for the Eastern or Western Caribbean.


Any suggestions? At the time of the cruise we will have a 13 year old daughter, a 9 year old daughter, a 4 year old daughter, and a 2 year old son so this is a "give us back our sanity" cruise. hahaha

 

[Matt@WDWR]

I have put myself on the podcast cruise waitlist just in case. Hopefully a spot opens up!! If not, I'll look at the other cruises. Anybody been on both types of cruises? Is 2 days at Castaway Cay better than a 7 day?

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I suggest you look first at the Disney Dream and then look at the Royal Caribbean Cruise line ships.

 

[Cherinva]

I have put myself on the podcast cruise waitlist just in case. Hopefully a spot opens up!! If not, I'll look at the other cruises. Anybody been on both types of cruises? Is 2 days at Castaway Cay better than a 7 day?

My last cruise was a 4 day....a 5 day would better...2 stops at Castaway Cay will be awesome...one day just wasn't enough to fully explore the island...it is beautiful !!!

 

[PixieTl]

I vote for the 5 day! 2 days to enjoy Castaway Cay is wonderful! especially since the both of you will be able to get some much need relaxing time if your younger ones hang out at the cove!

 

[Matt@WDWR]

I vote for the 5 day! 2 days to enjoy Castaway Cay is wonderful! especially since the both of you will be able to get some much need relaxing time if your younger ones hang out at the cove!

Oh the kids aren't coming. haha This will be our first alone time since Audrey (now 2 1/2) was born. haha!

I agree. I think I am leaning toward the 5 day cruise!

 

[PixieTl]

wow in that case!! GO!!
i'd love a 5 day with out the kids!! I'm thrilled that I can take them this summer on the 5 day, but ahhh i'm already planning in the back of my mind our first 'kidless' trip to Disney.. in like 9 years time!

 

[sayhello]

I think it really depends on what you plan to do. The 7-day cruises have more ports, and much better excursions. The 5-day does Nassau, which, in my opinion, is a good reason to stay on the ship. So the 7-days would be more port time, and the 5-day would be more relax by the pool, or by the beach on Castaway Cay, etc.

Both have their merits.

Sayhello

 

[NancyIL]

There are other cruise lines to consider besides Disney - especially for an adults-only cruise!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Glad to hear you are on the waitlist for the next Podcast Cruise because when I saw when you wanted to travel, that was my first answer. I hope you get on the cruise because you'll be traveling with a great bunch of people. I wish we could go, but DH has something special planned for my milestone birthday in July of 2012.

Being your first cruise, I would recommend a shorter cruise (four or five days). Just to make sure you like cruising. Having two stops on Castaway Cay is a BIG plus. If you can do a five day cruise, I'd highly recommend it! We don't get off at Nassau anymore and treasure our day(s) on Castaway Cay. It is heavenly!!!!!! I don't recommend anything shorter than four days because you will feel rushed. Good Luck!

After your initial cruise and if you enjoyed the experience, I would recommend a longer cruise (seven days) and bring the kid(s) along especially if it is a Disney cruise. Disney Cruise Line knows how to make everyone feel special and entertained from a five year old to a fifty year old. We really look forward to our Disney cruise with the kids. They have their fun time in the kid clubs and we have fun relaxing in the adult-only areas. Win, win situation!

Happy Cruising!

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

wow in that case!! GO!!
i'd love a 5 day with out the kids!! I'm thrilled that I can take them this summer on the 5 day, but ahhh i'm already planning in the back of my mind our first 'kidless' trip to Disney.. in like 9 years time!

DH and I will have our first childless trip to Walt Disney World this upcoming September/October. I am giddy like a kid. I can't wait!!!!

Jennifer

 

[Matt@WDWR]

There are other cruise lines to consider besides Disney - especially for an adults-only cruise!

I do realize there are other ships. I would consider the Royal Caribbean but I've been pricing a few and the prices weren't that far off. I think I'd like to try DCL since the ships are newer and so maybe the family can take another cruise together later!

From what I've heard about Nassau, I would agree with staying on the ship though.

 

[bkoehl]

We did the 5 day "Double Dip" in August and it was awesome to have 2 days at Castaway Cay! Favorite part of the cruise I think.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I'd say the choice would depend on 2 things...

1) If you really have any interest in going to the locations on the 7 night. If you can't seem to find shore excursions that would make you excited, then do the 5 night.

2) Is that a ship you think you can really spend 7 nights on? My "day boss" is currently on the Wonder and he just realized today that 7 nights was too much for him. (Only his 2nd cruise and his first was a 4 night on the Magic.) We got the panicked email today after only 4 nights....

The Dream would definitely have enough details that you wouldn't get bored with 5 nights or even 7, if it was running that itinerary at that time.

If all else fails, just join our sailing without being "official". I have a Cast Member friend that may just do that when Disney opens the reservations up for CMs for that month. It would be nice to meet up with you and say hey!

 

[papamouse1]

If I were you, I would definitely shoot for a 7 day on the new Fantasy. You will need the extra days just to try and catch all the things on the ship.