Halloween or Christmas Cruise?

[Kimberly9701]

Hi! My son and I just got back from his first trip at Disney World! We had a wonderful time, but 7 nights there was a lot for a 5 year old (I probably over scheduled).
So, I'm planning a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on DCL for next year. Torn between Halloween and Christmas, recommendations?
Also, I'm debating between leaving from Miami or PC. I know that the Fantasy is newer, but it looks like the Magic has been completely renovated. Is there a better choice between the 2?

 

[dcassetta]

There are benefits to both cruises. Take a look at the itineraries so see which combination of ports/sea days might suit you better.

For a 6 year boy, I might recommend the Magic because of the Marvel Avenger's Academy and Andy's Place in the clubs.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Hi! My son and I just got back from his first trip at Disney World! We had a wonderful time, but 7 nights there was a lot for a 5 year old (I probably over scheduled).
So, I'm planning a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on DCL for next year. Torn between Halloween and Christmas, recommendations?
Also, I'm debating between leaving from Miami or PC. I know that the Fantasy is newer, but it looks like the Magic has been completely renovated. Is there a better choice between the 2?

I've only been on the Fantasy and Dream so I can't compare them to the Magic, but as PP said, with his age I'd say he'll probably love the Magic.

As far as holidays go, while I've not been on any of the ships while decorated for holidays, I've been to DL many times for both holidays and highly recommend going with the Christmas decorations. Disney at Christmas is just amazing! I'm hoping to be on the Magic next year at Christmas if I can take the time off work.

Either ship on either itinerary I'm pretty confident you'll have a great time, just start saving money now because the cruise bug bites fast and hard and you'll want to do more. Just my $.02

 

[jdb in AZ]

We were on the Fantasy for Halloween and the Magic several years ago for Christmas. DCL makes more of an effort to celebrate Christmas than Halloween, perhaps because they haven't been doing Halloween décor as long. One of my favorite cruise memories is when DCL made it "snow" inside the atrium.

That said, Christmas cruises are very pricey, and some families don't like to be away from home for the holidays. It's hard to pack a bicycle in cruise luggage, but if your kids understand that the cruise is their gift, then you won't have to do any more shopping.

 

[Kimberly9701]

I'm looking at Novemeber dates, so we won't miss Christmas with the family. My one concern with that time of year is being too cold to swim at the beaches. I'm a former South Floridian and you couldn't catch me in the water from late October - Mid March!lol.
As far as pricing, my original preference was the summer Mediterranean itinerary, but I just can't justify the adult price for my son's age. We just did 7 nights at the Polynesian and surprisingly the Caribbean cruise costs less than the trip we just took. I know there will be shore excursions etc, but I think comparatively the 2 trips will come out about the same. I booked that trip 63 days before travel. This time I want to book early, and set money aside, so it isn't such a shock to me when the time comes!

 

[mmouse37]

Have been on the Magic over Halloween 2X and the Dream when decorated for Christmas. The Christmas decorations are gorgeous. We are doing Halloween on the Wonder this year. Funny, I did not plan any of our Halloween cruises specifically because they were Halloween cruises, just happened to work out price and time wise (booked them all pretty last minute with *GT rates).

MJ

 

[afyoung]

I'm looking at Novemeber dates, so we won't miss Christmas with the family. My one concern with that time of year is being too cold to swim at the beaches. I'm a former South Floridian and you couldn't catch me in the water from late October - Mid March!lol.
As far as pricing, my original preference was the summer Mediterranean itinerary, but I just can't justify the adult price for my son's age. We just did 7 nights at the Polynesian and surprisingly the Caribbean cruise costs less than the trip we just took. I know there will be shore excursions etc, but I think comparatively the 2 trips will come out about the same. I booked that trip 63 days before travel. This time I want to book early, and set money aside, so it isn't such a shock to me when the time comes!

I booked a cruise vs park time last year because it was less expensive than the same amount of time in the parks. We were on a Christmas cruise last year- and that snow in the atrium was amazing. We are going on a Halloween cruise this year. Halloween is my favorite holiday and I am excited to do a themed cruise. I think part of your deciding factors should also be which of those holidays you would prefer to see in Disney style. In late November last year, the water was a little cooler than I prefer, but we all still swam comfortably.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I'm looking at Novemeber dates, so we won't miss Christmas with the family. My one concern with that time of year is being too cold to swim at the beaches. I'm a former South Floridian and you couldn't catch me in the water from late October - Mid March!lol.
As far as pricing, my original preference was the summer Mediterranean itinerary, but I just can't justify the adult price for my son's age. We just did 7 nights at the Polynesian and surprisingly the Caribbean cruise costs less than the trip we just took. I know there will be shore excursions etc, but I think comparatively the 2 trips will come out about the same. I booked that trip 63 days before travel. This time I want to book early, and set money aside, so it isn't such a shock to me when the time comes!

The farther south you go, the warmer the weather. We shivered in Orlando, then sweated in the Bahamas.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Thanks all! I think my son would love either, but Santa definitely does add some extra magic. I might just have to toughen up and deal with cold(er) water temps. It probably wouldn't bother him, but I've been to Atlantis maybe 6 times during New Years, and don't think I swam in the ocean one of those times.lol

 

[yorkieteacher]

We were on the Fantasy for Halloween and the Magic several years ago for Christmas. DCL makes more of an effort to celebrate Christmas than Halloween, perhaps because they haven't been doing Halloween décor as long. One of my favorite cruise memories is when DCL made it "snow" inside the atrium.

That said, Christmas cruises are very pricey, and some families don't like to be away from home for the holidays. It's hard to pack a bicycle in cruise luggage, but if your kids understand that the cruise is their gift, then you won't have to do any more shopping.

Which show is this? Two poster have mentioned it on this thread. We are going on a Merrytime cruise and I know there are two shows mentioned in the atrium-the tree lighting ceremony and winter wonderland ball with Santa. I would guess the winter wonderland one where Santa comes?

 

[jdb in AZ]

Which show is this? Two poster have mentioned it on this thread. We are going on a Merrytime cruise and I know there are two shows mentioned in the atrium-the tree lighting ceremony and winter wonderland ball with Santa. I would guess the winter wonderland one where Santa comes?

For our cruise, it was on Christmas Eve, but like I said, it was several years ago so your cruise may be different.

 

[MasonsG]

We did a Disney cruise Christmas last year and are on the Dream now for the Halloween. We would definitely vote to do Another Christmas 7 night cruise, they do a fantastic job of making it magical. The 4 night Dream Halloween is not something I could recommend. Horrifically long lines for the meet and greets that we never experienced on the other 3 ships. And the Halloween on the Dream is a very brief affair for kids. There was a trick or treat/games half hour party and one small timeframe where you could do pictures with the characters in costume, on day 2. There was no way you could do more than a few, lines stretched forever and it was just the one brief chance. Pictures with Jack and Sally are only at midnight on departure day. Then there is one other Brief event on the last day, half an hour with the Pumpkin Tree. No characters at that one. Whereas we were truly thrilled with our Christmas Merrytime cruise and will definitely do that one again. Probably on the Magic with her makeover in the kids club, but we have loved all 3 of the other ships- just less wowed with the Dream, but its perfect if you have never been on a cruise and would just like to test the waters.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Thanks. I've decided on the Verymerrytime November Eastern Carib. Now just deciding between Magic and Fantasy. The Fantasy is a significant price increase over the Magic, but with a boy who loves water slides, I can't guarantee that he will be tall enoug for the Magic's Aquadunk- so this is making me lean Fantasy.

 

[Disnut4925]

Both ships are amazing. But if your son loves water slides, the AquaDuck on the Fantasy is soo much fun!!