Help Us Choose Our First Cruise!

[disneypanda11]

We're deciding between a 3 and 4 night cruise this November on the Wish. This will be our first cruise ever (2 adults + 3 yo) and I’d love some thoughts on choosing which of the two options we have on hold may be best suited for us.

Here are some of the main thoughts I have but I’m sure there are things we don’t know about what we’d miss/gain with a 3 versus 4 day cruise.

For the Nov 4-7 trip (3 nights):

- We like the idea of a shorter first cruise, as I am prone to motion sickness and in the event that’s an issue, it would be a shorter sail (though we did get a midship stateroom which I read helps)
- Main dining seating is available
- We have no interest in Nassau, so CC only is a good fit for us
- A verandah room fits into the budget better with a shorter cruise
- I’m worried it may feel too short, though we plan to spend most of the time together as a family and don’t intend to take advantage of the spa/ adult only restaurants, etc.

For the Nov 7-11 trip (4 nights):
- No midship staterooms available, forward section instead (does this really matter for motion?)
- Stateroom is an ocean view (no verandah)
- We could skip Nassau and get a bonus day aboard the ship (is this worth it?)
- Only late dining is available which will absolutely be a huge challenge for our little one who does not nap and goes to bed quite early (what are the chances of this changing on what appears to be a very full ship?)

TIA

 

[holula]

I would absolutely pick the 4 night. 3 nights is too short and much more of a rush as everyone is trying to do everything in what is basically two days.

 

[Marc D]

Do not let main dining availability be a deal-breaker. DCL might be doing things differently on Wish (but knowing them, probably not…) but they have always held a good number of tables on Main dining for seating requests. They know that main dining is very popular with young families and if they let all the tables available at booking time, they would be snatched by families that do not really need them. So a good portion of reservations default to late seating.

Once you book your cruise, call or chat with a DCL CM (or get your TA to do it) and get on the main dining waitlist. Most of the time, you’ll be switched once they do table assignments close to the cruise. There is no need to call multiple times since the assignments are not modifiable by the CMs on the phone unless there is availability at that moment, which is something you can see online yourself. If it does not happen before the cruise, you have the possibility to switch onboard.

As for motion sickness, only 10% of cruisers experience it and at different levels. Land-based predisposition is not a good indication, unless it is severe. The location of your room might have an impact if you experience motion at night, but on sea days, it will change nothing unless you camp in your room all day. Most cases are easily handled by using OTC medication.

I would pick the best option for you outside of those two concerns and manage them. For us, it would be the 4-nights cruise simply because the 3-nights are rushed.

 

[Cheburashka]

Given your criteria, I would choose the 3-night cruise. Having the right dining time for your little one, a verandah, and being midship will combine to make it a better cruise than a 4 night where your son is challenged with the meal schedule & you only have an oceanview.

Many posters here are hard-core cruisers & will argue for a longer cruise every time, no matter the circumstances. Some of them have never even sailed a 3-night cruise, but will argue against them anyway. I've sailed 8 cruises, including multiple 3-night & multiple 7-night cruises, and will tell you both are very enjoyable in their own way. I wouldn't hesitate to book another 3-night cruise.

Hopefully motion sickness won't be much of an issue for you. Bring Dramamine just in case, but don't take anything in advance as you might not need it at all. I can get motion sick in some circumstances on land, but have no problem cruising and have never needed medication. The ships are very stable.

You're right to be cautious, though. We once took my mother on a cruise & it just wasn't for her. I'm glad that one was only a 3-night cruise.

 

[MomOTwins]

Given your criteria, I would choose the 3-night cruise. Having the right dining time for your little one, a verandah, and being midship will combine to make it a better cruise than a 4 night where your son is challenged with the meal schedule & you only have an oceanview.

Many posters here are hard-core cruisers & will argue for a longer cruise every time, no matter the circumstances. Some of them have never even sailed a 3-night cruise, but will argue against them anyway. I've sailed 8 cruises, including multiple 3-night & multiple 7-night cruises, and will tell you both are very enjoyable in their own way. I wouldn't hesitate to book another 3-night cruise.

Hopefully motion sickness won't be much of an issue for you. Bring Dramamine just in case, but don't take anything in advance as you might not need it at all. I can get motion sick in some circumstances on land, but have no problem cruising and have never needed medication. The ships are very stable.

You're right to be cautious, though. We once took my mother on a cruise & it just wasn't for her. I'm glad that one was only a 3-night cruise.

I agree, we have done the three night many times and if you stay on the ship at nassau (highly recommend) it is a very nice trip. If you feel it is too short, the consolidation prize is you’ll be able to book a placeholder reservation for a future cruise at 10% off on the ship, which should offset the cost of doing a longer cruise down the road.

Main dining is a big deal with kids. And if you do have motion sickness, the difference between forward and midship is night and day. Even if you don’t get seasick, we find a lot of value in midship for the convenience of being close to most of the ship’s amenities. Having both will absolutely make it a more pleasant experience.

 

[loislane]

For our first cruise, we did a 3-night. We'd never cruised before, weren't sure if we'd like it, etc. So 3 nights is the perfect "trial size" for a cruise. We did get off in Nassau and explored by ourselves for a few hours. We never felt rushed or like we had to cram everything in. Honestly, we missed A LOT because we were a little clueless, but it was still wonderful. We paired it with a week at WDW and that worked out nicely. Since we live in NY, Port Canaveral is a long drive or a flight to get there.

We sail on our second cruise in August and went for the 4 night now that we know how much we enjoyed it. This time, we're ready with more awareness of all there is to do on board. And the next cruise will probably be an even longer one. We're getting to the point where as much as we have loved WDW in the past, it's getting too exhausting and complicated for us, so we're looking more and more at cruises as a way to relax on vacation and still enjoy Disney magic.

 

[randumb0]

3 nights is perfect for someone that has never cruised before because there is a chance you don't like it. If you end up enjoying it then you will have more cruises to look forward to

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Where are you coming from? If you're local or local-ish and driving, I would do the 3 night to try it out. But I personally wouldn't fly anywhere for less than a 5-night vacation.

 

[disneypanda11]

Do not let main dining availability be a deal-breaker. DCL might be doing things differently on Wish (but knowing them, probably not…) but they have always held a good number of tables on Main dining for seating requests. They know that main dining is very popular with young families and if they let all the tables available at booking time, they would be snatched by families that do not really need them. So a good portion of reservations default to late seating.

Once you book your cruise, call or chat with a DCL CM (or get your TA to do it) and get on the main dining waitlist. Most of the time, you’ll be switched once they do table assignments close to the cruise. There is no need to call multiple times since the assignments are not modifiable by the CMs on the phone unless there is availability at that moment, which is something you can see online yourself. If it does not happen before the cruise, you have the possibility to switch onboard.

As for motion sickness, only 10% of cruisers experience it and at different levels. Land-based predisposition is not a good indication, unless it is severe. The location of your room might have an impact if you experience motion at night, but on sea days, it will change nothing unless you camp in your room all day. Most cases are easily handled by using OTC medication.

I would pick the best option for you outside of those two concerns and manage them. For us, it would be the 4-nights cruise simply because the 3-nights are rushed.

This is super helpful because of all the things weighing into the decision the most it’s that dining time. Glad to hear there may be a chance of dining earlier if we do the 4 day!

 

[disneypanda11]

For our first cruise, we did a 3-night. We'd never cruised before, weren't sure if we'd like it, etc. So 3 nights is the perfect "trial size" for a cruise. We did get off in Nassau and explored by ourselves for a few hours. We never felt rushed or like we had to cram everything in. Honestly, we missed A LOT because we were a little clueless, but it was still wonderful. We paired it with a week at WDW and that worked out nicely. Since we live in NY, Port Canaveral is a long drive or a flight to get there.

We sail on our second cruise in August and went for the 4 night now that we know how much we enjoyed it. This time, we're ready with more awareness of all there is to do on board. And the next cruise will probably be an even longer one. We're getting to the point where as much as we have loved WDW in the past, it's getting too exhausting and complicated for us, so we're looking more and more at cruises as a way to relax on vacation and still enjoy Disney magic.

This, 100% is why we’re choosing DCL. DH and I have gone on so many amazing WDW trips and have fond memories, but it’s just so different now. We think the pace of a cruise may be a better fit for us right now while still having that Disney magic!

 

[disneypanda11]

Where are you coming from? If you're local or local-ish and driving, I would do the 3 night to try it out. But I personally wouldn't fly anywhere for less than a 5-night vacation.

We’ll be in from Pennsylvania, so not too bad, but it is still a flight.

 

[disneypanda11]

Given your criteria, I would choose the 3-night cruise. Having the right dining time for your little one, a verandah, and being midship will combine to make it a better cruise than a 4 night where your son is challenged with the meal schedule & you only have an oceanview.

Many posters here are hard-core cruisers & will argue for a longer cruise every time, no matter the circumstances. Some of them have never even sailed a 3-night cruise, but will argue against them anyway. I've sailed 8 cruises, including multiple 3-night & multiple 7-night cruises, and will tell you both are very enjoyable in their own way. I wouldn't hesitate to book another 3-night cruise.

Hopefully motion sickness won't be much of an issue for you. Bring Dramamine just in case, but don't take anything in advance as you might not need it at all. I can get motion sick in some circumstances on land, but have no problem cruising and have never needed medication. The ships are very stable.

You're right to be cautious, though. We once took my mother on a cruise & it just wasn't for her. I'm glad that one was only a 3-night cruise.

That’s really encouraging about the motion sickness. Will pack that Dramamine and pray I don’t need it!

 

[dreamer17555]

I would look into the nondrowsy Dramamine and sea bands just in case. It helps to take the Dramamine starting a day or two before you get there. I would also book the shorter stay. If you’re feeling seasick being able to be out on your veranda can help. Midship is better for motion sickness.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

If it makes you comfortable knowing everything is exactly what you want, then do the 3-night. This way you won't be worried about the need to change anything. As for the Dramamine, try it now. Dramamine (on dry land) made me woozy and sleepy. Bonine (on dry land) didn't. So far, I haven't used Bonine on the ship for seasickness, but at least I know.

 

[tink1970]

That’s really encouraging about the motion sickness. Will pack that Dramamine and pray I don’t need it!

I get very motion sick-in the car, flying, etc. Out of 20+ cruises I've only been seasick on 2 (and that's without medications)-both in 20'+ seas and one of those times I was an idiot and did an elliptical workout perpendicular to those high seas (what was I thinking??). My mother also has severe motion sickness but she premedicates and has been fine in the 9 or 10 cruises she has been on, so I'm hopeful you'll tolerate the motion just fine.

As for 3 v 4, I love cruising but you might not so if the 3 day fits your schedule better than it's a great idea to try it and see. I will warn you, if you love it it will become habit forming

 

[Chica1581]

Before a cruise, go to your doctor and ask for the motion sickness stickers that go behind your ear. They are so helpful and really let you enjoy the cruise.

 

[MomOTwins]

If it makes you comfortable knowing everything is exactly what you want, then do the 3-night. This way you won't be worried about the need to change anything. As for the Dramamine, try it now. Dramamine (on dry land) made me woozy and sleepy. Bonine (on dry land) didn't. So far, I haven't used Bonine on the ship for seasickness, but at least I know.

Bonine is great! And yes, no wooziness -- much better than the Dramamine in that respect. Which in my book means you can drink plenty of cocktails with it

 

[MomOTwins]

I get very motion sick-in the car, flying, etc. Out of 20+ cruises I've only been seasick on 2 (and that's without medications)-both in 20'+ seas and one of those times I was an idiot and did an elliptical workout perpendicular to those high seas (what was I thinking??). My mother also has severe motion sickness but she premedicates and has been fine in the 9 or 10 cruises she has been on, so I'm hopeful you'll tolerate the motion just fine.

As for 3 v 4, I love cruising but you might not so if the 3 day fits your schedule better than it's a great idea to try it and see. I will warn you, if you love it it will become habit forming

Totally anecdotal, but for many of people I've talked to, and from personal experience, motion sickness and sea sickness do not always go hand in hand. My husband gets terrible motion sickness in cars and on any kind of roller coaster ride, while I have zero issues. Whereas on the ship, he feels great whereas I am completely overcome with seasickness.

 

[Drfate102]

A lot of people say longer is better, but it is easier to book your next cruise than to go 24 more hours on a cruise that you are currently on and being miserable. Try the three day and do an onboard booking if you like it.

 

[Annabell]

I love longer cruises but in your case, I would just go for the 3 days cruise and as others have said, if you like it , you can always book a longer one for the next time.