How are the 3 day cruises?

[2-pointdoe]

I have never done a 3 night but it seems like it would be too short.

As far as taking kids out of school, call the school and see what their requirements are. I will e taking my 8 year old out for two weeks in May for the panama cruise. School doesn't require her to make up any work but I will be requiring her to write a paper comparing the cultures along with one on the history of the panama canal.

I believe that the experiences gained seeing and doing things far out way being in class. We take her out of school at at minimum of once per year.

 

[Bishoparc]

At the end of the day it really is "to each his own". For us personally, both times we've cruised so far we did the 3 night and both we said "boy, that's one of the best vacations we've ever taken". For us, it's been the timing to fit the longer one in but we definitely didn't feel like we missed out. Are you going to be busy, sure but only as busy as you want to be. There are non-stop activities so you can do as much or as little as you want. Just don't feel like you have to catch every single thing.

Each night (and when you check in) you get a navigator that lists out all the activities on a timeline for the next day arranged by age group. Each night we would sit down with a highlighter and mark what we wanted to do. I find this to be fun but also very useful.

We met 2 couples on this last one (a 3 day) that this was their first Disney cruise and they all 4 loved it and rebooked.

It really all is personal preference and what you can afford/fit into your schedule.

 

[jrabbit]

Tips: We use packing cubes. The only one we unpack is the one for toothbrush, combs, make up, razors... All the clothes stays in the suitcase except for the suit/dress we need for Remy/Palo. We put dirty clothes in a plastic bag in the suitcase so it doesn't mix up with the clean clothes.

When we leave, we put the suit/dress back in the suitcase with the cube for toothbrushes, etc. Problem solved. Takes 10 minutes max each time.

More time for the cruise!

We live in the North West. If we're spending $500+ per person on airfare plus two days traveling, then we are coming to Florida for more than a week and we will have more luggage than locals would have / need for a 3 nighter. If I were a local, we each could bring one "airplane" sized carry on and call it good. and be packed and unpacked in a short time like you mentioned.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

We have done two three-day cruises on DCL--one with just me and my husband (while I was pregnant) and one with my son, my husband, and I.

The short cruise was perfect for us as adults to get a taste of DCL. I didn't think it was too short or not worth it, even though longer obviously would have been more awesome.

The second cruise with our son was also very enjoyable, but I did feel that one was a bit too short. By the time we got our daily schedule down perfectly (naps, etc.), it was time to go home. So we want to do a seven-night for our next cruise.

 

[ladybugmommy84]

Thank you all so much. Truly appreciate all opiniona so that I can look at it in a different light. I think may stick with 3 day and maybe go to Magic Kingdom when we are done. I also will use this cruise as a yay or nay with my daughter and future cruises.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Thank you all so much. Truly appreciate all opiniona so that I can look at it in a different light. I think may stick with 3 day and maybe go to Magic Kingdom when we are done. I also will use this cruise as a yay or nay with my daughter and future cruises.

I think you'll be satisfied with that option

 

[xlxo]

I say it depends on the ports. I recently came off a 3 day West Coast reposition and found great savings compared to flying. Will do it again.

 

[TeaBee]

Thank you all so much. Truly appreciate all opiniona so that I can look at it in a different light. I think may stick with 3 day and maybe go to Magic Kingdom when we are done. I also will use this cruise as a yay or nay with my daughter and future cruises.

I'd suggest starting with the parks and ending with the cruise. We did the a four day cruise and then a couple of days at the parks and wished we had done it the other way around. The cruise is so relaxing and parks are so hectic, we felt like we had undone all of our "vacation" and were exhausted by the time we flew home.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Thank you all so much. Truly appreciate all opiniona so that I can look at it in a different light. I think may stick with 3 day and maybe go to Magic Kingdom when we are done. I also will use this cruise as a yay or nay with my daughter and future cruises.

Be sure to book a placeholder while on the cruise. It will cost you $250 deposit, (book standard not concierge). The purpose of this is it will give you up to 2 years to then book another cruise and receive a 10% discount. There are some very popular cruises that the discount doesn't apply and if you don't book anything within 21 months and cxl you'll get your $ back.

It only takes 5 minutes to do this while on board and is well worth it. We didn't do this our first cruise and then regretted it. We now book one every cruise, "just in case," and always end up using it.

My other piece of advice is put your phone in the safe or in airplane mode when you get on board. It's so nice to shut off from the world while on board.

 

[tlynk]

Our first Disney cruise was a 3 nighter and it was way too short. For a first timer I would recommend a 4 night. Then you will get a taste of what a sea day is like as well.

 

[julie junebug]

My advice is to try for 4 nights or longer if possible. The 3 night cruise is over before you know it and not very relaxing. Whatever you choose I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!

 

[2-pointdoe]

Thats us too, and it takes all day to get there. Our first cruise was 7 nights when our daughter was 2.5 so we had car seat and stroller too. We then spent 5 days at WDW since the expense to get there is so high.

For our 14 night in May, we were able to use airline miles. Can't complain about $59 for 3 to Miami!

We live in the North West. If we're spending $500+ per person on airfare plus two days traveling, then we are coming to Florida for more than a week and we will have more luggage than locals would have / need for a 3 nighter. If I were a local, we each could bring one "airplane" sized carry on and call it good. and be packed and unpacked in a short time like you mentioned.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I've done plenty of 7 night cruises and again I'll reiterate my 3 day cruise was the best cruise I've ever done.

 

[AnnaS]

Something else to consider - where are you coming from? Are you in Florida? Are you driving a few hours? 10 hours? Flying? When do you think you will be cruising again?

 

[ladybugmommy84]

Something else to consider - where are you coming from? Are you in Florida? Are you driving a few hours? 10 hours? Flying? When do you think you will be cruising again?

Coming from Pensacola,Florida. It's a 7 hour drive. My assumed date is November 18th

 

[mevelandry]

We live in the North West. If we're spending $500+ per person on airfare plus two days traveling, then we are coming to Florida for more than a week and we will have more luggage than locals would have / need for a 3 nighter. If I were a local, we each could bring one "airplane" sized carry on and call it good. and be packed and unpacked in a short time like you mentioned.

I'm from Canada... We usually need very warm clothes and spring or winter coat for when we leave and come back. We bring 1 carry-on and 1 70 cm suitcase each.. We never unpack the suitcase (We always go to WDW before or after the cruise).

 

[Bishoparc]

Coming from Pensacola,Florida. It's a 7 hour drive. My assumed date is November 18th

Hey that's where I live!!! When we cruised last weekend, we drove down to Ocalla Thursday night and then drove on in to the Port on Friday morning. Then drove back after we got off on Monday. Nice easy drive. We have another 3 day scheduled on 11/25 and will do the same

 

[ladybugmommy84]

Hey that's where I live!!! When we cruised last weekend, we drove down to Ocalla Thursday night and then drove on in to the Port on Friday morning. Then drove back after we got off on Monday. Nice easy drive. We have another 3 day scheduled on 11/25 and will do the same

That is so cool. Don't really see a lot of people from Pensacola!

 

[Bishoparc]

That is so cool. Don't really see a lot of people from Pensacola!

Now if we could find about 20-30 more we might could host ourselves a DISMeet lol

 

[ludari]

I would say the longer the cruise the better if you can afford it. This past November I did a four day cruise and it was okay but my previous seven cruises where all 7 or more days which of course I prefer.