How to decide which cruise to take?

[knlasv]

This will be my first cruise. We only plan on doing a 3 night cruise from Fort Lauderdale or Port Canaveral. Dates are flexible. For a 3 night cruise, is it better to do 1 stop or 2? I'd like to see the Bahamas and one of the Disney islands, but I didn't know if that was too much and we couldn't enjoy the ship as much.
Also, how are the lines and/or crowds for different events on the ship? This will be in the spring, but probably after Easter/spring break crowds.

 

[Erica1016]

If it were me, I'd vote for only one stop (at a Disney island) and spend the rest of the time on the ship. There is so much to do and explore and a 3-night cruise is so short. Since it's your first time on a Disney ship, you'll have so much to do!

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Our first cruise wasn't so much about the ports, it was deciding if cruising (as a whole) worked for us. Needless to say, it did. We, too, took a short cruise to 'dip our toes in the water' and TBH, the ports were secondary. All things being equal, I'd take a pass on Nassau & take a sea day to better explore/enjoy the ship. Both Disney islands are sublime, though different. Lookout Cay has a superior beach, but poor snorkeling and is so new the shoreside activities are still maturing. Castaway Cay has a (relative to LC) poorer beach, but superior snorkeling and a mature infrastructure shoreside. Either way, you can't go wrong. They're both excellent.

Watch out! Cruising is like eating those potato chips; you can't just have one

 

[OKW Lover]

Since it is only a 3-night cruise I'd go with one that doesn't stop in Nassau. One Disney island is perfect for that length of cruise. If you must stop in Nassau then you could just stay on board and treat it as another sea day to enjoy the ship.

 

[auntlynne]

I think we have a slight preference of a dedicated Sea Day over a stop in Nassau. And now, usually just stay on the ship (no matter the cruise length) if docked at Nassau. We have been there enough to have some good experiences off the ship there.

I would say any cruise that visits the Disney beaches more than once are my favorites. In the past, that meant two stops at Castaway Cay. Now my dream is to visit Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, for stops at different type beaches in the Bahamas. It’s booked already. I think of these as beach vacations, with a smattering of cruising.

Three nights typically goes by quickly. A Nassau day may have fewer onboard activities (more now than in the past, as more guests treat it as a Sea Day). Don’t think you will have the ship to yourselves.

If you are looking at early May cruises, not only do you get better prices, you also should have less crowds. The weather is great and associated travel is in a low season.

Fort Lauderdale is very easy for getting from airport to hotel and then to port. It’s about 15 minutes ride time with Rideshares and hotel shuttles. Plenty of dining options, depending on hotel location.

Orlando airport is about an hour away from Port Canaveral. And a busier airport.

You also need to decide if you want a newer or older ship.

 

[auntlynne]

If you are used to WDW crowds, you should be happily surprised.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Another vote for just the private island if you're only doing 3 nights.

If you decide cruising is for you, you're going to have *plenty* of chances to see Nassau when cruising out of Florida. It's honestly not the best port and there's a reason so many folks just stay on the ship on Nassau days. Better to use the 3 night to stay totally in the Disney cruise bubble and get more of that experience.

 

[sirpengy]

A quick note about "newer vs older" ships. All of them are wonderful. I still deeply love the Magic even though it's the oldest ship. Her smaller size means the crowds on the private islands are smaller. There is plenty to do on a more intimate ship. For me, choosing the right date and stops is more important than which ship it is.

And count another vote for one of the private islands over Nassau. They will convince you to return for more.