is a 3 or 4 day cruise really long enough

[disneyfan2]

We can't budget to do 1 full week on DCL, but might be able to manage 4 days. Just wondering if it is long enough to really enjoy. Otherwise our options are to go for a week on a lowerer(cheaper) cruise ship. Any suggestions?

 

[Mrsjvb]

we personally won't do any thing LESS than seven days and wish we could afford the 10-15 days more often. But that's just us. the equivalent of a long weekend isn't enough for us.

 

[KimK2006]

We did a 4 last time. None of our group of 16 was ready to leave when it was over. We had a great time on the 4 day. I have booked a 7 for our next trip in 2009 so we will have the extra time. The 4 night is really only 3 full days. The 3 night is only 2 full days. I have had people tell me 3 was not enough.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

The answer is yes - if a shorter cruise is what you can swing then by all means go for it.

Nothing wrong with the Wonder cruises. Best thing to do is print out the latest Navigators right before your cruise and see what activities are available on each day so that you have an idea of the "must do's" for each day.

Don't go in with the mindset that this is a "short" cruise. Make the most of each day and enjoy being on a Disney ship.

Then rebook for a 7-night cruise and get that 10% discount off future cruises deal and that should help you afford a longer cruise next time.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

When is your 4 day? Perhaps a 7 day during the off-season would be less. For us, we can go on a 7 day in September for a lot less than a 4 day in summer.

 

[80sgirl]

If you look at a 4 day as the cup is half full you'll be happy. Make the most of each day and plan what you want to do in advance. Next time go on a 7and it will seem long to you.

I would rather have 4 days on a Disney cruise and have a total blast, than have seven on a cheaper cruiseline and think to myself the whole time,I wish I was on Disney.

 

[MGM94]

"is a 3 or 4 day cruise really long enough"

HaHaHa

Boy are you asking the wrong group of people! LOL.

I think a 3 night goes just too fast. I would not do less the 4 night, if 7 night was not an option. That's just me.

 

[hueydewielouie]

We just got off of the 3-day and at the end all we kept saying was that we wished we had one more day. SO, I would definitely go for the 4-day cruise. This way you get one entire day at sea to enjoy the ship. Yes, a 7-day would be great (I, myself, am attempting to save up for one of theses), but if a shorter cruise is all you can afford right now, go Disney. My dad wanted nothing to do with the cruise when we first came up with the big family trip. By the time the cruise was over, he was ready to book another one and is still talking about it. And my mom thanked me for putting together our family cruise before the ship even left the dock. I say if 3 or 4 days are all you can do now, go for it. Disney makes it worth it and I am going to guess that no matter how long your cruise is, it won't seem long enough.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

I love them both! We are back on the Wonder for 4 night this October! 4 nights is a perfect little getaway and what I love about the 4 night Wonder is that you have a relaxing day at sea after your day at Castaway Cay.

On the 7 night it is the last stop and then that evening you have to pack and be ready to get off the ship in the morning! That is depressing!

So I say try 4 nights!!! You won't regret it. We usually add a day or 2 at WDW after the Wonder so that always helps too.

Now I do have to say that RCI has some awesome ships for much less money.We just got of Navigator of the Seas in January and it was a 5 night to GC and Ocho Rios. It was less than our Wonder cruise too the Bahamas and we had great stops and food and the ship is just beautiful! So I have too say that I do enjoy the RCI ships also.

Have fun whatever you decide.

Michelle

 

[PixyDusted]

Excellent point the previous poster brought up about what month you're planning on cruising and cost differing during different times of the year.

My first cruise was a 3-day and my second was a 4 day. Next week, March 15th, will be my third and it's a 7-day.

I think if you can't afford a longer length of time go for the 4 day. For me, it was a fabulous getaway and I thought it felt longer than the 4 days (in a good way) it was...which was great!

I'd much rather sail on a top-notch ship for a shorter length of time than sacrifice quality for a longer vacation.

 

[Qball]

If this is your first cruise, I figure what you don't know, won't hurt you!
We've been on two 7 nighters and going on a 3 nighter in less than a week. It's going to feel SO short to us.

If you can, our dollar is strong right now...not sure when you are planning to go, but buy some U.S. dollar right now. Because our first two cruises was when our dollar was lower, we didn't get the initial hit of the exchange till we saw it on our credit card bill. One year it was 1000 dollars more CDN$ and the other was about 1200 dollars more than the u.s. dollar amount, so when budgeting it can be a big hit. That was for a family of 3 the first time and 4 the second time (but DS was under 2 years old...they don't charge much for them) for a catagory 9.

It might help to phone DCL direct to find out when it is more economical for you to go is. Like others ahve said, going during low season, booking at least a year in advance, booking a catagory 11 or 12...Good luck.

 

[cdndizzylizzy]

I would rather have 4 days on a Disney cruise and have a total blast, than have seven on a cheaper cruiseline and think to myself the whole time,I wish I was on Disney.

I completely agree with this! Are you looking at a Cat 11 or 12 to keep the cost down? We are a family of 4, and have been fine with the inside stateroom for our last 2 cruises... Also, check out Southwest out of Buffalo, as you can save big $$ on your flight by flying within the continental US and booking as soon as the dates are released. Any $$ saved on flights can be used for your cruise instead!

I would book the 4-day, not the 3-day, as the first day you don't even sail until 5 pm, and you want to get an at-sea day so that you know what they are like...

Happy planning...

 

[dinghydeb]

No - but 3 nights on DCL is better than 0 nights aboard!

 

[Jessieknj]

we did a 4 night cruise and thought it was great. Our son wa 23 months at the time so I think a week would have been to long or to much maybe for him. We really enjoyed the 4 night and would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Aquamom1]

I have to say, I was surprised when we did our first cruise (7 day). When we came to the 3rd and 4th day we all (family with 2 teens) agreed that had we had to depart at that point it wouldn't have seemed quite right. We really had a wounderful time and are doing another 7 day 3-22-08. Whatever you decide will be a great vacation.

 

[RLccweems]

We can't budget to do 1 full week on DCL, but might be able to manage 4 days. Just wondering if it is long enough to really enjoy. Otherwise our options are to go for a week on a lowerer(cheaper) cruise ship. Any suggestions?

I have done 3, 4 and 7.....and I can tell you this. Three days is just not long enough. But if you can't swing 7...I would do 4. With a few days at the parks.

 

[disneyfan2]

well we will not be adding a park stay this time, as the last 2 yrs we did the parks fully, Next yr i really want to do a cruise, so now deciding between 4 days Disney or 7 days on another cruise line. The price would almost be the same. I would love to do 7 days Disney but that would mean no trip for 3 years to save..

 

[RLccweems]

well we will not be adding a park stay this time, as the last 2 yrs we did the parks fully, Next yr i really want to do a cruise, so now deciding between 4 days Disney or 7 days on another cruise line. The price would almost be the same. I would love to do 7 days Disney but that would mean no trip for 3 years to save..

I know where your coming from on saving...we have been saving for over a year for the next one. Good luck on your choice. No matter what you pick you'll have a great time with the family.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

Although this will be our first cruise, we are doing a land/sea package. I figure after 4 crazy days at WDW 3 nights on the Wonder will be a great way to relax. I plan to enjoy the ship and not worry about all the activities that Nassau has to offer this trip. We do want to see Castaway Cay though, but for the majority of the trip we plan to relax and take in all the ship has to offer.

 

[ma_t_gus]

We did a 4/3 night b2b last year and a 7 nighter before that. If you can, try to book a 4 nighter. My friend and his family joined us on the 3 nighter and we both though it was too fast. They really didn't get to enjoy the ship since there was no sea day to just relax. Unless you don't want to get off the ship at Nassua or CC then 3 nighter would be good. Then while you are on board, book a 7 nighter for off season and you can get 10% off and OBC. Then transfer your booking to a TA that gives other incentives.