Is the 3day cruise worth it???

[TinkHappy]

I am trying to decide whether or not we should do the 3 day crusie. My options are 4day park (before or after) and 3 day cruise or...7 days in the parks.
We have done the 7 day Magic and LOVED it!! I am not sure if we are going to feel the 3 day is enough. We really want to do the parks this time (Oct. 2004) because we are cruising on RCCL this year (Feb. 2003- We decided to try RCCL this time). We are doing WDW before (2 days) and after (3days) the cruise.

So I just need a little help...PLEASE!!!

 

[JOC]

I know we'll be in the minority, but we prefer the shorter cruises. We did the 4-night last December followed by a 6-night WDW stay, and next month we'll be on a 3-night followed again by six nights at WDW. We like to do the parks and the cruise, and the shorter cruises are great for us!

 

[erikthewise]

"We really want to do the parks this time". You know that you can't do the parks right in 4 days, so it seems to me you're best bet is 7 days in the parks.

We've done the 3 day cruise, and it's definitely worth doing, but it's short, intense, and not as good a value as the 4 day or 7 day. If you hadn't done DCL before, I'd encourage you to give it a try, but in your circumstances I'd say skip DCL this year.

 

[Belle&TheBeasts]

BUMP!!!

I am in agreeance with Erik..

You said it yourself that you can't do the parks right in just 4 days, and since your going on a cruise in Feb...I would do the 7 days at WDW....


Good Luck!

 

[Cruisin]

I would say go for it. The 3 day cruises are great. They are just a different Disney experience as opposed to a 7 day. You have to experience them to appreciate them.

 

[HumphreytheBear]

I am cruise-a-holic, so my answer would be ANY amount of time on a cruise ship is worth it The other posts are right though you can't get through the parks in 4 days, but I agree that the Disney cruise is a great experience and one that should not be missed... Again I am biased because I LOVE to cruise.

 

[jgalecpa]

As a CPA, I have learned that there are two components to value: Financial value and personal value.

Personal value is just that: personal. One person may value a Sunset as a blessed Gift, others see it as something that shines in your eyes as you drive.

Financial value can be quantified. The Cost of a verandah is easy to calculate: the difference between a Cat 5 and 9, for example (assuming the same size room and one does and one doesn't have a verandah.)

Someone a few months back posted the Total cost of a 3 night, 4 night and 7 night cruise. Unfortunately I can't find the original post.

What I did was to take the total cost and divide it by the "Actual hrs cruising" as stated in the passporter (That's the difference between boat sailing and debarkation).

There was only a small difference per hour in the 7 and r day cruise. I think the seven day worked out to be about $15 per hr afloat and the 4 day $16 hr (I'm remembering, remember)

The amazing thing was the differnece in the cost/hr of the 3 day. It was over $21/hr.

That means that one hour of cruise time on a 3 day cruise costs 31% more than a four day cruise.

Is the three day worth it? Not nearly as much as the four day.

If I had unlimited money but limited time would I take a three day? In a second.

My two cents worth.

Jim

 

[randytenn]

I did the 4 day park, 3 day cruise a few years ago. While we had a good time, it was very rushed in the parks. There is just so much to do at WDW that you can't get it done in 4 days. We were worn out by the time the cruise came.
Secondly, the 3 day cruise is fun, but going to Nassau is really disappointing, especially after going to St. Thomas, St. John, etc. The 3 day cruise was very relaxing, but way too short. Plus, you have to skip one restraunt in the rotation if you want to include Palo.

So, I would do the parks for 7 days (and still, you won't have time for everything), and then enjoy your RCCL cruise.

 

[TinkHappy]

Thank you everyone for all your responses!!!

 

[TinkHappy]

Oh yea...I forgot to mention that we missed Castaway Cay on our 7 day cruise and that is one of the reasons why I want to do the 3 or 4 day cruise. We have done WDW ALOT...we are DVC members, so 4 days might be enough...probably not. We just felt like we missed out because we didn't get to CC. I am not sure it is worth the $$$

 

[musicalSaranader]

From my personal experience, added with my parents', who did the 3-day, the 7-day, and took my siblings and me on the 4-day and another 7-day, three days just wouldn't cut it for me! You'll get the full pleasure and experience on the 7-day cruise, not to mention that it's more time to get to know the people and friends you'll meet. 7-day all the way!!!

 

[alexandrewsmom]

thanks for the analysis