Is the ship you want worth a 20 hour drive?

[Mainsail Minnie]

We want to cruise during Christmas week this year, and the choices of ship are the Wonder or the Fantasy. We've already sailed both, but prefer the Fantasy because we haven't yet seen Aladdin, we enjoy the extra amenities of the Dream class ships, and our last two cruises have been on Magic class ships & we're ready for a change.

The problem is that I currently cannot fly due to an ear problem, so we have to drive from central Texas. The Wonder is sailing from Galveston (4 hour drive), and the Fantasy is sailing from Port Canaveral (18 - 20 hour drive, plus an overnight stop). There are no attractive train or bus options, btw.

I'm leaning towards the Fantasy because it's what we really want, but I'm a single mom driving my 15 year-old son, so it will be me shouldering all the driving.

What's your opinion? Is the longer trip worth it?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We want to cruise during Christmas week this year, and the choices of ship are the Wonder or the Fantasy. We've already sailed both, but prefer the Fantasy because we haven't yet seen Aladdin, we enjoy the extra amenities of the Dream class ships, and our last two cruises have been on Magic class ships & we're ready for a change.

The problem is that I currently cannot fly (and might never be able to) due to an ear problem, so we have to drive from central Texas. The Wonder is sailing from Galveston (4 hour drive), and the Fantasy is sailing from Port Canaveral (18 - 20 hour drive, plus an overnight stop). There are no attractive train or bus options, btw.

I'm leaning towards the Fantasy because it's what we really want, but I'm a single mom driving my 15 year-old son, so it will be me shouldering all the driving.

What's your opinion? Is the longer trip worth it?

My opinion - maybe.

Depends on the length of the cruises (longer is better in my books); itinerary (any ports I haven't been to yet, or want to repeat?); cost.

If the Fantasy wins out, I'd look into making it a bigger trip by stopping enroute (and back) and visiting other sites. Probably a couple of stops each way, adding 4-5 days on each side of the trip.

I'd also seriously consider a train trip. That way, you can go directly, with only a day or two on either side of the trip.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We drive from VA (14 hours) every time we sail from PC. Totally worth it

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

That's very personal. For us it is, but we're two adults and we tend to drive up to 30 hours without stopping (except for gas and quick bites). If it would be a year later, and your son was 16 and able to drive during the day time hours on the interstate, then I can see it being worth it.

But as your situation is now, that would be 10 hours of driving a day with that night in-between... I think I would go on the Wonder.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

My opinion - maybe.

Depends on the length of the cruises (longer is better in my books); itinerary (any ports I haven't been to yet, or want to repeat?); cost.

If the Fantasy wins out, I'd look into making it a bigger trip by stopping enroute (and back) and visiting other sites. Probably a couple of stops each way, adding 4-5 days on each side of the trip.

I'd also seriously consider a train trip. That way, you can go directly, with only a day or two on either side of the trip.

They're both 7-night cruises & they both offer novel (to us) ports.

We don't have time to stop for other sights en route, as this is during Christmas break & we just don't have the extra time.

The train is not an option. Aside from being extremely expensive ($1,000+ for 2 in coach), it is a very long journey, going way out of the way to get there. You can get fairly direct train service from the east coast to Orlando, but not from Texas.

 

[MomOTwins]

No. I would absolutely not trade a 4 hour drive for a 20 hour one just for the Fantasy, because if it were me, it would just make me frustrated every time I found something about the Fantasy that I didn't like (e.g., the excessive vibration problem that is unique to the Fantasy, the bigger crowds on castaway cay and the pools from the higher occupancy, smaller adult pool versus the classics). There are pluses and minuses to every ship, and I would pick convenience over the slight differences across the ships for sure.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

They're both 7-night cruises & they both offer novel (to us) ports.

Well, I'd opt for the shorter drive then.

 

[Karin1984]

I wouldn't do it either, as you cannot switch drivers and you do not have time to make it into a proper roadtrip. You will be tired by the time you arrive and when you leave. Getting there in 20 hours is one thing, you also have to go the same way back.

If you are set on cruising this Christmas, I would stay closer to home.

 

[Lisa F]

40 hours of driving for one person is too much esp under a tight time constraint.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you had someone to swap off driving with, maybe. But you don't. Too stressful for my tastes. Last time I did a 20 hour drive, we were swapping drive amongst 3 people.

 

[FigmentSpark]

We make a road trip of our 2 day drive. It's much cheaper, even with a rented car (why put those miles on my vehicle?). We choose a hotel to stay for the night that has a pool for the kids and a hot tub for DH's back and pick a town that has whatever restaurant we might like.

If you really have your heart set on the Fantasy, don't be afraid of the drive. That said, can you do the Wonder now, and book the Fantasy while on board for a trip later when hopefully you won't have an ear infection?

 

[CT Yankee]

I agree with previous posters that the 20 hour drive is not worth it given your tight schedule. I would consider it only if we had the option of making a couple of stops in each direction and had at least two other people with whom to share the driving...AND that they are experienced drivers. Sometimes driving with a teenager takes more out of me than if I were the one doing the driving.

 

[tink1970]

I'm with previous posters-I've driven straight through to PC and it's a 7 1/2 hour drive which is pushing my limits. I can't imagine adding more than twice that, especially if you're going to be pressed for time. If the ports are new to you I say make it more of a vacation and not a cruise bookended by a long road trip. Having driven I-10 coast to coast it's just not fun/interesting/worth it for the Texas and FL sections, especially with all the driving falling on your shoulders.

 

[tlprice]

I wouldn't do it, but that's mostly because the Wonder is my favorite ship and the Fantasy is my least favorite. We were going to drive to Vancouver for an Alaska trip this year and would only have two days to drive the 24 hours. I am the only driver with a 12 year old daughter. I decided to switch the trip to next year when I can take more time to do the drive. I am used to long road trips and really don't mind driving, but I thought that one was pushing it a bit.

 

[Marc D]

No from me also. All the things I like about the Dream class compared to the classics are not worth that much driving.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

That said, can you do the Wonder now, and book the Fantasy while on board for a trip later when hopefully you won't have an ear infection?

It isn't an ear infection. It's a rare disorder of the inner ear. I don't know if I'll ever be able to safely fly again.

That's the thing. There really is no wait until next year in this case. If I ever want to cruise out of Port Canaveral, it's likely that I'm going to have to drive. We're going to Disney World for 10 nights next summer & I'll drive. Adding a cruise onto that trip wouldn't work due to time constraints, and we prefer to cruise during Christmas vacation, anyway.

We never have lots and lots of vacation time available, because I share custody of my son.

 

[mousefan73]

Are you physically able to drive that all by yourself? I think people over estimate how much they can drive. Even truckers are limited to I believe 11 hrs and then 10 hrs breaks. I couldnt do it, After 3 hrs my eyes get heavy and I feel loopy, making myself just a dangerous as a drunk driver.

I wouldnt do it, as I know my limits.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

Are you physically able to drive that all by yourself? I think people over estimate how much they can drive. Even truckers are limited to I believe 11 hrs and then 10 hrs breaks. I couldnt do it, After 3 hrs my eyes get heavy and I feel loopy, making myself just a dangerous as a drunk driver.

I wouldnt do it, as I know my limits.

It isn't 20 hours in one stretch. It's 20 hours total, with a hotel night in between.

Yes, I'm from Texas & we're used to driving long distances because everything is so spread out here.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Enjoy your Christmas cruise by doing it on the Wonder. 40 hours of driving! Not worth the effort for the Fantasy.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It isn't 20 hours in one stretch. It's 20 hours total, with a hotel night in between.

Yes, I'm from Texas & we're used to driving long distances because everything is so spread out here.

As in - 10 hours of driving, sleep overnight somewhere, 10 more hours of driving? Or 20 hours including the sleep time?

With your ear condition, would driving that long, and it's not just 10 hours it would be equal to 2 days, could there be a problem?