Merrytime on the Dream or Fantasy?

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

We are booked this December on the Dream for a 4 night Merrytime cruise, but I'm wondering if we should switch to the Fantasy for a 7 night instead. Besides the obvious bonus of a longer cruise and the obvious detriment of greater cost, what would be some of the pluses or minuses of the two cruises. If you had to do one for your very first cruise, which would you do and why?
My husband and I are in our 40s, very active, and our kids are 5 and 6. This will be our first family vacation. Any perspective from people who have cruised on both ships, and especially in December would be so appreciated! Thank you!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are booked this December on the Dream for a 4 night Merrytime cruise, but I'm wondering if we should switch to the Fantasy for a 7 night instead. Besides the obvious bonus of a longer cruise and the obvious detriment of greater cost, what would be some of the pluses or minuses of the two cruises. If you had to do one for your very first cruise, which would you do and why?
My husband and I are in our 40s, very active, and our kids are 5 and 6. This will be our first family vacation. Any perspective from people who have cruised on both ships, and especially in December would be so appreciated! Thank you!

The actual ships are not that much different, since they are both the Dream class. Basically the differences are mostly decor. Also, since both cruises are in December, there's not much difference there.

Just because a Fantasy cruise is longer, that's the one I'd go for.

 

[quickcat]

I like the Fantasy better than the Dream because the Fantasy has the Aqua Lab that the Dream doesn't. We have never found the Lab to be busy so it's a good spot when the other spots are crazy busy. Can't tell you about the difference in Dec activities, hopefully someone can answer that one. Have fun!

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

I like the Fantasy better than the Dream because the Fantasy has the Aqua Lab that the Dream doesn't. We have never found the Lab to be busy so it's a good spot when the other spots are crazy busy. Can't tell you about the difference in Dec activities, hopefully someone can answer that one. Have fun!

Thanks! I'll check that out. Any idea on any differences between the kids clubs on either ship?

 

[Swimmergirl]

We've been on both the Dream and the Fantasy, and really they are almost identical. I think the Fantasy just got done with a drydock (where they pull it out of service and refresh some things). The changes made it even more similar to the Dream. They both now have Star Wars areas in the kids clubs. The Fantasy also got a Marvel area, which I'm unsure if exists on the Dream. The Fantasy also got a Tiffany store (not that I'm buying there!), and will soon be getting a new Beauty and the Beast stage show. A four night cruise is good for getting your feet wet, and testing out how you like cruising. However, it goes fast! I much prefer the extra days on a 7 night. Also, most 4 nights just do Nassau and Castaway Cay. I'm really not a Nassau fan (we usually stay on the ship), and the ports on the longer cruises are much more interesting. I loved the Eastern itinerary. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Quellman]

We've been on both the Dream and the Fantasy, and really they are almost identical. I think the Fantasy just got done with a drydock (where they pull it out of service and refresh some things). The changes made it even more similar to the Dream. They both now have Star Wars areas in the kids clubs. The Fantasy also got a Marvel area, which I'm unsure if exists on the Dream. The Fantasy also got a Tiffany store (not that I'm buying there!), and will soon be getting a new Beauty and the Beast stage show. A four night cruise is good for getting your feet wet, and testing out how you like cruising. However, it goes fast! I much prefer the extra days on a 7 night. Also, most 4 nights just do Nassau and Castaway Cay. I'm really not a Nassau fan (we usually stay on the ship), and the ports on the longer cruises are much more interesting. I loved the Eastern itinerary. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Just wanted to t correct you that the Beauty and the Beast show is going to the Dream, not the Fantasy.



@Mighty Mouse Mama - Having done both ships in the span of about a year, including the Fantasy post dry dock - We prefer the Fantasy over the Dream, even before the dry dock enhancements. We find the pace of a 7 night cruise much more relaxed than cruises on the Dream (which we sailed back to back 3+4 night). The kids space seems to make things better than the Dream. For instance 3 star wars flight simulators on the Fantasy vs. One on the Dream. The new Marvel Dr. Strange experience is quite neat. But other than that, the spaces are generally the same. The only other drastic change is that they can close off Andy's Toy Story Room from the rest of the club to have a toddler time and keep the rest of the club open for secured programming.

I don't know what your vacation style particularly is and if the Dream ports of call would be better than the Fantasy ports. That plays a big decision for many people, what type of activities you could do. Some people would use the cost difference to do a really neat excursion for example.

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

Just wanted to t correct you that the Beauty and the Beast show is going to the Dream, not the Fantasy.



@Mighty Mouse Mama - Having done both ships in the span of about a year, including the Fantasy post dry dock - We prefer the Fantasy over the Dream, even before the dry dock enhancements. We find the pace of a 7 night cruise much more relaxed than cruises on the Dream (which we sailed back to back 3+4 night). The kids space seems to make things better than the Dream. For instance 3 star wars flight simulators on the Fantasy vs. One on the Dream. The new Marvel Dr. Strange experience is quite neat. But other than that, the spaces are generally the same. The only other drastic change is that they can close off Andy's Toy Story Room from the rest of the club to have a toddler time and keep the rest of the club open for secured programming.

I don't know what your vacation style particularly is and if the Dream ports of call would be better than the Fantasy ports. That plays a big decision for many people, what type of activities you could do. Some people would use the cost difference to do a really neat excursion for example.

Thanks! That's great, specific info on the differences in the kids clubs. And I do think we might like the Eastern itinerary better. What I'm really weighing right now, is whether it's better to splurge this year and go for a 7 night, and then wait till 2019 to vacation again, or stick with the 4 night and be able to cruise or go to WDW in 2018. Part of me really wants to just go big this year. Probably because I haven't had a vacation since my kids were born and I am desperate to relax. I'm a little worried that the pace of the 4 night will leave me little time to do that.
On the other hand, if we do the 7 night and my kids don't absolutley love the kids clubs, I could be stuck on a ship for a full week, trying to keep them happy while making sure my husband gets enough nap and relax time to make him actually want to do something like this again. Which means that there's the potential for me to be even more worn out at the end of this trip. Since this is our first family vacation and our first cruise, I am really invested in it being wonderful so that my DH is sold on this being a "necessity" every year.
So it sounds like the kids clubs on the Fantasy are a little better set up than on the Dream. That sounds promising. (Although I REALLY want to see the Beauty and the Beast show! Aaah!) Maybe a better question would be this: if your kids decided they weren't interested in the kids clubs, would you still be excited to be cruising with them for a whole week? Bear in mind too that my DH has got to be one of the most safety-conscious, helicopter dads ever, and if the kids are not in one of the clubs, one or both of us will be within arms reach of them pretty much all the time. And leaving them in the room, the theater, or a pool for even a minute will simply not be an option.
Lol. I guess I'm realizing as I write this that I really want to be leaning toward a longer cruise...but am afraid of it turning into a nightmare and ruining cruising for us because I tried to go too big, too fast.

 

[BAIC03]

IMHO, based on what you posted here ^^ go smaller. We did a cruise when my DD was 18 months and it went badly. She didn't like it, my hubs and I were fighting the whole time and we definitely did not relax. We call it our $6,000 mistake. It went so badly that it's taken me 4 years to convince him to try again.
I would try a smaller or different vacation to see how your family handles a vacation and then splurge when you can manage expectations. I'd hate for you to make the same mistake I did. For the record, my DH and I love cruising, but the stress of DD tainted the waters for a long while. Hoping our December cruise goes well!

 

[taggie4]

With kids that are 5 and 6 I would be a little more assertive and let them know (once on the cruise) there are certain times they will need to spend in the club. Such as if you guys have Palo or Spa reservations. Or the adults want to see an adult movie. I had one child who loved the club on the first cruise and one who said they would prefer to stay with us. I had to let them know there were certain times they would be required to be in the club. I think parents who consistently let there child decide what the whole family will do get stuck with the kids with them the whole time. We have done a 7 day first and then a 4 day. The 4 day was too fast. We have a 7 day booked next. Good luck! Fingers crossed they love it.

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

With kids that are 5 and 6 I would be a little more assertive and let them know (once on the cruise) there are certain times they will need to spend in the club. Such as if you guys have Palo or Spa reservations. Or the adults want to see an adult movie. I had one child who loved the club on the first cruise and one who said they would prefer to stay with us. I had to let them know there were certain times they would be required to be in the club. I think parents who consistently let there child decide what the whole family will do get stuck with the kids with them the whole time. We have done a 7 day first and then a 4 day. The 4 day was too fast. We have a 7 day booked next. Good luck! Fingers crossed they love it.

That's a very good point. They are definitely getting older. It's not like either of them would be in a corner crying if we made them go. My main concern is with my son, who has severe ADHD and is on the spectrum. If he hates the club, it could be a problem. But he's also very likely to enjoy a lot of the games. He loves Marvel and Star Wars, so we've got a good chance. Ok! Now to sell the 7 night to my DH.

 

[tnshsms]

I think I'm in the minority here maybe but I'd choose 4 day.

1. Its your first cruise....you don't know if you will be sea sick, if the kids will be sea sick, how it all works, etc. A shorter cruise gives you the ability to see how it all works and get the kinks out before spending the cost of the Fantasy. 2. If taking the 7 day this year means waiting 2 years before another vacation but taking a 4 day this year means a vacation next year then I'd choose back to back vacation years over waiting a year. 3. You have no idea how the kids club will be. You can set all the expectations you want and kids will still whine if they don't want to. I have been on 4 DCL (5th this November on the Dream) and my 8 yo has spent a total of about 5 hours in kids clubs. They just aren't her cup of tea. We've learned to adjust but it might be that one of your kids loves it and the other hates it.

I vote 4 days.

 

[Quellman]

Thanks! That's great, specific info on the differences in the kids clubs. And I do think we might like the Eastern itinerary better. What I'm really weighing right now, is whether it's better to splurge this year and go for a 7 night, and then wait till 2019 to vacation again, or stick with the 4 night and be able to cruise or go to WDW in 2018. Part of me really wants to just go big this year. Probably because I haven't had a vacation since my kids were born and I am desperate to relax. I'm a little worried that the pace of the 4 night will leave me little time to do that.
On the other hand, if we do the 7 night and my kids don't absolutley love the kids clubs, I could be stuck on a ship for a full week, trying to keep them happy while making sure my husband gets enough nap and relax time to make him actually want to do something like this again. Which means that there's the potential for me to be even more worn out at the end of this trip. Since this is our first family vacation and our first cruise, I am really invested in it being wonderful so that my DH is sold on this being a "necessity" every year.
So it sounds like the kids clubs on the Fantasy are a little better set up than on the Dream. That sounds promising. (Although I REALLY want to see the Beauty and the Beast show! Aaah!) Maybe a better question would be this: if your kids decided they weren't interested in the kids clubs, would you still be excited to be cruising with them for a whole week? Bear in mind too that my DH has got to be one of the most safety-conscious, helicopter dads ever, and if the kids are not in one of the clubs, one or both of us will be within arms reach of them pretty much all the time. And leaving them in the room, the theater, or a pool for even a minute will simply not be an option.
Lol. I guess I'm realizing as I write this that I really want to be leaning toward a longer cruise...but am afraid of it turning into a nightmare and ruining cruising for us because I tried to go too big, too fast.

The kids club differences are realyl truly minor and most kids won't know what they are missing one way or the other.

I have a three year old who has cruised 4 times now. He has done the nursery and this past cruise was old enough for the kids club. We are always excited to cruise as a family. It isn't even about 'relaxing and being able to 'adult' when I want. For me it is time with my family that I don't always get at home. I spent HOURS this past trip either sitting or standing near the yellow Mickey slide while my son went up and down. He understood the rules of the slide. We did get some adult time where he went to the clubs too.

That's a very good point. They are definitely getting older. It's not like either of them would be in a corner crying if we made them go. My main concern is with my son, who has severe ADHD and is on the spectrum. If he hates the club, it could be a problem. But he's also very likely to enjoy a lot of the games. He loves Marvel and Star Wars, so we've got a good chance. Ok! Now to sell the 7 night to my DH.

Make sure you take advantage of the open house times and talk to some of the counselors before hand. Not only will your kids know the space but also some of the counselors which makes it easier. Granted we had to bribe out kid one night when we did Palo to hang out in the club. But we usually never left him in there for more than 2 hours at a time. And he would go maybe 2-3 times a day. We also tried to drop him off near one of the times when they had an activity programmed, so we knew he would be doing that instead of just wandering around or watching a movie.

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

We are always excited to cruise as a family. It isn't even about 'relaxing and being able to 'adult' when I want. For me it is time with my family that I don't always get at home.

Yeah, I homeschool my kids. I literally see them all day, everyday. I have no intention of dropping them off and leaving them in the kids clubs for the entire day, but I really do hope they like them enough to give me more than an hour or two here or there.

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

I think I'm in the minority here maybe but I'd choose 4 day.

1. Its your first cruise....you don't know if you will be sea sick, if the kids will be sea sick, how it all works, etc. A shorter cruise gives you the ability to see how it all works and get the kinks out before spending the cost of the Fantasy. 2. If taking the 7 day this year means waiting 2 years before another vacation but taking a 4 day this year means a vacation next year then I'd choose back to back vacation years over waiting a year. 3. You have no idea how the kids club will be. You can set all the expectations you want and kids will still whine if they don't want to. I have been on 4 DCL (5th this November on the Dream) and my 8 yo has spent a total of about 5 hours in kids clubs. They just aren't her cup of tea. We've learned to adjust but it might be that one of your kids loves it and the other hates it.

I vote 4 days.

You sound like the voice in my head that is arguing for the 4 day!

Seriously, this is pretty much exactly the list of concerns/reasons I've thought of when hesitating to switch to the 7 day.

 

[tnshsms]

You sound like the voice in my head that is arguing for the 4 day!

Seriously, this is pretty much exactly the list of concerns/reasons I've thought of when hesitating to switch to the 7 day.

Ha! Great minds think alike! Either cruise is great...I've done both. I mean you can't go wrong with a cruise, right? But sometimes its about knowing your family dynamic and knowing if you and the kids and the hubby can enjoy an unknown with ease for a certain length of time...in this case 4 or 7 days. Only you will know the answer to the question fully. (Although I still vote 4).

 

[darnheather]

Yeah, I homeschool my kids. I literally see them all day, everyday. I have no intention of dropping them off and leaving them in the kids clubs for the entire day, but I really do hope they like them enough to give me more than an hour or two here or there.

Set rules and expectations before you go. I also homeschool and the rule was we all have breakfast together then they go to the clubs until lunch time. (I knew my younger wouldn't like club lunch). After lunch they could go back to clubs or hang out with me. My oldest I didn't see between breakfast and dinner. My youngest sometimes went back to the club and sometimes chose to be with me. It was a fantastic vacation for everyone!