Need help with decision!!

[niks81]

Hello all....I recently rented some points from a vacation club member for $5 each (great deal!) They are reservation points which means they cannot be used at the DVC properties, but they may be used on DCL and at the other Disney resorts.

My fiance and I are dead set that we want to cruise with them...it is a great deal. However, we cannot decide for the life of us between the 4 and 7 night cruises. Both sound very appealing...however, we need to go in either January or February so the weather may not be super warm for the 4 night...not really sure. The other dilemma is that because these points are such a good deal, we could get a room at the Poly or GF for about $160 a night, which is unreal. I feel like I'd be kicking myself for not taking that!!!

So the options we had come up with were:

*4 night cruise (verandah room), 3 nights at Poly or GF
*7 night cruise (oceanview room)

Would you mind giving opinions??

 

[westjones]

I've been on the 3, 4 and 7 day. My vote is for the 7 day. The others will make you feel rushed. The 7 was so nice and relaxing and fun!

DJ

 

[Señor Ferrari]

That's a tough choice, especially if you throw in the Polynesian, which is my favorite resort at WDW, but I'd vote for the 7-night cruise over land/sea anytime. I like being at sea, and the ship is a fun resort in and of itself. Of course, if you've never cruised, you might want to opt for the land/sea, just to see if cruising is for you.

 

[niks81]

Well, we did cruise last year on the Carnival Imagination. We did a 4 night, and it was fine for me...not too long, not too short. Although I wish Disney offered a 5 day The 7 day sounds fabulous but I would be just ticked that I did not get a room at GF or Poly for such a low rate!

I do not doubt that we will like the cruise....I just cannot make up my mind!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

You'll get warmer weather in January and February on the 7-day Eastern because you will be further south than just the Bahamas.

The 7-day is such an amazing experience! There's nothing like being somewhere warm when everyone at home is FREEZING their toes off!

 

[MARGARETMOUSE]

I would definitely go with the land/sea package. That way, you get to sample the cruise and still get to stay at the Poly, since that is a GREAT deal. If you like the cruise, you can always plan a 7 day cruise in the future! It's a good excuse to go back again!

 

[my3kids]

I would do the 7 night cruise. With that....the points pay for everything...no springing for a romatic dinner, no money for quick meals in the park, no ticket fees for special events, and no buying park passes. It is just all there and it's wonderful. You can find good deals at the Poly using codes, getting upsells, etc. but the cruise price is pretty much the cruise price. If you figure out the cash price of the trip and how much you are paying for points, you can see if it is a good deal or not. Sounds like you've been to WDW before...I'd say try something new and do the 7 night.

 

[niks81]

All are great points There are definitely some 7 night cruise fans on this board!!!

Since I have never done a Disney cruise I do not know what to expect really....and that will be our "Disney Trip" for the year...so if we don't hit the parks we won't go at all that year. It may not matter, but just thought I'd mention it. I am curious to know though...for those of you that have done both the 4 and 7 night cruises--what is it about the 7 night that makes it so much better??

 

[CRSNDSNY]

The ports of call on the 7-night cruise are really great. Also, there are so many activities and things to do onboard, that with a 7-night cruise you have more of a chance of experiencing it all (Palo, spa, pools, shows, etc.).

 

[WDWLVR]

Two words that make the 7 day better - sea days!

I love the days at sea! Just relaxing, either by the pool, on the comfy chairs on deck 4, on your veranda (if you have one). They are the best.

The ports are much better on the 7 day as well.

I will tell you that if you are set on going to the parks the 4 day is a great cruise too. We just did one. They are short, but sweet.

7 days are my favorite tho!

 

[AnnMorin]

Seven day for sure! The shorter cruises are just too short! Also the caribbean is so much more special than Nassau ( our son could not wait to get back ON the ship there )

 

[patches-4]

I WOULD GO FOR THE 7 DAY. JUST GOT BACK FROM A 4 DAY IN JAN. AND ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS IT WAS WAY TO SHORT. WE'RE GOING AGAIN IN 2004 7- DAY WITH KIDS, OUR 2ND DISNEY, OTHER WAS RCCL, AND ALL OF US ARE ALREADY EXCITED. DH SAID AFTER OUR LAST DISNEY CRUISE, 7 DAY, THAT HE DIDN'T CARE IF WE NEVER WENT BACK TO WDW THAT HE WOULD TAKE THE CRUISE OVER IT ANY DAY. DD AND I STILL LIKE GOING TO THE PARKS, BUT THE CRUISE IS BY FAR THE BEST.

 

[niks81]

Wow, I am just shocked...of course a longer vacation is more fun but you all are die hard 7 day cruisers!!! Hmmm, maybe I can convince the fiance to add two nights at Disney along with a seven night cruise

Now, on another note....we are getting a killer deal on the points for this trip. It allows us to get a verandah room for only $955....have any of you had a verandah room? Worth it or no? If we didn't do that we would probably get the oceanview definitely, although all the rooms look just fabulous!

 

[AnnMorin]

We have had a veranda on four cruises and without one on one cruise. Needless to say our next one and all future cruises will be with a veranda!!

 

[niks81]

Alright...you're all going to hate me

After getting your many wonderful responses I was very pumped up for the 7 day cruise. However, after thinking about it for a few hours, we have decided to go with the 4 day...and here is why

*We have never been to WDW by ourselves. Everytime we have gone we have taken others with us. Since this trip will count as our trip for the year, I think it would be nice to have both a cruise and WDW alone for once!!

*After reading many of your posts I realized that you all much prefered the 7 night to the 4 night....and I got the impression that many of you had this feeling because you first cruised on the 7 day and then went back to try the 4 day--and you felt like it was not as good or much too short! Since we have only cruised once, and it was a 4 day on Carnival (which we thought was long LOL) we both agreed that we'd rather start with the 4 day so we are impressed with that cruise. When we realize how much we love the DCL we can come back and then enjoy the 7 day cruises.

Thanks to all for your great advice!

 

[Dancind]

OK, I'm going to be evil here. Niks81, please be sure and post here after you return from your trip. We will all want to know if you're still happy with your decision. Just a suggestion, you might want to plan your nights at the Poly BEFORE the cruise. Because you're going to hate getting off that ship! I'd rather be spoiled rotten for 7 days than 4 anytime, and we've stayed at many deluxe Disney resorts. The level of spoilage is just not the same. Diana

 

[niks81]

Diana...thanks for your input....we know that we are vacation club members and will be around Disney for awhile. So its safe to say that we will be cruising more than once I would imagine. I guess based on what I've read, I wanted to avoid the disappointment of the "short cruise" by doing the 4 day cruise first and then coming back for the 7, rather than the other way around. Does this make sense?

Does anyone like the 3 and 4 day cruises???

 

[mmouse37]

Sorry....still think you should do the 7 day....like you said if you are DVC members you will be going back to WDW several more times....go for the 7 day cruise now.

I used to be a die hard WDW fan, but since cruising DCL I find the service much better than at the WDW resorts....we have done the 7 day cruise 4 times already!!! I do not know if I could go back on the 4 day...I am sure I could but I would keep thinking I was missing 3 days LOL!!!!

MJ

 

[CRSNDSNY]

niks81

No matter what you do, you are going to have fun! Now, I PREFER the 7-day cruises to the 4-day, but I still love going on the 4-day cruises. We always piggy-back a day or two in WDW with the 4- or 3-day. That's a bonus for us.

No matter what your decision is you are going to be cruising Disney and that is what matters the most!

I hope you have a wonderful time (no doubt you will) and you report to us when you return!

Happy sailing!

 

[niks81]

QUOTE:

I do not know if I could go back on the 4 day...I am sure I could but I would keep thinking I was missing 3 days LOL!!!!

This is what I was trying to avoid....I figured if I started with a 4 day cruise, I wouldn't feel like I was missing three days. Obviously if you start with a 7 day, and then go back and try the 4 day it seems much too short, and for some less enjoyable. I don't want to get that feeling...do you all understand?? Perhaps I start with a 4 day, then try a 7 day and love it so much I won't do the 4 day ever again....at least the 4 day I did take will be enjoyable and I won't be thinking that I was missing 3 days, and wishing I were on the Magic instead

Am I making sense?

Thanks you guys for all of your kind comments and advice...I really appreciate it!!