Never cruised DCL...Vets, what would you do?

[bengalbelle]

We have an upcoming trip planned to WDW [DH, DS (4), DM (70) and me]. We're spending 5 nights 6 days at WDW, staying at the WL or BWI. DH, DS and I have been to WDW multiple times. This will be the first trip for DM.

We've been wanting to cruise DCL for quite some time. Just for fun I checked out a Land and Sea Package. For about $1600.00 - $1800.00 more we can do the Land and Sea Package (probably 3 nights on ship, 4 nights on land), in a Category 6 and staying at the Poly instead of the 5 nights/6 days at WDW.

I figure we can do the things at WDW that my mom would enjoy in 3-4 days, so that part is not a problem.
My question is: is it worth it? Would we be better off just waiting and taking a longer cruise, or is a 3 night cruise a good way to experience it for the first time?

ETA: We're not new to cruising, just new to DCL

 

[RonnieJo66]

IMHO...I would want to go for a 7 day cruise. By the time you learn your way around the ship and start to feel comfortable, your trip would be over.

But then again, 3 day is better than no days

Best of luck in your decision....either way it's Disney!!

Hugs,

RonnieJo

 

[ADisneygirl]

Hey, to me any amount of nights on the DCL is better than none! I think a 3 night cruise is a great way to see if you have sea legs. We went on the 3 night the first time since it was the first time we ever went on a cruise and didn't know if we'd like it. I can tell you that even though me and DD had some issues with seasickness, the three day was over way too fast. We had a great time! Plus, your mom gets to experience two new things -- WDW and a Disney cruise.

I think diving into a 7 night or longer cruise the first time out might be risky.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

That is a great idea, a land/sea cruise is the best way of finding out if you will like to cruise.

Although most people absolutely love it and are hookes the minute they set sail, some find out that they are not the cruising type.

We experienced DCL by starting with a land/sea combo. We loved it and now are booked on a 7night one. I have to admit that not going to WDW in 2006 is gonna make me sad. So in the event that a go on another DCL cruise, I probably will do a land/sea one. That way I will get the best of both "world"s!

 

[bengalbelle]

Oops, I need to clarify:

DH has cruised many times on many different cruise lines

I've cruised once, on the Monarch of the Seas (RCCL), which was a 7 day Caribbean cruise. I got a little queasy one night when we ventured into the Atlantic Ocean.

DM has cruised once, in the Gulf of Mexico (no rough waters)

DS has not cruised.

We are totally the cruising type, just haven't tried DCL

 

[burma]

Land/Sea is the way to go ... if you have been to wdw multi times you know where you want to go and how quickly you can do it. The nice thing about the crusie is that it all the magic of disney with out the lines for rides ... you can put the DS in the clubs for US time and you will have a ball for a few days in the parks .. how can you go wrong .... Just my opinion

 

[bengalbelle]

Land/Sea is the way to go ... if you have been to wdw multi times you know where you want to go and how quickly you can do it. The nice thing about the crusie is that it all the magic of disney with out the lines for rides ... you can put the DS in the clubs for US time and you will have a ball for a few days in the parks .. how can you go wrong .... Just my opinion

I love your picture!

Thanks to everyone for all of the replies so far

 

[burma]

Thanks .... having two girls is payback for my younger years

 

[jlowejd5]

If it were me, I would definitely go Land/Sea. Having been to WDW many times, you can likely tailor a visit that your DM would really enjoy in four days. Then, after the hustle of the parks, there are few things that are more relaxing than 3 days on the Wonder. I'm not sure my DM (who's only in her late 50's) would be up to running the parks for a full week.

 

[WDWLVR]

Land/Sea is a great way to experience DCL! If you can swing it I would do 3 days parks and 4 days cruise. That way you get a day at sea which to me is the best day of cruising!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If you book separately you can do four days of each and stay wherever you want.