New to cruising/Bahamas shorter cruise or E. Caribbean longer cruise

[Momofboys1011]

Our family is brand new to cruising, and are not sure which cruise to choose from. Should we do a Bahama 4 night cruise or a longer 7 night E. Caribbean cruise? It will be hubby and I and our 3 children (7,6,and 2).
We will either go in April or in July of 2018.
Thanks so much!

 

[Quellman]

Cost is a big difference. 4 days is much better than 3, because the day at sea. If your littlest doesn't mind trips, you can certainly make 7 work for you. We have done that itinerary with a 14 month old before. Lots of people will also comment that longer is better. I also am a fan of longer cruises if I can get them for a price I like. Just remember, kids may not like the kids club, and you still have to be a parent without the comforts of home. So you know your family best if they can survive a longer trip or not.

 

[yowcruiser]

We had the same dilemma 2 years ago and at the time settled for a 3-night cruise at the time as did not know whether we'd enjoyed it but more importantly how we'd handle the sea. Everything went fine and yes, we wished the first cruise would have been longer. 2nd cruise was a four-night from Miami with no days at sea and again we wished it would have been longer. Next, we are going on the 7-night Western Caribbean and I feel it might offer the right balance of length, # of port visits and days at seas. For first-time cruisers, I'd argue that the numbers of days at seas is as important as the # of days. If you were on a 7-night cruise with no days at seas, you might still find it to be too short as arguably you might not have enjoyed everything that the ship had the offer - assuming that you went out everyday

 

[85glht]

I vote for the 7 day eastern Caribbean cruise. St. Thomas is worth it and you will get at least one day at sea.... maybe even two days, depending on the itinerary.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

I definitely concur with go the 7 day route. Having those sea days is great. On the cost issue, I think when I was originally looking into all the differences, if you calculate cost out per day, all other things being equal, the longer cruise was generally cheaper per day. Obviously overall it's more expensive because it's more days.

 

[sefowler1]

I've never heard anyone say, 'I wish I had made a shorter trip.' lol Go longer, if you can.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Another vote for 7 nights - we started with a 3 nighter and it was way to short.
Did a 5 day next... but then did 7 nights on the Fantasy and it was the best. Let's you really get a taste for cruising and all the entertainment they offer. It's more relaxing too.
E. Carib. was a great itinerary too, fell in love with st.thomas.
Let us know what you decide.

 

[Vijoge]

To me, a four day cruise is a waste of time. You barely get unpacked and start to find your way around the ship and it's time to get off. Also note that July in the Bahama's will make hell feel like a cold front in North Dakota.