Opinions on 2017 itineraries

[luvpooh]

Hi all,

We will be taking our first DCL cruise in October on the Magic (out of NYC). It is DH, DS (3) and me. DH and I have cruised several times in the past on other lines (NCL, RCCL, Carnival, X), and it is DS's first cruise.

I was watching for summer 2017 itineraries along with everyone else, and had my heart set on the WBPC for 2017. After waiting, and waiting, for the release of info, and discussing w/DH, he said he really didn't want to spend as much time as the WBPC required, nor did he want the hassle of the flights.

So, I booked an 8 night on Carnival out of NYC for June, 2017. I've done a lot of research on it, and it seems like it will be enjoyable, enough activities for DS, and we've never been to any of the ports (San Juan, St. Thomas, Grand Turk). We are also in a Grand Suite (not a lot of perks, but bigger stateroom) and not paying much more than our 9A OV on DCL.

Fast forward to this past weekend and we watched the DCL planning DVD, and DS was in love. He keeps talking about it. Being 3, you would think he would forget and move on, right? No, he's totally dying to go on this trip, especially since he knows we will also be hitting up WDW.

Long story short, I'm now second guessing if we should book another DCL for next year, and if so, which sailing. Not only because of DS's reaction (and likely reaction upon boarding the CCL ship several months after sailing DCL and wondering 'where the heck is Mickey?'), but also because even though I know there is a premium for sailing DCL, and I'm also not pleased with the practices lately at WDW, I still feel DCL seems to be a good value for our family at the moment. Of course this is just based on research, etc, and not having experienced it yet.

The 4 that I sent to my DH are:

7/8 nighters out of NYC to CC, Nassau (8 night ones) and Port Canaveral (WDW) - would be basically the same itinerary as 2016, but no flying (big plus)
WBTA - this one the timing isn't ideal b/c it's departs at the end of the first week of preschool
WBPC - see aforementioned concerns by DH
7 night out of NYC to Canada (probably beautiful, but not warm, too boring for a 4 year old?)

Any opinions?

 

[darnheather]

With a 3 year old I would only do Disney. The kids' club is AMAZING and the service for kids is just fantastic.

 

[tink1970]

All good choices, but for your situation?

I think the NYC to Bahamas, CC, and Port Canaveral would be at the top. Mickey Magic on the boat, no transportation issues, and Castaway Cay. One day only in the parks might be hectic but for a 4 year old that might be preferable to Grand Turk or St John (since I don't know your son, obviously speculation).

My DD has been on one Carnival cruise, when she was 4, and she had a good time. That said, it predated her 8 DCL experiences. So now as long as I'm footing the bill...she only wants DCL

Kids are funny, though, so he might not make a fuss at all for the Carnival Cruise. Hard to predict the mind of a 4 year old

Enjoy your cruise in October!

 

[Hundredacre]

Are u on the vista? I think we are on that itinerarynext year on the vista. I would keep it. Disney doesn't go to Grand Turk. we have decided to alternate with disney do that our kids get exposed to other lines. I am also careful about showing the kids those videos. I hate companies marketing to my kids directly. Not everything in those videos is on the magic. If you dont want to hear where's the big waterslide and you're going on the magic, be careful with the videos!

 

[Ofinn]

I wouldnt let a three year old dictate my vacation choice. Whatever cruise you do hes not going to remember any of it. I know people think Dcl is for little kids and other cruise lines are better for older kids. I disagree with this. The older my kids get the more they enjoy dcl. The teen clubs are fantastic on dcl. Every cruise is like a week at Summer camp for them. I think the family environment is good for teens and they have made a lot of exceptionally nice, smart friends on dcl. I guess my point is your son will probably enjoy dcl for years to come so I wouldnt feel like you have to fit dcl in before he reaches certain age. My kids would have been happy with anything at that age. The older they get the harder they are to please.

 

[Ofinn]

Are u on the vista? I think we are on that itinerarynext year on the vista. I would keep it. Disney doesn't go to Grand Turk. we have decided to alternate with disney do that our kids get exposed to other lines. I am also careful about showing the kids those videos. I hate companies marketing to my kids directly. Not everything in those videos is on the magic. If you dont want to hear where's the big waterslide and you're going on the magic, be careful with the videos!

My kids want to try this ship. I havent booked anything yet. Prices are kind of high. Not dcl high, but Carnival high. We may give the Breeze a shot. Im looking for a cheap cruise this Fall. Carnival does offer some nice Caribbean ports.

 

[jdrobinson06]

We are taking my 3 yo DD on our first cruise this year. I chose DCL because of the focus for her (and the nice things for DH and I as well). I feel like this fits our family best. We are fortunate to live close enough to WDW to drive, and we have taken her every year since she was born (for 1 day--1/2 day at magic kingdom). We are doing our first family reunion style disney trip in a year when she will be almost 5....I still don't think we will get a TON out of it because it is ALOT for a toddler (but being with the rest of the family from far away will make it worth it). I honestly think this may be the only time we sail DCL (although I am sure I will fall in love), because of the premium--but it is worth it for our family with a child this age. We are doing the Eastern Caribbean (which I know isn't one of your choices) because I felt it gave us a little port time (to do an excursion, to have a day on the ship without as many people, and of course, to go to Castaway Cay which I hear is AMAZING)--we also wanted a non port intensive itinerary because we knew we wouldn't be taking full advantage (most DCL excursions--that I was interested in--are for ages 5+) Whatever you decide to be right for your family will be AMAZING!

 

[luvpooh]

With a 3 year old I would only do Disney. The kids' club is AMAZING and the service for kids is just fantastic.

Thanks. I am still a bit concerned about the way the kids club is set up that all ages can intermingle. I know that most kids are going to stick with their age-appropriate groups/activities, but my son tends to gravitate towards older kids. Hopefully since they are in a different room, he won't be as aware.

All good choices, but for your situation?

I think the NYC to Bahamas, CC, and Port Canaveral would be at the top. Mickey Magic on the boat, no transportation issues, and Castaway Cay. One day only in the parks might be hectic but for a 4 year old that might be preferable to Grand Turk or St John (since I don't know your son, obviously speculation).

My DD has been on one Carnival cruise, when she was 4, and she had a good time. That said, it predated her 8 DCL experiences. So now as long as I'm footing the bill...she only wants DCL

Kids are funny, though, so he might not make a fuss at all for the Carnival Cruise. Hard to predict the mind of a 4 year old

Enjoy your cruise in October!

I think this is a great itinerary, otherwise I wouldn't entertain doing it 2 years in a row! WDW (although hectic) is a no-brainer, and CC, though I have never been there, is right up our alley.

Love the 'footing the bill' part! DS clearly has no concept of money, he just yesterday told me I should buy a blue Porsche. I said, where am I going to get the money for that? He said, from the front hallway (we keep change and $1's for the ice cream truck there...) love the innocence!

You're absolutely right about predicting what a 4 year old wants or likes, it is ever changing!

Are u on the vista? I think we are on that itinerarynext year on the vista. I would keep it. Disney doesn't go to Grand Turk. we have decided to alternate with disney do that our kids get exposed to other lines. I am also careful about showing the kids those videos. I hate companies marketing to my kids directly. Not everything in those videos is on the magic. If you dont want to hear where's the big waterslide and you're going on the magic, be careful with the videos!

No, the 2017 Carnival trip is on the Sunshine. I don't think Vista is going out of NYC next year (they have a couple later this fall, but it doesn't work for us schedule-wise). I do like the CCL itinerary, but the more I read about the Sunshine, the more concerned I get.

You're right about the marketing materials. With my son, though, any situation is better for him if he is prepared and knows what he is going into. Maybe he's a future DIS'er in the making, plan, plan, plan!

I wouldnt let a three year old dictate my vacation choice. Whatever cruise you do hes not going to remember any of it. I know people think Dcl is for little kids and other cruise lines are better for older kids. I disagree with this. The older my kids get the more they enjoy dcl. The teen clubs are fantastic on dcl. Every cruise is like a week at Summer camp for them. I think the family environment is good for teens and they have made a lot of exceptionally nice, smart friends on dcl. I guess my point is your son will probably enjoy dcl for years to come so I wouldnt feel like you have to fit dcl in before he reaches certain age. My kids would have been happy with anything at that age. The older they get the harder they are to please.

Sorry, I wasn't saying I was letting my son dictate our vacation choice. I simply want to make a decision based on everyone's needs and what will make our trip go as smoothly and enjoyably as possible. I think he will like probably any cruise we were to go on, if it had the right amenities.

I also am keeping in mind that the prices on DCL continue to increase, and if they get much higher, I will be passing completely, like we are with WDW for the near future. At this point, there are some sailings that still seem totally outrageous, and I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole. It may not make total sense since it's the same company, but I still see somewhat of a value at this pricepoint for DCL, where WDW is totally not worth it to me at the moment. Perhaps in a few years when they open more at DHS, and DS is older, it will be a good fit again. Until then, we won't be vacationing there.

We are taking my 3 yo DD on our first cruise this year. I chose DCL because of the focus for her (and the nice things for DH and I as well). I feel like this fits our family best. We are fortunate to live close enough to WDW to drive, and we have taken her every year since she was born (for 1 day--1/2 day at magic kingdom). We are doing our first family reunion style disney trip in a year when she will be almost 5....I still don't think we will get a TON out of it because it is ALOT for a toddler (but being with the rest of the family from far away will make it worth it). I honestly think this may be the only time we sail DCL (although I am sure I will fall in love), because of the premium--but it is worth it for our family with a child this age. We are doing the Eastern Caribbean (which I know isn't one of your choices) because I felt it gave us a little port time (to do an excursion, to have a day on the ship without as many people, and of course, to go to Castaway Cay which I hear is AMAZING)--we also wanted a non port intensive itinerary because we knew we wouldn't be taking full advantage (most DCL excursions--that I was interested in--are for ages 5+) Whatever you decide to be right for your family will be AMAZING!

Very cool, hope you have a great trip! ITA about port excursions and this age. On the Carnival cruise we are currently booked, Grand Turk and St Thomas are definitely beach days, but I'm coming up empty on the San Juan stop, particularly since we don't get into port until 3 PM (too late for the beach).

 

[Alexle2007]

Very cool, hope you have a great trip! ITA about port excursions and this age. On the Carnival cruise we are currently booked, Grand Turk and St Thomas are definitely beach days, but I'm coming up empty on the San Juan stop, particularly since we don't get into port until 3 PM (too late for the beach).

When we went to San Juan with DCL with DS, we went to one of the forts. It was fun to wonder through and we saw some huge iguanas. A lot of people grab kites and fly them. Then I got some shopping time before we went back onboard.

 

[darnheather]

The children play were they are comfortable. There are so many counselors and children his age that it won't be a problem. Also some older kids like to play with younger children. I think we forget that until very recently children always co-mingled with many different age groups due to large families, one room school houses, delayed schooling, etc.