OT, But Your Advice is Valued...Update...Cruise Decided TY!

[WaltD4Me]

I've been in a bit of a tizzy since we found out we are going on a Disney Cruise. I've learned alot already, but we want to get the cruise booked and are trying to decide between two different cruises, 4 nights on the Dream or 5 nights on the Wonder. There are 11 of us 7 adults (2 who are elderly) and 4 children, 17, 13, 10 and 4. We are all first time cruisers and cannot decide between the 5 night cruise out of Miami on the Wonder or the 4 night cruise out of Port Canaveral on the Dream. Some of us like the idea of the new Dream, but some really like the idea of 5 nights and think it might be a little easier sailing out of Miami. One person is worried that the Wonder is too "old", someone else is worried the Dream is too big. We want to decide and book through DU as soon as possible and I would REALLY appreciate your thoughts and comparisons, good, bad and otherwise. Any and all opinions welcome.

Also I did request a DU quote for the 4 night cruise, but not the 5 night, should I have done a 5 night quote request seperately? I did note in the special requests section that we were also considering the 5 night cruise.

 

[thunderbird1]

We always prefer longer cruises, but are also drawn to newer ships, so I understand your dilemma. Having sailed out of both Port Canaveral and Miami in the last couple of years (albeit not on Disney ships), we find it MUCH easier to sail out of Port Canaveral. Miami is a huge city, hotels and restaurants are quite a bit more expensive and getting around is not nearly as easy. IMO, sailing out of PC would make for a much more relaxing vacation.

But whatever you decide, I know you'll have a wonderful time because you'll be on a Disney cruise!

 

[WaltD4Me]

We always prefer longer cruises, but are also drawn to newer ships, so I understand your dilemma. Having sailed out of both Port Canaveral and Miami in the last couple of years (albeit not on Disney ships), we find it MUCH easier to sail out of Port Canaveral. Miami is a huge city, hotels and restaurants are quite a bit more expensive and getting around is not nearly as easy. IMO, sailing out of PC would make for a much more relaxing vacation.

But whatever you decide, I know you'll have a wonderful time because you'll be on a Disney cruise!

Really? We thought it might be easier/closer to airport to sail out of Miami.
Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeee already good advice.

 

[thunderbird1]

Really? We thought it might be easier/closer to airport to sail out of Miami.
Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeee already good advice.

Others may have different experiences, but we really disliked Miami. My dad drove down, and once he was at the hotel he refused to leave because of the traffic (and he lives in Chicago). We had a rental car that we drove down from Orlando and returned to the Miami airport, where the airport security guard nearly got into a fight with a cab driver they said was trying to scam us. The next morning, my dad had a hard time finding and getting into the parking lot at the port due to all the cabs, and a long walk to the terminal from the parking lot. The terminal itself was a zoo--I don't know if it's because of the volume of ships that go through the Port of Miami on a daily basis, but I'm sure that doesn't help. Onboard we even received someone else's luggage--right stateroom number; wrong ship. At the end of the cruise, the line for customs was insane--I want to say we were in line for 2 hours? Then finding our private shuttle took forever--my brother and SIL nearly missed their early afternoon flight. We've sailed out of Port Canaveral several times and Tampa once and have never encountered anything like that.

In contrast, Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral and the surrounding area is so peaceful and easy to get around, and there are many hotels that offer free parking (if you happen to need that), free breakfast and a free shuttle to the port. The terminal itself seemed much less crowded despite the fact that there were more than 4,000 passengers boarding. After disembarking, it was a piece of cake to find both the shuttle back to the hotel (for my dad to pick up his car) and our private shuttle back to Orlando.

For us, sailing out of Port Canaveral (or other smaller city/port) is so much more relaxing than Miami that it would have to be a really special ship or itinerary to get us back there. Not to mention it's much easier to add on a few days at WDW before or after the trip if you're so inclined....

 

[WaltD4Me]

Others may have different experiences, but we really disliked Miami. My dad drove down, and once he was at the hotel he refused to leave because of the traffic (and he lives in Chicago). We had a rental car that we drove down from Orlando and returned to the Miami airport, where the airport security guard nearly got into a fight with a cab driver they said was trying to scam us. The next morning, my dad had a hard time finding and getting into the parking lot at the port due to all the cabs, and a long walk to the terminal from the parking lot. The terminal itself was a zoo--I don't know if it's because of the volume of ships that go through the Port of Miami on a daily basis, but I'm sure that doesn't help. Onboard we even received someone else's luggage--right stateroom number; wrong ship. At the end of the cruise, the line for customs was insane--I want to say we were in line for 2 hours? Then finding our private shuttle took forever--my brother and SIL nearly missed their early afternoon flight. We've sailed out of Port Canaveral several times and Tampa once and have never encountered anything like that.

In contrast, Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral and the surrounding area is so peaceful and easy to get around, and there are many hotels that offer free parking (if you happen to need that), free breakfast and a free shuttle to the port. The terminal itself seemed much less crowded despite the fact that there were more than 4,000 passengers boarding. After disembarking, it was a piece of cake to find both the shuttle back to the hotel (for my dad to pick up his car) and our private shuttle back to Orlando.

For us, sailing out of Port Canaveral (or other smaller city/port) is so much more relaxing than Miami that it would have to be a really special ship or itinerary to get us back there. Not to mention it's much easier to add on a few days at WDW before or after the trip if you're so inclined....

Wow. This is really good to know. We were thinking we would fly into Miami a day earlier, stay at a hotel close to the port and just shuttle over to the port. Assuming hotels offer shuttles to the port. I know my parents won't like a huge, crowded port and my mom would not be able to stand in a 2 hours long customs line or do a really long walk from the parking lot for that matter. I know I always much prefer smaller airports over huge ones like Atlanta or La Guardia so thank you so much for this info,
it is really something for us to take into consideration.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Lisa,

If you are thinking of flying in a day early....

You can always book a WDW resort for the night, use ME to get to the hotel and then book transfers from the resort to the port and then from the port to the airport.

I realize this doesn't address the 4 or 5 night cruise dilemma, but I'm sure you'd agree that a night at WDW its better than a night in an airport hotel in Miami.

Port Canaveral is an easy one hour drive from WDW and WDW guests using transfers are dropped at the door.

Also, of all of the cruise terminals I have seen.....none are more user friendly than the Disney Terminal Port Canaveral.

 

[WaltD4Me]

We would actually plan 2 nights at WDW before the 4 day cruise. That's a big plus for me to go with the 4 night cruise, but my brother really wants the extra night on the cruise. I have to fill him in on the information about the Miami port though, he was thinking like I was that it might be easier to sail out of Miami. Our big debate really is extra cruise night over new ship.

 

[mikelan6]

If you decide to go from Miami, let me know if you have any questions about my city.

We can even plan a mini DIS meet if you like.

 

[mdvlprof]

I much prefer Canaveral. Sailed out of Miami a couple years ago. BIG headache.
I agree with a PP, longer cruises are better. It seems that on short cruise - it's over before it really begins.

 

[Cherinva]

The Wonder is a great ship, and I would love to sail on her again. I agree with others about having a day longer, however I also agree that the Terminal in Port Canaveral is a breeze to get through.

IMHO, I would have a couple of days at WDW before, take the DCL transfers to the Port and have a 4 day cruise on the Dream.

Either way, you will have a wonderful time !!!

 

[NancyIL]

When are you cruising, and what's the itinerary of the 5-night you are considering? How do prices compare? It looks like the Wonder goes either to Castaway Cay and Cozumel, or Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The Wonder will go to warmer ports - which might make a difference during winter months.

If it were me and a choice between 2 days at WDW + 4-night Dream cruise or 1 day in Miami + 5-night Wonder cruise - I'd choose WDW + the Dream. By the way - is a 7-night cruise on the Fantasy out of the question?

By the way - for 11 people I would NOT pay $70 pp for DCL transfers from WDW to port/port to airport. Either rent a few mini-vans or arrange for a couple of limos.

 

[WaltD4Me]

When are you cruising, and what's the itinerary of the 5-night you are considering? How do prices compare? It looks like the Wonder goes either to Castaway Cay and Cozumel, or Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The Wonder will go to warmer ports - which might make a difference during winter months.

If it were me and a choice between 2 days at WDW + 4-night Dream cruise or 1 day in Miami + 5-night Wonder cruise - I'd choose WDW + the Dream. By the way - is a 7-night cruise on the Fantasy out of the question?

By the way - for 11 people I would NOT pay $70 pp for DCL transfers from WDW to port/port to airport. Either rent a few mini-vans or arrange for a couple of limos.

We are going early March of 2013, I think the 4 night is March 2nd and the 5 night leaves March 4th. The 5 night is more expensive, but it works out to about the same since we would do 2 nights at WDW if we do the 4 night. For either cruise we would want to go to Castaway for sure, but nobody has a strong opinion between Cozumel or Nassau. I discovered there is 4 night that stops in Cozumel, Key West and Castaway and I would love to do that one, but there is no sea day and I was out voted.

We actually talked about 7 nights on the Fantasy, but my mom and dad won't do 7 nights, they say it is too long. We also talked about the 6 night on the Magic out of Galveston, but there is no stop at Castaway and that is a must.

Yes, I agree about the transfers, it would come to almost $800 for us to use Disney's service! I'll be looking into town car services for that. I usually use a town car service for WDW anyway and from their website I think it would be about $310 round trip with them.

 

[Disney Enabler]

You mentioned you will have 4 children in your group. Is riding the aquaduct that they are seeing on almost every Disney Cruise Line commercial something to be considered when deciding which ship? I know my husband can't wait to ride it.

Carol
It's a great day to be alive!!!

 

[WaltD4Me]

You mentioned you will have 4 children in your group. Is riding the aquaduct that they are seeing on almost every Disney Cruise Line commercial something to be considered when deciding which ship? I know my husband can't wait to ride it.

Carol
It's a great day to be alive!!!

You would think the Aquaduct would sell the kids on the Dream, but nope, they all want to do the longer cruise on the Wonder. Unfortunately (for them) the adults out voted them and we are booked (making deposit today) through DU on the 4 night Dream cruise!!!!!! We decided there were just some very cool things on the Dream that we wanted to experience. We got 3 veranda staterooms next to each other on Deck 5 mid/forward portside.

Thanks so much for all your comments, the ones about the Miami port terminal were another deciding factor in choosing the 4 night Dream cruise. Sorry Mike!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Phew!! It sounds like you had quite the time choosing! But congrats on being booked and ... can I come too?! haha

 

[mdvlprof]

So cool! You'll have a fabulous time.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

So happy for you. Have a great cruise!