Please help me decide...B2B or 5 day cruise?

[Planner2012]

I've been looking at different cruise options for February 2017. I have a very small window in which we can go away next year due to other commitments. Due to timing & price, I have narrowed it down to two options.

The first is a 3 night & 4 night back to back cruise on the Dream, out of Port Canaveral. Both have the same stops (Castaway Cay & Nassau) with the 4 day having a day at sea. I'm not opposed to the same stops, but will the cruise feel weird doing the same things over again?

The second option is a 5 night on the Magic out of Miami. It stops in Key West, Nassau & Castaway Cay.

The first option is attractive because you get 7 nights, Orlando is easier & cheaper for us to fly in/out of, the boat looks awesome (aquaduck & midship detective agency especially), but of course it is more expensive (about $1500 -when converted to Canadian). The second option is really appealing because I like the stops better, the idea of a smaller boat seems better, but not as crazy about the aquadunk, and the flight times aren't as good (thought about flying into Orlando & driving, but seems like more trouble than its worth). Also you don't have to get off the boat & get back on with option 2, but it is 2 nights shorter.

I did look at a 7 day cruise on the Fantasy, but it is $830 more than the b2b ($2330 more than the 5 day). With flights & converting to usd, that extra $830 just makes it seem too much. I guess you have to draw the line somewhere.

I know we will have a great time no matter which option we choose, but hoping for some guidance from those who know way more than I do.

TIA

 

[FigmentSpark]

If I recall, Orlando to Miami isn't a short drive. You'd have to have a day each way, if you wanted to do that.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I've been looking at different cruise options for February 2017. I have a very small window in which we can go away next year due to other commitments. Due to timing & price, I have narrowed it down to two options.

The first is a 3 night & 4 night back to back cruise on the Dream, out of Port Canaveral. Both have the same stops (Castaway Cay & Nassau) with the 4 day having a day at sea. I'm not opposed to the same stops, but will the cruise feel weird doing the same things over again?

The second option is a 5 night on the Magic out of Miami. It stops in Key West, Nassau & Castaway Cay.

The first option is attractive because you get 7 nights, Orlando is easier & cheaper for us to fly in/out of, the boat looks awesome (aquaduck & midship detective agency especially), but of course it is more expensive (about $1500 -when converted to Canadian). The second option is really appealing because I like the stops better, the idea of a smaller boat seems better, but not as crazy about the aquadunk, and the flight times aren't as good (thought about flying into Orlando & driving, but seems like more trouble than its worth). Also you don't have to get off the boat & get back on with option 2, but it is 2 nights shorter.

I did look at a 7 day cruise on the Fantasy, but it is $830 more than the b2b ($2330 more than the 5 day). With flights & converting to usd, that extra $830 just makes it seem too much. I guess you have to draw the line somewhere.

I know we will have a great time no matter which option we choose, but hoping for some guidance from those who know way more than I do.

TIA

Typically, I'm in the "longer is better" camp. But, with these choices I'd go with the 5 night. Couple of reasons. The turnaround day is really not part of the vacation (in my opinion), since you still have to get up early, sit around the terminal for a couple of hours, and deal the the madness of "first day of cruise" again. And, the ports are more interesting on the 5 night. That and the immediate repeat of the same shows/menus really don't appeal to me.

The trip from Orlando to Miami is about 4-5 hours.

 

[CamColt]

I would do the B2Bs for more days, but I am a fan of B2Bs in general. The only port I really care about is CC so 2 visits there is definitely my preference.

 

[Imahikergirl]

We booked a B2B on the Dream at the end of Jan. It was cheaper than the 7 day Fantasy and even cheaper than doing a B2B on the Wonder out of PC. I'll end up with gold staus out of it and we get to cruise for the 7 days. I didn't want the extra travel time to and from Miami.

 

[Trera]

I would do the B2Bs for more days, but I am a fan of B2Bs in general. The only port I really care about is CC so 2 visits there is definitely my preference.

we like B2Bs also. We get the same room and request the same dining staff and it makes it quick and easy on turn around day.

 

[frannie12]

If you book the Magic out of Miami you can fly into Fort Lauderdale....45 minutes to an hour drive..not bad at all!

 

[emnems34]

I agree with what has been said about your transition day not really feeling like it's part of your vacation. However one benefit for the B2B you may not have thought of is that will count towards two cruises for your Castaway Club membership instead of one. However, I've heard from others (I've personally only been on the Wonder and Magic) that the bigger boats can sometimes feel overwhelming. I'm planning the go on one of the bigger ones next anyhow though. The only port I care about is Castaway Cay personally. Nassau never really impressed me. As far as it feeling weird to go on the same cruise again- it probably won't feel strange! You can schedule different excursions or onboard events to make them feel different! Either way you'll have a blast- cruising in February is the best!

 

[tink1970]

I'd go with B2B since (unless I'm reading this incorrectly) the only difference in ports is Key West.
I'd do this as a CC cruise, get 2 sailings in...then perhaps do one out of Miami with Key West some other time OR just make a different holiday in the winter out of Key West itself--a few days there would be a fun winter break

 

[Hundredacre]

Tough! I would probably go back to back, because we love cc. I also prefer Canaveral to miami. I do however love key west and would go with the 5 day if trying to save money. I also would take into consideration which ships you have already been on. Have you already sailed on the dream? Magic? But you can't go wrong.

 

[samily]

Tough call, I prefer the Magic but would prefer the longer cruise.

I would probably end up doing the b2b. We have done them before and like the 2 stops at CC. I don't mind the repeat of the shows or menus as it gives us an opportunity to try something different on each cruise.

However, I tend to look at the price per night of the cruise - I have an amount that I am willing to pay per night for DCL for our family so if it doesn't fall in that range, I just won't do it anymore and will sail on other cruise lines. Is the price per night for the Dream and Magic cruises similar?

If you do decide on the Miami sailing, you can look into flying into FLL or PBI if MIA doesn't work for you and you don't want the drive to MCO. We just did the drive from the Port of Miami to Orlando last Sunday - it took us just under 3.5 hrs from the port to the parking garage at Disney Springs, including a snack and bathroom break, so it wasn't that bad but we have older kids which makes things easier.

 

[belac]

I would do the B2B, 2 stops at Castaway, get to do the things you missed the first time, skip a show to do something else, try something different on the menus, 2 chances for Palo and Remy. Also the turnaround day you are last off and first back on ship before anyone so a ship to yourself for a little bit, to swim as soon as it opens, a slide with no line, and if you have the same room you don't have to pack up from the first and finally 2 cruises on CC level. The wait is a bit of a downer but bring a book or something to keep you busy. I think we only waited an hour or so and that differs from what I understand. Had to be off at 9:30 and we were surprised we were back on board around 10:30, but that was the Wonder. Dream is bigger and wait time may differ for a number of reasons. We prepared for 2 hours with tablet for DS and a book for me.