Question about 3 night vs 4 night.

[MrsBergs]

Hi Everyone.
I booked a 3 night on the dream for August 2018. I am wondering if the 3 night is going to seem too short. We are going to go a WDW 3 night prior. I was told by a friend that I should really consider the 4 night. What are your thoughts?
Thanks for all your help.

 

[Dug720]

I definitely vote for longer. My parents and I did 4-nights in Feb and all felt it was WAY too short. I cannot imagine ever going back to a 3-night.

 

[sambycat]

The 3 night can seem very hectic as well? I would definitely go on a 3 night cruise instead of no cruise but if I can do 4, that's more ideal

 

[Shanti]

Hi Everyone.
I booked a 3 night on the dream for August 2018. I am wondering if the 3 night is going to seem too short. We are going to go a WDW 3 night prior. I was told by a friend that I should really consider the 4 night. What are your thoughts?
Thanks for all your help.

I think it depends on your comfort with the price. If the 4-night requires you to financially stretch, I wouldn't do it. If it's not an issue financially, then I'd do it.

Most of the 4-nights have a day at sea, and most of the 3-nights do not. Days at sea have a peaceful feel to them, and more activities take place on the ship during days at sea than on port days. So that could be one reason why 4-night cruises might feel more complete than 3-night cruises.

We did a 3-night cruise that did have a day at sea, and we loved that cruise. It wasn't long, but not rushed, either. It felt like a complete experience. Part of our success with it might have been that we didn't try to do everything available on the cruise. We just did the things that really appealed to us.

This is a cruiser's message board & there are a lot of die-hards on here who will insist that a 3-night cruise is too short to be worthwhile. From my own experience, I disagree. For yourself, just make the choice that works for you logistically & financially, and it will be great. There is no one right way to cruise. There are a lot of different right ways.

 

[Sytrace]

Hi Everyone.
I booked a 3 night on the dream for August 2018. I am wondering if the 3 night is going to seem too short. We are going to go a WDW 3 night prior. I was told by a friend that I should really consider the 4 night. What are your thoughts?
Thanks for all your help.

If you can add that one more night feasibly, you should do so. 3 Nights are great if you want a weekend getaway and that is all you can do. It seems like one minute you are getting your luggage delivered and the next you are putting it out in the hallway for pickup.
4 nights are also short , but you take what you can schedule and afford and have a great time regardless.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

My only advice is to remember a 3-nt cruise is not really a 3-day cruise.... When you embark on the first day, things don't really start happening until sail away around 5pm. Of course we try to embark as early as possible around 11:30am so we can have lunch and enjoy the pools and AquaDuck, but if you're coming from the resorts, I believe their transportation doesn't get you to the ship til around 2pm. Then you'll have day 2 in Nassau and day 3 at Castaway Cay (order subject to change). On the last day, you disembark before 9am. That's super short for some folks; by the time you get in your cruising groove, it's time to disembark. 4-nt is too short in our opinion as well, but a lot of folks who haven't cruised before use the 3- or 4-nt to test the waters so to speak. Whatever you decide, you'll have a blast! Good luck! !

 

[lizabu]

We I don't the 3 night our first cruise and it went by in a flash. If it's not a big difference I would do 4. Then at least you get one sea day.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Always longer! Our first cruise was 7 nights, our second only 4 nights. Way too short. Add another night if you can, you will not regret it!

 

[dclpluto]

Yes 3 night and even 4 night cruises are way too short. Can you do a 7 night? If not a 3 or 4!night is better than nothing.

 

[happytime]

Our first cruise was 3 days. We LOVED it. Enough of a taste to want more. BUT it went incredibly fast. Previous posters have said the same. Since then we've gone on longer and longer cruises.

All that said, 3 days for a 1st cruise will give you either a hunger for more, a love for cruising, or just provide you with a meh feeling.

Our cruise went to the Bahamas as well. We didn't do much there--walked the market by the port and then snorkeled (excursion trip), which included a wild trip to its location. It was the first time also for us to experience being driven on the opposite side of road than USA. Crazy! lol

If you are going on the Dream, you have to know this ship is much larger ship than the Magic or Wonder. LOTS to do with very little time on a 3 day trip. IF you go with the 3 day option, go with relaxing in mind, not trying to cram everything in those few days. It's sorta like going to the parks in that there is a LOT to do and see and little time to get it all in one day-- then at the end of the day...you are dead dog exhausted and flop into bed.

A 4-day would feel like what our 1st cruise did - enough time to explore ship, do some activities on-board and have a day at sea, plus experience the Caribbean/Atlantic waters (so clear and warm), and a private island (Castaway Key is awesome).

Either cruise 3-day or 4-day, go with the idea it will be fast (and fun). And enjoy.

And to mention once again, we loved, loved our first (3-day) cruise. It left us wanting to do it again and again. We were hooked!

 

[mevelandry]

A three nights can be just fine, especially if you stay on the ship in Nassau. Unlike some others, I find sea days to be a bit boring.

But if the price difference for 4 nights is 100$/pp or less and you can afford it, I think you won't regret it.

Unfortunately, even though this was our case, family members who were not used to travel preferred to sail 3 nights instead 4 nights as they were not sure if they would enjoy cruising.

 

[lorimay]

We have done only one 3 night cruise, it was last minute with a really good price.
It was over in a blink, if you can swing the 4 night do it, thats quick too, they are all too quick.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Unlike some others, I find sea days to be a bit boring.

I thought I was the only one who felt that way!

 

[mevelandry]

I thought I was the only one who felt that way!

Maybe that's because we're adults but other than Palo Brunch ($), the adult pool, the spa ($) and the movies (which are mostly for kids during the day)... There isn't much to do for adults on a sea day.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Hi Everyone.
I booked a 3 night on the dream for August 2018. I am wondering if the 3 night is going to seem too short. We are going to go a WDW 3 night prior. I was told by a friend that I should really consider the 4 night. What are your thoughts?
Thanks for all your help.

After my first 4 night last month I think even thats too short unless you live within a couple hours driving distance (like close enough to drive in the day of embarkation). Once you also start factoring travel costs the longer the trip the better value you often get.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Maybe that's because we're adults but other than Palo Brunch ($), the adult pool, the spa ($) and the movies (which are mostly for kids during the day)... There isn't much to do for adults on a sea day.

DCL offers mixology, tastings, cooking classes, fitness classes, sports simulator, mini golf, shuffle board, crafts, trivia, tours, animation classes, origami classes, pin trading, live music...I don't know if I would say there isn't much to do rather than Id say there isn't much that you like to do. DCL offers alot even for adults.

 

[DisneyConvert]

Either way is a "sampler," and will be nice and fun, and hopefully leave you wanting more. Do what is best for family, schedule and budget.

 

[MrsBergs]

Thank you all for your responses. The 4 day is about 500 more.

 

[Rabb it]

I think a lot of people on here will tell you that 3 night is much too short, but considering you are going to WDW first for 3 nights, your trip is going to be a 6 nighter! And a 6 night vacay sounds pretty good to me!

 

[KMovies]

For me, I really like it when the rotation happens to have the extra night in Animator's on a 4 day cruise. You get the Pirate themed drawings which just adds to the night. No other dining room can match that on Pirate night.