Thinking of a family cruise

[pavil]

We are in the starting stages of planning a Disney Cruise DH,DW 3 kids 7,5,4.
Will we be able to get one cabin or would it be better to get two connecting cabins? When is the best time to take a cruise? Will the kids like the cruise for 7 days or is a 3 or 4 day cruise better for them? Don't know the answers so I figure I'll ask the experts, all of the DIS cruisers

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Our first sailing was a 4 nighter in Feb of 2000. We had never sailied before and didn't know what to expect....DDs then were 9 and 7. THEY LOVED IT!! But spent no time in the clubs. We have sailed 3 more times (and have a 7 night Western Thanksgiving 05 and 10 night x-mas 06 booked) since and booked 7 nighters all the time......

 

[poohssmum]

The issue with all 5 of you in one room or two has more to do with cost than convenience. Sometimes it's cheaper to book 2 of the lower category rooms, than it is to get 1 higher category that will sleep all of you. You can actually check out prices and room categories on the DCL website.

My boys were 3 and 6 the first time we cruised, and we jumped in right away with the 7-night. I'm not sure we'd do anything less :dunno Although I could possibly be persuaded to do the 4-day if an extended amount of time at WDW were included. My kids love being on the cruise and are just as excited as DH and I when we start planning another one.

We've cruised in May and November and had wonderful weather both times. I guess the time of year would depend on your schedule and preferance for taking vacations. The Fall is probably the cheapest time of year to cruise ... but of course you need to keep in mind that cruising during Hurricane season is always a risk

Good luck with whatever you decide. And YES you've come to the right place for all kinds of advice, suggestions and stories.

 

[JSCTRico4]

My two were DS9 and DD5 for their first Disney cruise. They did not want to get off on day 8...... They loved that they could go get a hot dog... or pizza.... when they got hungry, and didn't have to pay for it.... (yes, we explained that we had paid for it..... but.... well, you know what I mean...) We have now rebooked for 14 day repo in August, (it's a surprise to them), and I am not really concerned that they will think it's too long.... I'm sure I can tell them that we can always get off early and send them back to school if they say they are bored!

Your kids will have a blast!

 

[mommasita]

We have only done the 7 nighters, but my kids loved it from the getgo!!!!!!!!!!!!! We would never consider doing a shorter time...

Yours sound like the absolute perfect ages to have a blast...

I would not worry, except for the last night..When it is time to pack up.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We also have booked 2 cabins the last 2 and next 2 sailing, but DDs are 15 and 13 now......our cat. 6 and 11 for 2 were within 100 bucks of one cat. 6 with 4 of us........

 

[Jsme]

Just to let you know. I have a friend who has gone on Cat 6 with 4 people. Their last cruise they did a Cat 10 hidden port hole connecting rooms and they were able to book both of these rooms for less than the cost of the Cat 6. She said it was worth it to them because it allowed them more room and twice the amount of bathrooms.

 

[cruzings]

we went on a 3-day the first time around (it was a combo WDW/cruise vacation) but soon realized that we should have booked a 7-day. since we had not cruised before, our mindset was a "trial run". the kids, at that time DD8 and DD4 were so upset that we weren't staying longer. on our last night, they kept on asking why we were disembarking so soon. it gave DH and me a heartache looking at their faces. naturally and logically, we booked our next cruise while still onboard and took advantage of the discounts.

whatver you choose, all i can say is it will be fun! fun! fun!