Tips for a 7 night cruise?

[Osum]

I've booked a 7 night Eastern on the Fantasy during Halloween on the High Seas next year, and I'm SO looking forward to having more days on board.

My questions are: What should I know about the Fantasy, and are there tips that are specific to a longer cruise?

I'll be sailing with my husband and our 14 year old son who loves DCL, and really enjoys the teen areas. This will be our 4th DCL cruise (so we aren't completely new), but our first 7 night, and our first trip on the Fantasy.

thanks in advance!

 

[jdb in AZ]

I've booked a 7 night Eastern on the Fantasy during Halloween on the High Seas next year, and I'm SO looking forward to having more days on board.

My questions are: What should I know about the Fantasy, and are there tips that are specific to a longer cruise?

I'll be sailing with my husband and our 14 year old son who loves DCL, and really enjoys the teen areas. This will be our 4th DCL cruise (so we aren't completely new), but our first 7 night, and our first trip on the Fantasy.

thanks in advance!

A 7-nighter really isn't that long. We've been on two 15-nighters on the Wonder.

I'm assuming you've been on the Dream, which really isn't much different than the Fantasy.

 

[GPaLarry]

We, too, have been on longer cruises (WBTA & EBPC) and six more of at least seven days...may never see the inside of the Dream. Seven day or longer cruises mean less pressure to do everything all at once or within a day or two. You will also get more familiar with the ship, which means, sadly, that it is harder to say, "see ya real soon."

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Don't overpack. That's my big one.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Agreed... don't overpack. Make sure that you do the things you want to do. Don't wait for tomorrow. That said, you can't do it all, so make sure you do the ones you want.

Make a family plan, like every dinner together or every show or something like that and then do your thing, whatever that is. I was disappointed at first because DH didn't want to do all the things I did, but then I realized he was doing the things he loved for his vacation, so then I didn't worry about him and did my own things. We still did stuff together, but we didn't have to be attached at the hip, like it seems on other vacations. And the kids just wanted to know when they could go off to the clubs and when to be back.

 

[Osum]

Agreed... don't overpack. Make sure that you do the things you want to do. Don't wait for tomorrow. That said, you can't do it all, so make sure you do the ones you want.

Make a family plan, like every dinner together or every show or something like that and then do your thing, whatever that is. I was disappointed at first because DH didn't want to do all the things I did, but then I realized he was doing the things he loved for his vacation, so then I didn't worry about him and did my own things. We still did stuff together, but we didn't have to be attached at the hip, like it seems on other vacations. And the kids just wanted to know when they could go off to the clubs and when to be back.

Absolutely! We always choose second seating and request a table by ourselves. When we cruise, it's nearly the only time we see our son.
I'm pretty good about not overpacking, but with three of us in a stateroom, we usually make use of all the hangars on a 4 night cruise. I'm sure we'll be hanging multiple items per hangar to make it 7 nights, haha! I'm going to have to really pay attention to the packing this trip.

 

[LizGirl]

I like the "don't wait for tomorrow" advice! That's one I need to adopt.

I don't typically unpack in a hotel even for a week stay but I definitely take the time to unpack and get organized in our stateroom the first afternoon. I bring a collapsible laundry hamper and collapsible laundry basket to make doing a load a little easier. We managed to avoid it on our most recent trip but having that option makes packing lighter a little easier for me.