To Cruise Or Not To Cruise?

[Cupcakesmum]

I was totally in your shoes. We had never been on a cruise and I wasn’t sure we were ”cruise people” but the Disney Cruises ( and their marketing) was very appealing. We bit the bullet in 2018 with a 4,6, 8 and 10 yea old. We had an AMAZINGLY time. We cruised the Wonder in February 2018 and then the Magic in March 2019. The kids had a ball, they loved everything about it. It really has something for every age - even if they don’t spend a lot of time in the kids clubs. I’ve only tried the Classic ships but the size still seemed huge and they were beautiful ships! We celebrated my daughter’s 9th birthday on a cruise and they really made it special. Since they have all your info they really know it’s your actual birthday. It’s shocking how many birthdays are celebrated on the ship ( but in a good way!).

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Lol I’m pulling them out for 3 weeks in September. It’s been a rough 2.5 years so YOLO. I really want to go for my daughters birthday which falls on the worst week in March. Yes, I absolutely realize how ridiculous that sounds but her brother always gets trip birthdays in June. Poor baby hasn’t had a big blow out so I’m making up for it.
Im actually laughing at myself right now because when I typed it out and reread it I realize how silly the whole thing is. She probably won’t care if we go on a cruise the week after her birthday.

Sometimes the price difference is drastic from one week to the next so keep searching and compare notes. On our first DCL cruise (we had already done 3 on Carnival) I chose the cheapest winter/spring 7-nt cruise I could find which was Feb 3. We lucked out with great weather which we found out on subsequent cruises how chilly it can be even in early March. If you're going to pull them out of school, might as well find the best price you can and book it asap. Generally, unless you're intentionally looking for a last-minute deal, you're better off booking early because prices increase as the ship fills.

My birthday is in mid June which is crazy packed in WDW and crazy expensive on DCL. Never gonna happen. Luckily dh's is in early March so we usually can find a good deal for his birthday.

Our first cruise was on the Magic back when there was only the Magic and Wonder. The Magic is still our favorite. It's a great size, not too big, and holds 2400 passengers vs. 4000 on the Fantasy/Dream.

Be warned, it's very addicting. We booked our first cruise in 2005 for a cruise almost 2 years later in 2007. Sailing #26 next month and another booked for next year. Prior to covid, if we wanted some park time, we'd only visit parks for one day before a cruise and that would be enough.
Now with all the negative feedback on Genie, the crazy high hotel prices, and crazy high ticket prices, we'll keep on cruising.

 

[Cheburashka]

This post contains many questions and I appreciate the feedback.
About us: 2 30somethings, 5 year old, 7 year old.
I want to do something exciting for my child's birthday. I don't want to do a Disney trip because I find the planning overwhelming plus I want to avoid insane lines for March Break. So I thought about a cruise. I have never been on a cruise and they have never appealed to me, until now. After watching a few Wish videos on YouTube my impression is that Disney cruises are different. I'm also considering a non Disney cruise and I don't know where to start.
Should we do something more affordable for our first cruise that is non Disney? Which non Disney cruises are best for families?
How many nights should we do? Where should we go? The possibilities are endless here.
Thanks!

Your kids are the perfect age for a Disney cruise so I recommend that. I recommend one of DCL's less expensive cruises. Skip the Wish, which is the most expensive ship just because it is new (not necessarily better). Sail when school is in session, which is much cheaper with DCL than when school is out. Your kids are early elementary so this shouldn't be a big issue (as a teacher, I'll just ask you to please not try to tell the teacher to make your child an advance work packet to take with you). Sail the Fantasy out of Port Canaveral, or the Dream or Magic out of south Florida. The Fantasy and Dream have more bells and whistles than the Magic, so I recommend them for families with young kids, although the Magic is a wonderful ship, too.