What would I be missing on the 3day???

[Hockeychic]

I will soon be booking my first cruise.

We are considering the 3 and 4 day. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each??? From what I can tell you would only miss the day at sea on the 3 day and since it is our first cruise that might not be bad......what do you think????

Thanks

 

[logan1_2000]

You'll miss another day of bliss. The boards are full of cruisers who started on a shorter cruise to try out cruising as a vacation style, and liked it so much they booked a 7 night cruise while still on board. I'm one of those.

On a three day you might just about have decompressed and begun to really get the hang of things when it will be time to pack your bags and get them in the hall by 10 pm (or is it 11pm?).

Go for the 4th day, a day dedicated to the ship itself, no hustling on board or off, try something different for dinner, ...more available Palo slots on a 4 day than a 3...same w/ spa appointments...and one more day in which to spend a few minutes on line to book your 7 day 2nd DCL cruise on board and get the on-board booking stateroom credit and discount...

Whichever you choose--hope it will be as WONDERFUL as you want it to be--my first DCL cruise is one of the best examples in my life of having gone in w/ high expectations and having those expectations surpassed.

 

[HeelMD]

Completely agree with logan. By the time you are getting used to everything on the boat, it's time to go. Also, days at sea are sometimes the best ones. There are so many great things down the hall on the boat that you get to do more on the boat than at port.

We did the 4 day for our first cruise and immediately booked a 7 day for our next one.

 

[jragland]

I agree also. I think the most important thing you will miss on the 3 day is days 4, 5, 6, and 7!! But whatever you decide....enjoy!
Jim

 

[westjones]

I have taken two of each, the 3, 4 and 7 night cruises and of course the longer is the better.

That being said, the 3 night will give you the BEST of the BEST. You see all three of the Disney themed shows, dine at each restaurant, and visit Castaway Cay and enjoy the pirate night deck party. Those are the main highlights of the cruise, and you will get to do each of these.

If you want to try Palo, you can 'double dip' and go to the main dining first and then go to Palo later for a second dinner. We have only been to Palo once and we are fine with just using the regular dining, but we like having dinner with our kids and Palo is adult only, so we just skip it.

As for tips for making the most of your 3 night:

1. Stay on the ship when you dock in Nassau. Use it like a day at sea and just enjoy the ship.

2. If you have kids, make sure you take their swimsuits with them at the time you board so they can swim right after you have lunch (we actually just go straight to the pool and my kids are usually the first ones in, and we just have pizza and burgers for lunch, but since this is your first one I suggest you go to the buffet).

3. At Castaway Cay make sure you get off when they dock and enjoy the whole day there! It is wonderful! Our favorite activity (beside just hanging out at the beach) is taking the bike trail, but do it first thing before it is really hot.

4. Don't miss any of the shows. They are great!

5. Try to order room service once at least (the kids think that is so cool and there is no extra charge for the food, milk, coffee or tea--soda is free on deck 9, but not with room service).

You can have a great time on the 3 night, but you probably won't relax too much. That is the main thing that is missing from the 3 night (relaxing). But you can experience all of the fun!

 

[KAR3600]

My first cruise was a 3 day. We were not sure if we'd like it. I didn't know if we'd get sick, and 3 days of getting sick was long enough. WELL, we did not get sick, we did enjoy it. It does take a while to learn your way around the ship, but that is the fun of it, you get to see more when you get lost! This year will be our second time doing the 4 day. Someday I want to try a 7 day, but for now I definately settle for the 4 day. But if 3 days is all you can or want to do "go for it". You will not regret it!

 

[ericamanda01]

I have to admit I love the day at sea almost as much as the castaway cay stop. It really gives you a chance to explore the ship and relax.

 

[Jsme]

Our first "ever" cruise was a 7 day cruise. Due to having morning sickness the whole time I did not take another cruise for 10 years. Three years ago we did a 3 Day Wonder cruise. I was not sure if I could handle another 7 day cruise. Which I quickly found out the first cruise was not good only because I was so sick with my pregnancy. We also wanted to make sure the kids would not be sick and they would enjoy it. The did. While on book we booked a 7 day for the next October. We are going on another 3 day one this September.

Three days verse four days. I would chose the four day for the extra sea day. Sea days are awesome. Only reason we booked a 3 day this year is for my Birthday. If we would have waited to my fall break we would have gone on a four day at the end of October. I would say do the four day. This way you will be able to see if you like the sea day. If you do the 3 day you will not get the chance to see.

 

[figment795]

DH and I took our 1st 4 night cruise in April loved every minute of it. If we lived close by we would love to do a quick 3 day cruise. However we live in Oregon and it takes us a full day to get to Orlando. So we like to spend 3 to 4 days at the park and a 4 night cruise.