which cruise for parents

[iambrink]

I am thinking about taking my parents on a Disney cruise in February. For around $5000, i can choose either 2 concierge V cabins on a 3 night Dream or 2 veranda 5A cabins on a 4 night Dream. I have stayed in both and really like concierge, so maybe i am answering my own question. My parents have cruised before, but not on Disney. I would really love them to experience Disney as they would never justify the cost on their own. Which one would you pick and why?

I should also add that my parents are 72 and 83.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

That's a tough call, but I'm going to have to go with the 4-night. We've done 3 night, 5 night, 9 night and 11 night cruises on DCL and the 3 night just wasn't enough to fully enjoy the experience for us. I personally would like to have that extra day to enjoy the ship.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I echo DisneyWishes - 4 night over 3. For me, personally, Concierge over a "regular" room isn't that much of a draw for me.

 

[AAAG]

I've never cruised Conceirge, but I would go for the 4 night as well.
3 nights is really only 2 full days. Too short and not worth it IMO

 

[bethy]

4 nights

 

[Pens Fan]

The longer the cruise the better - always! Do the 4 night for sure!

 

[Batsupermouse]

I would definitely be in the 3 night Concierge camp. We took my parents (mid 70's) on the Dream earlier this year. The extra amenities (first to board, concierge lounge, escort for disembarkation, ability to grab a cabana among other things) and pampering that they received, especially from the Concierge Hosts, made them feel like royalty.
Just my opinion though. Either way you can't go wrong!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I'm in the 4 night non concierge camp, longer is always better in my book.

 

[bumbershoot]

4 nights.

I've done concierge twice; once on a 3 night, once on a 4 night, and I say the longer 4 night, no concierge needed.

 

[JimmyV]

Size matters. Take the 4. Concierge is nice. But with only 3 days to enjoy the benefits, you aren't getting all that much bang for the buck.

 

[TestingH2O]

Not knowing how active or healthy your parents are, this is a bit harder to answer. My parents are in their early 70's, very healthy, and very active. They still really benefited from the lounge and not having to travel all over the ship quite as much. (In context, I was averaging 15,000 steps a day, so I can't imagine how many more I would have gotten without the lounge.) We plan to try a non-concierge in 2017, but my parents really felt that the lounge was a big deal. At the same time, I have a hard time picturing a cruise without a sea day. If you do a 4 day, I would recommend a room close to elevators to reduce some of the walking.

Honestly, I don't think you can make a bad choice here.

 

[dcassetta]

I would lean toward the 4 night also, as having a sea day is great. However, if you parents plan to stay on board in Nassau or CC, they could treat it like a sea day, and have more time to enjoy the amenities on board. You say they have cruised before, which line?

 

[Bdunn]

We took my folks with us on the Fantasy last year, 7 night Eastern. We had booked concierge for ourselves, thinking we would be the only ones going. When we invited them, we put them in a concierge cabin next to us. They loved the perks (early boarding, cabana, interacting with hosts, etc.). They were 81 and 75.

Any way you can do the best of both worlds? 4 nights concierge???

 

[iambrink]

Thanks for the replies. They are healthy, but have certainly slowed over the years. i am thinking they would also enjoy the extra concierge perks, like the lounge. We wold probably not get off at Nassau. We have all been there before. They have cruised RC and Carnival. I looked at the 4 night concierge and i think it was going to be an extra $2000-3000...a little more than i would like to spend. We did a quick 3 night cruise last December and i have to agree it is rather short. I would take a 3 night over nothing, but i would prefer a longer cruise. A 3 night cruise is also easier when you already know the ships and can skip some of the things you have already done on previous cruises!