Which cruise would you choose?

[ruadisneyfan2]

So I don't usually ask this question because I've always believed in "longer is better".
I was planning to book a cruise for April and after doing several Dream & Magic cruises to the Bahamas lately, we felt like it's time to try one of the newer ships. We planned to sail on the Treasure, Eastern Caribbean and book a VGT rate of $4732. I finally got the time off work approved today and double checked DCL website one more time before contacting my TA.

I saw a 5-nt Bahamas cruise on the Fantasy for only $2877. That means those 2 extra nights on the Treasure would cost $1855 more.
We haven't done an Eastern Caribbean since 2016 so I feel like we could use a change of scenery from the same itinerary we've been doing lately.

Part of me just wants some hot weather after all of this cold and I would get that on the Fantasy for a lot less. The other part of me wants to see something different and be excited to explore a new ship.

When I ask dh for his input, he just says pick whichever one you want.

We're doing a big trip next summer to Italy for my big birthday (30 again! ) so it feels wasteful to spend that $1855 extra right now.

 

[princesscinderella]

In calculating out the daily rate $4732 / 7 nights = $676 per night for the treasure or $2877 / 5 nights = $575.40 per night for the Fantasy its not too much more for the treasure. I'm assuming this is for 2 people in the cabin. My logic asks the question: is trying out the new ship worth the extra $100 per night? For me I would say it's worth it to have the two extra days and try the new ship. If budget wise you want to save the cost of the two additional days, gratuities, extra onboard charges for drinks/specialty dining then I'd pick the 5 day. We enjoyed our sailing last year on the treasure and would happily sail her again. We are trying out the Destiny in a few weeks for the 5 day sailing since they don't offer a 7 day, it works out a little better for us since my son's college spring break lined up with my girls in HS so we can all go together but they will have a few days off at home too instead of spending the entire break on a cruise. Would you like to just have a few days off at home to do a small project/mini staycation or maybe a WDW parks visit with the 5 day cruise since the time off is approved? I asked a lot of questions but I voted to pick the Treasure since you have not sailed on her.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

In calculating out the daily rate $4732 / 7 nights = $676 per night for the treasure or $2877 / 5 nights = $575.40 per night for the Fantasy its not too much more for the treasure. I'm assuming this is for 2 people in the cabin. My logic asks the question: is trying out the new ship worth the extra $100 per night? For me I would say it's worth it to have the two extra days and try the new ship. If budget wise you want to save the cost of the two additional days, gratuities, extra onboard charges for drinks/specialty dining then I'd pick the 5 day. We enjoyed our sailing last year on the treasure and would happily sail her again. We are trying out the Destiny in a few weeks for the 5 day sailing since they don't offer a 7 day, it works out a little better for us since my son's college spring break lined up with my girls in HS so we can all go together but they will have a few days off at home too instead of spending the entire break on a cruise. Would you like to just have a few days off at home to do a small project/mini staycation or maybe a WDW parks visit with the 5 day cruise since the time off is approved? I asked a lot of questions but I voted to pick the Treasure since you have not sailed on her.

Budget is not a problem; I just feel guilty to spend more if I don't have to.
We wouldn't do parks if the cruise was shorter. Dh is very "parked out" yet still he was willing to go for a weekend in Jan so we could ride Aerosmith RRC before it closes on March 1. If we did the 5 nt, it's Sun-Fri so we would fly down on Sat and I wouldn't need off the Friday before like I would for the Treasure. I would give that vacation day back.

 

[princesscinderella]

Budget is not a problem; I just feel guilty to spend more if I don't have to.
We wouldn't do parks if the cruise was shorter. Dh is very "parked out" yet still he was willing to go for a weekend in Jan so we could ride Aerosmith RRC before it closes on March 1. If we did the 5 nt, it's Sun-Fri so we would fly down on Sat and I wouldn't need off the Friday before like I would for the Treasure. I would give that vacation day back.

I’d say sail the Treasure then if budget is not a problem. You only live once and you can’t take it with you. No one says I wish I could have spent more time at work, if you have the vacation days available use them.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I’d say sail the Treasure then if budget is not a problem. You only live once and you can’t take it with you. No one says I wish I could have spent more time at work, if you have the vacation days available use them.

Working in a hospital, I fully believe in that motto but also my dad has mild dementia and my niece (and her family to some extent) cares for him FT which is rough so I'm sending them to WDW for a week and that is the week after our cruise. So if we do the Treasure, our flights overlap a bit and he'd be home alone for a few hours. He is usually ok for short amounts of time but we try to minimize that as much as possible. The Fantasy cruise would have us home the day before so no overlap on travel dates.

I originally had her on a later flight but then we cancelled our Treasure cruise before the FPDD because I was sick on medical leave for a few months in the fall and though I had just returned back to work, I couldn't commit to being able to have that much time in my bank and still be able to give my niece her week off plus my dad was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer so with all of that uncertainty, I wasn't sure if I would need to take more time off but now it's looking like I won't, so that helps. Still vac time from work is precious so try to not take more than I need.

Ugh, sometimes it's complicated. I just want a hot, sunny break from life.

 

[holula]

I’d say the Treasure even though it’s more per day. I know it’s very first world problems but at this point I’m finding their private islands a little stale/repetative and I want to go somewhere else.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

My vote: since $ is not the issue, go for the 7-night so you can fully unwind. That + getting to explore a new ship/itinerary is worth it.

 

[Mathmagicland]

Working in a hospital, I fully believe in that motto but also my dad has mild dementia and my niece (and her family to some extent) cares for him FT which is rough so I'm sending them to WDW for a week and that is the week after our cruise. So if we do the Treasure, our flights overlap a bit and he'd be home alone for a few hours. He is usually ok for short amounts of time but we try to minimize that as much as possible. The Fantasy cruise would have us home the day before so no overlap on travel dates.

I originally had her on a later flight but then we cancelled our Treasure cruise before the FPDD because I was sick on medical leave for a few months in the fall and though I had just returned back to work, I couldn't commit to being able to have that much time in my bank and still be able to give my niece her week off plus my dad was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer so with all of that uncertainty, I wasn't sure if I would need to take more time off but now it's looking like I won't, so that helps. Still vac time from work is precious so try to not take more than I need.

Ugh, sometimes it's complicated. I just want a hot, sunny break from life.

I’d recommend the shorter Fantasy, because of the situation with your dad. While he may only be by himself for a few hours if nothing changes with the travel plans, what would happen should your return flight be delayed, canceled, or diverted? Or should something change with his health between booking and traveling where he should not be left alone for those few overlapping hours? His health seems a bit too fragile not to err on the side of caution with the shorter trip for now.

 

[DCLMP]

I would not pay 2k for 2 nights. I would go with the Fantasy.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm always a fan of longer cruises so I voted Treasure. However, the price difference might matter.

 

[Add-On-Itis]

I would do the 5 night. Use the savings during your Italy trip

 

[CarolynFH]

So if we do the Treasure, our flights overlap a bit and he'd be home alone for a few hours. He is usually ok for short amounts of time but we try to minimize that as much as possible. The Fantasy cruise would have us home the day before so no overlap on travel dates.

I agree with @Mathmagicland above. I’d be concerned about delays that would leave him alone for longer than you’re comfortable with, as well as changes in his condition between now and the cruise. We just finished cancelling my elderly dad’s participation in a cruise with us - he was fine when we booked it, but last month his health changed, and he can’t travel anymore.