Which itinerary for first cruise?

[Samem]

I have a 4-night cruise booked on the Dream at beginning of December. It is a merrytime cruise going to Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. It’s our first cruise and I’m now wondering if I should switch to a 5-night to give us extra time but not sure if the following are worth the switch:

-5 night Cozumel and Castaway in Nov for $576 more
-5 night both private islands and Nassau in Nov for $1190 more

All options are on the Dream or Fantasy and I can switch for no penalty.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have a 4-night cruise booked on the Dream at beginning of December. It is a merrytime cruise going to Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. It’s our first cruise and I’m now wondering if I should switch to a 5-night to give us extra time but not sure if the following are worth the switch:

-5 night Cozumel and Castaway in Nov for $576 more
-5 night both private islands and Nassau in Nov for $613 more

All options are on the Dream or Fantasy and I can switch for no penalty.

I'm a fan of "longer is better" - so, between the two I'd opt for Cozumel/CC. Not really interested in Lookout Cay.

 

[Erica1016]

I'm guessing that almost everyone will tell you that more nights is better, and I'd agree. There is so much to see and do, you can't go wrong with 5-nights. That being said, it's an additional $500+ cost, so you have to factor that in.

For us, the "ship is the trip" and we don't worry too much about itinerary. The Disney stops are nice because there are things to do without added costs as opposed to excursions at other ports. That being said, there's been some criticism of Lookout Cay and there are certainly some growing pains to still be ironed out. I'm sure it's still great, but won't know personally until we're there in December ourselves. As for other ports, we don't particuarly do excursions. We might get off and walk around a bit, but we more often just enjoy the ship while others are off on their adventures.

No matter what you decide, you'll have a great time!!

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I wouldn't hesitate to lengthen your stay. For me, I would choose the one with both islands and Nassau, precisely because I would NOT get off the ship at Nassau. Staying on board a ship during port is an experience in its own right. As for the additional cost, think of it this way... add up the total cost of the trip including transportation, taking time off work, the logistics, hotel stays, the costs of just being able to go on a cruise. You can maximize that value by extending the stay, or save the $600 to pay those costs again if you want another cruise night later.

 

[sponica]

I have no interest in Cozumel personally, so I would do the CC/LC on the Fantasy because Port Canaveral is easier for me to get to.

 

[auntlynne]

I love early December for travel. November can still be in the hot/ humid side. By December, you are officially out of Hurricane season.

And associated travel costs are often lower (shoulder season).

I’m not a fan of Cozumel, either. Any day, I would pick Bahamian water over most other.

Despite the lukewarm response to Lookout Cay, that water looks fabulous - and is not a cost (which you have to spend to get a beach in Cozumel).

? Are you wanting a beach trip?

Does it matter to you whether Port Everglades or Port Canaveral?

Are you interested in tacking on a WDW stay or special Christmas party?

The cruise fare difference is just part of the picture. Air, lodging. Convenience and crowds.

I would need more info to decide. And $600+ more for one night. But what price was 4 nights?

 

[Samem]

I love early December for travel. November can still be in the hot/ humid side. By December, you are officially out of Hurricane season.

And associated travel costs are often lower (shoulder season).

I’m not a fan of Cozumel, either. Any day, I would pick Bahamian water over most other.

Despite the lukewarm response to Lookout Cay, that water looks fabulous - and is not a cost (which you have to spend to get a beach in Cozumel).

? Are you wanting a beach trip?

Does it matter to you whether Port Everglades or Port Canaveral?

Are you interested in tacking on a WDW stay or special Christmas party?

The cruise fare difference is just part of the picture. Air, lodging. Convenience and crowds.

I would need more info to decide. And $600+ more for one night. But what price was 4 nights?

Merrytime and the Cozumel cruise are port Everglades, the other is Port Canaveral. Will likely stay an extra two days pre or post cruise but not doing Disney World.
Just want some beach time and enough ship time as well.

 

[dreamer17555]

I love Cozumel so I am a bit bias. 5 nights for the additional $500 would be my vote.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

Merrytime and the Cozumel cruise are port Everglades, the other is Port Canaveral. Will likely stay an extra two days pre or post cruise but not doing Disney World.
Just want some beach time and enough ship time as well.

Staying two extra days? Good decision, but then I really have to ask why not 5 days. Sounds like the extra $600 will give you a lot of bang for the buck and the percentage of the total trip is likely low. 15%? I wouldn’t hesitate a heartbeat.

 

[Samem]

Staying two extra days? Good decision, but then I really have to ask why not 5 days. Sounds like the extra $600 will give you a lot of bang for the buck and the percentage of the total trip is likely low. 15%? I wouldn’t hesitate a heartbeat.

So you’d trade 4-night merry time and both islands for 5-night Cozumel and castaway?

 

[auntlynne]

I thought you were a commenter, not the OP!

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

So you’d trade 4-night merry time and both islands for 5-night Cozumel and castaway?

No, for the reasons I originally stated I would go on the 5 night both private islands and Nassau in Nov for $1190 more... I think you must have edited that dollar figure which originally read $613 I believe? But I wonder why the edit? and now I would be making sure I was comparing oranges to oranges, are the cabins really all the same? But I will also say, if you can go to the Orlando area and NOT go to WDW, then power to you! I couldn't lol. But that also leads me to think that you might be one of the ones that DO like Lookout Cay. Why you ask? Because a lot of the nay sayers cite the less disneyfied theming of LC as a negative, you have shown you can resist the Mouse (yes I tend to over think things)

 

[auntlynne]

If you are doing 2 extra days, consider pre-cruise, as most recommend arriving at least one day ahead of boarding as a travel cushion.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

I have a 4-night cruise booked on the Dream at beginning of December. It is a merrytime cruise going to Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. It’s our first cruise and I’m now wondering if I should switch to a 5-night to give us extra time but not sure if the following are worth the switch:

-5 night Cozumel and Castaway in Nov for $576 more
-5 night both private islands and Nassau in Nov for $1190 more

All options are on the Dream or Fantasy and I can switch for no penalty.

Love the 5-night to Cozumel and Castaway! I would do that one. An extra night for less additional cost. You'll enjoy the extra sea day and can hit Lookout Cay on a future trip!

 

[auntlynne]

No, for the reasons I originally stated I would go on the 5 night both private islands and Nassau in Nov for $1190 more... I think you must have edited that dollar figure which originally read $613 I believe? But I wonder why the edit? and now I would be making sure I was comparing oranges to oranges, are the cabins really all the same? But I will also say, if you can go to the Orlando area and NOT go to WDW, then power to you! I couldn't lol. But that also leads me to think that you might be one of the ones that DO like Lookout Cay. Why you ask? Because a lot of the nay sayers cite the less disneyfied theming of LC as a negative, you have shown you can resist the Mouse (yes I tend to over think things)

I can resist the Mouse (for a day, maybe, or just go to Disney Springs - but that is still Mouse Lite, just cheaper). But two days in Orlando or Fort Lauderdale? Okay, maybe a day at KSC. Or drive down to Biscayne Bay (still waiting to get to the National Park there). Actually, I would head to the Keys.

And that would lead me to save the extra cruise cost of the fifth day.

But I do need to watch my budget. Because I know I will want to get back out there again. $1K would really help on the next cruise I inevitably would want to take.

 

[Samem]

No, for the reasons I originally stated I would go on the 5 night both private islands and Nassau in Nov for $1190 more... I think you must have edited that dollar figure which originally read $613 I believe? But I wonder why the edit? and now I would be making sure I was comparing oranges to oranges, are the cabins really all the same? But I will also say, if you can go to the Orlando area and NOT go to WDW, then power to you! I couldn't lol. But that also leads me to think that you might be one of the ones that DO like Lookout Cay. Why you ask? Because a lot of the nay sayers cite the less disneyfied theming of LC as a negative, you have shown you can resist the Mouse (yes I tend to over think things)

I adjusted the price because I did my math wrong originally. I actually love Disney but cannot justify the cost for a family of 5 to do Disney World and Cruise. We frequent Disneyland as it’s closer but opting to try a cruise this time.

 

[auntlynne]

If considering Cozumel, look at the beach (or other options) there.

 

[auntlynne]

I adjusted the price because I did my math wrong originally. I actually love Disney but cannot justify the cost for a family of 5 to do Disney World and Cruise. We frequent Disneyland as it’s closer but opting to try a cruise this time.

And that extra doesn’t seem so much when you are talking family of 5 (per person basis).

 

[auntlynne]

And you are flying from West Coast. That makes 5 night cruise seem like a better use of flight time and cost.

 

[auntlynne]

Now, I’d pick 5 night out of Port Canaveral.

Rent a minivan. Stay on Atlantic Ocean side of FL. Go to Kennedy Space Center on second pre-cruise day. I am assuming Day 1 is fly-in. There is also the National Seashore north of Cape Canaveral.

You would have no excursion costs on the Disney Islands if you can just enjoy beautiful water.

Nassau - stay on the boat with the majority of guests or venture out.

Merrytime is mainly decorations. I wouldn’t use it as a determining factor.

You still get Pirate Night and fireworks (any if your choices).