Will we be disappointed?

[imdoodle]

We recently went on our first cruise-7 Day Eastern. I rebooked onboard to get the discount. I took my kids out of school to go on this past cruise but since my oldest will be in high school next year I don't want to take him out of school again. So I booked a 4 Day (2 stops at CC) in June 2008. My question is: Has anyone ever done a 7 Day for their first trip and a shorter cruise after and felt a little let down? If a 7 day was available at the same time I definitely would have booked it. My second question is (as I am still relatively new to DCL): Does DCL always have "special cruises" in the summer months? TIA

 

[SC Minnie]

We did a 7day in Jan '02 then a 3day in Oct '02. It was part of a special Disney was running after the industry took such a hit after 9/11. The 3 day wasn't long enough but it was still relaxing. I did feel like we unpacked and turned around and repacked to go home.

If I have a choice I would do a 7day but in no way would I turn down a shorter cruise. The way I look at it is any cruise is better than no cruise.

 

[metrowon]

If your teenager is a good student, you may find a better value in October, but school would be missed. Check under special cruises, @ disneycruiseline.com Metrowon

 

[jblb1020]

We did the 7 day Feb 2006 and then did the 4 day Feb 2007 and spent 3 days in Disney after the cruise. I regretted not booking a 7 day instead of the 4. The 4 day was way to short, we had just got settled in before we had to pack up and leave our luggage outside our stateroom a couple nights later. BUT if a 4 day is all you can do then I say its better then not going on a disney cruise at all and the fact that it stops at CC twice is worth it!!

 

[outahere]

I don't think you'll be disappointed, but it will seem short. After being on the Eastbound repo (14 days) in 2005, our next 7 day felt too short. We're going on a 4 day in 2 weeks and I'm sure it will really feel short. But, as others have said, a short cruise is better than no cruise!

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

You will not be disappointed.

The best comment I read about this is that the Wonder cruises are "shorter but not inferior".

I've done both the four day and seven day cruises and I'm booked for a three day cruise this summer.

We had just as much fun on our four day cruise as on our seven day cruises. You still get your sea day on the four day and you always have the option of not getting off the ship in Nassau.

And no having to pack the formal wear like you do on the seven day cruises. And just think, with less days on the ship your onboard charges will be less

To answer your question about special summer cruises....yes, there have been special summer cruises in 2005, 2007 & 2008. Who knows about 2009 and beyond until the new ships are ready. I am hoping we'll see a return to the summer Caribbean cruises in 2009.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

I love that you have a day at sea after Castaway Cay!!
It is so nice to have a relaxing day at sea before you have to get off the ship.

We loved our 7 day and debated on booking another for Oct 2008...Instead we went with the Wonder 4 night. We have friends sailing with us for their first cruise and so they want to try the 4 night first. That is fine with me...It is always so hard on the 7 day to get back on the ship after spending all day at CC and having to pack!!! yuk!

We will probably fly in a day early and stay at the Radisson and eat at Grills to watch the Magic set sail...Then add a couple days to attend MNSSHP. We also want to try Sea Worlds new water park Aquatica!!!

So you can still make a weeks vacation out of a 4 day cruise on the Wonder.

 

[imdoodle]

Thanks for all your positive comments. No doubt, going on any Disney Cruise is better than not going!! Knowing that others have done a 7 day and then a shorter cruise and still had a great time makes me feel better. We'll just have to spend a few days in the Parks before the cruise to make it a 7 day.

 

[disneypoor]

To me, a stop to CC twice is heavenly. We just got off the 7 day eastern and rebooked the Double Dip for Thanksgiving week of 08, but I think I'd be happy on a 4 night that went to CC twice also.

I have to be totally honest, my DH thought the 7 night was a little long. I know--I know--what the heck is wrong with him? He'd prefer the four night over the seven, but I won.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a great time.

 

[Ilovestitch]

I've done the 7 night and done 2 4 night cruises since then. I love the 7 night, but I also like to go to WDW a few nights and I can't take two weeks off work so I'm happy with the 4 night combined with WDW. So, no it won't be a let down.

It will be fun for you to see the Wonder and compare it to the Magic.

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

There is always the "back to back" option with a 3 and 4 day to create one 7 day cruise (sort of). If you book the same room you don't even have to pack up and leave the ship.