Wonder lovers!!!!! Help, please!

[Barbmouse63]

OK, here's my dilemma......... I really want to go on our family's first cruise next summer. I am finding that next summer's prices for 7 days on the Magic are too much for us. Should I book a 4 day cruise on the Wonder even though I know it will be too short but wonderful or should we book 7 days on another ship?
Some background ... dd 11 and ds 8..... we have been to Disney for the past 3 summers( and a few times before that) and love Disney! I would appreciate all advice! BTW, we do need to cruise in summer!

 

[TeamMMouse]

I think that you would have a lot of fun on the four day cruise, but just so you know, there is a very large range in prices from peak to off season on the magic, and if you get a standard inside stateroom in the off season, the price can drop significantly.

 

[musicgirl]

Personally, I have looked into other lines and just can not do it. I guess I'm spoiled!!!

After our next 7 night in 6-06, we will be in the same boat trying to save for college instead of galavanting around!! I think we would probably have to go for a 4 night and although it wouldn't be as long, it would still be DCL!!!!

JMHO, I know many have cruised other lines and found them to par with the Magic/Wonder, but I just know that I would spend every minute comparing the 2. Maybe someday I'll get more adventuresome.

 

[ericamanda01]

I would take the 4 day on the Wonder. I believe that any length Disney cruise is better than none at all. While on board you could book your next cruise and make it a 7 day!

 

[WDWLVR]

I would take the 4 day on the Wonder. I believe that any length Disney cruise is better than none at all. While on board you could book your next cruise and make it a 7 day!

I agree with this. Take a 4 day as your first cruise. If you are like most of us you'll find that once you've cruise you are hooked. Then rebook on board for a later date and get a great price and a stateroom credit for that next cruise!

 

[DrCavin]

IMHO...Based on others who have kids close to the age of yours, they are really enjoying RCCL. Maybe something to look into, I think 4 days is too short...

Until demand decreases I am afraid the gap between DCL & other cruise lines is just going to continue to grow.

 

[Barbmouse63]

Thanks for all of the opinions so far. Would love more.....Thanks!

 

[kplatt]

If you're locked into the summer, I would still try Disney.

I know that the other DISers won't comprehend NOT enjoying cruising, but it truly isn't for everyone. IMHO a four-day cruise is perfectly respectable for your first time out!!

Karen
Wonder 11/01
Magic 3/02
Magic 11/02
Carnival Destiny (don't ask) 12/03
Magic Eastbound Panama Canal 8/05

 

[CM_Mom]

On a 4 day you get the two most important parts of the cruise...a day at sea and a day at Castaway Cay. I've never been to Nassau since I've only been on a 7 day but I think the opinions on this board are pretty much take it or leave it. If you've never done a cruise before, I'd probably plan an excursion "just because".

I think you can definitely enjoy a 4 day. The main problem with the other lines is that they don't have pixie dust and the Mouse.

 

[westjones]

We love the 4 night! You don't have to bring formal wear, we don't get off for excursions (on the 7 night we do because it is just too long to stay on the ship), and we get to spend a couple of days at WDW! We can only vacation 1 week at a time, and we have decided that instead of spending days going on excursions in these other countries, we would rather spend days at WDW. We also like not having to pack so many clothes (since there is no formal night).

The 4 night is great too because it is the ONLY one of the cruises that gives you a day at sea AFTER Castaway Cay. The others (3 & 7 night) have you get off the ship the next day so when you get back on the ship on CC day you have to get packed up. On the 4 night you have a whole day to take your time and get packed up.

Also the Kids' Clubs Farewell Program is on the day at sea so you don't have to worry about getting the kids back on the ship and cleaned up to be at rehearsal for the show. You can just stay on the island until almost time to leave the port.

The other thing about the 4 night (for us anyway) is that if airfare is too high, we can drive to it and back within our week's vacation. On the 7 night, we want to be there the night before so we have to take an extra day off (doesn't work well with the kids in school--we are going over spring break), and on the 3 night we get off on Saturday and don't have time to get home (17 hours drive). We are stuck flying with those two, but with the 4 night we can drive or fly.

We have done two of each cruise (the 3, 4 and 7 night) and the 4 night works best for us.

DJ

 

[PaisleyPai]

If you are looking for a seven night vacation, why not book a nice little hotel stay near Port Canveral for 3 nights prior to your cruise, and book the 4 night DCL cruise? There must be some fun things you can do around coast (Kennedy Space Center, zoological gardens, Daytona, golf, fishing, etc..) that won't break the bank. Then the cruise will be the hightlight of your vacation.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Our first cruise was a 7-night on the Magic and our last three cruises were 4-nighters. We love them both because they are really different experiences.

 

[Barbmouse63]

Bump!

 

[3mickeys&me]

I would go for the 4 night cruise and like the other poster said add a few days staying local to Port canaveral or do a day or two at the parks if you can swing it.

We did the 7 day land and sea and it was awesome!!!

4 night cruise is better than no cruise!!

 

[Jsme]

ANY cruise with DCL is better than nothing. My family (DH, me, DD and DS) have been on one 3 day and one seven day DCL. This September DH and I will be on the WOnder for a 3 day cruise and in Novmeber 2006 the family will be on a 4 day cruise. I am depseratley trying to talk DH into a 7 day next summer without the kids. I doubt I will be able to convince him, but hey there is always the summer of 2007.

 

[Barbmouse63]

We have friends who did Mariner of the Seas and really loved it (with kids). Do you think they would feel let down by a 4 day cruise... not by the Disney experience but by the length and ports?
Maybe I should have started a new thread to ask this!

 

[Mickee]

WE did the 4 day in Feb and thought it was great...just long enough to see if you like......
I followed up with 4 nights at the Nick hotel in Orlando as a surprise with all intentions of going to WDW, children never left the hotel, only when I forced them to Downtown Disney for souvies..they had a great time and I saved money....They are 9 & 7 though.... Oh and I did book a 7 day for next Sept with 2 stops at Castaway.....I'm hooked....who wouldn't be....great savings and onboard credit...I am saving for college, but when the years get closer...I'll be in a cat 12, instead of a cat 4.....enjoy the verandah now....

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Keep an eye out for magical rates when they are listed on www.mousesavers.com. You may be able to snag a bargain!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Just wanted to add that when we do the 4 night cruises, we usually stay either a couple nights before or a couple nights after in WDW to make it a week-long vacation.

 

[westjones]

Just wanted to add that when we do the 4 night cruises, we usually stay either a couple nights before or a couple nights after in WDW to make it a week-long vacation.

And if you have to stick to a vacation within the same week, going after the cruise is the only way with the 4 night. We are DVC members, and with points it is actually better to go to WDW first and then do the 3 night DCL. The only problem is travel. We would have to fly to be back in time for work and school on Monday.

If you can go on vacation over a 2 week span, then going before the cruise is better (IMHO), but on the other hand, knowing you are going to WDW helps with the 'let down' feeling you have when you have to leave the ship. So I guess it could work well either way (and we have done both).

I am just worried about airfare in the future. I don't know if we will be able to afford it for every trip. If we have to drive, then the 4 night is the only way for us to go....luckily, we love the 4 night!

DJ