Would you do a 3-night cruise on the Wish w/no Nassau Day?

[Pluto1976]

I ask the question because I was looking at a 3-night Bahamas cruise on the Disney Wish and I noticed the day in Nassau is replaced by a Day at Sea. I was counting on more of an empty ship on Nassau day as we stayed onboard (been there done that) and enjoyed the adult areas and hopefully some spa specials. While the Day at Sea is great, I am thinking this day will most undoubtedly be more crowded (especially the adult pool area) along with having more competition to get spa and Palo Steakhouse reservations. Seems like we might want to pass on this one.

 

[kelymo]

I don’t think a lot of people get off the ship in Nassau anyway. We thought we’d have a quiet day on the ship while in Nassau, but it seemed pretty similar to our day at sea in terms of crowd level. I’d take the sea day, it’s so nice looking out over the beautiful water rather than staying docked at a port if you don’t intend to get off the ship.

 

[Karin1984]

I ask the question because I was looking at a 3-night Bahamas cruise on the Disney Wish and I noticed the day in Nassau is replaced by a Day at Sea. I was counting on more of an empty ship on Nassau day as we stayed onboard (been there done that) and enjoyed the adult areas and hopefully some spa specials. While the Day at Sea is great, I am thinking this day will most undoubtedly be more crowded (especially the adult pool area) along with having more competition to get spa and Palo Steakhouse reservations. Seems like we might want to pass on this one.

I agree with Kelymo. Because the Wish is brand new, I would expect the first few months, maybe even year(s) for a new ship to have mainly guests on board who are there mainly for the ship and not the destinations.
By that definition, just go, enjoy the parts of the ship you can, get a taste of it. And when you decide you love the ship or want to do more exploring, book a second cruise on the Wish.

 

[TheBigErn]

In a heartbeat. I'd rather stay on the ship.

 

[dvcdisney]

I don’t think a lot of people get off the ship in Nassau anyway. We thought we’d have a quiet day on the ship while in Nassau, but it seemed pretty similar to our day at sea in terms of crowd level. I’d take the sea day, it’s so nice looking out over the beautiful water rather than staying docked at a port if you don’t intend to get off the ship.

I agree. The first time we went to Nassau on DCL, we went out and walked around for about 30 mins and went back on, hoping the cruise would be less busy. It was definitely similar to sea day. Regardless, we still enjoyed the ship during the many times we were at Nassau port.

 

[mevelandry]

I ask the question because I was looking at a 3-night Bahamas cruise on the Disney Wish and I noticed the day in Nassau is replaced by a Day at Sea. I was counting on more of an empty ship on Nassau day as we stayed onboard (been there done that) and enjoyed the adult areas and hopefully some spa specials. While the Day at Sea is great, I am thinking this day will most undoubtedly be more crowded (especially the adult pool area) along with having more competition to get spa and Palo Steakhouse reservations. Seems like we might want to pass on this one.

Yes, I would simply try to book other activities like Palo or Remy brunch and go swim in the morning instead of the afternoon.

 

[anjuan]

I would do it because I enjoy their free sea day activities.

 

[Pluto1976]

I gotta say I had not thought about a bunch of other folks having the same idea as me. I was more thinking the 3-day cruise would have a bunch of new cruisers onboard and being new they would tour Nassau leaving an open ship. However, this feedback makes sense (especially for the Wish) that allot of people will stay onboard and enjoy the ship, so the sea day looks to be a moot point. Completely agree that looking out at the open water is much better then looking at a port (in most cases)!

 

[DCLDVC1]

All sea days with a stop or two at Castaway Cay would be my perfect itinerary.

 

[angelinaxox]

I did that same 3 day itinerary with a day at sea on the Wonder and loved it better than the 3 day itinerary with Nassau. We usually don't get off the boat on the Nassau day and treat it like it is a day at sea. However, when there is an actual day at sea instead of the port day of Nassau, there are more activities planned on the ship. So I personally think it is more fun and would choose that itinerary over the one with Nassau.

 

[iadizfans]

Absolutely! We've been done with getting off in Nassau for a while now.

 

[bakerworld]

We are booked for a Wish 3-Day and I'd rather do the onboard discounted offerings that debark at Nassau.

 

[Cheburashka]

Sea days are a big part of cruising, for us. It's beautiful to walk the promenade and see the water moving past. Also, when the ship is sitting still in port, you sometimes smell the exhaust from the smokestack. That isn't an issue at sea.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Skipping Nassau .... count me in. Even with the ship in the port, relatively few get off for excursions or shopping. The ship is still packed on the upper deck.

 

[princesscinderella]

By skipping Nassau they have many more activities going on the ship on the sea day vs when docked at Nassau when the ship’s workers are instead working the ship’s port duty areas. We have done 8 Disney cruises and never once have we gotten off at Nassau. Palo brunch will be held on the sea day

 

[karen4546]

YES!

 

[OpieDoodle]

Well here's my two cents. We are going on a Disney Dream cruise in Feb and the boat is stopping at Nassau but I don't plan to get off. We are going to be busy with the aquaduck and all that fun stuff. If it was just a cruise to Castaway Cay and back I'm not sure I'd go for it. I know not everyone gets off in Nassau but I'm counting on some getting off to bring the head count down so we can do some fun stuff on the ship. If its a day at sea everyone on the boat is doing the exact same thing as you.

So for me I'd probably wait and opt to go on a different cruise that has Nassau or at least another port

 

[kmedina]

I've always gotten off at Nassau. On our upcoming B2B on the Wish, I will get off both times. Guess I'm an odd duck.

 

[OhBother1984]

Yes because many don't get off but then there is less to do since they schedule less stuff on port days , but with so many on board everything still stays busy.

 

[Cheburashka]

Well here's my two cents. We are going on a Disney Dream cruise in Feb and the boat is stopping at Nassau but I don't plan to get off. We are going to be busy with the aquaduck and all that fun stuff. If it was just a cruise to Castaway Cay and back I'm not sure I'd go for it. I know not everyone gets off in Nassau but I'm counting on some getting off to bring the head count down so we can do some fun stuff on the ship. If its a day at sea everyone on the boat is doing the exact same thing as you.

So for me I'd probably wait and opt to go on a different cruise that has Nassau or at least another port

Keep in mind that lot of other people on your cruise will also have the exact same plan, to use Nassau day to ride the AquaDuck, etc., hoping lines will be shorter. Lots of people planning that is not a great outlook for much shorter lines, and trip reports on these boards have reflected that. Be sure to get up early so you can ride in the morning, when the "port effect" will be most helpful.

This is kind of like how the WDW online advice articles used to tell everyone to go to Disney World in October because of the great weather and low crowds. Well, October at WDW still has great weather, but it's now one of the busiest months of the year. Word got out.