WWYD-first timers, two or so mos out

[WDWAurora]

We are looking at a last minute ish booking of our first cruise (I went twice in high school with my parents). Our options are a 5 day and a 7 day. About 4k between the two. Similar itineraries. On the shorter one, we would book a verandah guarantee. Longer would be ocean view (not guarantee). I get the issues with guarantee. We are likely to book insurance either way. I want my family to love it. Is 7 nights too long for a first cruise? (It’s what I did in high school). Kids are 10 and 12. Pretty good travelers overall. Seems hard to beat the cheaper price tag?

 

[MomOTwins]

We are looking at a last minute ish booking of our first cruise (I went twice in high school with my parents). Our options are a 5 day and a 7 day. About 4k between the two. Similar itineraries. On the shorter one, we would book a verandah guarantee. Longer would be ocean view (not guarantee). I get the issues with guarantee. We are likely to book insurance either way. I want my family to love it. Is 7 nights too long for a first cruise? (It’s what I did in high school). Kids are 10 and 12. Pretty good travelers overall. Seems hard to beat the cheaper price tag?

I would do the 5 day. 4K is a lot of money for 2 nights, especially since you will actually have a better cabin on the cheaper option.

Make sure you get your castaway club number—since you went as a teen, you will have “silver” status.

 

[WDWAurora]

I would do the 5 day. 4K is a lot of money for 2 nights, especially since you will actually have a better cabin on the cheaper option.

Make sure you get your castaway club number—since you went as a teen, you will have “silver” status.

Carnival as a teen. Not sure DCL existed when I was a teen.

Maybe I should add this is partially for my 40th bday. Not sure how alarming the guaranteed stateroom is.

 

[lklgoodman]

We've done 8 cruises, all 7 nights. My dd went on her first cruise when she was 6 yrs old and loved it. There's always so much to do, we always wish our cruises were longer. I've never done a guaranteed cabin. I like to pick our cabin because I want to be midship. I also want to make sure we aren't under any public areas. We were under a restaurant once and every night from 11pm-2am it sounded like bowling balls were being dropped above us.

 

[unrequited23]

Go with the cheaper cruise. Save the 4K for your next cruise.

 

[Lillebelle]

We did 5 nights for our first cruise and while now I always want longer, I do think 5 nights is plenty to enjoy the ship and get a feel for whether or not cruising is right for your family. I can't speak to the guarantee element of it but I do think having a verandah adds a lot so I'd lean towards the 5 night with verandah, personally.

 

[WDWAurora]

I think we have made the call for the 7 day-we will embark on our anniversary. 4 days after I turn 40. 6 days after my youngest turns 10. Seems appropriate to celebrate!

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Our first cruise was a 7 night Mexican Riviera, then a 7 night Eastern Caribbean, then a 10 night Alaskan. We are 14 days out from a 7 night Alaskan and I think I'm going to miss those extra days... although traveling for the first time with 2 kids, maybe I won't!

 

[Kariyaffa]

I think we have made the call for the 7 day-we will embark on our anniversary. 4 days after I turn 40. 6 days after my youngest turns 6. Seems appropriate to celebrate!

I don’t think you can go wrong with it since your kids are good travelers. Congratulations and enjoy!