WWYP: 3+4 BTB Dream or 7 night Fantasy?

[DisneYE]

Planning on booking a cruise for my DD14's spring break in March 2020.

3+4 night back to back on the Dream or,
7 night on the Fantasy

Dream BTB is Nassau x2/CCx2 and the Fantasy 7 night is Cozumel, Cayman, Falmouth, CC.

DD loves CC so she's excited about going there twice... and she wants to see beauty & the beast which is only on the Dream.
We've been to Nassau/Cozumel/Cayman a few times so POC's aren't new to us so not a factor
We've been to the Fantasy 5x but only once on the Dream
Price is about the same.

Which one would you pick?

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

In your situation, I'd do the B2B, for all the reasons you note above - CC 2x, Beauty and the Beast, ports don't matter much (other than CC), pricing is about the same, you've done the Fantasy 5x already. I guess my question to you is why not do the B2B? Other than the potential of a "lost" day on the turnaround day, what negatives do you see for your family?

 

[Marc D]

Definitely the B2B. We did our first 3+4 on Dream last March and it ended up feeling longer than our regular 7-nights cruises for some reason. The strange feeling of staying on the ship while everyone was leaving more than made up for the lack of activities that day. We walked around the ship, observed people leaving, talked to CM’s that were enjoying the day off, got off once everyone was off then waited 45 minutes in the Concierge lounge in the terminal before coming back on the empty ship. Our room was already available. Bring things to do, like a book, a game, etc. We didn’t mind having the same menus, since it allowed us to try multiple things without stuffing ourselves the first time around. And you can’t beat a double-dip...

 

[DisneYE]

In your situation, I'd do the B2B, for all the reasons you note above - CC 2x, Beauty and the Beast, ports don't matter much (other than CC), pricing is about the same, you've done the Fantasy 5x already. I guess my question to you is why not do the B2B? Other than the potential of a "lost" day on the turnaround day, what negatives do you see for your family?

Thank you.
Yes, the turnaround day would be the only drawback I see on the b2b.
Will decide in the next couple of days.

 

[Quellman]

There are some posts on it previously that talks about some of the other concerns that you did not specifically identify. [Link], . The biggest difference is that on a B2B the cruise somewhat feels on repeat. You get the same menus, the same shows, the same trivia, the same everything. That isn't our favorite. However, we were treated very very nicely on the cruises particularly as people knew we were B2B. Sin'ce you haven't been on the dream in a long time, I would consider it. Your parking will be cheaper than the 7 day for sure!

 

[MomOTwins]

I don't think BtB is what I would choose, as I would get tired of eating the same menus twice in one week, same shows, Nassau twice. But you've been on the Fantasy 5 times, so that is repetitive too (except they do now have the Frozen show, so that is something new)! Have you thought about a 4-night on the dream and before-and-after stays at WDW? You can check out the new star wars land.

 

[DisneYE]

I don't think BtB is what I would choose, as I would get tired of eating the same menus twice in one week, same shows, Nassau twice. But you've been on the Fantasy 5 times, so that is repetitive too (except they do now have the Frozen show, so that is something new)! Have you thought about a 4-night on the dream and before-and-after stays at WDW? You can check out the new star wars land.

We're kind of tired of the WDW after going several times as well, dealing with huge lineups & crowds.
And 4 night I feel is too short. you're right about the btb being repetitive on menus, shows, etc. but beauty and the beast + 2x castaway cay is appealing (to my DD, not me, I'm just happy being on the ship & enjoying the ocean/sun/naps)
Thanks for the frozen reminder. didn't think about it and I will mention it to my DD. that might be the clincher for the 7 night.

 

[DisneYE]

There are some posts on it previously that talks about some of the other concerns that you did not specifically identify. [Link], . The biggest difference is that on a B2B the cruise somewhat feels on repeat. You get the same menus, the same shows, the same trivia, the same everything. That isn't our favorite. However, we were treated very very nicely on the cruises particularly as people knew we were B2B. Sin'ce you haven't been on the dream in a long time, I would consider it. Your parking will be cheaper than the 7 day for sure!

For me, the only plus on the btb is to have the 'experience' of it
Yes, haven't been on the Dream in a while, but Fantasy feels like home almost. They have our favorite server there (Agus Oka) & other CM's that we like
That is a great link that addresses this issue in detail
Thanks for sharing it.
I'm leaning toward the 7 night.

 

[lundve]

Have you thought about a shorter 5 night cruise on the Magic out of Miami for Spring Break. We combined it with a short stay in WDW for those lost days. That’s what we did this past year. We still got to go to Castaway Cay and I really liked the different feel of the smaller ship. Plus the Aquadunk is completely different and we loved the dinner show if you will at the “Snuggly Duckling.”

 

[DCLDVC1]

I'd pick the B2B to get 2 days at CC and a chance to see a new show (Frozen is new to the Fantasy but you've seen it on the Wonder) . I've done a couple of B2Bs and would love to do another. I don't think the turnaround day is as bad as some make it seem. We stay on the ship until the very last minute and then walk in to an almost empty terminal. It's also a fun experience to be the first to walk in to an empty atrium.

 

[Bonnie1222]

Your parking will be cheaper than the 7 day for sure!

Just curious... are you saying parking will be cheaper because you pay as you go in and only tell them 1 cruise length instead of both? The cost is per day so it technically is the same.
While chatting with staff from PC it appears this will be ending at some point... they are working on implementing the pay as you leave system instead of arrive.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I've thought about the BtoB, but what stops me is that the kids in the kids' clubs all turn over halfway through. My kids will get settled into a routine and maybe make a friend and then whamo- turn around day. All new kids, same intro stuff. Probably having to make new friends again.

For turn around day, a person could choose to go the Kennedy (if you're back by 3pm), so you could make it an excursion day. I know most people wouldn't bother, though.

 

[Quellman]

Just curious... are you saying parking will be cheaper because you pay as you go in and only tell them 1 cruise length instead of both? The cost is per day so it technically is the same.
While chatting with staff from PC it appears this will be ending at some point... they are working on implementing the pay as you leave system instead of arrive.

Right now you pay the rate based on the duration of the cruise that is at the terminal. If you are on a 4 night cruise, you pay only for those days. If you are on a back to back, they only charge you for the first cruise since the system does not allow them to add multiple days.

The only issue I have with the proposed change is dealing with changed itineraries, like the Dream just had. Should the passengers who didn't budget for 6 days worth of parking be charged? I'd like to seem some courteousy for things like that, or if your ship has to return a day early or something. I know I don't get that courtesy at my airport if my connections are delayed a day or so - so why would they allow it any other way.


They also used to collect your parking upon exiting the terminal as well.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

Planning on booking a cruise for my DD14's spring break in March 2020.

3+4 night back to back on the Dream or,
7 night on the Fantasy

Dream BTB is Nassau x2/CCx2 and the Fantasy 7 night is Cozumel, Cayman, Falmouth, CC.

DD loves CC so she's excited about going there twice... and she wants to see beauty & the beast which is only on the Dream.
We've been to Nassau/Cozumel/Cayman a few times so POC's aren't new to us so not a factor
We've been to the Fantasy 5x but only once on the Dream
Price is about the same.

Which one would you pick?

Based on your daughter's interests, I'd choose the back-to-back.

 

[Rob1872]

For turn around day, a person could choose to go the Kennedy (if you're back by 3pm), so you could make it an excursion day. I know most people wouldn't bother, though.

Interesting thought; it definitely is close enough to get a good stretch of time there. However, it seems like the allure of the almost empty ship is one of the drivers for the BTB experience.

 

[TestingH2O]

DD loves CC so she's excited about going there twice... and she wants to see beauty & the beast which is only on the Dream.

We are considering a BTB on the Dream in 2021 for the same reasons. There is also the benefit of moving towards Platinum or moving up between cruises.

For turn around day, a person could choose to go the Kennedy (if you're back by 3pm), so you could make it an excursion day. I know most people wouldn't bother, though.

We've actually talked about this since we wouldn't be doing port adventures at any other point on that itinerary. Have you done it?

 

[Bonnie1222]

They also used to collect your parking upon exiting the terminal as well.

Yes they did. I was going to write that in my other post but it was so long ago I thought maybe I was remembering wrong. As for paying if your are delayed coming back... I doubt they will make exceptions, but you never know.

 

[FigmentSpark]

We are considering a BTB on the Dream in 2021 for the same reasons. There is also the benefit of moving towards Platinum or moving up between cruises.



We've actually talked about this since we wouldn't be doing port adventures at any other point on that itinerary. Have you done it?

We've done Kennedy, but not as an excursion. You'd have to plan your own transportation, which I think is the downfall in this case. If you decide to do it, do the bus tour (at Kennedy) first, so you're not scrambling to get back to the main area near when you need to exit. Also, if you drive, make sure you know how to get back. We had a map and still took a wrong turn. Uber might be your friend for this one.

 

[Lisa F]

I would do the B2B in your situation

As far as the cruise being on repeat, I would not mind that since I never feel like there is enough time to do what I want to do and try everything I want to try. I would see BatB 2x, it is an excellent show. I'd take advantage of both Palo and Remy without worrying about missing anything. I'd try out cabanas for dinner one night and I'd try different things in the MDR. I kind of want to do this someday!

But for us it will be the SWDAS on the fantasy - have never been on it before!

 

[CamColt]

I've done both multiple times and enjoyed both. I think it comes down to what fits your schedule and budget best and really what you want most out of this trip. Both have plusses and minusses, and those can be different to different people.