Trying to decide between 3 or 4 night cruise - please help!

[wdwobsessed]

DH and I have decided to try the DCL. We plan on going probably in late August or September. (Waiting to see what kind of deals come out).

I would also like to spend some time at WDW, as that is my first love. We will probably only have Saturday - Sunday for the trip. (7 or 8 nights.)

Here is my problem.

I want the 3 night cruise. DH wants the 4.

He sais that the 3 night is too short. If he had his druthers we'd skip DW and do the 7 night.

I have been on one cruise (Carnival) and did not like it. I did not feel sick but the rocking of the ship made me very nervous. 2 out of 3 nights we couldn't even walk straight due to the way the ship was lurching.

Food was not good, activities were very limited. This was a cruise that DH "won" for high sales at work and it seemed as though almost everyone else was there free as well. I have been told it was probably a chartered cruise and therfore "no frills."

OK - so that was Carnival. I love Disney, so I'm willing to TRY another cruise. My DS's will be 3 and 6 when we go so I'm looking foward to mom and dad time which we could not have at Disney since the Clubs there are only for ages 4 and up.

So, I'll spend some of my Disney time for this cruise - I'll try.

Another dilemma is that DH thinks a cruise should be a "constant party." Reading the Navigators on Barb's site (thanks) .... I did not get this idea. I'm almost afraid he will get bored in 4 days.

We are not lounging around the pool type people. DH enjoys the lounges and casino. (He almost backed out when I told him there was not casino on board.) We both like shows and stuff.

DH I'm sure pictures a great cruise as one where he is sitting in a on deck lounge sipping an umbrella drink while people dance and a carribean type band plays.

I like shows, activities, good food (and plenty of it.)

Kids are laid back and like almost anything and everything.

We all like being pampered and want only the best of everything. How "nice" everything is can make or break a vacation for us.

So I' guess I'm just thinking a 3 day would be better becuase it would be over in a jiffy ... if we hated it ... it would be over soon.

But every time I say 3 day ... DH hold up 4 fingers.

What do you think?

PS - I love Disney - DH likes Disney, but loved the service there and accomodations / theming.

wdwo

 

[mmouse37]

This is a tough call.....you and hubby definitely have different expectations.

Well, if hubby thinks it will the same atmosphere as Carnival he is mistaken. Yes, Disney does have some deck parties but they are not all the time. A steel band does play, but again, not all day long. When you are sitting by the pool you can most definitely have an umbrella drink. They do pipe in island music when the live band is not playing. I just don't want him thinking it is the same party as on a Carnival ship. It's not a lame duck either, but somewhere in the middle.

You, on the other had a back experience and do not want to be on the ship longer than you have too. If you cruise in August or September remember that is hurricane season. You may encounter rougher seas if there is a storm out at sea near you.

I would still say 4 day. I have done both and I think the 3-day just does not give you enough time to relax. There are plenty of activites for everyone and it feels like you have to get off the ship just as you were finding your way around.

Tell hubby he can gamble in Nassau if he feel the need. The Atlantis Hotel has a spectacular casino! Good luck deciding.

MJ

 

[wovenwonder]

3 days is not enough time to enjoy! I would definetely go for the 4 day. If you would go with the 4 day that has the stop in Freeport, most of your time 'at sea' would be when you are sleeping. I don't think you will have any problem when the boat is docked at Nassau, Freeport, or Castaway Cay. I agree that you may want to shy away from hurricane season though -- DCL would never put you in harms way of a hurricane, but you could end up going on a mystery cruise if weather does not permit going to the scheduled stops.

 

[wdwobsessed]

Hi - thanks for the input.

Maybe I'm being too harsh on DH, I will talk to him about the cruise being more "family" oriented than Carnival was. Though Carnival (at least the one we were on) was not a constant party either ... which dissapointed him, but if the expectation is not there... he should be ok.

One Question - Our cruise with the rough seas was the first weekend of December (1999). They said there were 10 foot swells. We were on the Fantasy which I think may be an older ship. But boy did we rock .. and the boat creaked. Eeeeeek!

Is this normal? Maybe I should think of another time period to do the cruise when the seas are calmer.

Now, our day at sea was smooth.

But the first night (going out for several hours) and last night coming in & all night long ...was really bad.

Is this just cruising in general?

Thanks

wdwo

 

[rcdisneyfam]

Our 1st cruise ever was the 4-day along with 3-day parks. It was GREAT Would never do a 3-day which is way too short to enjoy the ship,etc. Your children will have a GREAT time as long as you can leave them with the other kids. Then you and your dh can do whatever you want. You all will have a GREAT time on this GREAT ship. Good Luck....

 

[4u2dream]

A 3 day better than no days!
I would rather be on the Ship for 3 days if the price is much better than the 4 day! STM prices 3 day-$319pp 4day-$499
To each is own! Best of Luck...