Which Cruise?

[Bellerella]

My family and I are considering trying out a Disney Cruise next year! We have never been on a cruise, so we are not sure what to expect. Which cruise did you go on? How long was your cruise? Did you combine your cruise with time at WDW?? What did you like most about your cruise, and what would you do differently next time? If you've been on multiple cruises, which destination/length was your favorite? Any hints for a newbie to cruises?? I have a lot of questions I know lol... thanks!!

[ElenitaB]

We've been on two cruises: both DCL and both on the Wonder. The first was only three days/two nights and was way too short; the second was four days/three nights and while better, still left us wanting more. Cruising provides a great experience in that you can make of it what you want. Want to be go-go-go? You can. Want to kick back and relax? You can.

What would I do differently next time? We'd finally go on a week-long cruise, or at least one of the new longer itineraries. We'd also love to cruise on the Dream.

We've also always combined out cruises with stays at WDW, making sure to arrive at least one day before. It helps to have the "cushion" just in case your flight gets delayed or cancelled (it happened to us one year; luckily we had planned for a few days in WDW prior to cruising and were delayed due to a February snowstorm).

[Bellerella]

Thanks, that sounds like a great idea to add in some cushioning in case your flight is delayed- I hadn't considered that! We are torn between taking a 7 night Carribbean cruise, or a 4 night Bahama cruise combined with a visit to WDW. We keep flipping back and forth, ahhh how to choose!!!

[DisneyFr33k]

We've been on three - one 7 night eastern, one 7 night western and a 3 night we combined with a trip to WDW.

We have 2 tweens, and if it were up to them, they would like the longer cruises as they LOVE the kids clubs. My DH and I loved the combo trip as it gave the best of both.

Now, we have considered doing another DCL cruise, but the prices are still pretty high for us. We wanted to cruise on the new Dream, that is about to set said early next year, but it is only doing 4 night Bahama's and the prices are equal or more than that of the 7 night ones. Plus, we've priced the same cruises with other cruise lines, and DCL is noticeably higher. We have no basis for comparision as we haven't been on a cruise with our kids other than DCL, but we are looking around in order to save $$.

Don't misunderstand, DCL is wonderful. But each family and person has different tastes and preferences, so what would please/displease me would not be the same for another.

Good luck!

[Ed]

We've been on 4 - Eastern and Western 7-nighters, and two Nassau 3-nighters. The three night cruises are, in my opinion, entirely too short, and we were less-than-impressed with Nassau as a destination. We're booked for a 4 night next spring on the new Dream, and will probably stay onboard while the ship's in Nassau.

What we really liked about the 7 night cruises was the variety of ports visited and the days at sea. That gave us plenty of time to thoroughly explore the ships and enjoy the onboard activities without feeling pressed for time. Of the 7-nighters, we greatly preferred the Eastern (St. Martin, St. Thomas, Castaway Cay) over the Western (Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Castaway Cay). We just found the Eastern destinations much more "tourist friendly" and scenic. And the ladies greatly preferred the shopping on the Eastern route.

[Bellerella]

and we were less-than-impressed with Nassau as a destination.

Thanks for the great info Ed! Just curious, what was it about Nassau you didn't like? We are still torn and keep going back and forth over how long our cruise should be, and if we want some park time. If we do park time, we would be going on the Bahama cruise- but if Nassau isn't a great vacation spot, maybe we should just go with the longer cruise. There are so many options and i appreciate everyone's responses!

[fielin]

This year, I cruised for the first time.

I chose to stay at WDW for 6 days, and to continue my vacation with the 4 nights cruise. This was the greatest vacation ever.

We loved the boat (Disney Wonder), the crew, the entertainment.

While it's true that Nassau is not the best port, I think you can easily stay busy there for one day, during your first cruise ever.

Nassau has the reputation (justified by a number of incidents) of not being the safest place. To avoid any problem, don't do anything stupid.

Only choose the excursions organized by Disney, do not go into shady areas, stay in group... etc.

We chose to do a day at Atlantis, and although the price is steep, we did not regret it. It was a fun day, full of waterslides, sharks and shopping, and we could have enjoyed the casino (except we did not).

Maybe next time we'll choose to stay on the ship, but I think that it's an acceptable port for a first cruise.

[Ed]

Just curious, what was it about Nassau you didn't like?

While it's true that Nassau is not the best port, I think you can easily stay busy there for one day, during your first cruise ever.

Nassau has the reputation (justified by a number of incidents) of not being the safest place. To avoid any problem, don't do anything stupid.

Only choose the excursions organized by Disney, do not go into shady areas, stay in group... etc.

I should probably clarify that our first-ever cruise was the 7-night Eastern, so perhaps our expectations for Nassau were colored by that wonderful experience.

Our first Nassau trip was with our son and DIL (who had been there on a previous DCL cruise), and we did a snorkeling excursion that was fun, even though the water was unusually cold, and then wandered through town near the piers. We were beset by innumerable street merchants trying to sell us all sorts of trinkets. The town beyond the colorful port area came across as rather dirty and in serious need of some urban renewal programs. Our son and DIL had gone to Atlantis on their previous cruise, and reported that it was very nice but quite expensive.

On our second trip, we were with another couple our own ages ( think ) who had also been to Nassau before, and we all decided to just stay aboard and enjoy the relatively-deserted ship's amenities.

In all fairness to Nassau, perhaps it's a case of "different strokes for different folks", but to us it's more of "been there, done that".

[WRWDisney]

We did the 4 night cruise and loved it. The one problem with it, was it was just to short. I definitely want to do the 7day Eastern at some point (ports sound better--been to Key West and Nassau and while both offer a lot, they do not feel as "exotic").

I think combining your trip with a Disney stay is ideal. A couple of suggestions. First, do Disney first (go-go-go followed by the slower pace of the cruise let's you go home a little more rested). Second, we drive, so we decided to just drive to the port (it is only about an hour) and then when we got back, we went back to Disney for one more night. I just could not imagine getting off the ship and starting to drive home. I know that the last day on the ship, that would be all I was thinking about. For us, it only added about an hour total drive time (the port is an hour from Disney and Disney is and hour from Daytona--2 hours drive time; the port is an hour south of Daytona--one hour drive time) and we got a last little dose of the magic (you have to get off the ship so early, we were checked into Beach Club and in EPCOT by 11 a.m.)

Just some food for thought.

[mic_keyfan]

Ok, I must put my two cents worth in...I have been on two cruises in the past, and our first DCL cruise was in December of 2007! It was a 4 day on the Wonder. All I can say is it was the best! My DH and two DS's had the time of their lives and said that they had to come back to do the 7 day! (We booked the Magic for March 5 2011) Cruising with DCL is incredible, the service is awesome, the ship elegant, and the entertainment top notch! Castaway Cay is so fun! You and your family will never be bored. There is literally something for everyone!
Honestly I can't decide what my favorite part of the cruise was, there are just too mant to list. I guess the bottom line is....I can't wait until March 5!!!!!

[mic_keyfan]

Oh Yeah, We did a land/sea package, but booked it all out seperately ourselves, so we went to WDW for 3 days, then on the Wonder for 4, then back to WDW for 2 more days! It was by far our best vacation yet!!!!

[Bellerella]

Thanks everyone for all the great info! We think we've decided on a stay at WDW followed by a 4 night Bahamas cruise in December 2011!! Now we just need to decide what type of room! We know we want a verandah- how would you rate the rooms! It looks like the rooms on the rear of the ship cost a little less than those in the middle- are the views still good on those rooms? Would you pay extra for the rooms in the middle? Have you heard anything/experienced a room with a not-so-great view?

[WRWDisney]

We ended up in a category 5 (I think) because the category 6's were full. I think that is the difference you are talking about (5's being more central). Frankly, the ships are so small, that being in the center is no big deal at all. I'd save a few $'s.

Can't go wrong either way though.