Is a 3 or 4 Day cruise worth it?

[lvsatman]

We really want to sail Disney in June of 2008, on the Magic. The fall back plan is a four day on the Wonder if the Magic is not in Florida that summer. Here is my question and concern....Is a four day cruise enough time to relax and enjoy yourself? I keep going back to how much money you spend and how short the cruise is. We just did a seven day Alaska cruise and loved it. When we got off the boat it seemed like I hadn't been to work in a month. To me, a four day cruise seems to rushed. Would love opinions on people that may have felt the same way going in and how they felt after the four day. Also, when the ship is in Nausau, is it possible to go to Atlantis? If yes, how far from the boat is it? Thanks for the help.

[OceanLiner]

Yes, it is worth it. The best part is that is gives you a taste of DCL and whether you want to experience a longer cruise that is "all things Disney". We started with a three day cruise and really enjoyed it.

I'm not sure it will be really relaxing. You will want to explore the ship and DCL really does do a fantastic job of keeping you entertained. Add to that a wonderful stop at Castaway Cay and you will have a blast, but maybe not the most restful time.

Atlantis is close enough to visit, and there are tours available............but this may not add to the restful part. Why not try hanging out on the ship while everyone else is touring. You will have the place to yourself and it is very, very nice.

Bottom line....take the cruise and have fun.

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Atlantis is about a 10 minute taxi ride from the port.
Excursion will go by bus and after the aquarium tour you can spend time in the casino or browse through the hotel and catch a later bus back or pay for a taxi yourself.
Remember you will NOT be allowed to use their pools and water slides while there.
I think the Wyndom resort is about the same distance and it has a nice beach and casino too. Just depends what you are looking for.
I agree with the above poster that a 3 day will give you a taste of DCL. It is worth the trip, but if at all possible do the 7 day is you want to relax. The 7 day Eastern has one more day at sea than the western for relaxing too!! We love it, have done 12 dcl cruises so far and 3 more booked.
I'm sure you love any length of cruise,
mom x4,grandma x4

[rtrtx2]

We love 3-4 day cruises! I too was afraid the 3 nights would be too quick but they proved to be a perfect short get away. We had been to the Bahamas before, so we didn't feel an urgency to see it all, we just relaxed and soaked up the sun! Ofcourse the longer the better, but 3 nights can be just what the doctor ordered, lol!

[Dawn414]

I think a 3 or 4-night cruise would be great. Yes, if you are constantly doing things it could feel very rushed and not very relaxing, but it's still a nice getaway.

A couple thoughts.

If you're looking at DCL, the 3-night cruise is Thu-Sun and the 4-night is Sun-Thurs. Could make a difference if time off is an issue.

Nassau-DH and I just went on a 3-night RCL cruise and did the Dolphin Encounter. We also walked around town, went to Atlantis (to gamble a bit)...basically, spent the day in Nassau. There's only one thing we didn't have an oppty to do and that's the Pirates of Nassau (which we'll do when we go back to Nassau in April '07 (on DCL). The net of it is...if you're not doing a lot of excursions, you don't need to necessarily BE in Nassau for a long time and can do some serious relaxing that day. That's certainly my plan when we go back!

Whatever you choose....ENJOY.

Dawn McG

[Rykat247]

IMHO - If you have done a 7 day cruise before, you may be disappointed with a 3 or 4 day cruise - it's short.First time out we did 4 day and when it was over we could hardly get the kids to come of the ship. Next rip was 7 days and they really loved it gave them that little bit of extra time to enjoy.

If you visit Nassau don'tmiss the Dolphin Encounter kids or no kids.

When you get off at Castaway Cay (if your planning to snorkel) bring a zip lock bag full of breakfast sausages with you snorkeling you will be surrounded by yellowtail snappers begging.- what a blast - kids went insane. there is also a couple of large Mutton Snappers in the lagoon(harmless but aggressive eaters) just watch you fingers when you feed them sometimes they mistake you fingers for a sausage. forget all the other stuff just bring the sausage!!!!!:)

[CruisinMK]

I'm going to offer a contrary opinion and say DON'T DO IT!!!

I did a 4 day disney cruise. I was so mad when I had to leave the ship.
I'm not joking at all. Save your money and wait until you can do a 7 day Disney cruise. I cry myself to sleep every night tormented that I didn't do a 7 day instead. OK now I'm joking. Plus those 7 day itineraries are so much better than the Bahama only ones.

Only way I'd consider a 4 day is if I lived so close to the departure port I could just take a cab or bus there, snag a deal for locals on short notice with some friends...

[lvsatman]

I thank everyone for the reply's. I think we will hold off and do a seven day. If Disney's prices where more in-line with other 3-4 day cruises, I would probably do the shorter cruise, but when I can get a suite on other cruise lines for the price of an ocean view cabin without a balcany on Disney, I really have to think twice. I love the extra Dinsey touches, but I also like not throwing money away. I talked to the reservations people a couple weeks ago, and they said 2008 info should be out by the end of October.