3 Night vs 7+ Nights

[Cayman1]

What is everyones experience on RC with a 3 night vs a 7 or more night cruise? I ask because we just got off of Independence on a 3 night cruise and it was probably one of my least favorite RC cruises. There wasn't much to do on the ship, it lacked shows and entrainment and the Windjammer food was the worst we have ever experienced.

 

Trying to understand if this is due to the short trips they make or could it be post covid staffing issues.

 

We don't normally do anything shorter than 7 nights, but this was our first cruise since covid and it worked with our child's school schedule, so we figured we would go for it just to get back on the seas again. 

 

 

[Tee & Chilli]

Short cruises feel rushed

[Newbieflorida]

We just did 3 night Independence in March. Will never do a 3 nighter again. Way too rushed. Food and service in MDR was also the worst we've experienced.

Luckily, a 7 night on Harmony (with UDP) in August. Looking forward to having time to relax!!

Edited April 20, 2022 by Newbieflorida

[erinsmom03]

I have never taken a 3 night cruise, but I have taken a 4 or 5 night cruise a few times. I always prefer a 7+ night cruise, but it sometimes doesn't work for our calendar. We just went on Adventure for four nights and loved every second of the cruise, there was always a lot to do. Not a Windjammer fan, so I can't speak to that one.

[AF-1]

I have a 4 night booked on Freedom next Jan.  Booked this just to get out of the cold weather up north. Then have a 7 night out of San Juan booked for Mar; again to get out of the cold weather. For the 4 night we just want to relax and chill.  Food choices is not a big deal.  I can eat pizza every day and be happy. 

[Sunshine3601]

We have never done a 3 night cruise but suspect you don't get the same type of service for quick trips.   It is nice when the waiters and bartenders  get to know you and what you like or dislike so we usually do 7 nights or longer.   

 

We have done several 5 nights to Bermuda and they are way too quick for us but have one booked for September.   

[EntropyGuardian]

I've never been on anything shorter than a 7 day cruise. I barely get into vacation mode on day 2, I feel like it would feel like I was getting off right after I got on.

[OCSC Mike]

Only took one cruise ever shorter than 7-nights and that was a 4-nighter when we were exactly 4 points from Diamond so we wanted to go on the cheapest 4-nighter we could find before our next 7-night cruise on a bigger ship.

 

We enjoyed it but I can't really see bothering with a short cruise again. By the end of a 7-nighter it feels like the week flew by.

[Jimbo]

23 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

We have never done a 3 night cruise but suspect you don't get the same type of service for quick trips.   It is nice when the waiters and bartenders  get to know you and what you like or dislike so we usually do 7 nights or longer.   

 

We have done several 5 nights to Bermuda and they are way too quick for us but have one booked for September.   

Over Night in Bermuda? We did a 10night cruise from Boston one time that was suppose to have an over night there but never made it in because of rough seas and couldn't dock. Did hit Bermuda for 1 day though on the way back to Boston.

 

We had plans to book a room there at the  Grotto Bay Beach Resort for the over night. Still miss not making it to that resort to check it out.............Someday maybe.........

[island lady]

Years ago we did 3/4 night cruises while we were still working.  Retirement changed that.  

 

Now...7 nights is too short...and in fact this last B2B (total 14) is also feeling too short.  😄 

[OCSC Mike]

37 minutes ago, island lady said:

Now...7 nights is too short...and in fact this last B2B (total 14) is also feeling too short.  😄 

I'd love to do a longer cruise or a B2B. My concern is I gain so much weight in 7 nights that I need a break before I do it again. 🙈 Closest we came was two 7-nighters 3 weeks apart.

[Sunshine3601]

42 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Over Night in Bermuda? We did a 10night cruise from Boston one time that was suppose to have an over night there but never made it in because of rough seas and couldn't dock. Did hit Bermuda for 1 day though on the way back to Boston.

 

We had plans to book a room there at the  Grotto Bay Beach Resort for the over night. Still miss not making it to that resort to check it out.............Someday maybe.........

Yes 2 full days in Bermuda.   We sail on 9.10 on Adventure out of Bayonne.   

We have stayed at a couple different places in Bermuda for land vacations.  It is one of our favorite islands.

   Is Grotto Bay near St George?   That is a beautiful area.

[Sunshine3601]

42 minutes ago, island lady said:

Years ago we did 3/4 night cruises while we were still working.  Retirement changed that.  

 

Now...7 nights is too short...and in fact this last B2B (total 14) is also feeling too short.  😄 

I know what you mean our recent b2b for 14 days seemed too short.   The longest we stayed on same ship is just under a month.   That was really nice.

[Cigar King]

We did a B3B once.  Two 5's and a 4.

[fishernrex]

Everyone's preference is different.  We primarily do 3 days because they are convenient (close to home), a great weekend getaway if you just want some fun in the sun and a little casino time.  We don't really go for the entertainment (although we have enjoyed it many times).  Always found the food to be acceptable and even at times outstanding.

 

 

[BobH5849]

We did 2 four day cruises on Enchantment years ago.  Only because the price was ridiculously low.  $149 for an interior.  We enjoyed the cruises and really like Enchantment even tho she's an older and smaller. But we have to agree that 4 days is way to short.  You just get into that "Cruising " feeling and the cruise is over. We prefer 9-12 nights but have also booked 8 nighters just because of availability and timing.  

[island lady]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

I'd love to do a longer cruise or a B2B. My concern is I gain so much weight in 7 nights that I need a break before I do it again. 🙈 Closest we came was two 7-nighters 3 weeks apart.

 

We pretty much eat the same on a cruise as we do at home, and at the same time.  Been enjoying the early dinner time, like at home.  We do our "walkies" during the day, like at home.  The one thing different is the amount of cocktails!  Seem to really overdo it on the cruise ships.  OMG...need to start watching those as well.  😮 

 

We have an 8 night coming up on the 7th, then off for one week, then back on again for 2 weeks.   

[island lady]

1 hour ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I know what you mean our recent b2b for 14 days seemed too short.   The longest we stayed on same ship is just under a month.   That was really nice.

 

We have started doing a few B3Bs the last few years.  Will be on Wonder later this year for 4 weeks.  

 

Have a lot of B2Bs..coming up for 2023.  

 

Then we have a bit longer single cruise coming up on Dec. 10th next year, then back on again on July 10th of 2024.  😉 

 

 

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, island lady said:

We pretty much eat the same on a cruise as we do at home, and at the same time.

The beauty of cruising, no wrong way to do it, something for everyone, etc.

 

If I ate at home like I do on a cruise I'd be morbidly obese. I actually diet before a cruise to offset the weight gain. I had this discussion in another thread and it turns out I'm not as unusual as I thought (at least as far as diet/eating around a cruise goes).

[neverbeenhere]

We’ve done cruises of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15 nights and enjoyed all lengths. 

[molly361]

I love four night cruises and my liver likes them even more😇

[ATG]

We’ve been thinking about a 3 then 4 night b2b on independence.  We love sailing out of Canaveral and the prices are quite good.  We’ve never done a b2b before and think this might be a good way to try it out.  We really enjoy Coco Cay and would have 2 visits.  Has anyone done this?

[SECdawg]

We have done alot of 3 nighters out of Cape Canaveral since it is close to home. Go into it knowing it is just a quick getaway. We did a B2B on Indy in February and enjoyed it but at the time they were not doing Grease or the Ice Show. Still had a great time hanging out in Schooner and the Pub in the evenings. 

[Trailcon]

Dw and I are on a 4 nite to Halifax the end of May.  The only reason we are going is that it is a casino comp cruise.  This will be our first as Diamond so we will get to see how the vouchers work.  We have a 7 nite on Oasis a month later.

[Jimbo]

8 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Yes 2 full days in Bermuda.   We sail on 9.10 on Adventure out of Bayonne.   

We have stayed at a couple different places in Bermuda for land vacations.  It is one of our favorite islands.

   Is Grotto Bay near St George?   That is a beautiful area.

It's over by the airport  just before  where you get to St. George.

 

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