To cruise or not to cruise…

[happymom25]

I have wanted to try a Disney cruise for several years. Booked one for 2020 and obviously it didn’t work out. I booked one a few months ago for spring 2024. But we are a family who absolutely loves Disney parks. We’ve taken our kids on a few trips. First big trip was six years ago. Then we did a mini trip, and we also stopped for two days at parks on our way home from a Florida beach trip. We did another big trip last year. I think I’d go every year if I could.

I wanted to add on a few days at the parks before the cruise, but as I’m looking at pricing, it will be too expensive to do both. I have five kids so anything we do involves two rooms and $$$.
We rented DVC points last year for a 2 bedroom at SSR and loved it. (It was the same price as 2 rooms at a moderate and the space was wonderful.) I’d love to stay at Kidani and I know my kids would be thrilled. We eat at Sanaa every time we go, and my middle girl who loves animals said that staying there is a life goal.

Since I’m currently missing Disney, I’m wondering if I should cancel the cruise and we should just do another parks trip next spring instead. Everyone loves it. It’s honestly a magical time for our family. We have no idea what we’re missing with a cruise and I guess I’m worried it won’t end up being as wonderful as our time at the parks has always been. It’s a lot of money to invest in something that feels unsure. On the other hand, I love all things nautical, I love the idea of actually relaxing on a vacation, having adult time and family time, plus we are water/ ocean lovers and my kids have never experienced swimming in amazing Caribbean water.

What would you do?

 

[networkpro]

It depends on your family and you're the best person to be able to judge their reaction to each situation. Your cruise experience would be highly structured as to times of when you can eat when you can do this, that, or the other thing. The pools, hot tubs, and deck chairs are an experience (as to what type I'll let you make that determination).

Wrangling 5 children in lockstep would be a challenge. Dealing with their boredom while waiting to board, debark, and eat will be a challenge.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I love DCL but I wouldn't put 7 people in two staterooms. We're 5 (total, not 5 children) and we get two staterooms for the 5 of us. 7 in two rooms would be TIGHT.

It depends on your family and you're the best person to be able to judge their reaction to each situation. Your cruise experience would be highly structured as to times of when you can eat when you can do this, that, or the other thing. The pools, hot tubs, and deck chairs are an experience (as to what type I'll let you make that determination).

View attachment 716538

Wrangling 5 children in lockstep would be a challenge. Dealing with their boredom while waiting to board, debark, and eat will be a challenge.

Jeeze the photo of that deck gives me anxiety. We've only cruised during COVID, and only on the classic ships (Magic 2x, Wonder 1x) and I'm dreading the idea that our next cruise might be on the Dream-class.

 

[KeithVH]

I would truly say the answer is 42 because the question you are asking is basically the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.

If it were just about two adults, cruising would be the way to go. Any number of kids messes up those equations. Assuming they're all under 18? Cruising can still be very fun but it is much more dependent on the kids and their life experiences/expectations. Taking them to the parks and then getting to use the hotel pool could make them deliriously happy. They don't care about dining for 2 hours or relaxing on a verandah watching water flow by. And yeah, DCL prices can be staggering. No, you won't get the same experiences on other lines but you won't pay a small fortune either for just a few days in case you end up wanting to sail but not pay the Disney premium.

In general, considering the OPs circumstances, I'd say continue to concentrate on the park experience. You have MUCH more control over finances than on a cruise. And a more expansive set of experiences with something for everyone that appeals. Wait till the kids are older before giving cruising a try (my 3 are addicted to DCL but all in the 30s).

 

[CaptainAmerica]

They don't care about dining for 2 hours or relaxing on a verandah watching water flow by.

My kids are 8, 5, and 3 and those are just about their favorite things to do in the whole world.

Yes, I 100% agree with everything you said about the cost. Disney cruises are stupid expensive, especially if you're going to ports that pretty much require you to book excursions. But kids and cruising can absolutely go together depending on their personality more than their age.

 

[ChuckElias]

I got two words for you: Keep the cruise.

You will not be disappointed in the service or the experience. 7 people in 2 rooms is not that bad, as long as you have the split bath. We cruised with 4 adults in one balcony stateroom last April. It's not hard, the rooms are plenty big enough. When we did our Med cruise back in '07, we had eight people (including 5 adults!) in 2 staterooms.

Yes, pools will be crowded. Yes, you'll want to get to the deck parties early. But the service you'll receive, the memories the kids will have from the Oceaneer's Club, will make it an experience that you will want to do over and over.

And "wrangling" 5 kids on a contained ship will be a lot easier than wrangling them through the parks. The clubs for the kids will also make that easier, since they'll probably WANT to spend a lot of their time there. The clubs will even take the kids to meals, if the adults want to sneak away to Palo for the evening meal.

Keep the cruise.

 

[happymom25]

The kids are 9-16 so we don’t do a lot of “wrangling” anymore and they do enjoy good meals, not just pool time.
I know we would all have a great time on a cruise. I guess it’s a question of will we enjoy it more than the parks since it will be an either/ or.
It’s a five day cruise vs. a week at kidani/ the parks. They are both about the same price.

Curious/ concerned about the comment not to put seven people in two state rooms. I thought that most families who go with two kids get one room? Are they really that tight for four people? I booked verandah rooms but not the family size ones. Decided it wasn’t worth the extra $1k for a few extra feet. But maybe it is?

I feel like it’s a now or never for the cruise. They will soon be growing out of the kids clubs, which is a big draw. I think my two teens will enjoy some of the teen spaces/activities if we go next year.

 

[ChuckElias]

It’s a five day cruise vs. a week at kidani/ the parks.

I feel like it’s a now or never for the cruise.

As I said, you may recall. . .

Keep the cruise.

 

[MaryJaneP]

$0.02 here. Park not cruise. While our cruises were spectacular, our kids were older and had specifically requested this mode of transport (they knew what was important to their parents) and the locations we visited. The cruise may be more meaningful in the future and maybe just for you and spouse. Service on cruise is incomparable but kids sound like they would enjoy parks more.

When we cruised (and even in WDW) had 5 in one room (2 adults and 3 grown children).
.

 

[donaldtoo]

The kids are 9-16 so we don’t do a lot of “wrangling” anymore and they do enjoy good meals, not just pool time.
I know we would all have a great time on a cruise. I guess it’s a question of will we enjoy it more than the parks since it will be an either/ or.
It’s a five day cruise vs. a week at kidani/ the parks. They are both about the same price.

Curious/ concerned about the comment not to put seven people in two state rooms. I thought that most families who go with two kids get one room? Are they really that tight for four people? I booked verandah rooms but not the family size ones. Decided it wasn’t worth the extra $1k for a few extra feet. But maybe it is?

I feel like it’s a now or never for the cruise. They will soon be growing out of the kids clubs, which is a big draw. I think my two teens will enjoy some of the teen spaces/activities if we go next year.

Short answer from me: y’all will never know if y’all like to cruise unless y’all do it…!
Longer answer…….
We’ve cruised as a family 4 times, starting in December of ‘17. 3 times on Carnival, and our first DCL cruise (it was always cost prohibitive, but, oldest DD found a crazy-good deal online) was this past December. Honestly, they’ve all been a blast…!!! One of my favorite things to do is get up early and watch the sunrise from the veranda. I got spoiled on our first cruise because we had 2 aft cabins on deck 7 with large verandas…!!!
Also, our family consists of my wife, myself (both 60), our 3 grown children (2 girls, boy in the middle - late 20’s-early 30’s), SonIL, and now our 2 granddaughters (ages 1.5 and 4.5). Oldest granddaughter still asks about when they can go back on the “Mickey Boat”…!!!!!
We’ve also been to the Parks (including DLR) several times over the years, and have an October WDW trip planned…!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

@happymom25 …
So, your post got me to goin’ back through cruise pics and videos from our December Disney Magic cruise.
Something a lot of folks are concerned about with cruising is the motion of the boat. I realize many are much more sensitive than others, but, the only time I remember a member of our family gettin’ a bit woozy was our youngest DD at dinner the first night of our first cruise during some pretty high seas. She went back to her stateroom a little early, took something, and was fine a short while later. You could definitely feel the boat moving a little, but, the rest of us had no issues. I’ve never taken anything for motion issues.
The video below was taken the morning of our first full sea day in high seas, and I never felt the boat move…!!!

 

[happymom25]

It’s good to get opinions and perspectives from others. Thank you! The kids will probably like a parks trip more, but we can do parks the next year. And I think I’ll regret it if we never try a cruise. I just need to keep myself from wavering since I’m missing the parks/ resorts so much right now and I’m anxious to get back.
We could stay offsite and go for like two days before a cruise but I feel like I’d be missing out. I think I’d rather delay it and go when we can stay at a resort and do a full week or more.

 

[KeithVH]

Think about it this way - it will never get cheaper to cruise, only more expensive as time goes on. Doesn't help much, but maybe better to cruise now than totally be out of financial reach in a couple of years.

Most of all, just have fun!

 

[The Colonel]

I was a huge Disney cruise fan and loved sandwiching a cruise between park stays. As a Disney fan, you have to try it at least once so go for it. Make sure you do a 7 day cruise. You really don't get the full experience on the shorter cruises, especially on the inferior Disney Wish.

Remember, the money will be forgotten, but the memories will last a lifetime. Someone in Disney marketing told me that.

 

[happymom25]

It’s so true. We have some amazing memories of different trips with our kids. We love national parks and have done lots of road trips. You forget the work and the cost and remember the fun.
I polled the kids. Three say cruise for sure because we’ve never done one and we’ve gone to the parks quite a bit over the last few years. One says parks. One is undecided. So I think the cruise is going to win out.

 

[FLDan41302]

We are an Annual Passholder family and Disney Cruise Family. I preface my comments with the words "Disney Cruises are not Cheap" With that said though I would strongly recommend them in a heartbeat. Every single person who I have met tells me the same thing after cruising with Disney for the first time. "Carnival, Princess, (Insert other cruise line name here) is so much cheaper but the food, service, and entertainment is so much better with Disney". Yes, they do cost more but, on the average, you get what you paid for and then some. The kids will have a great time and make new friends. My 15-year-old daughter still talks to a group of friends she made last June on our cruise to Alaska! The adults will have a great time and yes there will be plenty of opportunities to make whole family memories, but the adults will find the time to be adults. There is no casino on board so that element is not present. How often do you see headlines about someone drunk on a Disney Cruise? Yes, they do have plenty of drinking opportunities, but the drink packages are not like the other cruise lines. You will not regret going out on a Disney Cruise.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Keep the cruise. Kids clubs could keep the kids busy for days, there’s plenty of food to feed them (only dinner is a set time every night), and it will likely make wonderful memories for everyone.

How many nights, and which ship?

 

[happymom25]

I have no desire to get on a cruise ship other than a Disney one, so if we do a cruise I know it’s going to cost more than other lines. I am not a Vegas person and most ships look like floating Vegas to me. I’m wiling to pay for the classic nautical vibe. And Disney service/ kids clubs/characters.
We love the idea of having some adult time to relax, but also have our kids with us on the vacation.
It’s a 5 night on the Dream sailing out of Port Everglades. The new dedicated Disney terminal will be done by then which is important to me.
The first one I booked in 2020 was a 7 night on the Fantasy. But I think 5 nights will be okay for a first cruise.

 

[DisAl]

We did a 4 night / 5 day cruise last June on the Dream and then 2 days at WDW after the cruise.
After being on the Dream, WDW felt like a Motel Six.

 

[DisAl]

If you are sailing from Port Canaveral and want to do something different consider a day before or after the cruise to spend the day at Kenedy Space Center. FYI the KSC Visitor's Center is a full day activity.