Are 3 days cruises a lot different than 7?

[SadieN]

The majority of our cruises have been short cruises.

 

Three day cruises are like the Vegas. Lots of fun and high energy. But one can always find a quiet spot onboard.

 

 

 

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[nealstuber]

I have only done 7 and 8 day cruises. I have family coming in from out of town and I was thinking of planning a 3 day Carnival cruise for us. I have never done a 3 day cruise. This one would be a Thurs-Sun to Nassau, which I have never been to, on the Victory. Also the Victory does not have the 2.0 upgrades, which all the ships I have been on for the past few years have had. With taxes and gratuities, I am looking at $750 for an inside for 2 people. That is not including on-board purchases and Nassau. Would I be disappointed on this cruise for this price? One note, I am 9 days away from Platinum. If I do this 3 day, I would be Platinum on my next 7 day.

 

 

I think it's a swell idea, but I don't like the price - for an inside no less. I'd probably look at the Bahamas Celebration (used to be the CCL Celebration) for what you have in mind.

[FLSteve11]

I have only done 7 and 8 day cruises. I have family coming in from out of town and I was thinking of planning a 3 day Carnival cruise for us. I have never done a 3 day cruise. This one would be a Thurs-Sun to Nassau, which I have never been to, on the Victory. Also the Victory does not have the 2.0 upgrades, which all the ships I have been on for the past few years have had. With taxes and gratuities, I am looking at $750 for an inside for 2 people. That is not including on-board purchases and Nassau. Would I be disappointed on this cruise for this price? One note, I am 9 days away from Platinum. If I do this 3 day, I would be Platinum on my next 7 day.

 

I say go ahead. We've done cruises from 2 days to 2 weeks, they're all fun! There is a different atmosphere on the shorter ones, but I was surprised the first time I did one that it didn't feel AS short as I thought it was going to. The hardest part is having to pack up and get off so quickly *grin*

 

With it being a Thurs-Sun, you won't get quite as much of the "party" crowd of people not wanting to take time off, but even with them we have never had any problems on the 3-day weekend cruises we've done.

 

Price-wise it's ok, I know someone said the price was bad. But for the summertime, with taxes and gratuities, it's not that bad. You'll pay less in the winter of course, but they're going to be here now so you sail when you can (as a parent of a 12yo, we know that mantra rather well). You're limited to the time they'll be here.

 

All-in-all, you'll have a good time.

[John Reid]

Go!!!! Don't listen to the "cruise snobs" and the attitude of "oh please, I never cruise anything under 7 days, it's beneath me", they need to get over themselves. I bet a lot of them also employ the "I only cruise the newer, bigger ships" attitude. You have the perfect mindset, family getaway weekend for a good price. You will probably have a blast. Enjoy!!!!

 

 

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I read all the posts up to yours. I read yours, and then read the opening posts again. Did we read the same posts?

 

I saw "once I sailed sevens, I couldn't go back to short cruises." I saw that some like short cruises. I saw the very relevant booze cruise caveat.

 

What I didn't see was anyone advocating bigger ships. I didn't see anyone being a cruise snob. And "get over themselves?" Can't hear that one enough times.

 

Are you responding to some invisible posts the rest of us don't see? I'm wondering why you are inventing and attacking things that were not even there? Is that a new standard for the board?

[SMSACE6]

I have never gone on a 3 or 4 day cruise, however, last year I did go on a 5 day cruise. compared to my 7 and 8 day cruises, it was a bit more boisterous, but not in a bad way, just lots more people seeming to be having a great time. The biggest difference that I saw though was the amount of people who did self assist debarkation!:eek::eek: I mean at least 70pc of the ships passengers did self assist debark, which left zone one way way back in the line at customs once we did get off. This was Miami. Still, it was a great cruise. If I lived close to a port, I sure would do some 3 and 4 day cruises. I would not worry too much about loud partiers, unless it were over a college break time. Hope you have a good one.

[First and Ten]

I read all the posts up to yours. I read yours, and then read the opening posts again. Did we read the same posts?

I saw "once I sailed sevens, I couldn't go back to short cruises." I saw that some like short cruises. I saw the very relevant booze cruise caveat.

What I didn't see was anyone advocating bigger ships. I didn't see anyone being a cruise snob. And "get over themselves?" Can't hear that one enough times.

Are you responding to some invisible posts the rest of us don't see? I'm wondering why you are inventing and attacking things that were not even there? Is that a new standard for the board?

See post #11. There have been numerous threads where posters have said they only sail newer and bigger ships. I told the OP concerning this thread that my opinion they should go on this cruise and don't listen to the cruise snobs. I also asked for the cruisers who seem to like "bigger" to elaborate. Maybe there is some hidden gem that I don't see to the "bigger" and "newer" ships, other than the fact they are bigger and newer

 

 

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Edited August 6, 2016 by First and Ten

[JLee1973]

I have fun on every cruise. The shorter the cruise the more of a party boat it is. I would go but realize that it is not the chill vibe the 7 days are.

 

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[glrounds]

Have cruised 3s, 4s, and 7s . . . they're all good.:)

 

I'm not crazy about the price, but I guess that's the seasonal thing. Prefer off season. Have cruised 3-dayers out of LA with my son for $99pp, a couple for $109 with NO single supplement, but most have been 7-dayers, the ideal length, IMHO.

 

You'll find them more intense I think. Maybe a younger more energetic group for sure, but I think it's up to you. Find a quiet corner, of which there are many, if you just want to relax or join in the party atmosphere condensing the time. Much more activity on the shorter cruises, but still either way, the best way to vacation there is.

 

Enjoy your cruise.:D

Edited August 6, 2016 by glrounds

[winddawn]

I have only done 7 and 8 day cruises. I have family coming in from out of town and I was thinking of planning a 3 day Carnival cruise for us. I have never done a 3 day cruise. This one would be a Thurs-Sun to Nassau, which I have never been to, on the Victory. Also the Victory does not have the 2.0 upgrades, which all the ships I have been on for the past few years have had. With taxes and gratuities, I am looking at $750 for an inside for 2 people. That is not including on-board purchases and Nassau. Would I be disappointed on this cruise for this price? One note, I am 9 days away from Platinum. If I do this 3 day, I would be Platinum on my next 7 day.

Three day cruises have an entirely different clientele that will affect your cruise experience. If you can tolerate that, go for it.

 

Congratulations on becoming platinum!

[First and Ten]

Three day cruises have an entirely different clientele that will affect your cruise experience. If you can tolerate that, go for it.

 

 

 

Congratulations on becoming platinum!

 

 

It may very well be a better clientele than on a longer cruise

 

 

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Edited August 6, 2016 by First and Ten

[John Reid]

See post #11. There have been numerous threads where posters have said they only sail newer and bigger ships. I told the OP concerning this thread that my opinion they should go on this cruise and don't listen to the cruise snobs. I also asked for the cruisers who seem to like "bigger" to elaborate. Maybe there is some hidden gem that I don't see to the "bigger" and "newer" ships, other than the fact they are bigger and newer

 

 

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All well and good and logical. But you threw out the gauntlet at post 8, not after post 11.

[Lindalou76]

I've only ever been on 3, 4 and 5 day cruises so I can't compare to a 7 day. However, I have NEVER been on a cruise I didn't have a great time on!!! Even the short Thursday-Sunday cruises were FUN! I say do it. I guess all mine are considered the "booze cruise" type but I've never experienced a cruise where people were acting unreasonable. Yes people are drinking, yes people are loud and having fun, it is a vacation after all! lol But I have never noticed anyone acting crazy. And if i end up in an area that is too loud and crowded for me I simply go somewhere else if I feel like it. Maybe I've just been lucky and always picked good cruises, and/or maybe I will feel differently once I experience a 7-day cruise. I have never been on the Victory, but have sailed the smaller, older ships.....as long as you are realistic in what the ship has and doesn't have to offer you should be good.

[First and Ten]

All well and good and logical. But you threw out the gauntlet at post 8, not after post 11.

 

 

Wasn't meant to be a gauntlet. Just an observation which I thought I explained in previous posts. The mindset of "I only cruise the newer and bigger ships"....why? Like I said, I get if you only want to leave from a certain port so u don't have to fly, that makes sense. I get a certain itinerary, I get that. I don't get the "only newer and bigger"....why? That's like saying "I only depart cruises on a Sat, never any other day of the week". See how ridiculous that sounds

 

 

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Edited August 6, 2016 by First and Ten

[spookyfudge]

Go!!!! Don't listen to the "cruise snobs" and the attitude of "oh please, I never cruise anything under 7 days, it's beneath me", they need to get over themselves. I bet a lot of them also employ the "I only cruise the newer, bigger ships" attitude. You have the perfect mindset, family getaway weekend for a good price. You will probably have a blast. Enjoy!!!!

 

No don't do it unless you want to be with many intoxicated passengers whose sole purpose is to get drunk and eat like pigs!

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[Jenhem31]

I'd do it if I didn't have to fly in. I've done a 4 day and it wasn't bad. It was just short. But I got my fix!

[First and Ten]

Spooky, you run into that on ANY cruise, no matter what the length and line....provides good entertainment :D

 

 

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Edited August 6, 2016 by First and Ten

[NWACruiser]

If you feel the price is right, go ahead and do it. Sure it will have more "party animals" on the ship, than a seven day. But, I never had any issues on my four-day cruise two years ago.

 

The advantage will be you become platinum on your next seven-day cruise.

 

I was looking at picking up a four-day cruise when I am in South Florida in a few weeks. The cruise was Half Moon Cay and Nassau on the Fantasy. Still watching the prices.

 

We did this a few years ago and got a decent price on the Ecstasy. Taking the four-day cruise regenerated our cruising interest and we have been on several after. We had an exterior cabin, and were in the back of the ship on the Riviera deck, it was still relaxing.

 

I will say the PBE on that cruise was by far the best PBE I have had on a cruise.

 

I did see a few party animals on the cruise, but, none were out of control. After all, they were taking a vacation also.

[watermelonqueen99]

We've done one 5 day, and would never do it again. However, because this cruise would get you to Platinum on your next one, I'd probably do it.

[First and Ten]

Took a 5 night back in May....Great Cruise....would do it again in a heartbeat

 

 

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Edited August 6, 2016 by First and Ten

[OCruisers]

A three day OVER A WEEKEND does attract a different sort of passenger base. ;)

[nealstuber]

We've done one 5 day, and would never do it again. However, because this cruise would get you to Platinum on your next one, I'd probably do it.

 

 

We booked a five day once and had the good sense to book a 4 day chaser B2B after taking a day to realize we were not less than a week cruise people.

[Micahs Grandad]

I wasn't directing my post to you in particular. I get your reasoning as far as value for a longer cruise as opposed to shorter. If timeframe is an issue, than a shorter cruise may be all someone can do

 

I truly don't understand the mindset of "newer and bigger", especially now with all the ships going thru the upgrades, that mindset makes no sense. I can understand people cruising out of one port due to logistics or visiting ports of call that they prefer. What doesn't make sense is when someone says I only cruise bigger ships. Does that mean you want to cruise with 3000-4000 passengers but don't want to cruise with 2000-3000 passengers????

 

 

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We like newer and bigger as they usually have more food choices and very often more entertainment options.

 

Two things we like about Dream class over Conquest class in the newer and bigger dept.

 

Deck 5 on Dream goes all around the ship, makes for a nice walk compared to jogging track.

 

Cover band has its own area to play as opposed to sticking them outside the casino.

 

Now that I think about it the bbq on the lanai is nice as well.

[mikayla73]

We prefer the longer cruises, but a 3 day is a nice little weekend break. I wouldn't fly to do a 3 day unless it was part of a longer vacation, but if the port is within driving distance that'd be good for me.

[Drazil65]

We typically do 7 or 8 day only but a few years ago some friends were doing a 4 day to Bahamas and we went along. Huge difference, huge, much younger crowd (think college age or a little bit older but definitely mostly mid 20's), a lot, a lot of drinking, more than you usually see on deck and the things you see with that environment (much more cursing out loud, lewd comments, staggering, obnoxious behavior and people not feeling too well/getting sick on deck). As much as we love cruising that, a 4 day was not for us.

 

Realize that its cheaper and more of a younger crowd can afford that much easier. Also there were several bachelor and bachelorette parties going on as well. I guess a long weekend on a cruise ship is like going away maybe to Vegas was back in the day?

 

Personally I would never take guests on a 3 or 4 day (booze cruise) cruise unless they are partiers anyway and would not mind that environment for 3 or 4 straight days. If that is your thing then you will probably have a good time.

[louanne93]

So, I've been holding off on my response to see what others have said first! I have been on several 3 and 4 day cruises (we can drive to the port). I started cruising 12 years ago. My first cruise was a 3 day with my husband on the Ecstasy to celebrate my 1 year anniversary as a brain tumor survivor (yay!). I do not drink or smoke for that reason, but my mindset has never changed. I am still a party girl at heart. I still buy wine and drag it on the ship and drag it back home unopened! My kids make fun of me lol!

With all that said, I LOVE 3/4 day cruises! Yes the vibe is way different.

My last 3 day was in April during spring break we took our 18 year old twins to celebrate their graduation (they have been cruising for 12 years).

What we saw:

A LGBTQ party in several cabins with the doors open (a lot of nakedness!)

A lot of drunk adults in the Serenity area (making out and more in the hot tubs!)

Drunk college kids EVERYWHERE (gotta love the Cheers!)

What we thought:

It's none of our business what other people do!

It's pretty fun to watch drunk people!

The food was amazing! The comedians were amazing! The shows and casino were a blast!

Service was out of this world!

For $1200 for 4 people in 2 cabins (food and shows included), we couldn't go to Vegas or Reno for that price. We would do it again in a heartbeat!

My husband and I are going on the Miracle in 6 days for a week and I am hoping that it is exciting enough for us! We love people watching and entertainment at other peoples expense!