Alh1978 Posted December 19, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Hubby and I are going to book with our two children 6 and 9. This will be kids first cruise. Hubby and I have only done Carnival. My first question is- looking at 3 and 4 nights.. would 3 nights be too short? Or is 3 a good start for the first kids cruise? Next question- is the Dream going to be too crowded for our first experience? We wanted a newer nicer ship, but would Wonder be less crowded and better for first timers? If so, is that ship any good?? Next question- Is April or May better? As far as weather/rain in the Bahamas? Appreciate any input!! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tkerniroc1986 Posted December 19, 2016 #2 Share Posted December 19, 2016 I'll tell you, the Dream will not feel crowded at all! The Wonder was the first DCL ship we were on and again, never felt crowded! We have been on the Fantasy (sister ship to the Dream) and we loooooved it! There is a lot to do, that also being said, don't expect to do everything there is to do on a 3-4 night cruise. We couldn't even do everything on a 7 night cruise! DCL does it right, you will see, the customer service, cleanliness and overall experience are phenomenal!!! Plus the Dream has the Aqua Duck and that slide is awesome! We will gladly answer any and all questions you have regarding DCL! I hope this helps! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted December 19, 2016 #3 Share Posted December 19, 2016 IMHO, a 3 night cruise is way too short. I have done two, one as part of a 4/3 B2B. The only way I'd do a 3 night again would be if there were no way I could afford or manage in the schedule a longer cruise. Otherwise, it is neither cost nor time effective and is way too short to enjoy properly. By cost effectiveness, I mean that the transportation costs to MCO and to the cruise terminal are the same whether the cruise is 3 nights or 7 nights. Weather--varies. May was hot; April more pleasant. But April often involves spring break which can increase costs of cruises and means more teens/tweens on board. I'm one of those people who prefers the Magic/Wonder to the newer ships. I find them to be much more intimate and friendly. Your kids will have plenty to do regardless of which ship you choose. I haven't been on the Wonder since the recent dry dock, but most of what they did mirrors the changes on the Magic. There are some cruise reports here from recent Wonder cruisers. The Magic added "Marvel Academy" to the kid area...and dads like it too! If the only question asked was "Which ship do you like least?" the response would have been "The Dream." It suffers from three things I don't like--short cruises, crowds, and a "pay extra" ice cream and dessert area right outside Cabanas (the buffet area). I had always liked the fact that DCL didn't tempt kids with "pay extra" food outlets the way some other lines do, but then they decided to add this profit center. Right now, I'd love to work a Wonder cruise into my schedule because I want to see the changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tkerniroc1986 Posted December 19, 2016 #4 Share Posted December 19, 2016 (edited) IMHO' date=' a 3 night cruise is way too short. I have done two, one as part of a 4/3 B2B. The only way I'd do a 3 night again would be if there were no way I could afford or manage in the schedule a longer cruise. Otherwise, it is neither cost nor time effective and is way too short to enjoy properly. By cost effectiveness, I mean that the transportation costs to MCO and to the cruise terminal are the same whether the cruise is 3 nights or 7 nights. Weather--varies. May was hot; April more pleasant. But April often involves spring break which can increase costs of cruises and means more teens/tweens on board. I'm one of those people who prefers the Magic/Wonder to the newer ships. I find them to be much more intimate and friendly. Your kids will have plenty to do regardless of which ship you choose. I haven't been on the Wonder since the recent dry dock, but most of what they did mirrors the changes on the Magic. There are some cruise reports here from recent Wonder cruisers. The Magic added "Marvel Academy" to the kid area...and dads like it too! If the only question asked was "Which ship do you like least?" the response would have been "The Dream." It suffers from three things I don't like--short cruises, crowds, and a "pay extra" ice cream and dessert area right outside Cabanas (the buffet area). I had always liked the fact that DCL didn't tempt kids with "pay extra" food outlets the way some other lines do, but then they decided to add this profit center. Right now, I'd love to work a Wonder cruise into my schedule because I want to see the changes.[/quote'] Well said, I too would probably chose the Wonder at this point based on seeing all the new changes! Any way you go, you won't be disappointed in DCL... (hopefully) lol There's a lot to take in and a 3-4 night is quite short. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Edited December 19, 2016 by Tkerniroc1986 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alh1978 Posted December 19, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Thanks :) We definitely can't do a 7 night since we are also driving down and back taking additional travel time. So I think we will do 4. I was thinking 3 might be too short. I think we will do April it would be last week of, so hopefully not any spring break issues. Still not sure on Dream or an older one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted December 19, 2016 #6 Share Posted December 19, 2016 THe DCL ships "age" well as they have excellent, constant maintenance in addition to the long dry dock periods that the Wonder just did--major changes and updates in addition to the required engine inspections and maintenance. Older isn't the same as "out of date." Yes, the new ships do have more electronic bells and whistles, but the classics have things that the newer ones don't have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurUSCG Posted December 19, 2016 #7 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Pick the cruise the fits your schedule and destination. Don't worry about the ship, they are are great in thier own way. The Disney pixy dust allows the ships to avoid the old designations and really fit the classic description. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1soccer1baseball1princess Posted December 19, 2016 #8 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Three nights is too short. I have done it twice now with girlfriends just because a three night cruise was better than nothing and we had to work it into our schedules. But it is just over way too fast, especially since the first day is eaten up with boarding, lifeboat drill, unpacking, exploring the ship. I would at least do four. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVilleGal Posted December 19, 2016 #9 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Do at least 4 nights! My kids loved the Magic. The ship was just the right size and the kids never wanted to leave the Kids Club! (I should say Grandkids) and their parents loved the Disney cruise too. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alaska_planner Posted December 19, 2016 #10 Share Posted December 19, 2016 (edited) try to do at least 4 nights also try to manage your expectations.. know going in that you may miss out on some things and it's not the end of the world if you do... otherwise you're setting yourself up for major disappointment (like another thread on this board).. Edited December 19, 2016 by alaska_planner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted December 19, 2016 #11 Share Posted December 19, 2016 know going in that you may miss out on some things and it's not the end of the world if you do... otherwise you're setting yourself up for major disappointment (like another thread on this board).. That's another point where a smaller ship is better--the number of available free tickets to things is roughly the same but the number of families wanting those tickets is far less. You are more likely to get the character tickets or the excursion you want. NOTE--most character meet and greets do not require tickets. A few require a ticket in order to assign a time and control crowds. These tickets are free and can be reserved on line in advance of your cruise (in your case 75 days ahead). Excursions come with a fee, but again, most can take a specific number of guests per day--again, fewer people wanting to purchase is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alh1978 Posted December 19, 2016 Author #12 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Thanks for all the thoughts on this. I am going to do a 4 night and TRY to talk hubby into the smaller older ship ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVilleGal Posted December 19, 2016 #13 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Magic was recently reimagined and it is lovely! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted December 19, 2016 #14 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Magic was recently reimagined and it is lovely! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Well, not very recently - 2013. The Wonder just had her re-imagining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVilleGal Posted December 19, 2016 #15 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Well, not very recently - 2013. The Wonder just had her re-imagining. Well that's pretty recently! And I'm sure Wonder is better yet :) Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted December 19, 2016 #16 Share Posted December 19, 2016 For OP, who may not speak the lingo, "Re-Imagining" is Disney code for a 6 week dry dock that includes LOTS of interior work, new decor, etc. This is in addition to the required twice every 5 years required dry dock for engine/hull inspection, work, etc. DCL also uses the normal dry docks to spiff up the ships, but the "re-imagination" dry dock is a HUGE undertaking. As noted, Magic was 2013, Wonder was fall 2016. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVilleGal Posted December 19, 2016 #17 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Great clarification! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alh1978 Posted December 19, 2016 Author #18 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Ok so magic is out they don't sail from port canav when we go so either dream or wonder. I didn't know wonder was re-imagined anyone been on wonder since that?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted December 19, 2016 #19 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Ok so magic is out they don't sail from port canav when we go so either dream or wonder. I didn't know wonder was re-imagined anyone been on wonder since that?? There are several reports on these boards from people who cruised the first few cruises after the reimagination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alh1978 Posted December 19, 2016 Author #20 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Ok I am new here and don't know how to find them but I'll try thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tkerniroc1986 Posted December 19, 2016 #21 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Or you can search on YouTube for the videos of the updated wonder. There's some good ones on there now! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJanss Posted December 20, 2016 #22 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Or you can search on YouTube for the videos of the updated wonder. There's some good ones on there now! I've looked, but most of the post-drydock Wonder reports I've found are just the company sponsored (and fakie-viral) videos that just repeat Disney's travel copy. So far, no personal Vlog testimonials from any civilians on the November cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex techie Posted December 20, 2016 #23 Share Posted December 20, 2016 (edited) I've looked, but most of the post-drydock Wonder reports I've found are just the company sponsored (and fakie-viral) videos that just repeat Disney's travel copy.So far, no personal Vlog testimonials from any civilians on the November cruises. You should try harder Eric! [YOUTUBE]OUC8yBiBlkk[/YOUTUBE] [YOUTUBE]gCAg1IoSXok[/YOUTUBE] ex techie Edited December 20, 2016 by Ex techie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheeling TravelingMom Posted December 20, 2016 #24 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Both Jess and I reviewed the Nov 25th sailing here on CC. Just read through the threads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alaska_planner Posted December 20, 2016 #25 Share Posted December 20, 2016 ex-techie isn't the first video of a different ship? not sure which... but the light fixtures in the atrium - they're not the red ones of the wonder...(which i've decided i love by the way).. the second video is of the wonder (love those red fixtures!! at 1:47 in the video) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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