Are 3 days cruises a lot different than 7?

[cherbear4000]

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.

[BoDidly]

I would pass on it , cruise will be over before it starts. Nassau has become an all out pay source. You can get to the casino but to see any attractions including the interior aquarium " use to be free " it will be costly.

[riffatsea]

3 day cruises have the rep of being more "party" or "booze cruises". They are the ones that have given Carnival the bad reputation that it has in the larger cruising world!

[sturderick]

I would pass. Your next cruise will get your platinum because you get on as platinum if you turn during the cruise. I wouldn't waste my money. We did a three day and swore we would NEVER do it again, but that's just my opinion. Congratulations on getting ready to turn platinum!! I love it :).

[Micahs Grandad]

First two cruises were 4 days and than we graduated to 7-8 day ones and would never go back.

[summersigh]

We did an 8 day on the Sunshine in Jan from Canaveral and a 5 day on her again in May from Charleston.

 

It was like a "Tale of 2 Ships". The total vibe was different ... the 5 day feeling more like I'd expect a "booze cruise" to feel.

 

I'd say do the 3 day as a getaway weekend kind of thing ... knowing upfront that it will be a party. :D

Then wallow away :D in the perks for being platinum on the next cruise. In order to board as a specific level you have to be eligible to "turn" that level during that cruise.

[summersigh]

I would pass. Your next cruise will get your platinum because you get on as platinum if you turn during the cruise. .

The OP said "I am 9 days away from Platinum. If I do this 3 day, I would be Platinum on my next 7 day."

If they don't do the 3 day they won't turn platinum on the next 7 day. :(

[First and Ten]

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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Edited August 6, 2016 by First and Ten

[MMastell]

A three day cruise will be a younger crowd and more of party atmosphere. If this is what you want then go for it. A seven day is less party and a bit more toned down.

 

I've never done a 3 day but I have done a couple of 4 day cruises and enjoyed them but I know I drank a lot more than I ever have on a seven day cruise. ;)

 

Go with the flow and you'll enjoy it but don't book it if you think it will be the same as a seven day cruise.

 

Take care,

Mike

[sun_lovin!1]

The difference is that its over too quick LOL! Just go and remember to cram as much fun as you can into every minute!

[Micahs Grandad]

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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Since this seems to be directed to me I will elaborate.

 

Overall cost of a 7 day not much different than a 3 day so to us if we are going to cruise might as well do a longer one. Not beneath me just enjoy longer cruises.

 

And we do like larger ships preferring Conquest or Dream class but that is just us.

[erinmarie424]

I say go for it especially if your visitors haven't cruised much. Then you don't have to worry about the cooking and cleaning!

 

 

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[Harrald]

We would go BUT it would be such a tease. Go and have a good time.

[loubetti]

I would go if the price is right. Give it a shot. They can be a good "fix" in between longer cruises.

[sheeniwoo]

Do it, enjoy your 3 days of relaxation!

 

 

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[loubetti]

Since this seems to be directed to me I will elaborate.

 

Overall cost of a 7 day not much different than a 3 day so to us if we are going to cruise might as well do a longer one. Not beneath me just enjoy longer cruises.

 

And we do like larger ships preferring Conquest or Dream class but that is just us.

 

Yes, you're correct. Typically, the shorter the cruise the poorer the value. However, if money is not an issue, but time is, and you need a "fix", as I stated above, go for it. I speak out of experience here having done several 2-3 night CTN's, back in the day when the lines could do them. No regrets.

[pugsley1992]

I am going on an 8 day next month, 3 day in December. Yes I expect them to be different and I expect to have an exceptional time on both. If we had to fly, we would probably always do longer but any vacation is better than none. Enjoy.

[Colbycat]

We have done a couple 7 night cruises, but more frequently we do 3 or 4 night cruises. We have kids at home and can't get away for that long at a time. There is a difference but we always have an amazing time on the short cruises! Like someone above said you just have to make every minute count, because there are fewer of them! Enjoy :)

[Bases5]

We have done all lengths cruises.

For us 3 & 4 are short and 5 plus days gives you a longer feel.

Living in Fl and doing a 3 day cruise for a long weekend is great, if the price is right.

I would never fly anywhere for less than a 6 day cruise.

But if I was vacationing somewhere and a short cruise could be

worked in then I would do it.

It is a more robust atmosphere but lots of fun,

Edited August 6, 2016 by Bases5

[Julu5416]

My first cruise was a 3 day cruise. Not long enough but loved it! Go for it!

[Elaine5715]

3 day cruises have the rep of being more "party" or "booze cruises". They are the ones that have given Carnival the bad reputation that it has in the larger cruising world!

 

ALL cruise lines that offer three day cruises have the same reputation. Locals can get deals on these short cruises that are less than a night out with dinner and drinks in port cities and be able to go to work the next day and no worries of drinking and driving..

[pjinaz]

I have been cruising for 25 years and never did a short cruise until this year. M husband and I went on a 4 day cruise in February because we wanted a short vacation without the kids. I was a little worried it would not be that great. What a surprise, it was awesome. We went back on it 3 weeks later and took our kids and another family. Both times were really fun. It is shorter but everything else was pretty much the same. I wouldn't really say it was more of a party cruise than most other cruises I have been on, but we usually cruise during school breaks. I would not hesitate to do it again.

[First and Ten]

Since this seems to be directed to me I will elaborate.

Overall cost of a 7 day not much different than a 3 day so to us if we are going to cruise might as well do a longer one. Not beneath me just enjoy longer cruises. And we do like larger ships preferring Conquest or Dream class but that is just us.

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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Edited August 6, 2016 by First and Ten

[Canadianmama3]

I say go for it. Just go with the mindset that it's a fun and party atmosphere. We just went on a 4 day cruise on victory in July. Just me and my husband and we had a blast. But it was just us no kids so we wanted more of a party vibe. People were having fun but I did not see anything crazy or obnoxious and there are plenty of quiet areas you can escape too.

 

I loved the ship. They are currently in the process of updating the cabins. We had one with a brand new bathroom. And the crew was great and very friendly.

 

 

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[dacsmom]

I say go for it, even a 3 or 4 day cruise is fun. Yes, it is more of a party cruise, but I still have a great time.