5 day or 7 day cruise

[avabrooke]

I have been on the Carnival website. I am debating between doing a 5 day cruise out of Jacksonville, Tampa or Port Canaveral. Or the 7 day out of either Port Canaveral or Tampa. I have campared the prices at the 5 day is much much cheaper. Is there that much difference in the cruise experience? I know that the 7 day cruises are newer more modern ships. I would love some opinions.

[cruiser/teacher]

I have only been on 5 day or shorter cruises. Most people will say that if you can afford the 7 day, go for it. But, the 5 day trips are great too. I was on the Inspiration 5 day to Cozumel and Grand Cayman and loved it, especially for the price. The Fascination 5 day is great especially if you pick the Half Moon Cay itinerary. The Sensation has just had a lot of refurbishments so you can't go wrong there. Sorry I can't give info on the 7 day trips. No matter what you choose, you'll love it!

[firefly333]

We loved our 5 day and had issues with our last 7 day, so if you dont mind 2 days less, go for it. We book a mixture of 5 and 7 days, mostly 7 days. Just getting away for 5 days is fun. True, no pay restaurant and a few things like that, but we dont care about the things the smaller ships dont have and find them very convenient for getting around. The big ships seem like we walk forever.

 

Add a extra night at a hotel in Florida and presto, you have a 6 day and still have a bargain.

[98Charlie]

Our first cruise was a 5 night (on NCL). The only problem we had was that we weren't ready to get off the ship:p

 

We have to fly to our cruises (until they do Caribbeans starting in Lake Erie:rolleyes:) so 7 or longer is our norm. If we were located near a port that had short cruises I'm sure that we would take them for the get-away value.

 

Charlie

[MoCookies]

Its hard to balance out all the pros and cons, but I'd rather go on two 5 days cruises in a year, rather than just one 7 day cruise. The savings you get on the shorter cruises can also allow you to get a better room, spend more time in the casino, or splurge on shore excursions. There are also lots of shorter cruises that go over the weekend, so you don't miss as much work, which is a big consideration for my family. On the other hand, certain itineraries (like Southern Carribbean) or certain ships (the newest) are only available on 7 day trips.

[pe4all]

Our first cruise was a 5 night (on NCL). The only problem we had was that we weren't ready to get off the ship:p

 

We have to fly to our cruises (until they do Caribbeans starting in Lake Erie:rolleyes:) so 7 or longer is our norm. If we were located near a port that had short cruises I'm sure that we would take them for the get-away value.

 

Charlie

 

I agree with everything said here! If it were convenient for us, we would jump on the shorter cruises. But by the time we add in hotel, airfare, etc., taking 7 day cruises is more cost effective. We usually add on a day or 2 pre-cruise to make the most of our vacation. And once on the ship, dh feels that by the time we unpack, it is time to pack again!

[myangel]

If time allows, the longer the cruise, the better!!!:):)

[98Charlie]

I agree with everything said here! If it were convenient for us, we would jump on the shorter cruises. But by the time we add in hotel, airfare, etc., taking 7 day cruises is more cost effective. We usually add on a day or 2 pre-cruise to make the most of our vacation. And once on the ship, dh feels that by the time we unpack, it is time to pack again!

We try to have one day before and one after. It really makes a difference to us. No rush to get to the ship. No worry about the flights. A day after to relax from all of the relaxin' on the ship:D

 

Charlie

[crusiegirl99]

Well I have only been on 7 days cruises and I think there a blast.Plus 2 more days.

[A&Jfamily]

I have been on the Carnival website. I am debating between doing a 5 day cruise out of Jacksonville, Tampa or Port Canaveral. Or the 7 day out of either Port Canaveral or Tampa. I have campared the prices at the 5 day is much much cheaper. Is there that much difference in the cruise experience? I know that the 7 day cruises are newer more modern ships. I would love some opinions.

 

The differences would be that it is usually the smaller ships that run the 5 day trips - the bigger, newer ones are 7 days. I have done the Fascination out of Jax (5 days), and then 2 7 days - the Valor out of Miami and the Legend out of Tampa. Our favorite is the Legend - love the western route. Our second favorite would be the Fascination - though we did splurge for a suite, and it was well worth it.

 

I prefer the 7 day because it feels like a full vacation...I was back at work on Friday the week we went on the Fascination. The only other thing I can say besides the obvious of more time on the ships and more ports of call, would be that there are 2 formal nights instead of one. Other than that, it is just a matter of time.

[avabrooke]

Thanks,

I really like the idea of 2 5 day cruises instead of one 7 day. The only down side is of course getting to the cruise. We drive to save money. We just returned from Miami on a 9 day. What a long drive from Atlanta. Also I find that 9 days for me was much too long.

[tnt091605]

We have looked at the 5 day cruises. But every time we compare the prices we take the 7 day.

 

7 day cruise $420=60 a day PP

5 day cruise $269=53 a day PP

 

So that is only 7 dollars a day differences. So we take the 7 day cruise. But we have to fly to all the ports except Galveston so we have to factor in that cost and it really is not worth a 5 day cruise.

[mom2girls]

Personally, I would rather go on a 7 day. But, if the price was significantly lower I'd go on the 5-day. I'd also consider ships and itinerary. I'm going on the Destiny 5-day because I've never been on the ship. I've also never been to two of the ports.

 

As for ships my favorite ship is the Legend and my second favorite is the Inspiration. Of all the ships I've been on I'd have to say the Glory is my least favorite. I hope this helps some.

[TeresaJ]

Don't rule out Destiny which is a large ship and has many updates; runs 4 and 5 night Caribbean cruises out of Miami. We loved the ship and the itinerary. We have only been on 4 and 5 night cruises and like that you can save money by doing it this way.

[MustSailNOW]

We were originally booked for a 5 day, but decided to switch to a 7 day because:

 

1) We would miss the same number of days at work with the 5 or 7 day (for our particular cruise).

 

2) We gained two more ports.

 

3) The price difference wasn't that significant.

 

4) The port we are leaving from (Port Canaveral) offers more hotel options and cheaper flights than our original port (Jacksonville).

 

It's funny, but our 7 day actually worked out to be cheaper than our 5 day all because of the flights to Jacksonville. I would say weigh the pros and cons for both and decide from there. Whichever has the most pros wins!

[avabrooke]

If you had to choose between the Inspiration or the Fascination which would you choose? I can't decide.

[cruiser/teacher]

The Inspiration has had the Evolutions of Fun upgrades- Serenity adult area, Waterworks, etc. The Fascination is not due to get these until later in 2010. We loved the Inspiration.

[gazingm42]

We went on a 5 day only ONCE. Never again, unless its connected with

a B2B.

 

As its a only a tease on a 7 day cruise. If we going travel to the port, car

or plane. Lets use all 7 days to CRUISE!

[cruisinlarge]

we've used to book shorter cruises and decided to do a 3 day last month. I found that the 3 day I just partied all the time and had to go back to work to rest . On the 7 day I actually party out and then relax for a day or two. I really like Iteneraries that have some sea days at the end.

[cruiserbryce]

a 5 day trip would be a perfect short getaway, and while I would prefer the 7 day I am sure either would be a blast...for us a lot of this comes down to time issues...how long we can be away for