Disney first time cruise...which one?!

[DisneyDreamer!]

Which have people preferred... Halloween cruise or the merrytime Christmas one?

There will be 2ad 2ch (will be 10 and nearly 4 at the time), it would be our first ever cruise. Depending on which we choose it will be added at the beginning or the end of the holiday.

Have people gone with children this age? Is my youngest too young to enjoy it?
Any tips you can give for first timers?

They know we will be doing DisneyWorld but I’m wanting to keep it (cruise part) as a surprise from the children if we decide to go for it!

[Licoricelover]

I think your children would love any Disney cruise whatever time of year. There is so much going on
We are doing a Halloween cruise this year and anyone can dress up in costume for pirate night and Halloween. (We are on a 3 night cruise so both on same night so a quick change of costume)
Not sure about Christmas but am sure someone will know what it's like.
Only problem it's very addictive whatever the cruise

[choccielover]

We are doing a Halloween one this year but will look at Xmas ones if we enjoy it

I think your kids will love it. Mines 6

[DisneyDreamer!]

Thank you both!

Can’t wait to actually book one of them!

[Bats]

Book either, they will both be equally fantastic, but a word of warning ...

Think very carefully about keeping the cruise a surprise from your children for too long. Children, even the ones you think will take surprises well, can react very differently when faced with a big ship and a whole lot of water.

Letting them join in a little with the planning can work wonders and allows the children to get their head around a new experience. This is especially true with regards to the youth activity areas that can be quite daunting (and brilliant) for a littlie. A few You Tube videos and some excitement from parents about how lucky the children are to be able to visit these spaces really can help them believe they will be happy in them without you there.

I see it day after day in the FB groups where parents think it's a great idea to surprise their children with a few days to go, or even at the port. In more cases than not, the children do not react the way the parents expect them too.

Just think carefully before keeping it from them.
Enjoy your cruise!

Joa

[2point]

Our first cruise was the Merrytime Christmas one. We boarded on Dec 23rd for 4 nights.

From beginning to end(almost) it was fantastic. Christmas Eve in Key West, Xmas Day at sea, Boxing Day Castaway Cay.

It was at the end of our trip, perfect to allow 'park feet' to recover.

Kids will love it with their own areas and the fab pool areas designed for them. Character interactions are so different from the parks, much more relaxed and more frequent.

If cost is a factor don't worry about an inside cabin - you are in it so little I really can't see the point paying $$$$ for it. There is so much going on and the pools/funnel vision to enjoy.

Don't fret about dress codes etc, we dress up but plenty of people wear casual all day, every day.

Only negative is the last morning. Early start, rushed breakfast and huge grumpy queues to get off.
On our last cruise we put our luggage out the night before, went to buffet breakfast and relaxed. Strolled around the empty top decks taking photos of San Diego. Much more civilized than the shuffling hell that is self disembarkation.

[DisneyDreamer!]

Thank you for the advice!
Still debating it! If we do I’ll tell them before, get them excited for it.

It’s either 3 night disney cruise and 10 nights at Wdw
Or 14 nights at wdw

Not sure what would suit them best atm 🤔