Need help deciding next DCL trip!

[lisset005]

Hubby and I are celebrating our 20 year wedding anniversary in September and are currently booked on the Magic for 5 nights. We were planning on adding in 3-4 park days while in FL. But, now we are looking at giving up our park days to do a 7 night on the Treasure. Feeling so torn on what to choose! The 7 night itinerary is on my DCL bucket list, but we were also really looking forward to checking out Lighthouse Point. For reference, love the idea of a second Disney owned stop at Lighthouse where we don't have to worry about food, or anything. We like to just relax on the beach, swim in the ocean, and snorkel. Nothing too exciting, haha. We sailed on Wonder (3 night/pre-kids) about 18 years ago, and then sailed on the Wish twice last year (4 night/took all 5 kids) so have only ever been to Nassau and CC. This will be our first vacation without any kids with us! For all the seasoned cruisers give me all the info and recommendations!

 

[Erica1016]

Lighthouse is great, but you'll really love a 7-night cruise! And we love the Eastern Caribbean itinerary!

 

[cvjw]

7 night 100%. Then do a cruise to LP another time.

 

[lisset005]

Lighthouse is great, but you'll really love a 7-night cruise! And we love the Eastern Caribbean itinerary!

Any recommendations for excursions on Tortola or St. Thomas? We would like to find an uncrowded, beautiful beach to relax on. Might be open to a snorkeling excursion or something on one of the islands though. I keep reading about the Baths in Tortola people seem to love.

 

[iloveeeyore]

Treasure!!

There is a Champagne Catamaran excursion on St Thomas that is great or go to Trunk Bay (which is on St John). Trunk bay is a perfect beach with great snorkeling. On Tortola, the Baths is excellent, choose an early one because it gets very crowded...or Jost Van Dyke.

 

[magsnwonderland]

Without kids, I’d definitely pick the 7 night. I love the Virgin Islands and there is so much to do that’s easier/more enjoyable without kids.

 

[Erica1016]

Any recommendations for excursions on Tortola or St. Thomas? We would like to find an uncrowded, beautiful beach to relax on. Might be open to a snorkeling excursion or something on one of the islands though. I keep reading about the Baths in Tortola people seem to love.

We're not huge excursion people, but both ports are beautiful. We tend to be just walk-around for a while and enjoy the view from the ship the rest of the day. People do rave about the Baths and Meagan's Bay, but we haven't done either.

We did do the Island Drive and Beach Break (TT11) and that was perfect for us. I wanted the ride to see the views from the mountains/hills and go to a beach. DH is not a big beach guy. Cane Garden Bay was very nice! I think you could pay $5 to get a chair/umbrella, but we didn't. I just spent my time in the water and DH walked down the beach and back.

 

[bethy]

The Treasure! We were at WDW in December and I spent much of the time wishing I had spent the money on more cruise nights! Plus you don't spend your time unpacking and then packing and then relocating in the middle. We've only done one 7 night DCL and it was and Eastern and it was magical and so relaxing.

 

[Mommb]

If you have any interest in upscale dining, I would go with the Treasure so you could try to book Enchante.

The Treasure also has more interesting bar areas. The Magic is great but if you've been on the Wonder, there won't be a lot that's significantly different other than the restaurants, the shows, and the lounge area between the Deck 3 dining rooms. Although the layout of the Treasure is similar to the Wish, it sounds like there are differences in many of the themed locations.

 

[lisset005]

Treasure!!

There is a Champagne Catamaran excursion on St Thomas that is great or go to Trunk Bay (which is on St John). Trunk bay is a perfect beach with great snorkeling. On Tortola, the Baths is excellent, choose an early one because it gets very crowded...or Jost Van Dyke.

That sounds amazing!! Thank you for the recommendations!

 

[lisset005]

Without kids, I’d definitely pick the 7 night. I love the Virgin Islands and there is so much to do that’s easier/more enjoyable without kids.

I think because I’m changing plans a few months before it makes me nervous! I don’t know anything about those islands, only that this 7 night itinerary is on my bucket list! There is no way we could swing it with our 5 kids so golden opportunity? Guess I better start researching

 

[lisset005]

If you have any interest in upscale dining, I would go with the Treasure so you could try to book Enchante.

The Treasure also has more interesting bar areas. The Magic is great but if you've been on the Wonder, there won't be a lot that's significantly different other than the restaurants, the shows, and the lounge area between the Deck 3 dining rooms. Although the layout of the Treasure is similar to the Wish, it sounds like there are differences in many of the themed locations.

I honestly don’t remember much about the Wonder, it was so long ago. We did the Wish 2X last year (with our 5 kids) and LOVED it! Been a bit nervous about being disappointed in the Magic because the rooms are older/more run down. We really loved Palo on the Wish and didn’t get to enjoy alot of the adult areas because we had our kids last two times. Definitely leaning towards the Treasure now

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We've done both. Lookout Cay is wonderful, but the Treasure is amazing. Highly recommend Treasure. Also, if you're into snorkeling: do the caves at Norman Island when in Tortola

 

[OKW Lover]

We've done all of the ports. Would take CC over LHP any time. Love the Virgin Islands. For us the length of the cruise is the deciding factor so Treasure all the way.

 

[Skippyboo]

Treasure. The parks in September are super hot and humid.

 

[dreamer17555]

I vote for the parks with the Magic- My reasoning is we do not know how much longer the Magic will be on the East Coast and she will have far fewer guests at Lookout and Castaway which improves the experience IMO.

When calculating cost do not forget to add in the additional tips, excursions, etc. We spend so much more on a 7 night because of that.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

I would pick the Treasure. If it's a bucket list trip and you wouldn't usually be able to, I would definitely pick it. I would also love to go to the Virgin Islands.

We just did a cruise to Lighthouse Point and honestly, didn't love it (might be better in summer though).

 

[Annabell]

I vote for the 7 night. The longer the better.

 

[imbelle]

Any recommendations for excursions on Tortola or St. Thomas? We would like to find an uncrowded, beautiful beach to relax on. Might be open to a snorkeling excursion or something on one of the islands though. I keep reading about the Baths in Tortola people seem to love.

Spring Bay is a beautiful, uncrowded beach which is just down the road from the Baths on Virgin Gorda.