Ahoy, Brenda!
When considering a Disney Cruise Line (DCL) vacation, more is better! I have
never left a Disney ship on debarkation day wishing the cruise had ended sooner.
A
4-Night Bahamian Cruise sets sail from Port
Canaveral and includes one day in Nassau, one on Disney's Castaway Cay
and one at sea. The
5-night Bahamian Cruise includes one additional day at Castaway Cay -- which is hands-down guests' favorite port of call.
Like me, you travel with a variety of ages in your family. Cost may be a consideration for you when adding an extra day onto a cruise. However, when figuring in the expense and effort of getting to the port from home, you will not regret adding a day onto the cruise. It's worth it for the whole gang to feel like they've experienced the ship and all the ports of call.
As far as visiting the parks before or after a cruise, you'll get a different answer from other guests who have experienced a
Surf & Turf vacation. I like to visit the parks first since we usually drive from home and have our own car -- and thus, our own transportation schedule. In fact, we've been known to visit the parks a day or two before a Disney cruise
and a day or two afterward! Yet, others think that you "lose" a day at the parks when doing parks first then cruise. Take a look at the video link I've provided above to see what I'm talking about.
Let me know what you decide -- I'd love to answer more questions for you. Have a wonderful day and a magical vacation. Bon voyage!
Andi