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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Q for cruise experts
I am looking at two different cruises with different ports and two different companies, they are the same price. Which one sounds more appealing based on port of calls and cruise line, if you've been to these ports or sailed w/ these cruise lines? Thanks!
Cruise #1- Norwegian CL
Miami, Florida - Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas - At Sea - Ocho Rios, Jamaica - Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - Cozumel, Mexico - At Sea - Miami, Florida
Cruise #2- Carnival CL
Miami, Florida - Nassau, Bahamas - At Sea - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - San Juan, Puerto Rico - Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands - At Sea - Miami, Florida
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Posted 10/24/11 10:28 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Q for cruise experts
#2
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| Posted 10/24/11 10:51 AM |
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MrsFrizzle
<3
Member since 9/09 4628 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Q for cruise experts
That's a tough one...I personally wouldn't sail on Carnival but the ports are better IMO. I'd probably be swayed to pick NCL even though I like the ports on Carnival better, it's just not worth it to me to go on a Carnival cruise I don't like them.
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| Posted 10/24/11 10:58 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Q for cruise experts
I'd personally go with #2 because I've been on 6 Carnival cruises and tend to go with them. Also, Grand Turk is one of my favorite ports, as is St. Thomas.
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| Posted 10/24/11 11:00 AM |
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MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Re: Q for cruise experts
Posted by JDubs
I am looking at two different cruises with different ports and two different companies, they are the same price. Which one sounds more appealing based on port of calls and cruise line, if you've been to these ports or sailed w/ these cruise lines? Thanks!
Cruise #1- Norwegian CL
Miami, Florida - Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas - At Sea - Ocho Rios, Jamaica - Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - Cozumel, Mexico - At Sea - Miami, Florida
Cruise #2- Carnival CL
Miami, Florida - Nassau, Bahamas - At Sea - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - San Juan, Puerto Rico - Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands - At Sea - Miami, Florida
We have sailed both of those lines and have enjoyed them...
As far as ports, GSC is beautiful... loved that private island... I would skip Jamaica (have heard not such great things), cruisers tend to like Grand Cayman, Cozumel is nothing special... So IMO, 2 out of 4 ports are winners
For cruise 2, I did not like Nassau at all, St thomas is gorgeous and you can even travel over to st john while there... If PR is a nighttime stop it is a waste unless you like to just go to senior frogs or wherever and drink, Grand Turk I'll be visiting in Jan and I heard it goregous and def a safe island...
I'd lean more towards #2 I think but both arent spectacular IMO
The cruise Im going on in Jan is through Princess (never tried them before) and it stops at a private island, st thomas, st maarten, and grand turk... awesome itinerary and the fact that i leaves from ft lauderdale and not miami is such a win ... I despise miami lol
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| Posted 10/24/11 11:04 AM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: Q for cruise experts
ok thanks for all the input, i guess i will have to do more research...
Are there any ports that are "must see"? and are ones that I should avoid completely? And any particular cruise lines that are your favorites?
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| Posted 10/24/11 11:43 AM |
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MrsFrizzle
<3
Member since 9/09 4628 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Q for cruise experts
For the places I've been to out of the two cruises:
Cruise 1 -
Great Stirrup Cay - I love going to the private islands each cruise ship has, it's usually one of the most relaxing days on the trip.
Ocho Rios - Pretty much the only thing to do is Dunn's Rivers Falls - if you've never done it, you'll probably like it. If you've been there, there's not much else to do.
Georgetown - Not really a fan, been there twice everything is pretty expensive there too. Some people like it though.
Cozumel - If we go here on a cruise it's usually an excursion day, the ships always offer tons of excursions in Mexico. We did a cooking class there once it was a blast! The cruise port is nice too with a lot of shops right when you get off the ship.
Cruise 2-
Nassau - I'd prefer going to one of the Cays over Nassau. It's nice though.
St. Thomas - We usually go to Coki Beach they have amazing snorkeling.
San Juan - I've only stayed here, never did it as a stop on a cruise but I love Puerto Rico.
Grand Turk Island - Never been, but would love to go to.
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| Posted 10/24/11 12:00 PM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: Q for cruise experts
I definitely like the Carnival itenerary better, but I do love NCL and NCL has a stop in Jamaica which I loved! I'd still go with NCL. JMO!
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| Posted 10/24/11 2:03 PM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
Name:
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Re: Q for cruise experts
What kind of vacation experience are you looking for? Active /outdoorsy or relaxing/beach going or festive/partying?
Carnival can get some bad reviews, but from what I have heard they have great food & it is more of a party ship usually, so its not bad if that's what you like.
NCL gets some bad reviewws on food, but that's all very subjective. I have not been on eeither of those lines.
I think I do like the Carnival itinerary better, but if it were my trip, I might go with NCL, just b/c I have not been to any of those ports. If it is all new to you, I'd go with #2.
If you are looking for other cruise lines, Royal Carribean is good for 1st time cruisers. I have also been on Princess--soeme things I liked better than RC, but RC had a better buffet  & had a more festive atmosphere, but that could have been the itinerary. My Princess cruise was 12 days in Europe, so it brought out an older crowd.
Also, when are you looking to go?
Message edited 10/24/2011 5:43:24 PM.
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| Posted 10/24/11 5:30 PM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: Q for cruise experts
I am looking at the end of February... I see that Royal Carribbean is a bit pricier, is this because they are better overall? Also same with Princess... any feedback appreciated
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| Posted 10/25/11 2:46 PM |
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Blazesyth
*yawn*
Member since 5/05 8129 total posts
Name:
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Re: Q for cruise experts
Posted by JDubs
I am looking at the end of February... I see that Royal Carribbean is a bit pricier, is this because they are better overall? Also same with Princess... any feedback appreciated
IMO Royal is better quality than NCL. On NCL you need to pay surcharges to get decent food so when you add up all the extra money for decent food you should just go for the RC cruise where paying for food isn't mandatory.
Haven't cruised Carnival or Princess.
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| Posted 10/25/11 4:08 PM |
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Re: Q for cruise experts
I love Royal Cariibbean, i dont think I will try other lines..but you have to compare what aspects of a cruise matter to you..RC has nicer ship layouts, but they are a bit more expensive than Carniva,..Carnival offers slightly better schedukes for certain destinations than RC..you need to balance those wants/needs..
Cruisecritic.com is an excellent resource..
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| Posted 10/25/11 10:40 PM |
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