Better ship or Itinerary?

We are now debating 6 Day Breeze (Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel) or 7 day Pride (Costa Maya, Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman).

4 adults and 4 kids. 9,9,9 & 7 so kid activities are important but both cruise have only 2 sea days.

I think we are in agreement Breeze is the better ship by far and the Pride has clearly the better itinerary in our opinion.and 7 days cruising is always better than 6.

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I've never chosen a cruise based on the ship. Sure, some ships have been better than others, but I consider it a minor factor. The ship board experience just hasn't deviated that much for me across ships. I'd place cruise length and itinerary well ahead of ship class.

And I have never chosen a cruise based on itinerary. I LOVE sea days! And I LOVE the Breeze. Though an extra day is always intriguing, we have done two 6 days on Breeze just for the ship. Let us know what you decide. :)

My main consideration when deciding on a cruise is the itinerary. I would choose the Pride because I like the itinerary better and it has the extra day. However, you have 4 kids to consider. If the ship is the most important factor then probably the Breeze. I really don't think you can go wrong either way. Good luck!

We are now debating 6 Day Breeze (Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel) or 7 day Pride (Costa Maya, Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman).

 

4 adults and 4 kids. 9,9,9 & 7 so kid activities are important but both cruise have only 2 sea days.

 

I think we are in agreement Breeze is the better ship by far and the Pride has clearly the better itinerary in our opinion.and 7 days cruising is always better than 6.

 

 

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I have never cruised for the ship usually its down to the destinations and where it is cruising from (usually a Florida port as its easier to get flights to Florida) I love Roatan so I would pick the Pride

After cruising the Breeze, we are taking our kids on it. Yes we could get a better itinerary and longer cruise. The kids will enjoy Breeze more than they would like the other ship that we were looking at.

For arguments sake, let's say that you're in a port for 8 hours a day. That means you're on a ship for 16 hours a day. On sea days you're on a ship for 24 hours a day. Do you get where I'm going here......

Unless you are dying to see a particular port, I would always choose the better ship. It may have better or more food options because it's a newer build, 2012 vs 2002, or because of size 130 tons vs 88.5 tons. The Pride does have the extra day, but then again, you could choose the 8 day Breeze and then the Breeze would win that battle as well and possibly would go to Aruba and Curacao, which are 2 ports that trump every one that's on your current comparison list. Good luck.

For arguments sake, let's say that you're in a port for 8 hours a day. That means you're on a ship for 16 hours a day. On sea days you're on a ship for 24 hours a day. Do you get where I'm going here......

 

Unless you are dying to see a particular port, I would always choose the better ship. It may have better or more food options because it's a newer build, 2012 vs 2002, or because of size 130 tons vs 88.5 tons. The Pride does have the extra day, but then again, you could choose the 8 day Breeze and then the Breeze would win that battle as well and possibly would go to Aruba and Curacao, which are 2 ports that trump every one that's on your current comparison list. Good luck.

I had thought of this... That makes the cabin comfort vital, but not for outdoor and kids "extras". I guess I should have narrowed it. Outdoors extras are things most would do during the daytime, and some at night, (the 8 hours in port). Port days are so different in that you get up, have breakfast and exit the ship. When you return to the ship, there might be a short period of time to enjoy the ships outside activities for a bit, then it is time to get ready for dinner and a show. Rinse repeat....

I thought a sea day heavy itinerary the ship becomes the destination and then much more important. Idk

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Both itineraries pretty much go to cookie cutter ports. Go with the nicer ship. If you're cruising based on itinerary, you may want to look into other cruise lines that operate half of their fleet with the same two itineraries at the same time.

We are now debating 6 Day Breeze (Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel) or 7 day Pride (Costa Maya, Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman).

 

4 adults and 4 kids. 9,9,9 & 7 so kid activities are important but both cruise have only 2 sea days.

 

I think we are in agreement Breeze is the better ship by far and the Pride has clearly the better itinerary in our opinion.and 7 days cruising is always better than 6.

 

 

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Based on the two itineraries, I would choose the 7 day on the Pride. First, because a 7 day cruise is better than six, and second because Ocho Rios is way down at the bottom of my list of ports I'd like to see again. If you're trying to decide based on the ship, make a list of each ship's amenities and decide what things are most important or of interest to everyone, both children and adults. And there is another option. Whichever one you don't choose this time could be the one you book for your next cruise.

The Breeze is the better ship. I have been to all those ports on both ships and I like the Breeze itinerary better. I don't like Belize or Costa Maya but I love Roatan and Grand Cayman. I love all the ports on the Breeze itinerary.

I would consider the Breeze and Pride fairly equal in terms of what they offer. Just my opinion. Plus the Pride has the Alchemy Bar, which I will always choose. :P

Seriously though, both have Guys, Blue Igauna, Bonsai, and a steak house. The only thing in terms of food that you will get on the Breeze is Cucina, the sae day bbq (which is meh to me. at least the one time I had it on the Dream), and the Hot Dog bar. Those aren't worth one less day to me.

Both have a good water park area.

Both have a Red Frog Pub.

The main difference is the lack of a sports square. Is a ropes course important to you?

I prefer the layout on the Pride.

Personally, I would choose the Pride because I like the ports much much better. I don't really have a desire to go to Ochos Rios and Roatan is hopefully on my next cruise after the Pride.

Either way, you can't really go wrong. :)

FWIW, I don't have kids. So my priorities are probably a little different. ;)

For your next cruise, I would pick the Pride because of the better itinerary. Then for your next cruise pick the Breeze with the itinerary that includes Aruba and Curacao. If you do not like the ports on the 6-day Breeze cruise, just go on the Breeze when there is a better itinerary.

For your next cruise, I would pick the Pride because of the better itinerary. Then for your next cruise pick the Breeze with the itinerary that includes Aruba and Curacao. If you do not like the ports on the 6-day Breeze cruise, just go on the Breeze when there is a better itinerary.

We are locked into a time frame due to spring break. The Sunshine has an 8 day at that time that goes south and it will trump both if the rates were comparable but they are much higher at this point. At this point we are playing chicken with the rates, hoping Breeze and Pride do not start going up while hoping the Sunshine rates come down.

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We are locked into a time frame due to spring break. The Sunshine has an 8 day at that time that goes south and it will trump both if the rates were comparable but they are much higher at this point. At this point we are playing chicken with the rates, hoping Breeze and Pride do not start going up while hoping the Sunshine rates come down.

 

 

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I completely understand. We have a 19 year old and two 18 year olds. Traveling during Spring and Summer break was the norm. It's a shame they jack up the prices during that time.

We have sailed both ships, and now that Pride has gone thru her upgrades I would say both ships are pretty equal in what they offer. However, Pride has a much better layout. And based on everything (ships and itinerary), I would choose the Pride in a heartbeat.

Have fun with whatever you decide!

I completely understand. We have a 19 year old and two 18 year olds. Traveling during Spring and Summer break was the norm. It's a shame they jack up the prices during that time.

We have sailed both ships, and now that Pride has gone thru her upgrades I would say both ships are pretty equal in what they offer. However, Pride has a much better layout. And based on everything (ships and itinerary), I would choose the Pride in a heartbeat.

Have fun with whatever you decide!

If you miss a port, which ship would you rather be on? I would go on the Breeze, be sure to buy the 3D movie package on the first or second day. Your kids will LOVE the Breeze; I would do half days in Ocho Rios and Cozumel and spend more time on board with fewer crowds.

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I think this is totally up to each person. I have only been on one cruise and we had one stop in Cozumel. I was not impressed and would not get off the boat again at that location. We are going on the Dream in April and it stops in Key West and the Bahamas. I will get off to see these places I have never been to but I am most excited about the sea days. I love having an entire day to relax and know that I have no where to be and no time constraints. It is so relaxing. Maybe I will fall in love with these port stops and change my mind for future cruises but for now I would choose ship over itinerary every time. Again, I have only been on one cruise so I need more cruising to be sure. I am working on that. :)

I think this is totally up to each person. I have only been on one cruise and we had one stop in Cozumel. I was not impressed and would not get off the boat again at that location. We are going on the Dream in April and it stops in Key West and the Bahamas. I will get off to see these places I have never been to but I am most excited about the sea days. I love having an entire day to relax and know that I have no where to be and no time constraints. It is so relaxing. Maybe I will fall in love with these port stops and change my mind for future cruises but for now I would choose ship over itinerary every time. Again, I have only been on one cruise so I need more cruising to be sure. I am working on that. :)

If you did not like Cozumel, please do a lot of research over on the ports of call section about Nassau and Freeport, because after 25 cruises they are the bottom of the list of ports I have visited and many others on here feel the same way. YMMV

We are now debating 6 Day Breeze (Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel) or 7 day Pride (Costa Maya, Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman).

 

4 adults and 4 kids. 9,9,9 & 7 so kid activities are important but both cruise have only 2 sea days.

 

I think we are in agreement Breeze is the better ship by far and the Pride has clearly the better itinerary in our opinion.and 7 days cruising is always better than 6.

 

 

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Our opinion would be that the Breeze is the better ship and itinerary. Ocho Rios is one of our favorite places and is doesn't cost an arm and a leg to take a taxi to Dunn's River Falls for a couple hours then head back for lunch and shopping. Yours in GC are also cheap off the boat and readily available. We would pick the Breeze in a heartbeat.

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I don't like the Prides public deck plans. I choose Breeze.

While I would always prefer a longer cruise and I love the itinerary for the Pride, I have to think about Belize and Roatan for the kids. While hubby and I loved those two ports with Belize being one of my all time faves, I would hesitate taking 4 kids unless they all were ok with snorkeling. If I recall, Belize is a tender port AND there are no beaches right there that you can go to. I'm not sure if there is an all inclusive there but that would be the option. Roatan, again based on memory, would also be a snorkel/water type day. 9 and 7 are below my comfort area for just open ocean swimming not close to a beach.

As a Mom of 6, thinking that you are working the zone defense like we are, I would go for the Breeze. Better ship for kids and the ports are more kid friendly.

I don't think you would go wrong on either one but it is a LOT of work taking kids and the ports on the 7 day would be much more work. All of this is my opinion of course. Have a blast!!

If you did not like Cozumel, please do a lot of research over on the ports of call section about Nassau and Freeport, because after 25 cruises they are the bottom of the list of ports I have visited and many others on here feel the same way. YMMV

Thanks. From what little research I have done, both Nassau and Free Port looked rather "blah" to me. But again, I am not big on the ports in the first place. I will get off the boat to say I have been but if we aren't enjoying it we will just get back on the ship early and enjoy the smaller crowds on board for a little while. I am most interested in just finding a nice beach nearby where we can relax for a bit before heading back. Not worried about a place to eat or drink or party or any of those things and we don't do excursions because we spend our money just getting on the boat and perhaps in the casino, lol.