Need help Deciding Ship for 5 day Cruise

Hello, all,

I've been lurking on this site for about a week and I love how friendly, open and helpful everyone seems, so I decided to join the site.

I am needing help deciding on a ship to choose for an upcoming cruise (Sept 2015). My friend has never really traveled much and told me to plan us a girls cruise. While I have traveled quite a bit, I have actually only been on one cruise before. A few years ago I sailed on the Norwegian Sky on a short 3 night cruise. I like the concept of cruising and the service was nice, but I honestly found the ship activities to be a little boring. I think I would have much more fun on a ship with more activities.

To give some background, I'm 36 and my friend girl is 41. Both single. We don't smoke (I can't be around heavy smoke), drink or gamble and we're not your typical "party crowd" but we do like to have fun, watch movies, play games, watch some sports, etc. At first I was looking at Disney Cruises because my best friend and her husband went last year and said it was awesome (they don't have any children) and that the service was superb. Then, as I started to think about it, I thought it would be better to take a less expensive cruise on a nice ship so that my friend can see if she even likes cruising before she shells out that kind of money. That search had me looking at Carnival and RCL. I think I'm leaning more towards Carnival and wanting to book a 5 day cruise.

So.......I'm trying to decide which ship to choose. I love the port stops on the Paradise, leaving out of Tampa, but then I've also read good things about the Magic and the Triumph, both of which leave out of Galveston. Galveston would be an easy drive for us to get to the port (we live in Dallas), but we don't mind flying to Tampa either. I've been reading about the 2.0 upgrades and how the Playlist Production shows are pretty disappointing, which for me is another plus for the Paradise because I believe they still keep the "old school" style of shows. But then, I've read that the Paradise is pretty dated and the Magic and Triumph are much nicer ships.

Any suggestions? Any other ships I should consider? I'm trying to finalize plans this week. Also, if you have tips on which rooms/locations are best to book on these ships, could you provide that info as well? Sorry for the long post and thanks alot!

Don't know if princess sails shorter cruised in Sept

But please put that in the mix too

Be aware that September is high peak hurricane season

Freedom will also be in Galveston soon.

Don't know if princess sails shorter cruised in Sept

But please put that in the mix too

 

Be aware that September is high peak hurricane season

Thanks. Yes, I'm aware of the hurricane season. I was reading though that there is little chance of actually being in a hurricane. Have you found that to be true?

Freedom will also be in Galveston soon.

Oh, I need to check out Freedom. Haven't looked into that one. Do you find this better than Magic, Triumph and Paradise?

Thanks. Yes, I'm aware of the hurricane season. I was reading though that there is little chance of actually being in a hurricane. Have you found that to be true?

I have cruised in hurricane season twice and it never caused any problems when we were actually sailing. But both times we missed a port due to either damage that happened there from a hurricane or the water was too rough for us to tender.

So be prepared that you might miss a port.

Freedom will also be in Galveston soon.

Just looked at the Freedom...looks like they only have 7 day cruises at that time. :confused:

Don't know if princess sails shorter cruised in Sept

But please put that in the mix too

 

Be aware that September is high peak hurricane season

September 2015 will have the Emerald Princess operating short cruises before she leaves for Australia.

Thanks. Yes, I'm aware of the hurricane season. I was reading though that there is little chance of actually being in a hurricane. Have you found that to be true?

I have only experienced a problem once and it was just a lil choppy that's all :)

Oh, I need to check out Freedom. Haven't looked into that one. Do you find this better than Magic, Triumph and Paradise?

Never been on the ships other than the freedom :) loved the Freedom and I would highly recommend it if it does the shorter cruises done a six day itinerary but not a 5 day before

The old shows are cool the new shows are good too I am more of a comedy show person so to me the shows don't really matter that much ... I would say compare prices and locations and then look at what the ship has to offer if u go on carnivals website you can compare ships to see what each has to offer

If you like noodles fresh cooked the Magic and the Paradise have this on offer ... The 2.0 updates may mean guys burgers are available on the ship

The hasbro game show is actually fun and I believe that comes with the 2.0 updates

Go with the intinerary you want to do the most :)

For a 5 Day cruise picking a ship out of the most convenient embarkation port is what I would do. ;)

LuLu

Magic for sure

Save airfare and drive to Galveston

Going on Magic again this March for 4 day

You cant beat the price and the ship is newer

and much nicer than the Triumph ....

JMHO

If you thought the Norwegian Sky was boring, I'd stay away from Princess. I've found Princess to be an older crowd, and not much going on. I've sailed Princess, and was actually on the Sky, and found the Sky to be much more fun out of the 2!

I don't have any experience with the Carnival ships you've mentioned. But I'd probably do what someone else mentioned - pick the itinerary you want, and it's a big plus to be able to drive to your port, especially for a shorter 5 day cruise!

Good luck, have fun, and let us know what you decide! :D

If you thought the Norwegian Sky was boring, I'd stay away from Princess. I've found Princess to be an older crowd, and not much going on. I've sailed Princess, and was actually on the Sky, and found the Sky to be much more fun out of the 2!

 

I don't have any experience with the Carnival ships you've mentioned. But I'd probably do what someone else mentioned - pick the itinerary you want, and it's a big plus to be able to drive to your port, especially for a shorter 5 day cruise!

 

Good luck, have fun, and let us know what you decide! :D

Princess longer cruises of 8 or more days, maybe. But the shorter cruises are more affordable with money and vacation time.

I was afraid to take the Princess cruise because of the advice of its older people and nothing to do at night-- but so glad I tried it. It was well worth the change for us

Magic for sure

Save airfare and drive to Galveston

Going on Magic again this March for 4 day

You cant beat the price and the ship is newer

and much nicer than the Triumph ....

JMHO

This.

If you don't mind flying to Miami check out the Victory. She is going into dry dock in March and will get most of the 2.0 upgrades. We had a great time on her last month going on a 4 nighter going to Key West and Cozumel.

I went on an all girls cruise on RCL and loved it! We did 4 or 5 night. The entertainment was fun-hilarious when cruise director asked someone to get a thong and someone took off their undies...she meant Flip FLop! I'm sure the company you are with will make it fun whatever ship you take :)

Go with either Triumph or Magic. They should both have more to do. Just pick the cheapest one and go that route. I think you will be happy with either. Magic is newer. But if you look at RCCL. Check out the Brilliance of the Seas. It leaves out of Tampa too.

Been on 2 cruises on Paradise. Both were 5 day trips and for the price, you just can't beat it.

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If you thought the Norwegian Sky was boring, I'd stay away from Princess. I've found Princess to be an older crowd, and not much going on. I've sailed Princess, and was actually on the Sky, and found the Sky to be much more fun out of the 2!

 

I don't have any experience with the Carnival ships you've mentioned. But I'd probably do what someone else mentioned - pick the itinerary you want, and it's a big plus to be able to drive to your port, especially for a shorter 5 day cruise!

 

Good luck, have fun, and let us know what you decide! :D

Yes, I checked out Princess, and it looked like there was not much to do....looked nice, but not the type of cruise I'm looking for right now.

Thanks for all of the suggestions, everyone! This is very helpful. Yes, Galveston is probably the best move, provided that we find a ship that meets our timing and destination needs. I've started looking at the Magic out of Galveston, and that looks like a fun ship! Problem is, in Sept they only have 7 day cruises. The only ship leaving out of Galveston for a 5 day cruise is the Triumph. In this case, maybe it's better to look at Paradise then? Or maybe look at another line that leaves from Galveston?

We've been on the Triumph twice and had a great time and great service both times. Also had an aft wrap balcony both times and our cabin was a very nice layout compared to the regular balcony cabins. But certainly check out what other lines have ships leaving from the ports you like for the number of days you want to cruise. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

If you don't care about the ship, Paradise is nice. The crew was amazing, but it's very small and VERY gaudy. It's in desperate need of a makeover and doesn't have any of the bells and whistles.

Carnival Paradise April 2014

Allure of the Seas November 2014

Carnival Breeze February 2014

We were on the Triumph last year and will sail on her again this summer. She is showing some wear but overall it's a nice ship. While there are lots of activities, we mainly played trivia (our favorite being the one held in the piano bar), bingo, played some in the casino and just relaxed. There is a small putting golf type course on Deck 12 which we played but it was mid August and really hot. There is a big screen on the Lido deck and they show a family friendly movie at night.

We find that on a 5 day cruise with 2 port days, it's not difficult to keep ourselves entertained. We've brought cards but never got around to playing with them.

I will start with the PARADISE is one of our favorite ship's second only to the Sensation.

We just got home Sat. from a five day on the Paradise & if you think you would like the old shows better that is the ship for you. :)

That being said I had a nice talk with Steve ( CD ) on Fri & he told me that the ship was going to the 2.0 in November.

Will go from the lead singers & 14 dancers & the live band with Tony as leader to the 2.0. :eek:

This show is awesome & we will miss it so much.

Yes I know it is going to Dry Dock next Mth. but changes will not come in until Nov. as per CD.

Char

I agree with Char just above. "Paradise" is fantastic, and I know you'll have a great cruise aboard that ship. I'd suggest that you catch the GREAT entertainment aboard "Paradise" while it's still available. ;) The shows, the food, the service, and the overall cruise aboard "Paradise" is outstanding.

"SKY"