Jrw118
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Posts posted by Jrw118
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Jrw118
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Welcome to cruising!
A newer does not necessarily mean a better ship.
The Dream is an overcrowded ship with two small pools. With this enormous crowd, you'll be able to stand in the pools, not to swim:
The pools on the Conquest are the same size but there will be 600 less of those who want to stand in them.
The Conquest is less crowded, more pleasant ship to cruise.
But the Dream has two advantages:
1. Better spa with an extensive Thermal Suite
2. Much more advanced water slides.
So....
As your boys want to swim, your first option will be beautiful Caribbean beaches, not miserable pools filled to capacity with drunk sweaty bodies.
Look at the itinerary first.
I will suggest a few options to consider with their pros and cons.
First of all, stay away from that cruise on the Dream. This cruise may turn your off cruising forever.
Your options can be (random order, not by priority):
7 Days Caribbean-Western
Carnival Cruise Line • Carnival Magic
Miami, Grand Cayman, Mahogany Bay Roatan, Belize City, Cozumel, Miami
Departure date: Feb 17 2019
About the same price.
Pros and cons vs your cruise on the Dream:
Same ship (a sister ship)
Four ports. One additional port is a plus, but it's not the best itinerary overall.
7 Days Caribbean-Western
Norwegian Cruise Line • Norwegian Getaway
Miami, Roatan, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Miami
Departure dates: Feb 17, 2019
Price - more, but not too much more.
This is a better option vs the cruise on the Dream.
More entertaining ship, much better food (note that it's a norm to book specialty restaurants on NCL - this is the way to cruise on NCL, it's a must - that's why I pointed out somewhat higher price). Absolutely thrilling water slides. Better shows. This is a crowded ship too. The itinerary is better - more opportunities to enjoy beaches (Roatan, Harvest Caye - private island, Cozumel).
7 Days Caribbean-Western
Holland America Line • ms Nieuw Amsterdam
Fort Lauderdale, Half Moon Cay, Ocho Rios, Cayman/George Town, Cozumel, Fort Lauderdale
1 departure date: Feb 17 2019
I include this cruise for you to consider.
Pros
Top best of the best 7-day itinerary for those looking for Caribbean beaches - 4 (!) resort beach islands. HMC is the single best private resort island in the industry. Cayman - Royal Palms Beach is a few minutes from the port on a taxi.
Ocho Rios - the beach is within walking distance. Cozumel - quite a few beaches to choose from (more distant, research is required).
A 5* ship - most comfortable and relaxing ship in the Caribbean.
Current prices are higher, but note that the 3rd and 4th passenger in the cabin may sail free (check the current offers). A cruise on this luxury ship may cost you less that on Carnival or MSC!
This ship has extra large inside cabins - top value for money.
Cons (for you)
The ship is the most romantic, a private yacht feel - this is where its entertainment comes from. This is the most valuable kind of entertainment as it's only available on classy ships at sea. But this is not a "typical fun" for kids. There are pools but no water slides.
However I would prefer a day on a Caribbean island to any water slides on a ship.
7 Days Caribbean-Western
Royal Caribbean Int. • Allure of the Seas
Miami, Nassau, Cozumel, Roatan, Costa Maya, Miami
1 departure date: Feb 17 2019
Pros
This is a floating city - the most entertaining ship at sea. None of your original options come close to any extent.
This cruise will cost you more but it's worth it. Four port on this ship is a rare case. Normally they do three ports only.
Remember that the largest Royal Caribbean ships is the first choice for families with kids (from 3-4 y.o.), but their itineraries are likely to be the worst (not in this case!)
If you can afford the price difference - go for it. The difference in the experience is tremendous.
Cons
Price
These are the options that I was able to find for you.
IMO any of these options will bring you far better cruising experience than the original two.
Have a fantastic cruise vacation!
Thank you so much for the very detailed response. I truly appreciate it. I will research the cruises you listed.
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Hello, Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
We are considering 2 cruises. Not sure which is the best option for us. We have never cruised before. We have previously booked a cruise but were unable to go.
1) conquest 2/16/19 8 day (Grand Turk, St Kitts, San Juan, St Maarten) eastern Caribbean out of Ft Lauderdale.
2) Dream 2/17/19 7 day Western (grand Cayman, Cozumel, Jamaica)
Prices are very similar, the Dream being about $100 cheaper.
I have 2 boys 10 & 13 years old. Their entertainment is priority. They are competitive swimmers so any water activities are a plus.
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Thank you for the reply. On the deck plan it appears that the room is at the beginning of the galley I would assume your advice still would apply?
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Anyone? How about the general area?
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I just booked this room for February 2016. Never cruised before and not sure I made the right choice. Has anyone stayed in this room and can give me some feedback? We are 2 adults and 2 kids. This is a land based casino offer. Balcony is $400 more and I'm not sure it's worth it. Thx
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Thank you. Can someone recommend a room/category on the splendor?
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I booked on the pride for February 2016 to the Bahamas and I am concerned about the weather. I have to travel that week so I have 2 other choices.
1) splendor -eastern Amber cove Dominican Republic, st. Thoma, Puerto Rico, and grand Turk out of Miami
2) dream - western Montego Bay Jamaica, grand cayman, Cozumel
Out of New Orleans.
Please help me choose. Thanks
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Thanks for all of your suggestions. I ended up choosing the pride out of balitmore. This was we can drive (4-5hours) to port but won't have to worry. Which is worth it's weight in gold. Ended up with an 8j extended balcony.
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Does your school have restrictions on taking personal days before a vacation?
Yes unfortunately my contract does not allow for m to tie the day before. That is why we have this dilemma.
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I have booked the freedom in a grand scenic ocean view for 2/13/16. It departs on a Saturday out of Galveston. The problem is that I have to work on Friday the 12th. I would not be able to leave until at least 6 pm which significantly limits the flights from New York. I am very concerned about traveling from New York in February with the weather and now the time frame has me very concerned. After speaking with my husband we have thought about changing ships that leave on Sunday 2/14. This would give us an entire extra day to get to the port location. Our choices are the Dream out of Nola probably in a cove balcony or the splendor out of Miami that also leaves on 2/14 also in a Balcony. I really wanted to stay in the GSOV, but am very concerned that we may not be able to make it. This is the only week we can travel. It is a reservation with a casino based certificate that has restrictions, and I am a teacher so I have to travel on school breaks. Looking for some help. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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I am on the carnival freedom any grand scenic oceanview room but I am strongly considering switching to the dream in a cold balcony. I am traveling with my two sons who are seven and 10 years old as well as my husband. Any thoughts?
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What is the cost for parking?
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Would you mind posting a link or pricing. Thabks
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We will be sailing on CCL Freedom in 2/13/16. Can anyone share what they may have paid in the past for a rental car for the week? Trying to determine if it's worth it to rent or just take shuttles. Prices now are $300+ which to me is outrageous. I'm sure it will get cheaper but would like a ballpark number to determine if it's even an option for us. Thanks.
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Stayed at the Inn at the waterpark
They have a cruise special for 89.00
Includes parking and free shuttle to and from port
Just booked this for our February 2016 Freedom cruise at $94.00 ($108.00 with tax) for a family of 4 including the shuttle to the port.
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Your going to love the room. We had it on the Freedom last year. It still had that new smell to it with the carpeting, etc. because they had only been added a couple of months prior. Plenty of room for 4 people. The kids will have to sleep on the pull out couch but it's very spacious. My two had plenty of room. The room steward will keep the bed down the entire time. It's easier for him/her, but if you prefer just ask for it to be put up during the day.
We had plenty of closet space and room for our suitcases. The little nook on the side of the bed by the window in the corner provides extra room for storage. It's just a fantastic room. Beautiful views and the thermostat works, so you can adjust it if the sunlight makes the room to warm. At night, you have to keep the shades closed if you have the lights on. A few times after we went to bed, we raised the shade. No words for the quiet panoramic view you get of the moonlight hitting the ocean!
Only down side to our stay was the shade on one of the windows was broken. I would think they have that fixed by now. I heard it was still broke just a few months ago. For that, the manager at guest services gave us some obc and a discount on our next cruise. I didn't even ask for it but my guess is that he did it automatically since apparently that shade had been broken since they built the cabin during the drydock last year.
If I can dig out my pics, I will post a few.
Thanks for the info. Any luck finding the pictures?
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Just booked the GCOV on freedom for 2-14/16 out of Galveston. 2 adults and 2 kids (10&7). Never cruised before. We were booked to go 2/2014 but never got to travel. For this trip I had originally booked NCL dawn in a family suite but was given a casino certificate for carnival. It was several thousand cheaper so I booked the FREEDOM. My kids are both competitive swimmers and live the water will the freedom keep them busy? What about my room choice? Also is there a reasonably priced way to get from the airport to the port?
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I am upgrading to a 6m on the Dream. When I called carnival they told me I would have to pay in full for all passengers at booking even though final payment date is November 30???? So I am trying to book just first 2 ($95 upgrade fee and taxes/port charges)
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I just received a cruise certificate from my land-based casino. It is for a free interior cabin. Can I book the first two passengers now and add the third and fourth at a later date? The final payment date will not be until November 30, 2015
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I cannot believe that the 5&6 pax are free also.
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I have a SJ suite booked for my family of 4 and I am considering adding my inlaws to make it 6 people. It would be 4 adults a d 2 kids 10 & 7. How tight will it be? Also with the promotion, would the 5&6 be entitled to the UPD And UPB?
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Here are suite perks
Exclusive Amenities
Special Services
Distinctive keycard
Butler & concierge service
Butler to unpack your luggage
Eats, Treats and Libations
Champagne, custom selection of liquor**, fruit, bottled water and sodas
Sparkling wine, bottled water and fruit on Embarkation Day
Mini-bar and espresso/cappuccino machine
24-hour Room Service
Specialty dining delivered to your suite from any restaurant (cover charges apply)
Treats delivered right to your door each night
Thoughtful Touches
Bliss Collection by Norwegian[emoji769] pillow-top mattress
Fine linens, feather duvet and pillow menu
Plush bathrobes, slippers and towels
Arrival and Departure
Priority embarkation and disembarkation
Escort to suite
Priority boarding of tenders to shore
Complimentary limousine service from pier to airport***
I am staying in a SJ on the dawn does the complementary limo service to the airport apply? If so how would I book it?
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So is the country inn & suites. I booked through the hotel. Jody meyers. Her email is
Dream vs conquest February 2019
in Carnival Cruise Lines
Posted