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I have never been so conflicted! Booked on RCL, BOTS....considering Sunshine! HELP!


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Ok so I am taking my 14 yr old daughter on her first cruise March 2019. We are currently booked on RCL Brilliance of the Seas out of Tampa. I have never sailed RCL and I have never gone from Tampa. The ports are Cozumel and Grand Cayman and its 5 days.

I was looking around on Carnivals site and found we could take a 5 day from Port Canaveral on the Sunshine to Grand Turk and Amber Cove. I have never sailed from Port Canaveral but I have been on the Sunshine and I did enjoy her in adult company.

 

Cruises are almost the same exact price.

So....can anyone give me some insight between these two ships?? I have never been so conflicted in making a decision. lol On one hand I am excited to try RCL but I guess its mostly the unknown of a cruise line new to me.

HELP!!!

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I guess the first question is ... did you book with non-refundable deposit? If yes, maybe that resolves your conflict.

 

It was a long time ago, but I really enjoyed RC.

Deposit is refundable. When I booked I wasn’t 100% sure we were going at all. So I won’t lose any money changing

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Personally, I book based on ports and not on the ship. I’m not very picky when it comes to ships. As long as they feed me and provide entertainment, I’m good. But it’s the things I do in the ports that I find most memorable. If I were deciding between these two I would figure out what excursions I would want to do at each port, then I would pick whichever ones seem more exciting. Or new. I like new experiences and prefer new ports to ones I’ve been to before. But that’s just me. What are you hoping to get out of this vacation?

 

 

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I hate to be a fuddy duddy but the Sunshine is the only cruise ship I’d ever advise someome against if choice was between it and another ship. You’ve been on the ship and thought it was fine so that should factor into your decision too but I feel like it is always has a crowded feel and it flows the worst of any ship I’ve ever been on. It’s saving grace is the nightclub (though the DJ sucked in August) and I like the back lido food area with the cuban food, JiJis, Italian and open seating. It had excellent views and access to lots of different food in the AM and at night. The casino was never good too me but has a good location. The gym sucked and the Red Frog Pub was bad location but they did they job!

 

I hate to be negative but I’d consider another ship. I’m very sad that she is in Charleston soon as it is so drivable for us. The only way id sail her now is bermuda on the cheap!

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My daughter has sailed the Sunshine, and loved it so much, she’s headed back out on it on Easter. Her kids loved it! As for Royal, we have sailed 2 Royal ships, and they always have a good product, but I think the Brilliance is an older ship (I’m thinking older than Explorer class without the Promenade design), so I would look at some videos on YouTube on this ship, and then the Sunshine. Have your daughter watch them, then decide which looks best to you.

 

 

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The Sunshine has a really nice Serenity so that can be nice if your daughter is at the camp or something. Based on the ports, the Sunshine is much better. I love Grand Turk, even after being there like five times.

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Thanks for the responses! My daughter is fine with whatever I choose. She is very easy going and just excited to go with me. I think honestly I am leaving more towards Sunshine because I am not too excited about Cozumel. Although I really like the turtle farm in Grand Cayman. I know whatever we do she wants to swim w dolphins. I am wondering if Amber Cove would be better for that?? Another factor I am thinking about is the port. I am normally traveling with my husband and a group of friends. Is Tampa easier to navigate than Orlando?I know I am over thinking this. Lol

As a side note we recently tried NCL and fell in love! Saw a lot of differences between carnival and them. So maybe that’s why I am looking at RCL??

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Ok so I am taking my 14 yr old daughter on her first cruise March 2019. We are currently booked on RCL Brilliance of the Seas out of Tampa. I have never sailed RCL and I have never gone from Tampa. The ports are Cozumel and Grand Cayman and its 5 days.

I was looking around on Carnivals site and found we could take a 5 day from Port Canaveral on the Sunshine to Grand Turk and Amber Cove. I have never sailed from Port Canaveral but I have been on the Sunshine and I did enjoy her in adult company.

 

Cruises are almost the same exact price.

So....can anyone give me some insight between these two ships?? I have never been so conflicted in making a decision. lol On one hand I am excited to try RCL but I guess its mostly the unknown of a cruise line new to me.

HELP!!!

 

The Sunshine is a better ship in almost every way over the BOTS (IMO) but the ports on the BOTS cruise beat the heck out of the ports on the Sunshine cruise (again IMO). So are you cruising for the ship or the ports? Otherwise, pull out a quarter and flip.

 

BTW, sailing out of Tampa is fantastic, especially when going under the Sunshine Bridge.

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Thanks for the responses! My daughter is fine with whatever I choose. She is very easy going and just excited to go with me. I think honestly I am leaving more towards Sunshine because I am not too excited about Cozumel. Although I really like the turtle farm in Grand Cayman. I know whatever we do she wants to swim w dolphins. I am wondering if Amber Cove would be better for that?? Another factor I am thinking about is the port. I am normally traveling with my husband and a group of friends. Is Tampa easier to navigate than Orlando?I know I am over thinking this. Lol

As a side note we recently tried NCL and fell in love! Saw a lot of differences between carnival and them. So maybe that’s why I am looking at RCL??

 

Port Canaveral is about 45 miles from Orlando so no need to worry about navigating Orlando. Port in Tampa is easy to get to as well (IMO).

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Port Canaveral is much easier to navigate than Tampa. It's just like a little beach town.:D

 

No need to know or really navigate Tampa. Just take I-4 west and get off at exit 3 (Hwy 41). Turn left (south) until you get to Hwy 60. Turn right (west) and it takes you right to the cruise port. The only way you can miss it is if you cover your eyes.

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I was going to suggest the Sunshine cruise, based on the ports - but Conquest is a great ship and Amber Cove, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay are great ports - that's an awesome itinerary in my opinion!

Ya I think I am going to book that one. I am familiar with Ft Lauderdale since we have sailed from there several times. I really like the Sunshine because of the Serenity Deck but I wont be doing adult only things since my daughter is 14. I also didnt realize the Conquest added BBQ. I think last time we sailed on her it was fish and chips up there.

I need to stop thinking about it. lol

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Just book the Conquest. You get Amber Cove and Grand Turk just like the Sunshine, it's on a larger ship, it's 1 day longer and you get HMC to boot. Just decide on inside, OV or balcony and leave it at that. And stay on the ship in Nassau. ;)

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Just book the Conquest. You get Amber Cove and Grand Turk just like the Sunshine, it's on a larger ship, it's 1 day longer and you get HMC to boot. Just decide on inside, OV or balcony and leave it at that. And stay on the ship in Nassau. ;)

 

That's what I would have chose, HMC is a great addition.

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Going on BOTS in December and Conquest next April. I enjoyed my other cruise on RCI, and they have a nice blend of activities as well as upscale relaxation. That said, RCI is undergoing some major technical difficulties with the merger of their website with the "X".

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