Need help deciding!

[NCteacherlovescruising]

We are thinking of booking a cruise for late Feb. to celebrate my graduation and my husband's birthday. It will just be the two of us! :D (I feel bad, really I do, but my son's school breaks are different than mine since I work for a different school.) We have narrowed it down to:

 

7 day~ Port Canaveral on the Dream: (Never been on the Dream) Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten This one is closest to home and I have never been to St. Maarten. We went to St. Thomas once but would love to see St. John.

 

8 day~ Ft. Lauderdale on the Freedom: (Never been on the Freedom) St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola, Nassau. We have never been to Antigua or Tortola. We would have to make an 11 1/2 hour drive on Sunday and go to work on Monday. This is the most expensive, but only about $60/pp.

 

7 day~ Miami on the Liberty (We liked the Liberty last time) Grand Cayman (wasn't feeling very well last time we were there so I just walked around the port a bit), Cozumel (LOVE!), Belize, and Roatan (Never been to Belize or Roatan) Same price as the Dream

 

I would love any advice you are willing to offer on ports, weather at these ports in late Feb. and the ships. Thanks in advance!!

[CruzLover80]

Hmmm... really good options and it depends on your price point. I like the 8 day itinerary, but 11 1/2 hour drive back... eh. Now, I'm driving to NC next weekend 10 hrs for me and will be back to work the next day, so I know it's doable and at least you'll be rested from the cruise. To park in Ft. Lauderdale is soooooo much easier than Miami.

 

The Dream looks like a nice ship and the ports are nice. If I were looking to keep it simple with a new ship and new port, I'd go Dream.

 

If I were looking for completely different ports and didn't mind the drive or the extra money, I'd go Freedom.

 

Liberty, although I love her and had a fabulous time, I'd go for a different ship and at least one different port every time.

 

I see your dilemma!!

[angel54321]

We are thinking of booking a cruise for late Feb. to celebrate my graduation and my husband's birthday. It will just be the two of us! :D (I feel bad, really I do, but my son's school breaks are different than mine since I work for a different school.) We have narrowed it down to:

 

8 day~ Ft. Lauderdale on the Freedom: (Never been on the Freedom) St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola, Nassau. We have never been to Antigua or Tortola. We would have to make an 11 1/2 hour drive on Sunday and go to work on Monday. This is the most expensive, but only about $60/pp.

 

Thanks in advance!!

 

I can't offer any advice on the cruise out of Miami or Port Canaveral...... But we sailed out of Fort Lauderdale last August on the Freedom with that exact itinerary.

 

We absolutely loved it....

In Antigua we went to the most beautiful beach I've ever been to in my entire life.... Valley Church beach....

From Tortola we took a ferry to Virgin Gorda and went to The Baths.... definitely an awesome time, bring your own snorkel gear.....

 

The boat, if you read reviews of it, people often complain the decor is "tacky" with these Statue of Liberty's everywhere.... But that didn't bother me too much.

 

We enjoyed the comedy club, spent too much time in the casino.... Our waitstaff was awesome.... Our cabin steward was great...

 

My only real complaint was about 1) some of the food from the MDR was not the best and 2) areas for kids to swim was not a lot.... There was a "kids pool" about the size of my bathtub and 1/2 as deep.... (They must have meant baby pool) and the regular pool was too deep for my son to swim in (he wasn't a very good swimmer and we didn't bring a floatie for him).

 

However, if don't think making an 11 1/2 hr drive would be fun at all after a cruise.... I'd choose port Canaveral b/c it's closer to you...

The Dream has the 2.0 upgrades, which the freedom does not.

But if you are 11 1/2 hrs from Fort Lauderdale, are you like 8 or 9 hours from port Canaveral ???

 

 

Good luck with your decision,

I'm sure no matter what you will have fun!!!

 

 

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[CruzLover80]

But if you are 11 1/2 hrs from Fort Lauderdale, are you like 8 or 9 hours from port Canaveral ???

 

But the OP would be leaving on a Sat as opposed to a Sun, which will give them time to relax at home on Sunday

 

Aren't cruise ships supposed to be tacky?? :D

[NCteacherlovescruising]

Hmmm... really good options and it depends on your price point. I like the 8 day itinerary, but 11 1/2 hour drive back... eh. Now, I'm driving to NC next weekend 10 hrs for me and will be back to work the next day, so I know it's doable and at least you'll be rested from the cruise. To park in Ft. Lauderdale is soooooo much easier than Miami.

 

The Dream looks like a nice ship and the ports are nice. If I were looking to keep it simple with a new ship and new port, I'd go Dream.

 

If I were looking for completely different ports and didn't mind the drive or the extra money, I'd go Freedom.

 

Liberty, although I love her and had a fabulous time, I'd go for a different ship and at least one different port every time.

 

I see your dilemma!!

 

We don't mind the extra money, it's not much higher. We don't know if we want to make an 11 1/5 hour drive the day before returning to work.

 

I can't offer any advice on the cruise out of Miami or Port Canaveral...... But we sailed out of Fort Lauderdale last August on the Freedom with that exact itinerary.

 

We absolutely loved it....

In Antigua we went to the most beautiful beach I've ever been to in my entire life.... Valley Church beach....

From Tortola we took a ferry to Virgin Gorda and went to The Baths.... definitely an awesome time, bring your own snorkel gear.....

 

The boat, if you read reviews of it, people often complain the decor is "tacky" with these Statue of Liberty's everywhere.... But that didn't bother me too much.

 

We enjoyed the comedy club, spent too much time in the casino.... Our waitstaff was awesome.... Our cabin steward was great...

 

My only real complaint was about 1) some of the food from the MDR was not the best and 2) areas for kids to swim was not a lot.... There was a "kids pool" about the size of my bathtub and 1/2 as deep.... (They must have meant baby pool) and the regular pool was too deep for my son to swim in (he wasn't a very good swimmer and we didn't bring a floatie for him).

 

However, if don't think making an 11 1/2 hr drive would be fun at all after a cruise.... I'd choose port Canaveral b/c it's closer to you...

The Dream has the 2.0 upgrades, which the freedom does not.

But if you are 11 1/2 hrs from Fort Lauderdale, are you like 8 or 9 hours from port Canaveral ???

 

 

Good luck with your decision,

I'm sure no matter what you will have fun!!!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

I think Antigua is toward the top of my lists of ports.

 

I enjoyed the 2.0 upgrades on the Liberty, esp. the Guys burgers and the pizza was better. And yes, we are about 9 hours from Port Canaveral but those extra 2 1/2 hours are miserable. Besides, the Dream is Sat.-Sat. and I have Friday off. If I was basing it purely on ports, I don't think I would pick the Dream. However, it would be the most convenient and I have always wanted to try it. I guess it's coming down to ports or ship and convenience.

[riclop]

Dream for me newer ship and you like the ports.

[angel54321]

The cruise on the Freedom is 60pp more but it's an 8 day cruise, not 7......

 

 

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[NCteacherlovescruising]

The cruise on the Freedom is 60pp more but it's an 8 day cruise, not 7......

 

 

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Yeah, it would be our first 8 day. :)

[Thommy_Boy]

Rough call. I would go with either the Dream or the 8 day cruise. Dream because I have never been on that class of ship. 8 day cause it is an extra day.

[AXiDMonica]

The Dream because you would get to see St. John. Trunk Bay is one of (if not) the MOST BEAUTIFUL beaches in the world. (IMO) ... Plus its the best ships out of the three and its closer to home.

 

I've been to San Juan/St.Thomas/St. John in Feb and the weather was warm... the water was a bit cold but as long as the sun is out it's fine!

 

Let us know what you choose! Congrats on the graduation! ;)

[flutist14_99]

I have done the Dream on that exact run and loved every minute! However, I've never done any of the others. I do know from experience that it is no fun to come back from an awesome relaxing vacation just to turn around and be exhausted from having to jump back in so quick. I vote Dream!

[kona_wahine]

I love Belize and Roatan! In belize did the rendezvous snorkel excursion and they take you from the ship to this teeny tiny island at the barrier reef. It was awesome. In Roatan we did the zip line beach excursion. The zipline was our first and I loved it. Then they take you to Tabyana beach which is a little stretch of heaven. They have chairs set up for canival and you can buy drinks and food. In Cozumel, we went to nachi cocum which was a relaxing beach day. We did the eastern first time on the dream but I think I enjoyed the western more.

 

And if you do go on the Dream, the cove balconies are fabulous.

[NCteacherlovescruising]

Rough call. I would go with either the Dream or the 8 day cruise. Dream because I have never been on that class of ship. 8 day cause it is an extra day.

 

 

Yes, we have eliminated the Conquest. However, we have added the Norwegian Dawn out of Tampa. It's 7 nights for a little less than the Dream and includes a $50 on board credit and a bottle of wine. I It goes to Roatan, Belize City, Costa May and Cozumel. Decisions, decisions!! :confused:

[NCteacherlovescruising]

I have done the Dream on that exact run and loved every minute! However, I've never done any of the others. I do know from experience that it is no fun to come back from an awesome relaxing vacation just to turn around and be exhausted from having to jump back in so quick. I vote Dream!

 

We have both decided if we do the Sat.-Sun. (Freedom) we will just take Monday off. I do think I would like the Dream though.

 

I love Belize and Roatan! In belize did the rendezvous snorkel excursion and they take you from the ship to this teeny tiny island at the barrier reef. It was awesome. In Roatan we did the zip line beach excursion. The zipline was our first and I loved it. Then they take you to Tabyana beach which is a little stretch of heaven. They have chairs set up for canival and you can buy drinks and food. In Cozumel, we went to nachi cocum which was a relaxing beach day. We did the eastern first time on the dream but I think I enjoyed the western more.

 

And if you do go on the Dream, the cove balconies are fabulous.

 

We have eliminated that ship with Bilize and Roatan, unless we go with Norwegian. However, we went to Nachi Cocum last summer and would love to return there!

 

Unfortunately a balcony isn't in our budget this time.

[NCteacherlovescruising]

The Dream because you would get to see St. John. Trunk Bay is one of (if not) the MOST BEAUTIFUL beaches in the world. (IMO) ... Plus its the best ships out of the three and its closer to home.

 

I've been to San Juan/St.Thomas/St. John in Feb and the weather was warm... the water was a bit cold but as long as the sun is out it's fine!

 

Let us know what you choose! Congrats on the graduation! ;)

 

Thank you!! I would love to see St. John! St. Thomas is on both Carnival options we have left.

 

After pricing everything out, an ocean view on the Freedom is only $49 more than an ocean view on the Dream but we gain an extra day... However, it is an 11 1/2 hour drive vs. 9 1/2 hour drive. I also like the 2.0 upgrades. I haven't heard much about the Freedom. Is it an older ship?

[OCruisers]

Dream because it would be the most convenient port for you! ;)

 

LuLu

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