megamoo Posted June 14, 2014 #1 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Looking at a cruise for Aug 2015 and think I have it narrowed down to two but can't decide which one (both are eastern): Which would you pick and why? Freedom of the Seas (out of Port Canaveral) (7 day) - CocoCay, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten OR Carnival Breeze (out of Miami) (8 day) - St. Maarten, NA; St Kitts, WI; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Grand Turk We are not drinkers or gamblers. We enjoy sightseeing, shopping and beaches. The evening shows and going to the main dining room for meals are the highlights for us. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted June 14, 2014 #2 Share Posted June 14, 2014 (edited) Well, ordinarily I would say that 8 days is better than 7 days, and the Breeze itinerary has more "unusual" ports which are not on the typical eastern itineraries (we really liked St Kitts and Grand Turk) But I really prefer the RCI product over the Carnival product, and reviews of the Breeze have constant complaints of crowdedness. So, I would choose Freedom over Breeze based on reviews and on my personal experience with these two cruiselines. We preferred the MDR experience on RCI ships a thousand times better than on our carnival cruise (The tables in the dining room were way too close together, and service was not as attentive with the dining team responsible for 3 times more tables/diners than on our RCI cruises). RCI really shines in the entertainment department too - we were kind of bored on our Carnival cruise. My kids were 10 and 12 at the time, and they thought Carnival's club was too babyish - apparently a lot of other kids agreed because the club was underutilized in that age group, and there were a lot of unsupervised tweens/teens running about the ship. RCI does a great job with tweens/teens Edited June 14, 2014 by DonnaK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogers417 Posted June 14, 2014 #3 Share Posted June 14, 2014 That's a tough choice as having sailed twice on Breeze and once on Freedom. Freedom next month for us again but that's another topic. Anyways first the departure ports. I really enjoy Port Canaveral better than Miami. Fishlips restuarant right there on the channel in P.C. Is always fun the day before sailing...watch the ships leave really gets the cruise anticipation popping. however, Miami is happening as we all know but expensive. Only thing I hate about P.C. Is the logistics of getting there, rental cars, etc. Miami has a close port. Entertainment, I would go with Freedom. I feel there is more to activities on RCI . Don't get me wrong, our first time on breeze was excellent as it was ll new to us. We had a blast. More pools on RCI than breeze but no huge water park if that is your thing. Food was equal for us. I like the breeze port of calls better with the cruise you are comparing. Price will be cheaper on carnival but I felt more crowded on carnival breeze than on freedom. Carnival breeze lido deck food area (main room) not outside by guys burger joint) is sooooooo crowded we just avoided it all together. Ok I'm ranting it's a tough call but I'm leaning towards freedom... Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 14, 2014 #4 Share Posted June 14, 2014 If you don't mind Carnival, then I'd go the Grand Turk cruise. That's a stop that Royal currently does not do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLACRUISER99 Posted June 14, 2014 #5 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Looking at a cruise for Aug 2015 and think I have it narrowed down to two but can't decide which one (both are eastern): Which would you pick and why? Freedom of the Seas (out of Port Canaveral) (7 day) - CocoCay, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten OR Carnival Breeze (out of Miami) (8 day) - St. Maarten, NA; St Kitts, WI; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Grand Turk We are not drinkers or gamblers. We enjoy sightseeing, shopping and beaches. The evening shows and going to the main dining room for meals are the highlights for us. Thanks Freedom has better shows and entertainment.( I love the Ice show) I also prefer Port Canaveral over Miami. (but I'm driving) Carnival Breeze has better ports, food and is 8 days. Unless price is a big factor I would choose Freedom.(I'm also biased because of being D+ on RCI) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topo Gigio Posted June 14, 2014 #6 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Since you said that evening shows are the highlight for you, I would say to go on the Freedom of the Seas. Entertainment is lacking on Carnival! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerferWarmWeather Posted June 14, 2014 #7 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Freedom:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorisis Posted June 14, 2014 #8 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Canaveral is so much nicer than Miami. Nicer enough to sway my choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susieatsea Posted June 14, 2014 #9 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Freedom :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dacsmom Posted June 14, 2014 #10 Share Posted June 14, 2014 The Freedom is a favorite of mine and I like cruising out of Port Canaveral. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseapril Posted June 14, 2014 #11 Share Posted June 14, 2014 We would choose Coco Cay for a big beach day and St. Thomas for another good beach- Magen's Bay Beach. Thus, the Freedom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted June 14, 2014 #12 Share Posted June 14, 2014 FreedomOTS! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megamoo Posted June 15, 2014 Author #13 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Thanks everyone. We have not been to any of these ports or on either of these ships. It is hard choosing as both ships have great features! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted June 15, 2014 #14 Share Posted June 15, 2014 (edited) Thanks everyone.We have not been to any of these ports or on either of these ships. It is hard choosing as both ships have great features! Easy...do one this year and the other next year! lol Have you read the reviews for each ship? That might help you to decide Edited June 15, 2014 by DonnaK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eileenfa Posted June 15, 2014 #15 Share Posted June 15, 2014 I'm one of those people not tied to a cruise line- with that been said I was on the breeze last yr. it's a great ship very new, love the ports it goes to. Not busy. I like big ships going on allure next yr. you will not be sorry on this ship. Can't wait till royal third and forth oasis comes out. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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