Bahama or Carribean?

[xkandykane]

Hey guys, I am getting married sometime next year and trying to decide on the 3 day Bahama or Caribbean cruise with Carnival.

 

We will be going with a big group, having the wedding on the ship.

 

Has anyone been to both? If so, which one do you prefer?

 

I am anticipating a bunch of kids to be with us too.

 

Any advice on how to choose?

[A2Mich]

Hey guys, I am getting married sometime next year and trying to decide on the 3 day Bahama or Caribbean cruise with Carnival.

 

We will be going with a big group, having the wedding on the ship.

 

Has anyone been to both? If so, which one do you prefer?

 

I am anticipating a bunch of kids to be with us too.

 

Any advice on how to choose?

 

My personal opinion is that I could care less to go to the Bahamas, as I have been there many times. If you're looking at 3-4 day cruises out of Florida, your options are pretty much limited to the Bahamas, or maybe Cozumel. If you are wanting some pretty after-wedding photos, you can find some pretty beaches in the Bahamas, not quite so much in Cozumel, though there are pretty spots to be found. A 3-4 day cruise has a very high probability to possibly be a loud party cruise. A 7 day cruise will be quieter, probably more relaxing, and a chance to go to nicer ports. However, when traveling with a large group, that may not be an option. You'll need to figure out what you are expecting in a port stop. The Bahamas tend to have a lot of pushy street vendors, and have read reports of sometimes violent crimes against tourists, offers to sell drugs, etc.

[xkandykane]

I'm looking for differences between activities, especially activities suited for different age groups as our grandparents, parents, cousins, very little cousins will probably be there.

Loud parties or relaxing cruise, either one is okay.

 

I would much rather go on a longer cruise but since its with a lot of family and friends I dont want to ask them to take any more time off since we will be flying in from California

[RSLeesburg]

I'm looking for differences between activities, especially activities suited for different age groups as our grandparents, parents, cousins, very little cousins will probably be there.

Loud parties or relaxing cruise, either one is okay.

 

I would much rather go on a longer cruise but since its with a lot of family and friends I dont want to ask them to take any more time off since we will be flying in from California

 

 

If you go to Nassau, you have Atlantis with its water parks - it is extremely expensive, but tons to do for all ages - casino, pools, water parks, aquariums, etc.

 

 

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[sail7seas]

What port(s) for the Caribbean cruise?

[xkandykane]

What port(s) for the Caribbean cruise?

 

It says Cozumel and Key west

[sail7seas]

I'd MUCH rather Key West and Cozumel. Two good ports, IMO

 

I'm not so crazy about Nassau.

[A2Mich]

i'd much rather key west and cozumel. Two good ports, imo

 

i'm not so crazy about nassau.

 

^^^ this ^^^

[cb at sea]

Depends WHEN! If it's summer, either will work....if it's winter, you want the Caribbean. The Bahamas are in the Atlantic and get our cold fronts.....it would be awful to pay for a cruise and be cold!

[OCruisers]

Depends WHEN! If it's summer, either will work....if it's winter, you want the Caribbean. The Bahamas are in the Atlantic and get our cold fronts.....it would be awful to pay for a cruise and be cold!

 

Totally agree with the above post! :)

LuLu

[searoses]

I agree with cozumel and key west....you could do a day long beach trip with water entertainment in cozumel that would be a lot less money than atlantis....key west is a good place to stroll,take the trolley around......congrats on your marriage!

[LOVINCRUIZIN]

I think you AND your guests would prefer a Caribbean cruise

[skrufy]

If you can find a cruise to Key West, Cozumel take it, skip the Bahamas.

[Folk Singer]

It says Cozumel and Key west

 

 

Both are good.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

We have been to both the Bahamas and the Caribbean. I would choose the Caribbean over the Bahamas.

Key West and Cozumel are great ports. Have been to both many times.

[cruiseapril]

Agree that the Caribbean would be better. Have a great cruise.

[sail7seas]

OP... have you found a short cruise that will take you to Key West and Cozumel?

[xkandykane]

OP... have you found a short cruise that will take you to Key West and Cozumel?

 

Yup, there is a Carnival cruise that goes to Key West and Cozumel, it's a 4 day. Its a toss up between that, Bahama(3day) or 3 day Ensenada or with Catilina Island.

 

I rather go to Carribean/Bahama, hopefully everyone will be willing to fly to florida.

[Martini Mom]

I vote Coz and Key West. Nassau was ok, but nothing wow.

[Folk Singer]

Go the way of the Caribbean. Have a great marriage and Best Wishes.

[sail7seas]

Yup, there is a Carnival cruise that goes to Key West and Cozumel, it's a 4 day. Its a toss up between that, Bahama(3day) or 3 day Ensenada or with Catilina Island.

 

I rather go to Carribean/Bahama, hopefully everyone will be willing to fly to florida.

 

Sounds great.

All best wishes. :)

 

[Flatbush Flyer]

Hey guys, I am getting married sometime next year and trying to decide on the 3 day Bahama or Caribbean cruise with Carnival.

 

 

 

We will be going with a big group, having the wedding on the ship.

 

 

 

Has anyone been to both? If so, which one do you prefer?

 

 

 

I am anticipating a bunch of kids to be with us too.

 

 

 

Any advice on how to choose?

 

 

Your profile says "SF." Why not head west (if for no other reason than the airfare).

Watch George Clooney's "The Descendants" and head for a wedding on Kauai.

 

 

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[Nebr.cruiser]

Of the two mentioned, I'd pick the Key West, Cozumel option too.

 

But, airfare from the west coast could be pretty costly, especially if you have families (with kids) going.

 

The Ensenada Catalina cruise would not be my choice, except for logistics from SF. What time of year? That matters too.

 

IMO, the longest cruise you can do is the best choice. Three days is hardly worth flying all the way from California.

 

Hawaii would be a great option from where you are! Or maybe the Mexican Riviera.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Nebr.cruiser

[theMeebs]

Depends WHEN! If it's summer, either will work....if it's winter, you want the Caribbean. The Bahamas are in the Atlantic and get our cold fronts.....it would be awful to pay for a cruise and be cold!

 

This is so true. On my first cruise.. in march of 2009.. the night we left miami I was wearing a hoodie because it was very windy and in the 50s. I have some friends that went to the bahamas that same week.. had weather in the 60s. my cruise went down to roatan/belize/cozumel and it was beautiful after getting south of cuba.

[alyssabull]

My husband and I did our first cruise to the Bahamas in Sept 2015. At Freeport we had little to no issues with pushy vendors.... but lots of local try to sell you stuff they say is rare and handmade....yet all the vendors tend to sell the exact same things. Most of it was unappealing to us except for a Tshirt I purchased.

 

Nassau on the other hand was horrible. We went to Atlantis and then went shopping for a couple hours before we had to reboard the ship for departure. While shopping (we went out of the sectioned off parts in front of the cruise) many people tried to get us to come to strange alleys and no window "shops" we refused. Once I saw they were trying to get us down alleys I said no. My husband is a cop and all of his radars were going off saying something was just not right with these people. The vendors then would get upset when we said no and would start to yell at us and call us names. We even went into a perfume shop where I didn't find anything I really liked and they took offense that I wouldn't buy anything.

 

Now to answer your question about sights to see.... Go on the Pat & Dian Excursion.... they take you to a private island that is gorgeous!!! It was the highlight to our trip!