Help me decide, I'm driving myself nuts!

[juliea344]

First, am I the only one who comes home from a cruise absolutely obsessed with checking Cruise Critic and Royal's website 10 times a day trying to plan another cruise? I hope not.

 

I have Indy booked for next year in a Grand Suite for the 5 night Western Caribbean. I can change that to a Junior suite on Liberty for $500 less and buy myself 2 extra days on the ship. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons. Many of the GS perks that I loved so much on Allure don't apply to freedom class so I'm not entirely sure that it's needed. I've read that the suites sun deck on Indy pretty much sucks and there's no CK to go to. I'll probably get a drink package anyway so the suites lounge isn't important. And on Indy I believe show reservations aren't necessary so no need to use my GS priority seating, correct?

 

Do Junior suites get either priority boarding or disembarkation? This is a big deal for me because DH is skeptical to go on a cruise in the first place (he's never been) and he hates waiting in lines. Is the room that much smaller? Is the bathroom tiny for 4 to share? There will be 2 adults and 2 teen girls with a lot of makeup.

 

Also, what's it like sailing out of Galveston? I thought FLL was so easy and smooth. The fact that Galveston is far from the airport is not ideal.

 

I know I should just wait until flights come out (whenever that is) and use flight info to help make the decision. There seems to be no shortage of Jr suites available on Liberty so I think I have time. But, like I said, I'm OBSESSED. I had myself sold on Indy but I'm just worried 5 days is too short.

 

What are your thoughts?

[oneputt18]

With four of you, I would stick with the GS. GS bathroom is much larger including two sinks.

Vanity in bedroom has large makeup mirror, ideal with two teens.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

[juliea344]

With four of you, I would stick with the GS. GS bathroom is much larger including two sinks.

Vanity in bedroom has large makeup mirror, ideal with two teens.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

Oh yes, the did LOVE that on Allure.

 

They invited friends over that they met in the teen club to use it! lol

[Ashland]

Have you considered booking 2 possibly connecting cabins....I prefer the JS (walkin closet) over the GS on Freedom class (wasted space of dry bar and hard to get to the closets)..The bathrooms are small not much difference other than two sinks...with 2 cabins at least you'll have two bathrooms...you could connect a JS to a balcony or just do two balconies.... There's going to be lines regardless. JMHO.

[juliea344]

I should add that I'm also not adverse to paying a bit more for a GS on the Liberty itinerary but it's showing as sold out right now...

[juliea344]

Have you considered booking 2 possibly connecting cabins....I prefer the JS (walkin closet) over the GS on Freedom class..The bathrooms are small not much difference other than two sinks...with 2 cabins at least you'll have two bathrooms...you could connect a JS to a balcony or just do two balconies.... There's going to be lines regardless. JMHO.

 

It seems like booking 2 connecting cabins would really add to the price, no? I can say that in the suite category on Allure a few weeks ago I never waited in a line for anything (except Park cafe but that was my fault for going when I did). We were on and off the ship in 10 minutes. That's what made me think I'd try convincing DH to go next year. It worked ;)

[Lordnlkon]

Personally, I would always go for the longer cruise over the shorter, 5 days isn't enough for us.

[mcatmcat]

I don't have much knowledge when it comes to suites but you are not alone. I always come back from a cruise looking for the next one. I find out that if I book onboard and know what I want I feel better when I get home [emoji3]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[berylde]

Since DH has never been on a cruise,you should go for the GS. The Concierge in the Suite Lounge will ensure that he will never have to wait in line.. He even escorts you off the ship when cruise is over.

[juliea344]

Since DH has never been on a cruise,you should go for the GS. The Concierge in the Suite Lounge will ensure that he will never have to wait in line.. He even escorts you off the ship when cruise is over.

Thanks, I'm leaning towards the because I want him to have a good experience so I can book again. Lol.

 

Sent from my XT1575 using Forums mobile app

[luckyinpa]

First, am I the only one who comes home from a cruise absolutely obsessed with checking Cruise Critic and Royal's website 10 times a day trying to plan another cruise? I hope not.

 

 

went on my 1st cruise in october on NCL. i was so addicted i booked a cheap december cruise on them but it was not a cold weather ship. i decided to book anthem for my 50th bday this december. i check prices every day fro price drops and other deals and read CC all day.

 

you are NOT alone:halo:

[Artemus]

Flip a coin ‼️ 👀

[Clarea]

... Also, what's it like sailing out of Galveston? I thought FLL was so easy and smooth. The fact that Galveston is far from the airport is not ideal. ...

Galveston is not convenient for the fly-in cruiser. And the reason is not the distance from the airport. Port Canaveral is about the same distance from MCO as Galveston is from HOU. However, Port Canaveral has many shuttle choices, many rental car agencies open on Sundays that take one-way rentals and have free shuttles to the cruise terminals, and no hotels that I know of that require 2 night stays on the weekend. The hotels near the port are less expensve than equivalent hotels on Galveston Island. The bottom line is that Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach promotes and welcomes the cruise business, whereas it seems to me that Galveston simply tolerates the cruise business.

[juliea344]

Galveston is not convenient for the fly-in cruiser. And the reason is not the distance from the airport. Port Canaveral is about the same distance from MCO as Galveston is from HOU. However, Port Canaveral has many shuttle choices, many rental car agencies open on Sundays that take one-way rentals and have free shuttles to the cruise terminals, and no hotels that I know of that require 2 night stays on the weekend. The hotels near the port are less expensve than equivalent hotels on Galveston Island. The bottom line is that Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach promotes and welcomes the cruise business, whereas it seems to me that Galveston simply tolerates the cruise business.

Thanks for this info. Our Indy cruise is leaving out of Port Everglades so that's even better. I'm going to stick with the 5 day. Since it doesn't leave until Monday I can hopefully tack on a little pre-cruise vacation in Fort Lauderdale. And if 5 days seems too short in the end I may be able to convince DH to book another 😁

 

Sent from my XT1575 using Forums mobile app

[Biker19]

Do Junior suites get either priority boarding or disembarkation? This is a big deal for me because DH is skeptical to go on a cruise in the first place (he's never been) and he hates waiting in lines.

There's an easy solution for this and you don't need priority boarding or any status or cabin type - simply check in about 2PM and disembark about 9:30AM.;)

 

BTW, those lines are much less likely to be an issue for an impatient person, than all the ones on the ship for activities and other things.

[riclop]

Take the extra days always.

[reallyhooked]

Cruising takes patience. Muster drill, shows letting out, . Hope your DH doesn't become discouraged. Hope he has a good experience.

[tonyweir]

We've sailed out of Galveston twice.

 

Last August we stayed in a hotel by Hobby airport and took a limo the morning of the cruise. No problem!

 

Last month we took a shuttle to a hotel in Galveston when we flew in (no 2 night minimum required), and took the hotel shuttle to the cruise terminal the next morning. No problem!

 

Galveston Limo has great prices and nice mini busses. They pick up at both Houston airports. Allow 90 minutes travel time from Hobby and 120 minutes from Bush. It doesn't take that long, but you know that guy Murphy, also known as road construction or traffic!

[juliea344]

So, just a little update for those who care. Probably none of you 😂 DD suggested the 8-day Eastern Caribbean on FOS because, obviously 5 days isn't enough. I told her, good luck convincing your dad to do that! Well, she didn't need luck at all. He went for it! He thought, and I agree, the ports seem so much better. Couldn't get a suite but we have a neat setup with a balcony connecting to an inside room for the kids. I'm still going to keep my eyes peeled for a suite to open up but as it stands, this trip is $50 less than Indy and I managed to score another $100 in OBC. 😁

 

Sent from my XT1575 using Forums mobile app

[imlulu]

It seems like booking 2 connecting cabins would really add to the price, no? I can say that in the suite category on Allure a few weeks ago I never waited in a line for anything (except Park cafe but that was my fault for going when I did). We were on and off the ship in 10 minutes. That's what made me think I'd try convincing DH to go next year. It worked ;)

 

 

We were on Allure in an OV balcony and had no wait to get on or off ship either. I wouldn't use that a measure necessarily. I would book 2 cabins for 4. I did that on our last Liberty cruise as both our boys went. We had an OV balcony and they got a Promenade across the hall. It worked really well. THey were 20 and 15 then.

[BecciBoo]

Galveston is not convenient for the fly-in cruiser. And the reason is not the distance from the airport. Port Canaveral is about the same distance from MCO as Galveston is from HOU. However, Port Canaveral has many shuttle choices, many rental car agencies open on Sundays that take one-way rentals and have free shuttles to the cruise terminals, and no hotels that I know of that require 2 night stays on the weekend. The hotels near the port are less expensve than equivalent hotels on Galveston Island. The bottom line is that Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach promotes and welcomes the cruise business, whereas it seems to me that Galveston simply tolerates the cruise business.

 

EXACTLY! Well explained Bob, thank God we live here.

[BecciBoo]

So, just a little update for those who care. Probably none of you 😂 DD suggested the 8-day Eastern Caribbean on FOS because, obviously 5 days isn't enough. I told her, good luck convincing your dad to do that! Well, she didn't need luck at all. He went for it! He thought, and I agree, the ports seem so much better. Couldn't get a suite but we have a neat setup with a balcony connecting to an inside room for the kids. I'm still going to keep my eyes peeled for a suite to open up but as it stands, this trip is $50 less than Indy and I managed to score another $100 in OBC. 😁

 

Sent from my XT1575 using Forums mobile app

 

Your daughter is very astute...good decision. You'll love Freedom.

[imlulu]

So, just a little update for those who care. Probably none of you 😂 DD suggested the 8-day Eastern Caribbean on FOS because, obviously 5 days isn't enough. I told her, good luck convincing your dad to do that! Well, she didn't need luck at all. He went for it! He thought, and I agree, the ports seem so much better. Couldn't get a suite but we have a neat setup with a balcony connecting to an inside room for the kids. I'm still going to keep my eyes peeled for a suite to open up but as it stands, this trip is $50 less than Indy and I managed to score another $100 in OBC. 😁

 

Sent from my XT1575 using Forums mobile app

 

;p:hearteyes: I'm looking at that ship for the 8 day. Are you going the feb break week?

[juliea344]

;p:hearteyes: I'm looking at that ship for the 8 day. Are you going the feb break week?

Yes, President's week.

 

Sent from my XT1575 using Forums mobile app