Need Help: What Cruise would you choose

[MermaidMommy03]

Hello! My family and I took our first family cruise last June. I had cruised when younger but my husband was afraid to cruise. Well we went on the Elation from Jacksonville and he loved it. Last year we did Half Moon cay and Bahamas (we really didnt care for the Nassau Port) . This summer he wants to go on a bigger ship. We live in central Florida and we don't mind driving to any Florida port. What would you all recommend. A family of 5, 3 children ages 12,9,6.

Carnival Horizon: Miami, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel (6day) 

Carnival Breeze: Pt Canaveral, Amber Cove, St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk (7 day)

Carnival Magic: Ft Lauderdale, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk Amber Cove (6 day)

I know these ships are pretty similar although the Sky Ride on the Horizon seems like so much fun. My husband is leaning toward the Horizon but I am thinking the extra day and ports on the Breeze may be worth the little extra $$$.

If we did go with the Horizon are the Family Harbor rooms (no balcony) worth it?

 

Edited January 3, 2019 by MermaidMommy03

[trvlgirlmq]

I would choose the Breeze.  There is plenty to do for the kids and it's a great ship.  Plus, the longer the vacation the better!

 

The ports for Breeze are great too. Beautiful beaches on St Thomas and the pool and beach at Grand Turk is a great (almost free) day.  The forts in San Juan are really cool. The kids would probably like to explore them (mine did).

 

[2Shoes2Go]

Breeze gets my vote. Same reasons as mentioned, plus, really prefer embark and debark in Port Canaveral. We’ve had rough experiences in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami (slightly better).

Edited January 3, 2019 by 2Shoes2Go
Addition

[bury me at sea]

I would pick the Breeze for the ship first, and the longer itinerary second.

[geovet]

Breeze!

[crazycatlady82]

The breeze for the itinerary and extra day! 

[beachbum53]

No brainer for me. The Breeze, for the same reasons that "bury me" gave.

[Hillbillygram]

The Breeze! We did the same itinerary last May but on the Glory.

[bakersdozen12]

I, personally, would choose the Breeze because St Thomas and San Juan are two places I want to go back to someday. But that’s just me. Do any of the ports stand out as being places you would prefer to go over the others? HMC is my favorite port of all time, and if you have never been, I highly recommend it. 

 

If it’s just the ship you are concerned about, the Horizon is definitely the better than the Dream class ships as far as what it has to offer. So I guess it depends if you are picking for the itinerary or ship. 

[Saint Greg]

Breeze. It's my favorite ship and the extra day and I want to go to St. Thomas and San Juan. I'm actually looking at that exact cruise on the Breeze for 2020. 

[redcoats1976]

our next cruise is on the breeze.have been to all the ports listed...there is no wrong choice here.grand cayman and cozumel are two of my favorite ports.

[BENHANDEL]

We have only done Horizon (just off last week and wrote a review on this page). We had a family harbor suite with our 3 kids (11, 14, 16) and it was perfect. Loved everything about the experience. Dont book for the sky ride as it is often down. It was working on our voyage and we did it once....but even on a port day we waited 45 minutes for the 4 minute twirl around the ship. 

 

We will do the Breeze next Christmas on the other itenerary. The rooms for 5 there are more cramped and no balcony, so we will go with 2 rooms. 

 

Have a blast whatever you choose!

[jsglow]

Many folks will say that the Dream Class (including the Breeze) is the best Carnival has to offer including the newer builds.  There is no doubt that the 7 day eastern is the best itinerary of the 3.  Certainly compare prices but pound for pound this is an easy choice as you can drive to any reasonable port. 

[ricew001]

7 day. And those ports are great. 

We can't do 7 day right now for work/family/animals so go for it while you can!

 

[Luckiestmanonearth]

Breeze hands down due to extra day, Pt Canaveral and the ports.  All the ships are nice

Edited January 4, 2019 by Luckiestmanonearth

[Shaded Lady]

Another vote for the Breeze! Awesome ship, great itinerary, extra day!

[Tapi]

Breeze

[lagienomai]

I would choose the Breeze. Been on the Magic and Visita and liked the Magic better which is similar to the Breeze. 7days is always better than 6. I will say that we stayed in the Family Harbor area on the Vista. We were right across the hall from the lounge and it was nice on port days to get breakfast so quick. It was nice but don't see myself going back on the ship. 

[PhillyFan33579]

Breeze would be my choice for all the reasons previously mentioned. We enjoy going to production and comedy shows when cruising, which isn’t Horizon’s strong point. The theaters/lounges on Horizon don’t compare to the ones on Breeze and Magic. 

[Joebucks]

The Breeze is a fan-favorite ship. Not only that, but it's hard to argue with more ports and more days. That's the biggest problems with cruising for me, it is never enough!

[sc4125]

Another Breeze vote - my favorite ship & Pt. Canaveral is also one of my favorites.  I've sailed on the Magic & really enjoyed it too, but not as much as the Breeze.  I also live in Central Florida - Lakeland (between Tampa & Orlando) and though I've made the trip to Miami several times, Tampa & Pt. Canaveral are so much easier.

 

You'll have a great time either way - I'd really look at the ports and the deck plans or pix of the ships.  Happy sailing!

[boomhower]

Also vote for the Breeze.  Watch some youtube videos between the two ships, newer isn't always better. 

[jsglow]

I think OP is going to show her husband this thread.  👍

[pyropoodle]

This is literally the first thread I have EVER seen where everyone agrees on something!  

 

I'd pick Breeze, just for the extra day.   I've never been on any of those ships though, so other than that I cannot comment.   I do love St. Thomas, you really can't go wrong.

[ButterflyGirly]

I can't offer an opinion about which ship I would recommend, but I will say if you go on the Breeze be sure to take a taxi to Magens Bay in St. Thomas.