calhounhusker Posted March 31, 2009 #1 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Ahh.. first post... OK now that I have gotten that out onto my question. I'm planning on taking the GF on a cruise next Winter but can't decide which cruise to book. I want a balcony cabin, and I want the western Caribbean(Specifically Grand Cayman), So I have narrowed my choices down to the Carnival Glory 7 night and the Carnival Freedom 6 day. I was pretty set on the Carnival Freedom but I'm still not sure. A few random questions come to mind... Which one has better entertainment? Is Jamaica worth going to over Hondurus and Belize? Do either ships offer some kind of.... romantic package or something?(I plan on proposing.. the more prepared I can be the better. :D) I know both the Glory and Freedom are conquest class ships and have the same basic layout but does the Glory have any advantages over the Freedom as far as entertainment and lounges go? One thing I liek about the Freedom is the Habana Cigar bar.... Does the Glory have a cigar bar? Lastly,Is the weather better in December on in January/Feb? Sorry for the random thoughts/questions but I'm going to be booking this in the next week and need to get it figured out lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted March 31, 2009 #2 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Id say for sure Id pick Belize and Honduras over Jamaica. Roatan is my favorite port. We have a group excursion going from my roll call for a all day private tour, but are going to some places Iv been to before. Victor Bodan. Belize dont do the city, its really boring to me. Everyone who went out in the country loved their excursions better than seeing church and the govenor's home that we did. Belize has cave tubing and zip lines you can combine. cave tubing . com is one site for looking at ideas. Our excursion to Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica fell thru. Conquest ports at the far end of the island, so I already knew it would be more expensive. Carnival ports at two ports in Jamaica, so which one your ship goes to makes a difference. I didnt care for the port Conquest went to, wish we had gone to another port, more the middle of Jamaica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted March 31, 2009 #3 Share Posted March 31, 2009 First have you looked at the Legend out of Tampa? I prefer Belieze and Roatan over Jamica. Those are two incredible stops, plus with Legend you get Cozumel thrown in. I believe that all the ships have a cigar bar, jsut not sure of the name. I know that there is one on the Legend. IMO the entertainment, etc. are pretty consistent across the fleet. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Mach* Posted March 31, 2009 #4 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Welcome to Cruise Critic! We're thrilled to have you aboard!! Personally, I'm a HUGE fan of Jamaica. I've been vacationing there for YEARS and absolutely love the island. Others opinions differ from mine so do a lot of reading at the Jamaica Ports of Call forum and form your own opinion. You can find the forum here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=111 I just recently help a guy with a marriage proposal on board the Carnival Conquest and he said it was amazing so I'm sure your's will be as well. The Glory DOES have a cigar bar, the Ivory Club located aft on the Atlantic Deck. Regarding the weather that time of year, all three of those months are a bit hit and miss. When a large cold front rolls through the US and into the Gulf and Caribbean the wind is gonna generate waves... it's called 'fetch'... the distance wind travels over water... Regardless, I'm sure y'all will have a stunning time. Please feel free to ask any questions that you might have. There's a wealth of information to be had here!!! :) Mach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaParrotHead Posted March 31, 2009 #5 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Which one has better entertainment? Entertainment varies from contract to contract with the entertainment staff. There are the same basic offerings on both ships...the daily contests and demonstrations, the casino, the karaoke lounge, the productions shows. The shows stay the same, but the people change. It's comparable from ship to ship, I think. And in general, the few hours you're going to spend in a show isn't worth basing the decision on...it's a "drop in the bucket". :) Is Jamaica worth going to over Hondurus and Belize? Jamaica is a hole with little redeeming value, and most people around here agree on that. I was there, don't know that I'd go back (which is a first in the 6 ports I've visited thus far). Roatan and Belize have great reports...most people really enjoy them, but you do need to plan an excursion, because neither place is somewhere that has a lot of offer along the lines of just "wandering into town"...and some safety concerns as well. Hop on over to the Ports of Call boards here on CC and do a little reading for more in-depth answers. Do either ships offer some kind of.... romantic package or something? Well, Carnival offers packages fleetwide. You can have flowers or champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries sent to the cabin. Couples' massage. Both ships have supper clubs (for an additional $30 pp). Lots of opportunity. I've also heard that sometimes the Cruise Directors themsevles are game for participating in a surprise proposal...just depends on what you think your GF would like most. Glory does have a "cigar bar"...I believe it may have recently been switched to the sports bar. Lastly,Is the weather better in December on in January/Feb? I think it's probably comparable...head over to http://www.weather.com and do a search...they have an almanac type function over there, to see for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVegasMan Posted March 31, 2009 #6 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I have not been on either ship or on either of those itineraries, we did honeymoon on Grand Cayman and I'm sure you'll love being there for the day. Seven Mile Beach. Sting Ray City (Not the Sandbar) Sting Ray Sandbar Hell. Rum Point. Cayman Sunset. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calhounhusker Posted March 31, 2009 Author #7 Share Posted March 31, 2009 First have you looked at the Legend out of Tampa? I prefer Belieze and Roatan over Jamica. Those are two incredible stops, plus with Legend you get Cozumel thrown in. I believe that all the ships have a cigar bar, jsut not sure of the name. I know that there is one on the Legend. IMO the entertainment, etc. are pretty consistent across the fleet. Good luck. I did look at the Legend, but I'm trying to keep the cost per person under 600 if at all possible. Cheapest I see with the Legend is 650ish, I do see a 549 in December, but going in Jan/Feb gives me more splurge money. Is Jamaica worth going to over Hondurus and Belize? Jamaica is a hole with little redeeming value, and most people around here agree on that. I was there, don't know that I'd go back (which is a first in the 6 ports I've visited thus far). Roatan and Belize have great reports...most people really enjoy them, but you do need to plan an excursion, because neither place is somewhere that has a lot of offer along the lines of just "wandering into town"...and some safety concerns as well. Hop on over to the Ports of Call boards here on CC and do a little reading for more in-depth answers. Do either ships offer some kind of.... romantic package or something? Well, Carnival offers packages fleetwide. You can have flowers or champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries sent to the cabin. Couples' massage. Both ships have supper clubs (for an additional $30 pp). Lots of opportunity. I've also heard that sometimes the Cruise Directors themsevles are game for participating in a surprise proposal...just depends on what you think your GF would like most. Thanks for the answers. I definantly plan on doing the supper club at least once, and I'll have to look further into the packages, but at least I know they are out there. Thanks to everyone for the answers so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosel Posted March 31, 2009 #8 Share Posted March 31, 2009 My son got engaged on the Spirit last year. He proposed on the balcony at sunset and than had engagement pictures taken with the photographers. They met all of us at the Supper club where we arranged to have flowers and rose petals on the table, champagne for a toast and special wine with dinner. We also thought we arranged to have a bryan adams song for them to dance to but then the singer sang "I got you babe" by sonny and cher. We have no idea why but it kinda fit since they are young. Now it is a great family joke that it is "their" song. You better believe I will make sure it is played sometime during the wedding reception. Good Luck. The proposal was the perfect ending to a perfect cruise so enjoy everything about yours!!! Cindy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calhounhusker Posted March 31, 2009 Author #9 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Well, I pulled the trigger today. Jan 24-30 on the Freedom. Saw that Cabin 6473 was open so I grabbed it. I just like having the slightly bigger balcony... or so it looks like at least. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livenwell Posted March 31, 2009 #10 Share Posted March 31, 2009 good for you.....happy planning... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fun, Fun 44 Posted March 31, 2009 #11 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Grand Cayman is one of our two most favorite places ever :D ....other being Half Moon Cay. You were a winner with either of your choices. I have enjoyed both ports CCL goes in Jamaica, but Roatan and Belize are unspoiled beauty! :) I do agree, get an excursion and see away from port if you ever go. Have a wonderful time! Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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