CanadianCruiseCritic

We were looking at Blue Lagoon in Nassau ($350 for 4 ppl) and Catamaran ride in Grand Turk ($500) plus MG costs more as it is 7 nights vs. Odyssey is 6 night. I really didn't like walking around Nassau last time we were there so I would want to get on a boat and go somewhere else. Grand Turk we could just do the beach off the boat but figured it would be pretty packed with people. Amber Cover we plan to do the free pool!

Oh that's great to know! I read the water is nice and shallow for the kids to play in?

Thank you! Yes having to drive to Fort Lauderdale is a bit of a pain. Odyssey looks beautiful, but it is missing the Comedy Club that Mardi Gras has... we loved it on our last Carnival Cruise!

Trying to decide between these two itineraries for March 2024. Will be taking our kids 5 and 7 after a week in Disney World: Option1: Mardi Gras, 7 nights out of Port Canaveral Nassau Puerto Plata Grand Turks Option 2: Odyssey of the Seas (Royal Caribbean), 6 nights out of Fort Lauderdale CoCo Cay Labadee Puerto Plata Mardis Gras costs about $2000 more when you factor in taking excursions in Nassau and Grand Turks (Odyssey's itinerary has things to do right at the port on all 3 stops, so no need to pay for extra excursions). They both look like beautiful new ships, but both get mixed reviews online. Is Mardi Gras worth the extra money? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Yes I am fearing it will be the worst rooms left and I am guessing boat will be full as this is peak Spring Break season! I was wondering when we would find out- is it once you pay in full or is it not until a few weeks before you board?

Thanks everyone! As many noted I am thinking this itinerary won't be the most "exotic" but it will be easy to do with two little kids (no need to cab or have car seats!). Odyssey of the Seas does this same itinerary, but out of Fort Lauderdale. A bit of a pain as it is a longer drive to the port from Disney World, but Odyssey of the Seas looks nice and like there is more to do on board compared to Adventure of the Seas. If we don't do either of those the other one we are considering is Carnival's Mardi Gras out of Port Canaveral. It is 7 nights and goes to Nassau, Puerto Plata and Grand Turks. Again not the greatest itinerary, but in Nassau I think the kids would like the excursion to Blue Lagoon, Puerto Plata has a free pool and Grand Turks either has a free pool or we would pay to do a catamaran excursion. It is $2000 more though once you add in the cost of excursions. Thanks for any more insights!

I am considering at booking an 6 night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas for March 2024. If I choose my own balcony room it costs $4500, however if I let cruise line pick my balcony room it is only $3500. I would normally pick my own cabin, as I can get motion sickness (especially in the forward part of the ship), but for $1000 savings wondering if its worth the risk and pray I get a mid or aft cabin. Thoughts?

We are thinking of doing Disney World followed by a 6 night Spring Break cruise in 2024 with our 5 and 7 year olds on Adventure of the Seas that will go to: Labadee CocoCay Puerto Plata Will these places just feel too crowded? The price for the cruise is very good and I like that you don't really need to book any excursions, since there are free beaches/pools/kiddie water parks at these locations. However, not sure if it will be as beautiful as your traditional Easter Caribbean/Southern Caribbean Ports we could do instead like San Juan. St. Thomas, Tortola, Aruba etc. The only thing is at these ports we will need to pay for excursions for family of 4 each time which adds up. We like to do anything on the water. Thanks for any input!

We are looking to book a cruise for Spring Break in March 2024. We are a family of 4 and my kids will be 5 and 7 at the time of travel. We will be doing 1 week at Disney World followed by one of these cruises: 1) Adventure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean), 6 nights, $3700 CAD Balcony: CocoCay, Labadee, Puerto Plata, 2 days at Sea 2) Vista (Carnival), 8 nights, $4400 CAD Oceanview: Aruba, Curacoa, Grand Turks, 4 nights at Sea 3) Apex (Celebrity), 7 nights, $4400 CAD Interior: San Juan, St. Marteen, St. Thomas, Puerto Plata, 2 days at Sea I feel like Carnival's and Celebrity's itinerary will be more beautiful, but Royal Caribbeans will be cheaper since you can just walk off the ship in all 3 locations and go to the beach/pool without having to book excursions. Since we have young kids (and my husband and I have done many cruises pre-children) we don't need to do any crazy excursions. We just want water, sun, sand and a drink in hand. Celebrity's boat looks the nicest, but I read it's not as fun for kids. Thanks for any input!