Carnival 5-day Canada or Bermuda with RCL or NCL

[steel123]

We are trying to decide between a few cruise options in June. We have mostly sailed on Carnival, and have already done the 4-Day Canada cruise. We have booked the 5-Day Canada cruise through Carnival and it is about 1/2 the price of the RCL 5-Day Bermuda and NCL 7-Day Bermuda cruises that we are also considering.

 

If any of you have sailed on these other lines, is it worth the extra cost? We understand the ports are different, but wondered if it is worth spending nearly twice as much money. Also, let us know if you prefer RCL over NCL or NCL over RCL.

 

Thanks in advance for your responses!:)

[sailaway4]

Maybe try going to their boards to ask this question.Hope someone can help you out.

[steel123]

Thanks for your suggestion. I was hoping someone that has cruised on Carnival and NCL or RCL might be able to give some advice. I'll post my question on the other boards, too!:)

[Warm Breezes]

We have sailed both CCL and NCL and looked at both the NCL to Bermuda and the CCL to Canada/New England. We have not done either itinerary before. As you can see by my count down we ended up choosing CCL to Canada/New England. We like both NCL and CCL and want to see both itineraries so it came down to price as the deciding factor for this cruise.

[steel123]

Warm Breezes, thanks for your feedback. The price of the Canadian cruise is definitely much better for us, but it's hard for us to make this decision, since we haven't been on the other cruise lines before. I really appreciate your information!:)

[Warm Breezes]

Warm Breezes, thanks for your feedback. The price of the Canadian cruise is definitely much better for us, but it's hard for us to make this decision, since we haven't been on the other cruise lines before. I really appreciate your information!:)

 

Did you enjoy the Canadian cruise? Any good excursions you could recommend? We are limited to sailing in July right now with school, work, dance and sport schedules. Last year we did the Eastern Caribbean and it was too hot for DH. We are hoping to have it a little cooler going North.:)

[MrPete]

Having done both a month apart from each other in 2007, RCCL wins hands down. A trip to Bermuda is heaven. A 5 day cruise to Canada is.................ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :confused: WHERE WAS I?

[TrinaLC]

I don't think there is much difference between the lines. The price difference is because of the itinerary. Bermuda cruises are much more expensive, whoever offers them. Probably simple supply/demand as Bermuda limits the traffic.

[suebart112]

We've done Carnival to Canada and Royal Caribbean to Bermuda. Royal Caribbean wins hands down. Nicer ship, better weather, bigger room, etc.

[49holding]

Bermuda by a long shot....I have done a 7 day cruise to Bermuda on RCL and a 5 nite cruise to canada and if you are cruising for a destination then Bermuda wins hands down..I am going on a 4 nite cruise to Canada again in June with 5 of my co workers..Bermuda was our first choice..but we couldn't swing all that time off together to be gone the whole week..We are happy with Canada..we are paying like 40% of a Bermuda RCL rate.

Consider a 7 nite cruise on NCL..Bermuda its that special

[SMSACE6]

Having done both a month apart from each other in 2007, RCCL wins hands down. A trip to Bermuda is heaven. A 5 day cruise to Canada is.................ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :confused: WHERE WAS I?

 

 

Ahhh Mr Pete, sorry you find my country so boring.:p But given the choice I have to admit Bermuda would be my pick. I love Bermuda, though I have never been there on a cruise. I do love Halifax, but have been there sooo many times, that I would not choose to cruise there. Been to New Brunswick a few times but not to St John, though I know it has great sights and tours to offer. OP, I whichever you choose, I wish you a great cruise.:)

[steel123]

Thank you all for your responses! It sounds like Bermuda is the top choice.

 

Warm Breezes, we enjoyed the Canadian cruise when we went back in August 2008. It was a little rainy and very foggy at times, but we took the St. Martins & The Bay of Fundy excursion through Carnival. It was a nice excursion, but because of the timing with the tides, we couldn't walk out to the sea caves and the Reversing Falls tides weren't moving. After we returned from the excursion we actually took a cab back out to the Reversing Falls, since the tides were moving by then.

 

Mr. Pete, Suebart112 and TrinaLC--Thanks for your opinions. Your experiences with RCL are helpful. Never having been on that line, it's good to hear positive feedback, and an explanation for the cost. It sounds like this cruise might be worth the extra cost.

 

49Holding--I am interested in NCL, but since that cruise leaves on Friday, it may be more difficult for us to drive to Boston since it's our kids last day of school and they have exams, though I would prefer a 7 day cruise over 5 days, too.

 

Sparky8--Thanks for the well wishes!

 

We appreciate you all taking the time to give us advice!:)

[MrPete]

Ahhh Mr Pete, sorry you find my country so boring.:p

 

Actually, I find it quaint. Done it three times!

[family cruisers]

We've done NCL'S 7 day to Bermuda 3 years in a row (october) . I wouldn't go less than 7 days as Bermuda is so very beautiful and the more time there the better.

[Dave85]

Having done both a month apart from each other in 2007, RCCL wins hands down. A trip to Bermuda is heaven. A 5 day cruise to Canada is.................ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :confused: WHERE WAS I?

 

Canada's a lovely country but I second this sentiment about the 5-day Canada cruise -- I've done it twice, once on Carnival Destiny and once on Voyager of the Seas, both a while back. I'm doing the 5-nt to Bermuda on Explorer of the Seas next month so I'll be happy to report back on that experience!

[LemurCat]

I've done NCL to Bermuda twice. A couple of things you should know about Bermuda ...

 

1. It's not Caribbean. It's off the coast of the Carolinas. So keep that in mind. It might not be as warm as you'd like. But then again, compared to Canada, it might be just what you're after.

 

2. The ship docks and does not move until you're heading home. That means no casino and no shops as you're not going back out into international waters and Bermuda does not allow gambling while in port.

 

3. NCL and RCL's ships are docking at King's Wharf, which isn't exactly hopping with nightlife or otherwise. Yes, you can always take a bus or taxi or ferry to Hamilton or St. George's. But I've always found King's Wharf to be really inconvenient.

 

4. Bermuda is prone to be a bit rainy in June and July.

 

5. Make sure it's a new NCL ship. I won't set foot on one of their older ships ever again after last summer.

[steel123]

I just had a chance to check on this, and I appreciate all your responses.

 

LemurCat, your information is very helpful. These are all great points you have brought up. I hadn't thought about the fact that everything would be closed for the days the cruise is docked overnight. It's also good to know about the port location and the older NCL ships, too. I will have to research that in the future.

 

We were hoping we could take the NCL cruise, but it doesn't look like we will be able to arrive at the terminal in time.

 

So that leaves us with the two 5-day cruises--Carnival to Canada and RCCL to Bermuda. We are still trying to determine if it's worth the extra money.

 

I agree with everyone here that the Canadian ports don't offer as much, which is another reason why we are wondering if we should try the Bermuda cruise. We have a great price for the Canadian, and while the Bermuda cruise sounds very nice, and may be more desirable, it is nearly twice the price. We plan to go fishing on this cruise in either port. :)

[leoyjr]

Not sure if you decided, but I've done both cruises. Both destinations are just different, kind of like the Alaskan cruise. Not having been to Bermuda (yourself), I'd recommend going. The larger ships going to Bermuda do cost more. If you're looking at the Explorer of the Seas ship from NJ, it's a wonderful ship! I highly recommend this ship because of the boardwalk (inside neighborhood) on the 5th deck...I've been on this ship twice. Bermuda is part of the British commonwealth. This means it has a European flare, a touch of American culture, and a Caribbean feel to it. In fact, I've been to Bermuda twice. I would definitely go again. You will need to catch a ride to Hamilton - the other side of the island (the island is only 21 miles long). It has more shopping and things to see. But if money is an issue, truthfully, the New England cruise is still nice. In fact, I'm highly considering going on it (again) myself in August.

 

Enjoy and bon voyage!

[jks336]

we did the 5 day to canada and enjoyed it. besides i liked the cost!! we met a couple on the cruise who liked NCL better. their choice as with anyones.

 

but also look into ncl faq ect as they have more charges on food in alot of areas where carnival it is free. but as one poster posted once, the one whos doing the itenery i want and the best price gets her business lol.