Conquest vs. Splendor vs. Spirit (7/8 nights)

[xerenthar]

I am looking to go on a cruise the week in between Christmas and New Year's. I've narrowed it down to three different Carnival cruises (the prices include a flight):

 

7 nights on Conquest, $1157

7 nights on Splendor, $1359

8 nights on Spirit, $1173

 

The locations are pretty much equal for me. The 8 night on Spirit is the best deal nights-for-dollar wise, obviously. Are either the Conquest or the Splendor markedly better enough than the Spirit that it'd be worth it to pay either slightly less (Conquest) for one night fewer, or even worth paying more for fewer nights?

 

Thanks everyone :)

 

EDIT: I know the Spirit is an older (ish) ship, and the Splendor's one of the bigger new ones... and Conquest is right in the middle... that's why I ask. First time cruiser, while my girlfriend is a veteran, she's never been on Carnival.

[yogimax]

I wouldn't pay that much extra for Splendor. Take your pick of the other two.

[cruisinthemed]

An extra night for $16.00!!! I have been on the Splendor last year and going on the Sprit this Nov & Feb. I have heard many good things about the Spirit. Read some reviews, is what I would suggest.

[Fazzdaan]

The Spirit is a very nice ship and had a drydock in 3/09. We had sailed on her before and after that drydock and are scheduled to go again. Trust me, she is a wonderful ship.

[firefly333]

Spirit class is usually the favorite class on here .. so you will get a lot of votes for Spirit Im sure. Only spirit class has the 4Ks with the french doors that open and the obstructed 7A balcony class.

[glrounds]

Another vote for the SPIRIT . . . wins hands down. She has the IDEAL layout of all Carnival ships, IMHO.

Didn't care for the layout of the SPLENDOR that much, although she duplicates the OPEN to the sea AFT LIDO deck that I love in the SPIRIT class. The rest of her just too much like a Conquest class.

The CONQUEST . . . not without a gun to my head. :D

[lovepea]

I loved the Splendor, but given the pricing and cruise length and the fact that the ports are not an issue with you, go with the Spirit.

 

It's a ship that gets lots of great feedback.

[sbnuggie]

Yup, having been on two spirit class ships (Legend and Pride, sister ships to the spirit) and the conquest a few months ago, absolutely without any doubt do the spirit cruise, especially over the conquest. You mentioned the price included airfare, what you will find is transferring from either of the houston airports to Galveston is expensive and can be a royal pain in the butt to try and find an economical way to get there.

 

We are going on the splendor next may so I've just started my research etc so I can't offer any opinion about the splendor, but for sure the spirit class ships are hands down better then conquest class ships, IMHO.

 

My family would try to get on the spirit class ships but my kids are still to young not to go without a connecting cabin and price wise connecting balcony rooms are still too much so we are stuck with connecting OV rooms which are found on the splendor/conquest etc.

 

Either way you will have a good time.

[Jen1000]

I have been on the Spirit two times this year (Alaska and Mexico) and love the ship, the layout, food, shows, etc.

 

One other big plus is that the cruise ship dock in San Diego is very close to the airport and affordable hotels/motels.

 

Jen in SoCal

 

Yup, having been on two spirit class ships (Legend and Pride, sister ships to the spirit) and the conquest a few months ago, absolutely without any doubt do the spirit cruise, especially over the conquest. You mentioned the price included airfare, what you will find is transferring from either of the houston airports to Galveston is expensive and can be a royal pain in the butt to try and find an economical way to get there.

 

We are going on the splendor next may so I've just started my research etc so I can't offer any opinion about the splendor, but for sure the spirit class ships are hands down better then conquest class ships, IMHO.

 

My family would try to get on the spirit class ships but my kids are still to young not to go without a connecting cabin and price wise connecting balcony rooms are still too much so we are stuck with connecting OV rooms which are found on the splendor/conquest etc.

 

Either way you will have a good time.

[Fazzdaan]

Yep. We fly in from PHX and it is $10.00 or so by taxi to the airport. San Diego is a lovely city with a wonderful harbor and airport.

[riclop]

Been on both and we love the splendor much more!!!!!!!!

[xerenthar]

after reconsideration, turns out we really want to hit some spots in the western caribbean. conquest it is, but i'll make sure to look out for the inevitable repeat cruise in the spirit class :)

 

 

excited for my first cruise =D