Choosing between Pride's April 2012 itineraries: Bermuda or Turks and Freeport?

[megansmommy]

Planning a big family celebration trip on the Pride next year and can't figure out which week to book. Right now we have at least 10 people going, ages from 4 into the 80's. We were on the Pride in Feb 2010 and enjoyed Nassau but not Freeport too much. Has anyone done either of these trips and could give some suggestions? Any favorite excursions (through Carnival or booked on your own)? Thanks!

[firefly333]

I think all of the Bahamas is ugly, brown islands and flat. I would never pick to go there on purpose, though I know some like the private islands there ... beaches are beaches anywhere.

 

We used to be able to go over there for a $99 day cruise way back when on Carnival ...usually 2 people for $99, so I went several times.

[megansmommy]

We weren't impressed with the tour we took in Freeport the last time so figured if we did the Bahamas cruise we'd just hit the beach. I believe 2 of our cruisers have been to Bermuda before but my family hasn't so we don't know what to expect. My little one's only request is that we do a dolphin experience like we did last year (she was only 2 but remembers it vividly and talks about it all the time!).

[jmcancruise]

In Freeport we went on a kayak tour through the mangroves and hit gold rock beach. Very primative, but amazingly beautiful. We definately want to find a way to go back there if we get back to Freeport sometime.

[jnojr]

Planning a big family celebration trip on the Pride next year and can't figure out which week to book. Right now we have at least 10 people going, ages from 4 into the 80's. We were on the Pride in Feb 2010 and enjoyed Nassau but not Freeport too much. Has anyone done either of these trips and could give some suggestions? Any favorite excursions (through Carnival or booked on your own)? Thanks!

 

If you want to stay in Bermuda for three days, why not just do an all-inclusive there?

 

I'm thinking about the 15 APR cruise to Grand Turc / Bahamas.

[Shelli]

If you want to stay in Bermuda for three days, why not just do an all-inclusive there?

 

Bermuda is one of the most expensive islands on which to have a land vacation-- the best and most cost-effective way to see it is by ship. It's absolutely beautiful, but most people don't realize it is NOT tropical; it's off the coast of NC, and while it's kept relatively warm by the Gulf Stream, it's not summer all year long like most islands in the Caribbean. In April the typical high would only be about 70 degrees F, not nearly beach weather. The beaches are beautiful, but there's lots of other things to do and see, and all the people are very friendly.

 

Cruises to Bermuda also tend to be different from typical Caribbean cruises. The casino and stores are closed while you're in port, and ship activities are greatly limited for those 3 days. And sometimes the Atlantic can be rough. That said, though, we've cruised there twice and loved it both times.

[golfadj]

I have been to Freeport some years ago on our first cruise and in spite of going there keep cruising.

 

Never going back to Freeport again on purpose.