which itinerary would you pick?

[SLPloves2cruise]

Given a choice between: (given all else equal)

 

1) st. thomas, antigua, tortola and nassau

 

or

 

2) grand turk, la romana dominican republic, curacao and aruba

 

 

and why? I'm torn between these two itineraries, both of which are similar in price for next summer. We'd possibly be going with my brother in law and his wife, and possibly our 4 year old son (he may stay home with grandma...not sure yet)

 

Thanks!

[RBCL]

I am leaning a little more towards #2, but either one is good! :)

[going to see the world]

Wow...not that it really helps you, but either one sounds great.

[Ykgorbie]

I would pick #2, but only because we have done the 1st one....which was amazing. Whatever you choose, have a wonderful cruise ! !

[cawagner]

I would say #2...we are thinking of the same itinerary next year in June :D...what date were you thinking of?

[PA Dutchman]

Don't have to think much on that #2, they are all great ports. Done that one 2 times. #1 is OK

[BeccaBecca1713]

I'd go for number 2, only because I've never been to those ports. I'm actually eyeballing a similar itinerary for 2012!!

 

Been to St. Thomas and Nassau before. I wouldn't shed a tear if I never went to the Bahamas again.......

[karenbeanpole]

We would choose 2 cos we simply LOVE Grand Turk. Ship docks almost on the beach! Deck chairs ready waiting for us, free. Nice purpose built port. Simply my favourite destination. Just chill.

[Leothelion]

I'd go for number 2, only because I've never been to those ports. I'm actually eyeballing a similar itinerary for 2012!!

 

Been to St. Thomas and Nassau before. I wouldn't shed a tear if I never went to the Bahamas again.......

 

#2 for sure!

 

...and I agree with Becca--I can live without the Bahamas!

[Mjasp]

Not even close #2 for sure!

[Melismass]

#2 for me! Aruba is fantastic! We went there on our first cruise back in 2002 and I have always waned to go back! We rented a jeep and had an absolute adventure. We drove up sand dunes and swam in the natural pool. I also remember it as having some excellent snorkeling, but keep in mind it was my first time snokeling so I had nothing to compare to!

[buddylover]

Hands down.....#2. St. Thomas and Nassau, very ordinary and many itineraries include them. Much more exotic to the deep southern caribbean (Aruba, Curacao).

[cruisenanny]

Yes, #2. Could easily do without St. Thomas & Nassau, these are good days to stay on ship though if you do find yourself there:)

[gmros]

I agree with buddylover. A lot of itineraries include Nassau and St. Thomas. So I choose #2! It looks like #2 by a landslide :D

[IslandToIsland]

I'd say #2 because we did it in Feb and it was great. #1 we will be doing most likely next Sept. You can't really go wrong with either, but like OP said St. Thomas and Nassau are with a ton of itineraries where Aruba and Curacao are not.

[Philly Steve]

I agree with buddylover. A lot of itineraries include Nassau and St. Thomas. So I choose #2! It looks like #2 by a landslide :D

 

Love that animated sig!

 

I would go with the first if you've never been to St. Thomas as there is no shortage of things to do. We recently revisited St. Thomas after a decade of cruising and were sorry we only had one day there.

 

Also, I understand how some can be critical of the Bahamas but I sure love those white sandy beaches. :cool:

[misguidedangel]

Heck, the choice is easy.....Aruba and Curacao!!!!! I would love to go there too and surely would fill up ONE 4GB memory card for sure if I had the chance....I`ve seen photos and both are amazing....too bad that natural rock bridge in Aruba collapsed, that was really cool....

 

Carnival needs to do more 8 days and go to Aruba and Curacao

 

Grand Turk--weht there three cruises in a row and once in 2007, so been there done that....the cruise center was nice in 2007, but after Ike they dd some work and made it what it is now...the parrot at Margaritaville isn`t as nice as the original......

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Given a choice between: (given all else equal)

 

1) st. thomas, antigua, tortola and nassau

 

or

 

2) grand turk, la romana dominican republic, curacao and aruba

 

 

and why? I'm torn between these two itineraries, both of which are similar in price for next summer. We'd possibly be going with my brother in law and his wife, and possibly our 4 year old son (he may stay home with grandma...not sure yet)

 

Thanks!

I would take # 1

[MamaParrotHead]

everyone who is choosing #2- reasons please. debating theses as well. what makes aruba and curacao so great?

[winddawn]

everyone who is choosing #2- reasons please. debating theses as well. what makes aruba and curacao so great?

Aruba is friendlier and has casinos. Curacao natives were very unfriendly when we visited. I wouldn't return to Curacao. I think a lot of people express a preference for Curacao and Aruba because these would be new ports for them (not too many Carnival cruises call there). I think St. Thomas has the most beautiful harbor in the Caribbean.

[celticd1]

I would choose #2 (and will be doing this itinerary in January). Unusual ports is the main reason. #1 offers ports that are offered as regular itineraries. You don't see Aruba and Curacao offered as frequently.

[bahamaman]

tough, tough, choice. either one will be a winner. price and cabin selection would be the deciding factor for me on this one.

[Nanatravel]

Given a choice between: (given all else equal)

 

1) st. thomas, antigua, tortola and nassau

 

or

 

2) grand turk, la romana dominican republic, curacao and aruba

 

 

and why? I'm torn between these two itineraries, both of which are similar in price for next summer. We'd possibly be going with my brother in law and his wife, and possibly our 4 year old son (he may stay home with grandma...not sure yet)

 

Thanks!

 

That is a tuff one:

#1 - only negative IMHO is Nassau. Other than a ship shore excursion, private tour to Blue Island Lagoon to Swim with the Dolphins @ $220PP or a day at Atlantis, I would choose #2,

#2 - only negative is LaRomana - absolutely think this is cruise line tourist trap. However, the other 3 ports are Great for beach lovers, island tours on your own - golf cart at Grand Turk, city bus at Aruba, or just roaming around the port cities.

 

I would be interested in which CCL ships you are thinking about. That would help to narrow down your cruise choice.

[hockeygirl14]

Given a choice between: (given all else equal)

 

1) st. thomas, antigua, tortola and nassau

 

or

 

2) grand turk, la romana dominican republic, curacao and aruba

 

 

and why? I'm torn between these two itineraries, both of which are similar in price for next summer. We'd possibly be going with my brother in law and his wife, and possibly our 4 year old son (he may stay home with grandma...not sure yet)

 

Thanks!

 

I would say #2 ..even though I LOVE TORTOLA. Theres no St Thomas, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Grand Turk lol. Both are good though

[sharecruises]

Both look wonderful...

probably I would also go with #2....but then do #1 the next cruise haha

 

I for one am really delighted to see that Carnival is doing more of these 8 day "exotic" cruises....

 

there is also a very good review of the Tortola/Antiqua etc cruise on Freedom here by "GoldenGirl" I think...

 

once you read it , your choice will even be harder....yikes

 

really both look great