Picking a cruise is soooo hard..

[RMM34667]

especially when you have more than two people to make happy. AND it happens all the time.

 

I've been trying to nail it down for months. First me and mom, then can't leave dad, then sister and nephew.. Living in FL so many within driving distance. And we want to go in November - deals abound!

 

Everytime I think we have a decision you see a price drop here or there and someone say well what about this...

 

I had given up. I've done enough you guys decide.

 

Then today my father (84) had a bad day so I was thinking that's it we won't be talking cruise for awhile. But the opposite happened. Last two hours straight have been pricing and comparing.

 

Down to two.. Destiny (Nassau, HMC and Grand Turk) and Inspiration (Cozumel and Grand Cayman).

 

And we had some offers from the Carnival Players Club which expired but we wanted to know if we could use the casino cash portion which don't expire till 12/31/11 so Mom called the number on the offers. It seems we can't BUT they had sent out another %25 off offer to my father that is good till 9/22..

 

So it looks like we may get something booked by Thursday.

 

Yeah!!!!!! I have a Princess cruised booked for next May but everytime I see that countdown (242 as of today) it KILLS me!!

[joeyancho]

I would choose the Destiny for the ports. But that's just me. I have been to the other ports many times.

[australian_girl]

HMC looks so beautiful. I want to go there next.

[MommyMonster]

I would flip a coin between the 2 and call it a night, otherwise I would never make up my mind.

[RMM34667]

I would choose the Destiny for the ports. But that's just me. I have been to the other ports many times.

 

 

Agree.. except Port of Tampa is 40 mins away.. No driving, no parking. But Destiny is winning (I think). We have also been to Cozumel and GC a few times. I've been to Grand Turk and had an awesome day can't wait to go back. And never been to HMC. Sister wants to take nephew to Atlantis. I could care less about Nassau, but Mom wants to try another beach resort if we do go there.

 

Just get me on the ship.. I don't care where I'm going or what I'll do when I get there!!!!

[okwriter]

Boy, having to try to decide for such a diverse group would be hard!

 

I'm lucky enough to cruise with two long-time friends who leave the booking up to me. They just tell me when they can go, and that's all they care about! Both joke that people at work ask them where they are going on their cruise, and they say, "I don't know!" :)

[GloriaF]

I think the people you have to consider are your parents and their limitations. If your dad is 84 and had a bad day recently, I am assuming he is not in great health.

 

HMC is beautiful, but will your parents be able to navigate the sand and the distance? HMC with Holland America offers transport via golf carts to their bungalows, but the bungalow rental is $$$. I don't know what Carnival offers.

[MamaParrotHead]

If your dad is in poor health, Carnival will accomodate him as best they can, you just need to alert them to what's going on when you book.

 

I'd choose Destiny, for the larger/newer ship and the fact that I love HMC and Grand Turk.

 

I am the planner for our cruising group as well (which varies from cruise to cruise anywhere from my family four plus an additional 6, to an additional 45) , but I'm meaner than you are. I choose the cruise *I* want to go on, then leave it up to everyone else if they'd like to join me. ;)

[tracyanns]

We have the opposite problem. We travel with a group of 25 or so each year and the leader just books and if you like it, you go, if not, stay home. Sometimes I WISH he would ask some other people what they want as I would like to try something different once in a while!

 

I would go with the Destiny cruise also, my hubby and I were saying how we are going to move to Florida one day just because they have so many cruise ports and such good deals that we can't get out of the Northeast. I feel the way you do, as long as I am on a cruise I will make the most of it, but I do prefer to go to atleast one port that I want to see!

[RMM34667]

I think we are pretty close to booking today. Destiny.. And now it is 6.

 

My father will probably stay on the ship for Nassau and My mom and I will do a short beach trip. Last year at Roatan we pulled in behind the Destiny and disembarked from the aft door. He made it to the Midship doors and said I had enough.. (they were crew entrance only but seems he was able to get on anyway). But he did much better in Cozumel. And last year was only 5 months after stomach surgery to remove cancer, and only 3 months after his Alzhiemers diagnosis. He is doing well all things considered. But yesterday he scared us all when he said he felt funny and really weak. But it just happens he had blood work done on Monday and they called to report he was severely anemic.

 

I think Grand Turk will be easy for him because we plan to hang out at Margaritaville. Never been to HMC, but my parents have years ago and they enjoyed it.

 

We thought last November's cruise would be our last opportunity to cruise with him so I think this is a bonus. We are doing a 5 day because we don't think he could handle longer. He is excited to go.

 

I am more than excited!!

[MamaParrotHead]

I think we are pretty close to booking today. Destiny.. And now it is 6.

 

My father will probably stay on the ship for Nassau and My mom and I will do a short beach trip. Last year at Roatan we pulled in behind the Destiny and disembarked from the aft door. He made it to the Midship doors and said I had enough.. (they were crew entrance only but seems he was able to get on anyway). But he did much better in Cozumel. And last year was only 5 months after stomach surgery to remove cancer, and only 3 months after his Alzhiemers diagnosis. He is doing well all things considered. But yesterday he scared us all when he said he felt funny and really weak. But it just happens he had blood work done on Monday and they called to report he was severely anemic.

 

I think Grand Turk will be easy for him because we plan to hang out at Margaritaville. Never been to HMC, but my parents have years ago and they enjoyed it.

 

We thought last November's cruise would be our last opportunity to cruise with him so I think this is a bonus. We are doing a 5 day because we don't think he could handle longer. He is excited to go.

 

I am more than excited!!

 

I hope you all enjoy your cruise and your dad's health stabilizes. My dad had surgery to remove stage 4 colon cancer just a month ago and just started his chemo. We're hoping our cruise next November, post chemo, post radiation, will be a Victory Cruise for us. Best of luck!

[Lv2Camp&Cruise]

I think we are pretty close to booking today. Destiny.. And now it is 6.

 

My father will probably stay on the ship for Nassau and My mom and I will do a short beach trip. Last year at Roatan we pulled in behind the Destiny and disembarked from the aft door. He made it to the Midship doors and said I had enough.. (they were crew entrance only but seems he was able to get on anyway). But he did much better in Cozumel. And last year was only 5 months after stomach surgery to remove cancer, and only 3 months after his Alzhiemers diagnosis. He is doing well all things considered. But yesterday he scared us all when he said he felt funny and really weak. But it just happens he had blood work done on Monday and they called to report he was severely anemic.

 

I think Grand Turk will be easy for him because we plan to hang out at Margaritaville. Never been to HMC, but my parents have years ago and they enjoyed it.

 

We thought last November's cruise would be our last opportunity to cruise with him so I think this is a bonus. We are doing a 5 day because we don't think he could handle longer. He is excited to go.

 

I am more than excited!!

 

 

 

I would choose Destiny for the ports. Either way, I pray that your father will be able to go and enjoy the trip. That is wonderful.

[StingRaysfan]

If it helps push you over the edge... I would also pick the Destiny.... HMC alone makes it my choice. It's so beautiful and relaxing.

[RMM34667]

Done.. Booked on Destiny 11/14.. Now I can get excited!

 

Thanks all for the encouragement and advice.