I cant decide which cruise! help!

[Drose716]

My SO & I are planning a short kids free cruise for july or August. This will be my 4th (see signature) & his 1st. I've narrowed it down to two 5 day itineraries. I selected the Freedom because I want to try a 2.0 ship. I can't decide & would like input from you lucky CC folks who are more experienced than I.

 

July 21-26: nassau, HMC, grand turk

-I've been 2 nassau. It was okay enough & its still a beach but I have no burning desire to return. I went to Atlantis first time.

- HMC & grand turk are both new & Ive read HMC shouldn't be missed

-cheaper cabin & air but not by a lot

-it's sooner lol

-1 sea day only

 

 

Aug 11-16 ocho rios, Jamaica & Grand Cayman

-2 sea days

-I know its not popular but I've wanted to see Jamaica. Grand Cayman isnt necessarily on my bucket list

- im 2/2 on August cruises impacted by hurricanes

 

I'm torn. I may be leaning towards tbe July crusie but I like the 2 sea days in August... please share your pick!!!

[kybluecruiser]

I vote HMC and grand Turk. Two great beach days.

[bingomamma19]

My SO & I are planning a short kids free cruise for july or August. This will be my 4th (see signature) & his 1st. I've narrowed it down to two 5 day itineraries. I selected the Freedom because I want to try a 2.0 ship. I can't decide & would like input from you lucky CC folks who are more experienced than I.

 

July 21-26: nassau, HMC, grand turk

-I've been 2 nassau. It was okay enough & its still a beach but I have no burning desire to return. I went to Atlantis first time.

- HMC & grand turk are both new & Ive read HMC shouldn't be missed

-cheaper cabin & air but not by a lot

-it's sooner lol

-1 sea day only

 

 

Aug 11-16 ocho rios, Jamaica & Grand Cayman

-2 sea days

-I know its not popular but I've wanted to see Jamaica. Grand Cayman isnt necessarily on my bucket list

- im 2/2 on August cruises impacted by hurricanes

 

I'm torn. I may be leaning towards tbe July crusie but I like the 2 sea days in August... please share your pick!!!

 

 

Ive been to all the ports you are looking at several times.

 

Ocho Rios--has Dunns falls--fun for kids who are adventurous

Grand Cayman--nice beaches, very safe and easy to walk around and shop

 

Nassau--kinda sucks---we walked around Atlantis-not much else I found interesting

 

HMC--beautiful--nothing like it--private, safe, gorgeous beache

 

Grand Turk--Margueritaville gigantic winding pool and really nice beach. Nothing else to do there-Last year we rented a golf cart and drove around the whole island--there really is nothing on this island--long stretches of nothing--a random donkey walking around. No restaurants --

 

So its best to pick what ports look good for what you guys want to do. I would actually do either cruise and just stay on board in Nassau--or get off and go to senior frogs at the port/

[mousey]

I picked the August cruise because you've never been to Jamaica or Grand Cayman. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to visit Jamaica. I went there on my very first cruise when I was 19 years old and loved it. Went back with the DH and DS and it's one of the DS's favorite ports. Dunn's River Falls is a lot of fun but you have to want to do something very physical. My suggestion if you decide to do this is to bring your own water shoes, which you can get at any Walmart for about $7 or $8 dollars. I got the DH and DS their water shoes there.

 

One excursion I would highly, highly recommend in Grand Cayman...unless you're fearful...which there really is no reason to be, is the swim with the Manta Rays. OMG, it was amazing! They are such beautiful creatures. They are very mellow and as long as you follow your guides instructions as to how to feed them and act around them, you will have no problem. It is one of my top 3 excursions of all time. I've never experienced anything like it. I cannot say enough good things about that excursion. We did a private excursion on our own and there where only 8 of us on the small boat. We were not close to the gazillion people from the cruise ships but in an area not too far from them. In a heartbeat I would go back to both of these ports.:D

 

Please come back and let us know which trip you decide on!

Edited June 14, 2014 by mousey

[Disconnections]

If you're looking to spend a lot of time at the beach on your port days, the Half Moon Cay/Grand Turk itinerary is the one to choose. If you're looking for something more adventurous, but with a little bit of beach time, go with the Ocho Rios/Grand Cayman itinerary.

Edited June 14, 2014 by Disconnections

[Mutumbojimbo]

It's all about what you like. I would choose Grand Turk, HMC, and Nassau, because GT has a beautiful beach, I've not been to HMC, and although I'm not a fan of Nassau, I could find something fun to do, maybe even just enjoy a crowd free ship.

 

All that said, my wife and I had a great time at Ocho Rios too. I would highly recommend the 'cool Runnings ' catamaran to Dunn's River Falls.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[winddawn]

My SO & I are planning a short kids free cruise for july or August. This will be my 4th (see signature) & his 1st. I've narrowed it down to two 5 day itineraries. I selected the Freedom because I want to try a 2.0 ship. I can't decide & would like input from you lucky CC folks who are more experienced than I.

 

July 21-26: nassau, HMC, grand turk

-I've been 2 nassau. It was okay enough & its still a beach but I have no burning desire to return. I went to Atlantis first time.

- HMC & grand turk are both new & Ive read HMC shouldn't be missed

-cheaper cabin & air but not by a lot

-it's sooner lol

-1 sea day only

 

 

Aug 11-16 ocho rios, Jamaica & Grand Cayman

-2 sea days

-I know its not popular but I've wanted to see Jamaica. Grand Cayman isnt necessarily on my bucket list

- im 2/2 on August cruises impacted by hurricanes

 

I'm torn. I may be leaning towards tbe July crusie but I like the 2 sea days in August... please share your pick!!!

Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay-two beautiful free beaches right as you get off the ship--enough said. Like the others stated, I usually stay on the ship in Nassau and enjoy the quiet ship and pool. But that's just because I've been to Nassau so many times I lost count. If you like to gamble, you can go to the casino at Atlantis. Or just walk around and shop in Nassau. There's also the newer Balmoral island excursion there you could try.

 

I also love Jamaica. Just because it is all mountains and beaches and is just beautiful. And in spite of some locals bugging you to buy stuff, it has a warm, vibrant culture and great food. I love jerk chicken. I prefer to do an excursion in Jamaica.

Edited June 14, 2014 by winddawn

[OCruisers]

The one in July would be great for a Summer cruise! :)

[etwright]

HMC without doubt.

[CruisinKibble]

IMHO Jamaica should be avoided. If I were to be on a cruise that stops in Jamaica I would skip it. I have only been to MoBay, but that was enough. All the horror stories are true.

 

That said, Grand Cayman is a great place.

[willy32465]

Go with the Nassau, GT and Half Moon Cay. Use Nassau day as your the extra sea day you would like. That's how we look at it when we do this itinerary.

[pungo3]

I voted for the itinerary with Half Moon Cay. Of all the places I've been, HMC is probably my favorite since only the ship's passengers are there. It's so beautiful, and very relaxing. Nassau isn't worth getting off the ship, in my opinion, so use it as a sea day and enjoy a quiet ship for the day. Whatever you choose, I hope you have a fabulous cruise.:D

[GreytRacer]

If you're looking to spend a lot of time at the beach on your port days, the Half Moon Cay/Grand Turk itinerary is the one to choose. If you're looking for something more adventurous, but with a little bit of beach time, go with the Ocho Rios/Grand Cayman itinerary.

 

 

^^^^ what Disconnections said. :-)

 

I'll add that HMC and Grand Turk (Jack's Shack!) are probably my 2 favorite cruise ship stops.

[SMSACE6]

Nassau, HMC and Grand Turk!!!!!

 

HMC and Grand Turk are on my to do list. Absolutely would love to get to both those ports. I have not been to Nassau in many years, but when I did go back in the 90's, I liked it.

 

I love Grand Cayman...and would love to go back, but Ocho Rios....while it was very beautiful and Im glad I went there once...I might not venture far from the ship there if I went back there. JMO though.

 

You should check out the excursions there or what you would like to do in each of these places, then decides which one works for you. Also, I see that you like sea days. ( I do too ), so second one might be good too. and Jamaica should really be seen for it's beauty, at least once.

 

Either way, have a great cruise.:)

Edited June 14, 2014 by SMSACE6

[oncruisecontrol]

I picked the August cruise because you've never been to Jamaica or Grand Cayman. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to visit Jamaica. I went there on my very first cruise when I was 19 years old and loved it. Went back with the DH and DS and it's one of the DS's favorite ports. Dunn's River Falls is a lot of fun but you have to want to do something very physical. My suggestion if you decide to do this is to bring your own water shoes, which you can get at any Walmart for about $7 or $8 dollars. I got the DH and DS their water shoes there.

 

Dunn's River Falls is a must see in my opinion. But, it is not necessary to actually climb the falls to enjoy the falls. We took the staircase that runs alongside the falls down to the beach at the bottom of the falls. On the beach at the foot of the falls, the water collects in a tidal pool of sorts and is very refreshing. The air was crisp and clean and exhilarating. We were so energized for the trek back up to the top. Even though we chose not to climb the falls, the visit there was an awesome experience. I have wonderful pictures of the falls, but they don't do them justice.

[Drose716]

Thanks for the input everyone! I showed SO all of this & we settled on july 21st to nassau, HMC & grand turk! Thanks to another thread here today I ordered carnival e-gift cards for the 10%. So the cabin has been chosen & placed on 24 hour hold to be paid in full tomorrow as soon as the card is active. Airfare is booked & paid. We sail in 37 days!! :D I'm already dying of excitement! Expect some excursion questions to come!

[Stateroom_Sailor]

I would choose HBC and Grand Turk myself, do a 7 day to Jamaica, Cayman, with the bonus of Cozumel later. I had the same excitement about Jamaica, until I went, and fell in love with Grand Cayman instead. ;)

Edited June 15, 2014 by Stateroom_Sailor

[092306]

Though I don't love Nassau, I voted for the first one because of HMC and Grand Turk. Love those beach ports. If you really want to go to Jamaica, then I say do it, but I think that I would only choose the second itinerary if it included Cozumel. Whatever you choose, hope it's a great cruise!

[GreytRacer]

Thanks for the input everyone! I showed SO all of this & we settled on july 21st to nassau, HMC & grand turk! Thanks to another thread here today I ordered carnival e-gift cards for the 10%. So the cabin has been chosen & placed on 24 hour hold to be paid in full tomorrow as soon as the card is active. Airfare is booked & paid. We sail in 37 days!! :D I'm already dying of excitement! Expect some excursion questions to come!

 

 

Great choice! You should have a great time!

 

We love Jack's Shack in Grand Turk. Just a short walk down the beach and you're there. Great drinks, tasty food and a wonderful pup named Topher who loves to dig for crabs and hangs out in the water. A beautiful day!

[JimAOk1945]

If I were you, I would pick a cruise that takes me to a place I've always wanted to go to. Who knows when you will have another chance to see that place on your bucket list? :D

 

Happy cruising!