glituner32 Posted August 15, 2014 #1 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Narrowed it down to two cruises I can book for New years. Help me choose. Sailed on both carnival and RCCl before but not these ships. I think I like Explorer more on ship features but the Itinerary more for Carnival Splendor. Hard choices. Explorer 8 night eastern- labadee, san juan, st croix, st marten, From Orlando Or Carnival Splendor eastrn- Nassau, san juan, St Thomas, Grand turk. From Miami Explorer leaves from Orlando saving about $200 a person on plane ticket. Flying into FLL or MIA cost about $200 more than Orlando. But Splendor cost about $200 less a person then Explorer. So it evens out. Both itineraries look good. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLee1973 Posted August 15, 2014 #2 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I like explorers itinerary better just because of St. Marteen but that is fire other reasons. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomarvin Posted August 15, 2014 #3 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I've been on both ships and i think I like the Explorer best. I haven't been to some of those ports so I can't help with those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted August 15, 2014 #4 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I have been on both the Explorer and the Splendor... Hands down...the Explorer. Better ship, food, entertainment. Better ports. I have been to every port you have listed and the better ones are with the Explorer. :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted August 15, 2014 #5 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Nassau? No thanks. That port is OK on short, cheapie itineraries. But on a longer itinerary? It's a waste of a day. For me, that alone would eliminate the Splendor's itinerary as an option. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzaholic41 Posted August 15, 2014 #6 Share Posted August 15, 2014 This one isn't even close. Definitely Explorer. The itinerary, ship, everything is better. With those prices, keep in mind you need to get to Port Canaveral from Orlando, so that'll be an added expense. But that changes nothing. Explorer is still the faaaar better cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvercrikhix Posted August 15, 2014 #7 Share Posted August 15, 2014 We have sailed Explorer of the Seas, but not the Splendor. We'd sail the Explorer again, no contest! She's a great ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runner15km Posted August 15, 2014 #8 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I prefer Carnival over Royal but I would choose the Explorer on this choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honeybunches Posted August 15, 2014 #9 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Sailing on my first Carnival cruise in a few weeks so I don't really know their ships but I just LOVED Explorer. That was my first cruise and it's been hard to match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted August 15, 2014 #10 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Sailing on my first Carnival cruise in a few weeks so I don't really know their ships but I just LOVED Explorer. That was my first cruise and it's been hard to match. I feel the same way. It will always have a sentimental place with me. By the way.....Love your avitar. Hahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honeybunches Posted August 15, 2014 #11 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I feel the same way. It will always have a sentimental place with me. By the way.....Love your avitar. Hahahaha Thanks! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibcnusoon Posted August 15, 2014 #12 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I sailed Splendor out of New York. It's a fine ship, nothing to worry about there. BUT, that itinerary compared to Explorer is less desirable. If I were to chose I would definately pick Explorer. Labadeee is a RC exclusive and not many ships sail to St. Croix so that's a plus too! We loved St. Maarten and I would do a land vacation there anytime! San Juan is eh, but definitely not a deal breaker! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted August 15, 2014 #13 Share Posted August 15, 2014 San Juan is eh, but definitely not a deal breaker! IMHO, San Juan is the highlight of any Eastern Caribbean itinerary. There's not a single port in the Caribbean with the same cultural diversity, history, architecture, attractions and amazing vibe. The problem with San Juan is that there's not enough time on an average stop to enjoy, even a minuscule fraction, of what this port has to offer. Which is why so many people don't explore beyond Señor Frog's a few feet from the cruise terminal, and then they say that San Juan is eh. :rolleyes: Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibcnusoon Posted August 15, 2014 #14 Share Posted August 15, 2014 IMHO, San Juan is the highlight of any Eastern Caribbean itinerary. There's not a single port in the Caribbean with the same cultural diversity, history, architecture, attractions and amazing vibe. The problem with San Juan is that there's not enough time on an average stop to enjoy, even a minuscule fraction, of what this port has to offer. Which is why so many people don't explore beyond Señor Frog's a few feet from the cruise terminal, and then they say that San Juan is eh. :rolleyes: Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app We spent the weekend pre-cruise in Old San Juan. That's why I say, Eh. I didn't step foot in Senor Frogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted August 16, 2014 #15 Share Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) We spent the weekend pre-cruise in Old San Juan. That's why I say, Eh. So you didn't leave Old San Juan??? :eek: As I said, this destination has SO much to offer, and most people don't even venture more than a mile from the cruise terminal. While Old San Juan is definitely a must stop for all visitors, next time, rent a car, drive around the island, take the panoramic route, explore the mountains, hike the El Yunque rainforest, check out the contrasting beaches, go to the Arecibo observatory, visit the bioluminescent bay, stay at El Conquistador, take a day trip to Vieques, explore the third longest underground river in the world at the Rio Camuy Caverns, visit historic towns peppered throughout the island, enjoy the freshest seafood you'll ever have in your life at the fishing village of Joyuda, take a tour of the Bacardi Rum Distillery, etc, etc, etc. IMHO, it's far from being "eh". Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Edited August 16, 2014 by Tapi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topo Gigio Posted August 16, 2014 #16 Share Posted August 16, 2014 San Juan & St.Maarten are my favorites ports on the Eastern Caribbean itineraries by far! Just love that place. The only other port comparable to San Juan is here in Curacao where I live with a lot of (dutch) architecture, history and cultural diversity. We have 150 thousand inhabitants with 65 different nationalities! go figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted August 16, 2014 #17 Share Posted August 16, 2014 So you didn't leave Old San Juan??? :eek: As I said, this destination has SO much to offer, and most people don't even venture more than a mile from the cruise terminal. While Old San Juan is definitely a must stop for all visitors, next time, rent a car, drive around the island, take the panoramic route, explore the mountains, hike the El Yunque rainforest, check out the contrasting beaches, go to the Arecibo observatory, visit the bioluminescent bay, stay at El Conquistador, take a day trip to Vieques, explore the third longest underground river in the world at the Rio Camuy Caverns, visit historic towns peppered throughout the island, enjoy the freshest seafood you'll ever have in your life at the fishing village of Joyuda, take a tour of the Bacardi Rum Distillery, etc, etc, etc. IMHO, it's far from being "eh". Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app I used to have a so so feeling about SanJuan. The more we went there (either as a stop or as a homeport) the more we came to really appreciate it. It culminated when a local driver we have used in CT who is from there, happened to be there and he took us on a private tour. It was a fantastic day and now it is one of our favorite ports. The only thing it is a little lacking in is really good beaches which they have but are a ways from the cruise port. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOUSFBULLS44 Posted October 8, 2014 #18 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I just today cancelled a 5 night on 1/4/15 on explorer out of Cape Canaveral for a & nt on Carnival Splendor. To be fair it was because of price and room credit, 7 nights over 5 and ocean view to balcony for $300.00 less plus a $100.00 credit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgttami Posted October 8, 2014 #19 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I've been on both and like both but I'd do Explorer for the itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyancho Posted October 9, 2014 #20 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Been on both ships. Explorer hands down. Not even close. Splendor is nice, Explorer is amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhalliv Posted October 9, 2014 #21 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Been on both ships as well. Both sailed from New York area in the winter. One MAJOR plus of the Splendor is the retractable roof over the pool so you can swim in the cold weather on the way down. I also found that the Explorer shows her age much more than the Splendor. I liked the buffet foods on the Splendor, but the shows on the Explorer are obviously much better quality. The Explorer is much more of a relaxing ship (spent 12 days on her) and the Splendor always have something going on (hence the FunShip designation). The Splendor room also felt bigger to me, but that might just be the category, and it also has some awesome "secret decks" to watch docking or just view the ocean. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitamin_Sea Posted October 19, 2014 #22 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Been on CCL Splendor twice within a year... Beautiful ship but the explorer has more to offer on board for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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