chewie8008 Posted July 21, 2015 #1 Share Posted July 21, 2015 So we're trying to plan a cruise for next April and are debating between two different itineraries. Wondered what everyone's opinion is on these ports and which would be best? We have always wanted to do Aruba, as it seemed very exotic. After researching briefly, it seems maybe it isn't as great as we thought? Seems very desert-ish. Anyway, here are the itineraries. A 7 day out of Charleston, SC(this one def is a better port for us) Port Sea day Sea day Amber Cove, Dominican Republic Grand Turk Half Moon Cay(we've done Bahamas twice, but not here) Sea day Port Vs 8 day out of port Canaveral(farther drive and no interest in the area) Port Sea day Sea day Curacao Aruba Sea day Grand Turk Sea day Port They both go to Grand Turk, so I guess the question is, is Amber Cove and half moon cay better than Aruba and curacao? We may do a few excursions but are huge beach ppl. And we love different cultures. The Aruba itinerary has an extra day, which is a huge plus but is about $50 more per person and has an inconvenient port. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evandbob Posted July 21, 2015 #2 Share Posted July 21, 2015 So we're trying to plan a cruise for next April and are debating between two different itineraries. Wondered what everyone's opinion is on these ports and which would be best? We have always wanted to do Aruba, as it seemed very exotic. After researching briefly, it seems maybe it isn't as great as we thought? Seems very desert-ish. Anyway, here are the itineraries. A 7 day out of Charleston, SC(this one def is a better port for us) Port Sea day Sea day Amber Cove, Dominican Republic Grand Turk Half Moon Cay(we've done Bahamas twice, but not here) Sea day Port Vs 8 day out of port Canaveral(farther drive and no interest in the area) Port Sea day Sea day Curacao Aruba Sea day Grand Turk Sea day Port They both go to Grand Turk, so I guess the question is, is Amber Cove and half moon cay better than Aruba and curacao? We may do a few excursions but are huge beach ppl. And we love different cultures. The Aruba itinerary has an extra day, which is a huge plus but is about $50 more per person and has an inconvenient port. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm not you, but I would do the 8 day cruise with Aruba and Curacao. I would sorely miss HMC, but have absolutely no desire to see Amber Cove, which is located on the gray Atlantic side of the DR near Puerto Plata. Amber Cove looks just like the shopping corral at Mahogany Bay in Roatan, UGH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debra Lynn Posted July 21, 2015 #3 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I wonder if the 8 day cruise would have fewer spring breakers than the 7 day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie8008 Posted July 21, 2015 Author #4 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Yeah, the few pictures I've seen of Amber cove weren't the greatest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted July 22, 2015 #5 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Aruba, Curacao, and Grand Turk for sure. Yes Aruba is arid, but the water is amazing. The diving and snorkeling are excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted July 22, 2015 #6 Share Posted July 22, 2015 8 day out of port Canaveral(farther drive and no interest in the area) Port Sea day Sea day Curacao Aruba Sea day Grand Turk Sea day Port This would be our choice in a heartbeat! Don't miss the opportunity to go DEEP into the Caribbean to two of the ABC islands - Aruba & Curacao. :D LuLu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted July 22, 2015 #7 Share Posted July 22, 2015 And.... 4 days at sea, we love at sea days, so chillin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandatsea Posted July 22, 2015 #8 Share Posted July 22, 2015 We would do the 8 day that goes to Aruba and Curacao. Really enjoy those two Ports! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love my grandkids Posted July 22, 2015 #9 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Too good itineraries what ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie8008 Posted July 22, 2015 Author #10 Share Posted July 22, 2015 The 8 day aruba is on the Sunshine and the 7 day is the Ecstacy. Don't know much about either. Seems everyone likes the Aruba itinerary more. Makes sense. We'll hope to book that one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFplusP Posted July 22, 2015 #11 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I would do the 8 day as well, but we are not huge beach people- HMC is the best for beach people. That being said, for me, I would do it based on the better ship (IMO) and the extra day. Sunshine gets mixed reviews, but it has more to offer than the other you mention (Ecstasy I think it was?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie8008 Posted July 22, 2015 Author #12 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Yeah, Ecstacy. We just got off the Dream last April. I expect both of those are not as good as the Dream. But the ship isn't a major factor for us. We go more for the ports than the ship. We have been to Coco Cay with RCL twice. At first glance, those beaches look similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser fanatic Posted July 22, 2015 #13 Share Posted July 22, 2015 (edited) I would do the 7 day to Amber Cove, HMC and Grand Turk. I love HMC, by far the best water in the Caribbean. Grand Turk is also a great port. I haven't been to Curacao and Amber Cove hasn't opened yet. I did not care for Aruba when I went in April. The water was gray and the snorkeling/diving is bad there. That being said, the Sunshine is a better ship. It has all the 2.0 upgrades and latest Carnival features. You really can't go wrong with either but I would choose the Ecstasy for HMC. Edited July 22, 2015 by cruiser fanatic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towel Critter Posted July 22, 2015 #14 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I, personally, would go with the Sunshine and Southern itinerary. I've never been on one of the older, smaller ships - though I plan on it someday, just to see what a cruise is like on a smaller ship - but there are so many more food and entertainment options on a 2.0 ship, like the Sunshine. I have to say though that HMC is beautiful, and that makes the other itinerary enticing as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singbluesilver1 Posted July 22, 2015 #15 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I'd do the southern you can always find a cruise that goes to the Bahamas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitamin_Sea Posted July 22, 2015 #16 Share Posted July 22, 2015 The 8 day aruba is on the Sunshine and the 7 day is the Ecstacy. Don't know much about either. Seems everyone likes the Aruba itinerary more. Makes sense. We'll hope to book that one! I would go with the 8 day on Sunshine. Much nicer and better equipped ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love my grandkids Posted July 22, 2015 #17 Share Posted July 22, 2015 The 8 day aruba is on the Sunshine and the 7 day is the Ecstacy. Don't know much about either. Seems everyone likes the Aruba itinerary more. Makes sense. We'll hope to book that one! The Valor is coming to Pt Canaveral next Feb might want to consider it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser fanatic Posted July 22, 2015 #18 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Yeah, Ecstacy. We just got off the Dream last April. I expect both of those are not as good as the Dream. But the ship isn't a major factor for us. We go more for the ports than the ship. We have been to Coco Cay with RCL twice. At first glance, those beaches look similar. Coco Cay is very similar to HMC. I think HMC is a little bit nicer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portocaller Posted July 22, 2015 #19 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Port Canaveral isn't a bad area either. I particularly like to go to jetty park and watch the ships leave when I am around there. Aruba to me makes up for the drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie8008 Posted July 22, 2015 Author #20 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I'd do the southern you can always find a cruise that goes to the Bahamas Good point! As far as the Port Canaveral thing, our problem with it is it's 2.5 hours farther than Charleston is for us. But we have made the drive before, we can again. 11 hours just sucks. [emoji34] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser fanatic Posted July 22, 2015 #21 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Good point! As far as the Port Canaveral thing, our problem with it is it's 2.5 hours farther than Charleston is for us. But we have made the drive before, we can again. 11 hours just sucks. [emoji34] I live 45 minutes from Galveston and we drove 15 hours to PC just to go to new places and will do it again in April. We made the drive more worth it by doing a B2B, 5 days and 8 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie8008 Posted July 22, 2015 Author #22 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Wish we could do that. Vacationing on a small budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzget Posted July 22, 2015 #23 Share Posted July 22, 2015 The 8 day aruba is on the Sunshine and the 7 day is the Ecstacy. Don't know much about either. Seems everyone likes the Aruba itinerary more. Makes sense. We'll hope to book that one! For sure the 8 day, better ship and better itinerary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare skittl1321 Posted July 22, 2015 #24 Share Posted July 22, 2015 If I was picking ports, I'd pick Aruba and Curacao for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising maniac Posted July 22, 2015 #25 Share Posted July 22, 2015 (edited) Wow!! I see your dilema. I would choose the southern definitely. But I would not choose the Sunshine. The reviews are too negative. Edited July 22, 2015 by cruising maniac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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