Should I do Bermuda or Bahamas?

[BNBR]

Given a choice I'd pick Bermuda, Bahamas is mostly a ghetto, the natives were not allowed in the casino's the last time I was there. I guess they don' want to make them poorer.

 

Such a ridiculous attack on an entire country. I find it highly doubtful you have been anywhere in the Bahamas outside of the cruise port area in Nassau. Visit an economically depressed area in the US and declare the entire country is "mostly a ghetto" and you would look just as ridiculous. As for "natives" gambling in the casinos, residents cannot gamble - whether native Bahamian or not.

 

 

As to the original posters comments. Based on the 9 night Anthem itinerary which includes a longer cruise and a trip to a few Caribbean islands as well, on a new ship... I think the Bermuda cruise is the best option. I believe the OP suggested either the 7 night Bahamas cruise on Anthem or the 9 night Bermuda. The Bahamas cruise stops in Port Canaveral, Cococay, and Nassau. And between the two itineraries, the 9 night is obviously a better cruise.

 

That said, definitely visit the Bahamas. You don't need to cruise there, either. It's an amazing country with welcoming people, who are very service oriented, and a lot to do. Ignore the few cruisers who seem to think it's cool to bash the Bahamas based on a very limited view of the country from a few cruise stops.

[styme123]

Do the Bermuda cruises book up early and get sold out or can you find last minute bargains as it's close to the dates? Is it worth the risk of waiting or are the price drops worth it? When I went to Alaska last year, I had to book in advance and pay a little more since we had 7 that were traveling together. This time it will just be my husband and I so less restrictions. I'm trying for dates around the end of June 2018 , first week in July. I've been looking at the 2017 prices and they seem pretty good. A bunch of the cheaper interior cabins are sold out though for some sailing dates. I'm a bit more focused on the budget than the room decor/space. If however, a balcony room was not that much more like a $100, then I might think of making the splurge. Since I'm thinking about budget and ease of travel, I would want to leave out of Cape Liberty NJ or Manhattan only. This way no added flight expenses and airport hassles. I can take an Uber or have one of my kids drop me off. I'm only a 1/2 from NYC and about an hour from the NJ port.

[BNBR]

You can book in advance, then take advantage of any price drops up to final payment. I did this on my next cruise and saved a ton. Had a good price and then a big sale hit, called and within 5 minutes they refunded back something like $750 to my card.

[styme123]

You can book in advance, then take advantage of any price drops up to final payment. I did this on my next cruise and saved a ton. Had a good price and then a big sale hit, called and within 5 minutes they refunded back something like $750 to my card.

Wow, I didn't know that they would give you an adjustment. I would have thought when you book and give them a down payment that is it. Your locked in at that price. Are the adjustments common? Do most cruise lines do this? What do you say to them when you called?

[BNBR]

Wow, I didn't know that they would give you an adjustment. I would have thought when you book and give them a down payment that is it. Your locked in at that price. Are the adjustments common? Do most cruise lines do this? What do you say to them when you called?

 

I learned that here on Cruise Critic, just recently. I pay in full up front, no deposits. So I wasn't sure how it would work either. But someone mentioned a good deal and I figured what do I have to lose? I called, and simply mentioned that I have an existing booking and would like to see if I could take advantage of the kids sail free. It appears the call center staff are VERY well versed in this. Click, click, click... you saved $736 and this should be refunded back to your card within the next few days. Anything else I can help you with today, sir?

 

Sure enough, the credit showed up.

 

There it is right here, lol:

 

[styme123]

I learned that here on Cruise Critic, just recently. I pay in full up front, no deposits. So I wasn't sure how it would work either. But someone mentioned a good deal and I figured what do I have to lose? I called, and simply mentioned that I have an existing booking and would like to see if I could take advantage of the kids sail free. It appears the call center staff are VERY well versed in this. Click, click, click... you saved $736 and this should be refunded back to your card within the next few days. Anything else I can help you with today, sir?

 

Sure enough, the credit showed up.

 

There it is right here, lol:

 

Wow I can't believe it. Why doesn't everyone do this? (I probably shouldn't say that out load) ;p Do you think you just got lucky with the person on the phone? My luck they would just say "No"

 

Save

[styme123]

I was just on Princess site looking around and they had a little foot note next to their deals saying "prices only for new bookings" so maybe they don't do any price adjusting.

[ColoradoGurl]

Wow I can't believe it. Why doesn't everyone do this? (I probably shouldn't say that out load) ;p Do you think you just got lucky with the person on the phone? My luck they would just say "No"

 

 

 

Save

 

 

People do this all the time, and many of us check our cruise prices daily (or semi-daily) to make sure we aren't missing the lowest price. I have gotten several hundred dollars back on cruises this way.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[hapster85]

I was just on Princess site looking around and they had a little foot note next to their deals saying "prices only for new bookings" so maybe they don't do any price adjusting.

Doesn't Royal's say the same thing? You essentially cancel and rebook to get the new price.

[styme123]

Doesn't Royal's say the same thing? You essentially cancel and rebook to get the new price.

I wonder how that works with some of the lines having non-refundable prices and refundable prices. I would think it be like buying an airline ticket and paying a fee for making any changes. I guess it also has a lot to do with when you call if they have a lot of open cabins. I would think if they were at capacity they might not give anything. Why would they need too.

[Clarea]

Doesn't Royal's say the same thing? You essentially cancel and rebook to get the new price.

Yes, and they have almost always ignored it and passed on the lower price for US/Canadian bookings.

[Sue1260]

Would defiantly do Bermuda over Bahamas. I have been to both and always get harassed by pushy locals trying to sell something in Bahamas. Bermuda is totally different the island doesn't depend of tourists for income. You never see vendors at port you will only see taxi drivers or shuttles that are very friendly. I have been there 2x both times on the Breakaway. First time took a bus tour that a native of the island explained sites and about economy and many other facts. Most people in Bermuda have money a small modest home sells for over a million. Just about everything is imported so very pricey gas was over 7.00 a gallon. The crime rate is also very low the only have one small jail on the island. Island is very easy to get around since the most popular transportation is public transportation. Each household is only permitted to own 1 small car and as you can imagine they are very expensive to purchase. That's why most natives own scooters or just use public buses.

Breakaway IMHO is a great ship last time I in May we a aft balcony and loved it. Food was good and a lot of entertainment on board.

[luckyinpa]

I'm looking into cruises for end of June, early July of 2018. Trying to decide on AOS 9 night Bermuda cruise or 7 night Bahamas. I've never been to either place and don't know much about either. Which place would you choose and why? It will probably be just my husband and I but our adult children might also go. Not a fan of a lot of screaming children or load rowdy drunk people. Not sure if either place is more geared to those groups but thought I would mention it.

 

i havent read any other posts but here's my 3 cents (i asked this question over a year ago myself and heavily researched it)

 

1st cruise ever was bermuda last october. 2 nites there is fantastic. i wanted more. the reason i liked it is that it was class, safe, and very pretty. the bus, the walking, the jungle. all felt safe. food will not be cheap but it was good and all the people are soo friendly. you never feel you are a bother to ask the bus driver to stop at XYZ or a local where to eat . i wanted to do helmet diving but it was canceled. cant wait to get back!

 

DO bermuda 1st and you will have no regrets

 

2 months later i went to nassau and i admit, i read up on it. it was pretty spot on. right out of the terminal is like an assault on your peace and tranquility. people literally in your face and stuff. i'm good at ignoring people so had no issues but if you dare look someone in the eye, they would put their spell on you. the best one was the woman that asked my friend to come look at her tshirts. then she saw my friends blind cane. funny as heck.

 

i only walked a few blocks from the ship but it's really a dump there. i could see this kind of thing in back in the big city at home if i wanted to. super narrow sidewalks and it just did not feel tourist friendly at all. of course the straw market is meant to be a negotiation with everything and you sure have to play hardball even to make sure they give you your change. the people in the tourist gift shops were fantastic though. not pushy, just friendly

 

i cannot say more about nassau since thats all i saw. i'm sure further away from port its better.

 

but why even bother. see bermuda for your 1st trip! you will want to go back right away.

[ezemoney]

another vote for Bermuda! we sailed on the summit(celebrity). loved everything about the island when we were there aug2016. we even rented a boston whaler boat one afternoon which was the highlight of the cruise. we saw the usa America's cup team practice in the great sound!. there are so many private secluded islands to go to also.

it takes more than one cruise to see all of the island. Will be going back soon!

 

later,

 

ezemoney