Help Compare Our Two Choices

[6chickens]

We are trying to decide between two different ships/ports for the same dates. 
 

Breeze - Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Costa Maya (Port Canaveral)

 

or

 

Vista - Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica (Galveston)

 

Between the cost of the cruise and flights, the cruise on the Breeze is $600 more not including the cost of adding another excursion day. So we are estimating it will be a total of around $1,000 more to sail the Breeze with four ports versus the Vista with three ports. 
 

My first choice is the Breeze due to what reviews I read, having another port day, and sailing from sport Canaveral. I’m more hesitant on the Vista due to reviews I’ve read and only three port day and more sea days. Anyone have any advice or thoughts about this? 

 

 

[Joe817]

I have some thought, but probably no advice. If you have the financial resources, and have are leaning in that direction, then the choice should be clear. I say, enjoy your cruise!  

[6chickens]

Money is definitely a factor. We are getting an interior room as well. We can do the one that will cost more, but I’m mostly trying to determine if the ship, extra port day and departing port is worth more money. 
 

 

[Joe817]

Well, I can only relate my feelings. I'm frugal....cheap as my wife calls it. BUT we do not scrimp by on something as important as a costly vacation. And in my opinion a cruise is a costly vacation. We never waste money, but by the same token, we do not deprive ourselves of something that we both want.  Now, with that said, I will share with you that my wife and I decided to book a 7 day on the Freedom in Sept. 2020 going to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. For about $1,800, and $150 On Board Credit. That's a good deal for us in my opinion. And it is a balcony stateroom. 

 

 

Sorry to be long winded. But what you're asking, IMO, is very subjective. LOTS of emotion go into deciding on a cruise, and it's not easy. I can only say: research, watch u-tube videos, do lots of googling, and you all will come up with the right conclusion.Cr

 

Cruise Critic Boards offer a wealth of information. Do not rush through the selection process: cruise, staterooms, or excursions. You have to educate yourself on what is the best for you and your family, in the circumstances. Good luck, and I wish you well. 

[6chickens]

Thank you for your reply! I think that is sometimes my problem of overthinking and researching things. I know my husband would prefer to go with the cheaper one, but is willing to go on the Breeze if that is what the kids and I want to do. It just really comes down to if the cost difference with worth it. If someone just came on here and said they had been on both ships and hated the vista then it would be an easy decision for me. 🤪

[Joe817]

13 minutes ago, 6chickens said:

Thank you for your reply! I think that is sometimes my problem of overthinking and researching things. I know my husband would prefer to go with the cheaper one, but is willing to go on the Breeze if that is what the kids and I want to do. It just really comes down to if the cost difference with worth it. If someone just came on here and said they had been on both ships and hated the vista then it would be an easy decision for me. 🤪

Bingo! I firmly believe that YOU would like to do the Breeze, because of the itinerary. The itinerary is the icing on the cake for cruising. An incredible experience. Maybe never to be again experienced. What can you say to that? 

[Chervil]

I have sailed both the Breeze and the Vista.
While we prefer the Breeze ship-wise, the Vista is still a nice vessel.
It lacks the deck-spanning atrium and glass elevators, but I do like that he smoke-filled casino is not necessary to walk through to get to the "fun stuff" on the ship.

 

Also, the Vista has a better Sports Deck and has a salad bar in the Serenity area at the front of the ship.

As far as itineraries, we much prefer Grand Cayman over Costa Maya and Belize.
However, we also live only 4 hours driving from Galveston, so that affects our choice of ports as well.

It really depends on what kind of vacation you enjoy.
If you like spending time with the activities on the ship, then the extra day won't matter.
If you prefer to spend time in port then you will have fun there.
 

[Joe817]

Chervil, he speaks wisely. Listen to him. 

[Gumbo4Life]

Not sure I'm going to help you with your decision, we have been on both shlps and enjoyed both but our favorite ship so far is the Breeze.  As a matter of fact our first cruise ever was on the Breeze and the itinerary that the Vista is going on in your case!  In 2021 we are heading to Ft. Lauderdale (from Texas) to sail on the Breeze and go to 4 ports we have never been to (St Martin, and a few others...).  We did like the Vista though and while we read several reviews that didn't like the theater setup, etc. that didn't keep us from enjoying the shows and having a great time on the cruse.  Short answer is I think you will enjoy either ship, but would recommend looking at the ports, what you will do and experience at each, travel to and from the port, etc. and determine what will work best overall for your family.  Any cruise with the family can be a great time and I'm a firm believer that the ship won't be the most important choice when it comes to a family vacation!  Let us know what you decide!  🙂

[august1963]

Do you have small children going with you?  We just did the Breeze in April (husband and I in our 50s) and we had shore excursions set up for all 4 days in port and I found it exhausting!  I think the port days were all right in a row.....

[o-state girl]

Are you factoring transportation costs from both airports?  Planning on staying a day in a hotel pre/post cruise?  The fellow passengers will also likely be different between the two ports.  Will one demographic fit your family better than the other?  Just got off the Vista last week and it was predominately Texans and Okies (of which I am one). 

[6chickens]

Thanks for all of the great replies!! 
 

it will be myself, husband, 13 year old and 16 year old. They will not do the teen clubs. 
 

We figured the cost of transportation and hotel to be roughly the same for either cruise. 

[Joebucks]

When people are tearing apart the Vista, they are largely talking about not liking the design of the atrium and liquid lounge. Many people will tell you that these things are not ruining the vacation for them. Meanwhile, the Vista holds quite a few extra activities and dining options that cannot be found on the Breeze.

 

Both cruises, you will have a good time. I think often, we over analyze this type of thing. Normally, I would gravitate towards the longer itinerary and extra port (as long as the price is similar). Because that's more vacation and more memories! However, you'd have to decide what is right for you. In this case, the extra day comes with a fairly hefty price tag of another $1000. While I have not yet been to Belize, Roatan, and Costa Maya, they also do not seem to be fan favorite ports. I loved Grand Cayman!

[PhillyFan33579]

Here’s my two cents opinion:

 

1. If I was choosing based on the ship I would pick Breeze. 

 

2. If I was choosing based on ports I would pick Breeze.

 

3. If price was a big factor I would pick Vista. 

[cdm289]

I wouldn't make a decision on a ship based on reviews.  Some people are very unhappy.  I have read reviews of people who were on the exact sailing as me and they were miserable yet I had the time of my life.  

 

I've been on the Breeze and she is a beautiful ship.  I had the exact itinerary as you and unfortunately it was too windy to dock Roatan so the ship made a change to Coxen Hole (which sucked because we didn't plan an excursion as we wanted a beach day and no excursion would drive you over to the beach at Roatan so we got off to look at the shops and returned to the ship after 30 minutes) and then it was also too windy to dock at Costa Maya so we missed that port entirely.  I had missed tender ports before but had no idea that you can also miss docked ports due to weather.  What I am trying to say is don't base your entire decision on ports.

 

I am a family of 4 and I would save the $1000 and take the Vista.  That $1000 can be used for a deposit for your next vacation.  The Breeze and Vista are both newer ships of similar size.  It would be different if you are comparing an older Fantasy Class ship to a new larger ship. 

 

Now, if you had been to the 3 ports on the Vista numerous times and you wanted to try new ports, well, that is different.  

  

[6chickens]

Thank you all so much!!

[ray98]

I would save the $1k as similar as those are.

[ceedoubleyou]

I just got off the Vista 2 days ago going to the same ports (MB, GC, Cozumel). After reading some reviews I was apprehensive, but my wife and I loved it. The Vista has a lot to keep teens busy, even without the kids club. The Sky Ride is up and operational, they have a mini waterpark instead of just a slide, and they have more food options (Pig and Anchor for BBQ, Bonsai Sushi, Jiji for Mongolian, Cucina for pasta bar). The Vista is a large and beautiful ship with a lot of activities. Also the Serenity deck was nearly empty every time we went, no matter the time, so getting a daybed or hammock will likely not be a problem (if thats your kind of thing.) This may sound biased though because I havent been on the Breeze, so I can only give half of a comparison. Hope this helps

[6chickens]

That helps greatly! I think we are going to try the Vista and save the money (as I told my husband, for another trip!). Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. Truly appreciate them all!

[Treyatl2006]

The kids will enjoy the Vista more than the Breeze. The people who don't like the Vista are Carnival Veterans that are used to the old theater designs, atrium and etc. 

 

Both ships are great though...

Edited October 14, 2019 by Treyatl2006