Next cruise torn between 3 options!

[Thehyperfisherman]

Hi guys im currently planning my next carnival cruise and im split between 3 options. i was wondering what everyones thoughts are! Im hungup on 2/3 but airfare is steep 1 is just in the air because of the convenience of not flying

 

 

1. 9 Day NYC Sunrise - Bermuda - Half Moon Cay - Grand turk - Premier casino 300$ funplay - free casino drinks - OCEAN VIEW 400$ ea gratuity incl
I like this itinerary because of the overnight in bermuda which ive never been But im really leaning away from the Sunrise , over crowded with extra rooms, small theatre shrunken casino, bad comedy club , bad serenity

 

2. 8 Day Miami Magic - St Marten - St Kitts - San Juan - Grand Turk - Casino offer , free drinks in casino INTERIOR 250$ Ea Gratuity included 

Last cruise was on the magic i enjoyed the ship Simon is an awesome CD havent done either of the ST’s yet , not crazy about interiors but its not a deal breaker

 

3. 7 Day New Orleans Glory - Montego Bay - Grand Cayman - Cozumel - Premier Casino , 300$ funplay , Free casino drinks , Special OCEANVIEW layout 2473 , 250$ Ea Gratuity incl 

The layout of this room is awesome , 2 windows a couch and a table and 2 chairs and lots of open space, it looks like a suite minus the balcony, ive also done the glory before and i enjoyed the ship. I havent done Montego bay before and ive heard mixed things about jamaica

 

Edited January 7, 2020 by Thehyperfisherman

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Pros of option 1:

1. 9 days!  More days is always the biggest plus

2. Bermuda!  Always fun to go someplace new.  

3. This is a Journeys cruise, I believe (we’re doing the similar Radiance cruise, but Nassau instead of Grand Turk).

4. Local port is a huge plus

5. A ship you haven’t cruised before

 

Pros of option 2:

1. We’ve been to St. Kitts, and did a walking rainforest tour.  This was AMAZING.

 

I don’t see any pros for option 3.  Shortest cruise, Jamaica has issues, as does Mexico right now

 

I would choose option 1. For us, itinerary + convenience of port + length of cruise are the three most important factors when picking a cruise, with cruise line being 4th, and ship a far distant 5th.  I don’t think the mixed reviews of the sunrise make up for those 3 big pluses.  And think of what you can use the airfare money for that you’ll be saving!

[bahacca]

I'd take 1, especially if you don't have to fly! I love in .CA so don't get cool ports like that.

[bubba777]

I would take #2, we loved the Magic, it was our best cruise. I would love that itinerary.

[May1cruiser]

I would take number 1 since we have never been to Bermuda. I will tell you that both 1 and 3 being premier casino that the casino will be packed like sardines. You must play somewhat to have these offers. 

I agree on the airfare. money saved here could be used on excursions or other fun activities.

Sunrise will be fine, and any ship feels packed during peak times. We tend to go early or late to avoid peak times (lido)

 

choice 2 would be my second option. we are not in the room enough to be bothered by interior. 

[thesmiths]

We did an 8 Day on the Sunrise in September from NYC and loved it.

This was during all the trashing of the ship.

Had a blast and sailed around Dorian..

 

We did the Magic on that Itinerary in May of this year and loved it.

 

If I had to pick it would be the 9 day.

 

Some points you made about the Sunrise.

 

over crowded with extra rooms,

Always found some place to sit. I never felt it was overcrowded.

We do breakfast (omlettes) early and sat at the same table each time.

 

small theatre

Sat in the same seats for every show and was picked to be in one of the shows

Entered from the upper level.

 

shrunken casino

My wife hits the slots a little and we never had a problem finding her a machine.

 

bad comedy club

Went to at least 5 or 6 shows and always got a seat with a view.

Sat at the bar one or 2 times.

 

Bad serenity

Went 2 or 3 x and go in the hot tub any time wanted.

Found chairs each time.

 

After coming off the Vista ( Havana) and Magic the prior 2 cruises, I was a little apprehensive of going on a smaller ship.

We had a blast, I would cruise her again.

Was nice to drive there and back and cruising up & down the Hudson was awesome!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jamman54]

I would pick option 1. We already did, except ours goes to Bermuda,  HMC, & Nassau at the end of May. We did a B2B on the Sunrise last September,  loved it, and had no qualms about booking her again. Our review of the Sunrise is in my signature. 😎

[skrufy]

11 hours ago, Thehyperfisherman said:

Hi guys im currently planning my next carnival cruise and im split between 3 options. i was wondering what everyones thoughts are! Im hungup on 2/3 but airfare is steep 1 is just in the air because of the convenience of not flying

 

 

1. 9 Day NYC Sunrise - Bermuda - Half Moon Cay - Grand turk - Premier casino 300$ funplay - free casino drinks - OCEAN VIEW 400$ ea gratuity incl
I like this itinerary because of the overnight in bermuda which ive never been But im really leaning away from the Sunrise , over crowded with extra rooms, small theatre shrunken casino, bad comedy club , bad serenity

 

2. 8 Day Miami Magic - St Marten - St Kitts - San Juan - Grand Turk - Casino offer , free drinks in casino INTERIOR 250$ Ea Gratuity included 

Last cruise was on the magic i enjoyed the ship Simon is an awesome CD havent done either of the ST’s yet , not crazy about interiors but its not a deal breaker

 

3. 7 Day New Orleans Glory - Montego Bay - Grand Cayman - Cozumel - Premier Casino , 300$ funplay , Free casino drinks , Special OCEANVIEW layout 2473 , 250$ Ea Gratuity incl 

The layout of this room is awesome , 2 windows a couch and a table and 2 chairs and lots of open space, it looks like a suite minus the balcony, ive also done the glory before and i enjoyed the ship. I havent done Montego bay before and ive heard mixed things about jamaica

 

I would choose #1 because of the short travel distance to port, 9 days, never been to Bermuda, and two beach days with HMC one of them. #2 would be my second choice, nice ports. Jamaica is not my favorite port, would probably make it a stay on board port day.

[ObstructedView2]

11 hours ago, Thehyperfisherman said:

 

 

9 Day NYC Sunrise - Bermuda - Half Moon Cay - Grand turk - Premier casino 300$ funplay - free casino drinks - OCEAN VIEW 400$ ea gratuity incl
I like this itinerary because of the overnight in bermuda which ive never been But im really leaning away from the Sunrise , over crowded with extra rooms, small theatre shrunken casino, bad comedy club , bad serenity

 

 

 

11 hours ago, Thehyperfisherman said:

 

8 Day Miami Magic - St Marten - St Kitts - San Juan - Grand Turk - Casino offer , free drinks in casino INTERIOR 250$ Ea Gratuity included 

Last cruise was on the magic i enjoyed the ship Simon is an awesome CD havent done either of the ST’s yet , not crazy about interiors but its not a deal breaker

 

 

 

 

8-night on Magic 

 

 

✌️

[teknoge3k]

It would be a toss up between #1 and #2 for me. 

 

I would cross #3 off of the list first. The Glory is a Conquest Class ship and I am just not a fan of the Conquest Class. So between 1 and 2, I would probably pick #1 simply because it's a longer cruise, and it has Bermuda and Half Moon Cay. Grand Turk is okay if you haven't been there before but after you've been there so many times, it just becomes stale. Still, Bermuda, HMC and the longer sailing would seal the deal for me. Plus the Sunrise is a recent refurb. 

 

With #2, I love the Magic & the Dream Class ships. I would probably upgrade from an interior to a balcony or suite. The ports aren't terrible. 

 

 

[Joebucks]

You really can't go wrong with any. We did similar to #3 last year. While you can find faults with it, it was honestly one of the best times we had.

 

I'm one to not care about room type, free stuff, etc. In the end it's about the final price. That was omitted, which can make all of the difference. Also, disregard what you read about the sunrise, and experience it for yourself.

 

If it were me, it's a tough call. I would pick #1, yet still experience the others at a later time. If all things are consistent, a longer cruise generally gets the nod from me. While it's technically only 3 stops, Bermuda is an overnight so it's basically 4 port days. More days at port also gets a nod. Plus, you haven't been there yet. Why not? I also absolutely love HMC.

[SRQbeachgirl]

I soooo want to do the 9-day Sunrise to Bermuda cruise out of New York and had that one picked out as a strong possibility for this summer (no airfare, 9 days...did I mention no airfare? Yay!).

 

But...we let our DS make the final choice, since this summer's cruise is part of his college graduation gift. He nixed Bermuda instantly and voted for Alaska instead. Oh, sure, pick the port completely on the other side of the continent, with the most expensive shore excursions I've ever seen. 🙄

 

 

 

[RTR 21-0]

#2, #3, #1 are my fav ports but I haven’t been on these ships.  

 

 I might have missed your sailing date but you may want to take into consideration all of the islands affected by the earthquake in San Juan today.  This list is quite large & if the damage significant to those islands, option 3 might be it. 

[marci4tony]

We were in Jamaica in November and were very surprised how clean it was!  Do NOT fear Jamaica.  Make a plan to do something - not just grab a taxi to the beach.  Jamaica is wonderful, and has so much to offer.

 

However, that being said, I love the 8 day itinerary on Magic.  Maybe see is you can upsell into an OV!  That would be my choice! #2

 

Remember, Bermuda is a long ways from everything - so take sea days into consideration

[Garf]

On 1/8/2020 at 12:13 PM, marci4tony said:

We were in Jamaica in November and were very surprised how clean it was!  Do NOT fear Jamaica.  Make a plan to do something - not just grab a taxi to the beach.  Jamaica is wonderful, and has so much to offer.

 

However, that being said, I love the 8 day itinerary on Magic.  Maybe see is you can upsell into an OV!  That would be my choice! #2

 

Remember, Bermuda is a long ways from everything - so take sea days into consideration

I agree , Jamaica has more attractions than most, if not all the Caribbean Islands.

[KD Travel Adventures]

You can't go wrong with any of them. Bermuda is intriguing, but overall number two has the most interesting stops in my opinion.  Below are some videos from your possible destinations that may help you decide.  A lot of it will depend on what you plan to do in each port.

 

Grand Turk Cruise Terminal Highlights

https://youtu.be/O8nx-HBg8js

 

Grand Turk Margaritaville only

https://youtu.be/XxJBcnxP0eI

 

St. Maarten - Pinel Island

https://youtu.be/nVazZZTUUiw

https://youtu.be/w0-n3ZbO8us

 

St. Maarten - View from Orient Beach

https://youtu.be/Lu5MiAKmDP4

 

Cozumel - Nachi Cocom Beach Club

https://youtu.be/HWVhLuEm46o

 

Grand Turk - Snorkeling with a Barracuda

https://youtu.be/siGqNnjrDd0

 

[TNcruising02]

I would choose #2. It’s one of my favorite Carnival ships and I love the itinerary. I am actually considering this cruise myself.

 

If not #2 , I would go with #1. Bermuda is such a neat place and HMC is the absolute best beach day. I have no desire to ever go back to Jamaica so I would pass on #3 or stay on the ship that day.

[ozzie0075]

We are doing the 9 day on the Sunrise. I am not worried about the bad reviews as we always take them with a grain of salt and have never had a bad cruise.  The recent reviews have also been much more positive. We spend a lot of time in serenity and I will just make sure to get up there earlier to get a spot. We spend our entire day there including eating breakfast and lunch in our chairs. 

 

The extra days and not having to fly to the port far outweigh any negatives. 

[skidawg79]

I would do the Sunrise.  The overnight in Bermuda sells it.  My first cruise was supposed to go to Bermuda and we missed it because of weather, always wanted to go back.    But dont think you can go wrong with either 1 or 2,   3 would be a distant 3rd for me.