Carnial Suites or Vegas?

[Kurbanfan]

Vegas all the way baby!!!

[love2relax]

Some NCL ships have hot tub on the balconies. Also, some of the Carnival ships have big tubs with jets in the cat 11 and 12 suite bathrooms on the Spirit class ships, but they're going to cost you. As far as bedding, I think that the NCL Sun is the only ship that has separate beds that also has a hot tub on the balcony. A suite in Vegas may cost more than you think too. I am very partial to the Rio. It is off the strip, but they have free shuttles to their properties on the strip. ALL of their rooms are suites (even the cheapest). Go to the Harrahs website and click on "Hot Deals". You can usually find pretty reasonable pricing about two to three months ahead of time. Don't forget that it will be COLD in December in Las Vegas.

[rpouls]

My 2 cents worth -

 

Depends on what you like to do - on a cruise, you can visit the casino, but you can also see different countries - don't need to book an excursion, you can still walk around and enjoy the local stuff.

 

If you're more of a gambler, then I'd suggest going to Vegas - plenty of casinos, and the food is very reasonable. You can wander around for days and still not see everything.

 

Since you're so young :p , you have plenty of time to check out both vaca's and decide which you like best.

 

Have fun wherever you decide to go!

[bonniemari]

Nowdays a lot of casinos are owned by the same companies. For instance if you have ever gambled at a Harrahs property you can use your Total Rewards card and get a discount on a room/suite at a Harrahs property in Las Vegas. We live near Tunica, MS (10 casinos in the middle of nowhere) and I have used my Total Rewards card to get free and discounted rooms from Harrahs properties in New Orleans, Biloxi, St Louis and Las Vegas.

 

I vote for Las Vegas for your 21st birthday. I am old enough to be your mother and love to cruise but at 21 (and yes I can remember back that far) I would have much rather gone to Vegas if I was traveling alone than on a cruise. Drinks are free and you can gamble and have a good time and if you have a few too many (hey they are free) you can just go up to your room and not worry about driving.

 

DOn't miss the Shadow Bar at Ceasars Palace. And if your missing the cruise you can always go have a couple of drinks at Margaritaville across from Ceasars Palace.

[lovebug33]

I'm from Vegas, so I'm biased against it, but a cruise would be so much more interesting. In Vegas, there is drinking, gambling, and "exotic dancers." To me, that isn't very interesting. And, be careful around December because once NFR rolls into town, everything gets jacked up pricewise.

[VegasMark]

Hi - I'd say a trip with at least one friend will be a lot more fun. Of course, if you are set on going by yourself, and won't be concerned with being lonely, then go for it. Again, with the weather pretty cool in December, think about how you would occupy your day alone all day and not being able to hang out by the pool. If you want a true suite (as opposed to a mini-suite like they give you as the standard rooms at the Rio or Venetian), then try a place like the Luxor or the Flamingo, where you might be able to pull off a two room suite at an off-peak time for $300. Expect to pay up to double that at the fancier places, even in December. Good luck!

[pe4all]

I have been reading this thread from the minute you opened it - now for my humble opinion: do Las Vegas. We have been to Vegas 5-6x, and cruised around the same amount. In what you described you are looking for, Vegas is a better fit. Just remember - the ship casinos are closed when in a port. That may cut into your "gambling time". In Vegas, you can hit the casinos as early or late as you please. Free drinks when you gamble (the cruise ships are a bit tighter at times on this). Plenty of "free" things to do in Vegas if you blow your bankroll. Also - if you are only 21, there is that 25 yr old age limit on Carnival that others have mentioned- unless you are married, which doesn't seem to be the case. Other lines have different requirements. There are also a number of nicer rooms in Vegas - if you don't want to "splurge" on a suite, a deluxe room for 1/2 the cost may meet your needs. Have fun, whatever you decide!

[Chigirlcruzin]

Also - if you are only 21, there is that 25 yr old age limit on Carnival that others have mentioned- unless you are married, which doesn't seem to be the case.

 

If the OP is sailing by himself, this is not a problem. You may sail in a cabin by yourself if you are 21 or older. If someone is under the age of 21, then there must be somebody in the cabin 25 or older. The OP would only run into an issue if he wanted to sail with somebody that wasn't 21 yet. Two 21-year-olds can sail together; a 21-year-old and a 20-year cannot.

 

From the Carnival FAQ:

 

How old do you have to be to travel alone?Guests are required to be 21 years old (on embarkation day) to travel. Guests under the age of 21 must be accompanied in the same stateroom by a parent or guardian 25 or older. The exceptions Carnival will make to this policy are:

Married minor couple - The booking must be documented that the couple is married. The couple must have proof of marriage at embarkation or they will be denied boarding without the benefit of a refund.

Domestic Partners/Same-Sex Union minor couple - The booking must be documented that the couple are legal Domestic Partners/Same-Sex Union. The couple must have legal proof of partnership/union at embarkation or they will be denied boarding without the benefit of a refund.

Guest ages will be verified at embarkation. Guests not conforming to this policy will be denied boarding and assessed a 100% cancellation penalty. NO exceptions will be made at embarkation.

[Uncle Doug]

Do both, get an inside cabin sand save the extra $$ for a later trip to Vegas

[Lady Chew]

Another vote for Vegas ... my DSs (25 & 21) would choose Vegas over a cruise anytime, even in December. (Average temp in Vegas that month is 60F) You can do a lot for free or very little $$ in Vegas, 24 hrs. There are a lot of good deals for rooms, even on the strip, even in December.

 

Mr Chew & I will be in Vegas in 2 weeks!! Can't wait!

[golf43]

If you have never been to Vegas, go to Vegas. I love that place. With cruising you do have everything on the boat. Meals, entertainment, shows, casino etc. With Vegas you will have to pay for all of this stuff. However I think I would do Vegas. There is so much to see. Just walking the strip takes time. Walking in and out of each casino takes alot of time too. Vegas can be cheaper too. Just look for deals. When you gamble drinks are free. Have dinner or breakfast at 1am for a cheap price. Something like $4.99 for steak and eggs at 1am. Very good too.

[Chmie]

So what would you do? Vegas or Cruise?

 

How about both ?

We're going to spend 6 days in a suite in Vegas (free) and cruise in a Cat 12 in a few weeks. :D

[woohoo4ue]

I've done both. My Mom and I went to Vegas for my 21st birthday! I wouldn't trade it for anything. We had the BEST time! I found this website very useful when I was researching my trip back to get married. :D www.cheapovegas.com

 

Have Fun!

[Toddcan]

Just so you know: a large suite in the $1500 range on a cruise ship is about the same size as a hotel room. The "jacuzzi" tub on a Penthouse suite (cat 12) on the Sensation is simply a bathub, in the bathroom with jets.

 

As much I love cruising, it sounds like the hands-down winner in this decision is Vegas!

[VegasMark]

Another vote for Vegas ... my DSs (25 & 21) would choose Vegas over a cruise anytime, even in December. (Average temp in Vegas that month is 60F)

 

 

Although this post is pretty close to accurate (average December high is actually 57 - http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/89101?from=36hr_bottomnav_business ), be aware that it will only hit this temperature very briefly, and 57 in the desert is not like 57 in the south. The dry air makes it pretty cool. Also be aware that the average low is 37 in December. But if you are spending the bulk of your time in the casino and in your jacuzzi suite, then you are ok.

 

Oh - here is another tip. Try looking at a room at Caesar's Palace. The old rooms (which they usually sell for less than the newer towers) have a jacuzzi tub right in the room. When I say "old" room, they have been updated so they look pretty new, but it is just in the older tower. It is a good sized, but standard room, it just happens to have a jacuzzi tub right in the room. I'd say in December you could get such a room for about $100-$120 during the week and about $150-$175 for the weekend. Caesar's is also mid-strip, so you could walk to a lot of casinos.

[mr jailerman]

Thanks a lot VegasMark

 

 

 

the 2 grand is probably going to be for 3-4 nights not a week...and I'm gonna go there on weekdays from dec 21-24 or so

 

yeah ill be flying back on christmas or chirstmas eve but hey i got time haha

 

I don't know about the suite when we went on our cruise it felt kind of cramped and what not

 

I don't do a lot of these ship activities...I eat, I drink, I gamble, and maybe check out a show and then I'd just like to go to my room and actualyl relax instead of sleep in a cramped room

 

same with Vegas I'm not a big party guy but I like to drink/gamble/etc...I haev some money saved up so I was saying why not get a suite it's not that much of a difference especially in Vegas in December I looked there are tons of deals.

 

I think Right now I'm leaning maybe 3-4 days vegas which would be around $2000

 

and then as soon as I get back from Vegas Ill save till March and go on a cruise probably....the cruise, if I do interior and split gas with a buddy shouldn't be more than $800-$900 everything included

 

 

PS: Mark would you reccommend vegas alone or with a buddy or buddies?

 

reason I ask is I've never done a solo vacation that's why I wanted one before I graduated ...everything on my own terms...I've always gone on family vacations and trips to new york with buddies and stuff...just wanted to fly solo once

:D If your going to Vegas, Can I have your $400.00 Suite on the cruiseship ?:D They are so hard to find !:D I have to tell you that some 16 years ago I was 21 and went to Vegas with friends that actually worked in the Casino Industy as Casino Dealers and I was a Dealer as well. So we actually KNEW HOW TO PLAY THE GAMES WE WERE PLAYING and It was a VERY GOOD TIME (Minus the loss of course every trip:eek: ) But I sounded the same as you at that age. We went out to gamble and drink and that's it .. You will hear people tell you "Set a daily limit and that's it" And that DOES sound good until you hit that limit for your day and the Neons have not even begun to light for that night and your tapped out with a buddy that still wants to keep things going ? $2000.00 turns into $3000.00 real fast when that's all you going to go to Vegas for. Been their and done that kid. I was a Pitboss for 9 years and I can tell you that your odds of winning NEVER change. The longer you sit @ a game, The less chance you have a leaving a winner. On a cruise you do have options to get off the ship in different ports and party in different places. I would think that would be very cool and alot of ports have Casinos if you get "The Itch" . I wished I had thought of cruising instead of the six more Nevada trips that I took over the next 5 years during the mid 90's. I could sail a few Trans Atlantic cruises in a REAL SUITE on the Queen Mary 2 for what those good ideas in my youth cost me. Then again, You can only be young once. I was just on Carnival Inspiration this last February out of Tampa(Which is not really peak season) in a Cat 12 Penthouse Suite which is the their big suite with a jacuzzi bathtub and nice private balcony which I booked as a Solo for $2000.00 for a 4 day trip to Cozumel. Good Times !! Carlos and Charlie's, Senior Frog's, and so on ...I had friends staying in other cabins and we all do our things and would meet up when we wanted and it was very "RELAXING" ! That's one word that I could never use with seven Nevada trips under my belt (and I Have not been their since 1997 !) Your choice, But as Vegasmark said, $25-$30 a Buffet per person ? This "OLDMANS" opinion says the cruise looks pretty nice and you should have some $$ left over if you realize that at 21 you don't need a suite. Besides, Most of us stressed out old farts book them first anyway.;) GOOD LUCK AND CHOOSE WISLY...

[Kurbanfan]

OP.......December is a great time to visit Las Vegas. While you are there don't forget to visit the conservatory at the Bellagio. Great for pictures!

Also they have the fountains set with Christmas music. It is a little chilly at night but you will be inside most the time anyways. Also there are plenty of places to eat cheap. Most all the casinos have some sort of fast food place. Like others said the odds are so much better in Vegas then the casino ship. Drinks are free, there is always something going on. Bring a friend and hang out at Margaritaville and you are pretty much guaranteed to meet people......

Don't forget to sign up for the casinos rewards card and use them when you play. As soon as you rack up points you will be getting offers in the mail and it could be your next visit your room and food will be compt.

Have a great 21st birthday!!!

[barbaragrace]

We went on our first trip to Vegas in April and had a GREAT time!

You've been on a cruise, try something different.

http://www.cheapovegas.com/index.php