Debating between 4 nights on the Liberty or 5 on the Sensation: Opinions?

Hello all!

I'm planning a girl's trip for February, 2019 (waaaayyyy in advance, I know!).

I'm currently debating between the 4 night out of Port Canaveral on the Liberty, calling at Nassau and Princess Cays. Now, I admit: I'm not excited about the ports, nor flying into Port Canaveral. But I'm drawn to the L-Shaped aft balcony for $927, including all taxes!

The other option would be a 5-night on the Sensation, sailing out of Miami to Grand Turk and Amber Cove, DR. The pricing for a balcony is just over $1500, but a porthole rings in just under $950. I'm thinking we could book an early saver rate, and hopefully upgrade to a balcony sometime in the next year and a half! I really like Grand Turk, and while I've been to the DR, I've never visited Amber Cove. So, that's be a new port for me.

I'd be taking a second-time cruiser along, so the ship and the ports both weigh heavily. Our first cruise was more than 10 years ago but was cut short to a 3-day during Hurricane Katrina. We only stopped in Nassau that time...

I'd love your opinions on these ships, as well the value for price.

I believe the Sensation is the same class as the Imagination and Inspiration which sail from my home port (I've been on them several times). They're fine, but they definitely don't have a WOW factor for a new cruiser...

I'm so torn!

Thanks in advance!

Can't find an itineary on the Sensation doing that route in Feb 2019. The only ones I see go to Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Grand Turk.

Having Sailed both of these ship, my preference would be the Liberty hands down. Liberty is a bit more up to date--Sensation is a smaller, older ship. Besides, Guys Burgers is FABULOUS!!! We will be aboard the Liberty again in October....cant wait!

Can't find an itineary on the Sensation doing that route in Feb 2019. The only ones I see go to Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Grand Turk.

Yes, Feb 2, 2019 and Feb 16, 2019.

Liberty and book the aft balcony.

The aft balcony is more attractive.

Love the Liberty!

Thank you all for the feedback! It's very helpful! I am really leaning towards the Liberty. I've never sailed out of Port Canaveral - would that be a reason to consider the other itinerary on the Sensation out of Miami?

After some quick research on the Florida board, it looks like Port Canaveral is an easy $20/one-hour shuttle ride from Orlando Airport...And, Cocoa Beach is "the place" to stay pre-cruise?

Would love any thoughts on that as well!

Thanks!

I've only sailed on the Liberty it was my first balcony cruised loved it. I am sailing on the Liberty again though. But I would like a longer cruise.

I have not been on either. Have booked a cruise for the Liberty in October. It seems to have everything I want, and is a great price.

I've sailed both ships out of PC. I prefer the Liberty! It has the alchemy bar, guys, and the steakhouse. It was one of my favorite carnival ships!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Must have changed as I see it on Carnival but not on my TA's site. I would go with the Liberty. Grand Turk has a pretty beach, but both ports are very manufactured. At least in Nassau you can walk around and shop, but in Grand Turk and Amber Cove, it's all "cruise-centre" tenants that charge high prices. Now, this is just like Princess Cays, but still, I much rather take a balcony and a bigger ship than be stuck in a port hole on the Fantasy Class. Enjoy.

Anything but Sensation.

I would go for the Liberty. Haven't been on Liberty but love the Valor and they are sister ships. Wish I was sitting at one of those tables right now at the far back of Lido eating Blue Iguana tacos and just watching the wake of the ship!

By the way, did you notice the Sunshine does the same 5 day you were looking at but out of Canaveral?

By the way, did you notice the Sunshine does the same 5 day you were looking at but out of Canaveral?

Double the price. Not worth it to me IMO.

Must have changed as I see it on Carnival but not on my TA's site. I would go with the Liberty. Grand Turk has a pretty beach, but both ports are very manufactured. At least in Nassau you can walk around and shop, but in Grand Turk and Amber Cove, it's all "cruise-centre" tenants that charge high prices. Now, this is just like Princess Cays, but still, I much rather take a balcony and a bigger ship than be stuck in a port hole on the Fantasy Class. Enjoy.

Yes, I'm leaning towards agreeing with all of this! Thanks.

By the way, did you notice the Sunshine does the same 5 day you were looking at but out of Canaveral?

Yes, thank you! And, I've been wanting to sail on the Sunshine! However, it departs the week prior, and we have family birthdays and Valentine's day we can't ditch (at least not for a girlfriend getaway)!;p

Sailed on Liberty once. A B2B so technically twice :cool:. Décor does not make or break a cruise or a decision for me, but I LOVED the décor of the Liberty. Guys Burger was a plus. And it also had Fish and Chips which I have never had on a cruise before. I am not a fan of Guy's fries, but Fish and Chips have AWESOME fries, so I would get a basket of them, then stand on line at Guys for my burger while munching on my fries! ;p I just think Liberty is such a very pretty ship with the lights that change colors. I took dozens of pictures of them. HAVE FUN!

ITA with everyone ... go on the Liberty. She is a lovely ship,well kept up,food was the best we have had on our cruises & we mostly cruise with PCL...but no other cruise have match the food we had on the Liberty. . We did the Bahamas & really enjoyed it !:D

Thank you all for the feedback! It's very helpful! I am really leaning towards the Liberty. I've never sailed out of Port Canaveral - would that be a reason to consider the other itinerary on the Sensation out of Miami?

 

After some quick research on the Florida board, it looks like Port Canaveral is an easy $20/one-hour shuttle ride from Orlando Airport...And, Cocoa Beach is "the place" to stay pre-cruise?

 

Would love any thoughts on that as well!

 

Thanks!

I lived in Orlando for years and sailed out of PC plenty of times. PC is a nice port, however, times going through customs and boarding can take quite a bit.

Honestly, if youre flying into MCO, you can rent a car for usually less than $50 for a day through reputable sites (and thats a one way rental). To me its worth it, but Im big on having my own transportation, especially for the things to do in Orlando and Cocoa. I now live in Indiana. I took a cruise out of PC in April. Again, we rented a car. Flew into MCO and stayed in Cocoa precruise. Made a few stops around Orlando on the way to Cocoa and did my usual thing around Cocoa. Dropped off the rental in the AM, and took the free shuttle from the rental car company to the port (which drop you off right at the doors). But this is all assuming you arent flying in the same day the cruise leaves.

We then do the reverse Post-Cruise. Take the free shuttle to the rental company, and pick up our car. Then drive to Orlando and spend at least that day and night in Orlando (if not the day following as well). We usually get off early and are to Orlando well before 11. Got down to I-Drive and hang out and do the typical site seeing and stops. Ie we stay en extra day we usually hit a park. Stay in Orlando, then drop the car off at MCO, and head straight to FlightDesk (returning cars at MCO is a breeze!)

But, thats just what my two little cents are worth!

For 1500 you can probably get a balcony on the brand new, not yet out MSC Seaside for 7 nights. I'd always say more days the better, and the longer carnival itin is better than the 4 day, but 5 days on older ship vs 7 nights on brand new ship....

Thanks everyone for the feedback! This was a tough decision to make (I mean, as tough as booking a cruise can be;p), but we went for the 4 nights on the Liberty in the L-shaped aft balcony.

I was tempted by the longer 7 day cruises, but the dates just weren't right for us, and the balconies were just a tad more than we wanted to spend.

I'm leaving my kids home with my hubs while we travel, and my friend is leaving her husband and job, so the 4-night over President's Day was just perfect.

I ended up getting it even cheaper than I initially thought due to a casino rate offer, so I'm thrilled!

I really appreciate all the advice! I was explaining to my friend what a great community Cruise Critic is!