First time on Carnival

[bmccarthy]

My husband and I who are loyal to Royal, have been persuaded by our friends to give Carnival a shot. They have been on Carnival Pride and went on Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas with us. We have been on RC Jewel, Sovereign (myself), Mariner, and Monarch (in a few weeks). Our friend is a chef, so he is a little picky about the way his food is prepared and felt that the food and service were better on Carnival.

 

We have narrowed it down to two cruises leaving on June 5, 2010.

 

#1: 7 day Eastern Caribbean on Carnival Dream Ports: Nassau; St. Thomas; St. Maarten

#2: 8 day Western Caribbean on Carnival Freedom Ports: Cozumel; Limon, Costa Rica; Colon, Panama

 

My husband and I have been to all three ports on the Eastern Itinerary. We will be in Nassau in two weeks, but wouldn't mind going back to St. Thomas and St. Maarten. We all went to Cozumel on our Mariner cruise last year, but haven't been to the other ports. My husband and I were just in Costa Rica for a week in October, but on the Pacific side of the country. We definitely are interested in going back.

 

We might be taking our daughter who will be 20 months at the time. Since she probably won't be potty trained and won't be old enough for the kids club, I am sure either ship would be fine for her.

 

Does it make sense to pay $120 extra per person to go on the Dream, which is a new ship, when we have already been to the ports and it is one less day?

 

Thanks,

Beth

[cuyahoga11]

Easy decision for me. 8 days over 7 and save some money

[scorp111]

I would do the Freedom in a heartbeat given those choices!

[firefly333]

Id do the 8 day Freedom. Let them work out the kinks on Dream that have been reported. Id rather pay less and have the extra day. People are still making up their minds about Dream.

[bmccarthy]

Thanks for your suggestions! I think we all decided on the Freedom. The extra day and the ports are the main selling point. We don't need a brand new ship to have a good cruise.

 

Thanks again,

Beth

[HoustonTodd]

Definately agree the 8 day on the Freedom. She's a good ship that has very good reviews. The Dream will be a great ship but is still ironing out her birthing pains. You'll have an awesome time on the Freedom.

[jebl]

I was on the Dream for the Oct 15 Med cruise. The only problems we had were caused by Mother Nature. A fierce storm that caused us to miss one port.

 

The ship is awesome with some new innovations. Loved the Plaza area. Food was fantastic compared with my last 2 RCI cruises. In fact on Serenade in Alaska 08 it was awful!!. Never been on the Freedom so can't compare. More choices in the Lido at lunch on the Dream. Like the layout of RCI Windjammer but not as much variety. Entertainment choices are greater on Dream. Every night you could choose from Piano Bar, show band in the Burgundy lounge, jazz, or country in the Song Lounge, Latin music in the Plaza or a guitar player/singer in the Casino bar. First time I've had entertainment in the casino.

 

I have really changed my opinion of CCL after this cruise. Hope the Navigator is as good.