Don't Know what to do!

[newmexicoNita]

Need some help from anyone who has experienced the Dream and or the soon to be Spirit. After a long campaign, (assuming DH wins primary) we will be ready for a vacation and of course it will be a cruise. We are trying to decide between 3 ships: The Sea: we have cruised her before, are aware of the negatives but love her and like the fact we can drive to Houston and not hassle with airplanes, airports etc. Then we looked at the Dream, same itinerary, but sailing out of New Orleans. We have not been to New Orleans for, I won't tell you how many years and know the ship has balconies and larger cabins. Now the Spirit pops up and sounds wonderfu. even though we don't like the idea of going to Miami. We will be cruising after the November elections: HELP! NMNita

Commodore 1984, Costa 1985, RCL 1987, Chandris 1989, NCL 1989, Commodore, 1991, NCL 1997, Carnival 1997, Carnival 1998,NCL 1998, NCL 1999, RCL 2000, RCL 2000, NCL 2002,NCL 2003, Celebrity 2003, NCL 2004

[misguy]

We will be sailing on the Spirit in two weeks, when I get back, I will write a review. Hope that will help in the decision process.

Till we sail on the Norwegian Spirit \Leo
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=228b22&cdt=2004;5;15;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[newmexicoNita]

misguy, have a great trip and be sure to let us know all!

Commodore 1984, Costa 1985, RCL 1987, Chandris 1989, NCL 1989, Commodore, 1991, NCL 1997, Carnival 1997, Carnival 1998,NCL 1998, NCL 1999, RCL 2000, RCL 2000, NCL 2002,NCL 2003, Celebrity 2003, NCL 2004

[albertiger]

i would take the Dream, was on sister Wind last year. wonderful ship, great cat cc cabin. LOOKS like a ship and FEELS like a ship. if you liked the Sea you'll love the Dream, not many left like her!

"live long and prosper...so you may cruise!"

[Pumbaamd]

Nita,
First things first. . . Let's hope DH wins the election! New Orleans would be a great port. Spend a day or two there on either end of the cruise. Deirdra and I spent a quickie vacation there last year. Took the riverboat Natchez for a dinner cruise. Hokie, but a lotta fun. Ride the St. Charles St. streetcar line out to the Garden District, see the zoo, or visit Igor's ( It's a 24-hour laundromat that has it's own bar and restaurant.. .very cool). And Harrah's has a great casino right on the river. The nearby Aquarium is also nice. Our Triumph trip from last year is being re-planned for this November by our local group travel coordinator. This time to the Eastern Carib. Can't really get in to that Carnival thing again. Looking for something on HAL in January. Have fun in NOLA!
Rick and Deirdra

MST Gen.Walker 9/66,Chandris Amerikanis 2/78,Plm. Bch. Viking Princess 1/89,RCL Nordic Empress 12/94,RCL Nordic Empress 8/95,NCL Leeward 8/98,Disney Magic 1/99,NCL Sun 1/02,NCL Sky 1/03,Carnival Triumph 11/03

[marvholly]

I was on the dream 11/02. Yep, she's old but fun and the staff was great, the food fine, and the shows good. In fact I had her booked for 1/04 since I REALLY wanted to do NO. However, had to cancel due to death in family.

Finances aside, It would be a really hard decision for me with the no air $/hassles for houston vs air + NO. Possibly, time factor may be your deciding point. Can you/do you want to take the extra time NO would mean add on? No sense in spending the air if you can't enjoy the city for a couple days. Would hubby need to get back quickly? Would you want/need the extra down/away time?

Holly

M/S Boheme 11/69
Rhapsody 2/77?
Azure Sea 3/89
Panama Canal 11/90
Mexican Riviera 3/98
Carnival Triumph 12/99
Carnival Spirit 12/01
NCL Dream 11/17/02
Celebrity Mercury 6/1/03
carnival Victory 3/28/04

[newmexicoNita]

Pambaand, thanks for the encouragement and the recommendations. Thanks to all of you. We want all the thoughts any of you have. Now for HAL: Pambaand, you guys are way to young for that! Carnival well maybe not young enough. ONly Kidding! As for the campaign, we will win the primary I am pretty sure. Pat's getting tired and cranky, will be glad when June 1st is here and gone, then it's off to Vegas and Ca for about 2 weeks. Then back to the campaign plus planning our next cruise. NMNIta

Commodore 1984, Costa 1985, RCL 1987, Chandris 1989, NCL 1989, Commodore, 1991, NCL 1997, Carnival 1997, Carnival 1998,NCL 1998, NCL 1999, RCL 2000, RCL 2000, NCL 2002,NCL 2003, Celebrity 2003, NCL 2004

[Pumbaamd]

Nita,
If you decide to sail outta NOLA, let us know. Maybe you could join you and the victorious politician. It would be fun!

[newmexicoNita]

Sure will. I know one place we probably won't sail out of again? San Juan. We have done it 3 times and it's just much of a pain to get there when we have so many wonderful choices now. I hope it is a victory celebration. Fist we have to win our primary in 3 plus weeks. Then it's Vegas time, a couple more weeks off and the work really begins. We may not decide on what ship til the very last month or so. Youngest daughter just told me she and DH are thinking of doing a cruise for Christmas. I stopped, gave it some thought, and that was the end. I have no desire to cruise during the holiday season. Not to mention they may go very upscale. That's not us either.

Nita

Commodore 1984, Costa 1985, RCL 1987, Chandris 1989, NCL 1989, Commodore, 1991, NCL 1997, Carnival 1997, Carnival 1998,NCL 1998, NCL 1999, RCL 2000, RCL 2000, NCL 2002,NCL 2003, Celebrity 2003, NCL 2004

[Pumbaamd]

Best of luck in the election! What county, district, etc. Can we follow the election anywhere on the internet?
Rick and Deirdra

MST Gen.Walker 9/66,Chandris Amerikanis 2/78,Plm. Bch. Viking Princess 1/89,RCL Nordic Empress 12/94,RCL Nordic Empress 8/95,NCL Leeward 8/98,Disney Magic 1/99,NCL Sun 1/02,NCL Sky 1/03,Carnival Triumph 11/03