Which Cruise Line??? Which itinerary???

[BigZfan]

I am starting to research a trip for myself (34 years old) and my mom (60 years old) to the Bahamas in April. I am looking at 3 or 4 night cruises. I am wondering if any particular cruise lines are more prefered by regulars.

I am looking at the following four options because they work in our schedules.

 

 

Carnival Imagination, Ports of Call: Departs From Miami, Florida visiting Nassau, Bahamas

 

Norwegian Sky, Ports of Call: Departs From Miami, Florida visiting Great Stirrup Cay (Cruiseline Private Island), Bahamas >> Nassau, Bahamas

 

Norwegian Sky, Ports of Call: Departs From Miami, Florida visiting Freeport, Grand Bahama Island >> Nassau, Bahamas >> Great Stirrup Cay (Cruiseline Private Island), Bahamas

 

Majesty of the Seas, Ports of Call: Departs From Miami, Florida visiting Nassau, Bahamas >> Cococay (Cruiseline's Private Island) >> Key West, Florida

 

 

If anyone can share ideas or thoughts that would help me figure which trip to book that would be great. Basically we are looking to relax in the sun, enjoy the cruise ship and the beaches. Maybe do some shopping and an historical tour.

[jbanana1]

I've only been on two cruises, both Carnival and loved them both. First cruise was 5 days to Mexico the second (this summer) was 4 day to Freeport and Nassau Bahamas on the Fascination out of Jacksonville.

 

I enjoyed the Bahamas better than Mexico but preferred having 5 days over 4 so I recommend a 4 day cruise over a 3 day - 3 days is just too short.

 

Don't know if any of the Fascination schedules would work for you but we really loved the Fascination, although the Imagination is the same layout. On our cruise this summer was my family of four (hubby & I are 50 and boys are 18 & 21), my MIL (80), and two SIL and one BIL (all 50ish). MIL had cruised years ago but this was the other relatives first cruise and all enjoyed it.

[PreciousCruiser]

As I said on the other board, we went on The Majesty of the Seas and did not regret it.

 

As far as what we did at the ports. I just read on this board that you can't do some of the things we did at The Atlantis for free any more? :(. That is unfortunate. But it sounds like if you like to gamble, you can atleast go over in a water taxi, and check out as much as you can for free. It was an enjoyable ride over. The water was beautiful and the whole outside area around the Hotel/Paradise Island is lovely.

 

This is what we did in Nassau in Jan. 2011: We spent the first part of the day touring/shopping around the port/downtown area, having a drink at Senor Frogs, then went back to the ship (since it was so close). Had lunch on the ship, then walked back to the port and took a water taxi, (which was a very nice and scenic ride) from the port area for a few bucks to The Atlantis/Paradise Island. We toured the hotel, the aquarium in the hotel, the casino, the outside gardens and free other areas, then took a cab back to the ship (a few bucks each). Our cab driver back was a good tour guide. It was a really nice self guided tour on a really nice day for a really good price (cheap!)....:).

 

We enjoyed Cococay. The Island was really nice, water was beautiful, food was great and would love to be there right now! We just soaked up some sun, walked around the island, ate lunch, visited the shops, then back to the ship. If you go there, make sure you check out the whole area. We did not do so, until we were about to leave and did not have enough time at the end of the day. Also, there is shade if needed.

 

Key West is always great! Walked around that lovely place, just taking in how nice it is. Stopped at famous Sloppy Joe's for a drink, had Bushwackers and lunch at a Restaurant right at the edge of a harbor. Sat at an outside table with some people we met right there, cruising on another ship, and enjoyed that. Went thru some sort of little village area on the way back to the ship that had a some free entertainment going on, but it was over by the time we got there (believe it was right by the ship).

 

I thought this whole cruise was really nice and would do it over again.

 

Enjoy whichever one you decide on... :)