Carnival or not?

[irishnyc]

I've been very loyal to Carnival. Although, I have been on several Royal Caribbean cruises as well. However, I'm trying to decide between The Carnival Fascination and Royal Caribbean Brillance of the sea.

 

Jacksonville, Fl.- Fascination : Key West, Nassau

Tampa, Fl.- Brilliance of the Seas: Grand Cayman, Cozumel

 

Which would you choose?

 

It would be a tossup for me. I love love love Key West (although I've never been there via cruise, only land vacations), hate hate hate Nassau. Grand Cayman - good, Cozumel, so so.

[ads127]

Rccl

 

 

Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[5Hawkeyes]

[/color]

 

Actually, I don't understand this whole loyalty thing. A cruise line is a business, not someone I have a personal relationship with. I'm loyal to my God, Country, and family. DW and I cruise because we like it, and will sail any line that offers an itinerary we want, at the time we want/need, and at the price we feel is right for us, period.

 

Bingo!!! I like this post. And why would the other guy really care?

 

The OP's question would be so easy for us, which itinerary looks better!!!

 

Good luck with your decision!

[jakeT]

RCCL ships are nicer

[sharecruises]

Key West is great, but so short time in port...and Nassau....well...it's Nassau..nuff said

 

Like everyone else I prefer GC and Cozumel...

also the weather should be warmer there too - further south

 

I hear Brillance is a beautiful ship - have fun!

[lukeduke07]

If price isnt an issue, go with RCCL. Cozumel and GC are better. Nassau is not great and you can drive to key west if you wanted to.

 

Ive only been on one RCL cruise due to the price being signifigantly higher every time I go to book.

[evandbob]

RCCL over Carnival in a heartbeat, based on itinerary and state of the ship.

[Troy McClure]

I have only sailed RCL once and CCL a bunch and if the price is not a factor I would go with RCL. Again, Nassau is not great unless you dive ( I do not) and I love Key West but it is way better at night than during the day.

 

I have never gone out of Jacksonville, but see no need as I live closer to Port Canaveral or Tampa.

[Tapi]

I have never gone out of Jacksonville, but see no need as I live closer to Port Canaveral or Tampa.

 

As I see it, the only reason to sail out of Jacksonville is if it happens to be your closest port of embarkation (which is the reason why we sailed from there). But there's a price to pay for the convenience of a shorter drive. The ship is smaller and older (20 years old), the itineraries leave a LOT to be desired, and while the Jacksonville area does have some attractions, it doesn't offer nearly as much for a pre/post cruise stay as other, more established ports of embarkation.

Edited January 14, 2014 by Tapi

[ibcnusoon]

I would do the ship that takes you to Cozumel and Grand Cayman over Nassau and Key West. Not much to do in Key West other than shop or bar hop. It would be nice if a ship stayed in Key West until late in the evening so you could enjoy the the Sunset Celebration they have every night.

Edited January 14, 2014 by ibcnusoon

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

My poor Nassau! Gets such a bad rap. I was there for two delightful port visits this year and we specifically planned the next one just to go BACK to Nassau! (our family voted down a double day at private island for Nassau. Yes!)

 

So many great things about Nassau and something for everyone. Just not necessarily within walking distance.

 

-Blue Lagoon with sea lion and dolphin encounters, great food, nice lagoon and a reef to snorkel. Secure and a nice boat ride there and back. Going again!

-Stuart Cove. A diving/snorkel shmorgasborg and movie set for Jaws and other shark related wonders. Very highly reviewed.

-Atlantis. Beautiful resort, I love to see it on the horizon, and its got a lot to see and do although I haven't personally gone to it, but there is an aquarium, casino, water park etc.

-Snorkel Catamaran. Did this in Roatan and again in Nassau. Loved it every time! Great ride, caribbean music playing, punch, big fish, pretty beach, well worth it.

-Others include Chocolate Factories, wonderful resorts, a local Zoo/Garden and more.

 

We have a plan everytime we dock. Sometimes we buy an excursion (Nassau has so many good ones and if you don't book something, you should stay on board because you may be disappointed), and sometimes we take a taxi to a reputable beach or park (Coki or Chank etc), but just getting off the ship and winging it isn't going to make any port worthwhile for the most part. Even in places like Grand Cayman, we still booked an excursion. And it as a wonderful day! I research all my ports ahead of time and book as soon as I can.

 

I will say, our weather this year on both cruises was impeccable for every port day and almost every sea day (for two cruises to Nassau that total 4 sea days and 6 port days). I suppose if you had lousy weather, than definitely stay on the ship.

 

Love my Nassau!