rockbock Posted February 7, 2014 #1 Share Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) I'm really torn between these two options for our Spring Break cruise. The Getaway is the better deal overall since it's a brand new ship and balcony cabins, but the Breeze is one day longer and a much more attractive itinerary for us. NCL Getaway - 7 nights - Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten. We've already been to all of these ports, some of them multiple times. Total price for 4 of us (in two BALCONY cabins) including taxes, fees, AND TIPS is $2,200. This is a special deal and my only cabin choice is a balcony. Carnival Breeze - 8 nights - Grand Turk, La Romana, Curacao, Aruba. All ports are new to us except for GT. Total price for 4 of us (in two CATEGORY 1A cabins), including taxes, fees, AND TIPS is $2,125. We'd also qualify for some crappy VIFP benefits on Carnival, as well as a casino gift, but that really doesn't make or break the decision for us. Edited February 7, 2014 by rockbock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisebie Posted February 7, 2014 #2 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Boy, that is a tough one. Which is more important to you, itinerary/extra day or new ship/balcony cabin? I have sailed both lines and like both, but my preference would be the new ship and a balcony. The extra day and new ports would be very tempting, but in the end I don't think I would be happy in a 1a cabin. Although the Breeze is also a new ship, the Getaway sounds amazing with lots to do and the pricing is very good for a brand new ship. I would have to hop on that while I could get it. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted February 7, 2014 #3 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I wouldn't do a 1A for the price of a balcony on another ship. If it was a Cove balcony on the Breeze or even an Oceanview I'd reconsider it since the Breeze is day longer and new to you ports. I don't know how on Earth you're getting that price on Getaway Balcony for 4. On the Breeze all the 1A's for March and April are $850-$1050, so I don't know how you are getting $21XX for 4 people there either. For $900pp you can sail on the Allure with a Boardwalk Balcony, so I definitely wouldn't take the 1A! What is your sailing date? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2excursion Posted February 7, 2014 #4 Share Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) The NCL Getaway definitely wins in a big way as far as the ship goes. Far superior ship in many ways, especially with shows & entertainment. Plus, you get a balcony. I can't imagine giving all that up for the itinerary, especially since St Thomas & St Maarten are amazing ports. I've been to both 4 times, and never tire of them. But if exploring new ports are of primary importance to you, then the Breeze would be the choice for you. She is still a great ship. Edited February 7, 2014 by k2excursion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiagolfer Posted February 7, 2014 #5 Share Posted February 7, 2014 For the price you are quoting, DW and I would definitely book the NCL Getaway over CCL Breeze. Actually, we are considering the Getaway for early summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted February 7, 2014 #6 Share Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) Is upgrading to a balcony on the Breeze within what you're willing to spend? A lot of times, you need to spend more to get the vacation that you truly want. We have been guilty of going for the cheapest price, only to spend the entire week beating ourselves up for cheapening out. Try to put price aside and ask yourself if you'd be happy with a bunk room for 8 nights. At the same time, ask yourself if you'd be happy visiting Nassau yet again when you could be visiting Aruba, Curaçao and La Romana for the 1st time. Ship wise, I'm more attracted by the Getaway. But that itinerary is such a turnoff. Another drawback about the Getaway is that the balconies are small (I believe only about 20 sq ft). If I could have it my way, I'd pick the Getaway, with the Breeze's itinerary and larger balcony stateroom. :) But realistically, I'd put price aside and get a balcony on the Breeze on that awesome itinerary. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Edited February 7, 2014 by Tapi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockbock Posted February 7, 2014 Author #7 Share Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) On the Breeze all the 1A's for March and April are $850-$1050, so I don't know how you are getting $21XX for 4 people there either. For $900pp you can sail on the Allure with a Boardwalk Balcony, so I definitely wouldn't take the 1A! What is your sailing date? Sailing date is 3/29. Neither of these are published rates. I'm a TA, so as long as I'm not picky I can normally find some good last minute deals. This is actually more than I usually spend, but spring break is expensive and so are both of these ships. Send from device_name using Cruise Critic your_app_name App Edited February 7, 2014 by rockbock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockbock Posted February 7, 2014 Author #8 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I'm not picky about cabins at all. I've traveled with five of us sharing an inside and it wasn't bad. I normally book 4J. The only balcony I've ever had was on my last cruise, and that was only because it was a free cruise for TAs and Carnival selected the cabin for me. I'm not going to say it wasn't nice to have the balcony, but I didn't really use it very much at all. As for the 1a cabins on the Breeze, I don't mind 1a, but we'd probably end up putting the kids in a 1a and my husband and I would pay the extra $25 to book a 4C next door to it. We could also all share one inside cabin for $200 less, but it's nice to have two cabins. I know that the Breeze is only a so-so deal and the Getaway is a bargain. I also know that I can get a much better price on the Breeze during a non-peak season, but I might never see a deal like this on the Getaway again. Yet something keeps stopping me from completing the booking process on the Getaway lol. Maybe part of me is just scared to venture to another cruise line. Send from device_name using Cruise Critic your_app_name App Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mysticks1 Posted February 7, 2014 #9 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I would take the Getaway - new ship and balcony cabins vs. 1A is a no brainer for me. I can't sail without a balcony now and I would love to sail one of the new NCL ships. I loved my last cruise on NCL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted February 7, 2014 #10 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Sailing date is 3/29. Neither of these are published rates. I'm a TA, so as long as I'm not picky I can normally find some good last minute deals. This is actually more than I usually spend, but spring break is expensive and so are both of these ships. In that case I'd take NCL. As a TA you may as well experience a brand new product and see if you like it or can sell it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isasprings Posted February 7, 2014 #11 Share Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) I'm really torn between these two options for our Spring Break cruise. The Getaway is the better deal overall since it's a brand new ship and balcony cabins, but the Breeze is one day longer and a much more attractive itinerary for us. NCL Getaway - 7 nights - Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten. We've already been to all of these ports, some of them multiple times. Total price for 4 of us (in two BALCONY cabins) including taxes, fees, AND TIPS is $2,200. This is a special deal and my only cabin choice is a balcony. Carnival Breeze - 8 nights - Grand Turk, La Romana, Curacao, Aruba. All ports are new to us except for GT. Total price for 4 of us (in two CATEGORY 1A cabins), including taxes, fees, AND TIPS is $2,125. We'd also qualify for some crappy VIFP benefits on Carnival, as well as a casino gift, but that really doesn't make or break the decision for us. Well I just read the Miami Herald BIG ad about the Getaway and says you only need to book a balcony that is great it is a beautiful ship. maybe next time you go on the Breeze.:) Edited February 7, 2014 by Isasprings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockbock Posted February 7, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I went ahead and booked the Getaway. I feel like I'm cheating on Carnival, but I'm excited too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgie562 Posted February 7, 2014 #13 Share Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) I went ahead and booked the Getaway. I feel like I'm cheating on Carnival, but I'm excited too. Theres no such thing as "cheating" on cruise lines IMO! I am taking a B2B with Celebrity this fall and I feel no guilt at all. I needed a change in my vacations. Will I sail Carnival again? Absolutely. Just not now. Im in the need of branching out and trying new things. Enjoy your NCL. It does look like a great ship. Edited February 7, 2014 by Georgie562 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted February 8, 2014 #14 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Thats an easy choice, BREEZE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkrose Posted February 8, 2014 #15 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Having just return from NCL Getaway crossing the Atlantic then hopping onto Carinval Splendor you don,t have to be too bright not to work out the difference between to the two lines. NCL Getaway brilliant Carnival total rubbish, how you Americans put up with such low standards is a surprise to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiagolfer Posted February 8, 2014 #16 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Theres no such thing as "cheating" on cruise lines IMO! I am taking a B2B with Celebrity this fall and I feel no guilt at all. I needed a change in my vacations. Will I sail Carnival again? Absolutely. Just not now. Im in the need of branching out and trying new things. Enjoy your NCL. It does look like a great ship. I so agree with this. Never have understood the "cheating" comments if booking a different cruise line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albean99 Posted February 9, 2014 #17 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Having done 4 Carnival in the past and 2 NCL (Epic & Breakaway), I think you made the right choice. I wasn't sure about freestyle at the beginning but now love it. Carnival was fine when our kids were young but we've moved on. We're not committed to any one cruise line though. We have both NCL and RCL booked this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustCruiseMe Posted February 9, 2014 #18 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Having just return from NCL Getaway crossing the Atlantic then hopping onto Carinval Splendor you don,t have to be too bright not to work out the difference between to the two lines.NCL Getaway brilliant Carnival total rubbish, how you Americans put up with such low standards is a surprise to me HAHA nice joke! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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