Help Me Decide! Carnival Breeze & NCL Getaway

[rockbock]

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

[cruisebie]

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.

 

 

 

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[LMaxwell]

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?

[k2excursion]

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

[Georgiagolfer]

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.

[Tapi]

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.

 

 

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Edited February 7, 2014 by Tapi

[rockbock]

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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Edited February 7, 2014 by rockbock

[rockbock]

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.

 

 

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[Mysticks1]

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.

[LMaxwell]

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.

[Isasprings]

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

[rockbock]

I went ahead and booked the Getaway. I feel like I'm cheating on Carnival, but I'm excited too.

[Georgie562]

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

[riclop]

Thats an easy choice, BREEZE.

[Yorkrose]

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

[Georgiagolfer]

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.

[albean99]

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.

[JustCruiseMe]

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!