Which would you choose?

[mmills06]

Hello all,

 

I am looking for some opinions on two possible itineraries that we are looking at.

 

Option 1: 6-Nights on Conquest out of Ft. Lauderdale calling on Key West, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman

 

Option 2: 7-Nights on Dream out of New Orleans calling on Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan

 

We are torn between these two! We went on the Glory last year (Cozumel, Roatan, Belize, Grand Cayman) and loved it, love the 2.0 upgrages, Guys Burgers, Blue Iguana, and especially the Alchemy Bar. On the other hand I am curious about the Dream Class ships, and we love NOLA so it would be great to sail from there. Give me your advice one way or the other.

[T. Advisor King]

The first factor I always consider is the itinerary, with an emphasis on avoiding duplication. This is a push for you because you've already been to two of the ports on each of the sailings. That brings it down to Costa Maya vs. Key West, but probably isn't enough to sway me.

 

Next I might consider the departure port. I've been in the Ft. Lauderdale area enough, but never to NO. That would have me leaning to the Dream.

 

Next might be ship. I've been on the Conquest, but really, at that point, a ship is a ship. There's probably not much new/different.

 

Then it comes down to price and duration. Seven nights is better than six, so I'd probably land on the Dream.

[kristie64063]

Hello all,

 

I am looking for some opinions on two possible itineraries that we are looking at.

 

Option 1: 6-Nights on Conquest out of Ft. Lauderdale calling on Key West, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman

 

Option 2: 7-Nights on Dream out of New Orleans calling on Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan

 

We are torn between these two! We went on the Glory last year (Cozumel, Roatan, Belize, Grand Cayman) and loved it, love the 2.0 upgrages, Guys Burgers, Blue Iguana, and especially the Alchemy Bar. On the other hand I am curious about the Dream Class ships, and we love NOLA so it would be great to sail from there. Give me your advice one way or the other.

 

I would choose Option 2; reasons, (1) longer trip; and (2) I don't like Key West, not kid friendly and bad beaches, imo. And you may not have kids and love Key West :). And I'd like to try out the Dream class too! I sail on the Glory soon, and can't wait! Any advice?

[nitro2448]

Both ships are great ships, but I would chose the Dream itinerary. Cozumel and Roatan are two of our favorite ports. Plus it's a day longer :)

[LindseyButlerWilson]

I personally love Key West. Lots of great history and sightseeing. It's not as beachy as other ports for sure though, so if that's important to you, you might want to go with the other itinerary.

 

Hope that helps!

[Tapi]

Although I love Key West, I'd pick the Dream over the Conquest, and 7 nights over 6 nights.

 

 

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Edited May 13, 2014 by Tapi

[mudpievelour]

I am not a fan of Roatan, and love Key West, so this would be a relatively easy decision for me. There are plenty of things for kids to see in Key West besides a beach.

[092306]

I would choose the Dream for convenience and you like the ports.

 

 

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[mmills06]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I should have mentioned that the prices are pretty comparable so that is not a big concern, and we are happy with either itinerary. I am leaning towards the Dream because it is 7 days and from NOLA (we are from New Hampshire so either way we are flying somewhere) but I am hesitant because some of our favorite things from Glory are not on the Dream (Guys, Blue Iguana, Alchemy Bar). We are young and dont have kids, we really liked going to the Alchemy Bar for either before/after dinner drinks and hanging out there because it had a fun vibe. Ugh, decisions decisions.

[nitro2448]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I should have mentioned that the prices are pretty comparable so that is not a big concern, and we are happy with either itinerary. I am leaning towards the Dream because it is 7 days and from NOLA (we are from New Hampshire so either way we are flying somewhere) but I am hesitant because some of our favorite things from Glory are not on the Dream (Guys, Blue Iguana, Alchemy Bar). We are young and dont have kids, we really liked going to the Alchemy Bar for either before/after dinner drinks and hanging out there because it had a fun vibe. Ugh, decisions decisions.

 

 

The Dream does have the Blue Iguana, but no it doesn't have Guy's or the Alchemy, which we did love both of those as well.

[debk68]

if you go to NOLA make sure you stay in a classic hotel. We stayed at Hotel Provincial 2 years ago and LOVED IT. Then have dinner in the french quarter, beignets at Cafe Du Mond in the morning. NOLA seems to have a lot of history that I have yet to find in FLL.

[k2excursion]

The Dream does have the Blue Iguana, but no it doesn't have Guy's or the Alchemy, which we did love both of those as well.

 

Dream has the Blue Iguana bar, but not the Blue Iguana cantina. However, she does have lunch burritos at the burrito bar, which is exactly like the Cantina's lunch burritos. Dream will still have burgers, and will have them at more extended hours as well, plus more than only burgers. I don't know what the Alchemy bar is, so I don't know how the Dream's countless bars will compare.

 

Definitely the Dream for me. Dream's shows are far superior to Conquest's, which are quite sad. Dream has a better waterpark, if you enjoy that. (It's not only for kids.) Plus the extra day, & Key West doesn't interest me.

[nitro2448]

Dream has the Blue Iguana bar, but not the Blue Iguana cantina. However, she does have lunch burritos at the burrito bar, which is exactly like the Cantina's lunch burritos. Dream will still have burgers, and will have them at more extended hours as well, plus more than only burgers. I don't know what the Alchemy bar is, so I don't know how the Dream's countless bars will compare.

 

Definitely the Dream for me. Dream's shows are far superior to Conquest's, which are quite sad. Dream has a better waterpark, if you enjoy that. (It's not only for kids.) Plus the extra day, & Key West doesn't interest me.

 

 

They are called the Blue Iguana Tequila bars, Red Frog Rum bars. The normal hamburgers on carnival don't even come close to Guy's burgers. The set up for bars on the Conquest is better than the countless bars on the dream, Dream doesn't even have a sports bar. The Alchemy Bar is a Martini Bar with numerous Martini's, and they will custom make one for you. The Dream's shows do not compare to the Conquest's shows with the stage upgrade the Conquest received. And the Dream is the one with the extra day.

Edited May 14, 2014 by nitro2448

[k2excursion]

They are called the Blue Iguana Tequila bars, Red Frog Rum bars. The normal hamburgers on carnival don't even come close to Guy's burgers. The set up for bars on the Conquest is better than the countless bars on the dream, Dream doesn't even have a sports bar. The Alchemy Bar is a Martini Bar with numerous Martini's, and they will custom make one for you. The Dream's shows do not compare to the Conquest's shows with the stage upgraded the Conquest received.

 

In my opinion, Guys burgers are only slightly better than the standard burgers. I seem to be in a minority there, but you definitely seem to be in a minority in regards to the shows. A huge majority of people hate the Playlist shows that the Conquest received. There will be some that prefer to it to Dream's style of shows, but they are few & far between. Please don't take that as me saying that you're wrong for preferring Playlist. I'm just pointing out that an overwhelming majority don't like it at all. For most people that enjoy the stage shows, they will say that the Dream's shows are the best of all Carnival ships. I say that they blow every other Carnival ship totally out of the water.

 

As far as bars go, I'm not a drinker, so a bar is just a bar to me. If Dream's are lacking, I don't care. But some people will, and I yield to those that know more about it.

Edited May 14, 2014 by k2excursion

[nitro2448]

In my opinion, Guys burgers are only slightly better than the standard burgers. I seem to be in a minority there, but you definitely seem to be in a minority in regards to the shows. A huge majority of people hate the Playlist shows that the Conquest received. There will be some that prefer to it to Dream's style of shows, but they are few & far between. Please don't take that as me saying that you're wrong for preferring Playlist. I'm just pointing out that an overwhelming majority don't like it at all. For most people that enjoy the stage shows, they will say that the Dream's shows are the best of all Carnival ships. I say that they blow every other Carnival ship totally out of the water.

 

As far as bars go, I'm not a drinker, so a bar is just a bar to me. If Dream's are lacking, I don't care. But some people will, and I yield to those that know more about it.

 

 

You're exactly right, it's all a matter of opinion.

[Philly Steve]

I would go with option #2 and spend a little time in New Orleans after the cruise. :cool:

[mmills06]

Yeah, I guess there are two separate entities called "Blue Iguana". Both ships have the Red Frog Rum Bar and the Blue Iguana Tequilla Bar, but I was thinking about the Blue Iguana Cantina, though it sounds like Dream has a burrito bar which may be comparable. The shows on the Glory were just okay, we like the shows during our cruise on Victory in 2012 much better. However, some of our favorite "shows" have been the comedians, so as I understand it both ships will have comedy shows. I dont want to harp on the bar thing, but we are young and we like to drink and have a good time on vacation, so has anyone sailed on the Dream and a 2.0 ship with Alchemy Bar and found a similar fun atmosphere?

[Cruise-Crazy]

I picked Conquest for my cruise this November just because I had never been on there before.

 

Between the two I would that the 7 day cruise just for the extra day. :D

[Cruise-Crazy]

When is the cruise? Conquest is out of Miami right now.

[mmills06]

When is the cruise? Conquest is out of Miami right now.

 

Cruises are both February 2015

[WindsorFred]

Although I love Key West, I'd pick the Dream over the Conquest, and 7 nights over 6 nights.

 

 

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Get's my vote also.

[LREcruise02]

If you choose the Dream (which I highly recommend!) there is a bar on deck 5 right next to the Taste bar that was a nice spot for before dinner drinks! Great bartenders and not too crowded but still a fun atmosphere. Have a great time both itineraries sound fun!!

 

 

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[Cruise-Crazy]

Cruises are both February 2015

 

Ah, guess it's moving.

[nitro2448]

If you're just comparing ships, I prefer the Conquest. While most bars on the Dream are fine, they are just normal Carnival bars. The lobby bar, was a good socializing bar, Ocean Plaza bar was tucked back in a corner with mainly trivia players coming to get drinks, when no trivia was going on it was pretty dead, Serenity Bar was tiny. With no sports bar on the Dream you had to go to the Casino Bar to watch or catch up on sports, which is ok if you are a smoker, it was usually packed. The Conquest pretty much has all the above, plus the EA Sports bar, and the Alchemy Bar, both are great bars. Comedy clubs have been great on every ship, but that's primarily determined by the comedian. The dream did have the best comedy club host I've seen on any ship. I've seen the stage shows on the dream multiple times do maybe I'm just over them, 8 seconds was an ok show, but if you have seen it then you've seen the shows the Dream will offer.