Best Carnival Journeys Cruise?

[cuculola]

Hi all,

 

My boyfriend and I found some great deals on Carnival cruises and need help deciding the best itinerary. We've only been to the Western Caribbean on NCL before so we're unfamiliar with any of the departure ports or the ship.

 

We are budget conscious so probably will not participate in too many excursions, but we love going out and exploring so the ports are important. We'd prefer the ship to be more adult oriented (both in our late 20s) and are more favorable towards one with better dining than activity.

 

Below are our top three picks, but we're opened to suggestions as well. These dates are in October, fyi, but we're flexible as long as it's not too far out (preferably before the end of the year).

 

Thank you all kindly in advance!

 

---Carnival Dream--- $419

Day 1 New Orleans, LA 4:00 PM

Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 3 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 4 Nassau, the Bahamas 7:00 AM 3:00 PM

Day 5 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 6 Bermuda 1:00 PM

Day 7 Bermuda 5:00 PM

Day 8 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 9 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 10 St. Maarten, NA 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 11 St. Thomas, USVI 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 12 San Juan, Puerto Rico 7:00 AM

 

---Carnival Dream--- $449

Day 1 San Juan, Puerto Rico 10:00 PM

Day 2 St. Thomas, USVI 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 3 St Kitts, WI 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 4 St. Maarten, NA 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 5 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 6 Grand Turk 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 7 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 8 Ocho Rios, Jamaica 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

Day 9 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 10 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 11 New Orleans, LA 8:00 AM

 

---Carnival Triumph--- $529

Day 1 Galveston, TX 4:00 PM

Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 3 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 4 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

Day 5 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 6 Aruba 10:00 AM 8:00 PM

Day 7 Bonaire 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 8 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 9 Grenada 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 10 Martinique, FWI 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

Day 11 St. Maarten, NA 9:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 12 San Juan, Puerto Rico 8:00 AM

[kelkel2]

Hi all,

 

My boyfriend and I found some great deals on Carnival cruises and need help deciding the best itinerary. We've only been to the Western Caribbean on NCL before so we're unfamiliar with any of the departure ports or the ship.

 

We are budget conscious so probably will not participate in too many excursions, but we love going out and exploring so the ports are important. We'd prefer the ship to be more adult oriented (both in our late 20s) and are more favorable towards one with better dining than activity.

 

Below are our top three picks, but we're opened to suggestions as well. These dates are in October, fyi, but we're flexible as long as it's not too far out (preferably before the end of the year).

 

Thank you all kindly in advance!

 

---Carnival Dream--- $419

Day 1 New Orleans, LA 4:00 PM

Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 3 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 4 Nassau, the Bahamas 7:00 AM 3:00 PM

Day 5 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 6 Bermuda 1:00 PM

Day 7 Bermuda 5:00 PM

Day 8 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 9 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 10 St. Maarten, NA 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 11 St. Thomas, USVI 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 12 San Juan, Puerto Rico 7:00 AM

 

---Carnival Dream--- $449

Day 1 San Juan, Puerto Rico 10:00 PM

Day 2 St. Thomas, USVI 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 3 St Kitts, WI 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 4 St. Maarten, NA 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 5 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 6 Grand Turk 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 7 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 8 Ocho Rios, Jamaica 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

Day 9 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 10 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 11 New Orleans, LA 8:00 AM

 

---Carnival Triumph--- $529

Day 1 Galveston, TX 4:00 PM

Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 3 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 4 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

Day 5 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 6 Aruba 10:00 AM 8:00 PM

Day 7 Bonaire 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 8 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 9 Grenada 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 10 Martinique, FWI 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

Day 11 St. Maarten, NA 9:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 12 San Juan, Puerto Rico 8:00 AM

 

I would do the 3rd option. Although the triumph wouldn't be my first choice in ship, it's a tad older. It does have plenty to offer. BUT those ports are fabulous and I would not want to miss those!!

[KrisMusc313]

I would do the 3rd option. Although the triumph wouldn't be my first choice in ship, it's a tad older. It does have plenty to offer. BUT those ports are fabulous and I would not want to miss those!!

 

 

I agree. The 3rd option sounds the best to me. Those are some great ports!

[Sauer-kraut]

My first cruise was Puerto Rico - Barbados - Martinque - Dominca Loved that cruise, and Dominca had just been opened to cruise ships and it was unspoilt!!

 

Anyways your 3rd itinerary is great and at $45 per night a pretty good deal! Plus you don't have to get too far to get to Houston. Sounds like a great trip.

[KroozFoolz]

Check out the Journeys cruise on Carnival Sunshine, leaving from Port Canaveral on November 28, 2015

 

 

Day 1 Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL 4:00 PM

Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 3 Grand Turk 9:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 4 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 5 St. Thomas, USVI 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 6 Tortola,British Virgin Islands 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 7 St Kitts, WI 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 8 Dominica 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 9 St. Lucia 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 10 Antigua 9:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 11 St. Croix, USVI 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 12 San Juan, Puerto Rico 7:00 AM

[singbluesilver1]

I pick three too

[bobsher]

Don't forget to add in the airfare for return trip from San Juan on choice # 3

[Honolulu Blue]

I will be on itinerary #3 in January, so you can tell me all about it after you come back.

 

Since all of them are sailing in October and are one-way trips, I would expect there to be relatively few children.

[Singer4Him]

Check out the Journeys cruise on Carnival Sunshine, leaving from Port Canaveral on November 28, 2015

 

 

Day 1 Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL 4:00 PM

Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 3 Grand Turk 9:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 4 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 5 St. Thomas, USVI 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 6 Tortola,British Virgin Islands 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 7 St Kitts, WI 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 8 Dominica 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 9 St. Lucia 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 10 Antigua 9:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 11 St. Croix, USVI 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 12 San Juan, Puerto Rico 7:00 AM

 

Since you mentioned the Dream in NOLA and the Triumph in Galveston, I don't know if this one would be within reason for you but I have to agree. This sounds like an amazing itinerary and I would love to get to sail on the Sunshine.

 

If I had to stick with the three that you mentioned, I would probably go with option #3.

 

Looking forward to hearing what you decided to do. I'm only a little bit jealous that you're doing a Journeys cruise. :D

[Towel Critter]

Another vote for option #3.

[islandatsea]

Option 3 has our vote too.

[RaiderFaninNM]

I say anyone that makes you happy!!!

 

 

The Journeys cruises sounds like fun and with them starting in and ending in different ports, one can not go wrong!

 

 

HAPPY PICKING!

[MaraBerk]

Carnival Triumph has the better itinerary imo.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

The Fall is the best time to sail Carnival for a bit older crowd, especially with the longer cruises. My choice would be #3, followed by #1.

[tbbtravels]

Kroozfoolz - that's a nice one. Lots of new ports for me and I love the serenity area on the sunshine. The water fall isn't too shabby either.

 

Anyway, I went with option 3. We booked it last week. Just because I hadn't been on that ship. 2 new ports for me too.

Dream is a nice ship though. I really enjoyed it and it has that bbq place on deck 5.

 

To me the longer cruises have more older couples and less kids. I did the 14 day repo cruise on the pride in March and many 7 and 8 day cruises.

 

October can be rough to cruise. I cruised all of last October. Missed multiple ports due to weather. Re-routed due to a hurricane. Ships rocked more than normal too.

 

Hey Sauer kraut!

- long time no see! Ya remember me from last year? Breeze in October? Medical evacs - missed ports?

My Pride repo cruise topped that one. Staff washing walls with bleach. Squirting us with hand sanitizer anytime we got around food or back on the ship. Yep, people were deathly sick. It must be me - a bad luck magnet.

Edited July 17, 2015 by tbbtravels

[cuculola]

Thank you all so much for your input, and especially Krooz for bringing the cruise from Orlando to our attention again! We had saw it before but dismissed it from our original top choices because it was in late Nov - early Dec and we were eager to go sooner!

 

Given TBB's experience with the rocky conditions in October (I've read that and Sept were the worst months for the Caribbean) would ya'll suggest we follow Krooz's suggestion instead?

 

Thanks again for your infinite wisdom. :)

 

Itinerary again below for reference:

 

Carnival Sunshine: $549pp

Nov 28- Dec 9

 

Port Canaveral (orlando), Fl Dock -- 4:00 pm

2 Fun Day At Sea Fun At Sea -- --

3 Grand Turk Dock 9:00 am 5:00 pm

4 Fun Day At Sea Fun At Sea -- --

5 St. Thomas, Usvi Dock 9:00 am 6:00 pm

6 Tortola,british Virgin Islands Dock 8:00 am 5:00 pm

7 St Kitts, Wi Dock 9:00 am 6:00 pm

8 Dominica Dock 9:00 am 6:00 pm

9 St. Lucia Dock 8:00 am 5:00 pm

10 Antigua Dock 9:00 am 5:00 pm

11 St. Croix, Usvi Dock 9:00 am 6:00 pm

12 San Juan, Puerto Rico Dock

[TheBubbs]

I like the first one, but then I am a little partial :)

[Jay Sam]

Triumph would be my pick. All of them are great though. Ports would make me pick that one.

Edited July 17, 2015 by Jay Sam
correction

[KroozFoolz]

I also like this one, RT from Miami, on Glory, sailing Oct 2015, but the fares are higher than the ones that start/end in San Juan. I like that both Aruba and Barbados are among the ports.

 

Day 1 Miami, FL 4:00 PM

Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 3 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 4 Aruba 8:00 AM 8:00 PM

Day 5 Bonaire 7:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 6 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 7 Grenada 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 8 Barbados 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 9 St. Lucia 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 10 Antigua 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 11 St. Thomas, USVI 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 12 St. Maarten, NA 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 13 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 14 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 15 Miami, FL 8:00 AM

[vamartha]

Thank you all so much for your input, and especially Krooz for bringing the cruise from Orlando to our attention again! We had saw it before but dismissed it from our original top choices because it was in late Nov - early Dec and we were eager to go sooner!

 

Given TBB's experience with the rocky conditions in October (I've read that and Sept were the worst months for the Caribbean) would ya'll suggest we follow Krooz's suggestion instead?

 

Thanks again for your infinite wisdom. :)

 

Itinerary again below for reference:

 

Carnival Sunshine: $549pp

Nov 28- Dec 9

 

Port Canaveral (orlando), Fl Dock -- 4:00 pm

2 Fun Day At Sea Fun At Sea -- --

3 Grand Turk Dock 9:00 am 5:00 pm

4 Fun Day At Sea Fun At Sea -- --

5 St. Thomas, Usvi Dock 9:00 am 6:00 pm

6 Tortola,british Virgin Islands Dock 8:00 am 5:00 pm

7 St Kitts, Wi Dock 9:00 am 6:00 pm

8 Dominica Dock 9:00 am 6:00 pm

9 St. Lucia Dock 8:00 am 5:00 pm

10 Antigua Dock 9:00 am 5:00 pm

11 St. Croix, Usvi Dock 9:00 am 6:00 pm

12 San Juan, Puerto Rico Dock

 

We're booked on this one. We got a casino offer about three months ago that we simply couldn't refuse. We're beyond excited! There is a roll call for this cruise.

 

I love sea days and the only other one of the three you first were considering + this one that I'd even consider is the one that has Bonaire on it. Its not common for Carnival to sail to Bonaire and we're snorkelers so I'd have probably chosen that one, but it didn't fit into our vacation time.

[CrusieToy]

Hi all,

 

My boyfriend and I found some great deals on Carnival cruises and need help deciding the best itinerary. We've only been to the Western Caribbean on NCL before so we're unfamiliar with any of the departure ports or the ship.

 

We are budget conscious so probably will not participate in too many excursions, but we love going out and exploring so the ports are important. We'd prefer the ship to be more adult oriented (both in our late 20s) and are more favorable towards one with better dining than activity.

 

Below are our top three picks, but we're opened to suggestions as well. These dates are in October, fyi, but we're flexible as long as it's not too far out (preferably before the end of the year).

 

Thank you all kindly in advance!

 

---Carnival Dream--- $419

Day 1 New Orleans, LA 4:00 PM

Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 3 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 4 Nassau, the Bahamas 7:00 AM 3:00 PM

Day 5 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 6 Bermuda 1:00 PM

Day 7 Bermuda 5:00 PM

Day 8 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 9 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 10 St. Maarten, NA 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 11 St. Thomas, USVI 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 12 San Juan, Puerto Rico 7:00 AM

 

---Carnival Dream--- $449

Day 1 San Juan, Puerto Rico 10:00 PM

Day 2 St. Thomas, USVI 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 3 St Kitts, WI 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 4 St. Maarten, NA 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 5 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 6 Grand Turk 9:00 AM 6:00 PM

Day 7 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 8 Ocho Rios, Jamaica 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

Day 9 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 10 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 11 New Orleans, LA 8:00 AM

 

---Carnival Triumph--- $529

Day 1 Galveston, TX 4:00 PM

Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 3 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 4 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

Day 5 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 6 Aruba 10:00 AM 8:00 PM

Day 7 Bonaire 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 8 ... Fun Day At Sea --- ---

Day 9 Grenada 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 10 Martinique, FWI 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

Day 11 St. Maarten, NA 9:00 AM 5:00 PM

Day 12 San Juan, Puerto Rico 8:00 AM

 

You picked 3 great itineraries, any one of them would be great. If forced I would pick Crnival Triumph. On the first one I hate Nassau and on the second one I didn't like Ocho Rios. jmho