New Here and Overwhelmed

[GUT2407]

Never been on Carnival lines so can't speak to the ship.

 

Today there is lots of info available, maybe too much.

 

Went on our first cruise on RCCL, Song of America in l982 I think... way before the internet... so all we had was a brochure and a TA.

 

Was it our best cruise no, by comparison to over 50+ since, but it was a wonderful experience, I can still remember leaving St Thomas a top the ship and wishing the cruise was not coming to an end. Never dreamed we cruise 50+ times, but we got addicted to the cruise experience.

 

My point is don't worry about having everything perfect or the best, just go, get your feet wet and you will figure out what is best or better you as you go along. The Eastern Carribbean is the best iItinerary by the way.

 

Happy cruising.

 

I agree with your comment about too much information.

 

Sometimes better to be surprised.

[SuiteTraveler]

I'm new to cruise critic and new to the whole cruise experience.

 

I'm looking at an 8-Day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Carnival Conquest in September 2016.

 

I'm seeing conflicting reviews about the Conquest ship. We are laid back and very easy going. Our only requirements are a comfy bed, a clean room and decent food. I have a couple questions about the ship...

-Would you sail on this ship again? Why or why not?

-Is it really as bad as some of the reviews make it seem? Or is it possibly just that the bad reviews come from those who have higher expectations?

 

I have considered spending a little extra and opting for an Ocean Suite. I just thought the extra splurge would be nice as we will be celebrating our anniversary.

-Is the cabin worth the extra money?

-Are there any perks to booking a suite?

 

In regard to shore excursions, is it better to pick things in each port well before hand? Wait until we board? We want to relax and don't have to be doing something in every port, but I also don't want us to miss out on something and have regrets. Also, is viator.com a safe alternative for booking excursions?

 

We have opted for Carnival because it seems like the best value overall. We also really like the itinerary. The rooms also seem just a little bigger on Carnival.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice! It is greatly appreciated!

 

~Spring

 

Carnival is an entry level cruise line. It is nice enough, but for only a small amount more, you can be on a cruise line that will WOW you. I recommend you consider both NCL (Norwegian) and RCCL.

 

If you are going to get a suite, consider getting a The Haven Spa Suite on NCL Epic or Getaway for your anniversary. This comes with a ton of perks:

 

VIP check in

VIP waiting room

Escorted embarkation

Butler service

Concierge service

welcome aboard flowers and champagne

spa robes and slippers

Special restaurant for Haven Guests

Special bar for Haven Guests

Haven pool

Haven sundeck

Haven hot tubs

Haven fitness room

Haven sauna

Haven steamroom

Priority disembarkation

 

The reason I'm recommending The Haven Spa Suite is because it is designed for a romantic vacation with a spa tub for 2 and a large walk in shower. You also get entrance to the spa - which includes sauna, samarium, aromatherapy steam room, salt room (Getaway only) and a water circuit and hot tub and heated tile loungers as well as padded loungers, fruit water and tea.

 

So about that butler service, he brings you hors d'ouerves each afternoon and any room service you want.

 

NCL is different from other cruise lines because you never have to dress up. They have a night where you can and the photographers are available to take your photo or you can just wear casual wear for the entire cruise. They have many great specialty restaurants where you pay a nominal extra fee or you can eat at the included restaurants. For your anniversary I'd probably recommend Le Bistro or Cagney's (steakhouse) however, you could also eat in the Haven Restaurant for free. These ships have lots of entertainment and so much to do you cannot do it all in a week. They are wonderful! There are water slides - exciting enough for adults, ropes courses, climbing walls, casino, bowling, 3D movies, an ice bar. It's pretty fabulous!

 

RCCL is more similar to NCL than not but does not have the elaborate suite perks that NCL has. Whereas NCL reminds me of a casino resort hotel in Las Vegas, RCCL reminds me of a theme park. The ships you should consider on RCCL are Allure of the Seas (the largest ship in the world), Oasis of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas or Ovaton of the Seas or even RCCL's Freedom Class ships. These have entertaiment equal to NCL and lots of specialty restaurants. 150 Central Park or Chops (the steakhouse) is the romantic restaurant for your anniversary or go to the free The Grande where every night is a formal night.