Free cruise: 7day Ascent (new ship) or 6 day Reflection (has a port I've never been to)?

[fstuff1]

2/25/24:

7 day Ascent in OV.

Goes to San Juan (puerto rico), tortola, st kitts

 

6 day reflection in veranda.

goes to Bimini (Bahamas), grand cayman and Cozumel.

 

OV on Ascent is fine because i don't like the infinite verandas.

I've been to every port listed many times except Bimini. I've never been there.

 

Which would you choose?

New ship or new port?

[CruizinSusan70]

Brand new ship with an extra day would be my choice every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[ymncruise]

I’d pick ascent. I like those ports better. I’ve been to Bimini twice and would probably stay on the ship if stopping there. 

[Cruise a holic]

While I love the reflection, the Ascent would definately be my choice.  Have been on the Edge and Apex, both fabulous as I am surre the Ascent is.  

[fstuff1]

1 hour ago, ymncruise said:

I’d pick ascent. I like those ports better. I’ve been to Bimini twice and would probably stay on the ship if stopping there. 

What's interesting in Bimini?

 

[tigervixxxen]

Ascent easily and St Kitts is the best port on that list. 

[kwokpot]

56 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

What's interesting in Bimini?

 

A beach club. That's it. Bimini Island is literally a spit of sand. With a casino resort, timeshares, Marina and a beach club. Beach is nice though. 

[chemmo]

Ascent is newer and the cruise is longer…

 

But having a new port adds spice,

And having a balcony  is always nice…

With a free cruise, you are a on a winner whatever you choose!

Sincere best wishes for a wonderful cruise!

Edited October 10, 2023 by chemmo

[kwokpot]

22 minutes ago, chemmo said:

Ascent is newer and the cruise is longer…

 

But having a new port adds spice,

And having a balcony  is always nice…

With a free cruise, you are a on a winner whatever you choose!

Sincere best wishes for a wonderful cruise!

Hey, great post! 

[Georgia_Peaches]

I’d pick Ascent and treat the new ship as the destination. I’m sure there will be lots to explore and see. Plus, it’s 7 nights!  
 

Let us know what you decide 😊. 

[wrk2cruise]

Generally new ships are not available for Free Cruise offers for at least a year.   Check the conditions of your offer.

[Arzeena]

8 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

2/25/24:

7 day Ascent in OV.

Goes to San Juan (puerto rico), tortola, st kitts

 

6 day reflection in veranda.

goes to Bimini (Bahamas), grand cayman and Cozumel.

 

OV on Ascent is fine because i don't like the infinite verandas.

I've been to every port listed many times except Bimini. I've never been there.

 

Which would you choose?

New ship or new port?

I would pick 2/25. Love those ports. Been to the ports many many times.

[CruizinSusan70]

5 hours ago, chemmo said:

But having a new port adds spice,

I wouldn't care care if that new port was the equivalent of saffron.  It's still on a ship that was built in 2012 and on a cruise that is six days long versus a brand new ship that is seven days long.

Newer ship and longer cruise trumps a new port, IMHO.

[kwokpot]

31 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

Generally new ships are not available for Free Cruise offers for at least a year.   Check the conditions of your offer.

Unless they're directly offered from BCC, which the Ascent is being. BCC has Aquaclass comped rooms the whole 1st qtr of '24. We're going on the 1/7/24 Ascent fully comped in Aquaclass. 

Even sailings in December, 12/10 and 12/17 in concierge being on offered fully comped. 

Edited October 10, 2023 by kwokpot

[wrk2cruise]

Ok didn't know that.   I guess Ascent isn't as "new" as Edge was when it first came out.  We hit Zenith when that came out and they said it was off limits for 1 year.

[kwokpot]

2 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

Ok didn't know that.   I guess Ascent isn't as "new" as Edge was when it first came out.  We hit Zenith when that came out and they said it was off limits for 1 year.

 

[RichYak]

I've been to all the ports on the Ascent cruise and none of the ports on the Reflection. I would STILL choose Ascent. Longer cruise, newer ship, and better itinerary. I'd have zero interest in visiting Cozumel or Bimini.

[kwokpot]

13 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

Ok didn't know that.   I guess Ascent isn't as "new" as Edge was when it first came out.  We hit Zenith when that came out and they said it was off limits for 1 year.

That also wasn't correct back then. We were on the inaugural Edge Eastern Caribbean cruise in 12/18 and then again in 4/19 both times fully comped by BCC. 

[kwokpot]

16 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

That also wasn't correct back then. We were on the inaugural Edge Eastern Caribbean cruise in 12/18 and then again in 4/19 both times fully comped by BCC. 

 

[ymncruise]

8 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

What's interesting in Bimini?

 

Bimini is a very small island. The first time we were there, we went to the beach to the right of the resort and had fun. When we were there in august, the islanders pushed us to go to the resort or the beach next to the pier that smelled of sewage. We would have taken a cab into town to check it out, but cabs were not waiting at the end of the pier like other islands. Renting a golf cart is an option, but I’m not sure how reliable they would be. I’ve heard there is broken glass and trash on the remote beaches. 

[jelayne]

9 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

What's interesting in Bimini?

 

Nothing much.

[Jeremiah1212]

Ascent without question. 

[Purplsmurf]

While I LOVE Reflection, I would choose Ascent. When I get free offers I like to try the new ships and if I don’t care for it it didn’t cost much. Enjoy whichever one you choose!

[Spif Barwunkel]

I would choose Reflection. My choice and the reasoning for it is totally illogical when compared to the choice and reasoning of others. I will not cruise on any ship unless it is in a balcony cabin, free cruise included. Past accommodations have included inside and ocean view. One and done, as the experience took so much away from the "cruising" experience. I very much like the outside access and the extension of the cabin itself. We use our balcony a lot and much prefer the more intimate, private open-air exposure to the ocean and the ports. 

 

Nice options, enjoy.

 

[fstuff1]

14 hours ago, kwokpot said:

A beach club. That's it. Bimini Island is literally a spit of sand. With a casino resort, timeshares, Marina and a beach club. Beach is nice though. 

How far is the casino from the pier?
Walkable?