Already looking to book next cruise-Need advice

[princessdivaapril]

Dh wants to look into another cruise with Carnival or even possibly another cruise line(we are open for suggestions) He wants to do a longer cruise than our 4 night on Fantasy-we enjoyed it but would like 5-7 nights on a newer and bigger ship, possibly out of the Orlando area(only an 8 hr drive for us. Tampa would be too far to drive(we are in Alabama) We are willlinf to drive about 8 hrs no more or we will fly. We want to do another one in about 6-9 months so need to go ahead and get booked and deposits paid. Want a bigger ship(not the biggest which are too big i think) Any line or ship suggestions? We are bothe 37, love to dance and listen to music, like a party, gamble a little, drink a little, we love to do exciting itineraries--Both have done Cozumel(love it) and bahamas, but want to try a different itinerary. Thanks for your help.

[IslandCruiser87]

Hello:) I don't know of any Carnival Ships that goes out of the Orlando area. Iv'e been on both Carnival and Costa cruise lines but slightly perferred Carnival more. Is there any other embark/disembark ports you would consider. I don't know how far the other ports would be to drive to(I know you said Tamps's to far.) If so I can sugest some options. HAPPY CRUISING!

 

Lindsey

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Dh wants to look into another cruise with Carnival or even possibly another cruise line(we are open for suggestions) He wants to do a longer cruise than our 4 night on Fantasy-we enjoyed it but would like 5-7 nights on a newer and bigger ship, possibly out of the Orlando area(only an 8 hr drive for us. Tampa would be too far to drive(we are in Alabama) We are willlinf to drive about 8 hrs no more or we will fly. We want to do another one in about 6-9 months so need to go ahead and get booked and deposits paid. Want a bigger ship(not the biggest which are too big i think) Any line or ship suggestions? We are bothe 37, love to dance and listen to music, like a party, gamble a little, drink a little, we love to do exciting itineraries--Both have done Cozumel(love it) and bahamas, but want to try a different itinerary. Thanks for your help.

 

You don't leave much if you don't want to do Cozumel again. The only ship from Port Canaveral (Orlando) is the Carnival Glory and The Mariner of the Seas which is a Royal Caribbean ship.

 

The best of the 2 ships would be the mariner but they are about $200pp more than the Carnival ship. Both shops are bigger then the Fantasy class ship you were on but the Mariner is huge but has rock climbing, ice skating, mini golf etc.

 

Bill

[DarthGrady]

The Carnival Legend leaves out of Tampa on 7 day trips, but it goes to Cozumel. I have heard very good things about the ship though. It also goes to Grand Cayman, which I have been to twice and love. It also goes to Isla Roatan and Belize (awesome river/cave tubing from what my friends said).

[IslandCruiser87]

I forgot that the Carnival Glory goes out of Port Canveral. I haven't been on her,but I hear that the Glory is a nice ship It's newer than the Fantasy and has some great reviews. Also they have 7-Day Caribbean intineraries and fairly reasonable prices.(That's why I love carnival) If Money isn't a huge issue then you many want to consider RCCL. However you stated that you want a bigger and newer ship but not the biggest and RCCL newest ships offers the largest ships afloat so you may want to look into a slightly older RC ship. Both lines are great so good luck in whatever you choose.:)

 

Lindsey

[cruzn buckeye]

I would do the eastern Glory. I have been on this ship twice. Love it and they have great crew. You will get to visit Nassau ( o.k.) but also you will go to two of my favorite ports, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

[Snorkel2Much]

If you're driving down I-75 from Alabama, the Port of Tampa and Port Canaveral are just about the same distance for you.

[lives to cruise]

First I would like to say that your attitude about the lost reservation was exceptional! You were dealt a very bad hand by your TA and to some extent Carnival and you made the best of it. Kuddos to you and your DH.:)

 

Now, about your next cruise. You can go to the Carnival web site and up in the top left corner under the Carnival name you will find a link that says "Find a Cruise". Click it and you can put in the length of cruise you want and also from which Port you want to cruise from. You will be able to see which ships cruise from that Port and then go on and get more information. All the other cruise lines have the same feature on their web sites so you should be able to do the same with them.

 

I do know that Disney cruises from Port Canaveral (Orlando) and the Magic does a 7 day. Disney cruises are terrific but they are a little more expensive and there is no casino so if that is a big deal for you then Disney would not be for you.

 

If you are willing to fly then your options are wide open. Maybe look into the conquest out of Galveston. I have heard nothing but terrific things about that cruise but I do believe it goes to Cos. as well.

 

If you want to stay away from Cos. then look for cruises doing an eastern or southern itinerary. There are some western itineraries that do Jamaica, Belize, Roatan (Which was the prettiest and best island in the Carib. in MHO.) , but you will need to research.

 

What ever itinerary and ship you decide on, you will have a great time. Again, congrats on your terrific attitude and welcome to the wonderful world of cruise-a-holics. :D

[sunlover5]

The eastern route is great, I agree St. Martin and St. Thomas you should see!! Have a wonderful cruise.

(If you're willling to fly, The Carnival Liberty is a great ship!)

[livestocruisetoo]

I'm glad to see you had a great time overall despite all of the speed bumps you encountered on the way. Being a teacher makes it hard for you to schedule a time other than when a lot of children, most of whom are well behaved, are onboard. It seems Celebrity, yet to go, has the most to offer in your age range but there seems to be a significant increase in cost over Carnival. Only HAL seems to have specials for teachers, all of which are for Europe at this time. Not many of us can say 'price is no object' even for a vacation. Part of the fun of a cruise for us begins with getting a good price on a wanted destination.:D