Cabin/Cruise Selection Help

[Regguy]

Hi -- new to cruising. Looking into a Mexican Riviera Cruise in 2009 on either Spirit or Splendour, in a balcony room, for our first cruise. Spirit would be around spring break; Splendor in the summer.

 

The ports for the Splendor would be Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo. For the Spirit, it would be Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Mazanillo.

 

First question -- any significant differences between these two sets of ports of call? We've never been to any of these places. The Spirit Cruise on spring break is cheaper and one day longer, so we're tending toward that.

 

Second -- cabins seem pretty wide open on our preferred dates. It looks as though the price increases about $40 as you move up from deck to deck in the balcony rooms. Is higher always better? How about port or stern for these ports of call? Any decks or locations tend to be too noisy to sleep? Finally, on the Spirit, it looks like certain rooms on each floor have "extended balconies". Worth it? Thanks much in advance.

[nklpikl]

I will not be a ton of help, but here I am typing anyways:eek:

I have only done the Cabo, PV, Mazatlan but I love it. So many wonderful things to do.

I can not speak of going higher up for balconies, but for OV it makes no difference. Actually lower seems to have less movement to me. I pay more attention to not being right next to the elevator or making sure it not the pool, theatre or galley right above my room.

Spring break and summer will both be full ships with lots of kids.

Now one very important difference for the two cruises you are considering is that the Splendor is a BRAND New ship!!

[pjtulsa]

Hi -- new to cruising. Looking into a Mexican Riviera Cruise in 2009 on either Spirit or Splendour, in a balcony room, for our first cruise. Spirit would be around spring break; Splendor in the summer.

 

The ports for the Splendor would be Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo. For the Spirit, it would be Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Mazanillo.

 

First question -- any significant differences between these two sets of ports of call? We've never been to any of these places. The Spirit Cruise on spring break is cheaper and one day longer, so we're tending toward that.

 

Second -- cabins seem pretty wide open on our preferred dates. It looks as though the price increases about $40 as you move up from deck to deck in the balcony rooms. Is higher always better? How about port or stern for these ports of call? Any decks or locations tend to be too noisy to sleep? Finally, on the Spirit, it looks like certain rooms on each floor have "extended balconies". Worth it? Thanks much in advance.

 

We were on the 1st sailing of the Splendor, it has a beautiful pool area but I liked very little about the rest of the ship. We were on the Pride for the itinerary that the Splendor is taking over and although we enjoyed it the ports weren't anything special. I have also been on the Spirit for the same ports you mentioned and really enjoyed them. They are very layed back ports that you can easily do on your own at a very low cost.

 

As for Balconies, its a personal call. Some people like to go up to higher decks which I think you feel more of the motion on. I like middle decks with cabins above and below me and also placed Mid ship. Avoid being above/below the casino, dance club and the galley. On the splendor we had an OV under the galley and were awoken every morning at 4:30 to the sounds of crashing pots and pans. Both ships vibrate docking and you can really feel it in the aft portion of the ship on the lower levels, not sure about the upper decks.

 

Hope you enjoy your cruise, which ever you choose they are both great Itineraries.

[kellywhitehills]

Extended balconies to me are worth the extra $$$ Specially if they are a corner aft..That being said I have only cruised on the Spirit and love the ship..I have not been to any of the ports o call so I am no help there..

 

Have fun figuring out which cruise to take...

Kelly

[PINEVIEW01]

As for Balconies, its a personal call. Some people like to go up to higher decks which I think you feel more of the motion on. I like middle decks with cabins above and below me and also placed Mid ship. Avoid being above/below the casino, dance club and the galley.

I agree with this advise. I would alway pick a Spirit class ship over the Conquest class.

[firefly333]

Splendor is still a very new ship is why it costs more imo. But I have heard great things about spirit class, I dont think you can do wrong with either.

 

We usually cruise around Easter and find it a good time, before it gets too hot.

[mamasue]

I'd avoid spring break!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Wennfred]

Welcome to Cruise Critic,

 

I have been to all 6 ports, I prefer the Cabo, P.V. and Mazatlan ports. The Splendor will be a fun new ship. I have sailed onboard Spirit 3 times now and she is a great ship with one of the best service and crew. Even their Supper Club blows away the rest of the fleet.

 

You will totally love the Spirit and leaving out of a Beautiful sunny port like San Diego with the Airport only minutes away and that alone adds to the excitement but again I didn't care for those ports and don't really care for the 8 day cruise.

 

Someone stated that the Splendor will cost more??? not really I have seen the prices and they both look like the same pricing, it all depends on the actual week, one week it could be 100.00 more while another it will be 100.00 less and in most cases the Spirit will end up costing more because its an 8 day cruise.

 

 

Fred

[Wennfred]

I'd avoid spring break!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

 

The OP lives in AZ so they can drive if they want too, we never had any problems on Spring Break, thats the time of the year we usually go. San Diego, Long Beach and Miami.

 

 

 

Fred

[Kurbanfan]

we never had any problems on Spring Break, thats the time of the year we usually go. San Diego, Long Beach and Miami.

 

 

 

Fred

 

We never have either.......

[Wennfred]

People still think that Spring Break is one of those Girl Gone Wild cruises, that was years years ago, today the Spring Breakers hit beach resorts, most of them want to be on MTV. So todays Spring Break cruises are more Family oriented. The only problem I see is with Airfare and Flying during that time of the year.

[Regguy]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the advice!