pros and cons of cruise ships?

Question

Please people give me the pros and cons of royal carribean and carnival cruise? which carival cruise ship is the best ship with the best amenities that go to the best ports? which royal carribean cruise is the best to travel, for example freedom, voyager, or majesty with the with the best amenities that go to the best ports and the best places? what are some good carribean island ports to consider traveling on a cruise?

What are some nice islands to explore? Whats the great amount of time to be on a cruise? my friend has children so we cant be on a cruise ship to long but I want to stay on the cruise long enough to go to more than 1 port and come back home.

Answer 1

Pro's and Con's in General.........that's a huge question.....but keeping it short........Your question was Pro's and Con's of Cruise ships........then you ask specific's ..can't really comment on that as personal choice varies but it general.............

First, the cons



Less exploration time

Most of your vacation time will be aboard the ship. You won't have much time on land to adequately absorb the local culture and everyday life.



Fewer destination options

With a cruise, you are mainly limited to visiting coastal areas. Cruise ships cannot go inland. Cars, trains and planes can.



Lesser sense of place

The fact that you are living on the ship instead of in town means you will gain a lesser sense of place. You will have fewer chances to interact with the local people and dine in their restaurants at night.



Now the pros



Value

A cruise is package priced. It includes room, dining, most entertainment, and a slew of extras. Most travelers spend less money on a cruise than they would on a land vacation of equivalent quality.



More relaxing

Cruise-ship life is less of a hassle than land tourism. There are fewer unexpected problems to solve. You don't have to spend long hours traveling between destinations in a cramped vehicle. And, families don't get into each other's hair as often because there are many interesting things for each family member to do.



Pampering

Cruise staffers pamper guests at a higher level than do hotel and other land-tourism personnel.



Food

The offerings may not be grand gourmet, but they are superior to what the typical traveler eats while on a land vacation.



Unpack once

You won't have to keep packing and unpacking as you move from one destination to another.

Answer 2

Check out a vacation package like "Sandals". Cruises are ok, but you don't get to know the area. Choose a resort vacation in the caribbean. You will have many more memories of that area. Trust me I live on the east coast of Florida. It's like a permanent vacation everyday after work.

Answer 3

Wow that is such a long question. We could write you a book and still have things to say. Ok Royal Caribbean vs Carnival. Both are great lines, inexpensive, appeal to the masses, roughly the same itinerary.

Royal is known for a lil better service. A lil more relaxed. More pampering. They have a better spa. Better room service. A lil more upscale (not much more since they are still an inexpensive cruise)

Carnival is the party line. A lot of college students, newlyweds. A lot of alcohol. Usually a better disco. A lot of activities offered, like preplanned games and stuff like that.

Carnivals cabins are a lil bigger; Royals food is a lil better.

Most of the amenities on ship are about the same. All offer casinos, several pools, multiple places for food, art auctions, spas, incredible nightly entertainment. They are very similar in that no matter what ship.

Which Carnival ship is best...oh thats too hard. Most people say bigger is better. Go for the biggest newest ship they have. I went on the Destiny and the Inspiration and have found the Inspiration to be far better. I liked the layout and thought the smaller ship had a lil better service. I also like the international staff. So I'd go for one of the Inspirations sister ship over the Destiny sister ships but that doesn't answer about Glory and it's sister ships. Check that info out here

http://www.7blueseas.com/cruiselines/cruiselines.asp?id=2

RC's Freedom Voyager or Majesty...I've never heard anything bad about any of them. Gorgeous and all are huge and have amazing decor. Stats are here

http://www.7blueseas.com/cruiselines/cruiselines.asp?id=5

Now for your port question. Well first you have to decide do you want Eastern or Western. You can go further south if you sail out of San Juan. But a brief overview of some of the ports. Some ports do not get a review--like Hlaf Moon Cay, Costa Maya--everyone has an extra port of call that they throw in there. The cruise ship built it so not much to do. They have a couple shops, a bar, maybe set up a volleyball net in the sand. Lay on the beach. But its enjoyable to get off the boat for a bit and makes them have one more port.

Cozumel-probably my favorite port. Loved it. Gorgeous tons to do. I snorkel at the National Park and could do that every day for a week and never get bored.
Belize-the port itself is very shady but if you take a shore excursion there you can really get into the rainforest or see Mayan ruins (same with a Guatemala port)
Grand Cayman-not my favorite. The stingrays were incredible though so go to Stingray City but the port was way too much "anytown USA" for me--your fast food (McD KFC and BKs) on every corner.
Bahamas-I wasn't into Nassau. Just dirty.
St Thomas-one of the most beautiful places to see on earth. I could go there on every cruise. so much to do. most excursions are shopping though so don't bother spending the money. great prices on jewelry
St Martins- small lil island. we rented a jeep and circled the whole island in a couple hours. great prices on liquor. very rural, almost as if it wasn't a huge tourist destination
Dominica-what a waste of a day. one shore excursion with 17 names, all 3,000 passengers are in the same place at same time--which is a hike to a waterfall and a pool.
Jamaica-danger danger. i wouldn't knock a cruise off my list b/c it stopped in Jamaica but I wouldn't pick it for it either
Key West-nice. swim with dolphins. too small a lil town to really be a cruise ship port but colorful non-the-less
Barbados-gorgeous. tons to do. we picked a crappy excursion but the water was clear and gorgeous. should have gone snorkeling.
Aruba-seriously not what i expected. its a giant desert. cruise ship is highest point of island. but it was great contrast to all the other tropical ports and I'd definitely go back. But wow the sun is soo much stronger there

I believe thats all the ports I've been to. I'd pick a ship based on an itinerary though. What most interests you. Do you want to swim with marine life. Historical stuff. Price of cruise--they are cheap out of Galveston and New Orleans right now as they try to get tourism back. Price of airfare--everyone has a cheap flight to Miami. Not so much, San Juan. Look over the shore excursions. Some places like St Thomas you'll notice they are mostly shopping. You are in the center of town and can probably shop on your own. No need to book one.

As far as time frame goes, I'd take a 7 day cruise. Most 7 days, you'll hit 4 different ports. 3-4 day cruises are cheaper but are referred to as booze cruise. you usually end up with a bunch of spring breakers and don't bond with people as much. also, they don't go as far--usually just Bahamas or St Thomas, St Martin's and back. Over a 7 day, you really get to know the other people on the cruise, see more islands and get farther away.

I love cruising and if you've never been on a cruise before all the ships will wow you. I'd avoid the oldest ships in the fleet--they are a lot smaller. I also disagree with a lot of people on here about a balcony room. I didn't think it was worth the extra money. I liked the ocean view just as well. This topic is so broad I could go on and on. Write me if you have any more questions and check out the sites below for reviews.

Happy Cruising!

Answer 4

It couldn't be answered better than Flightpillow did above!