Which cruise ship would you prefer?

Question

Im going on my first cruise at the end of Feb. for my 21st birthday. Im looking at 2 different cruise lines, Royal Caribbean (Ship-Sovereign of the Seas) and Carnival (Holiday, Carnival Sensation) Which ship did you like better, or which one would be better for celebrating a 21st birthday? And also would you prefer Mexico, or Bahamas? Thanks for your help!!!!

Answer 1

OK let me tell you that the Bahamas SUCK! Go to Mexico, it is so cool and the people there are the friendliest. The Bahamas have this image of being romantic ands sexy but they are just dirty and really poor with a few nice beaches...that's it. Granted Mexico is not the wealthiest of countries but the history and culture is just so much more interesting plus the sunsets in Mexico are the BEST! Sunset, a few Tequila's and a good group of friends for your 21st. What more could you ask for!?
If you want a party and a great atmosphere - go for Carnival. If you want Rock Climbing, Ice Skating, family oriented EVERYTHING and generally most things you can do on land go for Royal.
From personal experience - The Holiday is a great ship to go and party on. It is old and dated but the atmosphere is wonderful, I real sense of friendliness rather than stuffy Royal ships.

Have a good time - whatever you choose.

Go to this site and check out some reviews:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/

Answer 2

Haven't been on Royal, so I can't comment except by what I've read on the CruiseCritic boards. It generally sounds like RC has worse food and service. I have been on Carnival, but not on those ships. They are older ships but I think the Sensation, at least, has been refurbished.

Carnival would be a good cruise for a 21st birthday cruise, I would think. [Just don't be too ridiculous with the drinking - that's what gives Carnival the "party ship" reputation.] Any cruise can be "party hearty" or "laid back", depending on what you're looking for [well, maybe not Holland America - a very nice cruise line but not "party" ships!].

I'd go to Mexico rather than Bahamas. But it depends on what you want to do, I guess.

Go to CruiseCritic.com, click on "Boards" and "Reviews" at the top of the page. You'll find all kinds of info and if you still have questions, you can post and you'll get the answers you need.

Have fun!!

Answer 3

I've been on the Carnival Sensation and had a fantastic time. With your age, it's a good fit, and you'll have a lot of fun.

I prefer Mexico over the Bahamas, though I really like the Caribbean over either of them. This is possibly a personal bias as I've done Mexico more often than the Caribbean, and the ports tend to be more alike in Mexico.

Happy 21st.1

Answer 4

Royal Caribbean is better than Carnival Cruise Lines. I've sailed with Royal a few times and everyone that I talked to that has sailed with Carnival said that it wasn't that great and that there wasn't a lot to do on the ship. I would go with Royal Caribbean. I would also go to Mexico, so much better than the Bahamas. I've been to both. Yes, the Bahamas is very pretty but it rains almost everyday there.

Answer 5

I have been on Sovereign of the Seas and found it a horrible nasty ship. It is being taken out of service, according to one of the crew members in 2009. If you can choose between the 2 Carnival ships take Sensation, I believe it was recently refitted. I found the Bahamas a much more "party ship" atmosphere ( I have been on 6 in the last 18 months, 3 to the Bahamas 2 on Carnival Facination and one on Sovereign)).

Answer 6

I have been on both cruise lines and would definately recommend Carnival for a 21st birthday. Carnival is geared more to the younger set and is a much better value. Mexico is a better choice for the end of February. The weather should be warmer there at that time of year.

Happy Sailing!

Answer 7

The RC ship is super old, and hasnt been refurbished in a while. Carnival is perfect for someone who is turning 21, and I would prefer mexico over the Bahamas.. Bahamas is fun, but there are more things to do in mexico. Good Luck!

Answer 8

For your 21st birthday definitely go to Mexico. The Bahamas will be a bore.

For a group of 20 somethings I would definitely use Carnival which tends to have a younger crowd.

Answer 9

Royal Caribbean is a much better cruise line than Carnival.
The famous Carnival cruises to Mexico tend to draw a pretty rowdy crowd and, as such, the ship is pretty sloppy and the crew tend to be less professional. Check out some cruise review sites to get info on any cruise or cruise line. I am attaching a site that you can review.

Answer 10

Depends on your needs and price range. And it depends on which Carnival ship, since the different classes of ship are laid out differently. If you want to minimize the motion (and therefore the risk of seasickness, if you're prone), you want low and midship. However, if you want a balcony cabin, there aren't any on the lower decks, so you have to take one on a higher deck. Some people prefer a midship cabin for its central location; others (like me) absolutely adore the cabins at the very back end of the ship (on ships that have them; I don't know if the Carnival ship you're looking at does, but all of the Royal Caribbean ships have junior suites and suites across the whole back of the ship). The aft cabins have a more panoramic view -- but they're a long walk from the stairs or elevator. Most of my friends and I look at deck plans carefully and tend to choose a cabin on a deck that is not right above or below a public area like the pool or a nightclub or the buffet restaurant, since all of these areas tend to have noises during the late night and very early morning (deck chairs scraping, loud music, etc)