Need your Opinion!

[bigvin21]

Hello fellow cruisers-

My friend and I am planning a short 4 night cruise in January. We are stuck between the Carnival Fascination out of Miami (going to Cozumel and Key West) and the Carnival Sensation out of Port Canaveral ( going to Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas). I am a past cruiser, but most of them are going to be first timers. We are all 22+ and I need your opinion on what you think would be the better choice. Price wise, they are almost identical.

Thanks for the help!

[mehawk]

Sensation. Go to other countries when you can.

[adias.angel]

Originally Posted by mehawk

Sensation. Go to other countries when you can.

Agreed! Also if you looking for more than just a beach then Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas are not for you. I personally loved seeing the Mayan Ruins in Mexico. Carla

[bigvin21]

While we are on the topic of the bahamas, can anyone else recommend anything to do while in Freeport and Nassau?

[msblackjack]

Originally Posted by bigvin21

Hello fellow cruisers-

My friend and I am planning a short 4 night cruise in January. We are stuck between the Carnival Fascination out of Miami (going to Cozumel and Key West) and the Carnival Sensation out of Port Canaveral ( going to Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas). I am a past cruiser, but most of them are going to be first timers. We are all 22+ and I need your opinion on what you think would be the better choice. Price wise, they are almost identical.

Thanks for the help!

Go on the fascination - the ship is tip-top shape, and lots to do in Cozumel and Key West is just great people watching!!!! Also, I love the sights for the Miami sailaway. (Are you flying to Florida or driving to the ports, that would make a big difference too).

[bigvin21]

We are flying into florida from NY.

[Michelle1959]

you can check out the excursion descriptions on www.carnival.com but here is what my teenage son and I are doing next week:

Freeport: morning: glass bottom boat excursion
after lunch: take cab to port lucaya market place to shop, grab a snack, check out the beach for a couple of hours.

Nassau: morning: Atlantis resort and harbor boat tour
after lunch: historical highlights tour
then we'll head to the pirate museum and straw market on our own


here are the direct links to excursion descriptions:

freeport:

http://carnival.com/ShoreExcursionsS...ort%2c+Bahamas

nassau:

http://carnival.com/ShoreExcursionsS...sau%2c+Bahamas

[MJM]

We were on the Fascination in May - it's in great shape since the refurbishment. I'm not sure if the Sensation has gone through it's upgrading yet if that makes a difference to you.

[msblackjack]

Originally Posted by bigvin21

We are flying into florida from NY.

since the cruises are pretty similar, I would narrow it down by ease of flight, airport transportation to the port, etc. I don't have any experience, except for one cruise many moons ago, for sailing out of Port Canaveral. So maybe some other Cruisemates can advise as to what is easier, better or more desirable, flights in&out of Miami or the airport nearest Port Canaveral?? not sure which airport that is. - so much for being an informed Floridian.

I can tell you that the Port of Miami is pretty easy to navigate, not as grand as Port Everglades, but really just in and out if you get in port before 1:30 pm; after that it does get pretty jammed up.

[MJM]

I find flying into Miami easier than flying into Orlando. Plus the shuttle ride to Port Canaveral will take a good hour. We normally catch a shared shuttle at the airport in Miami and can be at our hotel or at the pier in about 15 minutes.

[Dorothy]

I am cruising out of Miami for the first time this Sept., so can't tell you much about that port. Port C. is about 45 minutes -1 hour from Orlando (although the last time we had a crazy van driver who got us there in under 30 minutes!). I have heard the port in Miami is easy to get to from the airport.

Cozumel/Key West or Nassau and Freeport. Hmmm......

I've been to all 3. My vision might be tainted by the 5 times I've been to Nassau (!!) and 2 to Freeport, but I'd choose Cozume/Key West.

We had a much more interesting time in Cozumel than in Nassau. We quickly walked thru the ever present "shopping mall" at the end of pier, caught a cab and headed to San Miguel (15 minutes away?). We veered off the main streets with the 15,000 Diamonds International stores and found small shops and restaurants. From looking around, not many tourists have found this part of San Miguel. We ate some "real" Mexican food sitting on a beautiful plaza in the middle of the street. Cool.

Anyway, my money is with Cozumel.

dorothy

[bigvin21]

Thanks for all the info! Keep it coming. The fascination and sensation were both recently renovated. You can check out all the ship renovations at the following website:


http://www.carnival.com/cms/static_t...olutionsoffun/

[ready2board]

When we booked a cruise last month for August, flying into Miami was VERY pricy compared to Orlando. In fact we ended up booking a 4 day cruise to the Bahams instead of the 5 dayer to W. Carribean...Not because the 5 dayer was much more, but the airfare to Miami didn't make it worth it...I became a member of this site too late to realize the tip of flying to Orlando then just taxi or rent a car etc to Miami..I'll know next time.

[jack124]

if you fly into miami, give yourselves some time pre or after the cruise and check out miami, especially south beach. miami has it all, whether shopping ,relaxing or living it up. it just extends your cruise. the ports of miami and canaveral are both close.

[Dorothy]

Originally Posted by ready2board

When we booked a cruise last month for August, flying into Miami was VERY pricy compared to Orlando. In fact we ended up booking a 4 day cruise to the Bahams instead of the 5 dayer to W. Carribean...Not because the 5 dayer was much more, but the airfare to Miami didn't make it worth it...I became a member of this site too late to realize the tip of flying to Orlando then just taxi or rent a car etc to Miami..I'll know next time.

Ready, you don't want to take a taxi from Orlando to Miami! It's over 200 miles! :o

dorothy

[lhp]

I vote fly to Miami and go on the Fascination. Cozumel and Key West are both far more fun to party in (IMHO) than Freeport and Nassau.

Fly in the day before and hit the Southbeach night life.
Well worth the cost of a hotel room AND you don't want to miss a cruise due to weather or flight delays.

[ready2board]

OK thanks...Not sure what I was thinking...Maybe I wasn't?? lol..What is the best way then? Rental car from Orlando, then spend the night in Miami before cruise??

[ClevelandRocks]

For a few bucks more you could get a 5 day on Inspiration to Grand Cayman/Cozumel or Imagination to Grand Cayman/Ocho Rios. Those would be my first 2 choices HANDS DOWN!!!

[paddletoe53]

i have been in both of cozumel and nassau enjoyed both of these ports
i'm not sure about freeport

[msblackjack]

Originally Posted by ready2board

OK thanks...Not sure what I was thinking...Maybe I wasn't?? lol..What is the best way then? Rental car from Orlando, then spend the night in Miami before cruise??

what about flying into other airports: listed from closest to Miami out: Miami, Ft Luaderdale, Ft Myers, Tampa International, Sarasota-Bradenton (the last one is probably the most expensive to get a flight to...)

[fourxbusymom]

For our cruise in November we are flying in and out of West Palm Beach then driving to Miami. The fare was MUCH cheaper, and we have two days to explore before the cruise. Just a thought!

Terri

[shlameggy79]

I live in West Palm Beach so we just drive to Miami or Orlando but try PBIA (west palm Beach airport) and then it is a 1 1/2 hour drive south to the ship. Also try flying into Ft. Laurderdale, you will find a cheaper flight there. I also vote for Imagination, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. if you book far enough in advance you can get an inside cabin for 309 per person like we did last year.

[myrtlemama]

Hubby and I did the Sensation from Port Canaveral last November. Great ship! It had been recently renovated after having served as a hotel for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

I'm a beach lover so that's my main focus when choosing excursions. Snorkeling is great in Nassau and Freeport.

We spent the day after getting off the ship at the Kennedy Space Center. It is definitely worth the time. My dream is to time a cruise when they are doing a launch!

[ready2board]

D:

Thanks again...Actually, I was thinking Lauderdale (sp?) in my first post, not Orlando...You're right, Orlando would have been an expensive cab ride