GWM couple won a free cruise...advice? (NCL/Carnival/RCI?

[Eschenbacher]

GHM 28 & GWM 40 have our choice of NCL, Carnival or Royal Carribean 3-day - thinking LA to Ensenada October 6, 2006 on Carnival or RCI but we're open to other options. Since it's only 3 days we don't want to waste a day flying so West Coast ports are probably our limit. Seeking advice and opinions and maybe we can meet if we take the same ship. We're fun and play well with others. Done Carnival before - like the average Joe aspect...not fans of snobs or high-maintenance Queens. Thoughts?

[Harry Martin]

Larry, congrats on winning a cruise! Been on the 3 and 4 nighters outta Long Beach about 6 times. Always a great cruise, and way to get my fix in for awhile and at a low cost.

I've been on the Monarch many times -- like it very much. Never been on Paradise, because it seems to run a tad more expensive but was on Ecstasy a couple times before they brought in Paradise.

I think either would be great. I like the more upscale feel of RCCL, but Art loves the free ice cream on Carnival. And, of course, Carnival far outweighs RCCL on cabin size.

Here are links to two articles I wrote that might help you out:

Ensenada article:
http://cruisemates.com/articles/ports/ensenada2.cfm

Monarch article:
http://cruisemates.com/articles/feature/Monarch.cfm

Harry

[SakeDad]

Took my mom on Monarch in April and loved it...can't give you comparison but you can see my pics from the trip at http://sakedad.smugmug.com

[Jimbo_Bost]

My partner and I have been on both Carnival and RCCL. Had a great time on both. RCCL is marketing heavily to families, which is fine, but be advised that there is often LOTS OF KIDS. Some parents do let thier kids run kinda wild. Its seems to be that age group 11 yo to 14 who are too old for the kids camp and too young for the teen boy/girl stuff. The three day Carnival cruises tend to be kinda "booze cruise" oriented but one can always get away from that stuff if you tire of it.
We have never felt any anit-gay attitude from crew and rarely from passengers, although we avoid cruises leaving from, well, let's say "red neck" cities. ie southeast and Texas.
Do enjoy, I hope you get as addicted to crusing as we are. Jim

[Eric n Martin]

Hey,

we might book a little 3 day cruise for our 10th anniversary but havent decided what month....let us know what u have decided maybe we can join in if u dont mind of course.

Nov 2006 & Dec 2006 Ships TBA
Diamond Princess Apr2005
Rccl Navigator Dec2004
NCL SUN Nov2004
Visit of QM2 Oct2004
Carnival Victory Nov2003
Golden Princess Apr2003
Celebrity Mercury Nov2002
Carnival Elation Nov2001
NCL SKY Nov2000

Sea Ya
E&M