Just back from Costa Western Caribbean cruise/Photos added from webshots

[SeaSpray]

Excellent review, Joanna! And the pictures were great, I really want to cruise to Jamaica eventually and go to Dunn River Falls.

I'm so glad that you and your family and friends had a great vacation, but I'm going to miss you (and lyn!!) on our cruise this summer.

 

[lynr]

Joanna:

We went on the Carnival Miracle last and had such a good time we are going again this year. The price was well worth it. For less then we paid for one category 6 on DCL we are getting a suite and an adjoining room with a balcony. We are in the back of the ship with the rap around balcony.

There was a lot more entertainment that lasted way into the wee hours of the morning. It was also surprising to me that they allow 2 year olds in their children's program and DCL doesn't. That was the main reason for us trying CCL last year, because my girlfriends family is traveling with us this year and they have a two year old. The food was great and had more choices.

We had originally booked with DCL to travel with all of our friends from the 2004 cruise but with the price difference, the children's program and the fact that Matt is now 19, Carnival offers more of what we are looking for.

Will I ever sail DCL again? Most definately!!!

If you do decide to try Carnival invest in the Entertainment book, they have coupons they give you $100 off each cabin.

 

[Mjasp]

Rac...Thanks for your info on the Glory. When did you sail? Was it a busy time?

Lyn...Where does the Miracle sail and is it a newer ship? I will check it out. I know how you feel about the price difference. But I think you even beat me in price if you got a suite AND a balcony room for the price of DCL's cat 6.
I want to try either Carnival, RCCL or Princess next time. The best price for the best ship wins. I like that you don't have to book so far in advance to get a great price.

It is snowing and sleeting today so I have to try and savor last week.

 

[RAC]

We sailed Memorial week and it was a full ship. Princess has some great prices. We looked at the Caribbean Princess for next April and the prices for a balcony was less than an inside on Disney. I think we may try RCCL if we decide to do a different line other than DCL.

 

[lynr]

Joanna:

The Miracle is a newer ship I think 3 years old. We sail out of Tampa, that way we can get a Disney trip in. But I think it also sails out of Miami sometimes.

 

[tkd lisa]

Joanne, it's good to read a report from you. Sounds like you had a great time. That was DEFINITELY a great rate! I just got a postcard from the mouse offering $999 per adult for the 10 night southern cruise. But the kids would be in school, and I really couldn't afford it anyway!

If you do decide to sail out of Tampa, drop me a pm, and maybe I can say Hi. I moved to Tampa from MD this fall.

 

[Mjasp]

Joanne, it's good to read a report from you. Sounds like you had a great time. That was DEFINITELY a great rate! I just got a postcard from the mouse offering $999 per adult for the 10 night southern cruise. But the kids would be in school, and I really couldn't afford it anyway!

If you do decide to sail out of Tampa, drop me a pm, and maybe I can say Hi. I moved to Tampa from MD this fall.

WOW $999 per adult for DCL is a great price, too bad you can't take advantage of it, but now that you are a Florida resident you will get good rates often. Around where in Tampa did you move? I have a cousin in Spring Hill and another cousin in Brandon, are you familiar with those towns?
Good Luck to you and I am sure you are enjoying the warmer weather. How did the kids handle the move? We almost moved to Orlando, I still have hope, I am no quitter LOL

Being a Florida resident, you can really take advantage of some last minute cruise prices since you do not have to pay airfare.

Take Care
Joanna

 

[Mjasp]

Bumping up for Long Island Mouse to read.

LI Mouse are you in Nassau or Suffolk?

 

[pppiglet]

Mjasp....We also just got back from a Carnival cruise. Pride to Mexico. We loved it. It was just as good as food and service as our Magic cruise to Mexico last June! I think it all depends on which Carnival ship you go and how long. This was 7 days in Feb. and there was not a whole lot of kids on it, but beautiful ship. We actually had better waiters here than on DCL. Couldn't beat the price either. Our verandah room was the exact same size as our DCL room. They don't have the split bathroom on Carnival, but I liked it better because it was more roomy. I also was a Carnival skeptic...but not anymore!

 

[princessmomma]

Hi Darlene...It was a 1 day sale. Kids sailed free and you paid for an outside cabin and got a verandah.

Do you recall what time of year they had this one day sale?

 

[Mjasp]

Mjasp....We also just got back from a Carnival cruise. Pride to Mexico. We loved it. It was just as good as food and service as our Magic cruise to Mexico last June! I think it all depends on which Carnival ship you go and how long. This was 7 days in Feb. and there was not a whole lot of kids on it, but beautiful ship. We actually had better waiters here than on DCL. Couldn't beat the price either. Our verandah room was the exact same size as our DCL room. They don't have the split bathroom on Carnival, but I liked it better because it was more roomy. I also was a Carnival skeptic...but not anymore!

Debbie...My DH and I totally agree about the bathroom. It is sooo much larger when it isn't split. The shower is much roomier and the vanity is very roomy. Our room also was the same size as DCL's room. I'm glad you had a good time. I want to do the Eastern route next year for Presidents week, but the only 2 ships that are going Eastern are the Glory and Destiny. Although the Glory has 4 1/2 stars out of 5 on Cruises only, people are saying it isn't such a swift clientele. I like that on other lines it doesn't matter when you book, it doesn't have to be 2 years before to get the best price. So I can flip flop back and forth on which line I am going on.
Here are my picks, This week, it can change by next week LOL
Holland America...Nice ships, great food, maybe a little subdued
Carnival...I just commented above
Princess...No game room on the Caribbean Princess
Royal Caribbean...Expensive and am not sure if the super liners will be overwhelming, may spend the whole week trying to find my way around the ship
DCL...Expensive
NCL...The NCL Jewel is getting real consideration, Captains on NCL concern me, too many incidents with waves
Celebrity...A little expensive, but am considering it
Costa...Give me the one day sail and I'm in
Did I miss any? LOL If I did let me know.

 

[Mjasp]

Do you recall what time of year they had this one day sale?

To be exact it was July 7th. I got an email the day before, telling me about it.

 

[princessmomma]

To be exact it was July 7th. I got an email the day before, telling me about it.

Thank you, did you just sign up on their web site to get on the mailing list?

 

[Mjasp]

Thank you, did you just sign up on their web site to get on the mailing list?

Hi Princessmomma...Yes, I am signed up to Costa but I also received an email from cruise411 first. So I would sign up at all the cruise lines and cruise 411, I never would have sailed Costa without that sale, and I would have missed out on quite a nice ship and cruise.

Who knows which cruise line will have the best sale next year. LOL

Good Luck

 

[ricka47]

To the OP. We've avoided Costa in the past despite some good deals that we've seen. The reason is that we've been told that there is very large amount of smokers onboard compared to the other lines that we've sailed: RCI, X, HAL, Princess, and DCL. I'm not anti-smoking and think people should be free to do what they want within some the limits of reason.

But, I don't want to go on a ship where there are so many people smoking in the public areas that it is not pleasant. What was your experience with this? Maybe the opinions that I've heard were way off base? Thanks!

 

[Mjasp]

In all honesty, I have to say I was concerned about it also, but it really wasn't a problem, not even in the casino. I mean in the casino, you smelled smoke, but it wasn't strong and it wasn't smoky.

Now I have to ask you, which of your cruises that you have done, HAL, X, RCI which did you think has the more fun things to do and is just generally nicer. Am thinking HAL or NCL next year (those are the 2 top runners this week LOL) but I have a 14 & 10 year old and am concerned about HAL being too old for them, were their kids on HAL? I would be sailing Presidents week, so that alone adds to the kid situation. What is your opinion? Costa had 450 kids on board when we sailed in February. Just the right amount.

 

[ricka47]

RCI probably has more fun. HAL is definitely more subdued and has an older traveller base. My wife and I were in our early 50s when we sailed the Volendam for 10 nights and felt very, very young. Our DD was 11 and was one of the few kids on board. It was a very elegant environment, but not much happening in the evenings. Now, that has been a few years ago and I understand that they have worked to attract younger folks. I commented on the Magic a few weeks ago that we had traded walkers for strollers. One night on HAL, I put my drink on a table and a gentleman put his teeth in the glass!

X is maybe between the two. It is more "classy" than RCI, but more fun than HAL. As of now, it is our favorite line.

We have never sailed NCL although we have heard some good things about them. Also, we're biased against CCL. My parents, who are now in their mid 80s (and joining us on the Wonder this September) have been on over 60 cruises and CCL is the only one they wouldn't sail. But, I've heard folks have had a great time on their newer ships. It just seems that there are too many other choices to take the chance with what could be an overly rowdy party group.

So, if HAL and NCL are your two major choices and you are looking for fun for the kids, I would go with NCL. Check out the good boards at cruisecritic.com as well. They are great for line-specific information.

 

[Mjasp]

One night on HAL, I put my drink on a table and a gentleman put his teeth in the glass! ROTFLMAO, you are too funny

So, if HAL and NCL are your two major choices and you are looking for fun for the kids, I would go with NCL. Check out the good boards at cruisecritic.com as well. They are great for line-specific information.

Ricka...Thanks for your opinion. This week, LOL we are leaning toward the Norwegian Jewel. Also, liked the Caribbean Princess, but when I was on webshots.com their balcony cabins overlook the balcony below and the balcony above you looks onto your balcony, no privacy. But that is this weeks choice, if Costa comes up with another deal like this years, we are there, since the Magica will be doing the Eastern route next years Presidents week, it will a different ship.

 

[ricka47]

We'll certainly take a closer look at Costa next time. Also, I want to try NCL. It's the only "mainstream" line beside Carnival that we haven't tried and I'd like to see how their Freestyle Crusing works in practice. Some of their new ships look beautiful. Have fun!

 

[Mjasp]

I have been anxiously waiting for your comparison to DCL. We have only sailed DCL, and are sailing on the Costa Magica 5 night cruise on 4-16. I know you were on a different ship, but I am hoping things will be similar on the Magica.

Glad you had a good time!!

Lauren...In case I don't get here by the end of next week I wanted to say HAVE A GREAT CRUISE, be sure to let me know how you liked it.

Enjoy
Joanna