What do you think we should do?

[Laurenlou]

Here are our 2 options for cruising in August. Which one do you think we should pick? Keep in mind, that money is a big issue for us and we are trying to pretty cheap. We really shouldnt be doing this, but we both work hard and have never taken a vacation and we feel that we deserve this to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary!

Option 1: Royal Caribbean, Rhapsody of the seas

7 nights to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel

$599 pp w/ military discount, total of $1308

Leaves out of Galveston (a 5 hour drive from us)

Option 2: Carnival, Ecstacy

5 nights to Cozumel and Meridia

$348pp w/ military discount, $696 total

Leaves out of New Orleans (a 10 hour drive from us)

So... the first cruise is longer, and on what I think would be a nicer ship. It goes to places I'd rather see, but is almost twice as much and would leave us less money for spending on excursions, drinks, gambling, massages, etc. It also leaves from the closest port to us.

The second is much cheaper but is shorter, goes to places I'd love to see (but I can't get my mind off of swimming with those darn sting rays in Grand Cayman!), and leaves from a port that is pretty far from us. However, we would have an extra $600 to spend on fun stuff and excursions- more drinks, a couple's massage, better excursions.

What do yall think??

[Gregswife]

LaurenLou, have you called Carnival? They do have 7 night cruises sailing from Galveston. The Conquest sails from there. If you call Carnival directly, you may get a better rate with the military discount than you can find for them online. The Conquest goes to the same ports as you mentioned the Royal Caribbean cruise does. We are booked on her in Nov.

[Laurenlou]

Yes, both of those rates are directly from the sales reps. The cruises on Carnival out of Galveston do not have military discounts until October, and the only week of the year that we can go is 8/19-8/26. I called Carnival today and the 5 day Cozumel and Meridia cruise out of Galveston at that same time is $720pp! (vs. $348 pp out of New Orleans). I can't imagine what the 7 day would be out of Galveston!!

[Laurenlou]

I just called Carnival to get exact pricing on the 7 night cruise out of Galveston......

$922 per person with no military discount... :(

[Gregswife]

I guess we get such good deals on Carnival because we book a year in advance and don't travel during high season - we always go in the fall. We have a balcony stateroom on the Conquest in Nov., and we paid just a bit less than $800 per person including all taxes and port charges. I hope you find a really good deal - cruising really is an amazing experieince.

[barkerandy]

Tough one! I LOVE Jamaica, and Mexico. If money is a concern, Ecstacy is even cheaper per day than Rhapsody. Good deal. But time is the one thing I always wish I had more of at vacation's end, never money. I'd take the Rhapsody and go to Montego.

[Suzila]

The 10 hour drive would be my determining factor. I assume, since money is tight, you wouldn't be making a stop in a motel overnight? A 10 hour drive is a 'forever' drive. We've done it when driving up to my brother's home in Washington state. When we go on a cruise, I want to get on the cruise. When we get off the cruise, we want to get home as soon as possible. I don't want to be wrecked and too tired to do anything when we arrive at either destination.

I would go with the 7 night cruise for more money. Even if you can't do all the things you'd like to do, there's always plenty to do on a cruise to keep you busy. You'd have a shorter drive time, and a longer vacation.

Both cruise lines are good...we've been on both (been on Ecstacy here on the west coast, but have been on Vision of the Seas, not Rhapsody). I tend to agree with you and would say that the Royal Caribbean would be a nicer cruise.

[jacketwatch]

Welcome to CC! I tink the 7 nighter is far better. I would do that for sure, esp. w/ the shorter drive.

[hazelson]

The longer the cruise the better!!!!!! IMHO - lol

[JohnG]

Military discounts come and go on various sailing dates. Remember, any discount is designed to fill the ship. If it is filling, the discounts disappear. Some cruiselines don't make them available until 2 months or less before sailing, other may open them up far earlier.

The ship sailing out of New Orleans is the Carnival Fantasy, which had a major refurbishment, not Ecstasy. The ship sailing from Galveston is Carnival Ecstasy.

Ecstasy goes to Cozumel and Progresso.

Fantasy goes to Cozumel and Costa Maya.

Fantasy is more than $200 per person less than Ecstasy.