Thread: Is this ship right for me?

I had posted this somewhere else in the forum but thought I would post it here to see if I could get some more help..........


Hey guys!

Some of you have answered my questions before , but it`s been a while...


I went on my first cruise September 2008 with a bunch of my buddies . We went on Royal Caribbean`s Sovereign of The Seas. Went to The Bahamas an Coco Kay, and had a blast!

A bunch of us are planing on going again the summer, probably in May or June. We are all single mid 20`s just looking for fun... and ladies haha , but when I was pricing cruises a few days ago It looks like Carnival will be the cheaper way to go. We where looking at maybe going western Caribbean this simply because we went the other way last time. Any advice?

We`re just wanting to have fun, do a little partying , meet some new people, an see some new places.

I guess what I`am wanting to know is...

Would we have as much fun on Carnival or is it based more for kids?

Itinerary ? Would there be more people my age going to a certain place?

Best time of the year to go?

Thanks for the help again! A lot of you really helped plan my first cruise by answering all my (dumb) questions! haha so thanks! .....

UPDATE:

I`am now looking at the May 31. 2010 , departing Miami, going to Key West , Then Cozumel, then day at sea.

I`am kind of in charge of planning this trip for about 6 of my buddies and just want to make sure I pick a good ship. The main thing everybody is looking for is a crowd our age, and just to party and have fun.

Thanks for any help!

I think your choice of ship will definitely work for you On Carnival you'll see a mix of all ages and most of those onboard want to have FUN!

There may be some kids onboard, I'm not sure when kids are done school down in Miami, but the May 31st date is Memorial Day. Since you and your friends are in your 20's, I have a feeling that you may be keeping different schedules than most of the kids anyway.

It's been quite a few years since I was on the Sensation (sister ship of Imagination), but we were a group of 12 people; 8 of us were couples and the other 4 were our single guy friends and we all had a blast partying the nights away

If you do end up going to Cozumel, make sure to stop by Carlos & Charlies in the late afternoon/early evening. Just don't have so much fun there that you miss the ship, make sure you're heading back at least an hour prior to sailaway, we cut it very close

If you go after the first week in June, you'll encounter more families and especially more kids since school will be out of session. If you go in May up until the first week in June, there will be less kids.

The 3-night cruises over the weekends will have a bigger party crowd, whereas the 4 & 5-night cruises during the week will not be quite as rowdy.

So it really depends on what you're looking for. If you're planning the 4 or 5-night cruise leaving on May 31st, you'll get party crowd, but a little smaller than you would if you went over the weekend.

But with the lower prices, Carnival definitely attracts a younger crowd that likes to party, no doubt about that.

Of the two ships leaving out of Miami on May 31st, if you want cheap, you can't beat the Imagination on the 4-night cruise, but if you don't mind spending a bit more for a 5-night cruise, my choice would be the Destiny. Just my personal opinion.

I do agree with ziggysun about going to Carlos 'n Charlies - love that place. And if you want to spend a wild day at the beach, Carlos 'n Charlies has their own place directly on the beach that is a wonderful place for an all day party!

I do recommend booking with an agent instead of booking it online or directly with the Cruise line; you'll get better pricing and better service.

Pete

Thanks for the help people! If anybody else has any thing to add I would sure appreciate it.

When I was on Royal Caribbean , they had a lot of activities going on during the day on the ship, and the last night of the cruise they had a game called "the Quest" I think. I`ve never laughed so much in my life! It was awesome! Does Carnival have stuff like that?

RCCL has more amenities than Carnival, especially their newer bigger ships. But then RCCL charges more than Carnival, so it depends on what you're looking for - both will attract basically the same crowd with Carnival attracting a bit more of a party crowd.

You really do need to talk to an agent who knows about both the cruise lines and the ships so they can provide you the information you're looking for in order for you to decide what is best for you. But stay away from people who recommend one over another because everyone is different and what one person likes, another will dislike. So if someone recommends something, you may not like it. Gather all the information you can get, then make a decison based on your budget, lifestyle, and requirements.

Pete

Carnival does not have the same "The Quest" game. It's been a little bit since I've been on Carnival, but the one competition I remember having us really laughing was the hairy chest competition There may be some other nighttime competitions also. I'm hoping someone who has sailed them recently will see this thread and respond for you.

We had a great time on all our Carnival cruises, the reason we've been on other ships recently was due to us choosing the ship based on it's itinerary or departure port.

I think the Imagination will be great for you. Go have a good time and don't overthink it.

I have been talking to a travel agent, the same one we used to book last time. He said that between Carnival an Royal Caribbean we should just go with who ever is cheaper. Would ya`ll agree?

I may be over thinking this to much! haha I just want to make sure everybody has a great time.

That's sort of a vague statement to say that RCCL and Carnival are the same and only the price should make a difference. Sounds like an agent who hasn't been on many cruises. It would be better to say that it depends on the ships involved in your comparison. Obviously, the bigger newer ships have many more amenities than the older smaller ships.

If you want cheap and easy, go Carnival on a smaller older ship. If you want a bit classier, go with a newer ship. If you want over-the-top amenities, go RCCL on a newer ship.

It really is important to gather as much information as you can and then make a decision based on what's the most important qualities for you and what matches your lifestyle. And then be happy with your decision, make your plans accordingly, and have a great time.

Pete

I am like you cashfan, overthinking is in my genes(jeans) LOL !!

I LOVE Royal Caribbean, and the Quest never disappoints

I think the itinerary you chose is perfect for your crowd. Carlo's and Charlie's BEWARE....

Carnival has all sorts of nighttime games too, just different. I can't imagine a group of guys in their 20's having much better odds with the ladies on a cruise ship. Our Carnival trip as single "Cougars," we nicknamed the "Man Buffet."

I see the Granduer had almost the same itinerary for a little more but as others have said if you are looking for FUN, a few laughs, libations and ladies I am sure the Imagination will NOT disappoint.