Carnival or Norweigan????

M

mistys

Guest
I can't make up my mind! Carnival's Inspiration goes to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Costa Maya. Norweigan's Wind goes to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan. Is there anything I should know about these ships or ports that might help to make up my mind????
 
B

bikevegas

Guest
Going on the Inspiration on the20th of July. I can tell you about the Inspiration after then!:AL:USA
 
G

gsamml

Guest
Depends on your interests. Costa Maya is a relatively new port, so there are not as many excursions and not a lot near the port YET. As least not compared to Cozumel or GC. Belize and Rotan are destinations known for great diving and snorkeling. However, everything I have seen or read about Belize and Rotan also mentions how poor the area is. It would be about 180 degree diff from Grand Caymen.
 
G

ginny

Guest
Either one would give you lots of great snorkeling or diving. Have fun deciding. :)
 
K

kimmy

Guest
I would definitely choose the Wind. I really did not enjoy the Inspiration at all last year when I did a 7 day on her. The food was mediocre, service poor, and, considering Carnival's reputation for "fun", the nighlife was not impressive.

The Wind is a newer ship and for my money, heads and shoulders above the Inspiration.
 
C

Cruzman

Guest
Gotta respectfully disagree with Kimmy on this one. We had an excellent cruise experience aboard the Inspiration in November of 2001 when she was sailing from New Orleans. Great food, excellent entertainment and wonderful service. I cannot comment directly on the Wind, since I have never been aboard, however; as with all of NCL's ships except the Norway, they have implemented the "free style" dining concept which I find less than desirable. When I cruise, I want the same dining time, with the same waiters and the same table mates each evening; otherwise, count me out.
 
M

msp51578

Guest
I have to agree with Cruzman on the dining. We were on the NCL Majesty and found we did not like the Freestyle Dining at all. We are going on the Canival Inspiration Aug 31 and can't wait. There seem to be a lot of great snorkling and diving options on both cruises though. Have a great time deciding.
 
K

KC

Guest
I must disagree with the others regarding the freestyle dining. My husband and I found it very refreshing to have the flexibility at dinner. We have had both good and bad experiences with our dining companions (bad on Carnival's Celebration; good on the Norway). The best advice I can offer is to figure out what's important to you in a dining scenario. We preferred having a choice to eat alone or with others, and having a few more options on the food, as it is with NCL. If you prefer a waitstaff that knows if you like coffee after dinner, and wish to get to know your dinner mates over the course of the cruise, then Carnaval would be the better selection.

On another note, the Wind is a very nice ship! We spent 19 days on it cruising from Singapore to Sydney in December of 2001. We really enjoyed it.

Happy sailing!!
 
M

mistys

Guest
KC - This may seem like an odd question......but did your cabin on the Wind smell like sewage??? We had decided to cruise with NCL, but I have read at some other web sites (Not this one! ) that the ship had a plumbing problem so none of the toilets would flush and the bottom levels of the ship smelled like sewage. I think we will take our chances with the Wind regardless, I like the itinerary and I think my husband will prefer freestyle dining.

misty



Post Edited (07-24-03 10:04)
 
K

KC

Guest
misty,

No, not at all... I'm trying to remember where exactly our cabin was... I believe it was on the next to the bottom level. We had one of the cabins with 2 large port holes.

Have a great time! =)
 
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