so I bank with BBandT and they have this new thing called reward cash with your debit card. Well I saw one was Carnival but when you click it is a certain site working with carnival. Anyone know if they would do this? Reason asking is I found the breeze for December 16-22 for my gf and I out the door at 1054 dollars. We have planned to go to an all inclusive in Aruba December 12-17 for 1400 each. I am a little torn. The carnival breeze I could try out the all inclusive drink thing as they offer it on that ship and that would cost me 300, my portion of the cruise 525 so I am at 825. Add flights I am guessing is 300 and im at 1125. Its 200 dollars cheaper, BUT it is a cruise which I have done before and the other is in Aruba which I have never been to...I am torn. I think gf would rather do all inclusive. I need all help I can get!!! =) thanks WOLF WEB!

11/2/2012 2:32:42 AM

What are your ports of call? That could factor in as far as new places to see.

I've been on Carnival but never heard of the inclusive drink pass. That would be awesome cause beers on there cost $5-7 each and that adds up.

11/2/2012 8:19:52 AM

Avoid Carnival, I've never been but I've heard it's a lot of annoying families, red necks, bordering on ghetto.

If you're willing to pay $1400 each look into Sandals, any of them. I've been to the one in Nassau and it was awesome.

11/2/2012 8:36:48 AM

I've been on Carnival and I wouldn't say it was ghetto at all. Of course there were families, but our boat had an adult only area with pool and hot tubs which was nice.

I think as long as you avoid a spring break cruise or one of Carnival's older, cheap-ass boats (like the one that goes out of Charleston) then you will avoid the rowdy crowds. He is talking about the Breeze which is one of their newest ships, and a Dec cruise, so it's probably fine. I really like cruising, but I've never been to an all-inclusive resort. I imagine the experience might be similar.

11/2/2012 8:42:50 AM

Quote :

"I've been on Carnival and I wouldn't say it was ghetto at all. Of course there were families, but our boat had an adult only area with pool and hot tubs which was nice."

It probably is just a case of it happened to be that one trip, I've never actually been on any cruise so I couldn't really say but my wife has been on several. She didn't like Carnival but each person is going to have a different experience. That said she also doesn't go for the shows or whatever they have, mainly she goes for the pool and whatnot while they're moving and the ports. Personally, I think all the ports are pretty much the same and would rather just stay in one place.

11/2/2012 9:30:00 AM

I've done both. Go to the all-inclusive if you're looking for a quieter atmosphere, and the cruise if you like being around other people more. The money will probably pretty close either way when it's all said and done. My wife and I went on a Carnival cruise and spent about $400 more than the actual booking price. A lot of incidental stuff.

I did a lot of research on finding the best beach/tropical, adult only, all-inclusive for the money (on a modest budget), and this one did not disappoint (link below). Would highly recommend it to anyone. It was very low key when we went in June, although I would probably steer clear during Spring Break.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g240327-d499896-Reviews-Excellence_Riviera_Cancun-Puerto_Morelos_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

[Edited on November 2, 2012 at 10:19 AM. Reason : /]

11/2/2012 10:17:23 AM

aruba owns. that is all.

11/2/2012 12:45:43 PM

but i would not pay for all inclusive in aruba. tons of great restaurants on the island. you would be doing yourself a disservice.

11/2/2012 12:46:23 PM

Quote :

"Avoid Carnival, I've never been but I've heard it's a lot of annoying families, red necks, bordering on ghetto. "

I've heard this from several people as well.

11/2/2012 12:50:25 PM

I just assume all cruises are full of annoying families, red necks, and ghetto people.

11/2/2012 12:52:27 PM

I've enjoyed Carnival more so than some other cruise lines. I've been on 10+ cruises between 5 different cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, Princess).

11/2/2012 2:01:24 PM

thanks for all the advice everyone.Still haven't made a decision yet. one of you posted the excellence and we wanted to do it but it is sold out that week now. Neither of us have been to Aruba and I would assume it is the farthest south? the breeze is a brand new ship and hasn't even started its cruises in North America yet. I am booked on it with 50 plus friends for spring break week ( ps the gf said she will not let me go alone lol) and I go the same week every year. I know I spend a crap load on gambling and booze and (yes the breeze is offering open bar card at 45 dollars per day and each person in the room has to participate ) Aruba is all inclusive so once it's paid for its paid for. I'm worried now though that someone said Aruba had a lot of other cool things. there is a casino in our hotel. here is what we are choosing between

http://www.carnival.com search breeze December 16, 2012

from agent "
Unfortunately, the adults only property in Mexico is no longer available, so I am sending the link for Aruba since that was your other top choice, along with my next selection for Mexico. Actually, it would have been my preferred choice for you in Mexico, but it was a tiny bit more expensive (but totally worth it). It is an adult only resort that sits in tandem with its sister property, which is open to anyone. Of course, the adults can go next door, but the other resort can’t come on your side.

http://en.occidentalhotels.com/grand/Aruba.asp
http://www.paradisuslaperla.com/


Pricing as of today (nothing held at this time).

Aruba - $1395 per person
Mexico - $1487 per person"

thanks again and a great discussion !

11/3/2012 3:35:13 AM

I would go to Mexico or a cruise

11/5/2012 1:12:29 PM

You should really get packpride's advice on this one.

11/9/2012 7:35:33 PM

I hope your gf isn't blonde. Aruba isn't nice to blonde girls.

Carnival has been good to me in the past. Even on the cheaper spring break cruises it is always a good time. I am one of those older people that still like to party though. I have no problem watching college douchebags hit on hot chicks in bikinis while I sit with my fiancé and sip red stripe.

11/15/2012 2:41:44 PM

All-Inclusive is always a rip-off in resorts. You'll be better off going with a normal hotel/resort and spending your own money around the island. Just think of it this way: Instead of just handing the money to the resort when you get there, you can hand it to them in the casino gambling.

11/15/2012 11:26:16 PM

going to wait until summer 2013 when it is WAY less.

11/16/2012 12:13:16 AM