help!!

[undecided]

Hey everyone. My husband and I are fixing to book a cruise. We have tried to go for the last 4 years, but my mother became ill, and died last year. Now, we are ready, but now I am not sure about anything. We can't decide if we want to do the 5 day on the Ecstacy or the 7 day on the Conquest. Not sure what type of room to get. I know they say lower levels and in the middle of the ship. My husband is not one who enjoys traveling, so I want to really make sure we make the right choices. Any advice would be so greatly appreciated!

[Cruise Specialist]

Welcome to cruise-chat undecided.

My advise to you would be to contact a Cruise Specialist TA. There are so many deciding factors especially for your first cruise. It doesnt cost you any extra to talk to an agent, and they can answer all your questions and guide you to the correct cruise, one that you and your hubby will be happy with.

Check you local phone book and contact a TA in your area and ask if they have any one who specializes in cruises, then chat with them or go to their office and talk to them, ask all the questions you want. Good luck on making your decision.

[TrvlPro]

Looks like you've already made some decisions. You're going out of Galveston and have chosen Carnival from the ships listed. That's pretty close to booked and ready to go.

Conquest is the newer/nicer of the two ships thus they have it as their 7 day ship from Galveston. Ecstacy is still a fine ship and more affordable on a little shorter itinerary. If the budget allows take a week, it goes by much more quickly than you'd imagine.

Now you just have to decide when to get onboard. Go get on a ship, 4 years is too long, you're overdue. Either way you'll have a blast!

Cheers, Neil

[Dwayne]

undecided, Welcome Aboard as well!

Great advice from Cruise Specialist and TrvlPro. To throw in my 1 cent, usually I reccomend a shorter cruise for first timers, but in your long awaited case I would go with the 7 day Conquest as Neil suggested.

Your cabin type is a personal preference, I don't spend much time in the cabin so I opt for outside or inside and save the money vs a balcony. Other people swear by the balconies.

You can call Carnival directly if you choose, but as Cruise Specialist said it does not cost any more to get your own Agent.

Here is a link for Carnival Agents, just put in your zip code and talk with a few

http://carnival.com/findatravelagent.aspx

Like Neil said you are overdue. You will have the time of your life! The only bad thing about cruising they don't put in the disclaimers is:

WARNING Cruising can be addictive. Consult your local Travel Agent should you experience symptoms.

Best wishes, and it will be awesome no matter which you decide.

IslandCruz

[Larry in Miami]

Personally I would opt for the seven day cruise.
I have been on two three day cruises and they are just not the same. If I had started with the shorter cruises I don't think I would have been hooked so quickly.

If the cost is not a major factor there is nothing like having a balcony.

[cruizinallthetime]

undecided - I would personally go for the 7 day on the Conquest. My first cruise was a 7 day. It took me a few days to get used to cruising. When I finally settled down, I wanted to experience everything the ship had to offer.
Also, don't forget to read everyones reviews of the ships - you would be surprised what is on a ship that you can walk past without even knowing.
Hope this help!

[penny3333]

My vote would be for a 7 day, and a balcony if you can afford it. That's just my opinion, though. Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful experience

[BJC123]

Also, don't forget to explore any additional discounts i.e. senior if over 55, military.

If I were trying to "hook" hubby on cruising, with the Conquest vs Ecstacy, I'd go Conquest. We have sailed on both - in fact 3 times on Ecstacy. But considering that Ecstacy 5 day goes to Cozumel - good port - and Progreso - boring port ... I'd pick Conquest.

With using our senior discount - this was before we knew about the military one - we got a balcony on upper deck - we loved it.

We are in the Galveston area, so if you have any other questions, just fire away ...

[PA Steve Rocky Mount]

One piece of advice only...don't waste money on your room! You spend so little time there why pay extra when the rooms on the first floor are identical to the rooms on the 5th floor. For the extra hundreds of dollars you'll pay, I can think of a whole lot of better things to spend it on while on your cruise.

[tncruiseman]

PA Steve is right about not spending enormous amounts of time in the room BUT you are trying to get your husband hooked into cruising. GO for the Conquest, get a balcony if you can, if not at least an outside cabin. Once you've experienced the best, it makes it more bearable to scale back on ship/cabin selection in the future knowing it was your choice. the room won't "make the cruise" but every facet will play a part in the overall experience. ENJOY!