Mexican Riviera during spring break or summer?

Our small group is a mix of families. Some with kids (ages 11 and up), and
some older couples. We can either sail on Hal's Oosterdam during spring
break or on Carnival's Pride in August. Both options have pluses and
minuses for each family.

If you could (had to) chose one or the other, what would you choose and why?

Kim

We can either sail on Hal's Oosterdam during spring
break or on Carnival's Pride in August. Both options have pluses and
minuses for each family.

Shipping out this Sunday on the Pride for the Mexican run. Will have some sort
of review of Carnival vs. Princess in about two weeks.

I would not go near a ship during spring break. There are to many parents who
feel "it's a ship, no need to watch my kid, he can't get away".
My wife talks cruising with a doctor who goes down to Mexico about 6 times a
year. He forgot about the sping break time frame earlier this year and spent a
week (in his words) on a ship where 50% of th people were under 10 years old.
Not relaxing, unable to get near any of the pools, thundering feet runing past
the stateroom 24 hours a day in short, excluding weather, his worst cruise
experience he has ever had.
"Anything that doesn't kill you,,,,,,,just hurts a hell of a lot" JLP20

We can either sail on Hal's Oosterdam during spring
break or on Carnival's Pride in August. Both options have pluses and
minuses for each family.

Shipping out this Sunday on the Pride for the Mexican run. Will have some sort
of review of Carnival vs. Princess in about two weeks.

I would not go near a ship during spring break. There are to many parents who
feel "it's a ship, no need to watch my kid, he can't get away".
My wife talks cruising with a doctor who goes down to Mexico about 6 times a
year. He forgot about the sping break time frame earlier this year and spent a
week (in his words) on a ship where 50% of th people were under 10 years old.
Not relaxing, unable to get near any of the pools, thundering feet runing past
the stateroom 24 hours a day in short, excluding weather, his worst cruise
experience he has ever had.
"Anything that doesn't kill you,,,,,,,just hurts a hell of a lot" JLP20

Kim Petruzzelli wrote:

Our small group is a mix of families. Some with kids (ages 11 and up), and
some older couples. We can either sail on Hal's Oosterdam during spring
break or on Carnival's Pride in August. Both options have pluses and
minuses for each family.

If you could (had to) chose one or the other, what would you choose and why?

Kim

Although I have never been on the Oosterdam or Pride, I have been on the
sister ships of these numerous times in the past couple of years. I
would choose the Pride; but what I would choose may not be relevant to
you. Below is a comparison of the two from my perspective.

The Pride is likely to have:

Better food in both the dining room, and at the buffet.
Better entertainment.
More activities to choose from, especially for the kids.
Better gymnasium, sauna, and steam room.
A more lively crowd of passengers.

The Oosterdam is likely to have:

More tasteful decor, with lots of fresh flowers.
Fewer first time cruisers.
More comfortable lounge chairs adjacent to the main pool.

Howie

I would choose HAL Osterdam for this group.

I would choose HAL Osterdam for this group.

Kim... I am personally familiar with both ships particularly
the Pride which I have been on a bunch of times since it re-
located to Southern Cal.

AS others have suggested... I would forget the Spring break gig
and focus on the August booking (Pride).

Best regards to all...

Bill

M/V Polynesia July 20 2004
M/V Polynesia Sept 22 2004

"Kim Petruzzelli" wrote in message


Our small group is a mix of families. Some with kids (ages 11 and up),
and
some older couples. We can either sail on Hal's Oosterdam during spring
break or on Carnival's Pride in August. Both options have pluses and
minuses for each family.

If you could (had to) chose one or the other, what would you choose and
why?

To be fair, I haven't been on Carnival for ten years because I didn't like
the last time I was on one and I love HAL. I did the Mexican Riviera in Dec.
with my parents and it was great.

But on time of year alone, I would choose Spring, NOT August.

Scott

"Kim Petruzzelli" wrote in message


Our small group is a mix of families. Some with kids (ages 11 and up),
and
some older couples. We can either sail on Hal's Oosterdam during spring
break or on Carnival's Pride in August. Both options have pluses and
minuses for each family.

If you could (had to) chose one or the other, what would you choose and
why?

To be fair, I haven't been on Carnival for ten years because I didn't like
the last time I was on one and I love HAL. I did the Mexican Riviera in Dec.
with my parents and it was great.

But on time of year alone, I would choose Spring, NOT August.

Scott

I would chose HAL's Oosterdam, and spring for cruising the Mexican
Riviera.......

Carnival's Pride has received good marks (good food, spacious
staterooms, etc.) from friends and family who sailed her several times
on the Mexican Riviera........

I think that August would find just as many families and kids on board
as spring break, but August is a very hot month in the ports you will be
sailing to .......so I chose spring as a more idyllic time to cruise
that route.....plus I enjoy the slight edge towards a bit more elegance
of HAL........and as Oosterdam is one of the newest ships....it has a
lot going for all age groups..........

ANGELICA