Cruise: Bahamas vs. Mexico?

Question

Given equal costs, would you rather go on a 4-day cruise in the Bahamas, or a 7-day cruise to Mexico?

More details...

Bahamas: stops in Nassau, CocoCay, and Key West, FL. No full days of cruising in open water.

Mexico: stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. Three full days of cruising in open waters.

As it turns out, with air fare, the cost is strangely exactly identical for each trip. The tough part is deciding? Which would you choose, and why? Have you been to either place, what did you think?

Answer 1

Well. I have done the Bahama thing twice and have had an awsome time, but I am leaving on that 7 day iternery in Febuary. Ive been on quite a few 7-9 days cruises and love them so I would pick the 7 day. I leave the short Bahama trips for quickie weekend get aways. Have fun

Answer 2

Take the 7 day Mexico.  Going to the Bahamas is not as exciting and interesting as Mexico.  I have been on a Mexico cruise and my favorite port stop was Cabo.  Loved it there.  Puerto Vallarta was OK;  we did Acapulco instead of Mazatlan.  You will enjoy the sea days too, much better than Coco and Key West,

Answer 3

Bahamas or Caribbean.  Mexico is FLOODED with tourists.

Answer 4

Personally, I would chose the Mexico one.

This is my cruising history:

Carnival Imagination (7 day Caribbean)

Carnival Fascination (7 day Caribbean)

Disney Magic (4 day Bahamas)

Grandeur of the Seas (7 day Caribbean)

Carnival Valor (7 day Caribbean)

Carnival Pride (7 day Mexican Riviera)

I felt, that on the 4 day cruise, by the time you finally start to feel settled in and then you are already getting off.  I love having a full week on the ship.  You get the know the people and the staff and everything.  It's great.  Personally I don't even really like Nassau much.  I've never been to Key West, but it sounds really great... but you get more cultural enrichment if you go to Mexico.  Puerto Vallarta has pretty beaches.  Mazatlan is sort of a dump (safe, though) with awesome open air taxis.  Cabo is BEAUTIFUL but there are too many tourists... still, go on the Mexico one.  I'd take almost any 7 day cruise over a 4 day.

Answer 5

We went, last April, on a Carnival cruise to Nassau, Bahamas and to Key West. We sailed from Jacksonville, FL.  I absolutely, positively loved Key West-the town, the food, the people, the excursions--all of it. Nassau though, left a little to be desired. When we got off in port, the area that we got off at, we were bombarded by locals and I didn't feel safe in the area. We did, however, go to Paradise Island while we were there which was really nice. The Hotel and Casino are incredible.

Sorry that I cannot help you with Mexico--that's possibly a trip in the future, but haven't been there yet. I know several people who have made trips (including cruises) to Mexico and have loved the architecture, the shore excursions and the environment.  

The Mexico trip sounds fun AND it's longer. I love being on the ships, so did my husband. I know it's costly sometimes (haha like the casino and drinks-if you go that route), but we had SO much fun and neither one of us can wait to do it again. The open days on the water are SO relaxing and free. It's hard to think of anything other than just that relaxation when you're out on the deck, water all around and the open air smelling like that.  

Have fun! I hope you have a wonderful time, no matter which one you choose :)

Answer 6

I would take the 7 day trip. I've been on 3 cruises and 4 days just doesn't seem to be long enough. I've been to Key West and we really didn't find much to do there cause it was mostly bars and I was only 16 when we went. I'm sure there was more to do but we were only stopped for a few hours. you should also check and see how long you are stopped at each place for. the long stops are nice, but its hard to find things to do if you don't have excursions or anything else planned for each place. i haven't been to the bahamas or any of those places in mexico, i did go to playa del carmen, mex and we shopped and went to the beach..it was beautiful but i'm sure the bahamas are beautiful too. days of being on the ship are nice and relaxing, there is so much stuff to do each day, you won't have time to be bored.

either one you choose, i'm sure you'll have a great time! have a good trip =]

Answer 7

I would go to the Bahamas because I have been to Key west and it is so beautiful there.  There is so much to do and alot of shoppping. I would love to go there again. I havent been to any of the places that you are going in Mexico. I have been thogh to cozmel mexico then and it isnt real beautiful. The one good thing though if you do go to mexico then you can bargin the prices down on everything that they sell there. You can get things for half the price they ask. However I still think that the Bahamas would be your best choice.

Answer 8

It's a hard call. What you really need to consider is yourself and who you are going with. If you have never been on a cruise consider how you would feel being in open water for 3 days without seeing any land, and no chance to get off. Would it bother you?

I have been to both Mexico and Nassau. Nassau is gorgeous. The people are friendly, beautiful beaches, and great shopping at the straw market. However, the weather isn't guaranteed, it does tend to have the occasional cloudy day and the nights are cooler. It's also very Americanized, everyone speaks english, it's clean and there's McDonald's everywhere.

Mexico is like a tropical jungle. I was in the Mayan Riviera, it's very exotic. Mexico is usually always hot, and it does rain sometimes, hardly ever storms though. When it rains, it sprinkles. The locals aren't very educated, thus meaning there are some pretty scuzzy parts that I would definately avoid. Definately watch your back if you are carry any jewelry or cash. Locals are also very pushy to sell you their wears. I would suggest to do some shopping at Playa Del Carmen, a huge market, and ALWAYS barter, someone will always have the item you want for cheaper, so offer less. Also while you are there, have a drink at the famous Senor Frogs.

It's your choice, either way it will be a good one. Have fun!

Answer 9

I would go to Mexico.  I am not impressed with the Bahamas.  Except for the Atlantis, there is nothing in Nassau that is worth seeing.  And Key West is not very good either.  I would choose the longer cruise anyway.  My first cruise was a three day. and it was not long enough.  Then I went to a five day, and it was better.  When I got to seven days, I determined that was a good length.