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Anyone gone on a Caribbean cruise? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Johnnymac
- Start date
The Big Guy
Fear the Blitz
I have and it was great. There are a ton of tips, just search cruise on this site and you will come up with a couple of threads about cruising that will be chock full of them.
Here is one thread
edited to add thread
Here is one thread
edited to add thread
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HellToupee
Footballguy
Johnnymac
Footballguy
St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Charlotte Amalie, and San Juan.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
You sure about that? Charlotte Amalie is a city on St. Thomas.
Johnnymac
Footballguy
No, I'm not sure so I guess you would be right. I'm just reading from the e-mail that I received.
Judge Smails
Footballguy
Sounds like one we went on this summer. St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, San Juan (departure), Barbados, etc. Great time. Lots of threads on cruises or Caribbean - do a search.
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Leave some of your DNA on the lido deck.
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Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I love cruising, but it's not for everyone.
What do you want to know?
What do you want to know?
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Two great stops, especially if you like to drink.
DoubleG
Footballguy
I've been on Carnival and Royal Carribbean. On either you could have easily eaten 9 full meals and that's not including the 24 pizza joints they have and places you can stop in and eat whenever. My brothers and I use to run up $100 bar tabs nightly (our first cruise I was 19 - which is legal on Norwegian cruise lines 
). No matter how drunk you get, it's always easy to write your cabin number down on the bill.I've been as an adult as well - and had a blast as an adult or as a late teen. A good time will be had by all. My only advice would be not to spend too much time doing what you can do at home (i.e. playing in the casino's is fun, but don't spend 3 nights there - take in some of the shows - they really are top notch) Do go ashore...and be prepared to get a little ripped off. There is time to sleep when you get home. Oh, and don't drink all day and then fall asleep poolside in the mid-afternoon. I still remember waking up starting to sit up and thinking,"Why does my stomach tingle like that?" - and I'm not fair-skinned.You got that right. We went snorkling in Key West and as we got off the boat, back at the dock, the boat captain guy said, "Now not only is it legal to have an open container on the streets of Key West, it's encouraged." Then in cozumel, we went to some beach resort for the day. $33 each for all you can drink mexican tequuila. I was so drunk I couldn't find my shoes. Yet they were on my feet. Got back on the cruise ship and destroyed the pizza buffet.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I go to Key West at least once a year, despite the h0m0 jokes. I met a GI down there who told me the only three places in the country that not only condone, but basically promote drinking on the streets are Vegas, New Orleans, and Key West.
Usual21
Footballguy
Don't pay for the excursions on board the ship. You could get the same experiences, cheaper and for a longer time if you find someone on the islands that will take care of you. Most of the cabbies are great and will take you to where you gotta go and even pick you up. For example, My wife & I wanted to see Magen's Bay. The cruise ship wanted something like 50 bucks total for the two of us for a total stay of 2.5 hours. We got a taxi to take us there, bring us back to the ship and we stayed almost all day for around 25 bucks with tip.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Almost anything you can book through the ship can be done cheaper on your own, whether it's something like this, or an actual guided trip, like scuba, snorkeling, etc. These ships just take your money and then book you with a tour operator on the island, taking a sizable commission in the process. Meanwhile, booking the tour direct with the operator saves you money, is just as easy, and virtually guarantees you'll be part of a much smaller group, thus you'll have more control over your itinerary/time management, and won't feel like part of a herd of cattle.
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Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
No doubt. With that itinerary, probably either Carnival Freedom or Victory out of Miami, RCCL Freedom of the Seas from Miami or Mariner of the Seas from Canaveral.I'll be on Carnival Glory to the Eastern this August and on Mariner of the Seas in November for the western leg. Can't frigging wait.
I did the Glory and Mariner b2b last year. Enjoyed the Glory, but was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the Mariner. The Mariner was the best ship I have ever been on by far, sorry to see that it is leaving Canaveral.
EG, it must be nice to live in FL and be able to drive a short distance to the cruise ports. I would cruise 6-8 times a year if I had that convenience.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
This will be my first time on Mariner, or any of the Voyager class vessels for that matter. I'm really psyched.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
It is. I started cruising when I lived in NJ and always had to fly out (not necessarily the case anymore, but back then, a departure from the NE was rare and typically went only to Bermuda.) Now that I'm down here, I don't really vacation any other way. I love resorts, but it's too expensive to fly to the Caribbean and pay out the nose for everything, when I can drive an hour to my mother or brother's house and have them take the 10-minute trip to Canaveral and drop me off. No parking expense, no flight expense, nothing. Plus, Miami and Lauderdale are less than 3 hours away, and Tampa is also only an hour. Gives me tons of options in terms of cruise lines, ports of call, price, etc.Last year, my fiancee and I sailed Glory to the Eastern Caribbean and the trip cost us $1,600 for a week (that was with an oceanview stateroom too, not an inside) - soup to nuts. That includes all food, travel, lodging, entertainment, souvenirs, jewelry shopping, and heavy, HEAVY drinking.
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Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Also, use www.cruisecompete.com. Put in the sailing you're interested in and travel agents will compete for your business. Play their offers against one another by e-mail. I got my upcoming November/December sailing on Mariner of the Seas for $660pp plus taxes and fees for a balcony cabin on the hump (prime real estate) - AND they gave me $160 onboard credit as well. That's a steal at that time of year (Thanksgiving/Christmas)
ETA : I just checked and booking this through RCCL directly for that sailing and the cabin category we got would have been $909pp, so we saved $500 PLUS the onboard credit of another $160 - a 36% discount.
ETA : I just checked and booking this through RCCL directly for that sailing and the cabin category we got would have been $909pp, so we saved $500 PLUS the onboard credit of another $160 - a 36% discount.
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Johnnymac
Footballguy
Royal Caribbean...the ship is the Mariner of the seas. Great responses so far. I'm more excited now. I can't wait..
falconeyed
Footballguy
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Couple of suggestions... these are just my preferences, but food for thought :St. Thomas - if you're into snorkeling and if you're into natural beauty, go to St. John. St. Thomas has become very Americanized, so if you want to do some shopping and get a Whopper, that's cool, but for me, St. John is ten times better. A 20 minute cab ride to the Red Hook ferry terminal and then a 15-minute ferry ride puts you at Cruz Bay, St. John. Several really cool restaurants/bars here, and a cab ride away are Cinammon Bay and Trunk Bay. The former is very secluded and picturesque, the latter has more amenities and an underwater snorkeling trail (and is much more crowded.)St. Maarten - get off the ship ASAP and grab a cab 20 minutes to Orient Beach. When the cab drops you off at Bikin Beach (most likely) - walkto the right on the beach along the water until you get to Pirate Bar or the Tex-Mex bar. Chairs, drinks, etc.. are half as much there, plus you're much closer to Club Orient, where you can see some ( o Y o ). Stay at Orient for a few hours, then catch a cab into Philipsburg for inexpensive Cuban cigars, beer, liquor, casinos, etc. Last time there, I bought a liter of Ketel One, a liter of Jim Beam, and a carton of Marlboros for $32. I almost cried.Johnnymac said:
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Trying to recall which RC ship I was on in 2002, but at the time it was the largest in the Caribbean (Voyager? It was the one with the rock wall they showed on commercials then). Anyway, 7 nights & you never run out of things to do - even if you never left the ship. I think there were 19 bars, God knows how many different places to eat, a theater, an ice rink, in-line skating around the top deck, full-sized b-ball courts up top, and tons more. One whole deck was for kids.
One thing it took me a few days to get used to was to stop trying to do everything & just relax.
One thing it took me a few days to get used to was to stop trying to do everything & just relax.
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SR388
Footballguy
A few recommendations:
Get a room with a window.
Don't pay for the ship excursions.
When you dock, choose your excursion quickly or you'll end up with nothing to do other then shop locally or head back to the ship.
Most of the locals running the excursions will not appear to be the most stand up people, but you are for the most part, their only source of money so they will take care of you. One time we went for a snorkeling excursion. We all lined up and then this old beat up black Lincoln shows up and we get handed snorkeling gear out of the back of the trunk! Then we board a rickety old boat and get taken out in the middle of nowhere. I was honestly thinking "these guys could just rob us and dump us in the ocean and nobody would be the wiser" Well everything turned out great and we all had a blast!
I have not had good experiences visiting ruins. Usually it's about a 30-40 minute cab ride to look at a few rocks. I have yet to see anything big enough to climb.
II haven't heard good things about horse riding excursions.
Bring some formal wear. They aren't kidding when they say formal. Some people will be in full tuxes and gowns. You don't have to dress up every night, but you'll want one or two nice outfits so you don't feel under dressed.
Get involved with the games and shows the crew will run. I participated in most of the on ship functions and it made all the difference. You are never going to see these people again so go ahead and have fun.
Good luck and enjoy! I would say the only downside is that when you return home, it takes a week to get over the fact that nobody is there to wait on you hand and foot and clean up after you!
Get a room with a window.
Don't pay for the ship excursions.
When you dock, choose your excursion quickly or you'll end up with nothing to do other then shop locally or head back to the ship.
Most of the locals running the excursions will not appear to be the most stand up people, but you are for the most part, their only source of money so they will take care of you. One time we went for a snorkeling excursion. We all lined up and then this old beat up black Lincoln shows up and we get handed snorkeling gear out of the back of the trunk! Then we board a rickety old boat and get taken out in the middle of nowhere. I was honestly thinking "these guys could just rob us and dump us in the ocean and nobody would be the wiser" Well everything turned out great and we all had a blast!
I have not had good experiences visiting ruins. Usually it's about a 30-40 minute cab ride to look at a few rocks. I have yet to see anything big enough to climb.
II haven't heard good things about horse riding excursions.
Bring some formal wear. They aren't kidding when they say formal. Some people will be in full tuxes and gowns. You don't have to dress up every night, but you'll want one or two nice outfits so you don't feel under dressed.
Get involved with the games and shows the crew will run. I participated in most of the on ship functions and it made all the difference. You are never going to see these people again so go ahead and have fun.
Good luck and enjoy! I would say the only downside is that when you return home, it takes a week to get over the fact that nobody is there to wait on you hand and foot and clean up after you!
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Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Or better yet, a balcony. They're small but it made all the difference in the world to me.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
There is some good snorkeling on St Thomas if his time is limited. We went to Secret Harbor and Sapphire Beach and the snorkeling was excellent.
SR388
Footballguy
Weird, I already posted this but......To each his own, but I only went to my room for showers, sleep, and sex. The window just kept me from feeling like I was locked up in an hospital. I could only take it for 10 minutes before I started to feel sick.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Never been to Secret Harbor, but Sapphire Beach is my favorite spot on St. Thomas. I just vastly prefer the attitude and scenery on St. John.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I didn't spend a ton of time in my room, either. But the balcony made the room seem much larger than the phonebooth it really was. Plus, being able to leave the doors open at night was nice.
Illegal Pants Downfield
Footballguy
How do the various cruise lines rate for food?
I've been on 2 different cruises...one on NCL, one on HAL.
The food on Holland America literally blew the Norwegian out of the water.
NCL = cafeteria food
HAL = fine dining
For those w/ cruise experience, where do other lines rank - RCCL, Celebrity, etc.?
Honestly for me, the superior food on HAL made it so much more enjoyable...despite the older crowd on HAL (I'm late-20s...typical HAL passengers are 50s-60s...)
We enjoyed our NCL cruise. We --loved-- our HAL cruise.
Which other lines compare foodwise?
I've been on 2 different cruises...one on NCL, one on HAL.
The food on Holland America literally blew the Norwegian out of the water.
NCL = cafeteria food
HAL = fine dining
For those w/ cruise experience, where do other lines rank - RCCL, Celebrity, etc.?
Honestly for me, the superior food on HAL made it so much more enjoyable...despite the older crowd on HAL (I'm late-20s...typical HAL passengers are 50s-60s...)
We enjoyed our NCL cruise. We --loved-- our HAL cruise.
Which other lines compare foodwise?
CrossEyed
Footballguy
I can understand that. Was only there one day and wasted most of it in the rainforest. But it certainly looked a lot more laid back than St. Thomas.
The Big Guy
Fear the Blitz
ok, also if you plan on doing any shopping on this trip, don't do it on St. Thomas, do it on St Martin where prices are much cheaper and less predatory in the shopping experience. Also know that any shop the ship recommends is on the take and provides a kickback to the ship for the referral. I seem to remember spending a couple of bucks less per carton of cigs and less for the liquor by getting them on St Martin when I went a few years ago.
Mr. Mojo
Footballguy
If you want to do any shore excursions through the ship, you can book those on line before you go and you will have first crack at them without any waiting in line at the Purser's office.
There are plenty of activities every day including gambling, games, shows, etc.
Royal Carribbean is great for families and middle aged people (which I qualify).
There are plenty of activities every day including gambling, games, shows, etc.
Royal Carribbean is great for families and middle aged people (which I qualify).
Nemesis
Footballguy
Living in Orlando,........ wife and I have been on ~8 cruises in the past couple of yrs and have learned to how to save lots $$ and time so we can DO MORE rather than just SPEND MORE.
Been to W.Carribean, E. Carribean, Bahamas, Alaska and sailed out of Port Canaveral, Tampa, Ft Lauderdale , Miami, and even out of San Juan,PR.
Gonna paste this from another thread I responded in:
Been to W.Carribean, E. Carribean, Bahamas, Alaska and sailed out of Port Canaveral, Tampa, Ft Lauderdale , Miami, and even out of San Juan,PR.
Gonna paste this from another thread I responded in:
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Nemesis
Footballguy
We've used them for a couple of years now. Just like LendingTree.comTravel Agents will see your request and send you quotes via email.......No obligation and it's free to use.You can always hit "delete" if you're not interested. We've never been "hounded" or felt like we were put on a junk mail list b/c we used the service.
You will want to know what your desired sailing date and "class of cabin" (inside/outside/balcony) so do a little prep work before asking for quotes.
My thoughts:St. Thomas - another vote for Sapphire Beach if you don't want to head over to St.John. If you've got kids, this is probably the place to go since you don't want to have to catch the ferry and waste time. Definately take some cereal boxes for feeding the fish.
St. John - Cinammon Bay was cool and less crowded if that's what you're after.
St. Maarten - If you are the adventureous type like me and my wife, they have an excursion where you can race retired Americas Cup Regatta boats & "be a part of the working crew" and race against other Regatta boats. Each one holds about 12 passengers and 2 crew members. They assign each person a specific job on the boat and then practice for ~30 minutes. At the end of the excursion, you race against another boat and put your skills to the test.
info
If you're interested, I think you may have to book this thru the ship and don't wait..........it fills up fast. My wife and I wanted to do this, and it was booked up. So we, signed up for a Shark Dive instead and told them to put us on the stand-by list in case of an opening. The night before we got there, we were told there was some available slots so we did the Regatta........Glad we did and we have some funny stories to tell from the race. After we got on the boat, they were assigning jobs and my wife got placed in the middle of the boat as a "grinder". Meanwhile, they placed me at the back of the boat as a "wench". My wife wasn't laughing when she finally realized that her job required a little more attention and my job allowed me to sit on the back hull, drink the free beer they had, and occasionally get involved depending on which side of the tack we were on.
San Juan - Your options depend on how long your ship is docked. You can choose between seeing the Forts and walking Old San Juan (closest to the pier), touring the Bacardi Rum Factory, or going to see the rainforrest (farthest). You might have time to do 2 of these if you plan correctly.
Sundays Rule
Footballguy
Hows Norwegian? Me and the GF are looking at an 8 night bahama-florida cruise first week in April on the Norwegian Gem. How does Norwegian compare to Canival or Rocyal Carribean.
Illegal Pants Downfield
Footballguy
If food's your game, I'd avoid it. NCL might as well stand for No Cuisine Line.See my post above. http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...t&p=8105355
Sundays Rule
Footballguy
Im in it for the drinking and beaches, food is secondary. How are the activities and such....we're a young 20s couple, is the crowd usually older on NCL?
Sundays Rule
Footballguy
I agree with the not paying for excursions thing....but honsestly....its going to spend most of its time in the bahamas...how much is there really to do there other than beaches and snorkeling.
Sundays Rule
Footballguy
I mean it goes to Port Canaveral then to Nassau for a few days.
Sundays Rule
Footballguy
Ive also never ever been on a cruise before so most likely ill be impressed by whichever cruise i go on since i have no basis for comparison.
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