Planning Cruise Trip to Caribbean?

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phantom_of_valkyrie

There is so much to say about this question. Cruises are affordable and fun. Two of the less expensive cruise lines are Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Both are great. There is so much to do both on the cruise and at port. Food is free, drinks you pay (including soda).

A couple things--read the newsletter each day to help plan out your day. If you are planning to go to the spa, they have daily specials. I recommend waiting until the day the package you want is the special. They often offer a great spa package at the art auction as well. I love attending the art auctions b/c you get some really great deals. As the other person said--cheapest things in the Caribbean are perfume, jewelry and liquor so stock up. I love attending the shopping talk the day before the island. Free stuff and info on which stores have a guarentee of quality stuff.

Shore excursions. You don't need to take a shore excursion at each port. Most ports are at a great location with lots to see or do right there. I recommend shore excursions if you go to Latin America or Jamaica though as those ports are not a place you want to wander around. But St Thomas has so much to see or do right there that there is no reason to take a shore excursion. And each excursion will run you about $100 per person. I can't remember about Royal Caribbean but Carnival allows you to view and book them online before you leave. Don't do any "beach" shore excursions; it's a waste.

Give yourself a budget. It's too easy to spend far more than you plan. Figure out what you want to spend in the casino, spa, on alcohol (including the great inexpensive wine list at dinner), on souvenirs and stick to it.

Also, I like to bring my own snorkel gear. You never know when you'll be at a beach front restaurant, waiting on your meal and just want to run out there for 10 min of snorkeling. Or you can take a cab at a port to a snorkeling place.

My other recommendation is to go out of the US rather than San Juan. That first day at sea is great to get a feel for the ship. You get a day to relax. On the ship, try out several of the wonderful restaurants. I usually just eat lunch at the Lido deck and dinner in the dining hall, but most ships have over 15 restaurants. If you eat in the dining hall, dress up. True you will see some people in something just barely passable and casual--but I find it enjoyable to dress up. Most people will be. Nice evening wear and a couple semi-formal, formal gowns. You will see some women in prom dresses and some in a casual sundress. But I'd rather overdress and look great--than underdress. No shorts, no tanks allowed in dining room.

What you should expect? Great food, great entertainment. An amazing ship, fabulous stops at many wonderful islands. Tons of shore excursion possibilities--you can be in the rainforest one day, relaxing on the pool the next. You don't have to stay on the island the whole time. When you are in port, come and go as often as you want. If you want to stay on the ship for one island--do. It's your vacation and I guarantee you'll have a waiter all to yourself by the pool. But when the ship leaves at 5:00 pm that does mean 5pm, not 5:05--if you are even just 5 minutes late, you will be in time to wave from the coast of your new island home.

Figure out what islands appeal to you. There are so many to chose from and so many different itineraries that I doubt this will be your last cruise. Enjoy.

coolliz2444

There are so many awesome things to do, but I would definitely recommend going to the Eastern or Southern Caribbean. Both have great ports. Since you want to go in May 2008, only a few cruise lines go during that time period, and if money is an issue I think that you might want to choose Carnival or Royal Caribbean even though it is a little pricer because those both are great cruise lines. Cruises are very affordable and very fun!! Well I would expect to see beautiful scenery, awesome people, and have the time of your life. Cruises are definitely exciting and you're first time may be a little different and you may be cautious but dont worry you will figure everything out and have a great time.

Sane

You picked a perfect time, just before the kids get out of school. You will love the caribbean its is beautiful. Depending on what stops you chose, you can either book an excursion, just go shopping or stay on the ship. There is so much to do on the ship, they are floating cities. You can do everything from go to the spa to swimming during the day, and at night there is the dining and then bars and later night clubs.

stepmiller2

I have been on five cruises all with Carnival and all in the Caribbean. Being from Maine the warm, blue water is wonderful. The great thing about cruises is you pay one price for room and meals and you get to visit a variety of places without unpacking. Cruises can be a great vacation if you let them be, all you need to do is read the daily newsletter to let you know what is happening and then go do it. There is always something going on so don't miss out. Take advantages of the ship personnel who know about the on shore excursions and the ship activities. They will give you information that you can not find on your own. If you run into the cruise director or the crew member who handles shopping (and if they are any good you will run into them) strike up a conversation and you will be surprised all the things you will learn. Have a great vacation and be sure to relax and have a good time, I'm sure you will.

Laura

Hey Congrats!! I've been on a Carnival Cruise and it was an amazing time. I wanna go again. Its something you will always remember. I would take some dramamine just in case you might get sea sick. I also would recommend putting some money aside for the gratuity that you have to give to the matre'd, waiter, hostess, room service person. Its an extra fee that they take cash in an envelope at the end of the cruise. I would take a couple of nice outfits to go have a nice dinner at the captains dinner aboard the ship. I know things are cheaper over seas and on ship. Because some stuff is duty free which means the stuff has no taxes. Liquor, jewelry, perfumes etc...

kimmer727

We have been on 10 cruises. We are also going again, next year in April. We have been on Royal Caribbean, Disney, NCL, and Princess. Royal Caribbean is by far my favorite cruise line. If this is your first cruise I would recommend this line for you. They have great cabins, and the food is superb. If you can afford it, it is definately worth the extra money to get a balcony cabin, we always book a large suite when we cruise, and it is wonderful.
The Caribbean is great - do alittle research to see where you would like to go, what islands you would like to stop at, then take it from there. They are all beautiful, and the sea is so blue you won't believe your eyes! ENJOY!

harry B

Congrats on your anniversary!! Whoohoooo...!!!

Everything you need to know bout caribbean is here
http://tune.in/caribbean

luv2teach

My husband and I took our first cruise with the Royal Caribbean for our honeymoon this past December. We went on a 7 day cruise which ported at 6 different spots in the Caribbean. We absolutely loved it. If we were to go again, we'd make sure to book a cruise that covered a lot of islands like ours did. It's nice to relax on the ship, but we're the type of people that like to get out too. People told me that I really wouldn't notice the ship rocking, but I did. I'd make sure to get some seabands or dramamine too. Also, we went on 4-5 excursions, so I'd set aside extra money, because that can get costly. Like the other person mentioned, you'll have to set aside money for gratuities. Everything was awesome, and the food was delicious too! I hope you both have a great time!

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