Please help, Carribean Cruise Advice?

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Mongoose

Katie,
Tell you what, my best friend and I take a cruise every year as a little mini-vacation and I cannot express enough how enjoyable they have been. In my experience, a 5 day stint is just right (3's too short and 7 might be too long depending on the company your with).

I have departed out of Ft. L and the only information I can offer you is to be ready to stand in a few lines. That port is a major hub for several cruise lines so show up early and don't get wound up about the wait - you'll get to your stateroom eventually. As for your ports of call, as long as you stay with US territories you won't need to bring your passport, though some cruiselines require you to bring it with you as proof of citizenship so I'd bring it along for that sake alone regardless of where you go. Cozumel was nice and had some decent ruins to checkout in the jungle and Belize offered insane shopping and awesome, awesome food. No intel on Coco or Georgetown but you cannot lose with Key West - my wingmen have flown into there time and time again and always come back with smiles on their faces from the people, food, and nightlife.

For the deals I have always gone with the travel sites (i.e. Orbitz, Expedia, etc) and have gotten sweet deals everytime. With regard to time frame I think if you can book about a month in advance your going to be sitting pretty and unless you thinks it's essential, do not book a room with a window or balcony. My bud and I always crash in a room with no window, save about $200-300 and laugh during the cruise because we're only in the room to sleep - who needs a window for that!? Also, when it comes time to select a table for dinner (you pick the time and dining room) it's always a trip to sit down at a bigger table. The spread of personalities, nationalities and agges vary widely and I assure you will not be short on conversation starters or memories if you go that route.

Again, I hope you have a great time on your cruise and if I can offer you any more information feel free to drop me a line. Take it easy out there!

indyth@sbcglobal.net

We shopped the discount cruise sites and a travel agent then booked directly with CARNIVAL.Our rep gave us an equivalent deal and we got 2 category upgrades because we booked several months in advance.

have fun take sunscreen.

ubookusave

cruises are fun and relaxing, there are cruises that you can book as far as a year in advance, pay a specified amount each month and have your cruise paid prior to boarding. there is a website where you can find lots of infor on cruises, routes, stops and times. you can also get you visa's and passports, affordable rates.
http://www.ubookusave.com

Cupcake

Yes, I've cruised the Caribbean - favorite cruise line is Princess - all ports are wonderful but it depends on which cruise line you choose and what their routes are.

All ships offer tours for each port and they are expensive and the transportation is crowded. I learned to hire a taxi that would take me around the island, then drop me off in town for lunch then taxi back to the ship. Much cheaper and driver will stop wherever you like if you see something interesting. You can also share a cab with someone - but be sure the driver can speak English - ask the driver several questions to be sure that they have not practiced only one answer (that happened to us once!) Also be sure the cab has air conditioning! We found touring the ports much more interesting, personal and inexpensive - you can dicker for a price and if you don't like what you hear, just go to the next cab - there always tons of them at each port.

Passport - didn't used to have one but maybe rules have changed with all that's going on in the world - but it is a good thing to have one - they are good for many years and worth the cost. Have fun!

legalett52

Take a cab or taxi from airport to port since it is a short distance and quicker and cheaper than cruise line shuttles, and also far more relaxing.
Enjoyed cruising to Key West, Cozumel and Georgetown -- didn't care for Belize, but great for snorkeling, etc. Coco is I believe a private beach and they are ok -- just not my favorite.
Research on internet for prices and after you book -- keep tabs on prices and if they drop ask your agent to adjust. Also, ask this question before you book with travel agent if they will lower your price if you find a lower price, etc.
Love cruising -- fun and relaxing. Never been on real small ship and usually go with newer ships. Check Cruisecritic.com for reviews on ships, ports of call, everything.
Have a great cruise!!

missanglgrl

On a 4 - 5 day cruise the best you will get is Key West, and Island in the Bahamas, and maybe St. Thomas. Belize and Cozumel, Grand CAymen take like 7-days.

Starting Dec 06 all travelers by sea will require a passport

Maui Boy

I shall only touch on the passport question/

After Dec. 31 of this year any one leaving the USA well need a passport.

You do not say when you plan on taking your cruise? But I deeply and strongly suggest you begin the task of getting passport right away.
You well find out it is taking many weeks in some cases. Be sure you have Birth Certificate, can not be a photo copy, must issue by state you were born in/

Have Cruise the Caribbean a number of times. You might consider the Bahamas

1Cheapcruise

After you check the rates at all the big web sites surf over to http://1cheapcruise.com and get a real deal.

What are the new passport requirements?

Effective December 31, 2006, the U.S. Government will require that all of our guests, including U.S. citizens, be in possession of a valid passport when traveling on any Carnival cruise. Foreign nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain further details. For more information or to get a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov. Or, contact Passport Services at www.passportservices.com/carnival for step-by-step instructions, passport applications, call center support, and discounted rates. Need your passport right away? Passport Services offers 24-hour processing.

All guests must present the required documentation at embarkation. Guests without the required documentation will be denied boarding and no refund will be issued. Please understand that Carnival will strictly enforce this requirement to be in compliance with this important U.S. Government mandate.

Please check back on our web site for future updates.

onyi

http://booking.joystar.com/travel/cruise/destination.rvlx?DestinationID=45&PIN=10008199

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