Cruise Talk: Carib. recommendations

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated the debut of the all-new Norwegian Aqua to Port Canaveral, Fla. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, where she commenced her inaugural season of round-trip Caribbean cruises as the newest ship in port. This past weekend, approximately 3,700 guests embarked on Norwegian Aqua's first week-long voyage to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Fla., her initial homeport ...

Latest News...Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) today reported first quarter Earnings per Share ("EPS") of $2.70 and Adjusted EPS of $2.71. These results were better than the company's guidance due to stronger than expected pricing on close-in demand and lower costs mainly due to timing. Royal Caribbean said that it is increasing its full year 2025 Adjusted EPS guidance to $14.55 to $15.55...

Latest News...Holland America Line announced itineraries for its two Grand Voyages sailing in 2027, offering guests the choice to embark on an ambitious 129-day circumnavigation of the globe on the 2027 Grand World Voyage or a 70-day, region-specific in-depth exploration on the Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage. As revealed today by the cruise line's president Beth Bodensteiner to guests on board...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » Carib. recommendations

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Carib. recommendations

Cruiselvr
First Class Passenger
Member # 96

posted 08-28-1999 10:06 AM

I'm starting to plan a Dec. 2000 cruise to somewhere in the Caribbean (not western). Recommendations of ships/lines/itineraries would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Posts: 34 | Registered: Apr 99

10X
First Class Passenger
Member # 2

posted 08-30-1999 08:58 AM

I've cruised to the southern caribbean twice. Once I took the route that I call the Barbados route (Barbados, Martinique, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Thomas) the other was what I call the Aruba route (Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Thomas). I enjoyed both but if I were to repeat, I'd pick the Aruba route. I think I enjoyed that one much more. The Barbados route was on the NCL Sea, then called the Seaward. The Aruba route was on the RCCL Rhapsody of the Seas. I liked the Rhapsody much better than the Sea. But comparing the overall cruise package, there wasn't much difference between NCL and RCCL.

Posts: 51 | From: Lansing, MI USA | Registered: Mar 99

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 08-30-1999 10:36 AM

I also have done both these routes on Holland America and I prefer the Barbados one. There was nothing in Aruba, in fact we were only there for a cuple of hours. There is lots to do in Barbados and Antigua. Martinique is very expensive, and very French and we did nothing there when we were there in Feb. We used to take the ferry across to the beaches for about 50 cents and now it is about $5.00. Curacao is interesting if you have not been there before.
Get some travel brochures and go through them and figure out which line you want to go on and exactly what islands you want to see.
HAL ships leave Curacao around 11 pm and there is a great fireworks display put on by the Chamber of Commerce who have been doing this for years. Well worth seeing

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99

Willy Paul
First Class Passenger
Member # 473

posted 08-30-1999 04:52 PM

stick with the southern carib. that is the best carib cruise.
Celebrity is my first choice, followed by Holland Amer, and then princess.
Forget NCL, only one step above Carnival.
If your looking for great food and service, it's celebrity - sailed with them six times.
Next up would be Holland America but it has an older clientel

Posts: 151 | From: Auburn, Ma. | Registered: Jul 99

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 08-30-1999 07:55 PM

I don't know why everyone always says that HAL has an older group of passengers. This may be true on longer cruises, i.e. 14 days and over because they have the time, but I don't consider myself the "older clientel" and I have been sailing with them for 18 years and no I did not start when I was a child. There is such a variety of ages on these cruises that you really can't make this statement about HAL.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 08-30-1999 09:14 PM

Cruiselvr - We've done Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean and enjoyed all of them - guess Western was the least favourite.
As for the cruise line you choose, don't be put off by the largely unfounded comments about Holland America Line catering to an older clientel. Not so - and certainly not in December in the Caribbean. I'm sure the average age increases on all Lines when the itinerary is over 10 or 14 days. Depends too on what is considered 'older'. Some Carnival cruisers might consider 45 year olds as 'older clientel'

[This message has been edited by Green (edited 08-30-99).]

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 08-31-1999 01:08 PM

I don't know how or why HAL obtained the reputation of having an older clientel, but I have heard the same from others. I guess it comes from the fact that HAL is one of the more upscale lines. I haven't cruised with them yet, but those I met who have, are loyal and cruise HAL exclusively.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99

Willy Paul
First Class Passenger
Member # 473

posted 08-31-1999 08:59 PM

We have been on three ha cruises and are in our late 50's, each time I have to say we were in the younger group. there were only a few people in their 30s and more in their 40s. it does have its advantages if you like the second seating and in the late evening there are less crowds. the service is very good, about par with celebrity and the food is almost as good as celebrity. celebrity is my favorite and ha is my wife's favorite. but i still say the clientel is older than princess or celebrity. we have been on seven, ten, and tweklve day cruises.it is a quiter atmosphere, but an elegant atmosphere also.

Posts: 151 | From: Auburn, Ma. | Registered: Jul 99

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 09-01-1999 05:49 PM

Hi MagnmPI - You'll never know unless you try!

We loyal HAL supporters just might convert you

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99

marco
Just Boarded
Member # 685

posted 09-03-1999 04:36 PM

Having been on many, many cruises, winter ones in particular to teh Caribbean, I would recommend: Southern Caribbean out of PR, or a 10-11 day out of Fla. A 7 day out of FLa, you are going to three islands (and maybe their private island). A 7 day out of PR will take you to the same number of ports a 10-11 day out of Fla will take you to. I would prefer those few extra days at sea, but if time will not allow, do 7 days out of PR. I would recommend Holland America or Princess or Celebrity. The latter two (this year anyway) both offered 7 day out of PR. HAL offered 10 days out of Fla. Those three lines are considered "Premium", as opposed to "Mass market" It is strange, though, you can get a "deal" on all three that makes their per diem the same or LESS than some of the "mass Market" lines. It's funny...what "they" consider premium is the way ALL ships were when they primarily sailed transatlantic with some cruise time thrown in. What is considered "mass market" did not exist more than 25 yrs ago.

Posts: 4 | From: Hartford, CT | Registered: Sep 99

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...