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[raniroo]

I am interested in the Southern route - St Kitts, St Thomas, Dominica, etc.

Has anybody travelled this way around the caribbean or can you recommend a cruise ship company - roughly 7-8 days?

There are two main companies, but they are large ships and not sure which would be a better option. I may be travelling solo or with a friend, not sure, but would want a party atmosphere!

[jacquesl]

There are a lot of cruise ship companies that serve that area but we used Carnival cruise lines and had a blast.... it was so interesting that we had trouble finding time to sleep...... We stopped at St thomas, a beautiful place then in Samana and that very peaceful because there are not too many permanent inhabitants on the island but there were a enough of inhabitants there trying to sell us their stuff. Absolutely beautiful beaches and not so many tourists that we were trampled...quite the oppopsite.... not too many people so we really enjoyed the beaches!
Carnival is party party party.... but I am sure there are a lot of others that are just as good and hoppefully they will answer you here!

[raniroo]

Thanks Jacquesl,
That is the first company I was looking at and keep going back to:).

[troispistoles]

The more expensive the cruise is, the older the people on it are. Carnival will be good for you then!

I suggest not to book any tour on the cruise. It is always 3-4 times the real price.

What I did with my girlfriend is that we were looking at the options on the boat, and in our Caribbean book, then we selected our activities.

If it was just an island tour, just get out the boat, walk past all the taxi drivers and try to find one in the streets. Usually much cheaper!

On Aruba, we rented a car, and did 4 activities suggested on the boat, 80$ each pp. The car rental was like 40$.

Well if you don't have much time, I suggest you go with the people on the boat!

Some islands are much better than others, you can send me a list if you are hesitating!

Cheers!

[starlagurl]

Yep, I totally second the idea of not booking tours on the bus. I second the idea of not booking tours at all. What I noticed from my travels in the Caribbean is that there are only a few blocks of gentrified areas right around the area that big cruise ships dock. Everything is WAY expensive there, but if you just walk a little bit further, you can find the deals and the "local" food and culture and stuff.

[admiralgreen]

I did a few trips on a two mast sailing ship in the Caribbean. It is not realy a "cruise" and usually they are sailing in the western part of the Caribbean. Maybe it is not what you are looking for exactly, but check it out anyway. I realy liked it a lot!
www.stahlratte.org

[jjsmith]

I did a few trips on a two mast sailing ship in the Caribbean. It is not realy a "cruise" and usually they are sailing in the western part of the Caribbean. Maybe it is not what you are looking for exactly, but check it out anyway. I realy liked it a lot!
www.stahlratte.org

This was my first cruise. This ship is so pretty, and not as crowded as the larger ones. There was still plenty to do, and it is easy to find everything. I strongly recommend RCL in general. This experience truly hooked me into the idea of cruising. I imagined I would have fun, but I thought I may get bored. Oh, was I wrong! I barely slept! Don't get me wrong, you can relax, but there is so much to do. It was family oriented, but you could still "have fun". The casino is addictive, and the drinks are awesome! You don't have to worry about driving back and forth anywhere, or keeping up with money! It seems everyone on the ship is responsible; it's not like a big college party or anything. You can still take your kids. I can not say enough about this ship! Though Ocho Rios is surrounded by natural beauty—waterfalls, tropical gardens and jungled mountains—the town is little more than modern strip malls and shopping centers catering to tourists. You can easily tour the town on foot in an hour or so, and if shopping is what you’re after, everything is conveniently side by side on Main Street You’ll find banks, restaurants, the post office, Ocho Rios Craft Market and the Vegetable Market. The markets are lively fun, but be prepared to deal with aggressive vendors and lots of noise. Along the waterfront and within walking distance are high-rise resorts where you can swim, catch some rays and partake in your favorite water sport. The only historic site of interest is Ocho Rios Fort (near Reynolds Pier). The 17th-century structure has recently been renovated and contains two original cannons. One of the most popular attractions in Jamaica is Dunn’s River Falls, a 15-minute drive west of Ocho Rios. You can climb the natural steps to the top of the 600-ft/180-m tiered waterfall or just gaze at the falls from a viewing platform. The falls can be slippery—wear a swimsuit and tennis shoes or swim socks. Shopping for island-made products requires determination, shrewdness and a good eye. You’ll encounter many aggressive vendors along the way. This can be very intimidating if you’re not familiar with Jamaica. If you aren’t interested, a firm "No thank you" should suffice. Keep walking. If you do see something you like, expect to bargain: It is a time-honored tradition, always conducted with humor and mutual respect. Never pay a vendor the first asking price. For popular cruising destinations like Jamaica, where excursions are so integral to the cruise experience, it's definitely a good idea to pre-reserve excursions. All you need is a good tour guide which you can find with Ocho Rios Tours They offer guests the chance to pre-book shore excursions from home, so you're assured of a spot by the time you get on board. To avoid being left out in the cold pre-book shore excursions, a destination where excursions are very popular, especially active ones like biking, kayaking, and sightseeing. Pre book online via each of their website or fill out shore excursions booking forms that can be emailed to you visit ochoriostours.org

[sirocovzla]

HELLO, I HAVE A SAIL BOAT, A CORONADO 25..VERY NICE BOAT.. I LIVE IN THE EASTERN COAST OF VENEZUELA...IN PUERTO LA CRUZ COAST. I GO SAILING ARROUND THE COAST SO OFTEN..NEAR MOCHIMA PARK...VERY NICE... BUT I WOULD LIKE TO WARN TO ALL FELOWS SAILOR WHO COME TO THIS PART OF VENEZUELA. LAST WEEK ONE COUPLE AMERICAN CITIZEN IN A SAILI BOAT "CHILL" WERE ROBERIED BY THREE ARMED PEOPLE, THE AMERICAN SAILOR WERE KILLED BY THE CRMINALS.... EVERY BODY TO BE CAREFULL... PLEAS FIND BELOE THE FULL STORY IN SPANISH:
QOUTED
Barcelona.- Plenamente identificados están los atracadores que la noche del sábado irrumpieron en una embarcación de bandera estadounidense y ultimaron a Keneth Peters, uno de sus tripulantes.

Gustavo Palacios, jefe regional del ente detectivesco, explicó que funcionarios del órgano de investigación de la Policía de Anzoátegui y Guardacostas buscan a los responsables de la muerte que se registró pasadas las 6:30 pm.

Palacios espera que en las próximas horas los individuos sean capturados por los cuerpos de seguridad.

El jefe de los detectives dijo que los sabuesos recuperaron una embarcación tipo peñero, una de las usadas por los criminales para atacar a los turistas. La misma fue sometida a experticias para hallar evidencias que ayuden a esclarecer el asesinato.

Después de cometer el crimen, los delincuentes huyeron en un bote inflable o dingui.

Al parecer, los hampones son azotes de Guanta, responsables de varios delitos. Acotó además que fueron más de tres hombres armados.

Comisiones del Cicpc interrogan a testigos para ratificar, con retratos hablados, la identidad de los asesinos.

Palacios confirmó que el ciudadano extranjero, antes de recibir un balazo mortal en el costado izquierdo, se defendió del ataque con una arma de fuego y, supuestamente, logró herir a uno de los facinerosos.

Ayer en la tarde, el cadáver de Peters aún se encontraba en la morgue del hospital Luis Razetti. Mientras que Stephen Davis, su amigo herido, permanecía en un centro asistencial privado capitalino.

Extraoficialmente se conoció que familiares de Peters estarían recibiendo ayuda del Estado, para el traslado del cadáver a los Estados Unidos.

Los hechos
Peters y su esposa se encontraban en su velero cerca de la Isla Borracha, cuando varios hombres abordaron su embarcación de nombre Chill.

La pareja estaba acompañada de Davis y su mujer, quienes viajaban en otro bote y esperaban la hora de su zarpe a los Estados Unidos, pautada para la noche.

Según algunos testigos, los hampones habrían tratado de atracar a los tripulantes de otras embarcaciones.

Funcionarios de la Guardia Costera informaron que recibieron un llamado de auxilio pasadas las 6:00 de la tarde y, al llegar al sitio, ya Peters estaba sin vida.

UNQOUTED

[lar4290]

Hey!

To see a lot of places in a short time, I'd highly recommend cruising, but I'd also say don't book an "excursion" (or whatever they call them) with the cruise company. You can just either walk or grab a cab to the beach or town center for a lot cheaper, and you can do the same things on your own for much cheaper. The only one I've done that was worth it was Chichen Itza (Mayan ruins in Mexico) and that was only because the tour ensured that we'd be there all day and make it back to the ship in time...this doesn't really apply to a Southern Route though.

For younger folks, I'd suggest Royal Caribbean or Carnival, since there's always a lot of action. They're also reasonably priced for travel in the Caribbean since flights/ferries can add up quickly (I just booked a spring break cruise out of San Juan on Royal Caribbean for $523/peson including all taxes and fees, which I think is pretty good considering that it includes 7 days worth of all you can eat meals, 7 nights accommodations, and transport everywhere - plus all the amenities a cruise ship offers that you wouldn't get otherwise). I've also heard good things about Norwegian, Princess, and Celebrity, which are also in a reasonable price range.

Anyways, I love to go on cruises every couple years, and I think it works out nicely in the Caribbean since you get to visit multiple islands during the day instead of staying in one for a whole week.

Happy Cruising!

[carpediemtravel]

Hi, I noticed that you had some good cruise advice....I'm going on a cruise in a couple of weeks and we want to book excursions but don't want to pay the higher cruise company prices. Do you know if there are places close to the port where our ship will dock where we can book an excursion? We were thinking about horse-back riding in Cozumel and were hoping we could find a place in the port that offered it.

Thanks!

Hey!

To see a lot of places in a short time, I'd highly recommend cruising, but I'd also say don't book an "excursion" (or whatever they call them) with the cruise company. You can just either walk or grab a cab to the beach or town center for a lot cheaper, and you can do the same things on your own for much cheaper. The only one I've done that was worth it was Chichen Itza (Mayan ruins in Mexico) and that was only because the tour ensured that we'd be there all day and make it back to the ship in time...this doesn't really apply to a Southern Route though.

For younger folks, I'd suggest Royal Caribbean or Carnival, since there's always a lot of action. They're also reasonably priced for travel in the Caribbean since flights/ferries can add up quickly (I just booked a spring break cruise out of San Juan on Royal Caribbean for $523/peson including all taxes and fees, which I think is pretty good considering that it includes 7 days worth of all you can eat meals, 7 nights accommodations, and transport everywhere - plus all the amenities a cruise ship offers that you wouldn't get otherwise). I've also heard good things about Norwegian, Princess, and Celebrity, which are also in a reasonable price range.

Anyways, I love to go on cruises every couple years, and I think it works out nicely in the Caribbean since you get to visit multiple islands during the day instead of staying in one for a whole week.

Happy Cruising!

[lar4290]

At every cruise port I've been to, there have been tons of local businesses that offer more-or-less of the same options that the cruise ships do (scuba, snorkeling, horse-back riding, city tours, etc.). Most of them have offices/stalls right where the cruise ships dock; on days when big ships dock, they have a big presence and are pretty easy to find. It might even be possible to look up a specific company online ahead of time, I've never done that though. Similarly, there are often taxi drivers who will take a group on a tour of an island.

[lar4290]

Sorry to double post...but I just did a google search on horseback riding cozumel and a ton of tour operator sites popped up. Those will also probably be more expensive than any locally-run ones you find by the dock, but probably cheaper than booking through the cruise line and you're assured that you'll have what you want.

[carpediemtravel]

Sorry to double post...but I just did a google search on horseback riding cozumel and a ton of tour operator sites popped up. Those will also probably be more expensive than any locally-run ones you find by the dock, but probably cheaper than booking through the cruise line and you're assured that you'll have what you want.

Thanks for your advice! This is our first cruise so I wasn't sure what to expect when we pulled into a port. I was hoping that there would be both local and company-run excursions to choose from.

[loolie]

We've sailed with Princess cruises in the Caribbean 3 times now, and have always done Southern Caribbean routes. You are going to have a blast. Princess has very reasonable prices, plus the option of "Anytime Dining" so you don't have to sit at the same table at the same time each night...you can go whenever you want between 5:30-10pm for dinner, which is really nice!

We've done the itineraries: St. Thomas > Dominica > Grenada > Bonaire > Aruba (roundtrip San Juan)

And we've also done St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, and St. Maarten.

On the third cruise, we did Bahamas, St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, Isla Margarita, and Curacao (from Ft. Lauderdale).

My favorite was probably the first itinerary that I listed - if you get the chance, the island of Dominica is absolutely beautiful - be sure you do a rainforest tour or see the gorges/waterfalls if you're into experiencing nature!

I'll probably be posting my trip journals from the past cruises soon, if you'd like to read them! Have a fantastic cruise!