Eastern Vs Southern Carribean

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RebeccaQ

Guest
Hello all,

I am new to this forum. Hoping to get some feedback.
We are trying to figure out if we should go to Eastern Carribean or Southern Carribean.
I do not know the ports at all. We would like to get on either Grand or Golden Princess but not Sea Princcess since we have been on the Sea in the past.
We have 3 adults and 1 child.
Anybody has experience with both?
Thanks.
 
H

Hooked

Guest
Welcome to the board. I can't really help I have only been on a Southern On the Galaxy. Our up coming cruise will be Eastern, after that I will have more info. I'm sure you'll get some info from the great folks on this board.
 
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MikeInPgh

Guest
Having done both and having had repeat stops at St Maarten and St Thomas, I prefer the Southern. The islands are more tropical, the people tend to be alittle freindlier (at least in my experience) and not as crowded. I could die a happy camper if I never had to set foot on San Juan again. As for St Thomas and St Maarten, next time I will book my own dive trips far away from the crowds. Go south, go deep south. Aruba and Curacao are nice, as are St Kitts and Barbados.
 
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RebeccaQ

Guest
Thank you Mikeinpqh! Your information is very helpful. Sounds like South is the choice.
But I just realized that Sea princess sails to Southern Carribean. We prefer another ship since we have been on it (though it was nice).
We will see what happen..may be they will change ship later:>
 
B

BurBunny

Guest
For this season, the Grand does Western Caribbean, Golden is Eastern, Sea is Southern, and the Dawn is extended (10-day) Southern out of Fort Lauderdale. I think the Dawn and Sea may trade next year, but don't expect to see the Grand or Golden in the Southern for awhile yet.
 
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Nanatravel

Guest
Although Princess is a nice cruise line, why not consider trying another line? The Carnival Pride or Spirit might be a nice change including its great Camp Carnival program for your child. Cabins are bigger, variety of pools and lounges with entertainment is great as are the various food selections especially in the buffet area. RCI and Celebrity ships often do a great Southern itinerary. RCI offers good children's programs year round.
Bon voyage
 
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JohnG

Guest
The biggest drawback of the Southern route is that departures are generally from San Juan, and the airfare to get there is high. The Eastern routes depart from Florida, generally, and it is much cheaper to get there.
 
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Al

Guest
This is what's so nice about cruises aboard the Spirit and Legend. They're 8 days, leave from Miami and FLL respectively, and are fast enough to reach Barbados. There are stops in St Maarten (shopping) and Martinique (new culture, rain forest, etc.) as well. Bonus: inexpensive flights (AirTran & ATA to Miami, Southwest to FLL) to the ports. Give it a look-see!
 
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seagarsmoker

Guest
BurBunny - this is the last season for the Sea Princess with Princess. It's another ship (after the Ocean last week) going over to P&O.
Agree 100% with JohnG. We had our best cruise ever doing the Southern Caribbean, that being said, doubt we ever do it again because of the hassles at San Juan airport.
 
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BurBunny

Guest
Segar - yup! Was getting my sun class ships mixed up - the Sun will be switching from the Mexican Riviera over to the 10-day Southern Caribbean trips out of Fort Lauderdale, and the Dawn moving to San Juan for 7-day Southerns in summer 2003. Knew Dawn was moving to San Juan, and just didn't think when I said Sea. Musical ships!
 
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jan mcchesney

Guest
Sailed the Royal Caribbean Mega ships to Eastern and Southern...Both trips were superb with the exception of the San Juan departure..added expense; added hassle; added cultural passengers which inundated the ship. Will never sail again from the Port. Having said this..each trip offered up something new and wonderful. RCI has fabulous ships, entertainment and childrens activities..we had a veranda room and loved it. Particularly agree with the fact that the southern islands offer more hospitality and variety...Aruba, Curacao..etc...looking forward to doing the Western edge next. The ships were: Explorer of the Seas and Adventurer of the Seas. Awed by the ships..ice rinks, ice shows, gorgeous theaters, climbing wall, Johnny Rocket Diners etc...Definitely RCI lovers...
 
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Palolake

Guest
We sailed the Southern Caribbean route last year on the Ocean Princess. It was for 10 days and sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale. It was less expensive to do that as opposed to a 7 day out of San Juan. (Expensive airfare and pre-cruise hotel) Besides, I'd rather spend the money on 3 extra days on a cruise ship!
 
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RebeccaQ

Guest
Thank you for such wonderful info.
I am looking into royal carribean now. Just wonder how the food is like on RC compared with Princess. Anybody has any thoughts and opinions?
 
D

DP

Guest
We have sailed on both the RCI and the Princess lines. Loved them both, but my husband liked RCI food better. To me I couldn't really tell much different. Over all I guess my favorite line is Princess because of choice cruising and size of cabins. However, I have never met a cruise that I didn't love.

Happy sailing.
 
D

Docker

Guest
RebeccaQ

Did Southern cruises three times out of San Juan. All three were great..... If you book your flights right, there is no hassle at the airport.
Did the Carnival Fascination, and the Ocean Princess twice. I would recommend Southern over the Eastern or the Western any time.....
Have a great cruise ! ! ! ! !
 
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Warren-in-fl

Guest
My wife and I have done both and I will agree with some of the other posters. If you can do the Southern you will probably enjoy it more. There are a number of 10 day cruises that leave from Florida in addition to the 7 day ones that leave from San Juan and you can never have too many days at sea.
 
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Rick & Kathy

Guest
If you have not booked yet, check out Celebrity's Summit. It is doing a 10 day cruise that kind of captures both the south and east. St Lucia, Barbados, St Kitts, St Marteen, Antigua, and St Thomas out of Ft Lauderdale. I have booked my self on that one for October and it looks great. Did the St Lucia, Barbados, St. Croix, Antigua , St Thomas out of San Juan last year and had a great time. Looking forward to adding a couple of new islands.
Rick
 
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palolake

Guest
I looked at the Summit and don't see it going to Antigua. I might consider it if it did.
 
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kat

Guest
regarding Food. I didn't come by the nick name Food Snob because I like everything. I thought the food on the Ocean was very medicore. Not bad, not great ,just okay. We are sailing on the Celebrity Millie. one reason is the food is supposed to incredible. We will see. Looked in the Voyager too. This is a trip of 4 women. I'm the Veteran with 2 whole cruises under my belt with about 15 years inbetween. First was Carnival Mardi Grai and the second was last year on the Ocean Princess to Alaska. We just thought the Voyager would be too much ship for 1st timers. I had a hard enough time convincing them that 5 days was not long enough. They are so afraid they will not like it. If you can only imagine.
 
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