Need Help Choosing a Cruise

[Whimsy]

I would like to book a cruise in January of 2012. I see three itineraries of interest.

First up is a 10 day that we have not done before. I don't know anything about these ports other than Princess Cays and St Thomas. We like pretty beaches and some snorkeling.

Fort Lauderdale
Princess Cays
Sea Day
St Thomas
St Kitts
Barbados
St Lucia
Antigua
Sea Day
Sea Day
Fort Lauderdale

Next choice is another 10 day we have already done. We really like Bonaire and Aruba.

Fort Lauderdale
Princess Cays
Sea Day
St Thomas
Dominica
Grenada
Bonaire
Aruba
Sea Day
Sea Day
Fort Lauderdale

3rd Choice is a 7 day. We have never been to Curacao so if we went there it would be new and we could back to Aruba.

Fort Lauderdale
Princess Cay
Sea Day
Curacao
Aruba
Sea Day
Sea Day
Fort Lauderdale

Of course I would love to take a 10 day cruise but we might be taking along some other people that have not cruised before or the longer cruise price might be a problem. If they don't want to go then we are open to doing whatever we would like to do and I want to get things booked as soon as they start taking bookings.

 

[Cruise cutie]

JMHO..but you cannot go wrong with the 10 dayers if you can..we are reprising them..did them last year for 20 days..and going to do them again this upcoming February it was so incredible..

just so you are knowing ahead that you *may* not get in to Antigua as the channel is narrow ,and the seas were rough that sailing.only one carrier laden with deliveries made an attempt.that day..HAL, Cunard, and Princess were :doubledown:....we had poundings about 7 out of 10 days..and cooler too..not that we suffered mind...a nasty storm came off the Western US ,down Mexico..over Central America, and slapped into us..luck of the draw..so we had "another Sea day"...

personally our feelings are if we are in Winter time in Vermont..and it's anywhere from Zero to -40F.and where I am is 60 F or warmer..we WIN!!.
we cruise in February so I'm game for those temps!!
have yet to get to Curacao..we look forward to that one for sure..love the ABC's we've been to so far...

..happy research.. Joanne and Mark..

 

[Calgon1]

I would suggest taking the new one ...

Fort Lauderdale
Princess Cays
Sea Day
St Thomas
St Kitts
Barbados
St Lucia
Antigua
Sea Day
Sea Day
Fort Lauderdale

One of the things I like about crusing is visiting new places, without the risk of being stuck in a place I don't like ...

 

[juvsu]

I too think the first one is fantastic. Don and I visited Antigua and St. Lucia on our previous 10 Princess cruise (with Corky and Den)and loved both, and the rest of them on our most recent 14 day cruise. You can find my review in response to Corky's inquiry "Are you back yet, juvsu?" We have found that the extra expense of adding a few more days, does not really add a huge percentage to the cost, if you need to fly into the port. Those costs, like hotel the night before, stay the same.

 

[Corky]

Yes, the first itinerary is awesome. Loved sailing those islands with Sue & Don!! And hope we can again!! For this itinerary...it is all about St. Lucia for me. Stunning island, awesome day sailing to the Pitons, watching dolphins, snorkeling, lunch at a quaint restaurant. An awesome day!

For the 2nd itinerary...Do you snorkel or dive? Bonaire is supposed to be Superb for this.

The 3rd - if you can only do the 7 day...this is a good one...but remember...for them to get all of the way down to Aruba and back in 7 days...the ship is going to be flying, at top speed. I would probably pick something in the Eastern Caribbean closer to home, so to speak.

Happy choosing!! :spyglass:

 

[Gayle V]

If you can do the 10 days, definitely go with the ten day itinerary (10 days beats 7 anytime) that you haven't taken already.

If both were new itineraries, then I'd say just flip a coin, They both look fabulous, What's not to love? You have the private island, St. Thomas AND three wonderful sea days on both.

It boils down to a choice between:

Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba: versus
St Kitts, Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua

All great islands. You can't go wrong.

 

[Whimsy]

Thank you for all your suggestions. There is a new development in the works when Shipmaven returns. Stay tuned as this is going to be the best of everything!

 

[George C]

I would do one with St Thomas, just to get to beach on St Johns Trunk Bay is one of the best beaches I have ever seen and it has a snorkling trail. Also St Kitts has some black sand beaches which are interesting.

 

[geejay]

I booked the 7 day one for 12/3/11, then found out that the following week it is a Western Caribbean cruise, so booked that and will be doing our first b2b. Can't wait!


Fort Lauderdale
Princess Cay
Sea Day
Curacao
Aruba
Sea Day
Sea Day
Fort Lauderdale
Sea Day
Grand Cayman
Rotan, Honduras
Belize
Cozumen
Sea Day
Fort Lauderdale

A new itinerary and a longer cruise. Life is good!

 

[Whimsy]

Congratulations on the B2B! I hope to do one myself one of these days.