St. Kitts, Grenada, Caracas Venezuela????

S

SharonCruise

Guest
Hello! This is my first post on Cruise-Addicts but I've been silently soaking up the posts for awhile. Have been doing research for a 20th Anniversary Cruise for Nov. 2004 for my husband (51) and myself (43).

We will be first time cruisers and thought we were decided on Carnival Destiny because our neighbors went in Feb. of this year on their honeymoon and loved it. Aruba is a DEFINATE on my list of ports BUT........After speaking to a local TA, she has suggested a Princess Cruise....on the Golden, to be exact. HOWEVER, I know nothing about several of the ports for this cruise. If anyone has any suggestions for the following areas that might help me to make up my mind, it will be greatly appreciated. (Shore Tours, Beauty of the island, Great Beaches, etc......

Basse-Terre, St. Kitts

St. Georges, Grenada

LaGuaira (Caracas), Venezuela

Also, I know this probably isn't the correct board for a Pro-Con discussion of each of these cruises but I am on such cruise overload right now, that I also would love to here opinions......To be perfectly honest, I'm swaying a little more towards Princess right now.:))))))))

I can't WAIT to book this and get my own Countdown Clock! LOL

Sharon
 
D

Darlene

Guest
Can only tell you about Greneda and I can't remember the name of the beach we went to. I get Greneda and Gaudaloupe mixed up. I remember going to a small market in Greneda. The people are poor. This was the only island where I did not barter because I wanted to give them my money. We bought little sets of spices in coconut shells. It seemed a poor but clean island. Then we took a taxi to a beach. I got the idea either from a cruise book or from the cruise director"s talk. There were restrooms at the hotels that we were allowed to use. Someone was selling cans of cold soda and beer. Two different characters were there with guitars. They would sing you a song and then ask for money. After the first time we just waved them on and they left us alone. We took a water taxi back to the dock.
 
B

belgique

Guest
Sharon: Grenada is a very picturesque little island - if I remember correctly you have to tender in and that creates some exquisite photo ops of the "carenage" (little harbor). Try to take a pic from the tender and then buy a little painting just like it at the stalls on the dock. This is known as the "Spice Island" - wonderful spices at great prices, good gifts to bring back. I found the people to be very friendly and polite. The town is quite small and you can pretty much walk to see everything in a few hours.

St. Kitt's is quite British - some upscale shops, silk dresses at good prices, people friendly and again quite polite. Neither Grenada nor St. Kitt's caused me any uneasy feelings about safety.

Caracas is totally different. The port La Guaira is a little seedy, and the bus tour to Caracas itself is long yet very interesting. Caracas is a huge city, worthwhile to see the wonderful architecture. It also has the typical South American problems of extreme poverty right next to extreme wealth. I would only go on a ship's tour to Caracas, not try to manage it on your own. I don't mean that it is unsafe but just hard to negotiate and driving is a challenge.

In all, I think that itinerary sounds wonderful - tastes of pure Caribbean (Grenada), British (St. Kitt's) and South America (Caracas). You might try Fodor's Caribbean Cruises and Ports of Call book for more info.

Good luck in your quest and you are well on your way to becoming a cruise addict!
 
N

Nanatravel

Guest
Sharon, belique's response is very informative and accurate accept Caracas. It is not safe and presently they are trying to overthrow the president of Venezuala once again. If you do decide to take the cruise that includes this port, only do a ship's tour and stay with the tour. There was live open gun shots the day we were in the beautiful capital city. The one thing you return with is a respect for your own home state and country.

St. Kitts - we did a ship's tour to include the petroglyph's, Batik factory and the Brimstone Fortress. It was a great half day tour that gave a good overview of the island. There was a craft bazaar right at the dock for souvenir buying.

Grenada - we docked but doubt the Golden could dock there. As mentioned, this is the place to buy your spices and vanila. It is a quaint town and bartering for the best price is encouraged. We took a water taxi (boat) @$2pp each way to Gran Anse beach. It was beautiful but the beach side vendors don't leave you alone.

My opinion of the ships you are looking at: Golden = HUGE Although it has plenty to offer everyone, great variety in entertainment and dining - Sabatini's, Southwestern, Personal Choice dining and 24 hr. buffet, service was impersonal and traditional features of our cruise experiences were missing like Capt. Welcome aboard party, Midnight Buffet (even though I never eat at one), no Wine Steward or Bar server in the dining room. If you don't mind tendering and being with possible up to 3000 people in line, I am sure since this is your first cruise, you will have a nice time. Carnival Destiny (I have not cruised on this ship) will offer a fun time with lots of options. I have sailed the newer Pride and Legend, which I can highly recommend and are much newer than Destiny. These are slightly larger than Destiny but smaller than Golden. Carnival is really trying to attract our/your type of cruiser - mid-life, new and experienced cruisers from all walks of life. Cabins are larger - get a balcony. Entertainment was great and varied. Dining was very good especially the multi-station buffet area offering Deli, Rotisserie, Asian, Nation of the day, Hot dogs & Hamburgers, Pizza & Calzone 24 hrs. and Salad bars. No lines/no waiting. There gym and spa are great. I never got lost on these ships either. You don't want to get lost on the Golden as it is so large you will be exhausted. Carnival has some great values, too. Princess customer service is terrible.
Feel free to email me if you like any additional input.
Bon Voyage
 
Top