I need help.. We are trying to decide between two 10 day cruises. Both leave Ft Lauderdale. One goes to Aruba,Bonaire,Grenada,Dominica and St Thomas...the other Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados, St Kits and St Thomas. Has anyone taken these trips? How do you decide...Both sound great. Both are on the Emerald Princess in Feb...
I need help.. We are trying to decide between two 10 day cruises. Both leave Ft Lauderdale. One goes to Aruba,Bonaire,Grenada,Dominica and St Thomas...the other Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados, St Kits and St Thomas. Has anyone taken these trips? How do you decide...Both sound great. Both are on the Emerald Princess in Feb...
I'm thinking since you like them both equally, if you have the extra $$$. They sell it as a back to back and often at better rates than booking each individually.
Originally posted by Marylu:
I need help.. We are trying to decide between two 10 day cruises. Both leave Ft Lauderdale. One goes to Aruba,Bonaire,Grenada,Dominica and St Thomas...the other Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados, St Kits and St Thomas. Has anyone taken these trips? How do you decide...Both sound great. Both are on the Emerald Princess in Feb...
1)Choose the date and price that is most appealing.
2)Look at what there is to do on each of the islands and then choose the cruise that has more things to do that you are interested in. Easiest way beside looking up and reading about each island is to just look at what shore excursions are offered.
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Future cruises:
Star Princess - Dec. 2007-Rome- TA
Crown Princess- May 2008 TA & Baltics
Pacific Princess-Nov. 2008-Holy Land & Egypt
Diamond Princess- Apr. 2009 Asia- Bangkok to Whittier
Past cruises:
Golden Princess-2007-Alaska
Sea Princess-2005 Canada/New England
Diamond Princess- 2005 Mexican Riviera
Star Princess- 2004 x2 Med. Venice to Barcelona/ Barcelona to Rome
Dawn Princess - 2004 x3- Southern Caribbean
Grand Princess- 2003 x2 W.Caribbean/ 2004 Panama
Sun Princess- 2003 Mexico
Tahitian Princess- 2003 Tahiti & Cook Islands
Royal Princess- 2003 x2- British Isles / Norwegian Fjords & Iceland
Island Princess- 2003 Panama Canal / 2007 Hawaii
Sky Princess- 2000 China & Orient
Sitmar's Fairwind - 1979 x2- Caribbean/Panama Canal
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HAL-Amsterdam- 2004 Alaska
HAL Ryndam - 2001 x 2- S. America
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Viking Spirit/Pride -2006 Budapest to Amsterdam
Originally posted by Marylu:
How do you decide...Both sound great.
As it's the same ship, determine what you hope to get out of each port. In other words, are you looking for beaches, historical sites, shopping, general touring? BJS has a great suggestion about looking at the shore excursions Princess offers.
I'd also consider if this would be your only chance to see some of these ports. For instance, I believe that Bonaire is not often on cruise itineraries, although it's possible this may change.
They both sound like excellent cruises. How can you possibly go wrong with either of these. But here is another suggestion. I would compare how the sea days fall with each cruise and see which itinerary suits me best. I would also consider the topography of the islands. I love cruising into a volcanic island. Aruba and Bonaire are flat baked pancakes. I would pick the lush volcanic islands any day. The suggestion of weighing the type of daytime excursions you prefer is excellent. Everyone prefers something different so what do YOU like to do and see.
And taking back-to-back 10 day cruises in the Caribbean..........oh be still my beating heart. That would be my dream come true.
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Finally getting back on a Dam ship, Nieuw Amsterdam Nov'11 (My Mom's 80'th B'day cruise)
Navigator of the Seas 2010
Serenade of the Seas 2009, 2011
Eurodam 2008
Maasdam 2007
Amsterdam 2006
Zuiderdam 2004
They are both great itineraries, like all have said, look at what you enjoy the best. We're doing the Aruba route in November because we love snorkeling. Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada and Dominica have great snorkeling. St. Thomas is on both itineraries, so we're going to Trunk Bay and snorkel there. Princess Cays is on both and is a great private island. If you can afford a back-to-back, that would be one marvelous way to go. Or book one itinerary this year, and one next year. Best wishes and either one you choose, may it be the best cruise yet!
Thank you all so much for your suggestions. If only we could do a back to back. My husband is a workaholic and would never take that much time off all at once. Cruising is the best way for him to relax. We are leaning toward the Barbados cruise. Will decide by this weekend to get the Princess one day special
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