Taiters91

First of all, I usually dislike organized tours and have never been a pre planner or done much research in advance of a cruise. My husband and I usually prefer to wing it and we've always had a great cruise. I'm sure we've probably missed some things, but we've had some fantastic adventures in ports and have seen & done stuff that the ordinary tourist may miss. :D.

 

And hearing about something we may have missed has given us a reason to go back!

 

Sherri:)

Hi Sherri!

Absolutely! And surely you could say that about anything in life... you cant do EVERYTHING! xx

My biggest fear is missing the ship, my parents taught us on our first cruise that you get back way before the identified time to be on the ship, because you never know what could happen....and even though your in paradise, missing your transportation home would be a huge damper on the vacation.

We are taking our two children (3 and 5) with us in April for their first cruise, so far we do not have any excursions planned either. We will be the ones that try to be off the ship as early as possible, enjoy the islands and then head back to the ship for lunch and then naps or swimming....if we are at the port longer through the day then I may venture off just around the port but that's it...

you will have lots of fun!

Thank you!

Absolutely how I feel.

If we don't do any excursion then we will be out and back early.

I think I will aim for 90 minutes to 2 hours MINIMUM!

To be honest... I am happy enough with the ship... But also want to appreciate the islands! x

When my partner and I went on our very first cruise back in 2008 (Mariner of the seas out of LA) we were very overwhelmed by the pre planning. So we said since this is our first cruise we will focus on just learning the layout of the boat and what cruising is like. We didn't want to spend hours pre planning if we ended up hating cruises and never wanting to sail again.

So for that 7 day trip we just took each day as it came. For us this was perfect, as it was very low stress and very relaxing.

 

Now that I've cruised more often, we do pre plan excursions, dinner, shows, etc.

Thanks so much - makes me feel better.

I have been stressing so much and just want to enjoy it!

As others have said, easy to do your own thing, or do a more structured excursion.

 

One thing, be aware of ship's time versus island time. Highly recommend using a watch rather than phone. Phone may automatically adjust to local time. Check ship's time and your cruise compass daily - you don't want to be left behind.

I would most definitely head back minimum 1-2 hours early.

I think, unless we are doing a planned excursion, we will probably only head off for a couple of hours and head back to enjoy the sun on the ship.

If we cruise in the future then we will probably plan more, but neither of us have been somewhere like the Caribbean before so are happy to enjoy it for what it is.

We live on the rainy Isle of Wight in England so it'll just be lovely for sunshine!

In my opinion, a Southern Caribbean cruise is perfect for this type of cruise. I am myself an obsessive cruise planner and usually do the exact opposite of what you are doing.

 

However, I had back surgery in Jan of 2014 so our southern cruise that May was very low key and we had a great time.

Funnily enough, I plan EVERYTHING... and was initially doing that for the cruise. However, I keep seeing things that change my mind and I don't want to be limited. If we miss out then it'll be too late and we can just choose second best... by then i'll just be happy to be on holiday.

If this is what you want, this will probably work out for you just fine. There is a tip I give to first time cruisers.

 

Don't worry about seeing or doing everything, they let you come back.

 

While its may not be related to your situation, it goes along the same train of thought for future parents, but it can apply here as well.

 

When it comes to childbirth everyone is an expert and will tell you exactly how its going to be! The same goes for cruising at times.

Thanks so much. That is so true.

Everyone has said what we should or shouldn't do, and I don't want to ignore any advise.

As long as we can have a holiday tailored to what WE want to do fairly easily, we will be happy x

Brilliant.

This is likely to be our last holiday before we have children, so our main priority is relaxing while seeing some beautiful places in lovely weather!

We have an app that gives details of each port with reviews. I know, EG that Bonaire is the best for snorkelling, so we will probably do that.

I don't want to stress too much about research but equally need to do enough to make the most of it.

Research is key to having a good time ashore....especially if you are going to DIY! So, pick up a guidebook at your library...then you'll know what is in each place! And, what kind of transportation there is...how far things are....food/drink, bathrooms, etc....

 

Beaches and shopping almost NEVER require an excursion at all. Things like snorkeling (by boat) or going to see stingrays or dolphins usually will require someone to take you there...

The key is KNOWING in advance what is available!

 

We never do excursions anymore...we "wing" it...and have a blast!

Thank you!!

We will do atleast one excursion I think, but we will mainly want to access beaches/markets.

Thank you all!

I have done some research on the islands so I will know things that we wont want to miss out on...

I just don't want us to have paid out for an excursion that we may not fancy and may want to do something else.

I will make sure we see the best we can but our main aims are to relax, enjoy some beautiful sights and enjoy each others company.

xx

Congats on your wedding and your up and coming honeymoon.

 

What you have stated is exactly what we do. We NEVER make plans or book excursions and always have a great time.

 

There are some downfalls to this however....especially if you have never cruised before.

Thank you both!

What are the downfalls?

Hello!

My husband and I are going on our first ever cruise for our honeymoon in March on an 11 night Southern Caribbean on Serenade of the Seas.

We were initially going to pre-book excursions but have now decided to play it by ear. We understand this may limit what is still available.

How easy is it to make decisions as you go?

E.g. If we woke up and fancied an excursion or wanted a day at a local beach or market?

Equally, we may decide to have a wander on our own then spend the majority of the day on the ship.

Thank you :)

Thanks everyone... Will look into it all!

Hello!

Would appreciate any reccomended places to visit, things to do, good excursions and why for the following ports please...

Aruba

Bonaire

Grenada

Barbados

St Lucia

Antigua

Thank you so much x

Thank you! Do you have any sickness with the patch or feel motion sick at all? I think I'll go for the patches and have tablets/wristbands too. Can't hurt to have it all on hand!! As I'm travelling from the UK, I'll have a good trial run on the boat, train and flight over! Xx

In the UK you can buy STUGERON for sea sickness over the counter. Ask at your local chemist or at Boots. I use it and it is very effective for me. I don't believe Bonine is available in UK.

Hiya! Yes I use Stugeron at home... Going to get a load in! :)

As far as reassurances..

 

I don't know what your itinerary looks like, but if you're hitting the lesser antilles chain and sailing from San Juan you won't really be sailing that much.

 

 

 

If you're going to be heading to Aruba and Curacao then there will certainly be more opportunity for movement on the open sea.

Hiya! We are going to Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, St Lucia, Barbados and Antigua..

I have looked into a lot of things today and feel much better. :)

Thank you so much :)

Thank you so much - I live in England and have researched, may have to buy online. Do you recommend a specific brand??

How do you find cruising once you've taken this? Am thinking of taking this, plus the bands. Thank you xx

I will definitely be getting every kind of travel sickness medication to be sure...

We have an ocean view room at the front of the ship, not a suite, but whenever I try and find our cruise on a dummy booking it doesn't exist, so I assume it is fully booked.

I will contact the travel agents just in case.

I'm not going to let it ruin my excitement though! :)

Thanks Keith... I will be!! This is our honeymoon so don't want it ruined by sickness!

Was that in the Caribbean CB at sea?

Oops!! I will ring travel agents tomorrow and see if there are any other rooms but think it's fully booked!

Oh well, need to just stock up on the right medication and enjoy myself.

I live on an island so regularly travel by sea to the mainland so hopefully I'll be fine :?

Haha thank you all...

Unfortunately we have an ocean view suite at the very front of the ship!! I think it's fully booked now too xx

Hi Everyone!

Going on our first cruise, southern Caribbean in March/April...

I suffer bad travel sickness but the travel agents assured us that the sea will be calmer then calm at this time of year.

Someone has suggested a travel sickness patch that lasts 4 days a time and also the wrist bands.

Any other suggestions or reassurances? :)

Thanks so much everyone!

I have been doing some research today and will probably do 1-2 excursions (pre-booked) and research visiting beaches and towns locally.