Southern Caribbean

[urman]

Which is considered the best southern Caribbean cruise and which cruise line.

[runner15km]

from San Juan on Royal caribbean.

[KrystalWaters]

Most mass market cruiselines have Southern Routes. Royal, Carnival, and Celebrity are ones that immediately come to mind. Some go to Aruba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Antigua. .etc...

Some leave from ports San Juan, Ft. LAUDERDALE, Port Caneveral, and Miami.

[Hlitner]

We do not think there is a "best cruise" in those waters. You have to choose whatever fits your schedule, budget, and personal preferences. Most of the US Oriented Mass Market lines run regular 7 day itineraries out of San Juan. Celebrity has an excellent 14 day itinerary on the Eclipse that departs from Miami and does Eastern as well as Southern Caribbean ports. It is my personal favorite because it is a true 14 day cruise....not a back to back 7 day cruise like most from Florida.

 

Hank

[wassup4565]

Which is considered the best southern Caribbean cruise and which cruise line.

Not a question that can be answered.

 

What do you mean best cruise line? Best value for money? Best service? Best activities onboard? Best shows and entertainment? BEST means different things to different people.

 

As for the islands and itineraries in the southern Caribbean, again, what does BEST mean? Best beaches? Widest choice of activities ashore? Best scenery? Easiest to arrange activities? Best shopping?

 

Not a clear enough question to answer.

[Keith1010]

There is no best cruise line nor itinerary.

 

I would see which lines offer this cruise and then start to read about each one to see which one might be a nice fit for you.

 

If we all thought the same line was the best, then there might only be a handful or less of cruise lines.

 

Keith

[beachbum53]

Which is considered the best southern Caribbean cruise and which cruise line.

 

You'd get about as many opinions on this as you would by asking what's the best color to wear on a Tuesday. Look for a knowledgeable cruise agent in your area that can talk to you about the various ports of call in the Southern Caribbean, and about the various itineraries offered. That may help you in choosing an itinerary (and ship) that most interests you.;)

[Hlitner]

You'd get about as many opinions on this as you would by asking what's the best color to wear on a Tuesday. Look for a knowledgeable cruise agent in your area that can talk to you about the various ports of call in the Southern Caribbean, and about the various itineraries offered. That may help you in choosing an itinerary (and ship) that most interests you.;)

 

We actually disagree with your premise about local cruise agents. Yes, there are probably some excellent cruise agents, but finding one locally is like fishing for a whale in a pond. The reality is that to truly understand cruising and the ports you must take a lot of cruises and go to many ports (multiple times). Most Travel/cruise agents find themselves working in a low paying profession where they seldom get the chance to travel. And many cruise agents only take shorter or "fam" cruises where various cruise lines crank up their marketing machines to impress these agents without any thought of reality.

 

As an example, when I help a CC poster who has a question about France, my advice is based on having cruised in the Med more then 35 times and having spent many months of land time in that country. If we tell somebody how to get to a particular beach in St Maarten, it is because we have done it (many times) on our own...not read it in a book. There are many others here with even more experience plus the CC port boards have some folks who actually live in the port regions.

 

So the next time you ask a cruise agent for advice on a port, start your conversation by asking that agent "how many times and how recently have you been to that port?" The answer might shock you!

 

And there is another fact of life when it comes to Cruise/Travel agents. They are in the marketing/sales business. And not all products (cruise lines) pay the same commissions, overrides, bonuses, etc. An Agent might push one particular line because they get extra commissions or can qualify for a near-free "fam" cruise. To quote Norm (from the TV show Cheers), "It's a Dog eat Dog World and I am wearing Milk Bone underwear." :)

 

 

Hank

Edited July 18, 2014 by Hlitner

[beachbum53]

We actually disagree with your premise about local cruise agents. Yes, there are probably some excellent cruise agents, but finding one locally is like fishing for a whale in a pond. The reality is that to truly understand cruising and the ports you must take a lot of cruises and go to many ports (multiple times). Most Travel/cruise agents find themselves working in a low paying profession where they seldom get the chance to travel. And many cruise agents only take shorter or "fam" cruises where various cruise lines crank up their marketing machines to impress these agents without any thought of reality.

 

As an example, when I help a CC poster who has a question about France, my advice is based on having cruised in the Med more then 35 times and having spent many months of land time in that country. If we tell somebody how to get to a particular beach in St Maarten, it is because we have done it (many times) on our own...not read it in a book. There are many others here with even more experience plus the CC port boards have some folks who actually live in the port regions.

 

So the next time you ask a cruise agent for advice on a port, start your conversation by asking that agent "how many times and how recently have you been to that port?" The answer might shock you!

 

And there is another fact of life when it comes to Cruise/Travel agents. They are in the marketing/sales business. And not all products (cruise lines) pay the same commissions, overrides, bonuses, etc. An Agent might push one particular line because they get extra commissions or can qualify for a near-free "fam" cruise. To quote Norm (from the TV show Cheers), "It's a Dog eat Dog World and I am wearing Milk Bone underwear." :)

 

 

Hank

 

While there is truth in what you say, there are some very knowledgeable and experienced cruise agents in the travel business. A good place to start might be at a locally held vacation and travel show, where cruise agents from various travel agencies would be there to talk to people interested in cruising. Information (and opinions) are free. If you don't feel you've gotten the information you need from one agent, move on to the next booth. It's sometimes a lot more fun and helpful when you can interact with a person face to face, rather than fish for sporadic and varied opinions on a website such as this.

[Flatbush Flyer]

While there is truth in what you say, there are some very knowledgeable and experienced cruise agents in the travel business. A good place to start might be at a locally held vacation and travel show, where cruise agents from various travel agencies would be there to talk to people interested in cruising. Information (and opinions) are free. If you don't feel you've gotten the information you need from one agent, move on to the next booth. It's sometimes a lot more fun and helpful when you can interact with a person face to face, rather than fish for sporadic and varied opinions on a website such as this.

 

 

A great source for TA recommendations is Conde Nast Traveler, which regularly publishes "best of ..." issues, including one that lists agencies/agents by specialty.

 

 

 

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[cb at sea]

Each sailing, no matter which cruiseline, or ship, will have it's own "feel". No way to compare. You could do the same route on the same ship for 2 consecutive sailings, and each will "feel" different.

[OCruisers]

Princess offers some very good 10 day sailings out of Ft. Lauderdale to the Southern Caribbean. :)

LuLu

[rjgdjg]

Hi-

 

We've been on 15 cruises (14 of which have been in the Caribbean) and of the islands we've visited, for us, the ABCs (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) are the best and here's why:

* Aruba--the port area is lively, attractive with lots to do within walking distance (many affordable shops, beach, park)

* Bonaire--my favorite; port area is immaculate with transparent water (no snorkeling necessary!) with blue and green fish swimming all around the pier, cute shops, etc.

* Curacao--port area has very colorful, Dutch-style buildings in the old part of the town, vendors selling fruit from boats, floating bridge, casinos

 

We've taken Princess to the ABCs and have never been disappointed. - Diana, musingaboutcruising.blogspot.com.

[CruisinCanadaFamily]

I have to agree with the above poster on Aruba and Curacao. Absolutely loved those islands! We took the Carnival Breeze out of Miami and loved the itinerary! Flying to San Juan can be costly so keep an eye on that.

 

My wife and I want to go to Barbados badly so I assume the next cruise will be geared around that!

 

 

 

Carnival Glory 2007

RC Freedom of the Seas 2013

Carnival Breeze 2014

RC Grandeur of the Seas 2014

RC Oasis of the Seas ..... coming 2014

[OCruisers]

Hi-

 

We've been on 15 cruises (14 of which have been in the Caribbean) and of the islands we've visited, for us, the ABCs (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) are the best and here's why:

* Aruba--the port area is lively, attractive with lots to do within walking distance (many affordable shops, beach, park)

* Bonaire--my favorite; port area is immaculate with transparent water (no snorkeling necessary!) with blue and green fish swimming all around the pier, cute shops, etc.

* Curacao--port area has very colorful, Dutch-style buildings in the old part of the town, vendors selling fruit from boats, floating bridge, casinos

 

We've taken Princess to the ABCs and have never been disappointed. - Diana, musingaboutcruising.blogspot.com.

 

Agree, Bonaire is wonderful! All three are good but Bonaire is special! :)

LuLu

[wassup4565]

Yes, Bonaire! I'd go back there in a minute.