Which Southern Itinerary would you recommend?

[cccjenn]

We are considering a Southern Caribbean Cruise with Royal Caribbean on Adventure of the Seas next spring and would like to know which itinerary you would recommend?

Option 1:

St. Maarten

St. Kitts

St. John's

St. Lucia

Barbados

 

OR

 

Option 2:

St. Thomas

St. Kitts

Curacao

Aruba

 

Both options sail out of San Juan.

Thanks in advance!

Jenn

Edited August 10, 2015 by cccjenn

[steveru621]

Option 2

[fredflint]

Number 1

 

Option 1:

St. Maarten great beaches take water taxi

St. Kitts

St. John's

St. Lucia has a volcano very unspoiled

Barbados friendly people wildlife preserve https://plus.google.com/116818758836401090748/about?gl=us&hl=en

[cccjenn]

Option 2

What would make you choose option 2 over option 1?

 

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[cccjenn]

I should note that we have been to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and St. Kitts before. We enjoyed each of those stops for different reasons.

 

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Edited August 10, 2015 by cccjenn

[APDMOM]

It is a tough call, since we love St Maarten, Curacao and Aruba. Barbados is also beautiful, especially if you go to Bathesda.

 

So, all things being (sort of) equal, I would choose option 1 - an extra port day is always nice. If there is nothing that interests you in the port, the ship is at least more quiet and you can enjoy the almost deserted public spaces. :)

[steveru621]

What would make you choose option 2 over option 1?

 

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It's all personal preferences. I will say all of the islands look pretty much the same and are hard to distinguish.

 

St. Thomas has many great beaches and lots of shopping, plus with AT&T your cell phone works. Aruba and Curacao the water is very warm, beaches are great, and snorkeling is fantastic. Plus you get one more sea day.

 

It's a small difference between the two, but if forced to choose, Option 2 would be for me.

[mek]

Option 2 because I like sea days.

[LilBlackDress]

We are considering a Southern Caribbean Cruise with Royal Caribbean on Adventure of the Seas next spring and would like to know which itinerary you would recommend?

Option 1:

St. Maarten

St. Kitts

St. John's

St. Lucia

Barbados

 

OR

 

Option 2:

St. Thomas

St. Kitts

Curacao

Aruba

 

Both options sail out of San Juan.

Thanks in advance!

Jenn

 

There are islands on both that we have enjoyed... As much as we love going to new ports (or even repeating some) we also enjoy sea days. When we were on AOS we had 1 sea day and then 5 ports in a row. We were very happy to have a few days in San Juan to just relax!

 

If affordable and you have the time, I would suggest a B2B, the airfare is the same regardless if you are going for 1 week or 2 (or more)

[hlfrps]

We alterante between the two each February. 2016 will be the port extensive and we may visit shore and then enjoy the ship and possibly have dinner in one of the specialty restaurants fairly early, lazy day. Both are great! Also, we think of budget as for each port we budget at least $100.

[OCruisers]

Option #2 because Aruba and Curacao are DEEP into the Southern Caribbean! :D

 

LuLu

[derekmcsd]

I would pick option #1 just to go on a calabaza sailing cruise in Barbados. I almost did the same itinerary two cruises in a row just for that reason. DW shot down that idea.

[dsvd79]

I say to a back to back if possible. lol

 

 

Otherwise, it would determine which Islands you have been to or not? You cannot go wrong with either options.

[Clarea]

I'd also take option 2, for the extra sea day.

[ltjn]

If it is an option, do a B2B on those itineraries. That is what were are doing in 2016 on the Adventurer.

[Langley Cruisers]

Both 7 nights or is one longer?

 

EDITED to add: nevermind, I just looked it up. Personally, I think you'll get both answers on this board because it's personal preference.

 

So what do YOU want to do???

Edited August 10, 2015 by Langley Cruisers

[ColoradoGurl]

Option 1!!!! Just got back yesterday and would do it again. The last 3 islands on that route are the best! St lucia has great sightseeing spots and island tours that can't be beat, antigua has the best beaches, and barbados beach comes in a close second! If you want an extra sea day and have already done the first two islands, pick one of those to stay onboard. Option 2 is good if you like to snorkel or scuba.

[Ashland]

We've done the option #2 on Jewel last October...loved it.

 

Now were doing a B2B options #1 & 2 on Adventure (May 2016)...just couldn't pass the opportunity to do both and our first B2B...so excited :D

[raianeorge]

I almost did the same itinerary two cruises in a row just for that reason.

[bouhunter]

OP as you can see opinions vary:D If you're doing a southern route I'd disregard the opinions that mentioned an "extra sea day". You're flying to Puerto Rico to see the southern Caribbean - see 5 ports:) And they are are good ones!

 

BTW - are you sure "St Johns" is one of the ports? I think it's probably St Thomas? Of course you can get to St Johns from there.

Edited August 10, 2015 by bouhunter

[BillOh]

We are considering a Southern Caribbean Cruise with Royal Caribbean on Adventure of the Seas next spring and would like to know which itinerary you would recommend?

Option 1:

St. Maarten

St. Kitts

St. John's

St. Lucia

Barbados

 

OR

 

Option 2:

St. Thomas

St. Kitts

Curacao

Aruba

 

Both options sail out of San Juan.

Thanks in advance!

Jenn

 

 

I don't know enough about you to answer. We did option #1 out on Jewel in 2014 and we enjoyed it immensely. Now we are going back on Adventure and doing 3 ports we have never done before.

 

St Martin we have done, then Aruba, Bonnaire, and Curracao.

 

It will be along time before I go!

[bouhunter]

I don't know enough about you to answer. We did option #1 out on Jewel in 2014 and we enjoyed it immensely. Now we are going back on Adventure and doing 3 ports we have never done before.

 

St Martin we have done, then Aruba, Bonnaire, and Curracao.

 

It will be along time before I go!

 

We're scheduled for that itin February 17':)

Edited August 10, 2015 by bouhunter

[cccjenn]

There are islands on both that we have enjoyed... As much as we love going to new ports (or even repeating some) we also enjoy sea days. When we were on AOS we had 1 sea day and then 5 ports in a row. We were very happy to have a few days in San Juan to just relax!

 

If affordable and you have the time, I would suggest a B2B, the airfare is the same regardless if you are going for 1 week or 2 (or more)

I would love to do a back to back one day for sure, but that's not an option this time. :)

 

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[cccjenn]

We alterante between the two each February. 2016 will be the port extensive and we may visit shore and then enjoy the ship and possibly have dinner in one of the specialty restaurants fairly early, lazy day. Both are great! Also, we think of budget as for each port we budget at least $100.

You make a good point that more ports can be more money. I do love the idea of an empty ship, though.

 

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[cccjenn]

I would pick option #1 just to go on a calabaza sailing cruise in Barbados. I almost did the same itinerary two cruises in a row just for that reason. DW shot down that idea.

I will have to check that out! Thank you for the recommendation. [emoji3]

 

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