Bring Back Bonaire!

[yorkyred]

I guess it depends on what you do. Only a small percentage of cruise passengers go snokelling with far more enjoying exploring the islands. Bonaire really has very little for us and we're much happier with the overnight in Caracoa. Being able to spend time on an island later at night is something we enjoy.

[Gordoncruickshank]

My defining memory of Bonaire is from the last time we visited there. I wanted to do the trip to see the flamingos. After we were on the bus, the guide advised us that she didn't know why they were still doing this trip as it was mating season and they were not allowed to go anywhere near them. That was about the last tour we did. They run these all season whether there is any chance of seeing what is set out in the literature.

 

We saw most of the south of island and don't think there is enough to keep you occupied, unless it is your first visit or you snorkel.

 

Same happened in Alaska on a bear watch - the only wild life on display was what looked like a plastic bald eagle at the very top of a distant tree. They hadn't seen a bear for months!!

Edited September 22, 2015 by Gordoncruickshank

[wallie5446]

I'm not sure what I said to anger you, but all this red text stuff - hating on the Antilles seems a bit much. :)

 

No anger, I used red because it stood out. We have been sailing to the Antilles for over 20 years. Going south again this year.

 

Please go back to the first post and read the comments in contex. We do not book a vacation based on a few hours in one place. The OP stated they would rather go on a different line just to have that one day. I responded that the other days and product delivered was more important to us.

 

Oh, how much do we like to snorkel? We have 4 charters already paid for in Nov.

[Caribbean Chris]

I'm in the pro-Bonaire column. Lived in the Caribbean for nine years and spent a couple of weeks by myself on Bonaire once for work. I found it to be more visitor-friendly, easy to navigate, clean and historically interesting than many islands. Good restaurants, moderate prices, welcoming English-speaking people, sound ecological policies to protect their waters, and many more positives.

 

But as we all know from our travel experiences, the cruise port experience is less about getting to know the subtle charms of a destination and more about capturing a fast snapshot overview.

 

I can see where people who want shopping might like St. Thomas for a few hours, those who like lush scenery would enjoy St. Lucia's Pitons, and so on. The great thing about a Caribbean cruise is sampling islands with vastly different personalities so you can return to those you like best for a longer stay.

Edited September 22, 2015 by Caribbean Chris

[jagoffee]

We love Bonaire! Is Celebrity totally dropping it from ALL itineraries?

 

No, they are not dropping Bonaire from all itineraries. Bonaire was never on all the 14 day Eclipse cruises in the last couple of years, but it was on some of them. It became an issue when Bonaire was on various itineraries in 2016, but removed and substituted with an overnight. Therefore most complaints concern the change.

I suspect that Bonaire will continue to be on some itineraries as it is currently is in 2017.

My wife and I like to snorkel and the snorkeling is really easy and enjoyable in Bonaire, so we like it. I would not book a cruise for just Bonaire, but I would for Moorea or Bora Bora.

[TLCOhio]

I'm in the pro-Bonaire column. Lived in the Caribbean for nine years and spent a couple of weeks by myself on Bonaire once for work. I found it to be more visitor-friendly, easy to navigate, clean and historically interesting than many islands. Good restaurants, moderate prices, welcoming English-speaking people, sound ecological policies to protect their waters, and many more positives. I can see where people who want shopping might like St. Thomas for a few hours, those who like lush scenery would enjoy St. Lucia's Pitons, and so on. The great thing about a Caribbean cruise is sampling islands with vastly different personalities so you can return to those you like best for a longer stay.

 

Appreciate this above post and other good comments/sharing on Bonaire, etc. Earlier this year, as detailed on my live/blog below with lots of pictures, we did nine different islands in the Caribbean area. Lots of variety for a wide range of interests and needs. It was our first time in this very nice part of the world.

 

We did all three of the ABC islands. Lots of pro/con viewpoints on seeing more locations just during a day visit . . . versus . . . having more time to do over-nighters in a smaller number of ports. One cruise and its stops cannot make all audiences total happy. It is good in the Caribbean to have such a wide variety of various cruise ports and potentials. Plus, the time and money to do such exploring!!

 

On Bonaire, we got to sample both the nature areas AND to capture a little "fun" as they were having their Carnival parade on that day there. Fun and good variety!! Bonaire did have nice local crafts that we sampled and bought there. See some photo "evidence" and proof below.

 

We visited mangrove forest of Lac Bay on Bonaire. It is one of the best preserved mangrove forests in the Caribbean with three different species of mangrove trees in crystal clear waters. Our boat with eight people allowed us to see why they call this area the nursery for so much sea life. In between the mangroves and the barrier reef we found large areas covered with sea grass that provides an important environment and helps in filtering the water in Lac Bay to keep it clear. About 60% of this island territory is a national park or protected area. The mangrove forest of Lac Bay are a part of the Bonaire National Marine Park.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 28,877 views for these postings.

 

 

Here are three visual samples from being in Bonaire National Marine Park. From water level and with our expert guide, it was very educational to learn more about these interactions with natural life. At the end, you can see a nest with two baby green heron chicks. Cute? In the middle of this series, you can see when we encountered a couple doing their own paddling around in this nature area with their guide.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some visuals from the Carnival parade on Sunday afternoon in Bonaire. It was suppose to start at 2 pm. BUT, as our destination speaker Cory Sandler noted, he had the "cover" by saying it would be a "Caribbean Time"!!! starting schedule. That actually meant a timing that started closer to around 3:30-4 pm. It was such total fun to be here to sample these festivities. We really got a feel for some of the "real people" who live here and how they like to enjoy, celebrate, etc.:

 

 

 

 

 

Here is my wife getting her picture captured with the "KING" of this segment of their Bonaire parade group. Are people having fun? The facial expressions summarize the enjoyment perfectly!:

 

[hcat]

Wow...great photos, thanks for posting!

Hope our Bonaire stop stays in the itin...over a yr away.

[POA1]

Thanks for the great photos TLCOhio! Bonaire is such a great stop. We tend to seek out sailings that stop there

[Fouremco]

Thanks for the great photos TLCOhio! Bonaire is such a great stop. We tend to seek out sailings that stop there

Absolutely! Our March 2016 SC cruise on the Eclipse misses it, but we'll back on the Koningsdam in November 2016.

[Aquahound]

TLCOhio - Thanks for posting those photos. Although I gotta say, those mangrove channels look exactly like the Keys. We have countless islands and channels just like that.

[MVPinBoynton]

I love Bonaire. I spent a week there on a dive trip 30 years ago. Just marvelous diving. I hope it hasn't changed too much; but most things have in that amount of time. After not being there in so long, we will be going there on a Oceania cruise in March and then we will be on the Celebrity Eclipse Jan 8, 2017 cruise that stops in Bonaire. Glad that Celebrity hasn't stopped going there on all of the Southern Caribbean cruises.

[pbrady]

We booked the Eclipse a specific week (later than we care to go) because of Bonaire. After we booked the cruise, reserved air, and bought travel insurance....we get an email from Celebrity that instead of Bonaire, we are spending the night in Curacao. We were/are mad. Again this is a bait & switch by Celebrity. Why couldn't they wait until the next release of itineraries to make the change. Then, the following day we are in Barbados until midnight!!

We have been to Curacao many times & do not look forward to being there 2 days. It isn't exactly a night-life port and the ship closes down when you are in port - no casino, no shops..... And, Barbados. . . . unless you like beaches which are pretty useless at midnight, why do we need 8:00am to 11:59pm in Barbados (the day after Curacao)???

Obviously this is to save a dollar - forget what the passengers think & why the booked that cruise.

[TLCOhio]

Wow...great photos, thanks for posting! Hope our Bonaire stop stays in the itin...over a yr away.

 

POA1: Thanks for the great photos TLCOhio! Bonaire is such a great stop. We tend to seek out sailings that stop there

 

Aquahound: TLCOhio - Thanks for posting those photos. Although I gotta say' date=' those mangrove channels look exactly like the Keys. We have countless islands and channels just like that. [/quote']

 

Appreciate these nice comments and kind follow-ups. YES!! to Aquahound on also being a lover of the Keys and how some of those mangrove channels can be found in Florida, too. BUT, these were in Bonaire, so that made it more special and memorable than just seeing these sights within the USA. For selfish bragging purposes, saying we did this Bonaire makes a better story to impress others.

 

On doing "over-nights", I can see and understand the various factors on both sides. For a world-class city such as Venice, then having an evening and early morning stay there makes huge sense. With many places in the Caribbean, the benefits are not quite as compelling. We'll see how it works for Celebrity. We are glad that we got to see all three of the ABC islands, be able to compare and contrast them, etc.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 204,337 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[baldercash]

 

FYI the current issue of Travel + Leisure magazine ranks Princess #2 and Celebrity #3 in the Mega Ship category, HAL has no mega ships. in the large ship category Princess is 6, HAL 7 and Celebrity 8. I love cruising on all three cruise lines.

 

In the end everyone has his/her own preferences.

I remain disappointed that the Eclipse which IMHO had the best 14 day southern Caribbean itinerary (8 ports in 14 days with no return to Miami)has dropped Bonaire. Anyone who has snorkeled with Woodwind knows what a treasure the marine park there is!!!

 

I do not want to start a discussion of which cruise line is best! Just keep an open mind!

 

Bring back Bonaire!

 

I was recently perusing the member reviews for the Royal Princess cruise ship as I thought it might be interesting to try but at a 65%" loved it" rating and reading the problems / dislikes mentioned even in the positive reviews we decided to pass. I will stick with their smaller ships the same applies with RCL and the Oasis with a much higher rating she was okay but not to our tastes.

 

But I agree each line has unique things to offer so point taken.

 

We had an amazing day of snorkeling in Bonaire last winter and we would do the same private excursion when we return again.

I have no idea what I would do on an over night in Curacao or even Aruba for that matter save watch shore lights from the ship?

[Aquahound]

Appreciate these nice comments and kind follow-ups. YES!! to Aquahound on also being a lover of the Keys and how some of those mangrove channels can be found in Florida, too. BUT, these were in Bonaire, so that made it more special and memorable than just seeing these sights within the USA. For selfish bragging purposes, saying we did this Bonaire makes a better story to impress others.

 

I absolutely agree. I'll be back in Bonaire next month and I cannot wait. I've got a car rented for the day so I can go find all those little neat hiding spots I found a few months ago. :)

[luv4cruises]

[quote name='pbrady']We booked the Eclipse a specific week (later than we care to go) because of Bonaire. After we booked the cruise, reserved air, and bought travel insurance....we get an email from Celebrity that instead of Bonaire, we are spending the night in Curacao. We were/are mad. Again this is a bait & switch by Celebrity. Why couldn't they wait until the next release of itineraries to make the change. Then, the following day we are in Barbados until midnight!!
We have been to Curacao many times & do not look forward to being there 2 days. It isn't exactly a night-life port and the ship closes down when you are in port - no casino, no shops..... And, Barbados. . . . unless you like beaches which are pretty useless at midnight, why do we need 8:00am to 11:59pm in Barbados (the day after Curacao)???
Obviously this is to save a dollar - forget what the passengers think & why the booked that cruise.[/QUOTE]

I, too, felt tricked by Celebrity. Bait and switch always leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. Since 2013 we have chosen the Eclipse based on the stop in Bonaire. We are booked through 2017! Now both cruises have dropped Bonaire.
I can't change 4/16 as my air fare is non-refundable, but am more than tempted to switch my 3/17 cruise to the Konigsdam which has a great 10 day itinerary.
I must say none of the 6 cruise lines I have traveled on have switched itineraries other than for weather or mechanical problems.

RCI seems to have a management problem. They attempted to implement Dynamic Dining on their Royal ships without a trial run. It flopped!
Now they are arbitrarily changing itineraries with no regard to their guests.

Also- now they will charge for room service between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM!

Who knows what other surprises they have in store?