Southern Caribbean itinerary quandry

[Hidden Minnie]

Disney announced its Summer 2017 sailings today, and we will be able to book on Thursday. Yes, we know they will be beyond pricey, but we are interested enough in a Southern route out of the US to consider booking one.

 

Which do you think is the better itinerary?

 

Port Canveral - June 28

sea

sea

Aruba

Curacao

sea

St. Kitts

Tortola

sea

Castaway Cay

PC

 

 

Port Canaveral - June 17

sea

sea

Aruba

sea

Barbados

Martinique

St. Kitts

Tortola

sea

Castaway Cay

PC

 

Of course, if they are outrageously expensive, we'll consider similar routes out of San Juan on RCCL.

 

Thanks!

[paul929207]

I would vote for the second one

[Hidden Minnie]

Thanks! Just due to length /more ports, or are the ports better?

[Clarea]

I'd go for the second one too, longer and I like Barbados.

[cruisemainiac]

Second one. Barbados, great history, great people. Martinique, French, pastries, rain forest.

Bon Jour

[jmf123]

I would go with the second one, a longer itinerary and I love Aruba, Barbados, and Tortola (in the beautiful BVIs!). I recommend taking an excursion to The Baths on Virgin Gorda (google it ;)). We did a catamaran sailing/snorkeling excursion from Tortola that took us there. Huge granite boulders, pools, and grottos...spectacular day!

[Essiesmom]

I would choose the first one for Curacao - love that place. But usually the longer cruise trumps...EM

[Bonnie J.]

Did you know there are other lines than Disney that go from Florida to the Southern Caribbean? You don't have to go to San Juan for a cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Other lines are not as pricy as Disney. Disney has no casinos so charges more.

I know Princess, RCCL, Carnival and some other lines go there too.

 

If you go to Tortola make sure you go over to the BATHS- Google this!

[Keith1010]

I like the second itinerary as well.

 

Keith

[Hidden Minnie]

Yes, we know that other lines go there - we enjoy the Disney experience, but if it's up to me we certainly would try another line.

 

Believe me, it took some convincing by me to get my husband to try Royal - we are just over a month from our Cruise on Allure and he still isn't used to the idea of changing to another cruise line. He loves new experiences but in familiar surroundings. :rolleyes: I am hoping he loves the Allure as much as he loved DCL, so that a new world of sailing opens to us.

 

Casinos hold no appeal for us, so that isn't a factor.

 

We are DCL fans, but aren't crazy or wealthy - we just want to get a price on the best itinerary.

[JimAOk1945]

I would choose the second one as well because it is longer. We have cruised the Southern Caribbean twice on RCCL but they were round trip cruises from San Juan. If you have some free time, you might enjoy viewing my wife's slideshows made from pictures she took on our cruises at the links below. Happy cruising!

Edited April 14, 2016 by JimAOk1945

[Shmoo here]

I would choose the second one as well because it is longer. We have cruised the Southern Caribbean twice on RCCL but they were round trip cruises from San Juan. If you have some free time, you might enjoy viewing my wife's slideshows made from pictures she took on our cruises at the links below. Happy cruising!

 

Me, too.

 

The 3 repeated ports on the two itineraries we've been to already, but the second cruise has 3 ports we've not been to yet. While the first cruise only has 2 ports we've not been to.

[Hidden Minnie]

Thanks, everyone! These are both amazing itineraries. Sadly, the prices DCL is showing this morning are beyond ridiculous - just over $11,000 for the lowest priced balcony staterooms (slightly obstructed) for 2 adults and one teenager. Even for true DCL fans like us, that is crazy. I know it seems insane to the average CC-er, but people over on the Disney boards are falling all over themselves booking. I do, however, see a bit of a chink in Disney's armor, as the disgruntlement over prices does seem to be growing.

 

We are definitely looking into the Adventure out of San Juan - any other recommendations for Southern sailings on any line either in June or late October are appreciated. (Daughter is a junior in HS and can't miss school).

 

Thanks again!

[jennmaybe]

Thanks, everyone! These are both amazing itineraries. Sadly, the prices DCL is showing this morning are beyond ridiculous - just over $11,000 for the lowest priced balcony staterooms (slightly obstructed) for 2 adults and one teenager. Even for true DCL fans like us, that is crazy. I know it seems insane to the average CC-er, but people over on the Disney boards are falling all over themselves booking. I do, however, see a bit of a chink in Disney's armor, as the disgruntlement over prices does seem to be growing.

 

We are definitely looking into the Adventure out of San Juan - any other recommendations for Southern sailings on any line either in June or late October are appreciated. (Daughter is a junior in HS and can't miss school).

 

Thanks again!

 

We've been in the same dilemma for the last 4 years. Our daughter also cannot miss school, but she's graduating this year, so no more dilemmas for us. :(

 

I would recommend Adventure out of SJ in October. Prices are lower overall and not quite as hot. Awesome ports!! We've always cruised in the fall and love going that time of year. We, have, however, booked our 2017 cruise, but for May. Our baby will be in college and we will be cruising in May for the next several years as soon as she gets home from college. Still good pricing since it will be before Memorial Day.

[Sissaaaaaa]

Second!

[Teeara]

Adventure out of San Juan is a fantastic choice. We loved her. Just note that she does not dock in Old San Juan, but across the water at the Pan American Pier. Perhaps with the money you saved you could go a few extra days and spend it exploring OSJ. We went 4 days pre- and 3 days post-cruise and still didn't see or do everything in OSJ!

[BDRebel]

Princess out of FLL has some 10 day S Caribbean, not sure about the dates, but balconies start at about 1700 (I think), so for the three of you it should be under 5K.

[OCruisers]

The SECOND one would be our choice as well! :)

[Swampbabe]

Princess out of FLL has some 10 day S Caribbean, not sure about the dates, but balconies start at about 1700 (I think), so for the three of you it should be under 5K.

 

There are no summer dates for Princess or Celebrity for Caribbean itineraries. Only choices out of Florida in the summer are Carnival and RCL.

 

As a teacher, I'm also stuck with these for summer cruising. For this reason my cruising is done during Spring Break on Celebrity.