Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

ABC Islands Worth the travel?

DisneyDatknee

By DisneyDatknee,
in Ask a Cruise Question

 Share

Recommended Posts

DisneyDatknee

DisneyDatknee

Posted
Posted

Not a first timer, but definitely a first timer to the ABC islands. ☼

 

We have the Oasis booked, but my mother deep down inside really wants to go to the ABC islands instead , but she says that the sea days are too much for her. She thinks she will be bored and she wants to just stop and stop. We are looking at either at the Carnival Sunshine (A,B, and Grand Turk -- NO C) or the Crown Princess (Actual ABCs). Obviously Princess will be more (some exceptions), but she would prefer it. Anyways, is there anything I could say to persuade her into doing a long 8 day to the ABCs with 3 stops? I keep telling her "more days to relax", but she isn't buying it :confused::confused:.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
VennDiagram

VennDiagram

Posted
Posted

We loved the ABCs. LOVED them. I hope you figure out some way to convince your mom, because they are spectacular!

 

There was shopping in each port, close to the dock, if I remember correctly. Does that help any?

 

Instead of "more days to relax", what about "more days to enjoy each other's company"??

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Extra Kim

Extra Kim

Posted
Posted

You could do a true ABC cruise from Miami on Navigator of the seas with Royal Caribbean and get Labadee, Haiti on the way down.

 

1 Miami, Florida 17:00

2 At sea

3 Labadee, Haiti 07:00-16:00

4 At sea

5 Willemstad, Curaçao 09:00-19:00

6 Oranjestad, Aruba 07:00-17:00

7 Kralendijk, Bonaire 07:00-17:00

8 At sea

9 At sea

10 Miami, Florida 07:00

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hlitner "Live from...." Rare

Hlitner

Posted
Posted

If you are trying to stick to a 7 day cruise, consider one that embarks/debarks in San Juan. Yes, the airfare is a bit higher and the flight a little longer, but you can get a 7 day cruise to the southern Caribbean (including ABC islands) with only 1 sea day.

 

Hank

P.S. We luv Sea Days and have taken cruises with for then 20 sea days on a single cruise. Total heaven.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Arzeena

Arzeena

Posted
Posted
Not a first timer, but definitely a first timer to the ABC islands. ☼

 

We have the Oasis booked, but my mother deep down inside really wants to go to the ABC islands instead , but she says that the sea days are too much for her. She thinks she will be bored and she wants to just stop and stop. We are looking at either at the Carnival Sunshine (A,B, and Grand Turk -- NO C) or the Crown Princess (Actual ABCs). Obviously Princess will be more (some exceptions), but she would prefer it. Anyways, is there anything I could say to persuade her into doing a long 8 day to the ABCs with 3 stops? I keep telling her "more days to relax", but she isn't buying it :confused::confused:.

 

Yes, the ABC islands cruise ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT!

If she is not buying it........her loss!

{Show this to her!}

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DisneyDatknee

DisneyDatknee

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
You could do a true ABC cruise from Miami on Navigator of the seas with Royal Caribbean and get Labadee, Haiti on the way down.

 

1 Miami, Florida 17:00

2 At sea

3 Labadee, Haiti 07:00-16:00

4 At sea

5 Willemstad, Curaçao 09:00-19:00

6 Oranjestad, Aruba 07:00-17:00

7 Kralendijk, Bonaire 07:00-17:00

8 At sea

9 At sea

10 Miami, Florida 07:00

 

Navigator isn't doing that sailing the week we are planning :( I actually did look at that one for the date we are going on Holland, but we just couldn't make room for the Friday departure! :/

Edited by DisneyDatknee
Link to comment
Share on other sites
DisneyDatknee

DisneyDatknee

Posted
  • Author
Posted
If you are trying to stick to a 7 day cruise, consider one that embarks/debarks in San Juan. Yes, the airfare is a bit higher and the flight a little longer, but you can get a 7 day cruise to the southern Caribbean (including ABC islands) with only 1 sea day.

 

Hank

P.S. We luv Sea Days and have taken cruises with for then 20 sea days on a single cruise. Total heaven.

 

I am looking at the Adventure OTS & the Jewel OTS... Hopefully I can find a good deal to make the airfare justified.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DisneyDatknee

DisneyDatknee

Posted
  • Author
Posted
There are some people who do not like sea days and seem to want to cruise only for the shopping - hard to understand why they don't just go to Freeport, Maine or Mall of America for a few days.

 

It's crazy the amount of stores in ports. We don't cruise for shopping!! I was so surprised to see all the touristy brands in the caribbean all the way in Alaska. :(:(

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DisneyDatknee

DisneyDatknee

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Most older, retired folks don't really need "to relax"...they can (and usually do) relax any time they want! I know I do, and I'm not even retired!

 

That said, if she wants to go, she'll go. If she doesn't...she won't!

 

My mother still works full-time and she's 76. :eek: Crazy, I know, but she still doesn't want to quit. She loves working, but she's planning to retire soon so maybe this will turn into a retirement celebration cruise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bizmark'sMom

Bizmark'sMom

Posted
Posted

I have not been to Aruba. Bonaire and Curacao I would return to in a heart beat.

Bonaire is all about diving and snorkeling. And you will not find better snorkeling in the Caribbean!

Curacao has good shopping, a neat aquarium, and some really nice swimming beaches.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Langley Cruisers

Langley Cruisers

Posted
Posted
Bonaire is known for the diving opportunities, not shopping. Aruba and Curaçao has shopping but mostly jewelry and booze The beaches in Aruba are simply spectacular.

 

Absolutely agree with this comment.

 

The ABC islands are phenomenal. We have been to them several times. The first time in Bonaire, we chose to just walk the port area and that was a mistake. We were bored. The second time, we booked a kayak and snorkel excursion and it was fabulous! So, I recommend doing "something" in Bonaire. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
zqvol

zqvol

Posted
Posted
There are some people who do not like sea days and seem to want to cruise only for the shopping - hard to understand why they don't just go to Freeport, Maine or Mall of America for a few days.

 

 

There are others who do not like either sea days or shopping, and want to spend their time at a beach or in the ocean.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SuiteTraveler

SuiteTraveler

Posted
Posted

This is the one to do:

Ships: Royal Princess

Ports: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | Aruba | Curacao | Grenada | Dominica | St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands | Princess Cays, Bahamas

 

10 days, 7 islands. Your mom won't be bored and you get Aruba and Curacao and also Grenada - which is AWESOME!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
toberman

toberman

Posted
Posted
This is the one to do:

Ships: Royal Princess

Ports: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | Aruba | Curacao | Grenada | Dominica | St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands | Princess Cays, Bahamas

 

10 days, 7 islands. Your mom won't be bored and you get Aruba and Curacao and also Grenada - which is AWESOME!

 

That's exactly the one I was thinking of.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...