Timmay77 Posted May 24, 2017 #1 Share Posted May 24, 2017 I am down to 1 of 2 cruises. Looking for some insight if possible please. This is our first RCL cruise. We have sailed on 2 Carnival cruises previously. We enjoy self booked thrill excursions (jet skis, dune buggies, ATV's) as well as relaxing beach days. Snorkeling really isn't one of our favorite things to do, we would rather just swim or do something else. We LOVE hiking, if there is an option..... Option 1: Freedom of the Seas June 2, 2018 Port: San Juan Sat Jun 2, San Juan, Puerto Rico Sun Jun 3, Philipsburg (St. Maarten), Netherlands Antilles Mon Jun 4, Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis Tue Jun 5, St John's, Antigua and Barbuda Wed Jun 6, Castries, St. Lucia Thu Jun 7, Bridgetown, Barbados Fri Jun 8, At Sea Sat Jun 9, San Juan, Puerto Rico Option 2: Freedom of the Seas June 9, 2018 Port: San Juan Sat Jun 9, San Juan, Puerto Rico Sun Jun 10, Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas) US Virgin Islands Mon Jun 11, At Sea Tue Jun 12, Willemstad (Curacao), Netherlands Antilles Wed Jun 13, Oranjestad, Aruba Thu Jun 14, At Sea Fri Jun 15, Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis Sat Jun 16, San Juan, Puerto Rico Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted May 24, 2017 #2 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Our choice would be option 2, for the extra sea day and Aruba/Curacao. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllaDuChien Posted May 24, 2017 #3 Share Posted May 24, 2017 I am actually sailing Option 1 (June 23). I originally wanted Option 2 for Aruba, Curacao and (when first published) Bonnaire. But then they switched out Bonnaire for St. Thomas and I really don't like St. Thomas so I ended up back on Option 1. Either option is a really good choice, and the Freedom is a great ship so you really can't go wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchin Posted May 24, 2017 #4 Share Posted May 24, 2017 I booked the second option for April 2019. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare printingchick Posted May 24, 2017 #5 Share Posted May 24, 2017 You can't go wrong with either of those. I'm booked on the Adventure doing essentially your Option #2 itinerary for February. Typically we opt for the more port-intensive itineraries (more like your Option #1) because we prefer more ports to more sea days. However, our last two cruises were on the Jewel out of San Juan, so we've pretty much done all those islands recently. The Option #2 itinerary offers some places we've either not visited or have not been to in a very long time. You would be happy with either. My advice is to pace yourselves if you choose Option #1, as you have no sea days until the end. I personally LIKE that sort of itinerary, but the first time I did it I tried to do too much every day and it was exhausting! I was falling asleep at dinner every night! I've learned to alternate my excursions to allow some RESTFUL choices as opposed to all high-energy choices. The beauty of Option #2 is the placement of the sea days. Putting them in the middle to regroup is really nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachammo Posted May 24, 2017 #6 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Since you are already down there do both....[emoji41] Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OfTheSeasCruiser Posted May 24, 2017 #7 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Both are great, but I'd go with option 2 for Aruba and Curacao, unless option 1 was cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poncho1973 Posted May 24, 2017 #8 Share Posted May 24, 2017 So... you have #1 St. Lucia, Barbados, and Antigua or #2 A + C - B. Hmmm. If you are a scuba diver, the alphabet A + C - B is probably your default choice. Although, I think Bonaire is the king for scuba in those 3 and you'll miss that one. St. Thomas and St. Maarten are essentially a wash, unless you haven't been to one of them. They are very different in culture, but fundamentally, they are very similar in what you can do there. This isn't helpful, but it's probably just a personal gut feeling type of decision. They aren't remarkably different choices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lionesss Posted May 24, 2017 #9 Share Posted May 24, 2017 I too would opt for the second one for the extra sea day to explore what the Freedom has to offer. Enjoy her. She was one of our favorite ships. Safe travels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseBell Posted May 24, 2017 #10 Share Posted May 24, 2017 We are booked on the 2nd option. We have already been to the islands of option 1 and really looking forward to Aruba and Curacao!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmay77 Posted May 24, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted May 24, 2017 The wife and I spent a week in St. Thomas a few years ago and loved it. Our daughter (14) is traveling with us on this cruise. We originally wanted to take her back to St. Thomas and visit The Baths, but forgot how far they were away from St. Thomas. Since that excursion is not possible, we can get nice beaches and shopping anywhere, as poncho alluded to. We don't scuba or care for snorkeling. So that is not a concern. I completely agree with pacing yourself when it comes to excursions, which is what I will do for sure. "Beach days" are a must, along with thrilling excursions in between...... Option 1 is about $150 cheaper than Option 2. So basically a wash. Thank you for the replies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SG65CB Posted May 25, 2017 #12 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Since you are into hiking, in my opinion the best hiking is on St. Kitts and St. Lucia, where you can hike up volcanic trails through lush greenery and rain forests. Aruba and Curacao are arid and pretty flat. Option 1 gives you the best hiking (but not St. Thomas). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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