Favorite port

[Pudgesmom]

Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

[wolfegizmo]

Overall, Mykonos and Santorini are my favorite. In the Caribbean, it's St Lucia.

 

 

 

Nice to hear about Milford Sound. We'll finally cruise in NZ and AU in March.

 

 

 

FYI - the overnight shore excursion to Queenstown, which started in Milford Sound, was fabulous!!!

 

 

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[jocap]

Not really a fan of the Caribbean, but I find Martinique fascinating.

I'd return any time to the Norwegian fjords; Cadiz; Malta; Venice;Greek Islands

[Bizmark'sMom]

In the Caribbean, Bonaire is my favorite. The snorkeling is simply amazing.

 

My overall favorite port is Illulisat. The Greenlandic scenery is jaw dropping, and it's a great little town.

[GUT2407]

Sydney.

 

The opera house, the bridge the glorious harbour.

 

Followed closely by Port Arthur in Tasmania, the savage landscape, the wilderness

[Flatbush Flyer]

What is your favorite port and why? I’m looking at Caribbean ports but interested in all the favorites so I can make a list of places to visit. [emoji6]

 

 

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Sorry but, the Caribbean is pretty much the Walmart of cruise destinations. Consider the Pacific.

 

 

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[biker@sea]

:)

What is your favorite port and why? I’m looking at Caribbean ports but interested in all the favorites so I can make a list of places to visit. [emoji6]

 

 

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:) My Home port Boston Mass. :D

 

We are alway's happy to go Cruisin from our home port.

 

And It's alway's nice to be back home. :cool:

[Psycho and Barb]

What is your favorite port and why? I’m looking at Caribbean ports but interested in all the favorites so I can make a list of places to visit. [emoji6]

 

 

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Ours is the ABC Islands...Going back in March and we can’t wait[emoji106]

 

 

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[Tapi]

Sorry but, the Caribbean is pretty much the Walmart of cruise destinations

 

 

 

That comment shows how stereotyped the whole Caribbean region is. There's much more to the Caribbean than Cozumel, Nassau and St. Thomas.

 

Yes, there are several overcrowded, overly commercialized, and overly Americanized ports of call which have become extensions of the cruise lines that visit them. But at the same time there are hundreds of other islands in the Caribbean which are off the beaten path, unspoiled, and very unique.

 

The cultural blend is vast and rich, including Spanish, British, French and Dutch influences. It's fascinating to see how these have meshed with the original indigenous culture, and created new cultures that are reflected in each island's music, cuisine and even language, like Papiamento.

 

In addition to each island's unique culture, it's also fascinating to see the contrasting topography of the region. Some are flat and arid like Aruba with white sand and crystal clear beaches, while others are volcanic and mountainous like Dominica with its breathtaking rainforests. No two islands are alike.

 

From diverse and bustling Puerto Rico with its high rise resorts and casinos, colonial city, rainforest, caverns, and beaches, to tiny, cosmopolitan and chic St. Barth's, there's a Caribbean island bound to have exactly what each visitor is looking for. All it takes is a little bit of research and education.

 

Granted, there are many island who have suffered great damage due to the hurricanes that hit during the last months, like Puerto Rico, St Maarten, Barbuda, St Barth's, and Tortola but rest assured that all of these islands will make a come back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

That comment shows how stereotyped the whole Caribbean region is. There's much more to the Caribbean than Cozumel, Nassau and St. Thomas.

 

Yes, there are several overcrowded, overly commercialized, and overly Americanized ports of call which have become extensions of the cruise lines that visit them. But at the same time there are hundreds of other islands in the Caribbean which are off the beaten path, unspoiled, and very unique.

 

The cultural blend is vast and rich, including Spanish, British, French and Dutch influences. It's fascinating to see how these have meshed with the original indigenous culture, and created new cultures that are reflected in each island's music, cuisine and even language, like Papiamento.

 

In addition to each island's unique culture, it's also fascinating to see the contrasting topography of the region. Some are flat and arid like Aruba with white sand and crystal clear beaches, while others are volcanic and mountainous like Dominica with its breathtaking rainforests. No two islands are alike.

 

From diverse and bustling Puerto Rico with its high rise resorts and casinos, colonial city, rainforest, caverns, and beaches, to tiny, cosmopolitan and chic St. Barth's, there's a Caribbean island bound to have exactly what each visitor is looking for. All it takes is a little bit of research and education.

 

Granted, there are many island who have suffered great damage due to the hurricanes that hit during the last months, like Puerto Rico, St Maarten, Barbuda, St Barth's, and Tortola but rest assured that all of these islands will make a come back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thank you for saying what I was going to write. I always find something great in any port I go to on a cruise, and while the Caribbean isn't as exciting as some areas of the world, there IS a lot to see and do besides lying on a beach or drinking at a beach bar. I love the surprises - Barbados had great beauty, Grenada with its spices was pretty interesting, and San Juan was beautiful. Curacao was colorful; loved seeing small planes go over my head in St. Barts, and Costa Maya was a lot more enjoyable than I expected. Unlike others, Cozumel didn't do much for me, but everyone's different. Next trip, I'd like to go to Martinique, Guadalupe and Saint Vincent.

 

Of the places I've visited by cruise, my two favorites were Santorini (just plain beautiful) and Easter Island (not easy to get to, but a very special place).

[DCLCrazy]

That comment shows how stereotyped the whole Caribbean region is. There's much more to the Caribbean than Cozumel, Nassau and St. Thomas.

 

Yes, there are several overcrowded, overly commercialized, and overly Americanized ports of call which have become extensions of the cruise lines that visit them. But at the same time there are hundreds of other islands in the Caribbean which are off the beaten path, unspoiled, and very unique.

 

The cultural blend is vast and rich, including Spanish, British, French and Dutch influences. It's fascinating to see how these have meshed with the original indigenous culture, and created new cultures that are reflected in each island's music, cuisine and even language, like Papiamento.

 

In addition to each island's unique culture, it's also fascinating to see the contrasting topography of the region. Some are flat and arid like Aruba with white sand and crystal clear beaches, while others are volcanic and mountainous like Dominica with its breathtaking rainforests. No two islands are alike.

 

From diverse and bustling Puerto Rico with its high rise resorts and casinos, colonial city, rainforest, caverns, and beaches, to tiny, cosmopolitan and chic St. Barth's, there's a Caribbean island bound to have exactly what each visitor is looking for. All it takes is a little bit of research and education.

 

Granted, there are many island who have suffered great damage due to the hurricanes that hit during the last months, like Puerto Rico, St Maarten, Barbuda, St Barth's, and Tortola but rest assured that all of these islands will make a come back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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You should write brochures for travel agencies. :)

 

 

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[Flatbush Flyer]

That comment shows how stereotyped the whole Caribbean region is. There's much more to the Caribbean than Cozumel, Nassau and St. Thomas.

 

Yes, there are several overcrowded, overly commercialized, and overly Americanized ports of call which have become extensions of the cruise lines that visit them. But at the same time there are hundreds of other islands in the Caribbean which are off the beaten path, unspoiled, and very unique.

 

The cultural blend is vast and rich, including Spanish, British, French and Dutch influences. It's fascinating to see how these have meshed with the original indigenous culture, and created new cultures that are reflected in each island's music, cuisine and even language, like Papiamento.

 

In addition to each island's unique culture, it's also fascinating to see the contrasting topography of the region. Some are flat and arid like Aruba with white sand and crystal clear beaches, while others are volcanic and mountainous like Dominica with its breathtaking rainforests. No two islands are alike.

 

From diverse and bustling Puerto Rico with its high rise resorts and casinos, colonial city, rainforest, caverns, and beaches, to tiny, cosmopolitan and chic St. Barth's, there's a Caribbean island bound to have exactly what each visitor is looking for. All it takes is a little bit of research and education.

 

Granted, there are many island who have suffered great damage due to the hurricanes that hit during the last months, like Puerto Rico, St Maarten, Barbuda, St Barth's, and Tortola but rest assured that all of these islands will make a come back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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To each his/her own. Been all over the Caribbean - both cruises and yacht charter. I stand by my original comment. There are far more beautiful and culturally interesting islands elsewhere (as someone mentioned above regarding Santorini

and Easter Island

)

Perhaps a better way to make my point is to remind folks that so many folks just keep going to the Caribbean because they sail from "drive to" Southeastern US ports and the cruises are relatively inexpensive.

 

 

 

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[Tapi]

There are far more beautiful and culturally interesting islands elsewhere...

 

Perhaps a better way to make my point is to remind folks that so many folks just keep going to the Caribbean because they sail from "drive to" Southeastern US ports and the cruises are relatively inexpensive.

 

 

 

Yes. You're absolutely correct. As a major airline pilot who has traveled the world, and who makes a point of visiting a new destination every time I have a chance, I know. But to call a region like the Caribbean "the Wal Mart of destinations" is, with all due respect, misguided and somewhat ignorant. But I do understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion and I also understand that, sometimes having the privilege of being able to travel to far away places makes some people less appreciative of what they have closer to home.

 

I do agree that some people limit themselves to places like Cozumel and Nassau over and over for the sake of sailing on a familiar ship out of a close by port of embarkation. Others, plain and simple, are not interested in exploring beyond what they already know. I have Disney-loving friends who only vacation there and who've told me that they have no interest in learning about other countries beyond what they can see at EPCOT Center, no matter how many times I've tried to convince them otherwise.

 

If vacation time and budget considerations allow it, I do encourage everyone to explore beyond Cozumel, Nassau, etc, because they are NOT representative of what the Caribbean is truly about.

 

Enjoy your travels!

 

 

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Edited October 29, 2017 by Tapi

[Tapi]

You should write brochures for travel agencies. :)

 

 

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Haha, thank you!

 

 

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[Keith1010]

In the Caribbean I like Grand Turk. I think it offers things to do near the ship and is an easy Island to get around.

 

Keith

[Bonnie J.]

We have been cruising for 32 years, over 100 cruises.With out a doubt our favorite port is

San Blas which are islands off Panama where the Kuna Indians live. There is no pier, you tender to the island. The men come out in their hand dug canoes and dive for the quarters we throw off the ship. A wife had an open umbrella in a canoe so you could try to throw your quarter in it. The ship gave someone a mattress and another the box spring. I have a picture of the mattress almost falling off the canoe. They also were thrown mugs and whatever they nodded they wanted.

Snorkeling the dive master told us to bring apples. Apples are a delicacy in the Caribbean- they are grown in the cold states, not warm/hot Caribbean. Kids came out in smaller canoes and dove for the apples we threw for them on our way to snorkel!

There is no electricity here except by generator and no plumbing, no phones.You won't believe the tiny, tiny stitches the woman use to embroider shirts, mulas, etc., that they sell. If you want to take a native's picture, a hand comes out for a quarter.

We were there years ago but I don't think many ships go there now except maybe the pricey ones. We'd go back in a minute if ships went there now!

[time4u2go]

We have been cruising for 32 years, over 100 cruises.With out a doubt our favorite port is

San Blas which are islands off Panama where the Kuna Indians live. There is no pier, you tender to the island. The men come out in their hand dug canoes and dive for the quarters we throw off the ship. A wife had an open umbrella in a canoe so you could try to throw your quarter in it. The ship gave someone a mattress and another the box spring. I have a picture of the mattress almost falling off the canoe. They also were thrown mugs and whatever they nodded they wanted.

Snorkeling the dive master told us to bring apples. Apples are a delicacy in the Caribbean- they are grown in the cold states, not warm/hot Caribbean. Kids came out in smaller canoes and dove for the apples we threw for them on our way to snorkel!

There is no electricity here except by generator and no plumbing, no phones.You won't believe the tiny, tiny stitches the woman use to embroider shirts, mulas, etc., that they sell. If you want to take a native's picture, a hand comes out for a quarter.

We were there years ago but I don't think many ships go there now except maybe the pricey ones. We'd go back in a minute if ships went there now!

Maybe it's just me, but that sounds so degrading.

[DCLCrazy]

Maybe it's just me, but that sounds so degrading.

 

 

 

And just a little creepy!

 

 

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[Bonnie J.]

Why is it degrading? Why is it creepy? These are happy people who are living the way they want to. If they weren't happy they'd leave the islands and go to Panama and get jobs, they don't have to stay there if they don't want to!

[Flatbush Flyer]

Why is it degrading? Why is it creepy? These are happy people who are living the way they want to. If they weren't happy they'd leave the islands and go to Panama and get jobs, they don't have to stay there if they don't want to!

 

 

 

Gee, get a clue. The islanders' happiness has nothing to do with your wanting them to entertain you by dangling/throwing/etc money/apples in the water for them to retrieve like puppy dogs.

If you are truly concerned for their best interests (in return for your enjoyment of their home), do some research and figure out what (if any) assistance they may need and what appropriate NGO may put your donated dollars to good use.

 

 

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[champagne123]

delete

Edited October 29, 2017 by champagne123
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[CanobieFan]

I'll go with Havana followed by Saint Martin.... But that could change come February!

Also, I really dislike Nassau and Cozumel?

[time4u2go]

Why is it degrading? Why is it creepy? These are happy people who are living the way they want to. If they weren't happy they'd leave the islands and go to Panama and get jobs, they don't have to stay there if they don't want to!

Happy people living the way they want to? I can't imagine too many people "wanting" to accept other people's charity by having to dive into the water to get it. This is akin to tossing a treat to a dog to get it to do tricks.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Over the years we have visited many different ports (also did many land tours with wonderful cities).

Each is unique in its own way, thus I would never pick just one port (or city) as favorite.

[Desert Cruizers]

Flatbush flyer, I will agree, my husband and I although we were not able to cruise often, much preferred to visit new places and cultures then to repeat ports. We were past spending times on the beaches etc and enjoyed visiting Australia, Quebec and Canadian Provinces, South Pacific and Finally Copenhagen and surrounding Ports among a few. I would love to visit Italy Mediterranean and Holland.