ABC islands vs St. Croix/St. Thomas/perfect day itinerary?

[Midwifelife7]

Which would you pick and why? 

Cruising with spouse and kids 19,14,13,12,11 and 2 

[Tree_skier]

7 minutes ago, Midwifelife7 said:

Which would you pick and why? 

Cruising with spouse and kids 19,14,13,12,11 and 2 

Which ship?

[poocher]

14, 13, 12, 11!  In my family we called that Polish Twins and I have lots of twin cousins!  (yes I am Polish)

[boscobeans]

ABC's are deep Southern Caribbean islands and have the most astonishing beaches. 

There are usually a lot more ships in the typical Eastern Caribbean itineraries, less in the ABC's.

[Sunshine3601]

I personally love the ABC's.    What does your family like to do?    What time of year are you looking to book?    If going in the winter months, it would be better to go to the ABC's for warmer weather and warmer water temps.    Many beautiful beaches at the ABC's and lots of good snorkeling at Bonaire and Curacao. 

Perfect Day at CocoCay could be very expensive if your children want to do the water park, which they most likely will want to as soon as they see it.    

 

[joeyancho]

ABC...hands down 

[Morecruisesplz]

1 hour ago, Midwifelife7 said:

Which would you pick and why? 

Cruising with spouse and kids 19,14,13,12,11 and 2 

Both have their pros and cons. Do both sailings eventually, but start with ABC if you are beach lovers and or snorkeling. 

[smokeybandit]

It's close to a tie, with ABC slightly favored.  So what's your next deciding factor, ship or cost?

[Midwifelife7]

1 hour ago, Tree_skier said:

Which ship?

adventure of the seas for virgin islands itinerary and carnival celebration for abc islands 

[Midwifelife7]

33 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I personally love the ABC's.    What does your family like to do?    What time of year are you looking to book?    If going in the winter months, it would be better to go to the ABC's for warmer weather and warmer water temps.    Many beautiful beaches at the ABC's and lots of good snorkeling at Bonaire and Curacao. 

Perfect Day at CocoCay could be very expensive if your children want to do the water park, which they most likely will want to as soon as they see it.    

 

we love to snorkel and we are going in July! 

 

[Midwifelife7]

9 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

It's close to a tie, with ABC slightly favored.  So what's your next deciding factor, ship or cost?

ABC island itinerary is carnival celebration

Virgin islands/perfect day itinerary is RC adventure of the seas 

[smokeybandit]

4 minutes ago, Midwifelife7 said:

ABC island itinerary is carnival celebration

Virgin islands/perfect day itinerary is RC adventure of the seas 

 

Well that changes things if they're different lines.  I mean it's Carnival, but it's a nice new ship.

[Midwifelife7]

2 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

 

Well that changes things if they're different lines.  I mean it's Carnival, but it's a nice new ship.

I'm completely ignorant about the two different cruise lines.  So, I would appreciate any insight! 

[poocher]

21 minutes ago, Midwifelife7 said:

we love to snorkel and we are going in July! 

 

Be aware, snorkeling is VERY weather dependent.  We have had every snorkeling excursion we’ve ever booked (3 so far) cancelled due to weather.  Beginning to think God is trying to tell me something.  Without that, there is NOTHING to do on Bonaire.

[Morecruisesplz]

35 minutes ago, Midwifelife7 said:

I'm completely ignorant about the two different cruise lines.  So, I would appreciate any insight! 

With your kiddos, pick Royal. They also have ABC cruises. We just got back from one on the Explorer. 

[Midwifelife7]

Actually, I was completely wrong about the itinerary.  

Option 1:  RC-Adventure of the seas

St. Croix,

Tortola, VBI

Perfect day

 

Option 2:  Carnival Celebration

Aruba

Bonaire

Curacao

[cruiseguy1016]

It's not even a contest. The ABCs are some of the prettiest islands in the Caribbean. Bonaire is one of the most popular dive/snorkel locations in the world. All of the diving/snorkeling is accessible from shore. Aruba has gorgeous beaches and decent diving. I have never dived or snorkeled in Curacao so I can't speak for there.

 

Diving in St. Croix and Tortola are okay but not nearly as good as in Bonaire. Coco Cay offers snorkeling but it's terrible.

 

Even if you didn't want to snorkel, I would still choose the ABCs. They're just a better place to visit IMHO.

Edited December 19, 2022 by cruiseguy1016

[Sunshine3601]

12 minutes ago, Midwifelife7 said:

Actually, I was completely wrong about the itinerary.  

Option 1:  RC-Adventure of the seas

St. Croix,

Tortola, VBI

Perfect day

 

Option 2:  Carnival Celebration

Aruba

Bonaire

Curacao

what time of the year are you looking to cruise?

[Tree_skier]

11 minutes ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

It's not even a contest. The ABCs are some of the prettiest islands in the Caribbean.

I'm not so sure that that is true.  With that many in kids in the age range they are, pretty islands aren't always the first criteria.  I don't know much about Carnivals celebration but ship board entertainment for the kiddo's would be high on my list of things I care about.

[Morecruisesplz]

16 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

what time of the year are you looking to cruise?

OP said July.

[Midwifelife7]

16 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

what time of the year are you looking to cruise?

July

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 hour ago, poocher said:

snorkeling is VERY weather dependent.  We have had every snorkeling excursion we’ve ever booked (3 so far) cancelled due to weather.  Without that, there is NOTHING to do on Bonaire.

we don't snorkel in Bonaire at all. But we LUUUUURVE Bonaire - Sorobon beach to be exact. It's a paradise. Our 11 yo loves it as well, and he was 5 when he tried it out first. ABC islands is our absolute favorite itinerary. We've just done it twice - RCI in June and Princess in November.

 

Sorobon Beach, Lac Bay, Bonaire:

 

 

 

But you, @Midwifelife7, will need to remember that your 2 yo will not need a car seat on Cococay. Cococay does not need to be expensive. We don't spend a cent there ever.

 

You may need to bring something like an Evenflo Tribute or Maestro for the 2 yo to use in taxis in other locations. If the kiddo is small, you could get away with a Cosco Scenera NEXT (rear facing only).

 

 

Other than that, I'd pick ABC itinerary hands down.

 

Edited December 19, 2022 by Itchy&Scratchy

[jean87510]

Snorkeling in Cane Bay near the wall in St. Croix is pretty good.  Buck Island not good.  Snorkeling in Tortola is great especially Norman Island.  ABCs are the best.  And anyone who actually snorkels will tell you that you absolutely do not need to pay for a snorkelling excursion in Bonaire.  And also kids love the donkey sanctuary there.  

 

If it was just my husband and I, we'd do the ABCs.  If all my kids, I'd pick the one with Coco Cay.  Both St. Croix and Tortola have great beaches.  On Tortola, you can take Speedys ferry to Virgin Gorda if you want or stay on Tortola.  They are both good.  I'd just pick the best one for your money.

[SG65CB]

Are they different length cruises? ABC from Florida is usually 8 nights with 4 sea days. What time do they depart the third island, sometimes they cut that visit short.

 

Is Adventure 6 nights or 7? 6 nights with 2 sea days vs. 8 nights with 4 sea days could make a difference for your family. I don't know what features that Carnival ship has for kids.

 

[shoptom]

I would pick ABC for the experience while sending the kids to CoCo to enjoy it even more.