Princess A, B, C's - Our Consultant acted like these will go fast?

[coats141]

Just booked for 2026, and while wifey was making the deposit the lady mentioned

this is one of the itinerary's that was discussed in their monthly meeting. I did not

find a lot of info searching for this. If you have any past experiences please share.

[HotRoot]

26 minutes ago, coats141 said:

Just booked for 2026, and while wifey was making the deposit the lady mentioned

this is one of the itinerary's that was discussed in their monthly meeting. I did not

find a lot of info searching for this. If you have any past experiences please share.

Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao?  What information are you looking for?

[dickinson]

It is a great itinerary.  Princess hasn't had all three on one cruise in a few years.  We did it on a different cruise line.  

[EllieinNJ]

We did it on the Enchanted in Nov. 2022 and are doing it again on the Enchanted this coming Nov. (All ABC's)

[Hlitner]

And the question is?  The A,B,C islands have long been a destination for various cruises, although the itinerary does not generally work 7 day cruises departing Florida ports.  Bonaire is a particularly good port for SCUBA and snorkeling and is also home of the Woodwind, a relatively small catamaran operated by Dee, and popular with legions of cruisers.  If one wants to book a snorkel trip on the Woodwind they are well-advised to make a reservation very far in advance.  That boat normally will host a "drift snorkel" tour where folks snorkel between Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.  Drift snorkels happen in a current, folks are dropped at one end, and simply go with the flow to a pick-up spot (the boat moves ahead of the group).

 

Aruba has a few decent beaches which is how many spend their day.  As to Curacao, this is a place where DW and I like to rent a car, for the day, and explore snorkel spots located around the island.

 

The claim to fame of all three islands is that they have a Dutch heritage.  Princess has long included some, or all, of the islands on its true 14 day cruises from Ft Lauderdale.  Many years ago, Princess routinely ran these 14 day cruises (often on the Grand Princess) until they were replaced with back to back seven day trips which made the A,B Cs less viable.  Princess is again doing some of those 14 day itineraries (we have one booked in 2025 on the Enchanted) although they typically go to only 2 of the 3 ABC islands.

 

Personally, I have always enjoyed the 14 day cruises because the longer length attracts a different demographic (more mature with fewer school aged kids).  

 

Hank

[skynight]

These are nice ports.

Aruba has a nice downtown and nice beaches.

Bonaire has good snorkeling. I recommend the really nice golf cart rentals through Bonairecruisers.com. You can drive and tour on your own.

Downtown Willemstad in Curacao is a short walk over the pontoon bridge. It's really nice along the harbor entrance. Caution, allow enough time to return to the ship. The pontoon bridge opens frequently. When open you have to use the ferry shuttle.

I have not looked it up, but expect the cruise is maybe 8/10 days which is a plus. This itinerary is also in high demand. These islands are really too far from Ft. Lauderdale to reach on a one week cruise.  

[HaveDogWillTravel]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

As to Curacao, this is a place where DW and I like to rent a car, for the day, and explore snorkel spots located around the island.

Thanks for this tip. I was looking at possible car rental agencies and see there’s a Smart Wheels location right next to the cruise pier for cruise ship passengers.  Have you used this company?  If not what company do you suggest?
They have good ratings on Google. It seems they automatically charge for insurance but my Chase Sapphire card comes with this. I guess I need to figure out if Chase covers Curacao rentals. 

[linaka625]

I'm booked on the ABC itinerary on the Majestic in December, 2025.  It's an 8 day cruise.  I'm hoping the weather will be ok in December.

It looks like there will be an 8 day on Regal in April, 2026.

[Wishing on a star]

coats,  Yes, the so-called 'A-B-C' islands are usually very popular.

However, this far ahead, there seems to be all kinds of availability.

( of course, there is the possibility that a rep might always make comments to make one inclined to 'book today'! )

Which ship and which date are you booked on???

 

linaka,  I am glad you mentioned the Regal.  That is one of our favorite ships.  Looks like she is coming back to FLL !!!   (this might have been the main topic of that Coats rep is remembering)

Right now the web-site is showing PRICING NOT AVAILABLE on that one.

Does anyone know if this is true, or just some kind of delay or glitch???

 

We looked at this cruise on Enchanted.  And would be choosing February over December, after looking at all of the factors, especially weather.   Yes, the chances of really rainy weather are very low, in any month.  But, the odds are very much in favor for February.

 

We would choose Regal, but the date there is early April.

Which, is Easter and Spring Break.

 

 

Edited August 17 by Wishing on a star

[voljeep]

ending first... my wifes first open, deep water snorkeling was in Bonaire ... she didn't get to see a turtle, but it was amazing and she was hooked..

 

beginning ... we were on a previous cruise, hanging out, and a lady my wife was talking to stated she had snorkeled that day...  My wife said, if she can do it, I want to learn how.  And she did... went out got the mask, etc.  and I helped her in our home pool... 

 

she did take her own mask and snorkel on the 10 day Southern.  

 

she was a little, OK, a lot nervous when she got in the water at Bonaire, breath in, breath out

and we were some of the last to get back in the boat

[Wishing on a star]

Okay, I see the pricing is showing up now... no problem.

 

I LOVE snorkeling!  (if the site is really nice).  My husband, he is okay with it, but doesn't love it like me.  Sadly, I can't just jump in the water and snorkel away like I used to.  But, I will still do as much as I can.

I haven't snorkeled ABC's or some of the other best sights.

But, the Marine Preserve off of Puerto Morelos Mexico was amazing!  Gorgeous.

[Steelers36]

10 hours ago, coats141 said:

Just booked for 2026, and while wifey was making the deposit the lady mentioned

this is one of the itinerary's that was discussed in their monthly meeting. I did not

find a lot of info searching for this. If you have any past experiences please share.

The sales people always want you to think the cruise will sell out in a day or two max.

[jlawrence01]

5 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

coats,  Yes, the so-called 'A-B-C' islands are usually very popular.

However, this far ahead, there seems to be all kinds of availability.

( of course, there is the possibility that a rep might always make comments to make one inclined to 'book today'! )

Which ship and which date are you booked on???

 

linaka,  I am glad you mentioned the Regal.  That is one of our favorite ships.  Looks like she is coming back to FLL !!!   (this might have been the main topic of that Coats rep is remembering)

Right now the web-site is showing PRICING NOT AVAILABLE on that one.

Does anyone know if this is true, or just some kind of delay or glitch???

 

We looked at this cruise on Enchanted.  And would be choosing February over December, after looking at all of the factors, especially weather.   Yes, the chances of really rainy weather are very low, in any month.  But, the odds are very much in favor for February.

 

We would choose Regal, but the date there is early April.

Which, is Easter and Spring Break.

 

 

 

The Regal Princess generally only ports in FLL on its way between Southampton and Galveston in both directions.

 

We will be on the March 23, 2025 cruise from Galveston to FLL but do realize that itinerary does NOT go to Bonaire.

[WisCruiser2]

Great to see that Princess has brought back the 8-day Southern Itinerary! We've done it twice in the past and love it -- 2 sea days going and coming back, and all three ABC islands. YES to Woodwinds for snorkeling in Bonaire, did it twice. The first time a turtle came by within 3 feet of me 🙂 Have also done some snorkeling in Curacao, and did a sunset catamaran cruise with snorkeling in Aruba. The water had been stirred up by a recent storm there, so not as good, but the catamaran was fun.

[geoherb]

I love the 8-day itinerary. Bonaire is our favorite of the three islands. We've only been there twice. And with Bonaire's new restrictions on cruise ships, you'll find it offered even less frequently than it used to be.

[Wishing on a star]

3 hours ago, jlawrence01 said:

 

The Regal Princess generally only ports in FLL on its way between Southampton and Galveston in both directions.

 

We will be on the March 23, 2025 cruise from Galveston to FLL but do realize that itinerary does NOT go to Bonaire.

 

Check the Princess web-site...  Now showing round trip from FLL, for Summer 2026, beginning with the ABC islands on April 3.

 

We are considering the Enchanted in February...

I love REGAL.    But would probably choose February on Enchanted, as Easter and Spring Break will be during that Regal cruise.

[jlawrence01]

2 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

 

Check the Princess web-site...  Now showing round trip from FLL, for Summer 2026, beginning with the ABC islands on April 3.

 

We are considering the Enchanted in February...

I love REGAL.    But would probably choose February on Enchanted, as Easter and Spring Break will be during that Regal cruise.

 

When we cruise, the cruise itself is just one small part of the journey.  On that trip, we are heading to Ohio to make maple syrup and then back to Houston for the Houston Livestock and Rodeo.  The March  Regal Princess to the ABC islands made a lot of sense and when we booked it, we were able to get it for $83 pppd which was a steal.  It also allowed us to book a Carnival cruise out of Miami the day after the cruise on a casino rate which will return to the ABC islands.  Then, we are heading off to Raleigh for Easter.

 

By combining all these trips in one helps us reduce airfare back east and it allows us to take advantage of a lot of great deals on rental cars and the like.

 

We never book more than 5-8 months out.  We are trying to decide what we are going to do in October 2025.

 

 

Edited August 18 by jlawrence01

[coats141]

22 hours ago, HotRoot said:

Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao?  What information are you looking for?

 

Correct, never been to any of these locations...

[coats141]

22 hours ago, dickinson said:

It is a great itinerary.  Princess hasn't had all three on one cruise in a few years.  We did it on a different cruise line.  

 

What my Wife was telling me, apparently been years since Princess offered all 3 in one trip...

[coats141]

20 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Personally, I have always enjoyed the 14 day cruises because the longer length attracts a different demographic (more mature with fewer school aged kids).  

 

Hank

 

This is an 8 day I believe, currently still working, and 2 weeks in a row is forbidden...

 

I appreciate all of the information, Sounds like all 3 are beautiful places...

[coats141]

17 hours ago, linaka625 said:

I'm booked on the ABC itinerary on the Majestic in December, 2025.  It's an 8 day cruise.  I'm hoping the weather will be ok in December.

It looks like there will be an 8 day on Regal in April, 2026.

 

This is an 8 Day on the Majestic in February 2026...

Edited August 18 by coats141

[coats141]

13 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

The sales people always want you to think the cruise will sell out in a day or two max.

 

We got one of the last suites, so yes for suites they are going fast...

[Scottdalfonso]

22 minutes ago, coats141 said:

 

What my Wife was telling me, apparently been years since Princess offered all 3 in one trip...

Enchanted is visiting them on it's cruise right now, but it's a 14 day repositioning cruise from Florida to Brooklyn.

Edited August 18 by Scottdalfonso