Is six ports in seven days too much???

[CruisinJazz]

My husband and I decided on booking the Carnival Victory for our first cruise. I'm the type of person that doesn't like feeling stuck in one place, we both love to travel and have chances to take off to see and do things. So, we booked an itinerary that will port each day in case we get any type of jitters of feeling "stuck". LOL If we feel we're not getting enough relaxation and rest then we'll just stay on the ship and enjoy it while everyone is in port. We really don't know how we're going to feel since this is our first cruise, but we like having the option of either staying on the ship or being able to enjoy a port each day.

[TortieGal]

I LOVE my sea days but really want to see the Southern Caribbean islands so I'm booked for April. I volunteer with someone who just did this sailing in December and he recommended a couple of the islands for beach days. St. Thomas will be one because it'll be my second time there and I have another cruise booked that will be going there as well.

 

I don't know if I would do it for a first cruise but it depends on what your vacation style is...just don't over do it!

[sing2sas]

The nice thing about cruising from San Juan is that you're already right in the middle of the Caribbean, so sea days are not necessary to get to and from the Caribbean. For a first cruise, you may enjoy the port days, especially if you have not been to all the islands. Lots of good advice here for not overdoing it. If you want to tour, 1/2 day might be ideal. That still leaves you time to shop or go back to the ship for lunch and a nap. Those of us who have cruised a lot and have been to most of the islands tend to like the sea days because they are so relaxing. You can do as much or as little as you want on the ship. Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise!

[ooulio]

We did it once. It is a lot of fun but tiring. I am not a big sea person. 2 days out of 8 is enough. I think they change the southern ones a few times. I loved Tortola,Antigua, St Kitts St Lucia and can't remember the other ones. Waterfalls were very nice. The stairs were a lot of walking. It was a few years ago. Wasn't as much stairs as the Panama this year or it wasn't as hot in the 90's. I liked the Southern ones. I was tired of the EAstern ones. We did it 6 cruises in a row. Then tried the Southern and finally Exotic Western. We aren't kids and we did fine. Have a great time.

[cmlmich]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to look at a possible 5 or 6 day Eastern or Western Caribbean as a choice too. Although that price on the 7 day Southern is hard to beat!!

[gailc]

We also enjoy the Sea Days since we have cruised before. You will enjoy your cruise no matter how many ports you go to.

 

Where in West Michigan are you from? We're in Muskegon.

 

Gail

[abmom]

I say go for as many sea days as possible. Nothing says you have to get off the ship if you're having a good time. In fact, it will probably be less crowded and more enjoyable while it's in port.

 

But, if you've got fewer ports and more days at sea, and you're wishing you were off the ship (rough seas for two days straight - Triumph two weeks ago) you'll be glad you've got those ports to explore.

[Perfect Stranger]

I personally wouldn't take a cruise with that many port days because I really enjoy all the daily activities and games while at sea.

[bthorn1108]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to look at a possible 5 or 6 day Eastern or Western Caribbean as a choice too. Although that price on the 7 day Southern is hard to beat!!

 

Usually, the price for So. Caribbean cruises out of San Juan are less expensive because the air fare to get there is more. The additional air fare cost puts the cruise out of reach for some people.

 

As others have stated, 6 ports in 6 days is ALOT. Although I have done the So. Caribbean in the past, this itinerary has some ports I haven't seen yet, so we are considering it for spring 2010. However, we will probably stay onboard in St. Thomas, Barbados and Antigua, as we've already been there/done that. Now, we only have 3 port stops in 6 days, much more manageable.

[NCTribeFan]

I'll let you know in a couple of weeks. We sail on Sunday.

 

They're all "new to me" ports except St Thomas.

 

I am NOT going all that way to just sit on a beach. I cruise to get to the ports and, dangit, I'm going to see them! :p

 

Yes, I'm mildly concerned about being exhausted by midweek. We're arriving in San Juan around noon on Saturday and will do a little sightseeing on Sunday morning (had a day stop there in December 2007 and saw most of what I wanted to see in OSJ).

 

St Thomas - touring again with the wonderful Papa Bear of Air Force 1 Tours

 

Dominica - island tour with Levi Baron of Bumpiing Tours

 

Barbados - caves, island tour and beach stop with Edwin Lovell of Scenic Barbados Tours

 

St Lucia - island tour with Cosol

 

Antigua - island tour with Gordon

 

St Kitts - island tour with Thenford Grey

 

Two days post-cruise at the Marriott Stellaris Resort & Casino to rest up from my vacation.

 

A couple of the tours will be pretty much all day; others are half-day; some incorporate a beach stop.

 

I would be hesitant to book this itinerary as a new cruiser. Normally, I use the sea days for relaxation. I don't "do" the shipboard activities. That's why I need a couple of post-cruise days at a resort to get my relaxation time. This itinerary really won't give you much of a feel for what the ship experience is like, although, depending on your energy level, you'll still have time in the evenings for the lovely dinners and entertainment.

 

Although I've booked independent excursions, it's still costing a lot. I can't imagine booking ship excursions for this itinerary. It would cost a fortune.

 

I also booked a 4G (the all-the-way-forward cabins) for a 4A price, so got a very good price for the cruise itself. Plus a $100 OBC for being a shareholder.

 

Air was $350 each, which was much less than when I first started looking at this cruise last year when fuel prices were so high.

 

I'm really looking forward to it. I absolutely LOVE San Juan and really want to see these other ports.

 

I do foresee that my days will go something like this: up early; big breakfast (love the made-to-order omelettes on Lido deck); excursion; back onboard for a late lunch or deli sandwich or room service; nap; shower; dinner; casino (only until I lose my measly daily gambling allowance); sleep.

 

No late night shows, parties, movies or disco for me. I normally go to bed early (I'm up at 6 am every day), but I stay up much later on cruises. I just imagine that I'll be so tired from being out and about all day, every day, in the heat and sun, that I won't have the energy for much party time. That's OK. It should help keep my S&S bill down. ;)

 

Besides, I sail again in December on an 8-day that has 4 sea days, and I have an aft balcony. I should get plenty of rest out there on that cruise!

[cruiserNC]

If I had to do my 1st cruise over I would not want 6 ports in 7 days not even sure if I would want to do 4..

 

Ports can be very exhausting depending on what you choose to do we recently done a 4 port cruise and all the ports were back to back and we were so exhausted after.

[bthorn1108]

If I had to do my 1st cruise over I would not want 6 ports in 7 days not even sure if I would want to do 4..

 

Ports can be very exhausting depending on what you choose to do we recently done a 4 port cruise and all the ports were back to back and we were so exhausted after.

 

I see where you just did the Valor, which would be the cruise you are referencing. I am scheduled for this cruise in November, and I expect I will be exhausted, just like you, when all is said and done. I have excursions planned for everyday except Cozumel (assuming we go there). However, I am going with a bunch of people who have never been to these ports, so I am kind of the ring leader for the excursions. At least I have Cozumel (been there/done that sooo many times, will probably stay onboard) and a sea day as the last two days. That should help offset some of the exhaustion.

[spikester]

The Southern Caribbean cruise is my favorite one. I went on it 2x when it was the Destiny, and was looking again for this fall, but haven't decided.

 

On the last trip, the only tour I did was the catamaran on St Kitts.

I went to the beach in Barbados, and shopped in St Thomas.

 

I wish I had done a tour in Antigua, it was kind of boring being in the town.

And did a bit of beach/shopping in St Martin.

[sing2sas]

We love the Southern Caribbean too and manage to get to San Juan every couple years. Our last southern cruise was on the Destiny and I truly don't remember for sure which islands we visited. For a 7 day cruise out of San Juan, you usually have 5 islands and 1 sea day. I prefer 2 or 3 sea days, but love those southern ports. We've been to the islands before so are happy to take it kind of easy. I agree that if you go full speed, you need a couple days after the cruise ends to rest. It would be hard to go back to work the day after getting home.

[richfret]

As a first time cruiser, I would not do 6 ports in 7 days. After a cruise or two with sea days and ports, you will have a better feel of cruising.

 

Here are a few other things to consider. You will probably want to do excursions and the cost can go any where from about $30 to $150 per person. Using an average of $75 times 6 days, you will find yourself spending $450. For 2 people that's $900. Normally on sea days, we spend less than at ports.

 

For morning excursions, you might need to be at a certain location at 8 am or 9 am. That means you might have to get up at 6 am or 6:30 am to get dressed, shower, have breakfast and get to your location. I would not want to do that 6 times on a cruise.

 

Sea days usually have many planned activities that you miss on port days. For instance, if you like to gamble, they have slot and Black Jack tournaments on sea days costing a total of $20. There are usually Bingo games during the day on sea days.

 

For afternoon tours, the problem is getting back on time. You will find yourself rushed if you have the early seating for supper.

 

Now on the other hand, if ports are your thing, then I say "Go for it!".

[terrielynn]

This will be our first cruise and I am wondering if hitting six ports in seven days is too busy? Is there time to relax at all? Anyone else do the southern Caribbean cruise with Carnival. I have not booked it yet but I am leaning that way. It looks and sounds great, but I have no experience.

 

 

I don't know,....but I can't wait to find out! LOL

Like others have said, mix it up with some beach days and some excursion days and it should not be too overwhelming. That is our plan of action. Good luck!

[Cigar Dude]

I'll let you know in mid-September! :D We're on the Victory sailing 9/6/09. 6 stops in 7 days! Wow! Should be busy but fun! :)

[SmogMonster]

This will be our first cruise and I am wondering if hitting six ports in seven days is too busy? Is there time to relax at all? Anyone else do the southern Caribbean cruise with Carnival. I have not booked it yet but I am leaning that way. It looks and sounds great, but I have no experience.

 

One of the great thing about cruising is you can do as much or as little as you want. We did a 7 day Hawaii cruise that visited a port each day. We had a blast. We will be on the Victory in September and will do something in each port. Several of the excursions have you back on ship by noon or early afternoon so we will have plenty of time to relax around the ship.

 

I say go for it. You'll have the time of your life.

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

I've never understood the concept of too many ports...if you don't feel like getting off at 1 or 2 or 3 of them...then don't. Stay on the ship, you'll have it mostly to yourself, which is wonderful.:)

 

Nobody puts a gun to your head and forces you off just because you stop. Pick the places you really want to see, with the best excursions, shopping, whatever, then skip the others if you don't feel like going ashore.

 

I prefer too many ports to not enough ports any day. With too many, you simply don't get off. Not enough ports is torture when you really feel like getting off the ship and can't.

[Hollybelle]

I just returned from my first cruise (Liberty-Western Itinerary) and we had 3 port days on a 7 day cruise, which was great, but in the future I want no fewer than 4 ports on a 7 day and I'm itching to get on that Southern Caribbean itinerary with 6 port days. My party consisted of 4 adults (myself, my boyfriend and my parents); I can definitely see how your travel party would play into this decision.

 

So I would have to say... to each his own!

[domdombus]

How long are your excursions is the only issue! Just because you are in port doesnt mean you have to leave the ship!

 

Also if you are doing 6 excursions MAN that is going to be a lot of $$$$$.

I know I did the Mediterranean cruise on RCL last year hitting spain france and multiple parts of italy and palermo. From past cruises I knew I better throttle myself down to limit fatigue and waterfalls of $$$ leaving my wallet.

I purposely only chose CHEAP excursions and not more than 2 hours for france and spain so I would not be beat when I got to the real ports in Italy.

We did 2 massive excursions in Italy Rome the vatican leaning tower of pisa pompeii capri etc these excursions were more than 6 hours each day and were extremely tiring but well worth it. If we had done anthing more than sitting around mostly the other days it would have ruined these two.

Palermo we already knew the city from previous visits so we just walked off the boat and walked around town.

[bonniemari]

I am one who loves sea days BUT-we did this cruise on the Destiny last May and loved every minute of it. Best cruise yet. We did plan for a couple of relaxing beach days tho. We did river tubing in Dominica, Cosol Tour in St Lucia (not to be missed-best excursion ever) went to the Pineapple Resort in Antigua (don't bother). We had been to St Thomas several times so that was a shopping day/people watching day at Havensight where the ship docks. Did the beach at the Rum Factory in Barbados.

 

We had planned to do the Fantasea excursion in St Kitts but honestly by the last day we were pretty tired so we cancelled that and ended up doing a tour of the island. It was so beuatiful in St Kitts we plan on doing a land vacation there as soon as some decent flight times open up.

[arpie05]

I found 4 ports on the Alaskan 7 nights almost too much. Since we had to be up every morning at 6 - 7 am to get off the ship for excursions, we were in bed every night between 9-10 pm. I would rather stay up a bit later on board.

[sing2sas]

We loved Cosol's tour in St. Lucia too! You can find some great tour operators on these boards. We rarely do ship tours anymore.

 

Also true is that you don't have to get off just because the ship stops. We usually wait until later to get off and there have been some stops where we were back onboard in 30 minutes to an hour. Once we've seen what a particular island has to offer, we find we're less likely to do a tour the next time we visit. But it's nice to walk around and get off the ship for a little while.

[kelz66]

This will be our first cruise and I am wondering if hitting six ports in seven days is too busy? Is there time to relax at all? Anyone else do the southern Caribbean cruise with Carnival. I have not booked it yet but I am leaning that way. It looks and sounds great, but I have no experience.

 

Nope...not at all...pick a port in the middle to take as a Beach day to relax and chill....or make every day a beach day!

 

:cool: