formula14 Posted August 26, 2009 #1 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Hi! Hoping to get some advice please... Last year we took our 1st cruise & we loved our stop in St Thomas. My wife & I are real beach bums... we just love the beach. We're not into shopping or canopy tree hoping excursions, just take us to the beach & we're as happy as can be. We're planning our 2nd cruise but wanted to know from experienced cruisers what itineraries offer the best options for quality time in presitine beaches. Southern or Western? We already did Eastern & wanted to try something new. We're looking at either: A Western itineray taking us to Georgetown, Grand Cayman, | Cozumel, Mexico | Costa Maya, Mexico & Roatan, Honduras or a Southern Itinerary taking us to Bridgetown, Barbados, Castries, St. Lucia, St. Johns, Antigua, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, St. Croix, U.s.v.i. All these places sound exotic & nice, but seeing how we just want nice beaches to really relax, which would be the better itinerary? Also, we have the option of taking this cruise in the 1st week of May or 1st week of July... what would be the better bet weather wise? Hoping someone that's done both itineraries can chime in :) Thanks in advance for your guidance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwinfl91 Posted August 26, 2009 #2 Share Posted August 26, 2009 IMHO for beaches the Southern Itinerary taking us to Bridgetown, Barbados, Castries, St. Lucia, St. Johns, Antigua, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, St. Croix, U.s.v.i. will be the one to cruise on. The Western route is much better for Mayan ruins. Have a great next cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiserking Posted August 26, 2009 #3 Share Posted August 26, 2009 My vote would also be for the Southern Caribbean. We always love the Orient Beach visit at St. Martin, really lovely. St. Lucia and Barbardos also have some pretty beaches. Have a great cruise. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted August 27, 2009 #4 Share Posted August 27, 2009 You need to get a guidebook on the ports you might visit...that will tell you about all the beaches in each country...how far they are, what it will cost to get there, if there are bathrooms, restaurants....everything you need to know! Then, you can determine if you can go it on your own, or if you need to pay for an excursion. A little bit of research can save you BIG bucks! Libraries have them (for free!), or bookstores sell them. Read one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formula14 Posted August 27, 2009 Author #5 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Thank you for the great replies & advice. I'm leaning towards the Southern itinerary more & more. My only last question is when is it better to go? ...beginning of May or beginning of July? May's less expensive, I'm wondering if it's because it's rainier in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwinfl91 Posted August 27, 2009 #6 Share Posted August 27, 2009 You will probably have a little more rain in May but the temperatures will be cooler and more comfortable. Don't worry it will still be warm enough to go to the beaches. Have a great next cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zubsin Posted August 27, 2009 #7 Share Posted August 27, 2009 a) southern b) we were there in April and we have SOME rain but not enough to keep us from snorkeling!!! cruise on...Donna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formula14 Posted August 27, 2009 Author #8 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Southern it is then! Thanks for all the help. I'm going to do some research & try to find historical data on percipitation those months. I'm assuming weather patterns are more or less the same year to year. If we can avoid the "wet" season, all the better... makes for a more pleasant vacation :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmf123 Posted August 27, 2009 #9 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Another vote for the southern Caribbean. Antigua has 365 beaches! And next time your itinerary takes you to St. Thomas, I'd recommend an excursion over to St. John that day. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Hurricane season runs June through November, and I think you'll find that statistically most occur in the month of September. Although Mother Nature is unpredictable as we know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare printingchick Posted August 27, 2009 #10 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Add my vote to the southern itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vjm Posted August 27, 2009 #11 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Formula 14 We were on RCI Seranade of the Seas this past March (2nd Southern Cruise), the best beach is Antigua, quite and the water is pristine. We have done 5 Cruises through the Caribbean (never have we done a Western), but hope to sometime. Next stop Europe 10/03/09. Enjoy your cruise it is a bit addicting!! Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orianagal Posted August 27, 2009 #12 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Out of my many many cruises I can say Orient Beach in St Maarten is a gorgeous paradise on earth great atmosphere also take a cab from the port if you are going there:cool::) cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whimsy Posted August 28, 2009 #13 Share Posted August 28, 2009 We like beaches and warm water. I would go the later date. We went on a cruise last May and the water was downright cold to us. We now now September/October is our time as the water has always been nice and warm. I vote for the southern route as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serene56 Posted August 28, 2009 #14 Share Posted August 28, 2009 July is prime time family season- It will be quite warm and humid--LOTS of kids- Begining of May is a good time to cruise (we prefer February) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted August 28, 2009 #15 Share Posted August 28, 2009 You have to try them all, but our fav's are the southern, Barbados, Antigua are the best we've seen. Although Doctor's Cave in Montego Bay and 7 Mile Beach in Negril and spots in Cozumel are also gorgeous - tour the entire Carib! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.