More time at sea or fly to island to start cruise?
Mar 7th, 2010, 08:43 PM
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More time at sea or fly to island to start cruise?
While we have traveled a good bit, it has all been in Europe - on land. We are totally new to cruising. I don't know if this question should be in this section or the Caribbean, but I will try it here.
We enjoy architecture, history, art, music, theater and sitting in cafes. We love walking around old cities, but walking on a beach is nice too. I would like to try something a bit more adventurous (tame for some of you, I know) like snorkeling or taking a helicopter ride.
We are not into sports, games, gambling, etc. I do not like amusement parks or shopping malls, but do love local markets and flea markets. We are really flexible and don't care much about where we sleep. We read and research, and rarely take tours of any kind. We spend 90% of our trip time walking.
There are three or four specific islands I think I would like to visit. A cruise seems a good way to do that.
Choice one: Fly to San Juan and take Carnival Victory 7nts in S. Carib. It goes to all the islands I hope to visit. I have a little concern because it seems to be a kind of McDonalds of cruise ships, but I I like kids (especially teens and college age), am not a picky person and figure we will mostly be out sightseeing during the day.
Choice two: Take Ruby Princess from Ft. Lauderdale for 10nts to most of the same islands, but not to Puerto Rico. This is longer than I wanted for a first cruise, and has two days at sea.
With choice one, we have longer flights and not great connections, but stay a couple of hotel nights in San Juan before the cruise. I like that a lot, but will it be too hectic?
With choice two, we have easier, more flexible flt times, but don't get to visit San Juan (which I will miss). The two days at sea worry me a bit. Will I feel trapped in a giant floating mall or enjoy the day of rest before we get to the islands and the day to recoup before we get home? Princess ships do seem less of a "Carnival" atmosphere, but does it matter on these trips?
If we plan on being out everyday, can we make do with an inside cabin and save the money for a helicopter ride?
Sorry this is so long. I feel so knowledgeable about Europe, but am a complete novice when it come to this. Thank you for any advice/opinions.
We enjoy architecture, history, art, music, theater and sitting in cafes. We love walking around old cities, but walking on a beach is nice too. I would like to try something a bit more adventurous (tame for some of you, I know) like snorkeling or taking a helicopter ride.
We are not into sports, games, gambling, etc. I do not like amusement parks or shopping malls, but do love local markets and flea markets. We are really flexible and don't care much about where we sleep. We read and research, and rarely take tours of any kind. We spend 90% of our trip time walking.
There are three or four specific islands I think I would like to visit. A cruise seems a good way to do that.
Choice one: Fly to San Juan and take Carnival Victory 7nts in S. Carib. It goes to all the islands I hope to visit. I have a little concern because it seems to be a kind of McDonalds of cruise ships, but I I like kids (especially teens and college age), am not a picky person and figure we will mostly be out sightseeing during the day.
Choice two: Take Ruby Princess from Ft. Lauderdale for 10nts to most of the same islands, but not to Puerto Rico. This is longer than I wanted for a first cruise, and has two days at sea.
With choice one, we have longer flights and not great connections, but stay a couple of hotel nights in San Juan before the cruise. I like that a lot, but will it be too hectic?
With choice two, we have easier, more flexible flt times, but don't get to visit San Juan (which I will miss). The two days at sea worry me a bit. Will I feel trapped in a giant floating mall or enjoy the day of rest before we get to the islands and the day to recoup before we get home? Princess ships do seem less of a "Carnival" atmosphere, but does it matter on these trips?
If we plan on being out everyday, can we make do with an inside cabin and save the money for a helicopter ride?
Sorry this is so long. I feel so knowledgeable about Europe, but am a complete novice when it come to this. Thank you for any advice/opinions.
Mar 8th, 2010, 07:08 AM
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I would definitely go with choice A and paln on three days in SJ in possible. The things you like to do you can do in SJ aplenty. In addition there is a rain forest to see and two wonderful old Spanish forts to visit. One, El Morro, has fantastic views of SJ harbor from its top. You will enjoy the night life and can try several of the nice restaurants there. The so. Caribbean is my fav route and we have done this twice. Also I think you will be very surprised by Carnival. They do call them the fun ships but the food will be much more elaborate than you expect. Each night will have nice prime choices such as lobster, filet mignon, etc. Did you know that Carnival owns Princess? They also own HAL, Costa ad several others as well. Whichever one you choose I think you will like cruising. Have fun. Larry 
Mar 8th, 2010, 10:37 AM
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It's nice to stay a few days before cruise to explore the new area, and a cruise after that. Also I don't enjoy the days at sea, so my choice would definitely be # 1.
As for the cabin type - either of you have any kind of claustrophobia? Or you sleep in a hotel or at home with shutters for complete darkness? Some people like inside cabins, some don't. Only you can decide.
As for the cabin type - either of you have any kind of claustrophobia? Or you sleep in a hotel or at home with shutters for complete darkness? Some people like inside cabins, some don't. Only you can decide.
Mar 8th, 2010, 10:52 AM
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I'm in agreement that the option of cruising from San Juan is a better fit for you, and it will give you nights in San Juan to enjoy the sights there as well as a short hike in El Yunque on the day of disembarkation.
I don't think you'll particularly like the cruise part of cruising, but if you approach it as you have suggested (i.e., a means to a very specific end of seeing 4 islands that interest you), I think it will work out well for you. The food is actually pretty good on Carnival, and the cabins, though small, are pretty decent-sized on Carnival, and you'll be able to do the activities you want. Because this cruise starts out in San Juan, it doesn't draw the same party-crowd that the cheaper cruises from Florida do. And the itineraries tend to be more interesting.
If you've never snorkeled before, then doing it with a group of fellow cruise passengers may not be a bad idea. But you can probably arrange everything on your own and save money. You might want to arrange the helicopter flight with the ship just because of logistics, but it will undoubtedly cost a bit more if done that way. But I'd hate for you to miss out.
For your cabin, I think you could get by with an inside because while small these cabins are also fairly functional. However, what I'd recommend is to book the highest-level inside cabin guarantee (you book a particular type of cabin, not a specific cabin, and the cruise line decides where to put you ... occasionally you get upgraded to a cabin with a window, sometimes not).
The real question is not whether you are claustrophobic but whether you get seasick. If you do get seasick, then you should book a specific cabin in the middle of the ship on a mid-level deck. Otherwise, a category-guarantee will save you money.
Good luck and welcome to cruising. I hope you like it.
I don't think you'll particularly like the cruise part of cruising, but if you approach it as you have suggested (i.e., a means to a very specific end of seeing 4 islands that interest you), I think it will work out well for you. The food is actually pretty good on Carnival, and the cabins, though small, are pretty decent-sized on Carnival, and you'll be able to do the activities you want. Because this cruise starts out in San Juan, it doesn't draw the same party-crowd that the cheaper cruises from Florida do. And the itineraries tend to be more interesting.
If you've never snorkeled before, then doing it with a group of fellow cruise passengers may not be a bad idea. But you can probably arrange everything on your own and save money. You might want to arrange the helicopter flight with the ship just because of logistics, but it will undoubtedly cost a bit more if done that way. But I'd hate for you to miss out.
For your cabin, I think you could get by with an inside because while small these cabins are also fairly functional. However, what I'd recommend is to book the highest-level inside cabin guarantee (you book a particular type of cabin, not a specific cabin, and the cruise line decides where to put you ... occasionally you get upgraded to a cabin with a window, sometimes not).
The real question is not whether you are claustrophobic but whether you get seasick. If you do get seasick, then you should book a specific cabin in the middle of the ship on a mid-level deck. Otherwise, a category-guarantee will save you money.
Good luck and welcome to cruising. I hope you like it.
Mar 8th, 2010, 02:52 PM
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OMG, You guys are so great. Thank you for your advice. It is reassuring. We will take all of your suggestions about the cabin, excursions, etc. and will go to PR for a couple of days first.
Mar 8th, 2010, 05:50 PM
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Welcome to crusing! You will find us a friendly bunch, but we can't type worth a darn so please escuse my typos!
I echo Larry's & Doug's comments on the choice. The food is actually comparable to your local convention facilities or better.
To make the most enjoyment from your cruise, consider the ship as your floatig resort hotel. The ship is large and you won't feel trapped or too crowded. Just imagine that you are on the Orient Express travelling through the great rail cities (in this case, the great islands), and you can get off on every single stop and it will wait for you to come back everywhere it stopped! Youonlyhave to unpack and pack once for the entire trip! (Actully, you better make it back on time when you are ashroe or they will leave without you ... but that's another story)
Even on the Carnival, you will have sea days. We are a lot like your, not too much into the gambling, drinking and those type of activties.
Here is what we do on a typical sea day. Get up real early and see the sunrise from the disatnt horizon. Go back to bed afterward. Slept in and have breakfast when we decided to get up, or skip breakfast and go staright to lunch if we are up too late.
On sea days, the shops are open, we browse. We sit at the lobby/attriun/piazza whatever they call them and relax, read a book, listen to the live music if they have a quartet or piano player there, if not, go to their piano bar. Some people like to go to the pool deck and lay out on the sun. Some goes to the spa. It's your choice. With all the cruises that my DW and I have done through the years, we have yet to use the pool or the hot tub once!
After lunch, we stroll along the ship, taking in the sights and decors of all the public areas. We may take in some activities, talk to fellow passengers, or just relax and don't do anything except enjoying the weather (be it rain or shine) and the fresh air. Time flies by so quick that it is dinner hour. Catch a show after dinner, and it is almost bed time. If you are up for it, you can dance away the night at a club or whatever. There are plenty to do.
If you have never crusied before, this will be a great tool for you. Every ship prints a daily newsletter, sort of a calendar of events for the next day. They put it in your cabin nightly. Read it and plan your day. it will tell you what activties are happening the next day, when and where. You pick and choose the activty you want. Be it a live band, a show, a comedian, a side walk sale, a lecture on the pirates (real ones) of the Carribbean, or computer classes or photo tips, dance lessons, games and competition (go watch, it's fun!), galley tour, crew's performance, art autcions, a movie ... the list goes on. There are so much activity that you will have your day filled in no time. And thsoe are just the free activities. There are paid activities such as wine sampling among other things. The advanced computer and photo classes are usually charged but the introductory ones maybe free.
I usually go to the purser's desk after dinner and see if they have the new edition ready. I don't wait till they put it in my cabin.
For us, we liked certain type of activities and we stayed on certain type of shps for what they offer in activities. Some crusie lines do a better job than others in offering the educational component, be it a naturist on board, or a guest lecturer. We have taken in many great lectures with topics on rock and geological formations, folk lores, earthquakes and tsunami, super volcanoes, history, wild life and more.
The ship also offer "port talks". Sometimes, they are just a glorified sales pitch to tell you to shop where they want you to go. Soemtimes, they offer real tips and hints. It all depends who is doing the talking. If it is the crusie director's staff. Skip it. You can still go and listen, put your name in for the draw and get a "local area map" if youthink it is worth your time. Unless you are interested in shopping, I'll skip those sessions.
Feel free to ask more questions and hope you have a wonderful trip!
I echo Larry's & Doug's comments on the choice. The food is actually comparable to your local convention facilities or better.
To make the most enjoyment from your cruise, consider the ship as your floatig resort hotel. The ship is large and you won't feel trapped or too crowded. Just imagine that you are on the Orient Express travelling through the great rail cities (in this case, the great islands), and you can get off on every single stop and it will wait for you to come back everywhere it stopped! Youonlyhave to unpack and pack once for the entire trip! (Actully, you better make it back on time when you are ashroe or they will leave without you ... but that's another story)
Even on the Carnival, you will have sea days. We are a lot like your, not too much into the gambling, drinking and those type of activties.
Here is what we do on a typical sea day. Get up real early and see the sunrise from the disatnt horizon. Go back to bed afterward. Slept in and have breakfast when we decided to get up, or skip breakfast and go staright to lunch if we are up too late.
On sea days, the shops are open, we browse. We sit at the lobby/attriun/piazza whatever they call them and relax, read a book, listen to the live music if they have a quartet or piano player there, if not, go to their piano bar. Some people like to go to the pool deck and lay out on the sun. Some goes to the spa. It's your choice. With all the cruises that my DW and I have done through the years, we have yet to use the pool or the hot tub once!
After lunch, we stroll along the ship, taking in the sights and decors of all the public areas. We may take in some activities, talk to fellow passengers, or just relax and don't do anything except enjoying the weather (be it rain or shine) and the fresh air. Time flies by so quick that it is dinner hour. Catch a show after dinner, and it is almost bed time. If you are up for it, you can dance away the night at a club or whatever. There are plenty to do.
If you have never crusied before, this will be a great tool for you. Every ship prints a daily newsletter, sort of a calendar of events for the next day. They put it in your cabin nightly. Read it and plan your day. it will tell you what activties are happening the next day, when and where. You pick and choose the activty you want. Be it a live band, a show, a comedian, a side walk sale, a lecture on the pirates (real ones) of the Carribbean, or computer classes or photo tips, dance lessons, games and competition (go watch, it's fun!), galley tour, crew's performance, art autcions, a movie ... the list goes on. There are so much activity that you will have your day filled in no time. And thsoe are just the free activities. There are paid activities such as wine sampling among other things. The advanced computer and photo classes are usually charged but the introductory ones maybe free.
I usually go to the purser's desk after dinner and see if they have the new edition ready. I don't wait till they put it in my cabin.
For us, we liked certain type of activities and we stayed on certain type of shps for what they offer in activities. Some crusie lines do a better job than others in offering the educational component, be it a naturist on board, or a guest lecturer. We have taken in many great lectures with topics on rock and geological formations, folk lores, earthquakes and tsunami, super volcanoes, history, wild life and more.
The ship also offer "port talks". Sometimes, they are just a glorified sales pitch to tell you to shop where they want you to go. Soemtimes, they offer real tips and hints. It all depends who is doing the talking. If it is the crusie director's staff. Skip it. You can still go and listen, put your name in for the draw and get a "local area map" if youthink it is worth your time. Unless you are interested in shopping, I'll skip those sessions.
Feel free to ask more questions and hope you have a wonderful trip!
Mar 11th, 2010, 09:37 PM
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Thank you all so much. Eschew, you are indeed a friendly bunch.
I just booked our first cruise. Yea! I had decided to go with the Carnival cruise that had the exact itinerary I thought we would enjoy, but the prices stayed high and I couldn't quite work out good flights, so I picked out a couple of second and third choices, thinking we would probably enjoy anyplace we went, and kept watching the cruise web sites.
When one came on today at a greatly reduced price, I took it. It does have one day at sea, but that is at the end, after all the island visits, so we'll be ready for a rest by then.
It is Caribbean Princess for seven nights. We are getting to San Juan a day and a half early, and staying a day and a half after the cruise. I'm so new at this, I don't even know what to ask, but am reading everything on Fodors and have guide books.
Thanks for all the encouragement and advice. Now, back to research.
I just booked our first cruise. Yea! I had decided to go with the Carnival cruise that had the exact itinerary I thought we would enjoy, but the prices stayed high and I couldn't quite work out good flights, so I picked out a couple of second and third choices, thinking we would probably enjoy anyplace we went, and kept watching the cruise web sites.
When one came on today at a greatly reduced price, I took it. It does have one day at sea, but that is at the end, after all the island visits, so we'll be ready for a rest by then.
It is Caribbean Princess for seven nights. We are getting to San Juan a day and a half early, and staying a day and a half after the cruise. I'm so new at this, I don't even know what to ask, but am reading everything on Fodors and have guide books.
Thanks for all the encouragement and advice. Now, back to research.
Mar 13th, 2010, 09:04 AM
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Congratulations Sassafrass! I'm so glad you booked Princess. It's our favorite line. We haven't cruised the Caribbean for years, but enjoyed those long ago trips. I'm also glad you have arranged time in San Juan both before and after the cruise. It has changed a great deal since we stayed there, but some things remain like JW's suggestion to visit El Morro. I've always wanted to see El Yunque but have yet to do it, hope you can.
Eschew has outlined beautifully time spent onboard. We aren't pool or hot tub users either, but do sit nearby sometimes and people watch. There's often music (probably a steel drum group in your case) on pool decks and we enjoy listening and watching, maybe eating a cheeseburger we go and get and then find a table near the action.
You might like going to Cruise Critic www.cruisecritic.com for lots of information about cruising. You can even sign in, find the Caribbean Princess, the date of your cruise and get acquainted with fellow passengers. Often Meet & Greets are planned (we've attended two) somewhere onboard your ship.
Have a wonderful time!
Eschew has outlined beautifully time spent onboard. We aren't pool or hot tub users either, but do sit nearby sometimes and people watch. There's often music (probably a steel drum group in your case) on pool decks and we enjoy listening and watching, maybe eating a cheeseburger we go and get and then find a table near the action.
You might like going to Cruise Critic www.cruisecritic.com for lots of information about cruising. You can even sign in, find the Caribbean Princess, the date of your cruise and get acquainted with fellow passengers. Often Meet & Greets are planned (we've attended two) somewhere onboard your ship.
Have a wonderful time!
Mar 18th, 2010, 03:14 PM
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Sassafrass, Caribbean Princess is a gerat choice. First off, sea day or not, enjoy the Movie under the star! If you like light classical music, find out when the piano player or the quartet is playing at the Piazza. They should play about 4 times a day. Get a latte or home made ice cream or a lite snack at the international cafe, relax and enjoy the music. (Latte & the ice cream is not feee at the International Cafe but is vlaue priced)
If you like latte, buy a coffee card. They don't advertise it so you may have to ask for it. If you have not picked early or late dinner sitting, pick any time dining. Make sure you make a reservation as soon as you get on board. You can even ask for a table for 2.
There is lots to do in San Juan so getting there early is a great idea. I think the boarding time is noon but show up at about 2 pm is your best bet. the crowd would be gone and you can go through the check-in real quick. the otehr choice is be tehre early like 11:30 am and see if they will let you get on board.
You might also want to go to cruise critic and sign up to the roll call. You have made a great choice and good luck!
If you like latte, buy a coffee card. They don't advertise it so you may have to ask for it. If you have not picked early or late dinner sitting, pick any time dining. Make sure you make a reservation as soon as you get on board. You can even ask for a table for 2.
There is lots to do in San Juan so getting there early is a great idea. I think the boarding time is noon but show up at about 2 pm is your best bet. the crowd would be gone and you can go through the check-in real quick. the otehr choice is be tehre early like 11:30 am and see if they will let you get on board.
You might also want to go to cruise critic and sign up to the roll call. You have made a great choice and good luck!
Mar 18th, 2010, 08:30 PM
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Thanks everybody. Wow! only one more day to finish packing. Eschew, I do want to get my DH a coffee card. He loves good coffee. Thanks for that tip. I play piano, so love classical music and now am looking forward to that. I was even wondering if there was anyplace I might have access to a piano, but that is probably a crazy idea. That and my cats are the only things I miss when I am traveling.
Doing a cruise has really made me humble. I finally understand how overwhelmed people, who are going to Europe for the first time, feel. The more they research, the more confused they feel. It is so much easier to just come on a forum and ask for the answers. I've done research on this and other web sites, studied maps, etc., rather than coming on and asking a lot of questions that have already been answered. At least, from traveling in Europe so much, I knew where to start. A person who has never been out of the US may not have a clue. I shall be very gentle with newbies from now on.
Doing a cruise has really made me humble. I finally understand how overwhelmed people, who are going to Europe for the first time, feel. The more they research, the more confused they feel. It is so much easier to just come on a forum and ask for the answers. I've done research on this and other web sites, studied maps, etc., rather than coming on and asking a lot of questions that have already been answered. At least, from traveling in Europe so much, I knew where to start. A person who has never been out of the US may not have a clue. I shall be very gentle with newbies from now on.
Mar 19th, 2010, 01:51 PM
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One mroe day to go? Wow! Post a trip report after you get back. Looking forward to read all about it!
The Princess reguslar coffee is very "plain". The coffee at the international cafe is fresh brewed. Ask for the Ice Capp. They make it from the expresso machine, then add ice and cream and put it in a blender (sometimes they don't so you may have to ask)
The Princess reguslar coffee is very "plain". The coffee at the international cafe is fresh brewed. Ask for the Ice Capp. They make it from the expresso machine, then add ice and cream and put it in a blender (sometimes they don't so you may have to ask)
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