First Time Cruise - any great tips for a 7 day ?
Mar 6th, 2013, 09:24 AM
#21
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Congrats on booking your cruise! I wouldn't worry about mishaps like the recent one, obviously they're rare. I'm also a first time cruiser, so I'm reading a lot about what to expect. Be sure to visit www.cruisecritic.com like many above have suggested. It's a great site with information on anything you can imagine! I guess the overwhelming tip I'm hearing from reading and family for a short cruise is.... don't bring too much! Cruisediva.com has loads of packing lists, so I'm finding that a good place to start, along with some general tips that I found in this article www.cheapestcruise.info/packing-for-a-cruise/ I'm using these tips, like color coordinating outfits and I plan to ziplock bag and compress everything and bring only ONE bag. Maybe I'm dreaming, but traveling light sounds great! Hope your cruise is fantastic!
Mar 6th, 2013, 10:43 AM
#22
Join Date: Jul 2003
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"I would strongly recommend taking a cab to Magen's Bay if you haven't been to St. Thomas"
Just find out how many ships will be docked at St Thomas at the same time. Magen's Bay could be very crowded and there are many beaches on St. Thomas that you could visit instead.
"shopping in St. Thomas is great"
In the downtown area, there are many many shops. However, if you are interested in purchasing perfume, stop at "Perfumaria" (I think that's the name) located in the Yacht Basin on the way back to the ship. Their prices were at least $10-30 lower than in downtown St. Thomas and much lower than the ship. I bought my new favorite perfume in a 3.5oz size for $10 more than 1.5 oz at the local Macys back home.
For St. Maartin, if you choose to stay on the Dutch side, there are beaches right in the downtown area. We paid $10pp (all day use) for a padded lounge chair next to the water, umbrella, table and for an additional $2.50, a tall cool pina colada delivered straight to you on the beach. We hit the beach early, stayed for a long while, then did our shopping in the afternoon before heading back to the ship.
You should be aware that on the French side of St. Martin, you will be charged in Euros.
"We were going to purchase one soda package and one water package.. is this necessary? "
Water on the ship is filtered with a reverse osmosis process and very good. No need for a water package. With a soda package, just ask yourself if you will drink $X worth of soda during your trip. You can always get coffee/tea/iced teas at no charge. It may have changed, but on some ships you could always ask for soda in the main dining room at no charge and cappuchino at dinner at no charge. However, I don't know if that's still the case.
I agree with the other posters' suggestions about cruise critic, etc.
Enjoy your trip.
Just find out how many ships will be docked at St Thomas at the same time. Magen's Bay could be very crowded and there are many beaches on St. Thomas that you could visit instead.
"shopping in St. Thomas is great"
In the downtown area, there are many many shops. However, if you are interested in purchasing perfume, stop at "Perfumaria" (I think that's the name) located in the Yacht Basin on the way back to the ship. Their prices were at least $10-30 lower than in downtown St. Thomas and much lower than the ship. I bought my new favorite perfume in a 3.5oz size for $10 more than 1.5 oz at the local Macys back home.
For St. Maartin, if you choose to stay on the Dutch side, there are beaches right in the downtown area. We paid $10pp (all day use) for a padded lounge chair next to the water, umbrella, table and for an additional $2.50, a tall cool pina colada delivered straight to you on the beach. We hit the beach early, stayed for a long while, then did our shopping in the afternoon before heading back to the ship.
You should be aware that on the French side of St. Martin, you will be charged in Euros.
"We were going to purchase one soda package and one water package.. is this necessary? "
Water on the ship is filtered with a reverse osmosis process and very good. No need for a water package. With a soda package, just ask yourself if you will drink $X worth of soda during your trip. You can always get coffee/tea/iced teas at no charge. It may have changed, but on some ships you could always ask for soda in the main dining room at no charge and cappuchino at dinner at no charge. However, I don't know if that's still the case.
I agree with the other posters' suggestions about cruise critic, etc.
Enjoy your trip.
Mar 7th, 2013, 05:01 AM
#23
Join Date: May 2010
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To see which ships are in port with you:
http://ships.cruisett.com/schedule/C...February_2014/
You're going to love Celebrity.
Bon Voyage!
http://ships.cruisett.com/schedule/C...February_2014/
You're going to love Celebrity.
Bon Voyage!
Mar 15th, 2013, 10:00 PM
#24
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Meghan Travelor.. thank you for that link!
GBelle.. great ideas.. oh.. I can just see my self with that Pina Colada! We will get the soda package because my husband drinks soda.. I do not..
3Doxens.. that is a great link as well.. I never thought to check what other ships were there..
GBelle.. great ideas.. oh.. I can just see my self with that Pina Colada! We will get the soda package because my husband drinks soda.. I do not..
3Doxens.. that is a great link as well.. I never thought to check what other ships were there..
Mar 16th, 2013, 02:02 AM
#25
Join Date: Aug 2005
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I recently returned from these ports.
If you dock in old San Juan, walk up the hill from the ship 2 blocks to Starbucks for a coffee fix. Turn right after coming out and walk 2 blocks to Trolley Stop #3 that will take you around old San Juan and up to El Morro fort for Free.
You can get out at any stop & hop on next one. There were HUGE crowds waiting to get on at Stop #1 & couldn't.
I like the French side of St Martin so after the all-day $7 water taxi to Front Street I walked to Back Street where vans come along w/sign in window indicating town. Flagged one for Marigot & handed the $2 to drive when I got out. Plenty of cafes, bazaars etc to see.
In St Thomas took the $4 shared taxi to town to shop.
Do peruse cruisecritic as others have suggested & sign up under ROLL CALL & see if there is a Meet & Greet aboard.
You can meet others & ask questions there.
If you dock in old San Juan, walk up the hill from the ship 2 blocks to Starbucks for a coffee fix. Turn right after coming out and walk 2 blocks to Trolley Stop #3 that will take you around old San Juan and up to El Morro fort for Free.
You can get out at any stop & hop on next one. There were HUGE crowds waiting to get on at Stop #1 & couldn't.
I like the French side of St Martin so after the all-day $7 water taxi to Front Street I walked to Back Street where vans come along w/sign in window indicating town. Flagged one for Marigot & handed the $2 to drive when I got out. Plenty of cafes, bazaars etc to see.
In St Thomas took the $4 shared taxi to town to shop.
Do peruse cruisecritic as others have suggested & sign up under ROLL CALL & see if there is a Meet & Greet aboard.
You can meet others & ask questions there.
