Looking to cruise the summer of 2005 and have only cruised twice in my life - years ago.

I have narrowed the choices down to four:
1) S. Carib on Destiny
goes to 4 ports I like
very inexpensive but air will negate savings
Older, less attractive ship

2) S. Carib on Advent of the Seas
1st choice
Great itin with 5 ports
Sounds like a gorgeous ship
Expensive, especially when air is added

3) W. Carib on either the Carib Princess or Navigator of the Seas
W. Carib doesn't light my fire but we would be on beautiful ships and the costs would be about the same as a S. Carib cruise on the Destiny after air.

Anyone been on these ships or cruises?

What are your thoughts after having done them?

Did you feel particular ships or itin. were worth the added $$$?

For us, itinerary is, by far, the most important consideration. We don't even look at the details of a cruise if we don't love the itinerary. But, that's just us.

THanks Abram
I'm very interested to hear from anyone who has done these itin. or sailed these ships?

Of course the itinerary is important but in the Caribbean when there is so much similarity amongst the islands, I'd go with the ship which will give you the best accommodations, the best space ratio for number of passengers and the best food. If the shows and entertainment are important, than factor that in to your choice as well.

I'd rank the choice of ship as 60% of the choice and the itinerary as 40% of the choice in the Caribbean, Bermuda or Alaska. In other parts of the world, I'd reverse those percentages.

I'd also choose the newest, smallest, fewer passengers of the ships you're cosidering. What often appears as the best bargain can sometimees be the most expensive bottom line. Remember, many cruise lines will quote a ridiculous low price and make all their money off the passengers once on board.

The Navigator was our 20th cruise and we loved it. Huge ship! Also great ships - Serenade of the Seas and Summit. Book your own air and try to go the day before.(go on line for both) It's so nice to feel relaxed on the first day of your cruise.

There is a compromise alternative but you have to have enough time. 10 day cruises out of Florida can reach the same southern itineraries as those out of San Juan but you get two sea days at both the beginning and the end (which we thought was great). The cost tends to be about the same given the difference in air fare. Check it out.

Peter

The cruiseline is most important to us and our travelling companions--our choice is Celebrity whenever possible. Itinerary is next, and basically we've been on them all--from small Zenith to mega sized Summit. We have never been disappointed. I should mention that R & R is our primary consideration, and we never book shore excursions through the ship. We research independent tours ahead of time, and book them online if we are CERTAIN we MUST go on a particular one. Otherwise we have a few options for each port, and decide when we wake up what we 'really' want to do. Usually we can catch a cab to get us where we want to go WHEN we want to go without all the ship's tour crowds OR expense.

I want to start by saying that I have cruised 10 times and have been on Carnival (2), Princess (3), RCCL (2), NCL (1), Royal (1), and Costa (1) over the years. I am not a complainer and try to get the best out of all my travel experiences. I've cruised in the east/west/ Caribbean and Bahamas five times, the Mediterranean once, Alaska once, the west coast of Mexico once, and Bermuda twice.

I was just on the Caribbean Princess on the July 31st Western Carib cruise. The itinerary is OK... Jamaica is one place I don't care if I go ashore again. I liked Grand Cayman best of all. Cozumel is OK.

But, I really enjoyed the ship. It IS a destination in and of itself. Yes, it is huge. We had 3500 passengers on board, due to many families (summer vacation w/kids). My days at sea were spent at the aft pool, which is an adults only pool. I noted 5 pools, at least. The two central pools are much busier and noisier, but if you are into lots of activity, that's the place to be, I guess. For me, the aft pool is IT because I can take a dip and then find a place in either the sun or the shade for rest, read, chat, nap, zzzz, whatever...

I also spent a lot of time on my cabin balcony. I had a cabin on the Caribe deck with a large 9 x 9 balcony. Other decks have a slightly smaller size. The balcony is more open to the sea, unlike RCCL balconies, which appear to be more protected IMO. Caribe deck balconies are partly in the sun and partly shaded by the cabin above. I like the open space. One of the big RCCL ships was docked near us in Cozumel and I tried to take note of their balcony configuration. Take a look at photos of both lines and see if you don't agree.

I plan to do the southern Carib the next time I cruise in that area. I am particularly interested in seeing Aruba. I've heard it is similar to, say, Bermuda (which is my FAVORITE) and Grand Cayman. I'm not interested in going back to the islands where the natives hound you all the time to buy this, buy that, get in their taxi, and on and on! That's a real turn-off!!

I plan to cruise on Princess again, as much as I can. Of the lines I have cruised, it is the most "upscale" IMO, and has the atmosphere I like. There is a nice mix of ages/backgrounds. I met many friendly folks and found it easy to strike up a conversation.

You will have to decide whether the ship or the itinerary is the most important for you. I'd do the S Carib on a Princess (grand class) ship!! For me, that would be the best of both!

Enjoy your cruise, in any case.