My fiancee and i are planning on going on a cruise to the Southern carribbean in July 2001 with some friends and we weren't sure which boat to go on. They all sound good so we can't decide. Also we picked July thinking we would avoid the rainy season but not sure if that's really the best time to go. Any advice would be great.

I would choose a new ship. I have been on both old and new and would always choose new over old. I am in my late 20's and prefer "larger ships" over smaller ships. You may run into some problems with the summer because Princess sends most of their ships to Alaska and Europe in the summer - I think RCCL does also. The ships I would look at would be RCCL Explorer of the Seas, Triumph/Destiny/Victory and then the Princess Grand/Golden. Other great ships would be RCCL Voyager, Princess Sea/Dawn/Ocean and Sun. <BR> <BR>I prefer to take cruises in the winter Nov - March because I can leave the cold for a week of Paradise in the warm weather. Also - there are more "families" on summer cruises. I have cruised in Nov, Dec, and March and only encountered rain once and that was for about an hour. The weather was otherwise perfect. <BR> <BR>Email me if you have questions.

You really will be limited in your choice of ships in July but that doesn't mean you should avoid that time if it works well for you. I wouldn't worry about rain though. The only main ships that will do Southern then are Fascination, Inspiration, and Monarch of the Seas. The Inspiration does the deeper Southern offering two different itineraries in July. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail them to me.

Thanks for the info- I'll have to let everyone know about the limitations during the summer. maybe I can convince everyone to go in the spring or late fall.

Check with RCI, The Grandeur should be down there and it is a great ship. Good luck.

We took Monarch of the Seas-Royal Caribbean in March to Southern Caribbean and loved it. We are retired and weather was 80's-not too hot to sight see and not cold at all. Our kids went on their honeymoon in June of 99 and it was HOT!!!-even for them. Be sure to e-mail what ever cruise line you go with and tell them that you would like to be upgraded since you are on your honeymoon. Start at a medium priced outside stateroom and let them work you up. We were scheduled on the 6th deck and after I e-mailed, we were upgraded to 9th deck and a bigger, nicer cabin--even had a safe in room-very important because when you just want to go pool side or walk around, all you have to carry is the charge card they give you. No purses or extra baggage. I loved being able to put our cash and traveler's checks, my purse and jewlery in the safe and go off without a worry. You put in your own code so no one else but you know what it is. all we did was tell them that this was my husbands' retirement gift. <BR>Martinque was terrible. Dirty and mean people. It was the only port that people from the ship were robbed. Pick pockets you know, RCCL says they will not be going there again. Don't even get off the ship if that is one of your destinations. We did because I said as long as I am here, I am stepping onto their soil. Well the walk was long, it was warm, and all their goods and wares were on the streets-not in tents, or tables, but right on the base of the streets. We turned around and went back aboard ship with about 800 other passengers. If you do get off-KEEP YOUR WALLET IN YOUR HAND!!! <BR>We had the BEST shows on RCCL and the most fun we have ever had. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions about what to carry on, what to pack and what and how to bring things home.

Sandra- would have to agree that I enjoy going to warm spots in the wintertime. Keep in mind that June 1 starts hurricane season which stretches to end of November. I hear that cruise ships can avert hurricanes by thus missing an island which you may have had your heart set on.