Hello, everyone. This is my first time on the cruise forum. I usually post on the caribbean forum. My husband and I are considering taking a cruise to the caribbean next year and have found choosing a ship to be quite an ordeal. This would be our first cruise. After reviewing all the websites of the top cruise lines, we are confused. Here's what we're looking for - a 7-10 day cruise to the caribbean between March and May. I'm in my 30s and my husband is in his early 50s. We don't want a raucous party boat with young twenty somethings and lots of kids (no disrespect intended here, just not for us). Something geared more for adults but still laid back and relaxed - not stuffy. Not that crazy about formal nights - we're more comfortable in sundresses (me)and pants with a collared shirt (for him). As far as itinerary, we'd like to see some of the less crowded areas of the caribbean such as St. John, St. Kitts/Nevis and St. Barts and perhaps Barbados. Is there a ship you would recommend for our interests? We've looked at Holland,Radisson,Celebrity and Crystal. Holland seems to have the best itinerary, but don't know anything about them. Any thoughts?

bosco, forget going to St. Kitts! There is nothing there but a very, very slow train ride around the island. My husband and I 58 and 56 stay away from Carnival because of the party dudes/dudettes on board. We went on Radisson Diamond in March 04 to St. Kitts, St. Barts, St. Maarten, San Juan and St. Thomas. Loved the ship and the St. Barts. We had been to the other places several times prior. We also did a 10 day Holland on the Zaandam that went to St. Lucia, Dominica, Barbados, and I think St. John. Most all ships today you don't have to get dressed up. My husband usually wears a navy blazer and my typical "evening" attire is black slacks and a glittery twin set! Kind of cocktail attire. My favorites are Radisson, Celebrity, Holland and Princess. Have only been on Crystal for lunch but it is out of my price range! Have a great time!

I loved St. Kitts! Did a horseback tour through the cane fields & rainforest; great people; beautiful beaches.

As you're looking at Southern Carib., most options will leave from San Juan. We took the Dawn Princess in December (St. Kitts, Grenada, St. Thomas, Aruba) but I think there is a Barbados itinerary. That's probably the pace you're looking at.

HAL might be a pretty old crowd for you, but maybe note. Celebrity has a rep. for being between HAL & Princess in average age.

Cheers!

I just have to put my 2 cents in and say St. Kitts is a BEAUTIFUL island! In fact, I am researching a vacation there. That is the only problem with a cruise.....too little time on each island.

Thank you guys for your input! It's been really helpful. What are the Princess ships like in comparison to the other mainstream boats such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean as far as atmophere and average age?

Princess is TERRIFIC!! We were on the Golden this past Dec. and did Personal Choice dining...You do have formal nites but you can still go to an alternative restaurant on formal nites if you don't want to dress up...

We LOVED St Kitts- had a terrific guide all day- had lunch at Rawlins Plantation on St Kitts-- Your guide can make reservations the day you get off the ship in St Kitts-I highly recommend this place- it is a BnB at the top of a mountain -set in a garden- with awesome views- and an authentic WEST INDIAN Buffet for lunch...It was wonderful and a highlight of our southern carib. cruise...

Another ship to look at is WINDSURF- part of the Windstar Cruise line- it is a 4 masted sailing yacht- dress is casual elegant ( NO coat and tie needed- no formal nites)..they hit really neat SMALL islands that the large ships cannot get in....They usually go in and out of either St Thomas or Barbados...
They don't have balcomies-nor lavish shows at nite- just nice 3 pc band in the lounge and a small casino--but it is super easy to meet up with other nice couples as the ship only holds 330 passengers...We did it in the Med and loved it....It has a neat marina where the back of the ship flips down and they have tons of water sports available at no extra charge..You will love this ship! And you are the perfect age for this ship!