1st Time Cruising
 

We are doing a 7 Day Esatren Caribbean cruise Expoler of the Seas in Mid November.
St Thomas.St Marteen, Puerto Rico if you have any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, reports or useful info please let us have same.

We are also staying 4 nights The Park Central Sth Beach Miami on our return and 1 night Holiday Inn Miami Port prior to cruise any thoughts.

I am also thinking of changing from Holiday Inn to Hampton Inn at Miami Airport as our flight gets in at 8.30 pm on the night before the cruise departs would this be a better idea as it would mean on 1 transfer to the ship

If you have suggestions for other hotels at Airport please let me have same

We are flying in from Ireland

The airport is fine.
Your cruise is mid-November? It is a hurricane season so be prepared

I would stay at the airport pre cruise and South Beach will be a blast post cruise.

Take a cab to the ship and even if there is a hotel shuttle, abandon that idea. Arrive between 10:30AM and 11:00AM for a 1-2PM boarding time and y'all will be on board by noon sipping a festive cocktail eating lunch watching the lines back up at the cruise terminal.

Hotel shuttles to the port take forever and aren't worth it even though they are free.

You might get additional responses by posting your question in the Cruises forum here.

clonard, you are a very brave person to go on a cruise during HURRICANE season. Good luck and keep your life vest on all the time

I sure wouldn`t go on a Caribbean cruise in Sept, or even Oct. But November, while still the hurricane season, has less chance of a hurricane, and I`d go for sure. Fool that I am, our first cruise was on a Windjammer, and we went at the beginning of Sept. Didn`t know why there was so few people on the ship. A hurricane was coming, but we still got 6 good days out of seven. I know not to tempt fate and go in Sept. again.

There is no less chance of encountering a hurricane in November than September or October. While historically there are more hurricanes between August and October.

Way to go clonard - you've pick a winner of an itinerary for a first-timer! While docked in St. Thomas, I would recommend taking an excursion to St Johns Island for either the island tour or the Trunk Bay Beach Break/Snorkel trip. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Absolutely Gorgeous!!

Don't be overly concerned about hurricanes. RCL is a good line to sail with and I'm sure very experienced in deal with any kind of severe weather issues.

Coming from Ireland to cruise the Caribbean is one heck of a trip and you are going to have fantastic time!! Bon Voyage!

I wouldn't worry about hurricanes on a cruise ship in November; unlike Florida, the ship can move out of the way. You may miss a port or have stops rearranged, but you will be fine on the ship.

We did a snorkeling excursion to St. John when in St. Thomas, and usually just take a cab to Orient or Dawn Beach in St. Maarten.

You should head to the "Ports of Call" message boards on cruisecritic.com to get more info on activities people recommend in the ports.