Does anyone have any helpful "insiders" suggestions for first time cruisers?

Question

Going to the Eastern Carribean in January 2007 on Princess Cruise Lines. Looking for helpful tips on best excursions ( St. Marten, St. Thomas and Princess Cays.) Also would like to know how much a soda card costs (can't live without my diet coke) and any other info that would be helpful for a first time cruiser that is not made available via the cruise line. What can you bring onboard...diet coke???? Thanks!

Answer 1

you can take your diet coke on-board with you.  the drink card cost depends on the amount of days you are on the ship.  the only island you mentioned that i have been to is st. thomas.  i would suggest a tour of the island and make sure you see magen's bay from above.  it is very pretty.  shopping is within walking distance of the port.  st. thomas is a good place to buy jewelry also.  if you do go shopping, ask some of the store clerks it the man still has "oprah" the donkey!  see wore sunglasses and lipstick.  happy cruising!!!

Answer 2

I can't help you on the shore excursions but I can suggest you buy the soda card if you gotta drink plenty diet coke.  The sodas are at least $2 each otherwise.  You can't bring any beverages aboard.  I won a bottle of wine on a flight over to the departure port.  The ship found it in my luggage, called me to the luggage area and confiscated the bottle until the end of the cruise.  I bought a six-pack of soda on a shore excursion, same thing.  The ship confiscated it upon re-boarding and returned it at the end of cruise.  Beer is at least $3.50 each.  But despite the costs of beverages you will enjoy cruising.  I bet this won't be your last.

Answer 3

Don¸t be cheap and bring your own drinks on board.Make sure you tip well.

Answer 4

Shopping is the main event on St. Thomas, and most of the shops are conveniently located right by the cruise ship docks.  For something different you can rent a car, drive up to Mountain Top for the view and then down to Magen's Bay for swimming and relaxing on the beach.  

Cruise Critic is a great web site with all sorts of information for cruisers.

Answer 5

Jill

Most cruises permit soda,  just not alcohol.  Call the Cruise line directly to clarify.  

Have Fun

Answer 6

Check out your shore excursions at www.tripadvisor.com.  Search for the cruise itinerary and you'll find people that have been where you're going.  These reviews are written by the people that have been there so you get the real deal, not what those in charge want you to here.

Also, I cruised Carnival which owns Princess and their soda card was $40.00.  Granted it was a six day cruise, so if you're going for more or fewer days expect to pay accordingly.  Those cards are only good at the bar, not room service.  Also, the pop in the mini fridge in your room costs $1.25/can.

If you don't buy a soda card (you don't have to) you can still use your room card to buy it at the bar, but a tip is added to the bill.  Figure out ahead of time if you're going to drink that much pop, then see what's the better deal.

Carnival never told me I didn't need to buy it, and they never told me I didn't need to buy two of them (one for each of us).  I spent $80.00 only to find out later that tea, coffee, lemonade, punch, etc was free down in the grand buffet.  I had only used the soda card once, but they were good and refunded my $80.00.

Have fun!!