Caribbean Cruise tips?

Question

I'd like to go on a cruise this september or october and was wondering if anyone had tips, like whats;

Are cruises enjoyable?

The best Carribean cruise company?

Are there any that depart from the usa with their final destination being Barbados, Mexico or Puerto Rico?

What are the above places like?

When the ships stop are you alowed to get off for a while?

Do the ships have outdoor pools?

Anything else would be great.

Answer 1

If you go on a cruise during september or october, just be aware it COULD be a little chilly depending on the weather. Im sure you have heard this before, but it is much more enjoyable going over the summer because it is hot, so you get the benefit of alot more stuff. Like the outdoor pools, the unlimited ice cream machine, & just everything refreshing.

I think cruises are the funnest things ever! When they stop at the ports of call,  [countries] they let you get out for a nice day. so usually from 8 am to 5pm.

you should go on whatever cruise line you want to go on, on their website & it gives you a tour of the boat. & you can google search pictures to view the shows, restaurants, recreation, fittness, salon, & different places.

that will help you alot.

hope this helped :]

Answer 2

CRUISES ARE WONDERFUL

Pay One price and it includes:

Room

24 /7 Food

Shows

Games

Some have movie theatres

Putt Putt

the list goes on and on

My advice would be Royal Carribean or Carnival

Prices are alittle better

Also, go through a travel agent.

They DO NOT charge you.  They are working for

the cruise lines.  But they take care of everything

Tickets, luggage tags(certain kind for cruises)

Shore excursions can be set up with them or

when you get on the ship.  Shore excursion are

extra.  Go to a travel agents office, they will give

you books on the different cruise lines, etc to take

home and look over. They can get better prices, plus

if your on a lower floor and rooms higher up become available, they can move you up to a bigger and better

room - no extra cost to you either.

I've been on 6 cruises.    Went to the Bahamas 5 days

cost me and my husband 300.00 each.

I can't go to the beach and rent a nice hotel room for

under a 100.00 a night plus 3 meals each for 5 days.

for the price of $600.00

GO SEE A TRAVEL AGENT...

Answer 3

We live in Florida so cruises are our family vacations and Sept - Dec is one of the cheapest times of the year to go, just keep in mind June - Oct is hurrican season with means in the event of a such a storm they can will change the ports for your safty and enjoyment. our last cruise in Sept the ports were changed because of huricain Dean and Felix so we did not get to Costa Maya or Bilize these port were switched to Key West and Progeso

Carnival is great they have beautiful ships, and the staff spoils you rotten. I warn you form the first time you set foot on the ship you are in awe, and then they lead you to the food (and all food on ship is included) from there you can get to your room and unpack a little before you go on deck to watch the ship leave port.

Carnival is the lowest and I would book directly through them, we have looked into a travel agent and the same cruise is always $100 more in the end, the cruise we just booked was $200 more if we would have use a travel agent that claimed to have the lowest prices. And the Personal Vacation Planner we use through Carnival always get up upgrades too.

We have been to Cozumel, Mexico twice and it great for shopping, snorkeling, beaches and a lot more including Mayan ruins. I have also been to Progreso Mexico and it is nice too and the best place to see the larger Mayan ruins.

Grand Cayman is nice too and is an Island south west of Cuba.  and the Bahamas is ok but I would not plan my vacation around if.

Jamaica is good for the pineapple and coffee plantations and the rain forest tour. I have not been yet but it is on the list.

yes you are welcome to get off the ship and just wonder on your own or you can book excursions through the ship to the ports

and there are outdoor pools and some ships even have pools that have a cover with windows that can go over the pool in the rain too

Answer 4

Go to WWW.cruisecritic.com, there is endless infor there.

Answer 5

I have been to the Caribbean...all parts, four times with Royal Caribbean Cruiseline.

   The cruise and ships are fantastic with plenty to do while on board.

    Departure points vary, but depending on the trip, there are cruises that go to Mexico and Puerto Rico, Barbados and Jamaica too and the Bahamas (I have been to all of these places, as well as St. Thomas, Cayman Islands, Haiti and a couple other islands. Only place I did not like was Haiti) but you'll have to look at the cruise Ports of Call to find which trip will most interest you if you are planning on taking a cruise

  

   Yes, when the ship is at a Port of Call, you get there between 7 and 10 in the morning and are expected to be back on the ship at 5 at night.

      Yes, Royal Caribbean has two to three outside pools and hot tubs. Which are very enjoyable.

   Go to www.royalcaribbean.com for more info on ships, Ports of Call, what to expect...etc.

Answer 6

I would choose september over Oct. Your moving into hurricane season in Oct. The weather network online has statistics for weather for each of your choices.

I'm the daughter of a retired travel agent. Cruising is my favourite way of travel for run and relaxation. Seeing fun bites of different places. My fav are Disney and Holland America. (I'm early 30's)

Go to www.cruisecritic.com to find out what sounds good to you. There are professional and traveller reviews.

Barbados is beach and flea market. Mexico & Puerto Rico is beach or ruins. It all matters what ports the ship stops at. Most cruise lines have info on each place they stop at.

The itinerary given on the cruise website should tell you the hours the ship is at port. You should be back on the ship one hour before it departs. Sometimes the ship is docked right on a port and you can just walk off the ship. Tendering is when the ship anchors just off from the island and you need to line up to get into boats (tenders) that will then take you into the port. Tendering means delays and waits. Also choppy sometimes. (my dh does the behind the ear patch and it worked very well for him) Beware that 'booked excursions" will have first off basis . This means sometimes you cannot get off right away even on walk off ports and will need to wait in some lounge till your allowed to go.

Most ships have at least one outdoor pool. Spas are common too. You ususally cannot swim in the pools when the ship is in port.

I almost always book online directly. If I have a question I just call thier toll free number. Join the loyalty programs and you get freebie and extras the more you cruise with that cruise line. You can usually book excursions, extras, everything online or toll free. The one time I booked with a 'cruise specialist' it was a horrible experience but thats just one opinion.

Inside cabins are a deal. However if your clastrophobic don't do this to yourself. I like at least a port hole so I can see sun/rain.

Most cruise lines have a gratuity set up for your servers.(cabins, servers, etc) Check out what the expections are as it can be an expensive surprise. Hal is only $10 a day/per person. Disney can be like $75 a day/pp.

List what is included and what isn't before choosing a 'cheap cruise' . Look at the ports and time there. Do you have to rent a taxi to get anywhere or can you walk right into a town. Beachs far.. For the price its worth doing your own investigating.

If your flying; book early! Look up air charges before you purchase the cruise. See what the cruise line offers you.

Also if you get to pick a stateroom. look at the cruise ships layout. Whats above/below you. how close are you to elevators... Good luck!

Answer 7

- Cruises can be enjoyable. However, cruises aren't for everyone.  Most people enjoy them though. I think the key to enjoying a cruise is to find the right cruise line for yourself. For example, an elderly couple who doesn't like kids wouldn't enjoy a Disney cruise! On the other hand, a family with little kids might not be too welcome on a Cunard or Crystal cruise.

- Carnival has a lot of Caribbean cruises. I believe they are most known for Caribbean cruises. However, most other cruise lines also go to the Caribbean. These include Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, Norweigan, Holland America, etc.

- I don't know of any cruises that end in another country. Perhaps there are, but most cruises I know of are round-trip (start and end in the same port).

- Barbados is known for its beaches. Mexico is known for its ruins, shopping, and city life. Puerto Rico is good for tours and such, in my opinion.

- Yes, you can get off the ship. Just be sure you are back in time. Unless you are on an excursion you bought through the cruise line, the boat WILL NOT wait for you. You'll need to find your own transportation to the next port or back home. The times you are allowed to begin getting off and the time to be back on the ship are usually listed in the daily schedule. Remember, the ship must be inspected before anyone can get off, so just because you are docked doesn't mean you can get off. It might be a couple hours after docking until you can get off.

- Yes, there are outdoor pools. Keep in mind that the pools use salt water. Some outdoor pools also have retractable roofs that can close in bad weather.