Route choices for my Caribbean cruise trip?

Question

I like to experience the different cultures like old town, people,

food, music etc. which one is my first choice to go the East,

South or West on my Caribbean cruise trip? when is the best month?

Your recommandation will bevery appreciated.

Answer 1

On a cruise, you usually have time for only a small "taste" of the country you are visiting, as the ships are in port for only a few hours.  Generally, you will visit more ports on a Southern Caribbean cruise [often starting in San Juan].  Western cruises usually include Grand Cayman, Cozumel Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Jamaica, etc.  Eastern cruises usually include St. Thomas, San Juan, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas, Tortola, etc.

You can certainly do shore excursions with a cultural emphasis in most of those ports, or spend time in the port city exploring cultural attractions.

You might want to get a book about Caribbean ports of call at the library, or check out CruiseCritic.com, "Boards", then "Ports of Call".

"Best" month is a matter of taste.  The summer months are popular with families and also are hurricane season.  September through just before Thanksgiving cruises are less likely to have children on board and this is also hurricane season.  However, with modern storm tracking, the ships can and do avoid the worst of the effects of hurricanes.  Christmas and New Years cruises are again full of children and are the most expensive ones.  January through early March is a quieter time, and then comes Spring Breaks for colleges and other schools.

Answer 2

I have been on many cruises to the Caribbean - and I prefer the Southern Route.  Aruba, St. Thomas, St. Maarten etc.

The islands are breath taking, and the beaches are amazing.  

The Western would be my second favorite, with Jamaica, Cozumel, and the Caymans.  Always beautiful too.

I would avoid stopping in Grenada, or Haiti.

Answer 3

Best to go during the Winter months.  It's cheaper and not at warm, but you're getting away from the cold and snow.

I prefered West.  Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya are all great.  If you hit Belize, don't even get off the boat - not worth it.

Answer 4

I have been Eastern, Western, Southern and Panama Canal and in my opinion the Southern Caribbean cruise that leaves from Puerto Rico and goes south and east to Barbados, Grenada, Antigua, St Lucia, Martinique, and maybe Aruba and/or Curacao would provide the most variety.  The closest you will come to experiencing cultures on a western Caribbean cruise is in Jamaica.  The Eastern Caribbean routes usually have just St Thomas and St Maarten and maybe Tortola.

As far as the best time, any time after October 30 and up until about June 30.  Otherwise you will be in hurricane season.  The air and water temperatures will also be better during the Oct to June time frame.

Answer 5

i've done the East, West and South. each had ports of call that i liked and disliked. i'll be taking my 5th cruise this Feb 16th. it'll be another Western itinerary but to ports of call that i haven't been to yet. as far as old town, with my limited cruising experience (so far), i'd say Western would be the best bet.

as far as best month, weatherwise i'd say May-June. you get better deals in late summer/fall but then you have to worry about the hurricane season. you won't actually sail through a hurricane but the seas will be rough as you sail around any bad weather.

Answer 6

I would suggest the East if you are looking for more cultures.  West is really nice but cultures aren't that different from port to port.  East has a little more variety and best time to go would be April/May/June.

Answer 7

If you like a lot of culture-  WEST is best.  I just got back from a cruise that went to Belize, Honduras, and Mexico.  It was wonderful!  However if you go to these places you must do a tour to get the real flavor of the areas otherwise you just get the tourist feel.  We went to an eco park in Belize and rode horses through the rain forest- The people who were there made homemade jerk chicken it was the best stuff I have ever eaten.  IT WAS AWESOME. I definitely want to go back!

The Eastern Caribbean is nice, but it is more beachy and touristy- very relaxing.  I getting ready to plan my next cruise for Jamacia and Grand Cayman and I can't wait.  

I would suggest cruising in April or May- The weather is warmer and it is just before the rainy season.  

December was nice, but the weather was cloudy often and it wasn't as warm.  We still had a wonderful time.  

We went in May once before and it was awesome,  we had great weather and it was warm.  Of course what I consider to be warm other consider hot.  

HAVE FUN!

Answer 8

I have done the Western.  I have been to Cozumel twice, and was not real impressed with it.  We are planning an Eastern now.  I actually like the cruise better than the ports, and the Eastern is  seven day with only three ports of call.  The last two days back to Port Canaveral are sea days.  Those are my favorite.  The Southern has too many port calls for my taste.

We always go between Sept and Dec.  We were in Mexico last Sept, and it was still 100 degrees with 85 percent humidity.  When we were in Nassau, it was so hot that the street vendors were not even bothering anyone.  Even worse than being home in Florida.  Been to the Bahamas in December, and it was cool enough to enjoy, but hot enough to still be tropical.

Oh, and Pamela, it sounds like you were on the Carnival Glory.  If so, what do you think of Wee Jimmy?