Caribbean vs Mediterranean cruisers?

Hi guys

Recently did SDII in the Med and we plan a Caribbean trip late 2016. For we Australians, the Caribbean is a long way away so it'll be our first trip to the region.

While cruising off Italy, during convivialities with several US SeaDreamers, we were informed (sort of 'cautioned') that the Mediterranean and Caribbean cruise passengers are quite different..... different attitudes and more dressy in the Caribbean than the Med.

I wonder if anyone here thinks there's a marked difference between Med and Caribbean cruise passengers (especially on SeaDream)? Just curious...

Shaskelly

Hi guys

Recently did SDII in the Med and we plan a Caribbean trip late 2016. For we Australians, the Caribbean is a long way away so it'll be our first trip to the region.

While cruising off Italy, during convivialities with several US SeaDreamers, we were informed (sort of 'cautioned') that the Mediterranean and Caribbean cruise passengers are quite different..... different attitudes and more dressy in the Caribbean than the Med.

I wonder if anyone here thinks there's a marked difference between Med and Caribbean cruise passengers (especially on SeaDream)? Just curious...

 

Shaskelly

Our take would probably be just the opposite. We found The Med to be more dressy and certainly populated with more Europeans. In the Caribbean, usually there is a larger contingent of US citizens. In the Caribbean, day wear is mostly swimsuits and sandals for us. Evenings are "dressy" in that men need long pants and shoes but tropical type shirts abound. We prefer the Caribbean as, imho, no one does the Caribbean better than SeaDream. In the Med, the changeable nature of the weather can make the outdoor venues less useable at times. In either case, you will find mostly well traveled outgoing passengers.

Yeah. I've done two Caribbean SD cruises and one Mediterranean. The Caribbean cruises were definitely more casual.

Thanks guys!

I did forget to mention that SD II often has British Royalty on board. During those times, certain sartorial differences could be imposed. You pays your money and you takes your chances.........:eek::D

I agree with Jim. We've been on many Caribbean sailings, and a few European, and find that there is little difference between the passengers who do these trips, but the climate and the itineraries make the difference. In the Caribbean, you will get a lot of people escaping the northern winters (which won't be your situation), so they want to spend time on the beach or in the water. We always pack our snorkeling gear. Sometimes we just stay on the yacht because we've been to an island many times. In Europe, passengers are more interested in touring during the day, and the weather is generally similar to what we left at home, so it is a very different type of vacation. And Jim is right about attire. Bathing suits during the day, tropical wear at night in the Caribbean.

We fell in love with SeaDream in the Caribbean, but were concerned about what the cruises would be like in Europe. At one time we had a choice between SD and SS sailing similar itineraries out of Venice and opted for SS. When we did our first SD in Europe, a b2b from Amsterdam to Lisbon, we became convinced it didn't matter where we sailed, we wanted to be on SD. So January is out of San Juan and May is out of Barcelona. And we know that we will be with SD friends on both cruises.

Zimmy's DH

Have to ditto Jim Avery. We have spent 4 weeks on board in the Med, and too many to count in the Caribbean and he is spot oin in his evaluation.