Advice for Eastern Caribbean Cruise

We are booked on the Eastern Caribbean Cruise in February 2017 after spending a week in Disney, We have booked on Sunshine and have a few queries on Cruising in general if anyone could please help me.

1. We know the Islands will be hot as we have visited the Caribbean many times but on board the Cruise line which we pick up in Port Canaveral will it be warm enough to swim in the pools and sunbathe, we are on the ship 2 days before arriving at our first port and then visit 4 ports then back at sea for 1 day before arriving back at Port Canaveral

2. Will it be chilly on board in the evenings/day (sorry just need to know what sort of clothing to pack)

3. We have upgraded and booked a Suite Cabin 5340 so I believe we get priority boarding. What exactly does this mean and do you have to book a slot to check in online? The check in seems quite complicated or is it easier than it seems?

4. The Ship doesn't leave the port until 4.00pm what time can we expect our luggage at our cabin?

5. Also when arriving back to Port Canaveral we do not need to get back to the airport before 4.00pm is there any thing to do close by (bearing in mind we will have 4 suitcases)

Sorry so many questions but we have never done a Cruise before and are travelling with our two children and therefore want to know as much as possible prior to boarding. We will book our trips for each island or grab a taxi independently and have looked at each port and decided what to do already

Any help for a first time cruiser will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation

Hello aamiza. Welcome to the cruising life. I'm assuming the sunshine is a carnival cruise ship. We normally cruise royal caribbean however we have cruised carnival in the past. Which islands are you stopping at during your February trip?

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Hi

Yes it is Carnival.

We are stopping at Grand Turk San Juan St Kitts and St Maarten

1. We have never cruised in the month of February. March is the month we normally cruise in. It has always been warm weather during the day. As always with the wind factor and the air conditioning on board I have a sweater or shawl on hand most evenings. Much sun and fun during the day as long as it's not storming.

2. I'm not sure on priority check-in aboard Carnival. I can tell you how royal caribbean handles priority. We usually arrive at the terminal and as you enter lines you will see normal lines and priority lines. Priority is always a shorter line but it lands you in the regular line to actually board the ship. Nothing special unless you are a higher level of Carnivals rewards program. Check on Carnival's website and if they have a rewards program sign up for it prior to leaving on your trip. It will get you extra coupons and extra perks during your trip. Each time you cruise your level of reward offers increase. Keep in mind this is how royal caribbean handles priority. Research...... Before going

3. I have always checked in online at home prior to the departure. I print my own luggage tags, laminate them, and have them on my bags prior to flying to Florida. You may not want to do that because of your Disney trip prior to the cruise. Just have them on hand in your travel Brooklet.

4. Luggage arrival is anybody's guess. Just plan on taking your swimsuit, cover-up, sun lotions, medications, and possibly a change of clothing for dinner in your carry-on. On more than one of our trips are luggage did not arrive until after dinner. You will more than likely will have access to your room long before your luggage arrives.

5. I have not left out of Port Canaveral therefore I'm not much good at suggesting things close by to do. You may want to check on a late departure from the ship that might help fill some of your time.

6. Let me know which islands your stops are at. We just returned from an eastern Caribbean trip 2 months ago. I may be of some help depending on which ones you're stopping at.

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Hi

Grand Turk

San Juan

St Kitts

St Maarten

Thanks

Lol. I'm not going to be of much help. Never been to Turks or St. Kitt. I'm booked to go to San Juan on trip next year...... BUT I just got back from St. Maarten recently. We did Maho beach at airport. Depending on the age of your kids would depend on whether this would be a good visit for them. Both my husband and I had seen pictures of the planes coming into the airport extremely low right over your head. Very cool.... However when the planes take off they blast you with sand

This was not near as cool as watching them come in. The sand blasted you extremely hard to the point I was in tears and it seems to go on forever and ever and ever before the plane actually takes off. There is a nice restaurant and beach area with chairs and umbrellas nearby to watch the planes land but they charge you to sit in that area. I'm cheap and won't pay 20 bucks ahead to sit in a chair. Been there done that won't ever go back and do that again. I have attached two photos of the after affects of Maho beach.

I did however hear several people rave about Orient Beach in Saint Maarten. Research it though if I'm not mistaken parts of this beach is a nude beach. Other parts were described as being beautiful and a good beach to go visit with family.

Enjoy your vacation.

P.S. Are you familiar with an app called "shipmate"? Check it out it is a good forum for information on packing, various ports, and information on cruising in general.

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Suites will have priority checkin, and will board after the diamond and platinum level Carnival cruisers. Luggage should be in your cabin before dinner. I do not believe you get priority luggage delivery. Your cabin should be available after 1:30 although suites may be able to go to the cabin sooner. Never sailed in a suite so not sure.

Weather should be comfortable, might be a cool breeze on deck when sailing. Never can predict the a/c inside. Sometimes there seem to be zones of chill.

Grand Turk has a welcome center and shops right at the pier, and free beaches and pool at Margaritaville, although the food can be pricey. There is a free HO-HO bus in San Juan which will give you an overview of the Old Town and drop you off at the forts, if your kids are interested. I liked the Sugar Train in St. Kitts, but it can be pricey for four, and most people just find a beach. Visit the Ports of Call board for the Caribbean for more suggestions. EM

We are booked on the Eastern Caribbean Cruise in February 2017 after spending a week in Disney, We have booked on Sunshine and have a few queries on Cruising in general if anyone could please help me.

 

1. We know the Islands will be hot as we have visited the Caribbean many times but on board the Cruise line which we pick up in Port Canaveral will it be warm enough to swim in the pools and sunbathe, we are on the ship 2 days before arriving at our first port and then visit 4 ports then back at sea for 1 day before arriving back at Port Canaveral

 

This is hard to answer. Sometimes it is warm enough and others it isn't. We have sailed out of Miami that time of year and the highs have been in the 50s and other years it has been in the 70s. BY the second day it should warm up enough to be considered hot.

 

2. Will it be chilly on board in the evenings/day (sorry just need to know what sort of clothing to pack)

 

What is chilly for some may be too warm for others. It never hurts to have a light sweater.

3. We have upgraded and booked a Suite Cabin 5340 so I believe we get priority boarding. What exactly does this mean and do you have to book a slot to check in online? The check in seems quite complicated or is it easier than it seems?

 

Check in is easy. CCL wants you to select a time to arrive at the port, and they don't let you in the terminal until that time. Other than that you complete most of it at home. When you arrive you go through security like at the airport, then go to the desk where they check your ID, get your credit card, and hand you your ship card. Very easy.

 

4. The Ship doesn't leave the port until 4.00pm what time can we expect our luggage at our cabin?

 

Anytime between when you drop it off and 8:00 p.m.

 

5. Also when arriving back to Port Canaveral we do not need to get back to the airport before 4.00pm is there any thing to do close by (bearing in mind we will have 4 suitcases)

 

Can't help with this, you might see if CCL has an excursion that ends up dropping you at the airport.

 

Sorry so many questions but we have never done a Cruise before and are travelling with our two children and therefore want to know as much as possible prior to boarding. We will book our trips for each island or grab a taxi independently and have looked at each port and decided what to do already

 

Any help for a first time cruiser will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in anticipation

Hope the answers above help.

We have been on the Sunshine many times - twice this year so far and have 3 more cruises on her booked! The Sunshine has become our favorite ship!

It should be shorts weather when you board but just check FL's weather before you leave.

I take a sweater or shawl with me only because the air conditioning on the ship can be chilly. Weather outside is not at all cold, swimming and sun during the day.

Your boarding pass will say Priority and you will check in in a lounge with Platinum and Diamond passengers. WE get there around 11;30. You find a seat and they will call you up to check in and get your sign'n sail card. Then they will call all diamonds and escort them on board. I am not sure when they call suite passengers, ask.

We have actually seen cabin 5340! Deck 5 is our favorite deck and where we want our cabin. Our room steward showed 5340 to us. It is in the very back and the balcony is a nice size.

Print your boarding pass a few days before you leave and have it with your passports, or BCs, when you get to the port.

Deck 5 is the promenade deck with activities on it. All the cabins on deck 5 are behind the back elevators so it is very convenient to get to things. And the Sunrise dining room is right below you on decks 3 & 4. (deck 3 is 'any time'.)

The earlier you get to port, the sooner you'll get your luggage. It should get orange stickers on them which means priority and we have actually gotten our suitcases before 1pm but that is very rare!

You will have a booklet listing all Carnival tours in your cabin. Usually at the back are tours you can take when you get off the ship. The time the tour ends is posted with the tour.They may end at the airport. We drive so don't know where they let drivers off. Cape Canaveral is right next to the port so there may be a tour there. But, you may not have time for a tour. The airport is in Orlando which is about 60 miles away so you have to plan for at least an hour to get there then how soon before your flight do you have to check in there? How are you getting to the airport? They do have mini vans from the port but you should have that reserved before you even get on the ship!

Let us know if you have any more questions!

Watch out, if this is your 1st cruise, you'll get hooked on cruising!

We have been on the Sunshine many times - twice this year so far and have 3 more cruises on her booked! The Sunshine has become our favorite ship!

It should be shorts weather when you board but just check FL's weather before you leave.

I take a sweater or shawl with me only because the air conditioning on the ship can be chilly. Weather outside is not at all cold, swimming and sun during the day.

Your boarding pass will say Priority and you will check in in a lounge with Platinum and Diamond passengers. WE get there around 11;30. You find a seat and they will call you up to check in and get your sign'n sail card. Then they will call all diamonds and escort them on board. I am not sure when they call suite passengers, ask.

We have actually seen cabin 5340! Deck 5 is our favorite deck and where we want our cabin. Our room steward showed 5340 to us. It is in the very back and the balcony is a nice size.

Print your boarding pass a few days before you leave and have it with your passports, or BCs, when you get to the port.

Deck 5 is the promenade deck with activities on it. All the cabins on deck 5 are behind the back elevators so it is very convenient to get to things. And the Sunrise dining room is right below you on decks 3 & 4. (deck 3 is 'any time'.)

The earlier you get to port, the sooner you'll get your luggage. It should get orange stickers on them which means priority and we have actually gotten our suitcases before 1pm but that is very rare!

You will have a booklet listing all Carnival tours in your cabin. Usually at the back are tours you can take when you get off the ship. The time the tour ends is posted with the tour.They may end at the airport. We drive so don't know where they let drivers off. Cape Canaveral is right next to the port so there may be a tour there. But, you may not have time for a tour. The airport is in Orlando which is about 60 miles away so you have to plan for at least an hour to get there then how soon before your flight do you have to check in there? How are you getting to the airport? They do have mini vans from the port but you should have that reserved before you even get on the ship!

Let us know if you have any more questions!

Watch out, if this is your 1st cruise, you'll get hooked on cruising!