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That Vista itinerary looks very tempting. Mike writes wonderful reviews who sailed that ship/itinerary last year. You might want to check out his review http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2442022&highlight=vista+b2b

I would suggest that you determine a budget and narrow down your interests for excursions. Some people want to spend every port-day on the beach. Others prefer cultural excursions and some people like adventure (zip lines, snorkeling, diving, riding horses etc). Some people just walk around the port and shop. And others don't leave the ship.

Once you have an idea of what general activities you are interested in you can search the port boards-but you can also check out Trip Advisor for some great reviews of the specific tour operators/beaches/cultural sites (and which ones to avoid).

If you want to try a zipline-try searching "zipline" on each port of call page and find the best one.

If you want a cheap beach day you can check the boards to see which beaches are close enough to walk or take a short cab ride too. You will learn which beaches are quiet and which ones have bars and food and vendors etc.

If you want an all inclusive beach day you can check the boards to find out which resort is best on each island.

As for booking excursions through the cruise line. If you have a lot of time in port and you aren't going anywhere too far away then it is safe and cheaper to book on your own. If you are worried about getting back on time book through the cruise. But I still recommend you look up reviews of any activity you choose. Just because you book through the Ship doesn't mean you will have a "great" time.

I always recommend getting a personal guide to drive you around and show you the sites. Or a private charter (boat) to take you do what you want. These options can be pricy but usually are great trips that are customized just for you.

Also check out MitsuGirly's reviews. I am not sure which ports she has been to, but if she has been there you are guaranteed a great honest review with tons of photos. I know she has been to St. Kitts a few times at least. Look in her signature for links to various reviews. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2325153

Of course researching for a cruise is my favorite thing to do. I am happy spending months combing through the internet trying to figure out what will make my family the happiest. But always remember the Cruise Line can change or cancel your port stops, weather can be unpredictable and all sorts of other things can happen so be flexible and try to keep a positive attitude (and it doesn't hurt to have a plan B)

I think you will have an amazing time no matter what you decide to do. Enjoy your trip.

When we sailed with little kids I brought packaged snacks with us from home specifically for excursions (the only thing I found on the ship that I could bring into port was boxes of cereal). Now that my kids are older I still will bring a few protein bars etc. You should be fine with anything processed and sealed in its original packaging including apple sauce or fruit cups or dried fruit (because it has been cooked and processed). The only exception I can think of is meat. I know we had all our German sausages confiscated once. And we were only targeted because I forgot I packed an apple for my son and he never ate it before we went through customs (this was flying not sailing). For whats it wort I carried a plastic container for our packaged snacks (like the disposable but sturdy Tupperware type containers). This kept snacks from getting crushed in my bag.

We booked recently with RCI and I assumed we had to book an adult in each room. I called RCI directly and was told I could book the kids in one room and us in another. We did get connecting rooms BUT the agent on the phone told me the rooms didn't have to be connecting- the rooms just had to be next to each other or across the hall from each other.

It certainly depends on what you are doing. Plan to pay cash for taxi, some shopping, food, tips etc. Bigger places take credit cards but it's best to assume they don't. If you search the post boards you can get a good idea of what cabs cost to where you plan to go. If you are taking any type of tour they will expect a tip. You will need cash most likely if you want to rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Its probably worth it to sit down and make a list if what you plan to do at each port so you can plan out what money will need....then add a bit extra. And bring LOTS of small bills.

I didn't read the other responses but I will share my experience. We booked 2 rooms on Allure, directly through RCI, about a month ago. Our kids are 12 and 14 (will be 13 and 14 on the cruise). I assumed we would have to book an adult in each room. I was able to get connecting rooms BUT the agent on the phone explained that as long as the rooms are next to each other OR across from each other the children can be booked in one room and the adults in another. So this is how we booked and this is how our paperwork is.

Now I am worried about our connecting room for November. However we have the kids booked in one room and the adults in another. Should I still request no upgrades? Or will the fact that two minor kids are booked in a room keep this from happening to us.

This is so interesting to me. I am the type who believes vacation is for adventure. My husband would really prefer to relax but too bad for him...he married me. The kids have always had to adventure along with us so it's all they know. A cruise is a bit of a compromise for us. They can relax on sea days...but on port days there will be an activity. I don't enjoy cruising enough to back to the same place many times...so we can always find something new and fun to do.

I bring packaged snacks from home for my son. He is a teenager but he has some sensory issues and he is on the spectrum as they say. But that doesn't really matter. It is vacation for the kids too and I want them to be happy. I like that he had a snack for those times when he couldn't find something he liked to eat at a port-especially if we book an excursion that has lunch included. Oddly enough he ate very little on port days-but better safe than sorry. I brought things like single serve packages of chips, crackers, trail mix, protein bars, cereal etc. I also brought bottled water, juice, boxes and soda.

I just booked two cabins on Allure. As long as the cabin is next door (doesn't have to be adjoining) the kids can be booked together without an adult. My kids will be 13 and 14. My husband and I are listed in one room and they are in the other cabin with their own reservation number. I did have to call in vs making the reservation on line.

Disney is really fun-but one day tickets are the most expensive tickets (on a per day basis) and you wont get nearly enough time there. What if you went to Disney Springs for the day. A little shopping, a movie or blowing, a nice lunch or dinner or both and you get a little Disney Magic for free.

Personally my kids and I would be very happy never eating at the main dining room. They preferred the buffet because they could try things and get exactly what they wanted and it was faster. I never thought the meals at the MDR were good enough for the amount of time it took (however we did do a few specialty dining meals). By all means try to MDR but consider the other options as well especially for the seven year old. When we take family vacations it's a vacation for everyone (not just mom and dad) so we let kids decide how they want to spend their time too..and for mine it was't two hours each night in the MDR. But some people love it. My husband would eat every meal in the MDR-he hates the whole concept of the buffet.

I use a Proporta BeachBuoy. It is a waterproof neck wallet. I have a really large one that holds my phone and has space left over -I usually carry my phone, a few credit cards, cash, and sometimes a key. I love that I can use my phone right through the bag-so I can take photos etc. without opening the wallet. The problem arises when the entire family has valuable items-in that case someone would probably have to sit with the stuff.

Pack a carry-on with swimsuits for the kids so they can go to the pool. You might have to wait quite a while to get your luggage delivered.

I also brought a few activities and packaged snacks for excursions. We did a few tour type excursions where the group meal was pretty "exotic" or tours where the time between meals was a bit long for the kids. Having a game and a snack kept them going a bit longer than they otherwise would have. The port shopping area usually has little convenience stores where you can get a packaged snack-but if your excursion leaves really early they may not be open or you may not have time to stop.

In case you are still around Debbie...I have the same question and the same two rooms booked for this November. If you ever check back i'd love to know how your experience was...if you can remember.

Good Point about Kohl's. I got my husband and son dressy khaki shorts last year for about $5-$8 a pair (in November) on clearance for our cruise and they often have long pants on clearance this time of year. Luckily my son is a bit older so he will eat at the buffet and avoid the MDR. He is on the spectrum and asking him to wear pants with a button waist...its like asking him to wear a suit of nails.

If you are in Texas why don't you pick a ship that sails out of Galveston. We are looking at Oasis because 1. we can drive there and 2. we have teenagers who want more "stuff " to do on a cruise. But if I were on my honeymoon I don't think I would pay extra for a particular ship. I'd pay for a nicer room on a smaller ship and pay for better excursions. I think anything you do together will be amazing-and the smaller ships are still really great (...unless you are trying to please two kids or if the romance has worn off a bit after 20 years). Just my opinion. Have an amazing trip no matter what you do. I didn't get a honeymoon and I regret it a lot.

Thank you all! I am not the original poster but I drink a "natural" type of soda sweetened with Stevia. It would make my vacation so much less enjoyable to be without my favorite soda on the trip. I am glad to hear I might be able to bring some with me!

What about bringing a bottle or two of coke/sprite etc. back from the ports? Are they strict about that?

I am surprised to read this thread. On our last cruise (a different cruise line known to be more casual) my husband was turned away from the main dining room because he was wearing dressy khaki shorts and a collared shirt. It was frustrating. We all waited for him to go change and lost our place (in line) and the staff rudely accused my son of lying about his age. He also had on Khaki Shorts and a collared shirt-he was 12 at the time. It was the one very disappointing moment in an otherwise lovely cruise. I assumed RC would be even more strict about shorts in the main dining room.

Oh I wouldn't say these were as good as ballpark or movie theater nachos...not enough "gourmet cheese sauce" (my son's favorite). I could forgive the toppings but there just wasn't much on the chips. Out of a basket there was enough topping for maybe 5 chips.

I found the food service just fascinating. We had the same bread served at LeBistro as was served on the buffet. But seriously they are making thousands of meals for so many different palates. For people from all over the world (although mostly American). I thought they did a good job considering the gargantuan task.

Ok for the sake of comparison. I would call myself a food snob because I buy 70% of my food from local organic farmers including all my meat, dairy, eggs and produce) I cook entirely from scratch. I don't eat at chain restaurants like outback or Applebee's...I hate those places. I can eat at a local diner or sandwich shop sometimes. My husband gets wined and dined for his job...he has eaten at all the best steak places from NY to Dallas to LA- so he knows a good steak. So I assumed I would hate the cruise ship food. I was pleasantly surprised. Now I knew it wouldn't be high quality stuff so I adjusted my expectations. And by day 5 I could definitely tell my body was "reacting" to the food -and not in a good way. But still I found a lot of decent things to eat. I mean an omelet and fresh fruit...or oatmeal with dried fruits and pecans and brown sugar....who couldn't eat that for breakfast. Not as good as what I make but still a decent meal.

As a first time cruiser I have nothing to compare it to but I just got back and I would give my Western Carribean on the NCL Star 5 stars (out of 5). We had a great time. Everything was better than I expected. The staff were so great. Only one employee was rude and she was pretty awful but she was the only one. One time a toilet was clogged and before I even left the bathroom someone was there fixing it. Those employees worked so hard. Everything was spotless. Some areas were a bit threadbare but not terrible. I guess I need to go leave a positive review because we had an amazing trip.

Absolutely. I'm embarrassed to admit what all we brought with us. I have a son with Aspergers and he has lots of food issues. I brought a whole suitcase of food for him and a second suitcase of drinks-cokes, water, and organic drinks. We pretty much deserve to be mocked for lugging all that with us-just saying YES you can bring it.

I'm just off the Star and there were burgers by the pool everyday for lunch. One day they did steak (not good quality steaks) but they always had burgers.

I am very much a food snob and I loved the buffet. Now sure there were plenty of items that didn't interest me or that weren't good- but I always found plenty that I liked. Worst case scenario we would make a plate of cheese, olives, pesto and pretzel bread (and dessert). The Indian dishes were very good. Every night they had a theme with new and different things. There was always lots of fresh fruit available and a small salad bar as well.

I didn't care much for O'Sheehans. The menu was very limited. I tried fish and chips -the fish was decent and the batter could have been good but it was so greasy...like pools of oil in the basket. My husband had the Paella special...and later we went to the buffet and they had it too-but by serving yourself you got a nicer portion with more seafood than O'Sheehans served. We also shared the nachos...they really were sad. Chips with liquid fake cheese, a squirt of sour cream, a mystery meat and three jalapeño slices.

I honeslty didn't care for the main dining rooms. I felt like they served the same food as the buffet-general taste and quality but in a nicer environment. However the dining rooms were willing to serve pretty much anything we asked for. I personally would just rather try lots of things vs getting an entire entree that I didn't care for. Plus our kids liked the buffet so we ended up there several times a day no matter where else we dined.

We were able to go to Moderno for breakfast and lunch...I didn't think it was much different in terms of food quality- a few unique items and a nice quiet atmosphere did make it nice.

We also went to Cagney's and Le Bistro. Nice presentation, decent food. The meats were better quality than the main dining rooms but they weren't amazing. All the food was too salty but I would still recommend the specialties just because it's a nice experience and a break from the same ole stuff in the main dining rooms.

I had been very concerned about the food but I never went hungry...I think I gained 4 pounds. Even my picky kids found plenty they liked. I imagine cruise ship food used to be quiet grand so if one compares today's offerings to 15 years ago it could be a disappointment. Otherwise I'm very surprised to hear anyone not finding some food they liked on board.

If we are leaving the US we always get insurance. We are more concerned about a medical emergency abroad than the cost of the trip (although the that is important too). My niece needed medical care in the Dominican Republic and my sister-in-law was reimbursed quickly and easily through her travel insurance. That was something small and the insurance paid for itself. It is such a small cost for peace of mind.