luv2cruz64

Did this on our first cruise many years ago. Took a water taxi from Tortola and had arranged for a private tour with a guy named Andy something(sorry have no idea what his last name is). He picked up just the 2 of us up, drove us around the island, stopped at a nice restaurant on the beach for lunch & to the Baths which I found beautifully surreal, all for a reasonable price. To date that was the most memorable day that I have ever had on any vacation.

SubbyWife, not sure if anyone else mentioned it but you mentioned more than once your concerns about an emergency arising with your children while you're away. Give some consideration to purchasing travel insurance. Won't prevent an emergency but it will make things much easier if one were to arise, and give you a little more peace of mind. DH & I foolishly cruised without it(leaving 3 kids behind with relatives and friends). Thankfully no emergency arose but we would have been up a creek without a paddle if one had.

My choice would be eastern Caribbean.

Read the reviews on all the ports and the ships and make your decision based on that. Looks like you can't go wrong whatever you choose. Enjoy your cruise!

Have only been on 3 cruises and was so happy to be able to do those on a tight budget. However, there were 2 dealbreakers. DH drew the line at sharing a cabin with our 2 teens so for us a second cabin was a splurge. I absolutely refused to drive to Florida(around 14 hours from home) so airfare for the 4 of us was a splurge. For many these things are the norm but they ate up a considerable portion of our vacation budget and were worth every penny!

Was traveling along 895 last Sunday and was going through the tunnel just as you were sailing overhead. It was really cool to see. The only thing better would have been being on the ship instead of driving under it! Glad you enjoyed your cruise!

Another vote for southern out of SJ. It was our first cruise, loved the port intensive itinerary and sailing out of SJ had such a fun, party's already started feel.