Which cruise for first time Caribbean cruise

[startpacking]

I have cruised solo but I've never cruise in the Caribbean. I have never visited any Caribbean islands that cruise ships frequently travel to. I would like to know which of these two cruises you'd recommend. The Carnival option is about $350 less than RCI. I have no interest in the cruise ship or the primary differences between the two ships. I am more interested in the ports and which itinerery is best.

 

The first cruise is on the Carnival Victory, from San Juan. Here's the itinerary:-

 

Day 1, San Juan, dept 10 pm.

Day 2, St Thomas 7 am - 5 pm

Day 3, Dominica 10 am - 6 pm

Day 4, Barbados 8 am - 5 pm

Day 5, St Lucia 8 am - 5 pm

Day 6, St Kitts 8 am - 6 pm

Day 7, St Maarten, 7 am - 5pm

Day 8, San Juan, 7 am

 

The other choice is on RCI, on Seranade of the Seas. The cruise is 7 nights, 8 days long and the has one sea day. Here's the itinerary:-

 

Day 1, San Juan, dept 8.30 pm

Day 2, at sea

Day 3, Barbados, 8am - 5pm

Day 4, St Lucia, 8 am - 5 pm

Day 5 Antiguia (St Johns), 8 am - 5pm

Day 6, St Maarten 8 am - 5 pm

Day 7, ST Croix, 7.30 am - 5 pm

Day 8, San Juan.

 

Which islands combinations are better in the above itineraries?

 

Any advice will be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

[yellowbird23]

I have cruised solo but I've never cruise in the Caribbean. I have never visited any Caribbean islands that cruise ships frequently travel to. I would like to know which of these two cruises you'd recommend. The Carnival option is about $350 less than RCI. I have no interest in the cruise ship or the primary differences between the two ships. I am more interested in the ports and which itinerery is best.

 

The first cruise is on the Carnival Victory, from San Juan. Here's the itinerary:-

 

Day 1, San Juan, dept 10 pm.

Day 2, St Thomas 7 am - 5 pm

Day 3, Dominica 10 am - 6 pm

Day 4, Barbados 8 am - 5 pm

Day 5, St Lucia 8 am - 5 pm

Day 6, St Kitts 8 am - 6 pm

Day 7, St Maarten, 7 am - 5pm

Day 8, San Juan, 7 am

 

The other choice is on RCI, on Seranade of the Seas. The cruise is 7 nights, 8 days long and the has one sea day. Here's the itinerary:-

 

Day 1, San Juan, dept 8.30 pm

Day 2, at sea

Day 3, Barbados, 8am - 5pm

Day 4, St Lucia, 8 am - 5 pm

Day 5 Antiguia (St Johns), 8 am - 5pm

Day 6, St Maarten 8 am - 5 pm

Day 7, ST Croix, 7.30 am - 5 pm

Day 8, San Juan.

 

Which islands combinations are better in the above itineraries?

 

Any advice will be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

Great itinerary for Victory hands down! Been to all of them.

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

I'd choose Victory too for those Islands. Time in ports are pretty much the same. I'd take St Thomas over Antigua & didn't care much for St Croix.

Never been to Dominica or St Kitts though.

~Jo~ :)

[Roz]

Either itinerary gets my vote. Dominica is wonderful - a lush rain forest. Looks a lot like St. Lucia.

 

Roz

[yellowbird23]

Should you decide to go on Victory, check out Bumping Tours (Eli) in Dominca...fantastic tour of the island with snorkeling. I'm jealous.