HAL Itinerary vs Celebrity itinerary

[Xwordgal]

I'm planning a Caribbean cruise on either of the two cruise lines stated. I've never been to the Caribbean before and need help in choosing between the two?

 

HAL: Half Moon Bay, Aruba, Curacao, Grand Turks, San Juan, St. Maarten, Half Moon Bay

 

CELEBRITY (2 different itineraries) : St. Thomas or St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Tobago or Bonaire, Caracao

 

It's not the difference between the ships that I'm truly interested in (although I just did HAL..never did Celebrity)...I mostly am interested in the best itineraries between the both???? Although I'll take any comments as to the difference, but mostly itineraries.

 

HELP!

[Lard Greystoke]

Not that many people will have been to all the destinations covered. You're definitely taking the less-traveled road either way.

 

Here's what I know:

San Juan: Old City is very photogenic, if your ship docks here it is the easiest port to just walk around on your own.

St Thomas, St Maarten & Antigua are generally similar in climate and topography. St Thomas has steep hills and more of a concentration of people; Antigua is more rural and uncrowded with rounded hills and lots of beaches; St Maarten is literally and figuratively between the two.

St Lucia is rugged with a somewhat wetter climate, very scenic; not as much of a beach destination. You'd probably want to book an excursion.

Rest of ports: never been.

 

Both routes offer a varied slice of the region. Although I'm partly speculating, the HAL route looks maybe a little easier in terms of not having to organize things, just walk off the ship on your own; San Juan is very easy for this, St Maarten almost as much, and a couple others I think as well.

 

On the other hand if you like to do some research and book excursions it looks like the Celebrity routes offer more real-world options like local culture and natural history. Of course you can sip a cool one on the sand just about anywhere, but I think the HAL route favors this a bit more and Celebrity offers some alternatives. If you like scenery and nature, I think Celebrity offers a bit more variety.

 

You'll get palm trees and balmy breezes either way, and destinations that are a bit out of the way even for travelers who have been to the Caribbean a few times.

[Xwordgal]

Dear "Lard":

First, I love your CC name, just as you might understand mine (think NY Times Sunday & WSJ "Cross" word puzzles).

 

Your information was fabulous & informative. I really appreciate your effort. I actually booked the Celebrity cruise because of the varied port stops and the challenges involved.

 

Again, thanks.

 

Joann

[Lard Greystoke]

Dear "Lard":

First, I love your CC name, just as you might understand mine (think NY Times Sunday & WSJ "Cross" word puzzles).

 

Your information was fabulous & informative. I really appreciate your effort. I actually booked the Celebrity cruise because of the varied port stops and the challenges involved.

 

Again, thanks.

 

Joann

 

You're welcome.

 

Not everybody gets the name. I also like the NYT Sunday.

 

Of the ports listed, I would recommend Antigua as a beach destination. White sand under blue skies, not very crowded particularly if you go southwest on the coast. Your other ports offer a wide variety of choices.

 

If I were absolutely frazzled and burned out the HAL route would a be nice one on which to unwind. But if you like to do research and organize excursions (something like a crossword puzzle) the Celebrity looks quite a bit more interesting. It definitely involves some of the prettier islands.

[youbid]

We have been to all the above islands, several 3-4 times... You will not be disapointed with either cruise... The only thing I would ad is if you do a future cruise try finding one that stops at St.Barts :):):).. Has to be one of our favorite stops...Enjoy we do...:)