Caribbean

[meow!]

Remembering last November, quite a few of you folks went to the Caribbean on the Shadow. We are hoping to try out the Spirit this year. We know the weather link websites, but often the "feeling" may be different from the hard numbers in temperatures. So please let us ask your feelings:

 

Would it be fair to say the Caribbean weather in November is like Hawaii in the Summer? Hopefully not too hot and not too sunny!

 

These islands are former British and some French colonies, so is the atmosphere more like Hawaii than Mexico, Central America? Are air conditioned taxis readily available (presumably Silversea will provide "shuttles" to the taxi stands)? Is the battered US$ still widely accepted? Is it safe to eat/drink anything ashore? Are they safe places for unsuspecting tourists? We are the "taxi type" who don't walk much and will just take pictures and buy postcards and small souvenirs. Our main destination is the newbuild Spirit itself. We also hope to take that underwater glass "submarine" ride to see/photograph the aquatic life from inside the boat. Is that particular excursion easy (no physical exertion)?

 

Despite having been to other places (most of Europe, Australasia and a good deal of Asia), and Panama Canal, would you believe that we haven't been to the Caribbean (living on the West coast)? Anything you can tell us about the Caribbean will be appreciated.

[Keith1010]

Meow, the weather in November is quite nice.

 

I would not equate the Caribbean to Hawaii at al.

 

The places in the Caribbean really vary. There ares a few nice ones but quite a few that can get to you after a while.

 

The USA dollar is widely accepted in most places.

 

Keep in mind that in some of these places that the towns can be overun by the cruise ships during say the November to March/April time period where many times you can find 5 or more ships in port.

 

The main focus of some of the towns is tourism and shops.

 

Some do have very nice beaches.

 

Many cruisers in the USA take their first cruise or two of the Caribbean and then many evolve and start to cruse other itineraries incuding New England/Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and then Europe, Asia, etc. etc.

 

There are some nice ports there IMHO but the majority of them to me are so so. And there are a few that I would stay away from.

 

Some of them I feel relatively safe although like many places one needs to be aware of their surroundings.

 

And there are a few that I would either take a tour or stay on the ship.

 

If you have a specific itineary in mind it would be easier to comment on those islands.

 

This is not the Caribbean but one place I do enjoy quite a bit is Bermuda.

 

Keith

[Travelcat2]

Pretty much agree with what Keith1010 has said. We have been to the Caribbean twice and are scheduled for a third time in November. The Eastern and Southern Caribbean are similiar (so-so) while the Western Caribbean is quite different (more developing countries -- less touristy). Not sure which itinerary you are taking.

 

Suggest that you use this website to learn how many ships will be in port with you http://cruisett.com/ports.php?. Luxury cruise lines try to work their schedules so they are not in port with too many large ships. This website helps in terms of how crowded the ports will be.

 

I equate most of the Caribbean with Central America more than Mexico. It is definitely not like Hawaii.

 

Many Caribbean islands have set rates for taxi's which makes traveling by taxi quite easy. As Keith1010 said, the U.S. $ is widely used. However, as in most countries that take the U.S. $, the exchange rate is not necessarily good.

 

We feel safe during the day but would not be out on our own in the evening (depending upon port).

 

We have taken a submarine excursion in the past -- it required going down some narrow stairs. Aside from that, it only requires sitting in the submarine.

 

Hope you enjoy the Spirit. We are trying Silversea and the Spirit for the first time. Looking forward to a enjoyable and fun experience.

[meow!]

Thank you both for your informative advice. If we do manage to go, we will post a report around mid December (well after the fact). We avoid telling which voyage we will be on, so nobody will be looking for us, you know, as cats, we try not to end up at SPCA .. meow!

[writer100]

Thank you both for your informative advice. If we do manage to go, we will post a report around mid December (well after the fact). We avoid telling which voyage we will be on, so nobody will be looking for us, you know, as cats, we try not to end up at SPCA .. meow!

Just to be a tad different, do note that the hurricane season does not officially end until December 1. Also, the generalities about Caribbean islands should be taken as generalities. Some islands have really distinct personalities and a prideful sense of their history and future. Guadeloupe, Nevis, Puerto Rico, for example. Some islands are richly tropical and mountainous, some are flat and seem to sit like a pancake in the sea--Grand Turk. And some, despite beauty and beaches, are for a variety of reasons (and despite some excellent hotels and caring and thoughtful individuals) slightly threatening--like Jamaica. They have, individually and as a group, nothing in common with Mexico or Hawaii. Bermuda, as Keith implied, is in the Atlantic. It has also been sanitized, so that what remains is mostly upscale shopping. beaches, no car rentals, and an interesting way of serving rum and ginger beer called a "dark and stormy." Having a satisfying trip --cruise or not--in the Caribbean depends on what you want. If getting off the ship, meandering down a few side street looking for souvenirs, having a a lunch of flying fish (in Barbados) or mountain chicken (frog legs) in St Kitts is as much local immersion as you desire, no problem. But with just a bit of effort you can get under the tourist veneer. Just talk to a local--cab driver, shop attendant, waitress, cop, whomever. Just start a conversation, and you get a glimpse of what makes the islands tick.

[meow!]

Thank you kindly for your informative reply.

[Scotspea]

Pretty much agree with what Keith1010 has said. We have been to the Caribbean twice and are scheduled for a third time in November. The Eastern and Southern Caribbean are similiar (so-so) while the Western Caribbean is quite different (more developing countries -- less touristy). Not sure which itinerary you are taking.

 

Suggest that you use this website to learn how many ships will be in port with you http://cruisett.com/ports.php?. Luxury cruise lines try to work their schedules so they are not in port with too many large ships. This website helps in terms of how crowded the ports will be.

 

I equate most of the Caribbean with Central America more than Mexico. It is definitely not like Hawaii.

 

Many Caribbean islands have set rates for taxi's which makes traveling by taxi quite easy. As Keith1010 said, the U.S. $ is widely used. However, as in most countries that take the U.S. $, the exchange rate is not necessarily good.

 

We feel safe during the day but would not be out on our own in the evening (depending upon port).

 

We have taken a submarine excursion in the past -- it required going down some narrow stairs. Aside from that, it only requires sitting in the submarine.

 

Hope you enjoy the Spirit. We are trying Silversea and the Spirit for the first time. Looking forward to a enjoyable and fun experience.

 

 

Thanks Travelcat, Just checked the website quoted but S.S. doesn't seem to be a part of it!

[Travelcat2]

Thanks Travelcat, Just checked the website quoted but S.S. doesn't seem to be a part of it!

 

 

Oops, forgot to mention that small ships are not included (not sure where they draw the line). I find the site helpful even though it only lists large ships. There could also be a Seabourn or Regent ship in port with you. It definitely appears that the luxury lines try to avoid being in port with the megaships.