Best/Worst of Carnival's Ports

[tkportersat]

:confused: I loved Calica. Most of the Ports aren't especially nice when you first get off the ship but we snorkeled in Calica and it was beautiful. I wish the ships in Galveston still went there.

 

The Calica Mine Pit is the worst port ever. I dare anyone to find a worse port than docking at a commercial mine pit

[tnincy]

We've been to Jamaica on cruises and land based vacations and have always had a great time there. The people are very friendly and fun to talk with. I don't understand why people call it scary. It's much more scary in many US cities.

 

Just be a traveler and not a tourist and you'll enjoy the experience much more.

 

love your quote. and when i travel i am always open minded. i don't understand the scary part either. i found places around cancun and belize to be much more agressive and was even told by tour guides to be aware of pick pockets and such. most islands are poor countries just trying to make a few $$. Some think that travelers are rich and don't understand we may save a long time just for vacation.

[webzila]

The Calica Mine Pit is the worst port ever. I dare anyone to find a worse port than docking at a commercial gravel mine pit

 

I liked Calica because we got to go to Chichen Itza mayan ruins and that was a lot of fun. You are right about the port itself though - there is nothing there - you have to drive out a bit...

[suebart112]

Dont really have anything to add (as others have said, Freeport is my least favorite) but just wanted to say I grew up in Holbrook and my parents still live there. Small world!

[tnincy]

Bingo. This is the key. People can tell the difference between "tourists" and "travelers". It's much harder to be a good traveler instead of a tourist on a cruise than on a land-based vacation, but it can be done, and it's very rewarding.

 

yes it can. i have learned so much from the people i have encountered on both cruises and land based vacations. some experiences have been quite humbling and appreciative of the many blessings we all have.

[gtalum]

i don't understand the scary part either.

 

The problem (and I don't mean to sound insulting) is that most Americans are completely unexposed to conditions outside of the US. Anything that differs from the suburban norm seems scary if you've never really lived in or experienced anything else.

 

The people who live in these places can sense this, as it's quite plain to see. They know who can be manipulated and intimidated and they know who can't (ie, tourists vs travelers). When they sense that you respect them and are interested in them personally and in their culture, they'll be welcoming, forthcoming, and friendly. When they sense that you're afraid or dismissive of them, they'll return the favor by trying to separate you from your cash and move on.

 

One of the prices we pay, as Americans, for our relative prosperity is a disconnection from the rest of the world. I don't know why Europeans, who are also relatively prosperous, don't suffer from the same condition, but I suspect it's because they are generally exposed to a lot more different cultures and practices (even if they're not from poor nations) simply due to geography.

 

The gist of what I'm trying to say is to go out there with an open mind but be wary, as you would anywhere unfamiliar. You might be surprised at what you find, especially in places about which most people have only bad things to say.

[TortieGal]

My favorite port so far is Grand Turk. Two other ports that I've liked - and many have hated - are Progreso and Dominica. If you stay in the area where the ship docks for both of these, I would probably have not liked them either. But for Progreso, we hopped a local bus and took a half hour ride to Merida. We basically just walked around and explored the area, had lunch. Lots of nice architecture. Of course, I probably would never have done this if we didn't have someone in our group who had been there many times to act as our tour guide!

 

Dominica is definitely a port where you need to do a tour. What I liked most about it was that it is pretty primitive. While I enjoyed places like Cozumel, I can do without the big fancy cruise centers. I also really liked all of our ports on our Victory cruise. Only one I wasn't too crazy about was St. Lucia.

 

There aren't too many that I have completely not liked. I would probably say they are more along the lines of I can take or leave them. Those would be Ensenada, St. Thomas and Nassau.

[jessalared]

yikes, were going to Ocho Rios in October. I usually try to approach things with an open mind, but that port seems to have way more negative reviews from what ive seen. How is the Mystic Mountain (think thats is what it is called) area? we have a tour booked there

hi! i did a tour on mystic mountain also! let me just say one thing about the ride on the lift to the top... BREATHTAKING!! you wont be dissapointed :) not sure what happened with everyone else but i had the time of my life in ocho! never scared not even for a second, the people are so much fun and nice, we got cab rides alot to go all over the place and they were always friendly they even get out to pick you bananas and whatnot lol i guess it is what you make it!!

[Dedivah]

I know this is VERY subjective, but was wondering your thoughts on which ports you like most/least (and maybe a reason why) out of carnival's current itineraries. Trying to book a cruise and not sure where to go.

 

PS: I've sailed to Bermuda, Key West, Cozumel, St Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St Lucia, and Antigua. And have sailed out of NY, FL, and PR.

 

Thanks!!!

 

Try the Exotic Western Caribbean route. Costa Maya, Mexico, Belize and Isla Roatan.

[jessalared]

i must add it seems the moral of this thread is no two people will have the same experience even though they are experiencing the same thing!!:p

[tnincy]

The problem (and I don't mean to sound insulting) is that most Americans are completely unexposed to conditions outside of the US. Anything that differs from the suburban norm seems scary if you've never really lived in or experienced anything else.

 

The people who live in these places can sense this, as it's quite plain to see. They know who can be manipulated and intimidated and they know who can't (ie, tourists vs travelers). When they sense that you respect them and are interested in them personally and in their culture, they'll be welcoming, forthcoming, and friendly. When they sense that you're afraid or dismissive of them, they'll return the favor by trying to separate you from your cash and move on.

 

One of the prices we pay, as Americans, for our relative prosperity is a disconnection from the rest of the world. I don't know why Europeans, who are also relatively prosperous, don't suffer from the same condition, but I suspect it's because they are generally exposed to a lot more different cultures and practices (even if they're not from poor nations) simply due to geography.

 

The gist of what I'm trying to say is to go out there with an open mind but be wary, as you would anywhere unfamiliar. You might be surprised at what you find, especially in places about which most people have only bad things to say.

 

couldn't agree with you more. esp. the last part. don't think i have ever felt unsafe or scared in any of the countries i have been to. awareness is the key.

[BlueJacketsFan1]

The best port is any port that the ship stops at. :)

The worst port is the one the ship stops at at the end of your cruise, and they actually make you leave the ship.:eek:

[LiLBxQt]

i must add it seems the moral of this thread is no two people will have the same experience even though they are experiencing the same thing!!:p

 

Ha! Thats why i wrote about it being subjective... I should have added that Im totally not looking to ruffle some feathers with my topic... LOL Just VERY confused on where to go next! But this has def been a big help so far!

[LiLBxQt]

The best port is any port that the ship stops at. :)

The worst port is the one the ship stops at at the end of your cruise, and they actually make you leave the ship.:eek:

 

HAHAHA I couldn't agree more!

[tnincy]

Ha! Thats why i wrote about it being subjective... I should have added that Im totally not looking to ruffle some feathers with my topic... LOL Just VERY confused on where to go next! But this has def been a big help so far!

 

 

don't think you will ruffle any feathers. everyone has a different opinion on the best ports and why. plus it's nice to get good and bad feedback. helps with the expectations. there are good and bad things about anywhere you visit.

[WayTooCool]

Love Nassau (5 visits) EXCEPT for the straw market -- it was hot, stinky, wet/sticky god-knows-what on the floor, and aggressive vendors; our first tour of Nassau dumped us out in the back of the straw market which required you to walk thru it to get back to the street. TLW and I were both jangled at having aggressive locals in our face. Thanks but we don't want tshirts and cheap crap made in China. Saved our money for the vendors in the port facility (air conditined/indoors/nice steel band playing/food booths in full swing) and nobody was shoving tshirts at us and yelling.

[Snowball]

It seems like you are looking for feedback on Caribbean ports of call, so I will limit my responses to that area.

 

Loved:

Aruba

Grand Cayman

St. Thomas

Barbados

 

 

Hated:

Martinique

Panama (although seeing the canal was interesting)

Freeport

[tnincy]

The worst port is the one the ship stops at at the end of your cruise, and they actually make you leave the ship.:eek:

 

 

i know. makes me want to stow away.

[gtalum]

Love Nassau (5 visits) EXCEPT for the straw market -- it was hot, stinky, wet/sticky god-knows-what on the floor, and aggressive vendors; our first tour of Nassau dumped us out in the back of the straw market which required you to walk thru it to get back to the street. TLW and I were both jangled at having aggressive locals in our face. Thanks but we don't want tshirts and cheap crap made in China. Saved our money for the vendors in the port facility (air conditined/indoors/nice steel band playing/food booths in full swing) and nobody was shoving tshirts at us and yelling.

 

Yes, the straw market is terrible, and I think that's why so many have a bad taste from Nassau. If you get just a short distance away from the port, though, the city is a very nice place to walk and explore. The island's beaches are beautiful too.

[hazeleyez3]

The problem (and I don't mean to sound insulting) is that most Americans are completely unexposed to conditions outside of the US. Anything that differs from the suburban norm seems scary if you've never really lived in or experienced anything else.

 

The people who live in these places can sense this, as it's quite plain to see. They know who can be manipulated and intimidated and they know who can't (ie, tourists vs travelers). When they sense that you respect them and are interested in them personally and in their culture, they'll be welcoming, forthcoming, and friendly. When they sense that you're afraid or dismissive of them, they'll return the favor by trying to separate you from your cash and move on.

 

One of the prices we pay, as Americans, for our relative prosperity is a disconnection from the rest of the world. I don't know why Europeans, who are also relatively prosperous, don't suffer from the same condition, but I suspect it's because they are generally exposed to a lot more different cultures and practices (even if they're not from poor nations) simply due to geography.

 

The gist of what I'm trying to say is to go out there with an open mind but be wary, as you would anywhere unfamiliar. You might be surprised at what you find, especially in places about which most people have only bad things to say.

 

We couldn't stand Ocho Rios. We enjoy learning about the culture, and and the people, and we will do that once in town or on an excursion; however, we have no desire to stop and talk with the those who jump out from a bush or follow us down the street (as they did constantly there).

 

I've been to many of the Caribbean ports...none have been as bad as Ocho Rios.

[TheSailinSOB]

We've been to Jamaica on cruises and land based vacations and have always had a great time there. The people are very friendly and fun to talk with. I don't understand why people call it scary. It's much more scary in many US cities.

 

Just be a traveler and not a tourist and you'll enjoy the experience much more.

 

I agree, I love love love Jamaica and the people. My least favorite port is probably Progresso, I wish they would just do Cozumel and Costa Maya or Cancun area instead. There is nothing to do in Progresso and unless you get off the ship super early, you have no time to go anywhere. We did go to the Reef Beach Resort once and that was nice but can't make it there unless you get off early. Also Ensenada is kinda lame unless you want to shop all day as far as west coast cruises go.

[jessalared]

Ha! Thats why i wrote about it being subjective... I should have added that Im totally not looking to ruffle some feathers with my topic... LOL Just VERY confused on where to go next! But this has def been a big help so far!

LOL im actually in the same boat as you thankyou for posting this! ive only done cozumel, georgetown grand cayman, oho rios, and labadee haiti as of yet... and they were all tons of fun!! i must say that my favorite was probably cozumel, just for the fun aspect and the water was georgeous :) i will be doing the eastern next so i will get some more experience under my belt then, but i love hearing other peopls thoughts, experiences, and tips!

[wadethegringo]

I am glad to see there are not more BELIZE responses..Belize is a Difficult Cruise port. You are dropped off in Belize City, not the most picturesque places. You need to get out of the city to enjoy this port....

 

I did and loved it so much I moved to San Pedro Belize..

[sldearth]

I've not been to Ocho Rios on a cruise ship, but I have been to Ocho Rios on a resort vacation, and I have seen the area that the ship docks/the area where most passengers go.

 

As a whole, I did not enjoy Jamaica at ALL. It is very scary, in the perspective of a young woman. I was constantly hounded by the locals to buy their stuff at exorbitant prices, to the point where I felt fearful of getting mugged. Mind you, this was in a shopping area that the resort bussed us to, it had nothing to do with Carnival.

 

The "popular" area for cruisers is the Margaritaville area, and a shopping district right next door. The shopping district may be owned by Carnival, I'm not sure, but it was very clean and people there were much more respectful. Still, the items in the shopping district weren't all that impressive, and the prices were pretty high. Margaritaville of course is expensive, but has some water activities, both in a pool and in the ocean. I have not heard very good things about this place.

 

If you consider Dunn's River Falls, DO NOT get the video. In order to get the video, they take you into this very run-down shopping village of make-shift tents. It's so low-rent and seedy that nobody was shopping there. The video tape place was all the way at the back and we had no escort. Every time we asked where the tape place was, the merchant would refuse to tell us and instead try to sell us something. We had zero help getting to the tape place or getting out of the village. It was terrifying and there was nobody around.

 

My husband and I went to Dunn's River Falls in 2007 (hurricanes rerouted us on the Legend). The excusion we went on had a wonderful young lady for our guide. Believe it or not, she actually went with us after the climb as we wanted the video. Non of the guys argued with her and she couldn't have been 90lb soaking wet!! We had a great time there. (yes, parts are very poor).

[TheSailinSOB]

I am glad to see there are not more BELIZE responses..Belize is a Difficult Cruise port. You are dropped off in Belize City, not the most picturesque places. You need to get out of the city to enjoy this port....

 

I did and loved it so much I moved to San Pedro Belize..

 

Oh yes! Love Belize and Honduras. Thats part of the fun is the adventure of getting there :o)