Eastern or Western cruise?

[thomsoad]

I am planning our 1st ever cruise and I admit that I am completely overwhelmed! I will start out by describing us.

 

We are looking to cruise out of Florida anywhere from Sept 06 to Dec 06 (I have been using the 05 year for references). We would have a budget of 4k after plane tickets and a one night stay in Florida before the ship departs.

 

I am 32 and would enjoy doing water activities more than shopping.

 

My other is 23 and would DEFINITELY enjoy shopping!

 

My questions are as follows:

 

Just how far would 4k take us (including the price of the cruise)? We are casual drinkers (i would probably say for the cruise 3-4 drinks a day per person). Not really much of gamblers. We do like a little nightlife but we would enjoy quiet time as well. We do not have children and the fewer the better. I want to have a good time but not spend a fortune in doing it. Scenery is VERY important for ports.

 

I guess what I am basically asking is what cruise line is the best for the Caribean that wont break my wallet and do people generally prefer the western or eastern cruises?

[Tmeister]

On that sort of budget you should be able to do a southern caribbean cruise for 10 days. That will get you away from the eastern/western dilemma. You can visit 6 to 8 islands, which will give you a real broad experience. Be sure to check some online cruise discounters, so you know you're getting a good deal. If you're booking that far in advance, you may not see any bargains yet.

From my own experience, the eastern routes tend to be a little less exciting than the western. A lot tends to depend on what you're looking for. If you just want to get away, have a nice vacation and be taken care of for a week, any cruise will satisfy you. If you're into snorkeling and exploration, head south or west. If you want to shop, head east. If you want nice beaches, go anywhere, including Bermuda.

[Shifra]

Since you did not mention how long a cruise you want I will "assume" 7 day. I would suggest any Princess ship, Celebrity or any of the radiance class Royal Carib. ships and the Vista class Holland America ships. It sounds like you are looking for a quieter cruise experience so I would stay away from Carnival, NCL, Costa. These cruiselines usually have many more children on board.

 

I personally like the eastern carib best, 2 of my favorites on the 7 dayers are St. Maarten & Tortola, both beautiful ports. The western itinerarys tend to have a bit more activity. I enjoy both for different reasons.

 

You are picking a great time to cruise, some of your best prices are in Oct to Dec unless you are cruising during a holiday. Since you mentioned you want a more adult cruise experience then avoid holiday cruises.

 

The budget you mentioned is more than enough for a balcony cabin on a 7 day cruise. I have never even spent close to that for any of my 7 dayers.

Of course, if you are looking for a longer cruise that's different.

 

Which ever ship you decide on you will have a great time. :)

[traveller99]

Hi, thomsoad. Everyone's right on target with these suggestions. Remember, since you'll be sailing in '06 you WILL need a passport, period. Do the homework for where and when, keeping in mind that holiday cruises will have more families. Look at the different itinerarys and read up on those island's activities. Checkout online offers (many of the online prices do nat have all of the misc. charges figured in, so be careful) that match your needs and once you have that info, check with a few "brick and mortar" Travel Agents in your area and see what deals they can offer. Our first cruise was a Southern Carib and was fantastic. My DW and I still say, "Do you remember..." ENJOY!

[voyageur]

Because of your age and your interest in water sports rather than shopping... have you considered Star Clippers. My husband and I went on our honeymoon, and you go to the smaller islands with incredible private beaches... the ship is quiet, no kids, great food, and the sailing experience is absolutely great! You will miss a casino & nightly entertainment. Getting on and off the ship there are absolutely no line-ups as on the larger ships, which for me is worth alot.

[IvesGrandmama]

Good morning,

 

You have a great budget.

My cruise for Freedom of the Seas November 26,2006 deck nine Dl categorty

on the hump (go to Royal Caribbean website) 9340 I think. Only paid 1900.

Seven day to the western carribean.

 

Now is anyone got cheaper let me know where. I love RCCL ships.

Where will you be flying from?

I'm sure alot of people have cruise alot longer than I have but probably

not as much as checking out prices.

Have fun whatever you pick/

 

You can also go to meet and mingle RCCL board and see our post for Freedom

11-26-2006.

Janie

[mared1]

I am planning our 1st ever cruise and I admit that I am completely overwhelmed! I will start out by describing us.

 

We are looking to cruise out of Florida anywhere from Sept 06 to Dec 06 (I have been using the 05 year for references). We would have a budget of 4k after plane tickets and a one night stay in Florida before the ship departs.

 

I am 32 and would enjoy doing water activities more than shopping.

 

My other is 23 and would DEFINITELY enjoy shopping!

 

My questions are as follows:

 

Just how far would 4k take us (including the price of the cruise)? We are casual drinkers (i would probably say for the cruise 3-4 drinks a day per person). Not really much of gamblers. We do like a little nightlife but we would enjoy quiet time as well. We do not have children and the fewer the better. I want to have a good time but not spend a fortune in doing it. Scenery is VERY important for ports.

 

I guess what I am basically asking is what cruise line is the best for the Caribean that wont break my wallet and do people generally prefer the western or eastern cruises?

 

If you don't want many children on the ship you might try Celebrity or Holland America - but I think you will find Holland America will have older people on it.

Carnival is a lot of fun with activities you both would like but there could be a number of children on board depending on when kids get school breaks.

I think all the islands have great scenery- and most offer some good water activities. You might consider a western cruise that stops in the Caymans - good snorkeling and scuba and good shopping - also Cozumel offers both and you can then go to Tulum and see the Mayan ruins.

We liked both Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean. The $4,000 should be enough if you aren't interested in getting the largest cabin - a suite.

But with that amount you should be able to get a nice balcony cabin on most lines.

[balanceok]

With that type of budget, you should be able to do two cruises if you take the conservative route and book and Inside guarantee. Especially, if you cruise during the fall when prices are very good.

 

Cruise the East in 2006 and the West in 2007. Better yet, book a back-to-back cruise where the ship goes East one week and West the other.

 

I would recommend Princess and RCI as your first choices. Both for price as well as product.

 

Enjoy.

[geoherb]

$4000 was my budget for our Alaskan cruise, including airfare and all our excursions. You should be able to do the Caribbean for around half that amount for a 7-night cruise during those months.

 

I like eastern Caribbean more than western. Look for itineraries that stop at the cruise line's private island. That will give you a nice beach day. A longer time in port in St. Thomas would give you plenty of time to do a morning sailing, snorkeling, or kayaking excursion and have time to shop in the afternoon.

 

Of course, since the fall is still hurricane season, your actual itinerary might be changed if there is a storm. That happens occasionally.

[bibb]

Thomsoad,

 

I intentionally didn't read but a couple of the replies above because I didn't want to sound critical to anyone. You can easily blow the $4000 on your cabin & Sign and Sail bill but you can also cruise in your time frame for much less than half that and be able to do another cruise.

 

The mid November to mid December is past the heavy part hurricane season and cruise fares are the lowest at any time of the year. We did a November 28 - December 6 cruise on the Nordic Empress (Tampa, Grand Cayman, cozumel, Tampa) airfare, cruise (outside cabin), spending and tips included for for under $1700 for the two of us. The Empress is RCI's smallest ship at 48,000 tons but it was nice and our 16th cruise. We're sailing her again Monday, 4-11-05 (11 days).

 

We are cruising the Adventure of the Seas (140,000 tons) October 15 (7 days) and the package for the two of us is under under $1400 plus air (we guess that will be $400 or so for the two of us).

Again, you can easily spend the $1400 or you can shop and do 2 cruises for that much. Good luck on whatever you do.