First Cruise on Christmas and New Year

[AmazingTrans]

Hello hello Everybody!!!

 

I am planning our first cruise leaving from Florida for me and my wife. We just got married 6 months ago, and we are the twenty's of age.

 

I have been looking at the west and east Caribbean. What i noticed here is the East Caribbean has a lot of beaches and foresty type. And the west side has more things to see.

 

I would like to know what would be the best place to go, and would now be the best time to book our cruises and flights?

 

Hope to hear from everyone.!!!

 

Cheers!!!:)

[Keith1010]

Welcome to Cruise Critic

 

If you are looking for this Christmas then you should book the cruise right away as these are very popular. Arrive the day before the cruise at a minimum so that a flight delay or cancellation does not cause you to miss the ship. Book these as soon as you finalize the cruise.

 

I happen to prefer Western over Eastern Caribbean but on certain cruises I like some of the Eastern ones better.

 

Just depends on the Islands.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Christmas and New Year's cruises sell our quickly.

I don't know if you are aware of this, but they are more expensive than cruises at other times of the year.

Flights to Florida in general are filling up now.

What are your interest? Beaches? History? Shopping?

Eastern Caribbean offers more beach time.

Western Caribbean has more Mayan Ruins and history.

[Cruise a holic]

Hello hello Everybody!!!

 

I am planning our first cruise leaving from Florida for me and my wife. We just got married 6 months ago, and we are the twenty's of age.

 

I have been looking at the west and east Caribbean. What i noticed here is the East Caribbean has a lot of beaches and foresty type. And the west side has more things to see.

 

I would like to know what would be the best place to go, and would now be the best time to book our cruises and flights?

 

Hope to hear from everyone.!!!

 

Cheers!!!:)

 

Like many have said, since the holiday's book up fast, and are expensive, it is late to first book airfare and cruise now. However, I am sure you can find something to your liking. We like the Eastern and Southern routes best. Found the western to be a little "seedy". While the ruins are nice, when in Mexico or Jamaica we try to rush back to the ship. Also best to stay with a tour if you do go to either port-

 

We prefer the beautiful beaches and sites on the Eastern and Southern routes best. Just an opinion.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[spookwife]

be advised also to do a lot of research as to port days.. for instance, we are in Nassau on christmas day this year and while a few shops at the Straw market will be open, by and large.. it's a holiday for them too so will be spending it with their families.

 

if you are okay with just doing a beach day, that's fine, but the little things like umbrella rental may be shut down.

 

I agree, we booked back in August for this year and that was cutting it VERY fine.. there was exactly one cabin left in the category we wanted.

 

if you want next year then start looking and booking NOW.

[SMerritt]

Like many have said, since the holiday's book up fast, and are expensive, it is late to first book airfare and cruise now. However, I am sure you can find something to your liking. We like the Eastern and Southern routes best. Found the western to be a little "seedy". While the ruins are nice, when in Mexico or Jamaica we try to rush back to the ship. Also best to stay with a tour if you do go to either port-

 

We prefer the beautiful beaches and sites on the Eastern and Southern routes best. Just an opinion.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

 

Have to agree - For Beaches and more relaxed shopping and sight seeing, east or south - we are "Beach Addicts", you will not find pristine or many safe feeling beaches in the West

[AmazingTrans]

HI everybody!

 

Thanks for all the recommendations.

My plans are history and shopping. Would that be western?

 

What prices am i looking at if i were to booked it now? What websites or agents should i use to book the cruises? I really hope i can book it this weekend. :)

 

We would like the cruise that has lots of entertainments(comedy club, like las vegas type of shows and lots of foods. :)

 

Hope to hear from everybody!!!

[Cruise a holic]

HI everybody!

 

Thanks for all the recommendations.

My plans are history and shopping. Would that be western?

 

What prices am i looking at if i were to booked it now? What websites or agents should i use to book the cruises? I really hope i can book it this weekend. :)

 

We would like the cruise that has lots of entertainments(comedy club, like las vegas type of shows and lots of foods. :)

 

Hope to hear from everybody!!!

 

Based on what you say you enjoy, the Oasis and Allure sound best for you. We love celebrity, but the area of entertainment cannot compete with the Royal Carribean mega ships. We book with our credit card travel agency I do not believe we can recommend names. Shop around and only deal with a well established agency or directly with the cruise line

[AmazingTrans]

Cruise_a_Holic,

 

thanks for the reply. Yeap by looking at it, oasis or allure but their cost are 1000+ / person. pretty high for me.

 

Is there any other cruise that maybe Carnival has is as competing as allure/oasis? Or

 

What is the other ships that is one level below oasis/allure? Really hope to hear from everyone...

 

I am looking at Carnival Liberty and it seems promising. Any ideas?

[spookwife]

if you want to sail during the holidays it will be more expensive no matter who you choose.

 

I don't care for the Carnival product at all. about the only good thing I can say about them is their food was very good. but Royals is on par, and I just prefer the ambience and atmosphere of Royal far more.

 

again, you want to make sure your port days are NOT on Christmas or Boxing Day( if a British port) as the shops will most likely be closed or extremely limited .

[AmazingTrans]

Sppokwife,

 

definitely,

My plan is to leave for cruise either on the 22 or 23...

I will be there on the friday which is 21. :)

 

Any other reply anybody?

[Cruise a holic]

Cruise_a_Holic,

 

thanks for the reply. Yeap by looking at it, oasis or allure but their cost are 1000+ / person. pretty high for me.

 

Is there any other cruise that maybe Carnival has is as competing as allure/oasis? Or

 

What is the other ships that is one level below oasis/allure? Really hope to hear from everyone...

 

I am looking at Carnival Liberty and it seems promising. Any ideas?

 

Carnival puts out a good value cruise, especially for the first time. As one responder said, the food is very good. The cabins are a good size also. The Liberty is a nice ship. The entertainment was also good. some negatives include rowdy crowd, always selling stuff, and the ship layout a bit confusing. But overall, a good time for a reasonible fee. Since you like nightlife might be a good option for you.

 

Enjoy

[Keith1010]

Cruise_a_Holic,

 

thanks for the reply. Yeap by looking at it, oasis or allure but their cost are 1000+ / person. pretty high for me.

 

Is there any other cruise that maybe Carnival has is as competing as allure/oasis? Or

 

What is the other ships that is one level below oasis/allure? Really hope to hear from everyone...

 

I am looking at Carnival Liberty and it seems promising. Any ideas?

 

Because it is the holidays you will find the cruise high, and airfare and also hotels high too.

 

No other line has something on the scale of allure/oasis.

 

For other ships look at Celebrity or Princess. Carnival will be more basic then say RCI so it depends what you are looking for.

 

Keith

[spookwife]

Sppokwife,

 

definitely,

My plan is to leave for cruise either on the 22 or 23...

I will be there on the friday which is 21. :)

 

Any other reply anybody?

 

mine also leaves on the 22. we are in Nassau on the 25th. and like I said, I already know a few stores in the Straw market will be open, but not many and almost non on the rest of the island.

 

you have to look at the entire itinerary.. and pay special attention to not only WHAT date you will be docked, but the HOURS you will spend in port.

[panoramaofthepast]

Hello hello Everybody!!!

 

I am planning our first cruise leaving from Florida for me and my wife. We just got married 6 months ago, and we are the twenty's of age.

 

I have been looking at the west and east Caribbean. What i noticed here is the East Caribbean has a lot of beaches and foresty type. And the west side has more things to see.

 

I would like to know what would be the best place to go, and would now be the best time to book our cruises and flights?

 

Hope to hear from everyone.!!!

 

Cheers!!!:)

If you go over Christmas, there will be lots and lots of kids. If that doesn't bother you, great, but it is something to consider. If you have any flexibility and can go in January, the prices will probably be lower.

[SMerritt]

HI everybody!

 

Thanks for all the recommendations.

My plans are history and shopping. Would that be western?

 

What prices am i looking at if i were to booked it now? What websites or agents should i use to book the cruises? I really hope i can book it this weekend. :)

 

We would like the cruise that has lots of entertainments(comedy club, like las vegas type of shows and lots of foods. :)

 

Hope to hear from everybody!!!

 

NCL Epic = Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams (AMAZING!), Ice Bar, White Hot Party, Chocolate Night, Teppanyaki Restaurant (One of many specialty restaurants)

 

There will be shopping everywhere!:D On an off of your ship

[Underwatr]

Looks like there is good pricing at present on HA's Eurodam leaving Ft Lauderdale on the 22nd (Grand Turk/St. Thomas/San Juan 7 day), and on Freedom of the Seas leaving Port Canaveral on the 23rd (W. Caribbean 7 day). Better pricing on Eurodam.

[AmazingTrans]

I am looking at:

Miami → Nassau → Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas → San Juan → Grand Turk Island → Miami

 

Miami → Cozumel → Belize City → Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands → George Town → Miami

 

which would anybody recommend from the above?

[Cruisin' Chick]

If I were you, I would look in the yellow pages (I'm sure you have one of those around the house) under travel agencies. Find one in your area that has "cruise specialist" in its ad or heading and go in there. Tell the TA your dates, desired itineraries, budget. Most likely he/she will suggest a Royal or Carnival ship based on your age, activity level.

 

But here's the thing: as others have stated, your options may be limited for this year. The Caribbean is pretty popular in the winter for those living in cold climates. And holiday cruises are usually booked way ahead of time (the first time we tried to book one -- we're pretty limited as to when we can travel as we have a school-aged kid -- the specific cruise we wanted was booked by the summer; so we booked one 13 months ahead; our last cruise we did book in mid-October, but there were only a couple of cabins left on the ship -- and fortunately, we were sailing from a port 50 miles from where we live, so no flights or hotels needed).

 

So you should try to be flexible. If you are a short distance from a port (an hour's or two drive), even better. But once you need to book flights and hotels, you may have to be even more flexible. Just don't book a flight for the day of your cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I am looking at:

Miami → Nassau → Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas → San Juan → Grand Turk Island → Miami

 

Miami → Cozumel → Belize City → Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands → George Town → Miami

 

which would anybody recommend from the above?

 

Check how long you are in each port. That is important to us.

[Cruise a holic]

I am looking at:

Miami → Nassau → Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas → San Juan → Grand Turk Island → Miami

 

Miami → Cozumel → Belize City → Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands → George Town → Miami

 

which would anybody recommend from the above?

 

I am a fan of the Eastern Caribbean. Nassau and Paradise Island have a lot to offer. We love the Beaches on St. Thomas and St. John. San Juan not great as typically the day is short- so we just walk around the town a little and enjoy the ships amenities- Grand Turk is also beautiful.

 

Again, a personal choice- if you haven't been to either- you will enjoy whichever you decide.

[kitty9]

If you have to fly to the port, seeing it's Christmas and winter, and if you're flying from a cold weather city, everyone HIGHLY recommends flying in a day early and staying overnight, so as to not miss the ship because of a snowstorm. I can't tell you the number of cruises I've been on where a lot of passengers missed the ship because they were stuck at airports in bad weather.

 

Also, book your flights NOW. There are less and less flights nowadays, and they book fast. And during the holidays, make absolutely sure you don't book a return flight too early. The airports will be insane during Christmas and lines will be long, maybe over an hour just at security.

 

We aren't able to list names of travel agents or agencies on these boards. You're on your own as far as finding a good TA. But I can say, if you look around, and ask, you might find agents that will provide "perks" that booking directly with the cruise line won't provide, such as on board credit, a free dinner in the alternate restaurant or a bottle of wine.

[AmazingTrans]

Heya Evrerybody, Sorry for the late response.

Here is the itinerary..

website: imgur/snRFW

 

Day----------Port----------

Saturday----------Miami, FL

Sunday----------Nassau, the Bahamas

Monday----------Fun Day at Sea

Tuesday----------St. Thomas, USVI

Wednesday----------San Juan, Puerto Rico

Thursday----------Grand Turk

Friday----------Fun Day at Sea

Saturday----------Miami, FL

 

Now I have another questions which is excursions should we do at each of the following port?

Can anybody recommend that to me?

[kitty9]

It's impossible to recommend excursions to someone we don't know. I suggest going on the cruise line's website, and take a look at their list of excursions and see what appeals to you. See, everyone here has different interests and reasons for taking a particular excursion---some want to shop, some want cultural things, some just want beaches. It's really a personal thing depending on what YOU like and what interests you. There's no right or wrong answer, just pick things you think you'd like to do.

[AmazingTrans]

Hi kitty,

 

I believe each port has their specialities.

For example: Would nassau/grand turk be better for snorkling?

 

what's everybody experiences for places they went ?

Nassau:-

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas:-

San Juan:-

Grand Turk Island:-

 

Hope to hear from everyone. Cheers!