What is there to do in Caribbean Port over nights?

[nngardener]

If anyone thinks Celebrity has made a mistake, I suggest you take a look at the pricing for the cruise you are on with the changed itinerary and compare the price now to the price you paid.

 

Ours is significantly higher, indicating a stronger demand than when we booked.

 

This leads me to believe people are now booking for the overnights, exactly as Celebrity had expected given the market research they did.

 

It's a done deal folks.

 

Too true.

[chamima]

And what is the valid reason for not staying? We have not heard one of those yet either.

 

Go back to the beginning and read again.

 

The overnight stay means we completely miss an island that we would like to see (and booked the cruise to see) that was scheduled for the following day. In my case, Grenada. I'd say that's a pretty valid reason for not wanting to stay overnight.

 

 

In my view, a bad decision that was also badly implemented.

 

 

Our valid reason is to experience two islands instead of just one.

On our cruise we're missing Bonaire in order to spend two days in Curacao (where, by the way, we were originally scheduled to stay until 11 pm!!!).

We've been to both islands and enjoy both but Curacao doesn't compare to the unspoiled quiet beauty of Bonaire . Also, the snorkeling at Bonaire is the best in Caribbean.

 

 

NO ONE on our very active Roll Call was happy about this change. We've mostly all (I think one couple canceled) have just decided to live with it for this year but that doesn't say anyone is happy about it.

__________________

Edited July 4, 2015 by chamima

[Soca Queen]

I doubt it Karysa as that would not increase X 's earnings. Where as a cut of a two hour $199 early evening Tour and the savings on oil from sitting at a Port for two days would.

 

You do however bring up an interesting point regarding vested interests. Why do a handful want overnights in the Caribbean? Europe, we can all agree on. Do they have old friends in some Ports that they want to catch up with? Do some want liaisons with locals over night? Why are they unhappy about leaving a Port previously scheduled for say 11 pm when they could have done most things like dinner and a two hour buggy ride and not give up the next day Island?

 

I do realize there are a half dozen X boosters on here with a combined 70,000 or so posts who support X in wanting the overnights. I may do an analysis of the Posts to determine the exact number of who were for and against but that will take me away from trying to improve my dreadful golf game. I have not, however, heard one valid reason for staying at a Caribbean Port beyond say 11 pm to give up a previously scheduled Port the next day.

 

Lets be reasonable here. Ask yourself the question, would passengers who booked particular Ports be happy to give up a Port so as to over night in a Caribbean Port?

 

 

 

Myself and my DH booked whilst onboard paying for my sister and husband for their Anniversary they have friends in Belize one port we have lost. If known we would have booked the cruise where Barbados is an overnight as we have friends there but lose St.Kitts where we have family..... A lose lose situation, and as another cruiser added why not fly to St.Kitts on a land holiday..... I work 12 hour shifts to pay for my 1 holiday, has to be a cruise at the minute

[ROWSE]

I am on the same cruise as janewe, and as she stated we have heard nothing from either Celebrity or TA that Bonaire was in fact dropped for the overnight in Curacao.

 

Like others, I booked this itinerary especially for Bonaire, and it makes me so disappointed!!! I won't cancel as too many reservations were made and vacation dates scheduled. I would like to move on, as some of you suggest, and plan the next day in Curacao; but when we have not had any official statement from Celebrity or TA, it makes this little spark of hope stay alive in me that they may return our cruise to what we booked. Most likely a pipe dream on my part, but it is still a feeling I have.

 

What an awful thing to do to all of us that have booked the cruises that they have not contacted us about. This is why I am having a hard time moving on, so please understand for all of you that have heard official word, those of us who haven't, are sitting in a different spot than you.

 

I feel very bad for the poor people booked on these, not on Cruise Critic, and maybe not logging in to their Celebrity reservation. They would have no idea this has changed. What on earth could Celebrity be thinking?

 

There I go again, that little spark of hope wants to BURN!!!!

[ghstudio]

The lack of communications is baffling. We have Celebrity cruises in Asia scheduled in 2017 and we have been notified of two or three port changes already....and the notification of the change came from our (large internet) TA. It's not clear to me that if you used a TA to book, it may be the TA's fault for not notifying you, not Celebrity's. If you booked through Celebrity, then they aren't doing their job as a TA and you have a valid gripe.

Edited July 4, 2015 by ghstudio

[janewe]

Our valid reason is to experience two islands instead of just one.

On our cruise we're missing Bonaire in order to spend two days in Curacao (where, by the way, we were originally scheduled to stay until 11 pm!!!).

We've been to both islands and enjoy both but Curacao doesn't compare to the unspoiled quiet beauty of Bonaire . Also, the snorkeling at Bonaire is the best in Caribbean.

 

 

NO ONE on our very active Roll Call was happy about this change. We've mostly all (I think one couple canceled) have just decided to live with it for this year but that doesn't say anyone is happy about it.

__________________

Well put Karen! I think what you said covers how almost all of us feel.

[hcat]

Are the cruiselines that are having overnights in the Caribbean building "villages" or what ever you want to call them like the one RCCL is building at the port in St. Maarten? Will the casino's be open while in port?

 

What is Royal building in St Maarten?

[janewe]

What is Royal building in St Maarten?

Here is some info on what you were looking for. Probably three years before it's completed. It's going to be a very congested Port. Perhaps R.C. will do two or three consecutive over nights there to help pay for it.

 

"More than 250 jobs will become available during the project's construction phase over the next 2½ years, and more than 400 fulltime quality jobs after its completion, Tercek said.

Petrillo also indicated that social corporate responsibility was a central focus, particularly community-building, children, employment and environmental sustainability. Internship programmes and summer camps are planned for the future. The team wants to "make sure people are first and foremost taken care of," he said.

Vision

St. Maarten Quarter Development NV, the entity set up specifically for the project, presented key elements accompanied by loose artist's impressions and mood boards.

The development will feature high quality entertainment, dining, accommodation, retail and activity facilities, focused on brands new to the island as well as local offerings.

A four-star 200-room hotel ¬– ¬¬¬¬ either Hard Rock or Marriot brand – will include an infinity pool, meeting and conference rooms, and a fitness centre and spa. Mingo is in favour of Marriot.

A zip-line attraction will both start and end on the property, have no impact on traffic, and is meant to be a quick, fun attraction that can "zip up to six guests from 0 to 60 miles per hour," Tercek said.

A Reef Lagoon is planned, which will include stingray and shark sections, as well as an aquarium where visitors can walk underwater. These are proven tourist attractions, but are not found bundled together, which will make the development a novelty in the Caribbean.

The Reef Lagoon will allow "tens of thousands to experience Caribbean sea life without causing damage or environmental stress to St. Maarten's reefs."

[GordonJasmine]

We have not been notified either. I've had over 20 cruises and have not ONCE had any itinerary changes. We were SO looking forward to Bonaire. Sigh.

[Christine Frances]

We have not been notified either. I've had over 20 cruises and have not ONCE had any itinerary changes. We were SO looking forward to Bonaire. Sigh.

 

Since you arrive at 7am and don't leave until 5pm the next day why not spend 2 days in Bonaire? There are cheap flights that go over to Bonaire almost every hour. You could go over in the am and spend the day and maybe even the night in a small hotel and fly back the next afternoon. That way you could spend a longer time in Bonaire than just an 8 hr port stop!

Edited July 4, 2015 by Christine Frances

[Christine Frances]

Thanks Chritine for bringing this to our attention. No excursions for Barbados and Curaçao yet but I've book marked the link.

 

Thanks again,

 

Katie

 

I would also get a hold of Sarah at Glory Tours in Barbados as I am sure she is already looking at ideas for the overnights. Excellent company:)

[Fouremco]

Since you arrive at 7am and don't leave until 5pm the next day why not spend 2 days in Bonaire? There are cheap flights that go over to Bonaire almost every hour. You could go over in the am and spend the day and maybe even the night in a small hotel and fly back the next afternoon. That way you could spend a longer time in Bonaire than just an 8 hr port stop!

 

I would also get a hold of Sarah at Glory Tours in Barbados as I am sure she is already looking at ideas for the overnights. Excellent company:)

I had drafted a very similar post, but then I asked myself whether it would be fair to suggest that someone undertake the expense of a return flight, accommodation, meals, transportation, etc., having already paid for the cruise. I suppose I could fly over to Grenada for a couple of days rather than overnighting in Barbados, as it's under an hour's flight time, but I simply can't justify the additional expenditure.

 

In the mean time, I've booked my next Caribbean cruise with HAL, where I feel more confident that I'll get the itinerary that I've paid for.

[Christine Frances]

I had drafted a very similar post, but then I asked myself whether it would be fair to suggest that someone undertake the expense of a return flight, accommodation, meals, transportation, etc., having already paid for the cruise. I suppose I could fly over to Grenada for a couple of days rather than overnighting in Barbados, as it's under an hour's flight time, but I simply can't justify the additional expenditure.

 

 

 

In the mean time, I've booked my next Caribbean cruise with HAL, where I feel more confident that I'll get the itinerary that I've paid for.

 

 

Maybe not fair to recommend it to others but as we have stayed overnight in many ports, doing something like 2 days in Bonaire or Grenada would be something we would jump on in a flash. This would make it an awesome itinerary rather same old, same old port stop. I guess we are different as we use ships as a means to get to different places and have different experiences. We love our floating hotel but have no problem eating and sleeping off the ship if opportunity arises.

[Fouremco]

Maybe not fair to recommend it to others but as we have stayed overnight in many ports, doing something like 2 days in Bonaire or Grenada would be something we would jump on in a flash. This would make it an awesome itinerary rather same old, same old port stop. I guess we are different as we use ships as a means to get to different places and have different experiences. We love our floating hotel but have no problem eating and sleeping off the ship if opportunity arises.

When all is said and done, I think that the problem lies less with an overnight stay per se than it does the arbitrary decision on Celebrity's part as to which port we have to do it in and which port become the sacrificial lamb.

[Christine Frances]

When all is said and done, I think that the problem lies less with an overnight stay per se than it does the arbitrary decision on Celebrity's part as to which port we have to do it in and which port become the sacrificial lamb.

 

You are correct that that is a problem with some people. Our friends are cruising X for the first time in Mar/16 and had their itinerary changed. They are not upset as they had been to the missed port before but are now excited about the overnight. So not everyone is upset but I can see both sides.

[janewe]

"Myself and my DH booked whilst onboard paying for my sister and husband for their Anniversary they have friends in Belize one port we have lost. If known we would have booked the cruise where Barbados is an overnight as we have friends there but lose St.Kitts where we have family..... A lose lose situation, and as another cruiser added why not fly to St.Kitts on a land holiday..... I work 12 hour shifts to pay for my 1 holiday, has to be a cruise at the minute"

 

I have a great deal of empathy towards you Soca Queen. Working so hard, 12 hour shifts to pay for your one holiday a year only for part of it to be taken away from you. It must be heart breaking for you.

 

I get where you are coming from, not having extra money like a select few to fly out to another Island, pay for Hotels, food and beverage when you have already paid for all of that. Not all of us have the means to pay for what amounts to be an extra trip within a trip. All you and I and many others want is what was agreed on by both parties at the time of booking.

Edited July 5, 2015 by janewe

[Christine Frances]

I think Host Andy should lock this thread. Everyone that has tried to answer the OP's original question has been blown off so not much point in continuing. There are lots to do in ports at night but apparently nothing that the OP is interested in.

[janewe]

I think Host Andy should lock this thread. Everyone that has tried to answer the OP's original question has been blown off so not much point in continuing. There are lots to do in ports at night but apparently nothing that the OP is interested in.[/QUO

 

May I suggest if you are not happy with the thread I initiated, you stop posting on it and start your own thread.

 

This, rather than trying to shut down my thread because you don't agree with my view. I find this shocking coming from someone who lives in a democratic Country that has freedom of speech.

Edited July 5, 2015 by janewe

[Cindy]

I think Host Andy should lock this thread. Everyone that has tried to answer the OP's original question has been blown off so not much point in continuing. There are lots to do in ports at night but apparently nothing that the OP is interested in.

 

May I suggest if you are not happy with the thread I initiated, you stop posting on it and start your own thread.

 

This, rather than trying to shut down my thread because you don't agree with my view. I find this shocking coming from someone who lives in a democratic Country that has freedom of speech.

 

Perhaps it should be renamed instead of closed. You could call it Another Thread Complaining About Overnights in the Caribbean and the title would more accurately represent the contents. Like Christine Frances, I have also wondered why you started the thread, because it appears you don't really want an answer to the question you posed.:( Instead, it seems you wanted another thread in which to express your anger and frustration with the itinerary changes.

 

This thread could be informative and productive, but unfortunately you have shot down every suggestion that has been made. Legitimate answers to your original question have been dismissed, and in some cases not nicely.

 

I don't have a problem with your view. I can understand why you're upset. You have every right to express that. I just don't understand why you started this thread if you didn't want an answer to your question.

[janewe]

Perhaps it should be renamed instead of closed. You could call it Another Thread Complaining About Overnights in the Caribbean and the title would more accurately represent the contents. Like Christine Frances, I have also wondered why you started the thread, because it appears you don't really want an answer to the question you posed.:( Instead, it seems you wanted another thread in which to express your anger and frustration with the itinerary changes.

 

This thread could be informative and productive, but unfortunately you have shot down every suggestion that has been made. Legitimate answers to your original question have been dismissed, and in some cases not nicely.

 

I don't have a problem with your view. I can understand why you're upset. You have every right to express that. I just don't understand why you started this thread if you didn't want an answer to your question.

You must have missed Karen's response below where she states "the tone of the post was definitely asking why the itinerary was changed". Like the vast majority of the posters on this thread she got it.

 

As you may know, freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution and while I understand you and Ms Francis don't like my point of view, the latter wanting to remove my thread and you supporting her over all position, I intend to continue posting if I choose to do so.

 

Originally Posted by janewe View Post

With it getting dark shortly after 6 pm and many having safety concerns of being out late in some Ports does anyone have any input into what there is to do in the evenings in the likes of Curacao?

 

Has anyone been there recently because when I worked and lived there a number of years ago, there was nothing to do? A few restaurants but no great Bars or Night Clubs.

 

The previous schedule was for us to be in Port until 11 pm which would have given lots of time for people to go out for a meal. Can anyone shed some light on why we are losing Bonaire to overnight in Curacao? Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by riredsox View Post

Actually the op asked what is there to do in Caribbean ports overnight. I assumed that was the topic of this thread and not wether Celebrity should have changed the itinarary.

 

 

I quoted the OP's original post above yours.

The titile of the thread asked what there was to do but the tone of the post itself was definitely asking why the itinerary was changed.

 

We are also on a cruise with the altered itinerary and I happen to agree. ... ...

__________________

Karen

[Driveshaft]

http://celebrityshoreexcursions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CaribbeanEveningsAroundtheWorld.pdf