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Help with itinerary

CruiseMomTX
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CruiseMomTX

CruiseMomTX

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We are looking at 4 very similar itineraries all on the Freedom out of San Juan.  Does anyone have a favorite of least favorite or any other input?

 

1. St Maarten, St Kitts, St Johns, St Lucia, Barbados

2. St Thomas, St Kitts, St Johns, St Lucia, Barbados

3. Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St Maarten

4. Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St Thomas

 

The dates are anywhere from 9/1 to 12/15, my husband got a casino offer for one of these sailings, St Maarten is the only port we have been to and the other RCCL ships we have sailed on are Rhapsody, Navigator & Harmony.  

 

Thanks for any help!

 

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FionaMG "Live from...." Rare

FionaMG

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Oooh, that's a tough choice. You might have to just flip a coin! :classic_laugh:

 

If you are into snorkelling at all, Bonaire is apparently an absolute must. If, on the other hand, snorkelling is not your thing, Bonaire is (in my opinion) a bit of a "been there once, no real reason to go back" type of port.

I loved Eagle Beach in Aruba. It is an absolutely gorgeous, long, white sandy beach.

 

  

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vickiw0318

vickiw0318

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I have a personal preference for St. Martaan over St. Thomas.  I like strolling the shopping street in Phillipsburg and the fact that it's easy to rent beach chairs right there in town. 

 

Now, the rest of the itineraries - that's a problem.  I like them both.  The island groups are totally different - hilly/mountainous for the first two, great beaches and shopping in Aruba and fun exploring Willemstad in Curacao.  You've got a great problem!

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mugtech

mugtech

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I would avoid September and the first two weeks of October for hurricane reasons.  Gotta agree with the idea that the ABC islands trump the other two,  so for me it would be either St Thomas or St Maarten.

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Clarea

Clarea

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15 minutes ago, CruiseMomTX said:

Thank you everyone!!!  ABC islands it is plus either St Maarten or St Thomas.

Now what are your favorite things to see/do at each place??

 

 

Woodwind snorkeling at Bonaire.

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Wahed

Wahed

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28 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Excellent jewelry store in St Thomas: Imperial Jewelers.

Personally I really like to visit St. Maarten Jewelers.  Have had great luck in Goldfinger.

 

But then again, everyone has different jewelry tastes.

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OCruisers

OCruisers

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2 hours ago, CruiseMomTX said:

Thank you everyone!!!  ABC islands it is plus either St Maarten or St Thomas.

Now what are your favorite things to see/do at each place??

 

 

Glad you picked the ABC islands! 

Between St. Maarten and St. Thomas I'd lean toward St. Maarten.  

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jmb4534

jmb4534

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The last time we were in Bonaire we rented a golf cart and toured along the coast. We had a wonderful day and felt perfectly safe. The carts can be picked up right outside the port entry. I'm sure I got the idea here on Cruise Critic, so you might check the Bonaire "ports of Call" 

 

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Beachammo

Beachammo

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Since St Thomas would be an out in my opinion. That leaves options 1 and 3.

 

My favorite island is St Kitts and we have been to the ABC's many times.....so I would lean choice one. But.....since you've never been, three is the right choice.

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CruiseMomTX

CruiseMomTX

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17 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

I don't suppose you could swing a B2B with alternating itineraries...? That would be an amazing cruise!

 

Now that would be nice but will wait until all our boys graduate high school, 2 more years.  Also just booked another cruise to take them on this summer, boy will they be surprised, lol.  We all 5 sail on the Harmony on 5/19.  We had the Liberty 8/25 casino summer sizzle promo booked for just the 2 of us in a free balcony but paid a little to upgrade to a Jr Suite.  Well we called today and changed that to the casino beer promo on Allure same date but better itinerary and newer ship.  We both had and offer so they combined them and we still get a Jr suite but get $700 back.  Well since we were on the phone we asked about the Liberty sailing 8/4 since we still had some discounts/trade in value and whoops booked 2 balcony cabins for all 5 of us for $1250 total!!  We will try to keep it a secret and surprise them on the last night of our Harmony sailing.

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FionaMG "Live from...." Rare

FionaMG

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8 minutes ago, CruiseMomTX said:

 

Now that would be nice but will wait until all our boys graduate high school, 2 more years.  Also just booked another cruise to take them on this summer, boy will they be surprised, lol.  We all 5 sail on the Harmony on 5/19.  We had the Liberty 8/25 casino summer sizzle promo booked for just the 2 of us in a free balcony but paid a little to upgrade to a Jr Suite.  Well we called today and changed that to the casino beer promo on Allure same date but better itinerary and newer ship.  We both had and offer so they combined them and we still get a Jr suite but get $700 back.  Well since we were on the phone we asked about the Liberty sailing 8/4 since we still had some discounts/trade in value and whoops booked 2 balcony cabins for all 5 of us for $1250 total!!  We will try to keep it a secret and surprise them on the last night of our Harmony sailing.

Sounds wonderful!  Enjoy! :classic_smile:

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