CruiseMomTX Posted April 16, 2019 #1 Share Posted April 16, 2019 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FionaMG Posted April 16, 2019 #2 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Oooh, that's a tough choice. You might have to just flip a coin! 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted April 16, 2019 #3 Share Posted April 16, 2019 I'd go with 3 or 4, for the ABC islands, including Bonaire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickiw0318 Posted April 16, 2019 #4 Share Posted April 16, 2019 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! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmeed Posted April 16, 2019 #5 Share Posted April 16, 2019 I agree with Bob. Start with ABC and St. Maarten. However, you are going to want to also book a cruise to St. Lucia and St. Kitts. Those islands are awesome. Barbados is cool too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mugtech Posted April 16, 2019 #6 Share Posted April 16, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyJay Posted April 16, 2019 #7 Share Posted April 16, 2019 Option 3. ABC islands + St Maarten! Had my first experience in March of the ABC islands and I loved it, the islands are beautiful. Then my personal preference is St Maarten over St Thomas. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseMomTX Posted April 17, 2019 Author #8 Share Posted April 17, 2019 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?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted April 17, 2019 #9 Share Posted April 17, 2019 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnjen Posted April 17, 2019 #10 Share Posted April 17, 2019 We've seen enough of St. Thomas. But I'd love to return to St. Maarten again. Cheap beer and low flying jetliners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wahed Posted April 17, 2019 #11 Share Posted April 17, 2019 #3. To us, St. Thomas isn't even worth the stop. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted April 17, 2019 #12 Share Posted April 17, 2019 3 minutes ago, Wahed said: #3. To us, St. Thomas isn't even worth the stop. Excellent jewelry store in St Thomas: Imperial Jewelers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wahed Posted April 17, 2019 #13 Share Posted April 17, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted April 17, 2019 #14 Share Posted April 17, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nalatrixie74 Posted April 17, 2019 #15 Share Posted April 17, 2019 i vote for st martin. it just spoke to me. have fun!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Getting out there Posted April 17, 2019 #16 Share Posted April 17, 2019 I'm surprised how many are picking St. Maartin. I loved St. Thomas so much more beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb4534 Posted April 17, 2019 #17 Share Posted April 17, 2019 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" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachammo Posted April 17, 2019 #18 Share Posted April 17, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brillohead Posted April 17, 2019 #19 Share Posted April 17, 2019 Another vote for #3! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FionaMG Posted April 17, 2019 #20 Share Posted April 17, 2019 I don't suppose you could swing a B2B with alternating itineraries...? That would be an amazing cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseMomTX Posted April 17, 2019 Author #21 Share Posted April 17, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FionaMG Posted April 17, 2019 #22 Share Posted April 17, 2019 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A2Mich Posted April 18, 2019 #23 Share Posted April 18, 2019 My picks would have #1 (I loved Barbados) or #3. I prefer St Maarten over St Thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuker Posted April 18, 2019 #24 Share Posted April 18, 2019 #3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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