Help Pick an Itinerary

[NateUpNorth]

The "Way To Early To Be Thinking About This" gathering of thoughts from you experienced people!

Both options for winter 2020/21

 

Option #1 - 7 nights from San Juan - Freedom (Post Amped Up?) - St. Thomas/ St. Kitts/ Antigua/ St. Lucia/ Barbados

 

Option #2 - 9 nights from Miami - Explorer (Recently Drydocked?) - Labadee/ Aruba/ Curacao/ Bonaire

 

The equalizer would be flying into San Juan a day or so early, so both vacay's approx. same length.

We did the ABC cruise last winter and loved it, but some of the reports about recent Bonaire itinerary changes have made us a bit nervous.

We have not done the "Saints" before.

We favor ocean based excursions/activities over land based ones. Prefer using local based operators for these. (yes we know the risks!)

[Biker19]

#2.

[njkruzer]

Either.

Edited June 17, 2019 by njkruzer
Typo

[racerxspeedy]

We have done both more than once.    We enjoy "The Saints" a little more - more greenery, more stops.   If you enjoy time off the ship the saints is the better option,   if you enjoy days at sea, than pick the 9 day. 

Both trips are wonderful. 

 

[nalrudaini]

Personally, I prefer an itinerary with the most sea days. So #2 looks like something I'd pick. 

[Clarea]

Since you have never done it before, I'd go with #1.

[karena1]

Freedom in a heartbeat!  We have 5 booked on her right now.  The Southern Caribbean with Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados is the best!!!!  One I love those islands (except St Kitts) but 2, the more port days I can get to go to my wonderful gorgeous beaches, the happier I am.  Would much rather lay on a beach in a gorgeous Caribbean island than sit at the pool on the ship.

 

 

Edited June 17, 2019 by karena1

[Beachammo]

I'd go with one. Not a fan of St Thomas....but love the rest. Especially St Kitts.

 

Couple extra days in Puerto Rico makes it an easy choice.

Edited June 17, 2019 by Beachammo

[time4u2go]

#1.  Six ports (including SJ) versus 4 ports.

[lovelife]

A vote for #1

[Heatherco]

We are also considering the Explorer.  I love St Kitts, but an extra two days cruising is winning out for me now.  Have a wonderful time whichever you choose.

[MightyMike]

My vote would be #1, mainly since the other cruise sounds like a repeat for you.

 

Fly into Puerto Rico a day or two early and take a bioluminescence tour at sunset the night before embarkation. 

[kimmycrs]

@MightyMike what exactly is a 

23 minutes ago, MightyMike said:

bioluminescence tour

 

[dodgestang]

Are you an easy drive to the one in Miami or is there airfare involved with both?

[Gopherpharm]

#1...if you can manage going to St. John on your St Thomas day you don’t be sorry!

[jbethel11]

9 hours ago, NateUpNorth said:

The "Way To Early To Be Thinking About This" gathering of thoughts from you experienced people!

Both options for winter 2020/21

 

Option #1 - 7 nights from San Juan - Freedom (Post Amped Up?) - St. Thomas/ St. Kitts/ Antigua/ St. Lucia/ Barbados

 

Option #2 - 9 nights from Miami - Explorer (Recently Drydocked?) - Labadee/ Aruba/ Curacao/ Bonaire

 

The equalizer would be flying into San Juan a day or so early, so both vacay's approx. same length.

We did the ABC cruise last winter and loved it, but some of the reports about recent Bonaire itinerary changes have made us a bit nervous.

We have not done the "Saints" before.

We favor ocean based excursions/activities over land based ones. Prefer using local based operators for these. (yes we know the risks!)

Since you haven't been to St. Thomas, St. Kitts or St. Kitts, I would recommend that sailing! Also SJ, PR is beautiful. I love it so much. Labadee is okay, wasn't a huge fan, but cool to say, "I have been to Haiti before!". St. Thomas is without a doubt superior to Labadee, as well.

[Cherries Jubilee]

#1 Because you haven’t done those islands, San Juan is a beautiful place to add a day, and if anything goes wrong and your itinerary ends up being completely different Freedom sounds like more fun than Explorer to be stuck on!