Help!! Cruise Dilema

[woodards]

My wife and I are looking at booking our third cruise for the begining of Sept this year. Problem is we can't decide between two cruises. Choices are Navigator - Eastern Caribbean or Jewel - Canada/New England.

 

Looking for recommendations for either in an attempt to influence our decision. Both have a good itinerary so it is between sun or sights!!

 

We did the Western Caribbean on the Navigator last October and loved it so we know what to expect on this ship. Have read mixed reviews on the Jewel so this doesn't help!!

 

Got to admit I would prefer something different i.e. Canada/New England but would really miss the warm weather of the Caribbean. What is the weather like in Sept on the east coast? Would we be able to utilise all the ships facilities if it is cold? Is it it worth getting a balcony stateroom for this itinerary?

 

Thanks in advance!!

 

Steve.

[skandls]

We have cruised the caribbean but not on the Jewel. We did the Montreal to New England cruise on Holland America. Check the schedule. It was very port intensive so we were up and out fairly early almost every day. So do you want to relax in the sun or do a lot of 'touring'. We are in our 50s and usually do the casino and or music things after our late seating. But this trip we tended to be in our stateroom by midnite.

[awdl2000]

I am from Rhode Island, early sept is still warm...sometimes toward the end it starts to get cool in the evenings. I would always go for the balcony room, it is a beautiful time of year up here in New England. I would just pack some long sleeves in case it gets chilly in the evenings.

[woodards]

We have cruised the caribbean but not on the Jewel. We did the Montreal to New England cruise on Holland America. Check the schedule. It was very port intensive so we were up and out fairly early almost every day. So do you want to relax in the sun or do a lot of 'touring'. We are in our 50s and usually do the casino and or music things after our late seating. But this trip we tended to be in our stateroom by midnite.

 

We tend to do a bit of both to be fair, but it is intended to be a relaxing break so nothing too strenuous!!

[Murphy]

We did not do your itinerary, but we did the Canadian repo cruise of the Enchantment from Quebec to Fort Lauderdale last fall. We probably spent a total of 4.5 hours on our Owners suite balcony. Sailing away from Quebec for 30 mins, 3 hours sailing thru the Sagauney River, 30 mins sailing into New Foundland and 30 mins sailing out of Boston. Other than that it was way too cold, breezy, wet and uncomfortable to use the balcony. Since your itinerary does not include the Saguaney River, I think I'd skip the balcony expense. But I would recommend the Canada/ NE itinerary for a change of pace.

[Merion_Mom]

We have done the Canada/New England itinerary twice on RCCL: Voyager (5 day) and Enchantment (7 day), but both were in August. I'd go again in a heartbeat. We missed out on sailing on the Jewel (if you care, there are links in my signature), but would do THAT in a heartbeat.

 

We have done Eastern Caribbean twice, on the Explorer.

 

You can't go wrong with either. Maybe part of your decision will be airfare from London to either Miami or Boston??????

[woodards]

We have done the Canada/New England itinerary twice on RCCL: Voyager (5 day) and Enchantment (7 day), but both were in August. I'd go again in a heartbeat. We missed out on sailing on the Jewel (if you care, there are links in my signature), but would do THAT in a heartbeat.

 

We have done Eastern Caribbean twice, on the Explorer.

 

You can't go wrong with either. Maybe part of your decision will be airfare from London to either Miami or Boston??????

 

Was you able to take full advantage of the ships external facilities even though the weather is a little chillier on the East Coast compared to the Caribbean?

 

To be fair cost of air fair is balanced by the cost of the crusise itself i.e. Boston is cheaper to fly to but crusie is more expensive:( .

 

Thanks for the reply (and to everybody else that has replied so far:) )

[Merion_Mom]

We are not "sunworshippers", so we don't spend HOURS lying out to get a tan. (we BELIEVE the doctors) We felt that we truly got our "cruise money's worth" out of all of our cruises.

 

This one REALLY comes down to personal preference.

 

I LOVE New England, ANY time of the year. Halifax is a VERY charming Canadian city.

 

Sorry I can't tell you, DEFINITELY DO X.

[ssolomon56]

My DH and I have taken a number of Caribbean cruises...and loved them all. But, they tend to blur together after awhile. A couple of years ago we did the New England/Canada cruise and it's become one we talk about all the time. Halifax is a very special port...the maritime museam there has a large section dedicated to the Titanic that you shouldn't miss. We sailed in and out of New York, and spent a few days there after the cruise, then rented a car and drove into New England to Newport, Rhode Island. What an amazing trip!

[FLCruiseGirl]

I would choose New England at that time of year. You won't have to worry about hurricanes. September is one of the most likely months for a hurricane to hit.

[negc]

Was you able to take full advantage of the ships external facilities even though the weather is a little chillier on the East Coast compared to the Caribbean?

 

To be fair cost of air fair is balanced by the cost of the crusise itself i.e. Boston is cheaper to fly to but crusie is more expensive:( .

 

Thanks for the reply (and to everybody else that has replied so far:) )

We have sailed on Jewel three times in the past two years: a repositioning out of Boston, the Transatlantic from Harwich to Boston, and a Bermuda/Caribbean roundtrip out of Boston. We absolutely love this class of ship and with a glass covered solarium the weather won't prevent you from using the pool and hot tubs.

We also did the Enchantment cruise from Boston to NE/Canada last September and enjoyed that as well. Weather is unpredictable in September in New England. When we did the Enchantment cruise it was mostly warm and sunny in the various ports of call. (It was overcast and chilly in New Brunswick. We especially enjoyed Portland, Maine (take the duck tour) and Bar Harbor. Halifax, NS is one of our favorite places in Canada.

We are doing the Jewel repositioning this coming October and can't wait to sail on her again.

We have sailed on and enjoy the Voyager class ships but really prefer the Radiance class.

As far as hurricanes go, you just have to trust to luck. They have a nasty habit of moving from the Caribbean up the East Coast of the US, so there are no guarantees. Even last year, when there were a lot of active storms, there were probably still more weeks of good weather than bad.

Whichever ship you choose you should have a wonderful time. Enjoy.

If you do choose to sail the Jewel and need answers to any questions about Boston or any of the ports on its itinerary, just ask.:)

[dave&micki]

we live on Martha's Vineyard-- one of the ports you would stop at --- September is one of my favorite times of the year -- still warm enough-- summer crouds are gone-- and all the local stores are still open for weekend visits-- you are tendored into Oak Bluffs which is really the old part of the island -- oldest working carousel--- turn of the century gingerbread houses (cottage city) and still some peace and quiet--- great place to spend a day--great food at Nancy"s-----:D come see us!!!!!

[skandls]

Hi Wood..,

Check the itineraries and decide how much time you want to 'veg out' and how much time you want to explore and 'tour'. The weather can be chilly (ok we live in SoCal and 60 is cold). All cruises are great for what they are - you can't go wrong with any choice you make.

[jd618]

We were on the Jewel this past October. What an immaculate ship! We loved the glass elevators, incredible atrium, great buffet for dinner, and very friendly staff (eager to please). I look forward to being on sister ship this April.

Sorry I can’t advise on itinerary, as I’ve never done the New England tour . . .yet. But the Jewel went out of Boston, and that is a terrific place to visit. We flew in the day before our ship sailed to ride the train, check out Faneuil Hall and eat at Pizzeria Regina. Friends, native of Boston, highly recommended this to us . . . and it sure started our vacation off right! Next time we’d like to spend more time in Boston.

My advice . . . try something different. I’ll bet you love it! :) Happy cruising!

Looking forward to our next cruise . . .

Constellation Oct. ’06 – Western Caribbean

Brilliance of the Seas April ’06 – Panama Canal

Jewel of the Seas Oct. ’05 – Bermuda and Caribbean

Dawn Princess March '05 - Western Caribbean

Caribbean Princess '04 (C752 Cabin off back of ship) - Eastern Caribbean

Island Princess '03 - Panama Canal

Star Princess '03 - Mexican Riveria

Grand Princess '02 - Western Caribbean

Enchantment of the Seas '98 - Eastern Caribbean

[The Grumpus]

Woodards,

 

I guess it depends on your taste. If it were up to me I'd say go with Navigator? Despite what the northerners say, it’s a bit chilly up there in Sept. and I guess I don't get a big thrill looking at the leaves change colors. However, I was on Jewel in January and the crew is wonderful (they remember your name like it was with RCL years ago) and the ship is beautiful. The Eastern Caribbean’s atmosphere is completely different than Western so it would feel totally different than Mexico.

 

I’ve been on two cruises out of Baltimore (east coast) in September and one was smooth as glass and the other we had 25 foot swells from a hurricane around Florida, so you never know what you’re gonna it. There could be a hurricane in New England just as easy as the Caribbean in that time of the year so I wouldn’t worry about it either way.

 

 

Just food for thought, why not try Freedom? Granted it’s Western but the ship should be amazing.

 

 

Which ever one you chose (I know it's tough sometimes), you know you'll have a great time on either so just pick the one your leaning to, that's how we decide.

[Shanafan]

The Jewel is awesome! You can't go wrong on this ship. However, that said, I would do whatever itinerary looks best to you.

 

I booked the Freedom of the Seas for next February which is doing the Western Caribbean. After weighing out the choices.......Freedom/new ship/ Western or Adventure/older ship/ Southern Caribbean.......we changed to the Adventure. I would do the Southern Caribbean in a heartbeat rather than the Western. Not that there is anything wrong with the Western, but we have done it several times and I prefer the Southern itinerary.

[The Grumpus]

.......we changed to the Adventure. I would do the Southern Caribbean in a heartbeat rather than the Western.

 

Shanafan, the only problem I had with that ship/itinerary was that I paid full sticker price but when I got on the ship, it was 3/4 full of people from Puerto Rico that paid $300 from a room (not even per person). I don't have anything against people from Puerto Rico but I was mad because of the deals they got that I didn't. It may have been because it was 2 months after 9/11 and many Americans took a break from traveling but if not, your going to be ticked you off hearing them talk about their price opposed to yours.

[bluefintuna]

We loved Jewel of the Seas; did the Western route. Here in New England it is definately "crisp" beginning labor day. But what I would give to drive to Boston and board the Jewel for a cruise. We live 30 minutes from the pier. Sure wish they had kept the Bermuda intinerary. People who have been on Jewel: did you see the flamingos? Take the outside glass elevators to deck 12 and they are right there; Desi, Carmen and I forgot the third one's name. cute

[GranysT]

I have done a 5 night cruise up to Canada twice now. Both times in Aug,one the 1st week of Aug,and the other the last couple days of Aug and 1st couple days of Sept. Both cruises left out of NYC,where it was warm and sunny. Different story further North. St John had rain and fog,chilly,the 1st cruise,and threatned rain,but didn't,and fog the 2nd cruise. Halifax was a bit warmer,but still some fog,both 1st and 2nd cruise. Every night on the ship,both cruises,it was raining,extremely foggy,and very windy. So windy in fact,that they closed off the outside doors,and no one was allowed out on deck. I was told by crew,that this was very common on cruises to Canada. I was thankful I hadn't spent extra for a balcony,as I sure couldn't have used it much. Both St John,and Halifax are charming places. They have an interesting history,and we thoroughly enjoyed our visits. Just be prepared for not so enjoyable weather. Then if you should get nice weather,it will be a nice surprise.

[woodards]

Thank you all for your responses they are very helpful......although the suggestion to cruise on the Freedom has thrown up another option:confused:

 

We have sailed on Jewel three times in the past two years: a repositioning out of Boston, the Transatlantic from Harwich to Boston, and a Bermuda/Caribbean roundtrip out of Boston. We absolutely love this class of ship and with a glass covered solarium the weather won't prevent you from using the pool and hot tubs.

We also did the Enchantment cruise from Boston to NE/Canada last September and enjoyed that as well. Weather is unpredictable in September in New England. When we did the Enchantment cruise it was mostly warm and sunny in the various ports of call. (It was overcast and chilly in New Brunswick. We especially enjoyed Portland, Maine (take the duck tour) and Bar Harbor. Halifax, NS is one of our favorite places in Canada.

We are doing the Jewel repositioning this coming October and can't wait to sail on her again.

We have sailed on and enjoy the Voyager class ships but really prefer the Radiance class.

As far as hurricanes go, you just have to trust to luck. They have a nasty habit of moving from the Caribbean up the East Coast of the US, so there are no guarantees. Even last year, when there were a lot of active storms, there were probably still more weeks of good weather than bad.

Whichever ship you choose you should have a wonderful time. Enjoy.

If you do choose to sail the Jewel and need answers to any questions about Boston or any of the ports on its itinerary, just ask.:)

 

If........we do go for the Canada/New Engaland cruise where would you recommend for pre-cruise hotel? Will need to be resonably close to the pier as we'll have to get a taxi!!

 

Also recommedations for trips on the itinerary would really be appreciated.

(Boston, Massachusetts; Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John,Nb (Bay Of Fundy); Boston, Massachusetts)

 

Thanks again,

Steve (in chilly England, brrrrrr)