What port is a must and what ports do you not even get off ship?

[Thad409]

We are booked on the Glory out of New Orleans, leaving on July 2nd, we are really looking forward to visiting Key West Florida ,Nassau been there once didn't do an excursion but this time we are. Freeport we've never been there but from what I've seen online and reviews where you're just going to stay on the ship. When we look at a cruise, is for ports of call that we enjoy and also ports that we've never been to.  The reason we booked this one is because of key West and we've never been there so we sacrificed basically two ports just to go to Key West Florida. That being said in the past we usually book cruises that go to Cozumel and the one port that I will never book again is Yucatan  we've been there three times and we haven't enjoyed it yet.

[momof3cruisers]

I really like Key West. Also, Cozumel and any other island that are on South and East itineraries other than San Juan. Been there half a dozen times. Never liked it. Never get off the ship anymore there. I’m also done with Amber Cove unless I can manage a chocolate making/factory tour. I don’t bather with anywhere in the Bahamas. Don’t even book cruises that stop there other than HMC.
 

 I have a cruise next Feb that stops in Costa Maya and we are going to Maya Chan. If I didn’t have newbies going with me, I’d stay on the ship. I won’t be getting off the ship there anymore. 
 

I actually really like to stay on the ship in port. It’s relaxing and fun.  

[Pellaz]

I really love Grand Turk and HMC.   I'd probably stay on the ship at Nassau unless I'm booked for an excursion, and at San Juan because I've pretty much seen all I need to see.  It's not as if the two forts, which are great to visit, will be changing too much.  

I was pleasantly surprised with my first visit to Bimini last February.

With the demise of the Bob Marley statue at Ocho Rios, that port is basically dead to me.  I'll stay onboard now.

I like Amber Cove but I'd just visit the port/pool area briefly unless I had an excursion booked.  I really wish they still had the "secluded villa all-inclusive" excursion available; we did it once and even at $100/person we thought it was great.  

Next year I'll be going to Taino Bay (the new cruise pier in Puerta Plata) so I'm curious about it.  

 

[CruizinSusan70]

58 minutes ago, momof3cruisers said:

 I have a cruise next Feb that stops in Costa Maya and we are going to Maya Chan. If I didn’t have newbies going with me, I’d stay on the ship. I won’t be getting off the ship there anymore.

Have you been to Maya Chan before?   It's one of the better all inclusive day stops and it includes transportation, unlike the popular ones in Cozumel like Nachi Cocum.

 

We've cruised the Caribbean over 40 times, so we stay on the ship the overwhelming majority of the time, but our bottom two port stops would be Freeport and Nassau.

[Honolulu Blue]

3 hours ago, Thad409 said:

We are booked on the Glory out of New Orleans, leaving on July 2nd, we are really looking forward to visiting Key West Florida ,Nassau been there once didn't do an excursion but this time we are. Freeport we've never been there but from what I've seen online and reviews where you're just going to stay on the ship. When we look at a cruise, is for ports of call that we enjoy and also ports that we've never been to.  The reason we booked this one is because of key West and we've never been there so we sacrificed basically two ports just to go to Key West Florida. That being said in the past we usually book cruises that go to Cozumel and the one port that I will never book again is Yucatan  we've been there three times and we haven't enjoyed it yet.

Random comments:

 

• I like Key West, but a considerable portion of their population doesn't like us unwashed masses that come from big, huge cruise ships.  You'll have a good time there.
• I've heard mostly bad things about Nassau and Freeport.  I haven't been to either port myself, though I do have a cruise that's scheduled to go to Nassau next year (not on Carnival),
• By Yucatan, do you mean Progreso?  I'll assume you did.  I was just in Progreso a few weeks ago on another cruise (not Carnival).  I went to the nearby city of Merida and enjoyed learning about its history and soaking in the scenery.  I liked it, but then again, I enjoy the thump-thump-thump of the big city - and by Caribbean standards Merida is big.  The next time I get to Progreso, I'll probably explore one of the Mayan ruins in the area.  I liked our stay in Progreso more than I thought I would, though I can see why others don't like it - it's kind of a hassle to get off the ship and Progreso town itself doesn't have much to offer (though it does seem to be developing its tourism infrastructure, for better or worse)

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Thad409]

39 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

Random comments:

 

• I like Key West, but a considerable portion of their population doesn't like us unwashed masses that come from big, huge cruise ships.  You'll have a good time there.
• I've heard mostly bad things about Nassau and Freeport.  I haven't been to either port myself, though I do have a cruise that's scheduled to go to Nassau next year (not on Carnival),
• By Yucatan, do you mean Progreso?  I'll assume you did.  I was just in Progreso a few weeks ago on another cruise (not Carnival).  I went to the nearby city of Merida and enjoyed learning about its history and soaking in the scenery.  I liked it, but then again, I enjoy the thump-thump-thump of the big city - and by Caribbean standards Merida is big.  The next time I get to Progreso, I'll probably explore one of the Mayan ruins in the area.  I liked our stay in Progreso more than I thought I would, though I can see why others don't like it - it's kind of a hassle to get off the ship and Progreso town itself doesn't have much to offer (though it does seem to be developing its tourism infrastructure, for better or worse)

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Thanks for the input, yes did mean Progress and it may have gotten better the last time we cruised was pre covid

[wemjam]

Love HMC if you just want a gorgeous beach and a day of relaxing.  Key West is a nice place with quite a few things to do just walking around.

 

Nassau, been there a TON and often do not even get off the ship.  We usually decide by how many ships are in port.  If more than 2 or 3 forget it.  There is a nice shopping street, the straw market, you can walk to Junkanoo beach (which is just OK in my opinion) and there is always Atlantis (just take a taxi).  Freeport is meh.

 

Grand Truck is nice with a swimming pool and Margaritaville and then the shopping Plaza.

 

St  Thomas is beautiful too.

 

San Juan is nice if you want to see the Forts etc, but it is not a beach destination.

 

Sorry, Jamaica is kind of out for us.  We go there about once every 7-10 years lol.

[mz-s]

I never stay on the ship 100%. I will at least get off, walk around for 30 minutes to an hour, and get back on. Doesn't matter if it's a stop I've been to 4 times in the last year, I enjoy getting off the ship for at least a little bit. My wife and I very rarely do ship-organized excursions unless we win one onboard or are traveling with family/friends. Typically we will get off and do our own thing.

 

My last cruise we went to Bimini and if there ever was a stop where I would be tempted to just stay on the entire day, that's the one. Just not much going on the island unless you want to ride the tram over to the casino from what I could see.

[ninjacat123]

In Nassau I always go to John Watling's Distillery for the BEST Pina Colada!  Either a short cab ride or a 15-20 minute walk uphill from the port.  They have a free tour about the distillery.  I now just go directly to the bar and get my delicious, cold drink!

In Costa Maya I always go to The Krazy Lobster in Mahahual Beach.  Take a cab from the port for a 15 minute ride ($4/person) and enjoy a beachfront restaurant with tasty margaritas, lobster lunch and $20 per hour beach massages!  Awesome!

In Bimini I book the ResortWorld beach access (the cheaper one) taking the tram to the beach.  Welcome cocktail, two lounger chairs and umbrella is included.  We split a chicken quesadilla ($16) and it was sizable and tasty.  My mom and I stayed on deck near the bar in a clamshell last time.

There you go, some options!

[Drazil65]

DH snorkels and Nassau is one he enjoys a lot, DS and myself sometimes we get off and sometimes not.  We are ok with Nassau and have enjoyed several trips (had a vacation condo on Paradise Island many moons ago in my other life, ex was a huge golf nut and played there often).  As someone else eluded too, DS and I will make a decision on getting off the ship depending on how many other ships in port.  

 

Freeport, never found anything interesting here so we do not typically get off, but everyone is different so try at least once. 

 

Love Key West (we have rented for land vacations down there a few times in past) and always get off and hit one of our favorite restaurants to see old friends.

 

Love old town San Juan and have a couple fav restaurants as well as we always go to the art district to see if anything new in the way of wall art (DH photo buff).  We have done the rain forest excursion in past, we enjoyed it at the time but prefer old town/historic areas more.  

 

We love Montego Bay in Jamaica but not sure if that stop is on the itinerary lineup and we have only been there on land vacations in recent years.

 

Love St. Thomas and St. Johns and will always visit if there is opportunity as well as all of the ports we have visited on the gulf side of Mexico.  

 

DH will always take snorkeling excursions in many of the port stops if possible when cruising and if we are down in the ABC island area will do at least one dive (typically not ship sponsored as he has his favs).  

 

 

[Hoosierpop]

The only port I won’t get off the ship at all is Belize. Even on ports like Nassau, I like to get off and walk around if nothing else for some exercise.

[hard_eight]

Bahamas, other than HMC, I'll stay on the ship.

 

San Juan, been there a half dozen times, might go hit Raices for a chuleta kan kan and a cigar.

 

Grand Turk/Amber Cove Ship day

 

Roatan, excursions or a cabana.

 

Any where starting with Saint, I'm getting off. Love them all.

 

Cozumel, Belize unless I have an excursion I could pass. 

 

Love Maya Chan!

 

Jesus, I sound spoiled.🤣

Edited May 5, 2023 by hard_eight

[Trueblueky]

There are ok excursions out of Freeport, but the cruise area itself is not worth getting of the ship.

 

If you walk a little uphill in Nassau, you can see historic area and avoid the aggressive sales.

 

Recommend the hop-on, hope off in Key West. Stop where you're interested.

[lazydayz]

I try to experience each new port.  But my favs in the Caribbean are the ABC islands.  Key West is fun, and really enjoyed Bimini.  At one point, I grew tired of Cozumel, but now enjoy it. We often skip Nassau, and even have had a few cruises where we didn't get off the ship at all.  After 70+ Caribbean cruises, we are a lot pickier about what ports we explore. 

[wemjam]

12 minutes ago, Trueblueky said:

There are ok excursions out of Freeport, but the cruise area itself is not worth getting of the ship.

 

If you walk a little uphill in Nassau, you can see historic area and avoid the aggressive sales.

 

Recommend the hop-on, hope off in Key West. Stop where you're interested.

A lot of people don't realize it, but there is actually a FREE bus that does a circuit around Key West.  You can down load the app and see an actual real time map of the buses and where they are.  Also where the stops are.

 

We use it ALL the time while there.  Saves a crap ton of walking and doesn't cost a dime.

 

 

[Saint Greg]

I have never not gotten off of the ship but if I go back to Freeport I probably won't get off. There wasn't much there. Most went to a resort. I did a brewery tour.

 

I would also consider not getting off in Montego Bay if I went back. A first time cruiser should go see some things there but I've been twice and I've seen what I wanted to see.

 

I'm going to say Amber Cove as well. I don't really want to rent a cabana or hang out by the big pool. I've already done a city tour there.

 

Let me add San Juan. Been there twice. Seen the forts. The rest of it didn't excite me.

 

I think it's just those four for me.

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Saint Greg

[ninjacat123]

DH, my mom, DDs (21 & 23) and I will be porting in Freeport over this Thanksgiving.  First time for all of us.  Especially since my mom is with us, I booked the cabana at the beach, Pirate's Cove Private Ocean View Cabana.  We shall see how it goes....

[nybumpkin]

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

 

I would also consider not getting off in Montego Bay if I went back. A first time cruiser should go see some things there but I've been twice and I've seen what I wanted to see.

 

The only way we get off the ship in Mo Bay is with an excursion. You can't easily get off and just wander around. The last time we were there our excursion was canceled, so we got off, walked into the terminal to buy some Blue Mountain coffee, and went back on the ship.

[nybumpkin]

1 hour ago, ninjacat123 said:

DH, my mom, DDs (21 & 23) and I will be porting in Freeport over this Thanksgiving.  First time for all of us.  Especially since my mom is with us, I booked the cabana at the beach, Pirate's Cove Private Ocean View Cabana.  We shall see how it goes....

I actually prefer Freeport to Nassau. I wasn't mobbed with hair braiding offers. We went out to Deadman's Reef and did some of the best snorkeling I've done from shore.

[BlerkOne]

There is a lot to do in all of those ports. I certainly wouldn't let the opinion of others decide for me.

 

For example, Freeport is on Grand Bahama Island, the largest island in the Bahamas. People who just get off the ship and walk around the port area or who do ship excursions just don't understand. Carnival is spending a ton of money developing a new port area, well outside of the old port.

 

Last time we went with a private excursion and it was GREAT.

https://www.viator.com/tours/Freeport/Blue-hole-snorkeling-and-turtle-park/d419-6493P15

 

 

[K32682]

10 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

• I like Key West, but a considerable portion of their population doesn't like us unwashed masses that come from big, huge cruise ships.  You'll have a good time there.

 

 

The locals in Key West don't like the mega-ships and not without reason. I've been in Key West on a land visit when a couple of mega-ships were in port. There's nothing like being accosted by a drunken German cruisers at 11am demanding to know "Ver ist der Schloppy Choes?" 🙄

 

On the original question the ports are why I cruise and I visit all of them usually for the maximum available amount of time. 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by K32682

[Saint Greg]

2 hours ago, nybumpkin said:

The only way we get off the ship in Mo Bay is with an excursion. You can't easily get off and just wander around. The last time we were there our excursion was canceled, so we got off, walked into the terminal to buy some Blue Mountain coffee, and went back on the ship.

 

I went on tours both times. But for someone who hasn't been and doesn't want to go on a tour, I wouldn't say they can't get off of the ship and walk around. They set up a little market area at the port. You can have a red stripe, eat a Jamaican pattie, and watch the cultural dance group they bring in. I would at least recommend that. 

[shipgeeks]

If we are talking about Carib and Bahamas, the only port in which we will always get off is MSC's private island, Ocean Cay.  Apart from that, we are staying on the ship more than getting off.

[CruizinSusan70]

28 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

If we are talking about Carib and Bahamas, the only port in which we will always get off is MSC's private island, Ocean Cay.  Apart from that, we are staying on the ship more than getting off.

So, did you enjoy your lunch on Ocean Cay at A) Yacht Club restaurant B) the included buffet for those Aurea, Fantastica and Bella cruisers or C) the food trucks?

[Thad409]

Thanks for all the great responses with the pros and cons of the ports that have been mentioned