RCCL Realization on Caribbean

[36kruzes]

I'm sailing soon, Eastern Caribbean, with brand new cruisers! 50 years old and never been on a cruise ship. Imagine that.

 

You're right, there are millions of folks out there who still have never taken an ocean voyage so it would all be new to them. It's just too bad the saturation level for the rest of us has been reached in the Caribbean and there aren't enough other areas to use as substitutes.

 

Personally, I think islands lend themselves better to cruise ships than places like Europe, where one must ride on a bus for a couple of hours just to visit, say, Florence or Paris for a short time. I did it, and didn't love it.

 

My favorite cruise locales are: Caribbean (despite the repetition), Alaska -- probably my favorite, and New England. Mexico works, too. Hawaii is great but thus far only NCL has been willing to forego the casino revenue by offering the 7 night trips that exclude a "foreign" port.

 

 

 

If I read this correctly it says Carnival cut its outlooks amid the weakened demand which has been sparked by Hurricane fears and fuel costs. I didn't see where it said the ports were boring and people aren't booking because of that.

 

Anyone know the ratio of new cruisers vs. returning cruisers on any given ship on any given sailing? I bet there are a lot of new cruisers who are experiencing these places for the first time.

[teacherkim]

We just did our first cruise on AOS and were the only ship in port at EVERY island except the home port of San Juan. I too have to cruise on school vacations and never even thought about it being less crowded in the Caribbean at that time. But even I thought it was odd that the Freedom's itin. was the same as so many other ships.

[blueboro]

I have wondered why large cruise lines don't have U.S. ports of call such as Charleston, Baltimore, Philly, Boston etc...not just as departure ports. I know it is because of the maritime laws but I think a cruise leaving FLA and cruising up the east coast and back might be fun. See some of the good ole USA for a change.

[time4u2go]

I have wondered why large cruise lines don't have U.S. ports of call such as Charleston, Baltimore, Philly, Boston etc...not just as departure ports. I know it is because of the maritime laws but I think a cruise leaving FLA and cruising up the east coast and back might be fun. See some of the good ole USA for a change.

I wish they could do that too, but foreign-flagged ships (like RCCL's) must stop in at least one foreign port if they stop in any port.

[Lynnees]

We hated Mexico, other than Cabo San Lucas. The water at Acapulco was a horrible smell. 98 degrees & I walked in the water looking at the beach to go get our snorkel gear & we are attack by some guy waiting $10 per person to be in the water. For that smell, they should pay us to walk in it. My paseo smelled so bad I was embarrassed in the stairwell walking up to 9. In the shower we went & clothes were washed out in Tide in the sink.

 

 

yes, they are so aggressive there. Last time we were in Coz. every vender on in the little plaza were were in were bugging me at the same time. I finally threw my hands in the air and told them to stop pestering me - I would stop in each shop but if one more person said one more word I would not go in their shop. They all backed off and waited their turn.

 

However, the thing that really made our decision to never go to Mexico again happened a couple of years ago when we were on a land based vacation in Puerto Vallerta. We had rented a car for the day. We were driving along a highway - everyone was passing us. DH was driving and he never but never speeds. Anyway, two cops stopped us. They asked to see his licence and it cost us $150 US to get it back out of his hand right there on the highway.

 

That made up our mind for us then and there. Never again would we go to Mexico.................

[AFT_LOVER]

Not speeding, had lights on if dark, everything legal & they stopped you for $150 to release you? By any chance did you have RCCL VISA? You get the money back from them since they pay auto related stuff. Guess if the country is abusing tourists they have to deal with VISA. They also charge you for a permit to take photos or videos. That was it for us! Luckily I had my "purse" with the secret compartment to put the camcorder in & film as we walk thru the ruins. They DH edited it for our DVD.

 

After always driving at home personal & work, I refuse to on vacation that is why I LOVE CRUISING!

 

 

 

yes, they are so aggressive there. Last time we were in Coz. every vender on in the little plaza were were in were bugging me at the same time. I finally threw my hands in the air and told them to stop pestering me - I would stop in each shop but if one more person said one more word I would not go in their shop. They all backed off and waited their turn.

 

However, the thing that really made our decision to never go to Mexico again happened a couple of years ago when we were on a land based vacation in Puerto Vallerta. We had rented a car for the day. We were driving along a highway - everyone was passing us. DH was driving and he never but never speeds. Anyway, two cops stopped us. They asked to see his licence and it cost us $150 US to get it back out of his hand right there on the highway.

 

That made up our mind for us then and there. Never again would we go to Mexico.................

[rubrrick]

That is why there are choices in the world. My DW and I love Mexico, or parts of it, spending a few weeks in the Yucatan every year, and have done the west coast Mexican Riviera twice, and had it booked again, but cancelled to do the Panama Canal full transit this December.

 

Rick

[xpcdoojk]

Some threads in this forum, leave me shaking my head in wonder, and this one definitely fits in that category.

 

jc

[LenaDaLlama]

wow.....lots of tired folks...ever looked at it like this:

 

 

our first carib trip was our honeymoon in 1986 to Montego Bay..it was an 8-night land vacation and it was scary...to say the least...but you know what we LEARNED from it.....yea....gorgeous waters, wonderful tasting mangos...poverty...and how do we make this better?? well you who have traveled know this: make it better every time you go...not only by personal experience, but hook up with cruise critic and other sites....and really if you cruise enough, meet up with the same good folks you meet on the streets...they need school supplies, food treats (pb Tom) and then once you get to know them you will be providing particular items like baby supplies, school supplies, whatever ....go off the beaten track and truly meet people--you will be so surprised what will happen in your life....that's what I think is best about the well beaten path of the carib.....carry on

[happy cruzer]

Lena, I admire your heart. But I don't think the cruiselines would do too well advertising your approach. There are alot of people like me whose experience has been the opposite - No good deed goes unpunished. DH laughs cause I keep trying and I keep getting bad results but that's another story.

 

The thread started on the topic of the financial info released by Carnival.

 

So everyone replied about what they were willing to pay for. I don't think any answer is wrong and everyone has the right (so far) to determine how they want to spend their vacation and we all love to discuss it.

[Giorgi-one]

Obviously, there are too many "spoiled" people around. I'm sure there are about 4 Billion people on earth who feel very sorry for you guys who have to vist the same Caribbean islands "over and over again". Caribbean islands are essentially beaches. What difference does it really make which beach you are on? They are all beautiful. After four or five cruises, you cruise to be on a particular ship and the enjoyment of being at sea. The ports are just a temporary diversion. If you are looking for shopping, try the internet. You can buy almost anything cheaper on the internet than you can at any Caribbean Port. Actually, I hope everyone stops going to the Caribbean so the prices will fall and it will be less crowded for me.

[Lynnees]

Obviously, there are too many "spoiled" people around. I'm sure there are about 4 Billion people on earth who feel very sorry for you guys who have to vist the same Caribbean islands "over and over again". Caribbean islands are essentially beaches. What difference does it really make which beach you are on? They are all beautiful. After four or five cruises, you cruise to be on a particular ship and the enjoyment of being at sea. The ports are just a temporary diversion. If you are looking for shopping, try the internet. You can buy almost anything cheaper on the internet than you can at any Caribbean Port. Actually, I hope everyone stops going to the Caribbean so the prices will fall and it will be less crowded for me.

 

 

In case you arn't aware of it, everyone has their own opinion and you don't speak for anyone but yourself.

 

A lot of don't sail for the ship or the beaches - that's why we're bored with the Caribbean. We'll also shop anywhere and anyway we please without your opinion needed.

[Ericknow32]

Some threads in this forum, leave me shaking my head in wonder, and this one definitely fits in that category.

 

jc

And I haven't even chimed in yet.

[Giorgi-one]

In case you arn't aware of it, everyone has their own opinion and you don't speak for anyone but yourself.

 

A lot of don't sail for the ship or the beaches - that's why we're bored with the Caribbean. We'll also shop anywhere and anyway we please without your opinion needed.

 

With every ship sailing to the Caribbean almost full, I would say that a lot of people agree with me.