Tell me about Southern Caribbean out of P.R.

[hayesktrm]

I have been looking at our options for a cruise for 2008 and have a little sticker shock. I found a AOS cruise for much less than the Eastern Caribbean we originally wanted to go on. I thought for sure the cost of the flight would be much more than to Florida...I was wrong. This is now a real option. Before I make the jump, please tell me your experiences...the good and the bad.

 

Thanks!

[sas80]

Loved the itinerary, loved the islands.

This cruise is port intensive so dont expect a lot of lazy sea days.

 

That said the So. Carib itinerary is a favorite of mine and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

[Suzanne74]

I haven't had the actual experience but I found the same thing as you. We could go on the AOS for $899 a person in March 2008 but everywhere else it was $1200+ for the same week and the 3/4th person was $899:eek: . This was not only Freedom and Voyager families but Radiance too. We booked AOS last night and even upgraded to a junior suite because for all 3 of us, was only $499 more making it a little over $3K. This was less than an inside stateroom on Freedom or Mariner for the same week.

For only 2 people that would be less then $2500 for a suite and less then $2000 for a balcony.

 

I looked us things here thru seraches about AOS and the itineraries and they were almost all positives. Many people seem to like the ports much better and St Thomas and St Maarten that are normally on the eastern are on this itinerary too.

 

I say go for it!!:D

[newbeestl]

Are you talking mostly 7 day cruises out of PR? Those do look very tempting!

[hayesktrm]

Thanks for the input. Just waiting for DH to get out of a meeting so I can tell him and he can check the dates. It's still expensive (I remember taking family vacations to Disneyland back when the kids were a little smaller and we could do it for $1500 for all 4 of us...and that was only a few years ago), but when I priced out all-inclusives or Disneyworld, it was about the same price and I much prefer cruising.

[hayesktrm]

Yep, the 7-day. I better get a move on because as people look at the prices, they might be more inclined to pick those and prices will go up.

[Suzanne74]

Thanks for the input. Just waiting for DH to get out of a meeting so I can tell him and he can check the dates. It's still expensive (I remember taking family vacations to Disneyland back when the kids were a little smaller and we could do it for $1500 for all 4 of us...and that was only a few years ago), but when I priced out all-inclusives or Disneyworld, it was about the same price and I much prefer cruising.

 

You could probably do all 4 of you in an oceanview room for only about $2500 including all taxes/fees. Remember, you are getting all your food too which isn't included with Disney and free childcare/playcenters which the kids AND parents love. I also recommend looking thru your port boards here on CC for cheap excursions to take too instead of paying the markup on RCCL. That saves money big time. If you stay out of the casino and not drink foo foo drinks out of souvenier cups, you won't add too much to your room bill at the end of your cruise.

[hayesktrm]

I couldn't find it for any less than $3796 for an OV for the date we wanted...July 13th. For just a few hundred dollars more, we can get 2 adjoining OV cabins so I think we'll go for that. We got spoiled with a JS, but since the cruise is so port intensive, we'll be fine with an OV.

[EggDropErin]

I also loved this cruise. I have a link to my review in my signature.

[Cassandra]

We did this on Serenade, its very port intensive. We were at an island everyday except Friday which was a sea day heading back to port.

 

There was alot of running around since we did excursions everyday. Ours was $900 something each & we flew in the 2 days prior from CT in April. The airfare was cheap though, like $250 each RT.

[hayesktrm]

I did it!!! The RCL customer service rep was very nice. I was worried I wouldn't get an adjoining room in the category I wanted...all of them were available. I ended up booking across from the conference room on deck 2 because I didn't want to be right by the ice skating rink. I am so excited!

 

EggDropErin...great review. I can't wait!

 

Cassandra...where were you flying from? You scared me, I thought you meant $900 pp for the flight. It scared me a bit. We're flying from Indiana.

[B-52]

WOW! Why so affordable? Am I missing something? I need to figure in airfare and hotel to make a decision for sure, but I like it already.

[Suzanne74]

Congrats!

 

I am on the AOS that goes the Aruba/Caracao/St Thomas/ST Maarten. We have 2 days at sea which is what we had on our western NOS. It isn't as port intensive as the Serenade but with a ship that size it is nice to have 2 sea days. Since St. Thomas is the last day of the cruise, I think we are only going to shop and then head back to the ship unless I need more of a tan.

 

I saw pictures of Caracao and it looks so quaint and beautiful. We are probably going to do a jeep tour in Aruba and do some snorkeling. We will be hitting a beach in St. Maarten for sure. So excited but it is SO far away.:(

[Imasealuvr]

Went on AOS last Sept., GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!! It was the most wonderful cruise, ports and ship!!!!! My very favorite of all........SO FAR!!:D

[max227]

We really enjoyed our southern carib.. Only drawback for us was the return flight. Only time available was at 4pm. So made for a long wait at airport. Try and get a light out between 11-1.

[Clarkk W Griswald]

We did both Southern out of PR, one on Serenade (port intensive, 1 sea day) and one on Adventure (Aruba, Curacao, St Martin, St Thomas). Loved them both!!! We've booked AOS again for March 08, got unbelieveable rates.

[KillaFee]

We enjoyed our Southern Caribbean cruise on the Serenade so much that we're going on the Adventure in January for our wedding. It's nice to leave out of San Juan because once you step off of the plane you're already in the Caribbean. Also, most of the ports in the Southern Caribbean arent as heavily trafficked (woah - sp?) as the Western and Eastern (well except for St. Thomas and St. Martin). Enjoy! :D

Laura

[hayesktrm]

Sounds like we are going to have a great time. Now I just have to figure out what beaches to go to...that's what I'm looking for. The water looks so beautiful. I'll have over a year to plan!

[MiniMom57]

AOS is a beautiful ship and a lot of fun! You will have 2 at sea days (Monday and Thursday). Our sea days were rather rocky on our 3/4 to 3/11 cruise, but they aren't always like that. Portofino is worth the extra charge for an intimate dinner. We didn't like Aruba or Curacao, but most people loved those islands.....we picked the wrong excursions on both islands, despite my 10 months of research!

[Mach1]

You will not be sorry - I loved this cruise! The islands are not as busy, and I think they are so much more beautiful. I am looking to do this again in 2008 with my DH (went with my sister last year)

 

has anyone done the cruise out of the Dominican Republic? That looks good too, just can't get an easy flight from MT.

[cnybob]

We just returned from crusing on the AOS on March 25th. Ship is by far the best ever. We were in a promenade cabin and since I am over 55 we got a half price rate for it..$499 pp. Booked online thru RCCL website. Snorkeling in St Thomas was awesome.

[ORDPLATAA]

We are on the AOS as well this coming February. We were thinking of doing the Radiance or Jewel but it was way too pricey for (2) balcony cabins. We had been holding the Summit (and did actually manage to snag one of the aft facing cabins for one person) but for $400 cheaper total we can get a balcony cabin abd a Jr Suite! The itinerary works out better (easier to fly in to pick up my mom in Tampa before heading to San Juan). We were also able to get 3 Award Seats on American so the tickets were "free".

[Mikensusanl]

Sounds like we are going to have a great time. Now I just have to figure out what beaches to go to...that's what I'm looking for. The water looks so beautiful. I'll have over a year to plan!

 

You are going to enjoy this route so much!!! Beaches, beaches everywhere! On St Thomas there are 2 we have enjoyed, Magen's Bay and Trunk Bay on St John's island, a ferry boat ride across the water. Both have been on the top ten most beautiful beaches of the world at one time or another. Magen's Bay can be crowed at times, but still lots of beach! Trunk Bay is beautiful, so take your pick! Other's may have suggestions as well. St Martin offers a variety of beaches, clothing optional as well at Orient Bay. If you want to snorkel or scuba there are plenty of excursions as well. We did the Aruba route last summer and while it was still nice and fun, I don't know that we are going to do it again.

I am sure there are many others on here that can give you advise on the beaches to visit. We have done more land based excursions in the past.

You do have plenty of time to check things out. Try Frommers too and check out the different islands websites for other information.

We are headed out in September this year and plan to enjoy it as always!

[Scorpiorose]

HEY- me too! Just off the VOS and wanted to book a cruise for 2008, did the open booking while on VOS for credit.....then I saw the AOS....booked our balcony because it was, for the first time, affordable, $850!!! I too thought the flight would be crazy and as it turns out from Seattle, 4 hrs. away from me, it's $400...go figure....we have flight vouchers so this will actually be pretty cheap for us!

 

I'm thinking about getting in two days early to see SJP! Any ideas where to stay? Or maybe a B2B cruise, any suggestions? We've done the western carr....thoughts?

[Scorpiorose]

Minimom57 please tell us what the "wrong" excursions" were!

 

Heyesktrm - what is your sailing date? I booked March 30 and want to stay 2-3 days prior! We're on the same wave length, even though it a long plane ride for us, we were so impressed with the price we talked two others into going with us!

 

We are D level, deck 7, 7262 and 7242! $850 per + port charges! it's actually more like 11 months now! I basically live my life waiting for our next cruise!:D