Caribbean Princess Back to back cruise - useful info for UK passengers

[hc_cruiser]

Caribbean Princess B2B - transfer info for UK passangers

 

We sailed on the CP from 2 Sept on a B2B for two weeks and had a wonderful time. I thought I would highlight some general information, some relevant to UK cruisers on the CP. I know I would have liked more information before leaving home and be better prepared.

 

Midway stop at Ft Lauderdale – There was a problem in getting off whilst between the two cruises. We, as transit passengers, waited for over an hour and a half in an immigration queue which cut down our sightseeing time in Ft Lauderdale. It would be helpful if Princess had a separate queue or fast tracked transit passengers. An Australian transit passenger queuing behind us asked one of the Princess Officers if they could not look into this problem. The Officer was rude and did not even attempt pacify transit passengers. It would have benefited public relations if he had said he would flag this difficulty up.

 

New Menus – An excellent improvement! We had the old menu the first week and the new one on the second week so were able to compare quite well. Thoroughly enjoyed the improved new menus.

 

Princess Cays - Take insect spray – we had lots of insect bites whilst on the beach because of all the shrubs and trees on the beach.

 

Ocho Rios – We took a tour with Mark Morris to Dunns River falls, river tubing and fern gully. We really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend Mark Morris to anyone planning a trip to Ocho Rios. He kept an eye on the time, sorted out all the tickets for the attractions and also gave us a lot of information on the culture of Jamaica etc.

 

Grand Cayman – We booked the Stingray City tour with Captain Marvin. This was our second tour with them and we thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it.

 

St Thomas – We docked at Crown Bay and wanted to visit Coki beach, which we had previously enjoyed last year. However, from Crown Bay taxi/bus ride would cost $10 each way. So $80 for a round trip for four, for a couple of hours was hardly worth it. We took a walk around the shops and stalls and went back onboard to enjoy a quiet ship, which was great.

 

Return Transfers – We were taken to Embassy Suites at around 9.30am, where breakfast/brunch/lunch was provided until the ride back to Ft Lauderdale Airport at around 1.45pm. It would have been useful if Princess had informed us that breakfast/brunch/lunch would be provided at Embassy Suites. We would not have had a hurried breakfast before disembarking.

 

It would also have helped if Princess had informed us that the pool facilities were also available in which case, we would not have packed our swimming costumes in the checked baggage.

 

On a positive note, Princess hospitality, with help from First Choice, was very good. We were always informed of what was happening and when. Baggage to be checked was put on the coach and locked whilst at the hospitality hotel. We did not have to cart this baggage around with us.

 

Flight staff were helpful and polite with drinks freely available which is always good on a long haul.

[edinburgher]

Thank you for posting an interesting read.

 

We are also scheduled to call into St Thomas in January. We had thought Coki Beach and/or Aquarium but like yourselves dont think the $80 round trip for 4 is at all justified so will not be paying it. We understood there was little at the dock but you mention a few stalls etc. Is it far to walk into town? For the 4 of us this is probably our least interesting port. We may also spend most of the day onboard.

 

Ocho Rios. We toured with Mark in January this year. We also had a super tour with him and have since recommended him on the Jamaica board. Unfortunately he does not travel to MoBay ( also on our January itinerary) so we have a different tour guide arranged.

 

Noticed you have cruised on Marco Polo. We will be taking our next cruise on her. Scheduled in 3 weeks time it will be our last cruise on her before she switches to new owners.

[hc_cruiser]

just a couple of shops and stalls in the dock area...no walk at all.

 

Walking to town didn't seem like an option - too hot and humid. There were safari/taxi buses which would take you into Charlotte Amalie for $4/pp each way,I think.

[happy cruisin]

Hi Edinburgher,

We are also sailing into Mo Bay end of October and wondered who you have found for tours . Many thanks.

[edinburgher]

We looked at the companies recommended on the Jamaica board. There are more for Ocho Rios than Mobay.

 

We tried with 3 but for a variety of reasons got nowhere, so have now taken a chance and booked one who is official but not yet mentioned on CC. If all goes well will add his name and company to the boards when we return........should anyone be looking for a MoBay recommendation.

 

Suggest you use the SEARCH THIS FORUM on the Jamaica boards (remember to log on first) or trawl through the pages. The same few names will come up again and again. There are some mixed reviews on certain certain companies. The more you loook the more you find. It will help you decide.