Bahama or Carib cruise?

jhelgesen · 01-09-2006, 07:02 AM

Anyone have experience or advice on Bahama or Caribean cruises? Thinking of going in the late spring, don't want to get on the wrong ship with the wrong people.....

TerryBPP · 01-09-2006, 07:06 AM

I just went on a Royal Carribean cruise to Nasau. There is a huge difference in the class of people between Royal and Carnival. The extra cost is well worth the extra perks.

Joeaksa · 01-09-2006, 07:15 AM

Terry,

Royal was the better one? Would love to do a cruise.. Was thinking of doing the one up the West Coast to Alaska in summer.

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

I went Royal Caribbean for a Mediterranean cruise, and was very happy with them. As was stated, they seem to attract a better clientele.

jhelgesen · 01-09-2006, 07:24 AM

Good to hear, I was looking at the Royal Carib line so far, out of Fort Lauderdale or Miami.

qlander · 01-09-2006, 07:25 AM

Hi, without a doubt try royal Caribbean for size. Also Celebrity. Both owned by the same parent company but Celebrity is more upscale.
RC has more perks for the young ones.

I would do a Caribbean cruise. Maybe one that stops in the Bahamas and that way you get your cake and eat it too! Happy sailing!
Q.

Jims5543 · 01-09-2006, 08:58 AM

I agree with everyone on the pick of cruise line RC is much better. Nassau is an armpit. Stay on the main street if you want to shop.

You can also do a tour of Atlantis which is pretty cool They have a huge aquarium.

The last time we passed through Nassau on a cruise we stayed on board and enjoyed the quiet empty ship.

TerryBPP · 01-09-2006, 11:47 AM

Yep RC is the better one.

I agree with Jim that Nasau is a s-hole.

The fish tank is cool. Funny story, they charge $30 a person to get in but a security gaurd approached us and said we could have full access to the resort for $10 a person! He gave us expired 3 room cards. They worked like a charm. So look around when you get there.

The Casino is nice there too.

The private island Coco Cay that RC has is really relaxing. Our cruise stopped there for a day then went to Nasau.

Hugh R · 01-09-2006, 02:41 PM

Look at the Disney cruise lines too.

RoninLB · 01-09-2006, 02:46 PM

May is usually great weather in the Carib.

MisterB · 01-09-2006, 02:54 PM

I took my familya year ago on RC .... everyone had a great time ...it had a stop at bahamas and we visited Atlantis ... otherwise nothing to see ..... Ed

Vipergrün · 01-09-2006, 06:34 PM

Bahamas sucks, go to the Carribbean on RC.

89911 · 01-10-2006, 04:34 AM

Cruises = Floating prisons. Sorry, I just don't get them. Cruise around in a boat for days in a room as big as a closet and then when you finally get to a decent island you have 18 hours to "enjoy" it. I would also avoid the Bahama's if possible. I've had friends go there and were not thrilled. The Bahama's are the Caribbeans 3rd tier islands to me. Try this website, www.tripadvisor.com for recommendations and ideas. I've found it to be very helpful and accurate when judging places to stay. Of course these are my opinions and how much you want to spend always is a factor.

Moses · 01-10-2006, 09:03 AM

Years ago a group of six of us rented a sailboat in St. Vincent and sailed all over the windward islands for a week. Best vacation ever. VERY inexpensive. The little boat had an air compressor and dive tanks, a couple windsurfing boards and a french captain who could cook. Banana crepes for breakfast, lobster for dinner. Lots of cold beer and rum. We sailed to Palm Island, Union Island, Bequia, Mustique, Mayreau. What a blast. Slept on the boat and partied in a different port every night.

B D · 01-10-2006, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 89911
Cruises = Floating prisons. Sorry, I just don't get them. Cruise around in a boat for days in a room as big as a closet and then when you finally get to a decent island you have 18 hours to "enjoy" it.

Yes a floating prison with all you can eat food, casino, and nightly entertainment. Just like Hawaii the only thing to do at night is go to dinner and drink so I prefer cruising in the Caribbean. The rooms are getting much better, last two times I had a room with a balcony and a small couch and desk for a reasonable price.

Jeremy Cottrell · 01-10-2006, 03:38 PM

I agree, Nassau is an armpit, and Royal Carib. is a great line. They have a private island called Coco Cay which is nice to just chill out for the day, take in the sun and sea. They have a huge barbeque that day on the island, included in the cruise fee of course.

Flatbutt1 · 01-10-2006, 04:19 PM

I've been to the DR and PR many, many times so if you're going to cruise , do the RC cruise to the windward islands. The Dominican is NOT a good stopover for the wife, San Juan PR is a sewer though Ponce on the southern shore is nice. Go East the islands out there are nicer.

Rondinone · 01-10-2006, 05:57 PM

We've been on RC, Carnival and Costa. Don't go Costa.

Bahamas and Jamaica are holes in the ground. Do not go to either. Go to USVI, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Puerto Rico. Belize and Honduras are cool too, Barbados, Dominica and Aruba are nice but you have to sail out of Puerto Rico.

Jeremy Cottrell · 01-10-2006, 08:27 PM

Atlantis is cool, get there early when there is a group going in, blend in and look like you are part of the group and you don't pay the outragous fee. My wife and I did that and it was cool. If I had paid, I'd be pissed. On the way out take the Blackjack machines there for the fee for the cab ride there. It works out great.

Jims5543 · 01-11-2006, 06:41 AM

When are you going on this criuse?