Zuiderdam or Oosterdam?

[cruisinfirst]

My mother and I are planning a cruise in November. We're trying to decide between Zuiderdam out of Ft Lauderdale (Half Moon Cay, St Thomas, Antigua, Nassau) or Oosterdam out of San Diego (Mexican Riviera). Our first cruise was last November on the Golden Princess (Southern Carribean Classic).

Any recommendations?

Thanks so much!

[spcl4cs_gal]

The Zuiderdam only goes to St Thomas, Tortola, Nassau, and HMC in November, doesn't it? I haven't heard of it going to Antigua.

[Esme]

It's Tortola, not Antigua. Zuiderdam only does 7 days cruises and Antigua would be too far to go on a 7 dayer.

It's your choice - Eastern Carib or Mexican Riviera - both ships have the same layout but different interiors.

[cruisinfirst]

Thanks for the correction - it is Tortola instead of Antigua. Any suggestions on which itinerary is better?

[peaches from georgia]

Any suggestions on which itinerary is better?

That depends on what you want and like. Nobody else can say what is 'better' for anybody else. Are you interested in Mexican culture? Would you like to visit not only the ports, but also San Diego- a great city. What ports did you go to on your So. Carib cruise? Do you want to go the the Carib again if you haven't been to Mexico?

The ships are basically the same, so the only consideration is where you want to go, not where I or anyone else on CC has been or would like to go. :)

[cruisinfirst]

Let me rephrase my question: Has anyone been on either of these itineraries? If so - what did you like? What didn't you like? Would you go back again? Thanks.

[vgottlieb]

I have been on the Zuiderdam and like the ports but would suggest going in late November when hurricane season is almost over and the weather should be better. I am going on the Oosterdam in April from San Diego. I know it will be cool the first night. Some people say the seas can be rough but we do not get sick.

[KSCnCA]

We took a RCCL cruise to the Mexican Riviera (same stops as the OOS itin.) and also took the ZUI E. Caribbean. I think the Caribbean is better for those who enjoy water sports. Not to say that there are not water sports available on the Mexican Riviera, but the water in the Pacific will be colder and I would think/hope the Caribbean has warmer weather than the west coast of Mexico, especially in November. That said, we are taking the OOS November 26! (We got a deal we couldn't refuse + no airfare out of our home town!) We will probably skip the tours this trip and wander around on our own. The tequila factory tour in Puerto Vallarta was fun though. We aren't into water sports but we had tablemates who enjoyed snorkeling in Cabo.