Caribbean cruise help needed

[novicehere]

We are needing advice on whether to do an Eastern or Southern Caribbean cruise. Any and all suggestions are welcome! For our honeymoon we took a land vacation to the Bahamas and have not been back to the Caribbean since. We are looking at taking a cruise for our 25th Anniversary.

For this cruise we are looking for a relaxing fun time. We are interested in walking along beaches, swimming in the ocean, snorkeling, kayaking, bird watching, sea shells...
Not interested in (for this cruise): shopping, looking at buildings, eating or drinking in ports (unless we happen upon an good place, not a priority).

Ships: Eastern-Nieuw Amsterdam RT from Ft. Lauderdale visiting half moon cay, Grand Turk, San Juan PR, & St. Maarten
Southern-MS Westerdam RT from Ft. Lauderdale visiting half moon cay, Aruba & Curacao.

We enjoy sea days on the ship so having one less port day doesn't bother us. I know we'll have a great time on either cruise but which would you pick for the prettiest beaches, snorkeling etc...Thanks for your input!

[Hobbsey]

We are needing advice on whether to do an Eastern or Southern Caribbean cruise. Any and all suggestions are welcome! For our honeymoon we took a land vacation to the Bahamas and have not been back to the Caribbean since. We are looking at taking a cruise for our 25th Anniversary.

For this cruise we are looking for a relaxing fun time. We are interested in walking along beaches, swimming in the ocean, snorkeling, kayaking, bird watching, sea shells...
Not interested in (for this cruise): shopping, looking at buildings, eating or drinking in ports (unless we happen upon an good place, not a priority).

Ships: Eastern-Nieuw Amsterdam RT from Ft. Lauderdale visiting half moon cay, Grand Turk, San Juan PR, & St. Maarten
Southern-MS Westerdam RT from Ft. Lauderdale visiting half moon cay, Aruba & Curacao.

We enjoy sea days on the ship so having one less port day doesn't bother us. I know we'll have a great time on either cruise but which would you pick for the prettiest beaches, snorkeling etc...Thanks for your input!

Are you locked into a 7 day vacation? If not then consider the Noordam 10 day crusies. Much more bang for you buck as far as shore destinations. Given the two choices you have laid out and the kinds of land based activities you mention I'd go with the EC on Niew Amsterdam for a 7 day cruise. We're doing the same itin on Westy ourselves in Dec.

Just my opinion but given the governmental obstruction around the Natalie Holloway disappearance a few years ago I'd not take any of my trade to Aruba.

[Lesinindy]

We have been on cruises that went to both options. I personally found that the:

"Eastern-Nieuw Amsterdam RT from Ft. Lauderdale visiting half moon cay, Grand Turk, San Juan PR, & St. Maarten"

Was very relaxing and the Rain Forest trip (only rain forest in the National Forest system) in PR was worth the trip alone.
That being said:

"Southern-MS Westerdam RT from Ft. Lauderdale visiting half moon cay, Aruba & Curacao."

Has much to offer also, but for me it is option number 1 by a long shot

[surfergirle]

The best day of my life was on Water Island (Honeymoon Beach)
When the Eurodam docked at Crown Bay on our Eastern Carrib. cruise.

We loved Grand Turk for wonderful beach day and nice cabana, loved the Biolumicent Bay kayack on San Juan, and HMC was a great back day.

I will not spend any money in Aruba, not because what happened there, but how I also feel the goverment treated the issue.

For a quite beach day, with little to no crowds, Water Island was the way to go for us. My DH/DF swam laps. Literally. Food was great fron Heidi's.
5 Minutes from ship.

[m steve]

Eastern itinerary first as it has more interesting ports and better shopping.

[OVgirl]

I would also choose NA. I think Grand Turk and HMC are the best, most relaxing beach stops on any cruise.

[piscesgal223]

Eastern. Though next time I want to do either the Southern or Western Caribbean.Loved Grand Turk(went snorkeling for the first time-what a thrill!)and Half Moon Cay.

[SwissMyst]

Curacao is one of the more authentically interesting stops due to its Dutch architecture, compared to those closer that are more for mass tourism or condo development. At least your choices avoid St Thomas which represents the worst of mass tourism overkill down that way.

Agree, wish you could go longer because the 10-11 day Eastern Caribbean on one of the smaller ships like the Maasdam is a real Caribbean trip winner. But that's not very helpful, is it? :(

[piscesgal223]

St. Thomas was pretty-but yup, touristy.


Curacao is someplace I've always wanted to go(and true story-I only found out the correct pronounciation of the name of the island very recently- I've been calling it cure *ah* coe (as in the liqueur) for years! )

[kazu]

From what you are describing I would take the first option. Have a look out when you arrive and leave San Juan. The view is fabulous as you approach and leave El Morro. You might even be tempted to walk up to the fort:)

curacao (option 2) is a beautiful port and very picturesque, ideally it would be nice to combine the two a bit. But given the choices, and what you say you like, I would go for the first option on the NA.

[DavidPatrick]

Hi, I noticed that you did quite a few NCL cruises where the food is disgusting. You will find HAL generally has 5 star food. I know you didn't want to shop, but with diamond prices at Imperial Jewelers so much lower than NYC etc. my wife always upgrades her ring every time we stop in St. Thomas.:)

[cb at sea]

What time of year? If it's winter, so south! Otherwise, either will be gorgeous and fun!

[novicehere]

Thank you for all your help. Looks like Eastern is the way to go since we are limited to a seven day cruise this year. Hopefully in the future we can go on a longer cruise that includes Curacao (sounds wonderful!). We have only been on one cruise so far & it was to Alaska on Holland America. We enjoyed it so much we wanted to try Holland America again to the Caribbean.

We are planning to go in December. Last cruise we went with the kids and other family members but this will be for just the two of us.

[GeriatricNurse]

Hi, I noticed that you did quite a few NCL cruises where the food is disgusting. You will find HAL generally has 5 star food. I know you didn't want to shop, but with diamond prices at Imperial Jewelers so much lower than NYC etc. my wife always upgrades her ring every time we stop in St. Thomas.:)


Imperial Jewellers is a great store! :) Privately owned & not even on HAL's recommended list! :( It would make one forget all about DI! ;)

[Randyk47]

I know you didn't want to shop, but with diamond prices at Imperial Jewelers so much lower than NYC etc. my wife always upgrades her ring every time we stop in St. Thomas.:)

I've offered Mrs. K the opportunity to upgrade her engagement diamond several times and while we've looked at Imperial Jewelers she always has passed. :) Not an issue of cost as much as it is that she says that's the diamond I proposed with on Waikiki Beach and that's the one she wants. :D

[kazu]

I've offered Mrs. K the opportunity to upgrade her engagement diamond several times and while we've looked at Imperial Jewelers she always has passed. :) Not an issue of cost as much as it is that she says that's the diamond I proposed with on Waikiki Beach and that's the one she wants. :D


have to say that I agree with her totally:D:D I've turned dh down too

[Hobbsey]

Thank you for all your help. Looks like Eastern is the way to go since we are limited to a seven day cruise this year. Hopefully in the future we can go on a longer cruise that includes Curacao (sounds wonderful!). We have only been on one cruise so far & it was to Alaska on Holland America. We enjoyed it so much we wanted to try Holland America again to the Caribbean.

We are planning to go in December. Last cruise we went with the kids and other family members but this will be for just the two of us.

I predict you are going to enjoy this cruise just as much, and perhaps more. My best all time cruise was with HAL East Carib., on the old Westerdam. We're going again this Dec 4 on the newer version of Westerdam. Happy travels!

[cruiseapril]

Enjoy your cruise. Have been to all of the ports- like them all. You will enjoy Half Moon Cay for swimming (and Grand Turk also.)

Prefer the Southern for beaches- but as someone mentioned, the Noordam has a 10 day which is good for the southern.

[ttoad]

How's the weather in the Eastern Caribbean in early December? We are going in December as well.

[ttoad]

The best day of my life was on Water Island (Honeymoon Beach)
When the Eurodam docked at Crown Bay on our Eastern Carrib. cruise.

We loved Grand Turk for wonderful beach day and nice cabana, loved the Biolumicent Bay kayack on San Juan, and HMC was a great back day.

I will not spend any money in Aruba, not because what happened there, but how I also feel the goverment treated the issue.

For a quite beach day, with little to no crowds, Water Island was the way to go for us. My DH/DF swam laps. Literally. Food was great fron Heidi's.
5 Minutes from ship.

Where is Crown Bay??? We want to check out Water Island!!