A Different Cruise?

Having done the POA twice and enjoyed both experiences - just wondering if any POA cruisers have also done Caribbean cruises and enjoyed them just as much?

If so, which ship & where did you go?

Having done the POA twice and enjoyed both experiences - just wondering if any POA cruisers have also done Caribbean cruises and enjoyed them just as much?

 

If so, which ship & where did you go?

Well, the Caribbean is not Hawaii, so it just can't compare, right? But, that said, you do get a chance to enjoy the ship experience much more on a Caribbean cruise. We have 7 completed NCL cruises, all Caribbean except for 1 in Hawaii 1 in Bermuda and 1 Alaska. We have the Escape coming up in a couple weeks and another Hawaii on the POA in March. We have done a few Eastern, a couple Western, 1 Alaska, 1 Bermuda and one Southern, which takes a few extra days and was one of our favorite itineraries. The ships were Dawn, Pearl, Star, Sun, Epic, POA, Getaway. We have the Escape coming up in a couple weeks and the repositioning of the POA back to Hawaii post dry dock in March. Maybe we will finally be able to relax and enjoy the POA on the Pacific crossing.

We enjoyed all the ships, but think the newest ships with all the bells and whistles are great. Still on our cruise bucket list is the Panama Canal, a New England cruise to Quebec, and maybe a S American itinerary.

Having done the POA twice and enjoyed both experiences - just wondering if any POA cruisers have also done Caribbean cruises and enjoyed them just as much?

 

If so, which ship & where did you go?

We are getting ready to do our first Hawaiian cruise in March and I am wondering if I will enjoy it as much as we do when we sail to the Caribbean! ;)

You can look at my signature and see that we have been on quite a few cruises and all but one have been to the Caribbean. And after all of these trips, it still amazes me just how different each island is from another. To say one is better or worse than Hawaii would be impossible.

My favorite cruises have been to the Southern Caribbean. The islands that we have visited tend to be less touristy and you get a better taste of the Caribbean culture.

Geographically the Caribbean islands can be as different as night and day. For example...St. Lucia, Dominica and Grenada are lush, mountainous islands covered with rain forests while Aruba is flat and full of cactus!

Although there are exceptions, I consider the islands in the Eastern Caribbean (St. Maarten, St. Thomas, etc.) geared more towards high end shopping while the Western Caribbean ports (Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, etc.) are more "water & adventure related."

One of my least favorite ports is Grand Cayman...but you will find many others who claim it is their favorite.

For us the closer proximity to the midwest (compared to Hawaii) and cheaper cruise prices are two of the advantages that attract us to the Caribbean.

The best thing for you to do...book a Caribbean cruise and see for yourself!

Well, given the Caribbean is the most cruised location in the world...probably thousands more cruises every year than Hawaiian cruises..sort of an odd question. Are you asking about enjoying the Caribbean on NCL (as POA doesn't go there)? If so, perhaps some reading on the NCL board about how NCL does the Caribbean would be helpful.

Thanks for some of the info.

Bruce....just thought if somebody had enjoyed the POA around Hawaii, like us, their likes would be similar to ours, so if they liked a certain cruise around the Caribbean, we would be half a chance likely to also enjoy the same experience.

I would be a bit dubious of opinions from anybody that hated the POA.

Thanks for some of the info.

Bruce....just thought if somebody had enjoyed the POA around Hawaii, like us, their likes would be similar to ours, so if they liked a certain cruise around the Caribbean, we would be half a chance likely to also enjoy the same experience.

 

I would be a bit dubious of opinions from anybody that hated the POA.

Is it the actual ship you enjoyed so much, or the Hawaii experience and vibe in general? Transplant that ship to the Eastern Caribbean, no Hawaii, no overnights, no easy, practically free touring, you are longer in the US, people are there to partaay, might take a 3 hour excursion vs an 8 hour one, or none at all, and I wonder if you would have liked it half as much!

The POA is certainly not one of my favorite ships, but I loved the cruise:p. Service, food, entertainment will all be comparable on any NCL ship. The POA just has a different feel to it than a Caribbean cruise because it is, well, Hawaii. I love the "away" ships, but they would be wasted in Hawaii. If you are looking for a similar POA like experience, go for one of the smaller ships. Maybe focus on an itinerary like Alaska, Panama Canal or S America. We loved the Sun to Alaska, very similar to the Hawaii cruise in feel.

 

I would be a bit dubious of opinions from anybody that hated the POA.

Just curious...how many cruises have you done on ships other than POA?

Just curious...how many cruises have you done on ships other than POA?

None :-)

Thats why I would hate to blow 10 grand on something that would be disappointing!

Also heard the cruises to Alaska are good, but would probably prefer the heat.

Have been watching a tv series showing the rough side of the Caribbean eg. Haiti - that's why I'm a bit cautious! :-)

None :-)

Thats why I would hate to blow 10 grand on something that would be disappointing!

 

Also heard the cruises to Alaska are good, but would probably prefer the heat.

 

Have been watching a tv series showing the rough side of the Caribbean eg. Haiti - that's why I'm a bit cautious! :-)

Most vacation destinations, even Hawaii, have their rough side, so it pays to be cautious wherever you go. We generally stick with group tours, taxis or just walking around the port areas in the Caribbean. I think I am correct in saying that NCL has no itinerary that stops in Haiti. Their private island may technically be part of it, but you would be very safe there.

The good thing about a Caribbean cruise, unless you are booking the most expensive suite on the ship, is that it is generally much less expensive than a Hawaiian cruise, particularly the POA. Why not give it a try. You won't know unless you give it a go.

Having done the POA twice and enjoyed both experiences - just wondering if any POA cruisers have also done Caribbean cruises and enjoyed them just as much?

 

If so, which ship & where did you go?

I greatly enjoy NCL itineraries in Hawaii, which I have also done with previous ships. I have also done a few California round trip Hawaii cruises. I think NCL, by far, has the winner itinerary. Since several years ago, I've always add at least another 2 weeks with my trips. A place I really enjoy every minute in. :)

But- I've sailed on 109 cruises, around the world, the Caribbean is not my preference but a great option with the price dumps. :) I've sailed the Caribbean on NCL, Carnival and RCI, multiple ships. I cruise Hawaii and Alaska every year. :) and very much like Alaska, very different from other locations.

Maybe taking some time and reading through trip reports will offer you more information of the differences?

Hawaiian trips are about seeing Hawaii.....Caribbean trips are about relaxing, and drinking, and swimming....much more "laid back" than other cruises. The are not similar at all.

Hawaiian trips are about seeing Hawaii.....Caribbean trips are about relaxing, and drinking, and swimming....much more "laid back" than other cruises. The are not similar at all.

Might head back to Mandalay Bay in Vegas then! :-)

Might head back to Mandalay Bay in Vegas then! :-)

It is very similar to a Vegas hotel to me, especially the newest ships, or somewhat like an all inclusive resort with great entertainment included, including shows that are currently touring and in Vegas like Million Dollar Quartet and After Midnight and a musical dinner show as well as a comedy venue and Howl at the Moon. All this is going on at the same time, lots of choices to make, just like in Vegas. And of course, unlike the POA, they all have casinos, quite large ones.

But where it beats Vegas IMO, is that you are at sea, with beautiful islands floating by. And when you dock, you can have a beach day, a catamoran sail and snorkel, a scenic tour, or something more adventurous. Best of both worlds on a cruise.

Thanks again for the info.

Without researching anything, a while back I fancied Oasis or Allure, just because of the shear size of them! :-)

Might research them both & see if they are worth saving up for!