addicted to cruising

I just wanted to give some feedback from a recent trip to Barbados. I searched this site for suggestions on catamaran trips and was set on Calabazza. Gina was full so she suggested a few friends...Bolodor was one. I reached out and was sold instantly. Geoff was amazing to work with and the tour was great. His cat is beautiful and large, only 14 people are on the tour. The snorkeling was amazing. Geoff and his staff were in the water, we had a small girl who they were amazing with. Our lunch was good and the drinks were plenty. I cant wait to go back and book with them again

Just back from Barbados on 12/5. I saw Tiami when we were out with our tour. This is a nice cat and large, it looked pretty packed. It was my understanding that on our day Carnival (our ship) used it for their excursion. We however chose Bolodor which is a cat around the same size, def pretty large that maxs out at 14 people. Check with Geoff and see if he still has room, it is an awesome day...probably one of my favorite excursions in 10 cruises. Service was great, cat is beautiful, snorkeling was amazing and the price is right at $85pp. Geoff is born and raised in Barbados and runs his business. He is with you the entire time, he even drove us back to the ship.

Ive been to Barbados numerous times but this time was the first to snorkel. We initially chose Gina with Calabazza for a catamaran snorkel but she was full. She was kind enough to suggest a few of her friends....we chose Bolodor. Our day was amazing, the cat is huge and only takes 14 people, we left the ship with a Bolodor driver right to the beach. The staff were super helpful, we were oriented to some safety tips and on our way. Geoff is the owner and onboard, he is also in the water the entire time when we snorkel guiding anyone who wants assistance. We put the sails up and up the coast we went. The area we snorkeled in was amazing. Now the turtles.....I say turtle because there was one but the rest made up for that. There were several areas and I think we were in the water for over an hr or maybe more. Huge schools of fish all over. Of all the snorkeling I have done this is by far the best to date. You never know what weather you will get and what sea life will be hanging out but for us it was a beautiful sunny day with pretty calm waters and plenty to look at. Lunch was great, drinks were good and the ride back beautiful with the winds sailing us along. 5 stars to Bolodor!

Do you dock at 8?

Anyone can correct me if I am wrong but there is no 8:45 ferry from CA to Cruz Bay. That ferry leaves at 10am.

You could do Red Hook to Cruz Bay, that ferry leaves at 9am.

If you chose this route, most likely the ship will arrive before 8 and will be cleared by that time. If you are ready and down in the area to debark at 8 or close you should be able to get a taxi to Red Hook pretty easy. Keep in mind these taxis hold 10-20 people and they don't move until they are full usually. It is about a 20 min ride to Red Hook, then you need to buy your Ferry ticket. If all goes well you could be on the 9am ferry. I would take the chance, if you miss it you are in Red Hook until 10 for the next one.

Probably giving us an idea of what tight budget/inexpensive means to you might be of help because I see every person has suggested an excursion.

I have done this itinerary several times and leave on Dec 1st to do it again. I certainly recommend looking at each port of call in here for some ideas as there are some people who know the islands very well.

Tight budget to me means cheaper the better and believe me I have cruised with little cash in hand and we have had a blast.

You mention snorkel/beach/shopping/locals.

St Thomas/Barbados are best water spots/St Thomas some of the best shopping.

St.Thomas- Use local bus $2pp/each way to Sapphire Beach in the morning.

This is paradise and taking the local bus will certainly let you see the local culture. Buy your snorkel mask at home and bring with you. You don't need flippers as you will not need to go far out at this beach. Bus back to town and shop for awhile. If you want to save the $10pp taxi back to ship you can walk. Yes it is a bit of a hike but doable, one of favorite pictures of all my travels is walking past the boy scouts building and taking a picture of the stairs. I would have missed this in a taxi.

Barbados- Taxi is abit cheaper here, go over to Boatyard or neighboring beach and spend the day. Your fee gets you a drink/chair/umbrella/ and ride back to ship. If you have an xtra $20pp that day you can go out and snorkel with the turtles.

St Lucia- I booked the same excursion, if I remember I will post my thoughts when I get back.

St Kitts- Because this is a very intense itinerary this is a good day to chill around town. There is shopping right at the ship, we enjoyed some cocktails in that area. We also walked the streets and witnessed a wedding at a beautiful church. Im guessing you could probably grab a land tour pretty cheap with a local.

St Marten- Again some shopping at ship area. Water taxi to town is like $5. the streets are cute for shopping over in Phillipsburg. There is also a beach there which the last time we were there was perfect to hang out for a few hrs but some do not like it. This area is a bit industrial and some think there is pollution in that water. It was clear as can be for us. This is a very easy island to drive so if you can budget about $30pp the two of you could rent a car and get around to see a lot. Hertz is right at the pier.

Other suggestions to keep costs down. Always carry a towel as you don't always need to rent a chair. Bring an insulated small lunch bag and put drinks in it, that way if you spend money it is on a cocktail not water. We also pack our snacks and even lunch sometimes. I put yogurt from breakfast in my bag, fruit and have even had room service bring sandwiches the night before and take them. You will have a small frig in your room and I always bring ziplock bags for food and sometimes I put ice in them for my cooler bag. Pending what you choose coming back to the ship for lunch could be easy as well, that will allow for less money spent on food or spending it on those special treats you find.

You can have fun and spend little money, we have done it for two spending less than $100pp. It is alittle harder on this itinerary but doable. Read the port sights and don't be afraid to venture out a bit per the direction of others who have.

Tea time is 3pm on the at sea day

 

Here are a few of serentiy. First pic is desk 12 with the hot tubs, hammocks which are to the left of these chars and the bar. Second pick is the other side of the ship and pic 3 is on 13 with the cabanas chairs and the shower

 

My mistake...pic 2 is on the stairs from 12 to floor 13. Sameside of ship as you can see the hot tubs and these are the only ones for serenity

I'd love to see pictures of the new Serenity area if anyone has them - and new capers since Dominica was dropped -

 

is there afternoon tea on the sea day now? Very curious ...

Tea time is 3pm on the at sea day

Here are a few of serentiy. First pic is desk 12 with the hot tubs, hammocks which are to the left of these chars and the bar. Second pick is the other side of the ship and pic 3 is on 13 with the cabanas chairs and the shower

My DH and I will be on the Victory on May 8th. Thanks for the info regardign the CVS.

Has anyone been on the Victory since they installed the Serenity deck on Deck 12?

How hot was the hot tubs? Was it an adults only deck like it's suppose to be or was there children there too? Where is the Serenity deck located? Forward or Aft? I have physical limitations and I'm wondering how long the docks are in St Lucia/St. Kitts and St. Maarten and Barbados. Can someone enlighten me?

This was the first time for me in the Serenity area and I loved it!

Its deck 12 forward and it covers both sides of the ship. This is an adult area only and there is staff up there at all times. I did notice some teenagers strolling through from time to time but overall it stayed adult only. After about 7 there is no staff so its fair game.

The hot tubs and bar are on starboard (right), the hot tubs a just warm, which was really great for me becouse I dont care for the really hot ones when the sun is beating down on you. This was really refreshing, you could sit in them for quite awhile. The bar will have really nice salads/sandwiches at lunchtime, just ask. They are free. Up on 13 there is a nice seating area and this really cool shower area. You will find some kids in the area as that is where the entrance to the slde is.

Early December the ships are all decorated for the holidays and it's just beautiful,kids still in school, good rates this time of year, nothing like seeing Christmas decorations in your shorts at the ports!:D

We were just on our first xmas cruise and I must say I did enjoy seeing the ship decorated and there is nothing like christmas music being played by calypso bands. Def puts a new twist on things. I even bought the most beautiful hand painted ornaments in St Martin...who would have thought

Some depends on where you are cruising.....we tend to be caribbean cruisers and pick May or Oct most of the time. However we just came back, first time for us in Dec and I must say the weather was so much nicer. Still sunny and hot but not as much humidity. We did Mexican Riviera in April and it was to cold to get in the water and I hear June/July is great for Alaska. Guess it also depends where you live as Feb might be perfect if you get snow like we do. I avoid summer as I dont want to pay the high rates to be on a ship full of kids.

has anyone stayed on the spa deck? i'm in room 1111 and would love some photos.

Ive booked 1115 for the 12/12/10 sailing...couldnt resist the 4 cat upgrade we got. We are a bit nervous but excited all the same.

I like that its a very small deck, very excited to have a balcony for the first time but a bit worried about camp carnival being there. Overall I really think it is going to be awesome. I plan to use the spa to get ready and let the 3 guys in my room have the bath to themselves

Great suggestions here...Every cruise I always notice a group or two.

One is usually on deck and just about in every bar on board drinking like fish. The other is in the casino drinking and the money is just flowing. At the end of my wonderful cruise I alway chuckle thinking about the sober reality they are about to embark upon as they sign off on the sail and sign card. To each's own but beware that expences add up quickly.

First I always look for a good bargain to begin with. Almost always book an inside as I rarely spend time in my room. Usually go in off season as well.

We plan our trip well ahead having a pretty good idea how we want to spend our port days so that we limit impusle spending or unnessary expences. We search out transportation options instead of the expensive taxi's at some ports. I have never booked a shore excursion via the ship. Overall that saves me about 50% but be smart! As stated before make sure you have plenty of time to bet back or just dont go it the location is to far from the ship.

We often carry on some snacks that we can take into port to limit expences. Always take my own alcohol...maybe buy a drink or two but thats it. We take adv of free drinking onboard.

We like to watch in the casino or play a few bucks in the slots, I stay out of the ship shops on sea days. Dont play bingo, or buy at the art auction but as stated before we enjoy the free champage.

By planning ahead, my shore excurions are usually paid before I leave. Ive got my snacks and alcolhol packed and all that is left is my gratuities and the few expences when I check out. Usually about $250. I go home feeling pretty darn good. We always have a blast and becouse we have planned and spent our money in a logical way we are able to continue to cruise cheaper than any other vacation. Cant beat it!