hurricanefly

Thanks very much for letting me know about Caravan.com. I had a look at their website and subsequently contacted them. The timeframe is ideal for us so I think we will tour with that company.

Thanks for your responses but apologies for not acknowledging same , as I have been away for past 10 days and not looking at forum. Just to clarify dates--wedding will be from 19th-24th Feb but we were hoping to extend our stay either pre/post wedding and take a cruise in either Panama Canal or Caribbean. From limited research undertaken, only dates which would suit would be cruises departing on either 7/8th or 28th, thus necessitating additional stays in Costa Rica or Fort Lauderdale and extra expense.

I hadn't heard of Windstar cruises before but initial reaction is that they are expensive. However, I will contact them to see what price includes. I had looked at cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean and Panama Canal. I would welcome any feedback on which part of Caribbean is best to visit, east/west, etc. I have heard that most of the islands visited are very similar.

I also looked at 11 day Coral Princess Panama Canal cruise departing Fort Lauderdale on 27th Feb but prices of oceanview cabins have increased significantly in past few weeks.

Our other alternative would be to do an inland tour of Costa Rica. However, our dates do not tie in neatly with any organised group and the alternative would appear to be an independent tour, in other words be driven around by a non English speaking driver. This does not appeal to my wife as it would would involve considerable time in car, on I suspect poor roads.

I would welcome any feedback on any of the above based on your personal experience.

Thanks again for your responses to date.

We are travelling from Ireland to a wedding in Costa Rica from 19th-24th Feb 2015 and we wondering if we could tie in a cruise while in that part of the world.

Is anybody aware of any cruises that depart or stop off in Costa Rica at that time of year?

Would you recommend an Eastern Caribbean cruise (San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten) rather than the Western Caribbean (Cozumel, Grand Caymen, Falmouth, Labedee).

Jane 2357

Enjoy your first visit to Irl. We have some beautiful places to visit particularly on the west coast but I doubt that you will get to them from cruise. If I can help in any way get back to me.

Thanks to all those who responded so quickly.

We are restricted re dates as need to be in Costa Rica for 19th Feb and have preference for cruise pre wedding. From limited research done today the cruise which most appeals so far is seven day cruise on Regal Princess, departing Fort Lauderdale on 8th Feb. I presume there is an airport in Fort Lauderdale but it would not have direct flights from Irl or probably not direct flights to Costa Rica.

Could probably get flight from Ney York or Miami. Will talk to travel agent to-morrow re same.

Ports of call are Princess Cays, St. Thomas, St. Maarten. Would you recommend any specific things to see/do in any of these places.

We cruised Alaska in mid May 2013 and had a really good time. Snow lasted longer than usual last year and in fact we had light snow on the first day of our inland tour in Fairbanks. However, the weather was very pleasant for the cruise and the snow added to the scenery. Overall it was a very enjoyable cruise and we were really impressed with the Island Princess.

Hi all

My wife and I live in Ireland and have been invited to my nephew's wedding in Costa Rica on 20th Feb 2015. We would like to tie this five day trip in with a longer break in the US and are considering a Caribbean cruise. We would appreciate any information/advice that people would like to offer, such as best ports of call, best cruise lines for Caribbean cruises, good shore excursions. Is Feb a good time to cruise the Caribbean?

I should add that we have been on four cruies to date, in Europe with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, and Alaska with Princess, all of which we enjoyed.

Cruised Scandanavia and Russia with Celebrity in 2011 and organised a private tour of St. Petersburg with TJ Travel, having contacted several other private tour operators. I was delighted with the decision to use TJ Travel as they were professional at all times and by far the quickest to respond to emails. By organising, through Cruise Critic roll calls, a maximum group of 16 we succeeded in reducing the cost considerably. TJ Travel ensured that we went to the busiest tourist attractions early in the morning and where there were queues we often got preferential treatment, by passing other private tour groups on occasions. In addition to the boat trip on the canal and the two Russian lunches we got a nice souvenir pack at the end of the trip. Therefore I have no hesitation in highly recommending them.

With regard to the comment made with regard to immigration officials in the US I would agree that US immigration officials leave a lot to be desired. I am from Ireland and have spent many very enjoyable holidays in the US and by and large have a lot of time for US citizens whom I met in the US, in Ireland and on cruises. However, I would have to agree that immigration officials and other workers at US airports do not come across as friendly or welcoming to visitors entering or leaving the US.