Never cruised before-Help

Hi, I have never cruised before and am planning to take RCI from SanJuan SC cruise either Aruba,Curaco,StMaarten StThomas or
StThomas,Philipsburg StJohn,Castries,Barbados
Anyone have experience with either of these, should I stay in SanJuan before or after, should I spend the extra money for OS, I definately need a balcony.
ON LINE Reservations, can they save you money and bump up or should I use a travel agent.

Thanks

My first cruise was the SC out of San Juan to St Maarten, St Thomas, Aruba and Curacao. We had a wonderful time. We loved St Maarten and St Thomas, thought that Aruba was very nice and didn't like Curacao.

I would think that either choice would be nice. Have a great time whichever you choose. Oh, I always use a travel agent.

SOLD1234--You will LOVE this itinerary! Just returned Sunday from the very same cruise. We arrived in San Juan on the morning of the cruise and left SJU on the last day of the cruise. If I were going again, I would stay in San Juan one night before coming home. Less traffic at the airport and breaks up the travel home. On departure day, we arrived at the airport at 12:30 and were on board the ship sipping fruity adult beverages by 1:30. Last year, we used a local travel agent, this year we booked with an online agency. I much prefer the local agent as the customer service was much more attentive.
Have fun! Karen

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Thanks Karen, I think I will stay over that's a great idea.
Have a great day! Lori

SOLD1234-
I guess it depends on what your looking for in and island.
Curaco is my absolute favourite- very colorful and pretty and the town is right there as you get off the ship so you dont' need a taxi.
St Maarten is also a favorite- again very pretty. I think you have to tender in for that island but the town is right there also. I found it the best place for jewellery shopping. (this is the dutch side)
Aruba and St Thomas are also beautiful with colorful store fronts.
I'm not a beach person... just like to stroll through the town.
If I had to pick my 4 favorite islands they would be the 4 in the first itinerary.

In the 2nd itinerary the only island i've been to other than St Thomas is Barbados- quite frankly i was really disapponted in Barbados. the port isn't very nice (or at least it wasn't when i was there 4 yrs ago), and we had to take taxi's to where we wanted to go.

Hope this helps!!

Counting down to VOS back to back Nov27 &Dec4
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Maasdam- 11/03
Maasdam- 12/03
Volendam- 04/02
Sunbird- 01/01
Married on the Enchantment of the Seas 01/99

sold1234....welcome to the wonderful world of cruising. Be warned its very very addictive! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]
The most important thing is to always arrive the day prior. You won't have to worry about delayed flights ect. and missing the ship! The last thing you'd want is to stand on the pier as YOUR ship leaves the dock. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

Have fun planning your cruise.


***

Soveriegn 92
Majesty 95
Granduer 97
Rhapsody 00
Vision 02
Radiance 03
Brilliance 04

Yeah, spend a day before and a day after your cruise, but if you have to choose one or the other stay before because you don't want to miss your cruise because of a flight problem and you the only advantage of after is the crowd at the airport, but that is just a little extra stress nothing compared to rushing to catch the ship.

jc

I would choose the 1st one...the Aruba, St.Maarten, etc... one. Have fun!

Kim
Dawn Princess
Regal Princess
Grand Princess
Mercury - Celebrity
Windward - NCL
Monarch of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
Sovereign of the Seas

It's a great itinerary. You'll love it.

Most time I fly in the day of but if I ever sail from San Juan again, I'd go a day early. I understand people get good prices on priceline so you can go early & save $$.

Enjoy.

Trish