Golden Southern route opinions

I was looking at the 10-10-04 itinerary which includes St. Thomas, Grenada, Tunisia, Oranjestad, Kitts and Nevis. I've been on the more typical southern route - any experience with these ports?? Thanks!!

CCL Holiday 2000

CCL Elation 2001

CCL Pride 2002

CCL Ecstacy 2003

RCL AOS 2003

Sun Princess May 14 2004!!

We want to go with Princess again and do the Golden for it's southern itinerary. But why does it have to leave ports so soon?? We have been on Carnival Destiny southern route, and we stayed in Barbados till 10 PM and Aurba until after midnight! Some ports on this itinerary leave at 3 or 4 pm. The islands are not that far apart, thats the advantage of starting in San Juan.

http://community.webshots.com/user/doctrd

Paradise 3/04

Destiny 11/03

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Voyager of Seas 11/99

Paradise 7/99

Grand Princess (Grand Suite) 4/99

Grand Princess (Grand Suite) 11/98

Imagination 7/98

Fantasy 7/97

I have no idea why ships need to leave early only to circle in the ocean during the night. I assume it has to do with port regulations.

I haven't heard anything at all about Tunisia and not very much about the others (except St Thomas)

Has anyone been to these islands? Do you recommend this route?

CCL Holiday 2000

CCL Elation 2001

CCL Pride 2002

CCL Ecstacy 2003

RCL AOS 2003

Sun Princess May 14 2004!!

Are you sure the Golden goes to Tunisia?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I assume it has to do with port regulations.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've always assumed that too. It would be interesting to find out the rules/reasons behind that if it's true.

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/26/04

Star Princess 10/24/04

Carnival Victory 12/19/04

Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

We are just starting to maybe cruising on Princess in the Fall. We have cruised on Princess 1 time. As of now, we were looking at the Golden on the Southern Caribbean Explorer. It leaves from San Juan for 7 days. The ports are St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Grenada, Caracas, & Aruba. According to the brochure, these are the ports for the 10/10/04 cruise.

We can't figure out why the ship leaves so early either. We have been to the S. Caribbean a few times, & we have not left early that I can remember. We leave Aruba at 12:00a.m. or 1:00a.m.

Gail

I think the reason ships leave port early has to do with MONEY. The longer the ships stay, the more docking fee they have to pay, so it makes financial sense for them to leave as early as possible.

Money....

....the correct answer. In addition to docking fees, don't forget about drink sales, and the all important casino revenues.

Ken & Nancy

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12/2004 - Golden Princess

10/2004 - Fantasy Fest, Key West

03/2004 - Golden Princess

01/2004 - Carnival Legend

11/2003 - Carnival Glory

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12/2002 - Carnival Legend

04/2002 - Carnival Victory

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12/2000 - Carnival Tropicale

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 Until Sailing The Golden Princess