Which is the better Southern Caribbean itinerary?

[tcook052]

We also like San Juan a lot, and are surprised that sailing from there would be a deal-breaker for some.

 

I feel the same way and if you think it harder for Americans to get there it's just that much harder for Canadians with more connections. ;)

 

However I love San Juan having been twice in the past 6 months and am planning to go a few night pre-cruise in Feb. to explore the city further. :)

[shipshape sam]

I feel the same way and if you think it harder for Americans to get there it's just that much harder for Canadians with more connections. ;)

 

However I love San Juan having been twice in the past 6 months and am planning to go a few night pre-cruise in Feb. to explore the city further. :)

 

 

We were booked on Summit out of San Juan for next April (7 day cruise) and then found a 14 day cruise out of Fort Lauderdale that when we included higher flight cost to San Juan and higher hotel costs in San Juan, were able to switch to the Constellation and incrementally pay $700 for the extra 7 days in Concierge Class (C3).

 

We have always enjoyed San Juan, but decided 7 more days of sailing was better.

[will773]

Going onboard the Vision in a couple of weeks and may decide to do an onboard booking for December 2012 in the Southern Caribbean. Here are my favored choices:

 

Brilliance of the Seas:

 

01-Dec San Juan, Puerto Rico 8:30 PM

02-Dec Tortola, British Virgin Islands 8:00 AM 5:30 PM Docked

03-Dec Philipsburg, St. Maarten 8:00 AM 5:30 PM Docked

04-Dec Basseterre, St. Kitts 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

05-Dec Pointe A Pitre, Guadaloupe 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

06-Dec Bridgetown, Barbados 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

07-Dec Cruising

08-Dec San Juan, Puerto Rico 6:00 AM

 

Celebrity Summit:

 

D1 San Juan, Puerto Rico Depart 8:30 PM

D2 St. Croix, U.S.V.I. Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:30 PM

D3 Basseterre, St. Kitts Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM

D4 Roseau, Dominica Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM

D5 St. George's, Grenada Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM

D6 At Sea

D7 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM

D8 San Juan, Puerto Rico Arrive 6:00 AM

 

Both are about the same price for an inside room ($449-$499). Which itinerary looks better and why? Please help! :)

 

Personally, I think that the Brilliance has the better itinerary. I think that because those islands hold more appeal for me. Whichever one you choose, have a great cruise!

[Cruiser 4 Life 66]

I like the port intensive cruises... that way i just stay on the ship for the islands i've already been to. I don't like too many days at sea, otherwise I could have stayed home and relaxed! :D

 

I agree. I get bored on sea days, as I am not the type to lay by the pool and bake. My goal in life is to see as many countries as possible before I die, so I like port intensive cruises.

[Sailfish]

My dive group and I will be visiting these ports of call in February; we chose the more port intensive itinerary out of San Juan so we can dive in the ports - itinerary for us was more important than the ship. All the islands in each itinerary are beautiful and interesting. We have two group blogs with detailed port information - one is intended for the certified divers in our group, the other (which the vast majority here will find more interesting) is for our non-divers; please feel free to check them out - I'll post the links below.

 

I have been to all the ports on each itinerary more than once - some islands are best seen below the water line, if the alternative is to see the island on your own. Tours - both ship sponsored and independent - are a good choice in the following ports noted in red:

 

Brilliance of the Seas:

 

01-Dec San Juan, Puerto Rico 8:30 PM

02-Dec Tortola, British Virgin Islands 8:00 AM 5:30 PM Docked

03-Dec Philipsburg, St. Maarten 8:00 AM 5:30 PM Docked

04-Dec Basseterre, St. Kitts 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

05-Dec Pointe A Pitre, Guadaloupe 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

06-Dec Bridgetown, Barbados 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

07-Dec Cruising

08-Dec San Juan, Puerto Rico 6:00 AM

 

Celebrity Summit:

 

D1 San Juan, Puerto Rico Depart 8:30 PM

D2 St. Croix, U.S.V.I. Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:30 PM

D3 Basseterre, St. Kitts Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM

D4 Roseau, Dominica Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM

D5 St. George's, Grenada Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM

D6 At Sea

D7 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM

D8 San Juan, Puerto Rico Arrive 6:00 AM

 

 

Diver's Blog

 

Non-Diver's Blog

 

Good luck!

[BroncosFan2010]

I would go Celebrity. I love the port intensive itineraries, and St. Croix is my favorite island. San Juan is a beautiful port to leave from as there is so much to do if you fly down a day early or stay a day late.