Caribbean Princess- 7-night Southern Caribbean Review (1/8/12 - 1/15/12)

[rn448698]

Thanks for posting your review. I'm enjoying it. You mentioned a black martini - what is a black martini?

 

I believe that it is 4 parts Grey Goose Vodka, 1 part Blue Curacao, and 1 part Chambord. Chilled over ice and strained. Garnished with a zesty lemon twist. It comes out a very, very, very dark, midnight blue.

[rdsqrl]

I believe that it is 4 parts Grey Goose Vodka, 1 part Blue Curacao, and 1 part Chambord. Chilled over ice and strained. Garnished with a zesty lemon twist. It comes out a very, very, very dark, midnight blue.

That sounds good. How have I missed that, in my quest to drink my way through the martini menu?? Must rectify this oversight immediately upon boarding next cruise. . . .

 

Really enjoying your review and the photos!

[chirpy12345]

I'm enjoying your report--thank you for taking the time to write it. I'll be sailing this same itinerary in a few months. Can you tell me if the ship uses their own ship time or do they adjust to port time at each port?

[rn448698]

I'm enjoying your report--thank you for taking the time to write it. I'll be sailing this same itinerary in a few months. Can you tell me if the ship uses their own ship time or do they adjust to port time at each port?

 

I'm glad you're enjoying it! All ports, including San Juan, are Atlantic time, which is one hour ahead of Eastern.

 

[jrzebird]

 

We then walked about 15 minutes back to the vans, got some run punch at a restaurant by the vans, 10 minute van ride to dock, and then waited about 20 minutes for everyone to get back to the dock. And then, there was another 30-45 minute boat ride back to the cruise ship in Tortola.

 

If you’re looking for an action-packed excursion, do something else. It wasn’t the most beautiful place I’ve ever been, but it was very pretty, relaxing, and I’m glad that I went. I really enjoy being able to float in calm ocean water and still being able to see the ocean floor 10-15 feet below me. It was a perfect day except for the occaional sprinkle and crazy person.

 

And please don’t talk politics, religion, or race when in line with strangers. Or on a van with strangers. Or with strangers. Ever. Please.

 

I am also enjoying your review. The photo I'm using for my icon here is from Virgin Gorda. One of several I took. I loved it there.

 

Maureen

[claroquesi]

Thank you for your discretion in posting photos of Virgin Gorda, after your discription I was afraid of what I would see:eek:

 

I am sorry you had the experience you did with the person on your excursion. I am sorry also that you had a similar experience in previous cruises. I want to believe that the majority of people are open minded, tolerant individuals who will check their agenda's at the dock and am always sorry when I am disappointed.

[srpilo]

Love the details.. Thanks !!

 

 

 

 

Good Stuff

Srpilo

[A Sixth?]

Great review.

 

We were on the same cruise and will post a brief report as well, but with a twist... we had just done the Celebrity Summit the week before and will concentrate on the difs between the two...

 

I think I bumped into the "political" guy too... won't elaborate.... but for us it was an easy escape... we weren't trapped. :D

[rn448698]

Great review.

 

We were on the same cruise and will post a brief report as well, but with a twist... we had just done the Celebrity Summit the week before and will concentrate on the difs between the two...

 

I think I bumped into the "political" guy too... won't elaborate.... but for us it was an easy escape... we weren't trapped. :D

 

Oh, I'll be interested hearing what your thoughts are on the Celebrity cruise. We may go on it next January to try them out.

[rn448698]

Day Five: 1/11

 

Antigua is probably my favorite island. I find it to be extremely beautiful, and both times I’ve had a complete blast. Last year, my mom and I did a driving tour where I took some absolutely beautiful pictures that I use on rotating-basis as pictures for my computer desktop at work. We took a more active approach this year.

 

We got some breakfast, and did the eco-kayaking, bird island, snorkel, beach & hike tour. And I apologize if anyone reading this was with us. We are awful kayakers and we drank entirely too much rum punch.

 

We boarded a van to take a 20 minute or so ride to Stingray City Antigua (I think). The best part? Being in the exact same taxi for the 2nd year in a row. Thank you Sexy Eddie Taxi (same license plate, too!).

 

 

We then signed our waivers and had a “safety” briefing before taking a 15 minute speedboat road to a kayak dock outside some mangroves. What I’ll say is that two tall grown men who both weigh around 215 lbs. should NOT share a kayak. We were the worst of the bunch (maybe 30 people?) and probably annoyed some of our cruisemates. Sorry. J

 

 

After kayaking for about 30 minutes, we took another speedboat ride to snorkel. It was amazing. The water was kind of rough, but there were fish everywhere and tons of coral. Again, I had another panic attack thinking that a shark was going to come up from behind me, but it was beautiful. We then took the boat over to a nearby beach and started our rum punch drunkenness. And then we climbed up a steep hill to take some pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

Those are the two boats that our group took on the excursion!

 

After walking around for a bit, the beach got a little crowded and we took a very drunk speedboat ride back to the dock, followed by some pictures with little monkeys (yes, little monkeys inside cages), and a drive back to the ship.

 

On the drive back, it hit both of us. 4 glasses of rum punch. Followed by us laughing uncontrollably and then my partner seeing a goat on the side of the road, followed by him “baa”-ing. My partner, not the goat. Best moment of the cruise. So, I apologize if you were with us.

 

It was a solid, four-hour excursion, and I had a blast. The rest of our afternoon was spent at the Neptune Pool or taking a nap in the cabin. It was just a perfect day. I cannot speak more highly of the Neptune Pool upper deck area. Much quieter than the Reef Pool and more sun than the other two pools.

 

Coming up? A review of the casino and the dinner buffet!

[A Sixth?]

Oh, I'll be interested hearing what your thoughts are on the Celebrity cruise. We may go on it next January to try them out.

 

I love both lines...

 

here's a choppy compare

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1555846

[AttilaTheFun]

Entertaining, interesting, and useful, thank you for posting! Can't wait for the rest!

[quilter49]

Thank you for your review. We have cruised with Princess 9 times and would like to take this cruise. Please, do not take this in the wrong way. But, after reading many posts, many cruisers have found the passenger population to be from PR and not from US. Can you report if this was the case on your cruise? Many writers report that due to a decreased fare for islanders, that the islanders run the ship and can have unruely conduct. Did you experience any bad behavior from anyone other than the man with the political views? Not many ships go to Tortola, and it is one of the few islands that are on my "bucket list." Princess seems to be pulling out of PR next year, so this may be are only chance to visit Virgin Gorda.

[rn448698]

Thank you for your review. We have cruised with Princess 9 times and would like to take this cruise. Please, do not take this in the wrong way. But, after reading many posts, many cruisers have found the passenger population to be from PR and not from US. Can you report if this was the case on your cruise? Many writers report that due to a decreased fare for islanders, that the islanders run the ship and can have unruely conduct. Did you experience any bad behavior from anyone other than the man with the political views? Not many ships go to Tortola, and it is one of the few islands that are on my "bucket list." Princess seems to be pulling out of PR next year, so this may be are only chance to visit Virgin Gorda.

 

:)

 

I knew this was coming.

 

First, go to Tortola. Virgin Gorda was so beautiful. Bear in mind that I believe that some cruiseships offer excursions to Virgin Gorda from St. Thomas. Keep that in mind.

 

So, to answer your question. Yes, there were families from PR on the cruiseship. What I noticed was that there were probably 3-4 familes of 10-15 people. They were multi-generational and spanned the age from probably 8-80.

 

My observation was that there were random, and I mean very random times, when there was an obvious culture gap. For instance, random chanting and clapping from a 25 year-old woman while sitting with her family. It lasted 1 minute, and that was that. I've seen it at Disney World and I've now seen it on a cruise ship. And there was a group of 5 teenage boys walking to pizza around 9pm or so and yelling "Papi" while talking to one of the workers. Or a group of 18-year old girls wearing questionable attire. But, again, it was cultural, but it did not in any way become this sort of prevelant issue that I've read from some people. My experience was different.

 

What I found just weird was that this one family would sit on the steps near the back of the ship near the 11th or 12th floor. It happened twice and was just weird. Who would sit on the ground?!

 

Did I find it annoying? At times, yes. Was it mostly a cultural difference sort of situation? Yes. Am I a midwesterner used to very reserved behavior? Yes.

 

What I did NOT observe were some of the stories about families "taking over the ship" or keeping people up at all hours of the day or the ship catering solely to Spanish speaking passengers. I did NOT observe obnoxious behavior at the Neptune pool or ill-behavior in the dining locations. Mostly, I would see PR passengers playing dominos at night. If I had a chance to book the cruise again, I would. It was a non-issue. There were more important things.

 

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, let me know.

[fathercop]

Thanks so much for sharing a great review. We've been on the CB a few times and love the ship. Thanks, again.

[Sun & Sea]

My husband and I are also going on the March 18th cruise on the Caribbean Princess. Can't wait!!!

[AtlantaCruiser72]

Enjoyable review - nice to see someone who can embrace cultural differences and not make stereotypical commentary!

[lovevacadays]

I believe that it is 4 parts Grey Goose Vodka, 1 part Blue Curacao, and 1 part Chambord. Chilled over ice and strained. Garnished with a zesty lemon twist. It comes out a very, very, very dark, midnight blue.

 

Oh my. That sounds so good. One I've never tried. It will definitely be on my list for my next cruise.

[Mikeyb78]

Thank you for your review. We have cruised with Princess 9 times and would like to take this cruise. Please, do not take this in the wrong way. But, after reading many posts, many cruisers have found the passenger population to be from PR and not from US. Can you report if this was the case on your cruise? Many writers report that due to a decreased fare for islanders, that the islanders run the ship and can have unruely conduct. Did you experience any bad behavior from anyone other than the man with the political views? Not many ships go to Tortola, and it is one of the few islands that are on my "bucket list." Princess seems to be pulling out of PR next year, so this may be are only chance to visit Virgin Gorda.

 

I was on this cruise and I cruised out of San Juan last year. I enjoy the cultural differences and did not find any Puerto Ricans to be disruptive. I was much more annoyed by white mainlanders who were loud and oppiniomated.

[Giz001]

Is there Gelato available on the Caribbean Princess at the International Cafe?

[KirkNC]

We will be onboard her in June for a trip around ENgland.

[A Sixth?]

never mind

[A Sixth?]

Try again

 

Here's a video of the Jost Van Dyke ship tour we did when on the same cruise as the OP. The ride there was a gas!

 

[Konababe]

Hello, love the review so far!! My husband and I are on the 2-week cruise in Feb...cant wait!! Did you do an excursion at every stop? With only a few sea days, Im wondering if its more exhausting or enjoyable??? Thanks and keep writing :D

[travelgenie]

I was on this cruise and I cruised out of San Juan last year. I enjoy the cultural differences and did not find any Puerto Ricans to be disruptive. I was much more annoyed by white mainlanders who were loud and oppiniomated.

 

 

So very true......I am on this cruise in a few weeks and looking forward to meeting and talking with people from all over, I wonder if Puerto Ricans who may cruise out of Florida, ask about a ship full of cranky, old people.........