How would you rate the ports you've been to and why?

[vacruizer]

that is any port anymore. Port Canaveral even does it with their Casino boats that go out. so that does not bother me.

 

I'm actually glad they take that stuff seriously. I was up on the front Lido deck of the Victory a few weeks ago as we sailed from Norfolk during the very busy Harborfest weekend. The Coast Guard boats made sure they intercepted any small boats that were anywhere near us - if they couldn't head them off easily they turned on the sirens and loudspeakers several times. And the lady with the machine gun out front never let go of it.

[mom2girls]

Roaten Island

Absolutely the best!! I cannot wait to go back but will fly in and stay a long weekend. It is aweseome!!!

 

I'm with you on Roatan! I couldn't believe how absolutely beautiful that island is!

 

#! Roatan- It's not spoiled by tourism yet.

#2 Belize- Love the rainforest. Have done cave-tubing, snorkeling, and horseback riding through the jungle.

#3 Labadee: Absolutely beautiful. Did the waverunner excursion and were given a little history of Haiti.

#4 CocoCay: A little bit of paradise. Just rested and relaxed in a hammock.

#5 Cozumel- There's so much to do there. However, I like the off the beaten paths of Cozumel better than the touristy areas. Nachi Cocum and Passion Island are awesome!

#6 MoBay: I love the mountains. Did the jungle jeep excursion. Got to see a small waterfall. It was absolutely beautiful.

#7 Grand Caymay: Loved snorkeling and stingrays. 7 mile beach and port area can get quite crowded.

#8 Nassau: I really enjoyed the Blue Lagoon and Atlantis. The Blue Lagoon is quite unspoiled. The water is an amazing color of blue.

#9 Key West: I've only been once. We weren't in port long, so we just walked Duval Street. I think I would like Key West better if I was able to spend more time there.

 

I've been to St. Thomas, Dominica, St.Maarten, and Freeport. But, since it's been over 20 years so I don't want to comment. I do remember enjoying all but Freeport.

[RoadTripFanatic]

Best: I love Roatan!! It had the best snorkeling I have ever seen! I'm trying to figure out how I can get back there!

2. Grand Cayman- Very clean and I love swimming w/ the stingrays

3. St. John (Technically it's the St. Thomas port but I prefer to take the ferry to St. John.)

4. Any of the Hawaiian Islands!!

5 Tortola- We took the ferry to Virgin Gorda which was beautiful!

6. Costa Maya- Before the hurricane hit is was a lovely little place to stop.

7. Puerto Vallarta, MX.-It was a nice city and we did a great excursion to a private island.

8. Belize- Love the zoo and I love the snorkeling.

9. Sitka, AK

Worst-

Jamaica!!! It was so dirty. The people were very pushy. They terrified my at the time 6yo DD. They kept pushing her to get her hair braided and she clung to me for dear life. I kept telling them no all day long!! I just found that entire area near the port horrid! (Trust me I've seen a lot of horrid places and this one wins for the worst! I will NOT go back!)

Cozumel-The only thing I like about this place is the ruins. There is NOTHING that would make me visit that place except for the fact it is on so many cruise plans.

[nitenurs2]

My faves-

Barbados--the people are just so friendly and welcoming. Probably the most fun we've had on an island.

Dominica-Just for the scenery once you get into the rainforest. So beautiful.

Alaska-Any cruise stop in Alaska. Truly one of the last unspoiled places. Maybe our favorite was Juneau???

 

Least fave-

Nassau

Freeport

[no1uno]

Gotta be St. John USVI. Practically the whole island is a national park. A short hike on the trail just behind the ranger station took my wife and I to secluded and very beautiful Honeymoon beach. We all have our vacation postcard pictures in our minds. This was mine. Incredible.

[KLLund]

Interesting .. everyone is only posting Caribbean and Mexico

 

1) Istanbul .. amazing to sail through the dardanelles and wind up in this jewel of a city .

 

2) Santorini .. bearutiful island surrounded by gorgeous blue water

 

3) Osaka .. fun with the huge ferris wheel right there

 

And those are just docking .. there are many more that offer great touring and amazing places to see.

[Sarapdot]

I don't have alot of cruise experience (been on 2) but here's my opinions. :D

 

Cozumel - loved it, we swam with the dolphins at chakanaab (sp) park. The port area was nice also, very clean and a few cute shops. This was before the huricaine though.

 

Key West - I loved it even though we didn't get to do our scheduled excursion due to time issues. We just walked around Duval St and did some shopping. I think I liked it so much because I could see myself moving there one day.:p

 

Grand Cayman - Loved it too. We swam with the sting rays. It was really awesome but now I'm affraid to do it again. I'm a chicken!

 

Calica - I could do without this place. We took a shopping tour and were rushed the entire time. Hardley had enough time to look at anything. There is absolutely nothing at the port either.

 

Costa Maya - didn't care much for this one either. they had alot of shopping at the pier but it didn't really seem like much else was going on in this place. We took a taxi to a beach and it wasn't worth the money we paid. Drinks were weak and the beach was small.

[pe4all]

1. Aruba (when Destiny went there)

2. Barbados

3. Half Moon Cay (just went there in April - had a ball)

4. Dominica (river rafting was a blast)

5. any other warm, Caribbean port - each one has it's good and bad, but

the good overshadows any and all bad that may be there!

[*Luv2Cruz*]

1 Bermuda - Simply the Best!

2 Maui - Snorkeling in Molokini Crater

3 St. Thomas - Coki Beach was awesome

4 Aruba - Palm Beach

5 Barbados - Lobster Alive Carlisle Bay

6 St. Kitts - Water Taxi to Frigate Bay

[Steamboatin]

Jamacia is also my least favorite, ok if we never go back.

 

Doug

 

We will "Roger That" as well.

 

Hawaii's ports on a repositioning cruise were our best ports.

[G'ma]

I've traveled to the Caribbean for 30 years; have been to most of the islands by ship and on land-based vacations. I don't get off the ship much (I cruise to cruise, if ya get me!) but there are a coupla places:

 

1. Cozumel - to have a yard of Margarita's at that little beach shanty with the swing seats....and to have a true Mexican lunch at a nearby favorite restaurant.

 

2. St. Maarten - used to vacation here regularly. I take the water taxi downtown and have lunch at my all time favorite and best restaurant around...Antoine's! Will wander down to Holland House or the Pasangrahan for the best Pina Colada in the Caribbean - and the cheapest!!!! Old hangouts!!! Love to revisit.

 

3. Jamaica - old friends pick me up at the pier and we make a mad dash for Montego Bay to their restaurant for a great meal, Red Stripe beer - and to rehash past wild times on that lovely island when we were all younger and a lot better looking.

 

I'll get off at St. Lucia, Aruba, Barbados sometimes, too.

[MamaParrotHead]

1.) St. Maarten: loved the island...lots to do for those who prefer shopping and sight seeing, or for the beach lovers. The people were so friendly, shopping was good. Didn't really care for Marigot, though we loved Phillipsburg.

 

2.) Cozumel: very friendly port, love the laid back and relaxed feel to it, nice beaches and snorkeling.

 

3.) St. Thomas...love the view as you're pulling into the harbor. The people were friendly, and another island for both shoppers and sun-worshippers.

 

4.) Grand Cayman...the beaches were super...but I wasn't real impressed with the shopping nor the island itself.

 

5.) Nassau: one piece of advice for someone who hasn't been there yet...stay away from the straw market. The water is beautiful and we're hoping to take advantage of some of the nicer beaches this time around.

 

6.) Jamaica...was OK, only bc we had a private tour guide watching our backs. The Falls were just OK, I think mainly bc our Falls guide took us up the quickest, yet hardest, way so he could get us up to the top (past the other people) so he could get another group faster and make more tips. Margaritaville there was really fun, though.

[TheCruisingBrewers]

I tend to agree I have few ports I woud say I did not like.. You can find something fun anywhere is my idea of travel . That being said here are mine...

 

Best Ports IMHO

 

Belize- It is lovely and reatively unspoiled and the people are warm and genuine. Love the snorkeling. Roatan may take it's place as my ptop in a few weeks, but we loved it so much there DH was looking at property.

 

Hawaii- Every Port really. I think cruising is the way to see Hawaii (just do not do NCL there. :( ) Every port we went to we had a fabulous time, from Fluming the Ditch in Kauai (a total blast!), to swimming with Sea Turtles and snorkeling a sunken crater, to seeing Volcano National Park and lava flowing into the sea for our cruise ship, to driving the magical road to Hana in Maui. I lump them together for space but each was amazing.

 

St Thomas/Saint John- Magical wonderful, the water is mesmerizing, the beaches fantastic. I love to just sit and stare at my pictures of St Thomas... it is one of my screen savers even...

 

Mazaltan- yes the port is a bit icky but look past the port... Try Stone Island, Randi and her Happy Horses give you a sweet slice of rural life in Mexico, sitting in the restaurant with the sand under your feet after a ride through the groves... Magic! Shrimp and Pacifico's! More please!

 

Private Island Carnival- Wow what a wonderful place, but the time we went it was 190 degrees and there was little shade. DH did Survivor there and it was worth sweltering for a few hours. Really nifty place though... much like Paradise beach on a far grander scale.

 

Puerto Rico-I hope to go back one day soon... loved the city and history. I remember wandering the streets for hours with friends on DH's search for those magical cigars.

 

St Martin- I have been twice and still have not gotten to the French Side... Last time there was marched right back unto the ship as a lovely tropical storm hit. I want to go back and see how the French side is.... someday!

 

Cozumel-Looking forward to this port again.... All I remember is many drunk and rowdy people, do I have that right? I have not spent a good deal of time here, ruins in Tulum though were amazing here.

 

Grand Cayman- Lovely and of so commercialized last time we went was maybe 5 years ago, and it had been so commercialized I was appalled, still it has it's shopping charms.

 

Playa Carmen- I remember the tiny village and the nice people with saddness... I am hoping to go back one day soon, but know it will never be the same.

 

Least Favs

 

Cabo San Lucas- The shopping is okay there but everytime I have been it is so unbeleivably hot all I want to do it go back to the ship. The Pacific Ocean is too cold and murky and I live in San Diego any way.... so I rarely bother with beach there. I can eat and drink Mexican here at home, and for a lot less money!

 

Ocho Rios- Dunn River falls and touring plantations was nice but the aggressive people are a real turnoff of me. I do not care if I ever go back. Bad bad bad...

 

Puerto Vallarta- I do not think this is a BAD port really it is just I have been here enough times and am out of things to do. An all inclusive beach day may be fun next time. There is a very cool restaurant outside of town south though worth a drink and chips for the amazing views. People are almost as aggressive as in Ocho Rios.

 

 

Nancy

[jsome72]

Tough for me to rank them but I will try:

 

1. Roatan-The most beautiful place I have ever been

2. Belize-I like the 3rd world feel of the place

3. Cozumel-Not sure why, I just really enjoyed it

4. Grand Turk-Dune Buggy excursion is a blast

5. Half Moon-The water is unreal

6. Grand Cayman-Looking forward to going back in Jan to explore more of the island.

7. Nassau-Not the nicest place on earth but not bad either

[flowerchild]

Favorites:

 

Port Au Prince, Haiti - this was the first port city I ever visited, it was back in 1985. I am from Florida and seeing mountains for the first time floored me. The moment I saw the island is forever imprinted in my mind, even 20 plus years later. Yes, it was extremely poor, but it was also absolutely beautiful.

 

Maui - enough said...

 

Roatan - beautiful and unspoiled, the people were absolutely lovely...

 

Juneau, Alaska - Mendenhall Glacier and the Red Onion Saloon...

 

Cozumel - loved the food and the shopping!

 

Grand Caymen - the island was only ok (expensive) but I will always consider Stingray CIty one of the most exciting things I have ever experienced!

 

Least Favorites:

 

Montego Bay, Jamaica - I will never set foot on Jamaica again. It was very apparent that tourists were not welcome there.

 

Prince Rupert, Canada - unless you were on an excursion, the port was a total waste of time. We walked through the town (in it's entirety) in 20 minutes.

 

Nassau - like someone said earlier, it is what it is. I could easily stay on the ship.

 

We are visiting St Thomas and St Maartin this year and I am very much looking forward to experiencing these islands also.

[ducku2]

1st San Juan sightseeing & Cozumel Passion Island

2nd St Thomas shopping & Belize cave tubing

3rd Dominica & St Kitts scenery & beautiful views

4th Barbados

5th Puerto Vallarta walking along the beach

6th Mazatlan & Costa Maya off the beaten path

7th least favorite La Romana DR

[Loving My Life]

I've only been on 1 cruise but I'll rank the ports:

 

1. Roatan- Absolutely beautiful and unspoiled! Did ziplining and a private tour with stops at the iguana farm, Victor's house to see and hold the monkeys, stopped at great little shops, went to a fabulous restaurant, and went to a private section of West End beach.

 

2. Grand Cayman- yes, its very commercialized but its pretty and seemed like the 'safest' port to me. We did stingrays, snorkel, turtle farm, Hell, and 7 Mile beach. Great day!

 

3. Belize- the port itself is ok, and Belize City is very poor but we went to the ruins at Altun Ha and they were beautiful! I wouldn't venture outside the gates on my own though.

 

4. Cozumel- way too commercialized and too many people. The water is the most beautiful shade of blue I've ever seen though. It was so HOT and we did the wrong excursion. Next time I'll do the beach and dolphins or ruins.

[cruiseapril]

From Top:

 

Curacao, Aruba, & Bonaire- Our favorites. Curacao for Willemstad and the swimming and snorkeling in the small cove beach areas. Aruba for Palm Beach and a lively atmosphere. Bonaire for snorkeling and a relaxed atmosphere.

 

St. Thomas- For the swimming beaches, variety of activities, and beauty.

 

Dominica- For the Rain Forest and undeveloped atmosphere. Friendly folks.

 

Barbados- For the history, variety of activities, and wildlife.

 

San Juan- Enjoy the historic buildings and Spanish flavor. Liked El Yunque.

 

Bahamas- Nassau & Private Islands (Princess Cays, CocoCay, & Half Moon Cay. Have had good experiences in Nassau- lots to do there (Atlantis, Ardastra Gardens, British Colonial Hilton etc.) Our times at the Private Islands have been very good - wonderful swimming and some good excursions.

 

Isla Margarita- Had an interesting day at La Restinga Lagoon, the Botanic Gardens, and Zoo. Not a tourist type experience-more of a mini adventure.

 

Have visited the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti, and Caracas- they have their interesting points, but safety and poverty are issues which a traveler must consider.

[celticd1]

Favorites...in order...

 

St. Lucia...beautiful island, lush and green with amazing mountains, unbelievable beach at Jalousie. We booked a private excursion and had a wonderful tour.

 

Martinique...beautiful scenery, very rainforest-like. Booked a ship sponsored excursion (rare event for us) and enjoyed it very much. The tour guide was fantastic.

 

Barbados...crystal clear water, super friendly people, very clean and safe. We did a private catamaran sail that included snorkeling with sea turtles. Amazing experience! Afterward, we joined friends at the Boatyard...:eek: Wow, lots of folks were having a REALLY good time! :p

 

St. Thomas/St. John...we didn't see much of St. Thomas since we took the ferry to St. John, but the port is gorgeous! On St. John we spent the day at Cinnamon Bay Beach. Very secluded and quiet when we were there, never more than 5 other people the entire day. The waves were pretty rough that day, but other than that it was like a deserted beach paradise!

 

St. Kitts/Nevis...St. Kitts is another island that we didn't get to see much of. What we did see was beautiful though. We booked a ship sponsored catamaran sail to Nevis, which was fun. The beach in Nevis was fantastic.

 

Grand Cayman...water was great, nice clean port area. We snorkeled with the stingrays (private excursion). We weren't in port very long, so we didn't really see much. I do remember shopping for a short time and the prices being high. I would like to go back and do something besides the stingrays.

 

Cozumel...had a good time here, too. Not as scenic as the other ports, that's the only reason I rank it lower than the others. Here we went horseback riding and spent time at Playa Sol/Playa Mia. Nice beach and strong margaritas!

 

St. Martin...I only rank this second to last because we have been there 3 times already, soon to be 4. We have been to Orient...nice beach...and Little Divi...also nice.

 

Nassau...just didn't care for it. Went to the Atlantis and the straw market. If we go again we will head for a beach.

 

I didn't list Jamaica because we have never cruised there, but we have stayed there. Maybe it's different when you arrive by ship, we never felt threatened or frightened while we were there. We did stay at an all-inclusive but we ventured off property quite a bit. We wondered downtown Mo'Bay, shopped, went river rafting and climbed Dunn's River Falls. We enjoyed our stay and know many friends that love it as well. Yes, there are some pushy vendors and cab drivers, but I have seen them at every port. I don't recall seeing any machine guns there, I do know the police in Coz had them. As for drugs, we have been offered them in St. Martin and Barbados too. A polite No thanks, Mon with a smile is all it took. We also knew going in that all this would happen so we expected it and took it in stride.

 

This in no way means that others have not had bad experiences and not everyone is comfortable in Jamaica, I realize that. I just wanted to offer up my positive impression.

[magic&buddy]

I have been to the following ports and put them in order of preference...........

 

St. Marteen

Cozumel

St. Thomas & Key West (Tie)

Ocho Rios

Grand Cayman

San Juan

Calica (Took a tour to Cancun)

 

 

 

 

Most favorite island I have ever been to is........Barbados........never stopped there on a cruise.......have gone on down for a couple of weeks at a time.

[CwuzCwazy]

All of the ports that Carnival sails to are terrible!!!!!! That's my opinion!!!! Now how valuable do you think that information may be???? The only way to know is to go and judge for yourself......everyone has an opinion, and most will differ, so what is the value in asking????

[cruzeluver]

I think the value is when people include why they did or did not care for a particular port.

 

To say "I hated Nassau" is kind of meaningless. If you say "I hated Nassau because Senor Frogs was crowded and the straw market was full of pushy vendors" then that is different, because I wouldn't be caught dead in either of those places. So I would want to seek out other options for that port.

 

What is important to one person can be very unimportant to another.

[dna1990]

Do-Over

 

I forgot about CocoCay, esp the mid 90's pre hurricane Andrew and the like...it probably has best 'mood' memories for us.

 

And my comment about OchoRios guards was also back in the late 90's - but I bet the overall tone has not changed much. Lots of dope dealers - and they will quickly sell to you and then motion for cops so you are 'fined' and they get the dope back. Fun circle of life.

 

But in the early 90's Nassau was that way too, scared to walk the street. Now it seems quite tame. Of course some will say it has lost its roots and gone commerical. But safer feeling nonetheless.

[CorbinCatFan]

Curacao

Aruba

St. Thomas/St. John

San Juan

Gaudeluope

[CorbinCatFan]

Hit the wrong button above:mad: . This is the ports that we have loved the most:

 

Antiqua - have been twice and the people are wonderful.

 

Curacao - just a little slice of Europe in the islands.

 

Aruba - have been twice and is the best snorkeling ever.

 

San Juan - love Old San Juan. Been through three times but really only have stayed overnight once. Will go back for another day.

 

Grand Cayman - Stingray city, what a wonderful encounter with nature.

 

Costa Maya - Love this port for the laid back feeling and the wonderful people.

 

Dominica - The first time that we did a rain forest. Did the river tubing and had a blast. Next time we'll go for the falls.

 

St. Thomas/St. John - finally did some shopping after three times. Trunk Bay at St. John's was great.

 

Cozumel - The first real great snorkeling stop. Want to go back to do some San Miguel shopping/drinking/eating.

 

St. Kitts - Great beach day.

 

Belize - Did a very laid back day at Cay Caulker. Next time will do either the cave tubing or canopy zip line.

 

Barbados - Snokeled with the sea turtles.

 

St. Lucia - Did a north island tour once and shopping the next time in port. If we go again will do the drive in volcano.

 

Guadeloupe - party boat but not on my hot list.

 

Nassau - been twice and will be going back agian next year. Will probably be doing a walking tour and either a Segway or carriage tour as well.

 

Key West - Been once for a week and had a blast. Went as a port of call and really was in port the wrong time of day (7:00 AM to 2:00 pm). Really have to be in Key West for the sunset.

 

Freeport - Been twice and did get a good deal on a gold necklace. Not a port that I am burning to return to,

 

(To the administators, you can delete my post above.)