Advice for Caribbean Cruises

[Lisa558]

We have a limitless veranda stateroom on the 6th deck next door to our friends. When we booked there were three rooms left and we got two side-by-side.

That sounds great! I did that before when traveling with friends, and we opened up he divider between the two balconies and had lots of room.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[ScorpioRising007]

My wife and I are going on a cruise with another couple this fall to St. Kitts, San Jaun and Puerto Plata in November. The other couple have done cruises recently but not to these locations. Cruise is all set and booked.

Anybody out there have any good travel tips?

If you get off the ship be sure to always have identification with you, some tours will require to see your ID.

It doesn't hurt to have a passport if visiting another country like Dominica Republic even if not required, it can make the trip hassle free.

Be sure to take bottled water with you off the ship. Our cruise would hand us bottled water for a small fee when we docked and got off ship.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

If you get off the ship be sure to always have identification with you, some tours will require to see your ID.

It doesn't hurt to have a passport if visiting another country like Dominica Republic even if not required, it can make the trip hassle free.

Be sure to take bottled water with you off the ship. Our cruise would hand us bottled water for a small fee when we docked and got off ship.

We have our passports and were amazed we got them in about 2 1/2 weeks!

 

[22lcidw]

We have our passports and were amazed we got them in about 2 1/2 weeks!

Decide if you want to use cash which you will take on your carryon bags when the cruise starts and/or use a credit card if you purchase anything at ports. If the credit card has a lot of credit to use, perhaps leaving any other credit card in the cabin safe would be safer. You would also need your ship card also. Water is how you see the pre online deals of the cruise line if they deliver it to your cabin or you purchase it leaving for the port. Ship spigot water is good and any qualifying container you take with you from home will do.

 

[ScorpioRising007]

We have our passports and were amazed we got them in about 2 1/2 weeks!

Your lucky it took me like 5 months and I choose the speedy option. They incorrectly spelled my wife's name on the passport and we had to redo the whole process

 

[soul musician]

Make sure you have a life jacket. There was this cruise one time where there weren't enough of them. Something bad happened to the ship and there were not life jackets. A few people drowned. I think it was April and the water was really really really cold. Might ask the captain before you cut out to the water.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Make sure you have a life jacket. There was this cruise one time where there weren't enough of them. Something bad happened to the ship and there were not life jackets. A few people drowned. I think it was April and the water was really really really cold. Might ask the captain before you cut out to the water.

I was a sailor. I am familiar with the story.

 

[soul musician]

I was a sailor. I am familiar with the story.

I see. Were you on the boat?

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

I see. Were you on the boat?

No. I was on the submarine that arranged the meeting and videotaped it for the movie! They never knew we were there.

 

[Lisa558]

Make sure you have a life jacket. There was this cruise one time where there weren't enough of them. Something bad happened to the ship and there were not life jackets. A few people drowned. I think it was April and the water was really really really cold. Might ask the captain before you cut out to the water.

You’re mixed up. They were short of lifeboats, not jackets. And 1500 people drowned (more likely froze to death), not a a few.

You are correct that it was in April, and the water was very, very cold.

 

[candycorn]

Thanks! That is the vibe I have been getting also. I appreciate your taking the time to answer my query!

Celebrity and HAL...two types of passengers; newly wed and nearly dead. Bring several books if you’re on those lines.

Caribbean ports are pretty much the same. Hard to recommend one over the other. You’ve gotten good advice already.

I’ll add in that portions in the main dining rooms are very small usually. Don’t be “shamed” into ordering just one course. Fish or Beef? Order both! Order multiple sides. Its free and I think you’ll wish you had.

A lot of cabins require you to put your cruise card in the holder to turn on the lights and A/C. Bring another card (one you don’t mind losing--library card for example) to bypass it so you can leave the A/C on the entire time.

Given your health conditions, familiarize yourself with where the infirmary is.

Find the Card Room (if there is one)...you’ll thank me later. Its a refuge on the ship.

 

[soul musician]

You’re mixed up. They were short of lifeboats, not jackets. And 1500 people drowned (more likely froze to death), not a a few.

You are correct that it was in April, and the water was very, very cold.

Thank you for that information. I hope you were not hurt or experiencing any lasting effects, but I assume something like that is traumatic.

 

[candycorn]

Thank you for that information. I hope you were not hurt or experiencing any lasting effects, but I assume something like that is traumatic.

Your life jacket is in your cabin on cruise ships these days. You have a muster drill (of sorts) before you get to go to your cabin so you know where to go to in case of emergency--you’re pres-assigned a life boat. If you’re referring to the Titanic, that was a transatlantic crossing with comparatively few vessels in the vicinity. The West Indies will have multiple vessels (commerical and otherwise).

Its sort of the last thing you’d have to worry about.

 

[22lcidw]

You’re mixed up. They were short of lifeboats, not jackets. And 1500 people drowned (more likely froze to death), not a a few.

You are correct that it was in April, and the water was very, very cold.

Frankly, cruise companies should build more and more Key beach stops. Peaceful like Half Moon and chaotic like Celebration Key for shorter cruises. Lease more islands and build more. This is the real market for a percentage of people.

 

[Lisa558]

Frankly, cruise companies should build more and more Key beach stops. Peaceful like Half Moon and chaotic like Celebration Key for shorter cruises. Lease more islands and build more. This is the real market for a percentage of people.

That’s a matter of opinion. To me, those days are boring and I often don’t bother getting off the ship. I can always go to a beach at home.

Most people like the ports where they can explore the local culture and learn about the history. That’s why the excursions often get booked up even months before the cruise.

 

[kyzina]

Don't take any wooden nickels.

 

[ScorpioRising007]

I also really recommend taking excursions at each port stop if you can afford it...or take a taxi to some part away from the port, the excursion is the safer option.

Also some cruises have formal nights and dress codes so make sure to pack a variety of clothes. For the port stops pack shorts, swimsuits, and tshirts...it gets hot on those islands.

 

[Lisa558]

I also really recommend taking excursions at each port stop if you can afford it...or take a taxi to some part away from the port, the excursion is the safer option.

Also some cruises have formal nights and dress codes so make sure to pack a variety of clothes. For the port stops pack shorts, swimsuits, and tshirts...it gets hot on those islands.

And good walking shoes!

 

[TNHarley]

I find it hard to believe the admiral has any friends.
Maybe a lesbian couple that are just friends with his wife?

 

[DGS49]

For anyone with an interest, I was pondering the phenomenon of "last minute cruise specials," when I went to one of my favorite websites called, "Vacations to Go." On their website you can search for cruises using any criteria you want. I checked available Caribbean cruises for November (I.e., "last minute"), and saw some with 90% discounts, and it is legit. Have at it.