hot tubs 12 person image
TC
My wife & I have never taken a cruise, and we're looking to take one next spring sometime. She's wanting to go to the Virgin Islands and some other eastern Caribbean destinations. Anyone have any suggestions on a particular destination and/or specific cruise line?
Answer
I have been on about 20 cruises with five different cruise lines and cruised all of the Caribbean routes and Mexico. Here's what I recommend based on my experiences.
There are two factors to consider when planning a cruise (1) what activities are on ship and the demographics of the other passengers, and (2) what port stops will be made that I will enjoy.
I have been on Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity and Princess. All of these are good cruise lines. Royal Caribbean cruise line has some of the best on board activities including on various ships, ice skating or roller blading, mini-golf, table tennis, rock climbing wall, basketball court and on the new Freedom class ships, Liberty, Freedom and Independence of the Seas the flowrider where you can body surf right on ship. There are always pools and hot tubs and many ship have a Solarium (a cover area) with a pool and hot tubs for adults only. This is in addition to the regular pool and hot tubs for everyone. Some ships have water slides.
All of these lines have ships have great gymnasiums with a variety of equipment. The RC's Freedom and Liberty have THE best gyms I have ever seen on ships.
You did not say where you live but you can cruise to the Caribbean from as far north as NY City. And, the Caribbean gives you many more options for itineraries, for departure ports (cruises go to the Caribbean from as far north as NY City and then all over Florida, plus New Orleans, Houston (Galveston) Texas, and Mobile, Alabama. So the Caribbean offers many more departure ports, ships, dates and options. And, for example if you want to go on the cruise lines newer ships your best bet is to go Caribbean out of Port Canaveral, Ft Lauderdale, or Miami, Florida.
The main things that you want to do is book very early and by that I mean 9 to 12 months or more in advance so that you can get the best price. All you need is a $250 to $300 deposit per person to book and hold your reservation and then you just pay it in full by 70 days beforfe the cruise. Also in the Caribbean you want to try to stay away from the hurricane season which in June through the end of October. Secondly, look for the specials that will be listed on each cruise line's web site. Let that help determine when and where to go.
There are really three basic types of itineraries for the Caribbean. Western Caribbean cruises typically go to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and a private cruise line island. If you go to Cozumel there is the opportunity to buy a tour to see Mayan ruins, if that's your interest. Its considered the best place to go for scuba and snorkeling. If you go to Jamaica the two main attractions are a river raft float trip (not rapids) and the Dunn's River Falls climb. If you go to Grand Cayman you will likely want to go to 7-Mile Beach or do a swim with the dolphins/stingrays tour.
Cruises to the Eastern Caribbean typically go to St Thomas, St Maarten, a private cruise line island and maybe another island like Tortola or Puerto Rico. If you want to do a lot of shopping then pick a cruise with St Thomas as one of the port stops. St Maarten is also mainly a beach and shopping stop.
Most Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises have a private island stop where the ship takes food ashore for an all day beach party with games and entertainment. All of the cruise lines have what they call their private island and you can have a great day on these islands; only ship's people on them for the day. Royal Caribbean has THE best private island I have ever been to at Labadee, Haiti. Its a huge place that has multiple beaches and many activities. RC's ships the Freedom and The Liberty which do both the Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries both have stops at Labadee.
The Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries typically start in Puerto Rico and go either to Aruba, Curacao, and St Thomas and St Maarten, OR they go to the southern Caribbean islands like Barbados, Grenada, Antigua, St Lucia and maybe St Thomas and/or St Maarten. For the most part these latter islands are very much alike but nice to see. The main difference between these two Southern Caribbean itineraries, aside from the different islands, is the Aruba cruise has two "at sea" days with no port stops, while the other has a port stop about each day.
My favorite cruise line is Royal Caribbean but you cannot go wrong with Celebrity, Princess or Holland America. If you are looking for a real budget cruise and a party ship go on Carnival. If you want to basically be informal the whole cruise go on Norwegian. Finally, while you are looking at cruises pay attention to the ship and when it was launched. The best cruises will be on the newer ship, those launched about 2000 or later. That's my experienced opinion and advice.
If all of this does not answer your questions just go to a travel agent, like an AAA or American Express office, and they will answer your questions and help you book at no cost
I have been on about 20 cruises with five different cruise lines and cruised all of the Caribbean routes and Mexico. Here's what I recommend based on my experiences.
There are two factors to consider when planning a cruise (1) what activities are on ship and the demographics of the other passengers, and (2) what port stops will be made that I will enjoy.
I have been on Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity and Princess. All of these are good cruise lines. Royal Caribbean cruise line has some of the best on board activities including on various ships, ice skating or roller blading, mini-golf, table tennis, rock climbing wall, basketball court and on the new Freedom class ships, Liberty, Freedom and Independence of the Seas the flowrider where you can body surf right on ship. There are always pools and hot tubs and many ship have a Solarium (a cover area) with a pool and hot tubs for adults only. This is in addition to the regular pool and hot tubs for everyone. Some ships have water slides.
All of these lines have ships have great gymnasiums with a variety of equipment. The RC's Freedom and Liberty have THE best gyms I have ever seen on ships.
You did not say where you live but you can cruise to the Caribbean from as far north as NY City. And, the Caribbean gives you many more options for itineraries, for departure ports (cruises go to the Caribbean from as far north as NY City and then all over Florida, plus New Orleans, Houston (Galveston) Texas, and Mobile, Alabama. So the Caribbean offers many more departure ports, ships, dates and options. And, for example if you want to go on the cruise lines newer ships your best bet is to go Caribbean out of Port Canaveral, Ft Lauderdale, or Miami, Florida.
The main things that you want to do is book very early and by that I mean 9 to 12 months or more in advance so that you can get the best price. All you need is a $250 to $300 deposit per person to book and hold your reservation and then you just pay it in full by 70 days beforfe the cruise. Also in the Caribbean you want to try to stay away from the hurricane season which in June through the end of October. Secondly, look for the specials that will be listed on each cruise line's web site. Let that help determine when and where to go.
There are really three basic types of itineraries for the Caribbean. Western Caribbean cruises typically go to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and a private cruise line island. If you go to Cozumel there is the opportunity to buy a tour to see Mayan ruins, if that's your interest. Its considered the best place to go for scuba and snorkeling. If you go to Jamaica the two main attractions are a river raft float trip (not rapids) and the Dunn's River Falls climb. If you go to Grand Cayman you will likely want to go to 7-Mile Beach or do a swim with the dolphins/stingrays tour.
Cruises to the Eastern Caribbean typically go to St Thomas, St Maarten, a private cruise line island and maybe another island like Tortola or Puerto Rico. If you want to do a lot of shopping then pick a cruise with St Thomas as one of the port stops. St Maarten is also mainly a beach and shopping stop.
Most Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises have a private island stop where the ship takes food ashore for an all day beach party with games and entertainment. All of the cruise lines have what they call their private island and you can have a great day on these islands; only ship's people on them for the day. Royal Caribbean has THE best private island I have ever been to at Labadee, Haiti. Its a huge place that has multiple beaches and many activities. RC's ships the Freedom and The Liberty which do both the Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries both have stops at Labadee.
The Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries typically start in Puerto Rico and go either to Aruba, Curacao, and St Thomas and St Maarten, OR they go to the southern Caribbean islands like Barbados, Grenada, Antigua, St Lucia and maybe St Thomas and/or St Maarten. For the most part these latter islands are very much alike but nice to see. The main difference between these two Southern Caribbean itineraries, aside from the different islands, is the Aruba cruise has two "at sea" days with no port stops, while the other has a port stop about each day.
My favorite cruise line is Royal Caribbean but you cannot go wrong with Celebrity, Princess or Holland America. If you are looking for a real budget cruise and a party ship go on Carnival. If you want to basically be informal the whole cruise go on Norwegian. Finally, while you are looking at cruises pay attention to the ship and when it was launched. The best cruises will be on the newer ship, those launched about 2000 or later. That's my experienced opinion and advice.
If all of this does not answer your questions just go to a travel agent, like an AAA or American Express office, and they will answer your questions and help you book at no cost
What are a few things that you would bring to a picnic?
me &hearts
I'm going to a picnic and sorta planning it too!
list like the main foods you would bring and what kind of entertainment you would do and list things like smores and stuff like that or just something personal you would bring.
well the picnic is like i say at most 30 people not even and like I didn't hear anyone mention the obvious ...PLATES!!. but something that no one would ever think of to bing would be nice.
Answer
You didn't mention the age or the number of guests at the picnic you want to feed and entertain......so here are my ideas.
Food:
1. Sandwiches on a kaiser or fresh bakery french bread........roast a turkey breast of thighs in the oven
2. Cold chicken, fried or roasted
3. Cold grilled jumbo tiger shrimp (peeled) and home made coctail sauce
4. Spinach salad......with bacon and egg and homemade dressing.
5. Buy a pack of grated cabbage.....and a bottle of Marzetti's cole slaw dressing........add some pineapple crushed or tidbits to it.
6. Red potato salad made with sour cream, add some baby boiled carrots and peas and green onions or red onion
7. Seven layer green salad with romaine
8. Sliced strawberries in a tub of whipping cream......and short cake
9. Cup cakes
10. Watermelon balls.....cantelope balls.....other type of summer mellon balls......some grapes.........pineapple......
Games:
1. Small Water balloons.........and a ping pong paddle....or a pancake turner or flat small soup ladle...see who can balance it the furtherst before is falls and breaks.
2. Beach balls------great for beach ball volley ball or dodge ball........you can get the weighted beach balls too......they are funny....
3. Nerf Balls of all sizes
4. Tug of war
5. Horse shoes
6. Nerf baseball-------it is funnier as the ball is so light weight it goes all over the place not like regular baseball.....
7. Play musical beach towel...depending on the age group have them sit or stand on the towels......same as you do for musical chairs....
8. Hoola Hoops
9. You can play hot potato with nerf balls or the weighted beach balls.
10. Bubble gum blowing bubbles contest
11. Bottles of soap bubbles
12. Who can carry a nerf ball the furtherst on the bridge of their nose
13. Cloth frisbees and cloth boomerangs
The reason I use nerf balls, beach balls, and cloth toys is that it is safer for everyone involved including other people at the park.......you won't injure some one or be injured yourself!
Go to a Dollar Tree they have the toys I have listed above....so it would be fairly cheap for the toys.
EXTRA'S YOU MIGHT NEED:
Radio
CD Player
Cell Phone
First Aid Kit
Sun block
Visors or hats
Sun Glasses
Blankets to sit on
Ice
Beverages
Bottled Water
Cups----Magic marker to put the persons name on it
Paper plates
Plastic Ware for eating
Plastic Ware for serving
Saran Wrap
Zip Lock Bags
Napkins
Paper Towels
Moist Wipes
Toilet Paper
Porta Potties
Table Cloth
Plenty of large trash bags.......what you bring in you take out!
Chairs
Folding Tables
Beach umbrellas
Canopy's
Tents for children to nap in
Ice chests
Ice
You didn't mention the age or the number of guests at the picnic you want to feed and entertain......so here are my ideas.
Food:
1. Sandwiches on a kaiser or fresh bakery french bread........roast a turkey breast of thighs in the oven
2. Cold chicken, fried or roasted
3. Cold grilled jumbo tiger shrimp (peeled) and home made coctail sauce
4. Spinach salad......with bacon and egg and homemade dressing.
5. Buy a pack of grated cabbage.....and a bottle of Marzetti's cole slaw dressing........add some pineapple crushed or tidbits to it.
6. Red potato salad made with sour cream, add some baby boiled carrots and peas and green onions or red onion
7. Seven layer green salad with romaine
8. Sliced strawberries in a tub of whipping cream......and short cake
9. Cup cakes
10. Watermelon balls.....cantelope balls.....other type of summer mellon balls......some grapes.........pineapple......
Games:
1. Small Water balloons.........and a ping pong paddle....or a pancake turner or flat small soup ladle...see who can balance it the furtherst before is falls and breaks.
2. Beach balls------great for beach ball volley ball or dodge ball........you can get the weighted beach balls too......they are funny....
3. Nerf Balls of all sizes
4. Tug of war
5. Horse shoes
6. Nerf baseball-------it is funnier as the ball is so light weight it goes all over the place not like regular baseball.....
7. Play musical beach towel...depending on the age group have them sit or stand on the towels......same as you do for musical chairs....
8. Hoola Hoops
9. You can play hot potato with nerf balls or the weighted beach balls.
10. Bubble gum blowing bubbles contest
11. Bottles of soap bubbles
12. Who can carry a nerf ball the furtherst on the bridge of their nose
13. Cloth frisbees and cloth boomerangs
The reason I use nerf balls, beach balls, and cloth toys is that it is safer for everyone involved including other people at the park.......you won't injure some one or be injured yourself!
Go to a Dollar Tree they have the toys I have listed above....so it would be fairly cheap for the toys.
EXTRA'S YOU MIGHT NEED:
Radio
CD Player
Cell Phone
First Aid Kit
Sun block
Visors or hats
Sun Glasses
Blankets to sit on
Ice
Beverages
Bottled Water
Cups----Magic marker to put the persons name on it
Paper plates
Plastic Ware for eating
Plastic Ware for serving
Saran Wrap
Zip Lock Bags
Napkins
Paper Towels
Moist Wipes
Toilet Paper
Porta Potties
Table Cloth
Plenty of large trash bags.......what you bring in you take out!
Chairs
Folding Tables
Beach umbrellas
Canopy's
Tents for children to nap in
Ice chests
Ice
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Title Post: Can anyone recommend any specific eastern Caribbean cruise destinations & cruise lines?
Rating: 92% based on 9172 ratings. 4,3 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
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Rating: 92% based on 9172 ratings. 4,3 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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