Caribbean Cruises

[AoWW]

To be honest I've never been a big fan of the whole idea of a cruise (too much like a floating holiday camp for my liking) but my Grandad, who is now in his 90s, loves them and is keen to go on 'one last cruise before he pops his clogs'. He's always been to the Med but is keen to try the Caribbean. Problem is, he's increasingly frail and, whilst he's been on his own many times before, feels nervous about going on his own this time, particularly with a longer flight, larger airports to get around, etc.

So, he's very generously offered to pay for myself and my Mum to go along too just so we can be around to give him a bit of a hand if he needs it and some company onboard ship. He's happy for us to go off on excursions and stuff, and will stay onboard ship when we do, but I can see how he'd find it more reassuring having us around. Must admit, my earlier reservations about cruises have miraculously disappeared at the prospect of a holiday in the Caribbean where my floating hotel magically transports me from island to island!

Has anyone been on one? (Wymesy, I was thinking, but he probably chartered his own yacht!) Any recommendations/warnings re which company, which ship, etc, etc. We're thinking Southern Caribbean (St Lucia, Curacao, Barbados, Aruba, Grenada, etc) but could be persuaded otherwise, (Puerto Rico, St Kitts, Antigua, Dominica etc is another option) in April-time.

Just interested to see if anyone on here has had good/bad experiences... either of cruises in the area or specific islands.

[Daggers]

I went on a cruise once, it really wasn't what it was cracked up to be. There was none of that tropical sun, and much more darkness and parks and men.

Last time I take holiday tips from George Michael.

[AoWW]

I went on a cruise once, it really wasn't what it was cracked up to be. There was none of that tropical sun, and much more darkness and parks and men.

Last time I take holiday tips from George Michael.

I was actually hopefully of some useful input from you.

[Guest Bilo]

I worked on cruises between 2007 and 2008 in the Caribbean if that's helpful AOWW.

It really does depend on what kind of cruise he fancies. I would recommend the Southern Caribbean over the Northern Caribbean, the islands are much more pleasant and are less Americanised than the North, especially Aruba which is genuinely lovely. In fact the Dutch Caribbean islands were among my favourites while I was out there, as well as Barbados. It's definitely worth going on the excursions as a lot of the ports are a bit samey with the same jewellery shops and tobacconists etc etc.

As for companies, P&O are very good and have a couple of adult only ships. These generally attract an older clientele who want to escape the hustle and bustle of a family ship, the Arcadia being the largest adult only ship they operate. Same goes for Cunard though they are rather more pricey.

Without wanting to sound fiercely nationalistic, I would probably avoid American cruise companies unless you like being surrounded by crushingly obnoxious rednecks for a fortnight, as well as paying a tip every thirty seconds. I worked for an American cruise company and can confirm that the tone of this Facebook group pretty much sums up the kind of company you'd have to tolerate. Having worked for the same company in Europe, the ones who have the cultural awareness of a coffee table tend to head for the Caribbean where they can spend a fortnight getting drunk and gambling in the casino generally being an arse. (Guess where I worked. <_< )

What most of the good companies will have in common is that your luggage will be handled by the cruise company. I know if you go on a P&O cruise for example that you check in your baggage in Britain and don't see it again until you arrive in your cabin which will obviously be a great boon for your Grandad at his time of life. I would expect that all the good companies (Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Celebrity for example) would do the same.

In terms of cabin, most modern cruise liners have absolutely shed loads of cabins with balconies and it's worth paying a little extra for them, giving you a chance to sunbathe on sea days if you can't find a sunlounger as often happens on busy periods such as sea days when everyone's on the ship.

Time of year is another consideration, any time between November and March is best as the summer months are either intolerably hot at 100 degrees plus or you're smack bang in the middle of the rainy season.

Hope all this helps.

[Daggers]

I was actually hopefully of some useful input from you.

Alright then.

Spent a month on Aruba locked up in a 5* EverythingIsFree complex waiting for Visas - it was Hell. It's Holland-on-Sea with more sun. And cocktails. And more cocktails. Wife had to return for a further week's-worth paid-for, full-board misery. And yet more cocktails.

I'd go back in a snap.

Spent a week on Curacao at the marine biology centre, snorkelling & taking faecal coliform samples. This was, for my money (that I (again) didn't have to pay), kilometres better than Aruba. Amazing corals, diverse species which will feed from your hand. Simply stunning.

Go.

[Guest Bilo]

I went on a cruise once, it really wasn't what it was cracked up to be. There was none of that tropical sun, and much more darkness and parks and men.

Last time I take holiday tips from George Michael.

Full marks there Daggers.

[Daggers]

Your other consideration might be to go to big islands seeing as it'll be around Semana Santa. Popping into Trinidad or the like will enable you to witness a Carnival which pisses on the shit we suffer on our high streets from time to time.

[Guest Bilo]

Alright then.

Spent a month on Aruba locked up in a 5* EverythingIsFree complex waiting for Visas - it was Hell. It's Holland-on-Sea with more sun. And cocktails. And more cocktails. Wife had to return for a further week's-worth paid-for, full-board misery. And yet more cocktails.

I'd go back in a snap.

Spent a week on Curacao at the marine biology centre, snorkelling & taking faecal coliform samples. This was, for my money (that I (again) didn't have to pay), kilometres better than Aruba. Amazing corals, diverse species which will feed from your hand. Simply stunning.

Go.

Yeah, Aruba and Curacao are far and away the most pleasant islands in the Caribbean. Save for Cuba.

Puerto Rico is a godforsaken shithole however.

[Daggers]

Margarita is to be strongly recommended if you are interested in cocaine.

Or guns.

Or sex.

Or death.

Or really bad food.

Los Roques is a place where you can eat fresh lobster and pretend to be a millionaire on you own private slab of aquatic luxury.

San Andrés is as cheesy a place as you could ever wish for (Blackbeard's cave is a hole in the ground Babbage could make) but outstanding for watching Rastafarians take the piss out of their rich Colombian masters. Quite cheap too.

[Jay]

To be honest I've never been a big fan of the whole idea of a cruise (too much like a floating holiday camp for my liking) but my Grandad, who is now in his 90s, loves them and is keen to go on 'one last cruise before he pops his clogs'. He's always been to the Med but is keen to try the Caribbean. Problem is, he's increasingly frail and, whilst he's been on his own many times before, feels nervous about going on his own this time, particularly with a longer flight, larger airports to get around, etc.

So, he's very generously offered to pay for myself and my Mum to go along too just so we can be around to give him a bit of a hand if he needs it and some company onboard ship. He's happy for us to go off on excursions and stuff, and will stay onboard ship when we do, but I can see how he'd find it more reassuring having us around. Must admit, my earlier reservations about cruises have miraculously disappeared at the prospect of a holiday in the Caribbean where my floating hotel magically transports me from island to island!

Has anyone been on one? (Wymesy, I was thinking, but he probably chartered his own yacht!) Any recommendations/warnings re which company, which ship, etc, etc. We're thinking Southern Caribbean (St Lucia, Curacao, Barbados, Aruba, Grenada, etc) but could be persuaded otherwise, (Puerto Rico, St Kitts, Antigua, Dominica etc is another option) in April-time.

Just interested to see if anyone on here has had good/bad experiences... either of cruises in the area or specific islands.

my Mum just back from a cruise with Royal Carribean and hasn't shut up about it since. having seen the pictures the ship looked incredible, seriously haven't seen anything like it, and the service was appartently outstanding! one regret she had though is that they had an inside cabin and missed the views etc. It was the first cruise she has been on and is about to book 2more with the same company.

[Bayfox]

Never been on a crusie around the carribean, however my knowledge of people that have and from personal expeirence on holidaying in the carribean would be, they are great for seeing lots of places in a short space of time and some people love them, however becasue you dock in harbour ports and towns they can be over crowed, esp if more than 1 large ship in port at one time, and that becasue of this they attract all the people trying to make a quick buck, therfore I would recommend you do some research up front and pick somewhere away from the crowds, ie know which places you want to visit, my relatives always just get into a local taxi and tell them where they want to go.

If you visit Antigua for example I would recommend pineapple beach club for a nice relaxing day, it will take 35 mins in a taxi, but the resort/hotel is excellent, you pay for a day pass, but it's beach is great, food is of good quality and it has a bbq hut up on the cliff, a 5 min walk even for your elder relative, with great chicken and ribs and cold beers or soft drinks with brilliant views, and it's away from the huslte and bustle of the port or harbour towns.

St. Lucia is lovely as well, with the pitions and there is lots on offer there even if just for a day.

Been to Cuba, would advise avoiding the cayos, but the mainland where you would dock on any cruise is fine.

[AoWW]

Thanks for all the replies - some really useful stuff there (even from Daggers in the end) Cocktails sound good. Pretty much confirms what I was thinking (I am a nerd when it comes to doing my research!)

Bilo - especially helpfully, I'd forgotten you used to work on the cruise ships. I might PM you if I think of anything specific, if that's ok?

Daggers - how's my favourite boy?

[Guest Bilo]

AoWW, that's absolutely fine.

Hope I can help you with anything you need to know. If I can't I'm still in touch with a couple of people I worked with, so I should be able to drop them a line as well.

[Daggers]

Daggers - how's my favourite boy?

I'm doing great, thanks.

[samjohnson]

If by cruise, you mean pedalo ride and if by Caribbean, you mean Majorca, then yes. I have been on a Carribean cruise

[Daggers]

...erm...

He's doing fine.

Waiting for his best buddy to come over tonight and play.

[lcfc"weasel"]

Cruises are brilliant. Never done the Caribbean, but have been around the Aegean and Adriatic, Med. and the Baltics. I seriously couldn't reccomend them enough.