Cruise Advice

[Rooster]

I am leaving for my honeymoon on Satuday and taking a cruise to the Western Caribbean. I have never been on a cruise before and was hoping some Planeteers might have some helpful hints for me. Any advice would be helpful.

[StcChief]

Hurrican season...At least in W.Carribean.

Eat up. You will gain 5 lbs...Unless you work it off.

[chagrin]

Rooster, go to:http://www.cruisecritic.com


Find the "forums" section and go there. It breaks down every ship, cruise line, destination, excursions, etc. I found it very useful when getting infor for my cruise.

[Rooster]

Originally Posted by chagrin

Rooster, go to:http://www.cruisecritic.com


Find the "forums" section and go there. It breaks down every ship, cruise line, destination, excursions, etc. I found it very useful when getting infor for my cruise.

Thanks, I will check that out.

[Stinger]

First of they say you can embark around 3:00 don't believe that our ship was boarded by us at 12:00. They have food ready for passengers might as well get started early. Lay out by the pool eat and relax and watch the other say "hey!!! We should have boarded earlier."

I can only tell you about Grand Cayman & Cozumel.

Wife and I loved Grand Caymen when we went on our cruise last year. Great beach water was 4 diferent shades of blue and aqua green. We were there from 8 until 2 ish I believe. Used an out side vendor to go on a snorkle and Stingray tour. Loved it and spent only half of what those on who went through the ship. Plus those who were on the ship where herded on to large boats 50- 75 at a time. Our excursion had 12 people. When through Nativeways if you want to get them after the tender from the boat they will be around the dock along with 15 or 20 other inderpendant companies. Shopping is better here than in Cozumel.

Cozumel was ok did the downtown shopping thing. Make sure you haggle with them and also be prepared to approached by every shop vendor. A simple no thank you usally get them off you but not always. After about 2 hours of shopping we went to one of my favorite places Paradise Beach . Free to enter if you want pay $8 and use their snorkle gear (with $20 deposit, yes you get it back), kayak, trapoline in the ocean, and their climbing iceburg. Have a wait staff to take orders while you lay out on the beach. Hammocks, bar (water is treated so it ok to get ice in the drinks) great resturant (food was awesome), and my wifes favorite they have 2 people who give great massages right on the beach (Dollar or two per minute). Wish we would have spent the 2 extra hours here than shopping downtown. To get there take a taxi at the end of the pier can't miss it tell the driver to Paradise Beach it roughly $10-15 round trip for the 2 of you.

Most of all enjoy yourself and have fun. And remember what goes on the cruise most likely stays on the cruise

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by Stinger

First of they say you can embark around 3:00 don't believe that our ship was boarded by us at 12:00. They have food ready for passengers might as well get started early. Lay out by the pool eat and relax and watch the other say "hey!!! We should have boarded earlier."

I can only tell you about Grand Cayman & Cozumel.

Wife and I loved Grand Caymen when we went on our cruise last year. Great beach water was 4 diferent shades of blue and aqua green. We were there from 8 until 2 ish I believe. Used an out side vendor to go on a snorkle and Stingray tour. Loved it and spent only half of what those on who went through the ship. Plus those who were on the ship where herded on to large boats 50- 75 at a time. Our excursion had 12 people. When through Nativeways if you want to get them after the tender from the boat they will be around the dock along with 15 or 20 other inderpendant companies. Shopping is better here than in Cozumel.

Cozumel was ok did the downtown shopping thing. Make sure you haggle with them and also be prepared to approached by every shop vendor. A simple no thank you usally get them off you but not always. After about 2 hours of shopping we went to one of my favorite places Paradise Beach . Free to enter if you want pay $8 and use their snorkle gear (with $20 deposit, yes you get it back), kayak, trapoline in the ocean, and their climbing iceburg. Have a wait staff to take orders while you lay out on the beach. Hammocks, bar (water is treated so it ok to get ice in the drinks) great resturant (food was awesome), and my wifes favorite they have 2 people who give great massages right on the beach (Dollar or two per minute). Wish we would have spent the 2 extra hours here than shopping downtown. To get there take a taxi at the end of the pier can't miss it tell the driver to Paradise Beach it roughly $10-15 round trip for the 2 of you.

Most of all enjoy yourself and have fun. And remember what goes on the cruise most likely stays on the cruise

Grand Cayman was a madhouse when I went there. 6 ships in port and nobody would sell me any booze.

You are right though the island was beautiful. Wanted beat the crap out of some Jamaicans there but I was seriously outnumbered.

[Stinger]

Which cruise line and what ports you going to?

[Rooster]

Originally Posted by Stinger

Which cruise line and what ports you going to?

We are taking Carnival and stopping at Belize, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. We are leaving and returning to Tampa.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Rooster

We are taking Carnival and stopping at Belize, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. We are leaving and returning to Tampa.

If you can, try to get some conch chowder in Georgetown. Perhaps the most delicious food I've ever eaten.

[BIG_DADDY]

Go to the bar late an pay off the bartender to give you a bottle. Bring back Cuban Cigars, they never look for them.

[StcChief]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

Go to the bar late an pay off the bartender to give you a bottle. Bring back Cuban Cigars, they never look for them.

De-band the cigars most places have generic brown boxes for cigars.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Most cruise lines include meals but not drinks/booze in the price.

It is very easy to just sign for drinks, not realizing the tab you're running up.

I took my first cruise last year and was surprised to see my girl and I had run up an $1100 bar tab. In six days.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Most cruise lines include meals but not drinks/booze in the price.

It is very easy to just sign for drinks, not realizing the tab you're running up.

I took my first cruise last year and was surprised to see my girl and I had run up an $1100 bar tab. In six days.

We gotta party dude.

Liquor is a big deal. THey won't even sell it to you when your off the ship unless it's for when you get back. I am going to find a way to bring some in next time. I am open to suggestions.

[SBK]

Originally Posted by Rooster

We are taking Carnival and stopping at Belize, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. We are leaving and returning to Tampa.

I've been to Belieze and Cozumel. Belize sucked, and while in Cozumel you can go to Passion Island, which is where they make the Corona commercials. You know, the worlds best beach type of place. Cozumel is world class in snorkling and diving if you're into that stuff as well.

Of course, if it rains, like it did when I was there, everybody on our ship went to Senor Frogs I think because nobody was walking straight back to the ship, it was pretty funny.

[Saulbadguy]

Take some motion sickness pills/patches with you.