Caribbean Cruise

We're thinking of going on a Caribbean Cruise for our one year wedding anniversary (we're not even married yet lol), but we're a little worried as neither of us have ever been on a cruise before.

I know we won't have enough time to see everything in each place as we'll only be in each place for a day but will we be able to see the main sights?

We're not sure which Countries to visit or what to see whilst there, any suggestions for destinations & things to do whilst there would be welcomed with opened arms.

We have also thought about spending a few days/a week staying in our departure port before the cruise as Nikki is a little nervous she may not like a cruise for 14 nights. Reply to this

Oups, I didn't see in which forum this was, sorry for the above...extrapolation of Carribean...ok, put it simply, choose a small boat, max 400 people if you want a great ride! Reply to this

Hi Chris and Nikki,

You are busy planning lots of travel. I'm jealous.

I've only been on two cruises in my life and can comment on both.

My first cruise was in 1986 and we traveled with 26 friends to the Western Caribbean. (Bahamas, Jamaica, Cozumel and Grand Cayman) We had a blast on the ship. Everything you can imagine is available and that was back in the old days. A lot more to do these days.... probably too much to pick from- especially with all the theme ships these days. My opinion is that you will not get tired of the trip or the ship. Multiple restaurants and pubs which offer a variety of foods. At each port the ship docks for a few hours and you can get off to explore. I enjoyed this but also found this part of cruising a bit frustrating. It was like waving a wonderful appetizer tray in front of my face and only letting me have one bite. The problem is you have to pick one thing to do while you are there because of the limited time. In Grand Cayman we went para-sailing, in Jamaica we went to Dunn's River Falls and ate local cuisine, in the Bahamas we enjoyed a rum punch picnic on the beach and in Cozumel we went snorkeling. All were great fun. I left each island wanting more, wanting to see more and to do more. In the years since that cruise I have gone back to all of those islands except Jamaica and hope to do that some day. I did not get enough of each island.

With all that being said- the trip was a great deal of fun and I am glad I went.

In 2001, we took a cruise to Alaska. It was perfect. You have enough time in the small locations where you get off to explore the local area and feel like you have really seen something. Plus we spent 5 days touring northern Alaska before the cruise started. I walked away satisfied and feeling like I had seen a lot of what I wanted to see. it is a great way to see Alaska for the first time.

It is a great way to see a lot of Caribbean islands and determine where you might like to go back for an extended trip. You will be on each island long enough to get a good taste.

I would like to go on another cruise in the future but I want to spend some time on the ship enjoying all that it offers. Movies, comedy, live entertainment, food & fun.

On the first cruise in 1986 I won the twist contest!

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Thanks for the comments, we're still deciding what to do yet so the cruise isn't 100% but you'v given me alot to think about.

Dave & Merry Jo, I had exactly the same fear about places being an 'appetizer' so was contemplating Caribbean islands that are not high on my to do list for one reason or another, those places I may never choose to visit for a week or more so a cruise would be ideal.

Mick, I may send you a message in the not too distant future :-) Reply to this