going on a cruise...- Page 2

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 3:06pm

anything in particular i should make sure to bring?
They do have hand sanitizer all over the ship but I carried one with me ALL THE TIME. When you are out on tour, you're going to want it!
Bring meds! You never know and you just want to be prepared! Benedryl, neosporin, peptobismol, Anti-diarrheal, chlorotrimeton, advil, tylonol...etc.)

"not to bring?

A lot of clothes. We always bring one suitcase per person. (4 suitcases in total). However, 2 years ago, we didn't get out lugguge until the 8th day. You'd be surprised how much you bring that you don't need. Granted, we got money from the airline to get some stuff but seriously, since then, we never overpack and only bring 2 big suitcases and a little one. what's the weather like down there these days (is it humid? does it rain a lot in may/june? etc...)? where are the best places to go (on the main islands) for reasonably-priced souvenirs?


I have to leave now but I'll post more when I return tonight. My mom and dad have been to Hawaii 3 times on cruies so I'll talk to them about the weather and stuff like that. (They always go on cruises in July so it'll be about the same).

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 10:04am

I am going on a cruise in September to the Western Caribbean on Princess. Has anyone ever done this one before?

I have to admit I am more looking forward to the days at port at the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Mexico, and Jamaica than the actual cruise (its the opposite for the person I am going with), so I hope I am not too disappointed.

Would the same advice of not paying for the cruise excursions also hold up in the Western Caribbean?

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 1:36am

I've been on 2 Norwegian cruises, and both were amazing. The food in the main dining rooms was the best, and both ships were beautiful and offered plenty of entertainment and activities. I also prefer sea days to port days, and agree to NEVER use cruise excursions under ANY circumstances. Better, cheaper, and more personal excursions can be easily found as soon as one steps into port.

KChenowethFan, I believe I went on that exact cruise a few years ago, and it was loads of fun. Just beware of extreme heat and surprisingly little to do (other than shop) in Cozumel. In Jamaica, I advise you to visit the famous waterfall, but not to go anywhere near the "crafts boutique" (or whatever it's called), where you will be hustled into buying worthless "souvenirs" from unmatchably aggressive salespeople.

Have fun! I've honestly never been on a cruise I didn't enjoy.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 1:45am

KChenowethfan- I've been to the all of the islands you've mentioned. Most of them, I've been to several times.

Jamaica is my personal favorite.

We do the ships excursions only because we are with people from the ship and it's generally safer.

I suggest in Jamaica the combination of Dunns River Falls and Dolphin Swimming. I don't know how old you are or your ability to climb which can be intense but it's amazing and you (or at least I did) will feel very good when finished.

Be careful though!!! My glasses fell off and I was freaking out because I was sure they were gone forever! The guide was absolutely wonderful and miraculously, he found them. It was beyond unbelievable!
I do suggest taking a water camera while climbing the falls.

Which ship are you going on? I've been on several of the Princess cruise ships. This past December, I went to all of the islands you mentioned besides Bahamas...we went to like 4 others though.
Mexico, I suggest:
Underground Cavern Snorkel
Cayman Islands:
Butterfly Farm & Nautilus Semi-Sub

I thought this was funny so I snapped a picture of it:




Dunns River Falls

Updated On: 5/27/07 at 01:45 AM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:52am

Ah, the Western Caribbean. My favorite. And Princess is wonderful.

I happen to love Cozumel. It's absolutely beautiful. And the single best place in my 15 cruises I have found to snorkel. I definitely recommend doing that in Cozumel.

For Jamaica, I'm with everyone else. You can't beat Dunns River Falls. So much fun to climb up. We also did an excursion through the rain forest that was breathtaking.

For the Cayman Islands, my favorite thing to do there is swim with the sting rays. I have an unnatural fascination with sting rays, but it is so so cool to do that. You can feed them and touch them. So much fun.

As for the Bahamas, you're probably going to Nassau, right? There's always the Atlantis, which is fun but somewhat overrated. Their beach is gorgeous though.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 12:21pm

I've been on two cruises and on one of them I hooked up with a bunch of other kids, but they were snobby rich kids and started to really piss me off.

So I sneaked into the "Friends of Dorothy" gay dance party. Way more fun.

Anyway, try and meet people, it'll make the trip way more interesting. That's the only advice I can think to give.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 8:30pm

bring suntan lotion as it's horribly expensive over there as is anything else.

I'm assuming your ports of call are Kona, Lahaina, Kauai, Honolulu, and possibly Kahului (ugh) and Hilo?

at any of those places you'll find the same stuff to buy. Buy your trinkets at an ABC store (they are everywhere), it is SO much cheaper than Hilo Hatties and the other stores.

There is a wonderful restaurant named Kimo's in Lahaina on the water, great food.

Also in Lahaina at Haagen Daz, try their chocolate cinnamon ice cream, I've never seen it at any other of their stores.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 8:32pm

also, it most likely will be humid some of the time (we were there in April and never needed pants or a coat) and it will rain, but realize rain there is usually warm this time of year and shouldn't last long.
All I wore were shorts, tanks, and short sleve shirts.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:25pm

"All I wore were shorts, tanks, and short sleve shirts."


And a thong.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 11:08am

Thanks for the advice everyone. I was a Spanish major in college (in addition to being a history geek) so am particularly interested in seeing the Mayan ruins near Cozumel. Has anyone ever done that?