1st-time Caribbean Cruise traveller this yr

[aZnRYcEbOi]

aZnRYcEbOi, thanks for the detailed description. It definitely helps.

I have heard about Phil. Good to see your recommendation, I think I will tour with Phil in Jamaica.

As for others, I will have to look at the websites you provided.

Thanks again.

I forgot to mention:
For Grand Cayman, there's alot of other companies that you can book with, such as Kelly's, Soto's, or Red Sail Watersports. They're all around 30 bucks, but red sail charges more because they take you there on a catamaran instead.
I had a good experience with Nativeway, and i think they are the only ones that take you to stingray sandbar AND the coral reef....most of the other groups stay only at the stingray sandbar....
but you should check up on that to make sure exactly what you get in the tour...

i kinda wanted to go to the turtle farm also, but had no time.
Our cruise director recommended us to go to Hell also, but we didn't have enough time

[aZnRYcEbOi]

aZnRYcEbOi, I was in Cancun this Christmas and Xel'ha was like one of the greatest places I ever went.

Now that I think back, I wish I went to Xel'ha and spent the whole day there...then the $59 all inclusive woudl've been even more worth it as I would've had 2 meals!

Tulum was ok, but most of the ruins are roped off so you can't go in it anyways. My gf was really bored at Tulum, and she just stood in the shade most of the time, while I went around taking pix with my DSLR. BTW, when you are at Tulum, there is no need to hire a tourguide (20usd?). We just tagged along with another big group that already had one , and they have info-boards throughout the site with descriptions/history/stories/etc.

[ash101]

so, you think which place is better for snokeling or water sports? Grand Cayman or Cozumel?

Now that I think back, I wish I went to Xel'ha and spent the whole day there...then the $59 all inclusive woudl've been even more worth it as I would've had 2 meals!

Tulum was ok, but most of the ruins are roped off so you can't go in it anyways. My gf was really bored at Tulum, and she just stood in the shade most of the time, while I went around taking pix with my DSLR. BTW, when you are at Tulum, there is no need to hire a tourguide (20usd?). We just tagged along with another big group that already had one , and they have info-boards throughout the site with descriptions/history/stories/etc.

[aZnRYcEbOi]

so, you think which place is better for snokeling or water sports? Grand Cayman or Cozumel?

IMO:

Snorkeling/Scuba/Snuba - Cozumel (lots of coral reefs, shallow and deep)
but I'd also recommend going over to Playa del Carmen and check out Xel'ha or Xcaret (time permitting)

Parasailing - Grand Cayman (the guy running the speedboat that I was on was actually a Canadian, originally from Calgary)

Jetskiing - Ocho Rios (2 girls that I talked to, they were able to negotiate 1-hr of jetskiing & a few beers, for $25 usd for both of them while the initial price was like $70-80usd)

Grand Cayman is well known for the natural sandbar area, which is better known as Stingray City. It's about a 20-minute boat ride to get to this natural spot, and it is a must-see. It's way better than the Stingray excursion in the Bahamas (which I did last year, and its located in some fenced off compound).

[slothy@cutey]

Perhaps I've been spoiled by the treatment I get on Princess and RCL before I went on Carnival. Regardless, I have found that the passengers on Carnival tend to be rowdy and loud. This was in the dining rooms, common areas, and even the cabin areas late at night/early morning. A lot of the passengers routinely ignore the specific dress codes in the dining room. Some of them will wear jeans or shorts for formal night dinners. And despite the fact that there's a sign 'coverups must be worn' at the entrance of the Lido buffet dining room, there are those that continue to parade into the dining area in their speedos and bathing suits (these are the folks that should be banned from wearing these things in the first place). The staff don't enforce the rules. I can go on and on..... It's the first time I've filled out the complaint card with a lot of Very Poor's checked off.

I know it's their vacation, and they can do whatever they want, but so can I. I will avoid Carnival and stick with Princess and RCL. Many of my friends in my age group (20's) have the same opinion.

Yes, the crowd tends to be middle aged with families, but there are a lot of the mid 20's crowd as well, depending on the sailing.

I completely agree with that - from what I've also heard. I've only ever gone on a Princess cruise. And let me tell you, it's my mission in life to get back onto those boats! Princess is the best option for cruising - Personal Choice dining and so many room choices with balconies make the cruise WELL worth the money. I've heard Carnival = spring break teenage crowds...

[Pavel]

Carnival = spring break teenage crowds...

Exactly!!!

[slothy@cutey]

Exactly!!!

Okay, I admit - not much to add to this post except that I'm glad we agree! (And hooray I'm no longer a Newbie!)

[Pavel]

It actually does not include air. Thats cruise and port/taxes only. Have to book air still (which is about 650 ish). The inlaws live in FL so we are extending our trip. I'm not sure if doing the last minute thing is a good risk to take when I WANT to be on that ship. 30 days prior is after the date I have to pay in full. Hmm..what to do?!

This is what kills the deal for me to the Caribbean unless there are some insane deals to Florida. You travel that far and are on holidays for 7 days. For this price, you can stay at an excellent all-inclusive that also includes tips and all the alcohol you can drink. In addition, if one is on a ship and there are problems with your cabin, there is a good chance that you are stuck, unlike at a [big] resort.

For cruises, I will stay with the Mexican Rivieria and Hawaii until the airfare to Florida becomes more reasonable.