Planning a Cruise, any suggestions ?

[Mike B]

Good day all,
Well, we're planning a cruise from Aug. 29-Sept. 05. The last cruise we took was in 2002 (when I purchased my first Rolex in Cozumel). Since then we have REALLY wanted to go again, but just didn't have the time. We are planning to do the same cruse (with Royal Caribbean) except this time we want to visit the "other side" of the caribbean. Our stops will include (leaving from Miami) Philipsburg, St. Maarten, San Juan, and Labadee, Haiti. It's a 7 day cruise, and the ship will be the Liberty of the Seas.
As I said, it's been about 7 years since our last cruise, so if there's any suggestions you guys/gals might have, I'd love to hear them. And good AD's in any of the above locations ? I'd be crazy to buy anything on the ship. The prices for almost everything on board (the gift shops, etc.) were ridiculous.
The cruise is still not yet booked, we are still thinking about where else we'd like to go, but so far this cruise is coming out number 1. There will be three of us going, and I'm hoping to book a Deluxe suite. Then we have the flights to think about. . . boy have we got a lot of planning to do lol

[chriseskew24]

Originally Posted by Mike B

Good day all,
Well, we're planning a cruise from Aug. 29-Sept. 05. The last cruise we took was in 2002 (when I purchased my first Rolex in Cozumel). Since then we have REALLY wanted to go again, but just didn't have the time. We are planning to do the same cruse (with Royal Caribbean) except this time we want to visit the "other side" of the caribbean. Our stops will include (leaving from Miami) Philipsburg, St. Maarten, San Juan, and Labadee, Haiti. It's a 7 day cruise, and the ship will be the Liberty of the Seas.
As I said, it's been about 7 years since our last cruise, so if there's any suggestions you guys/gals might have, I'd love to hear them. And good AD's in any of the above locations ? I'd be crazy to buy anything on the ship. The prices for almost everything on board (the gift shops, etc.) were ridiculous.
The cruise is still not yet booked, we are still thinking about where else we'd like to go, but so far this cruise is coming out number 1. There will be three of us going, and I'm hoping to book a Deluxe suite. Then we have the flights to think about. . . boy have we got a lot of planning to do lol

I think i have been looking at the same cruise for the same dates.. I live near Miami.. Im just not sure about the Haiti part. I have never heard anything good about labadee

[Mike B]

We've been to Haiti before in the last cruise, and as long as you don't travel too far in the island, and stay by the coast with the rest of the cruise tourists, you should be fine. I wouldn't worry about Haiti.

[pz93c]

That's funny.

We have a 7 day cruise with Carnival booked for September out of Galveston. Stops at Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Cozumel. Ship is the Carnival Conquest.

Should be fun.

[GerardoG]

Hi there. Haiti is a small 'pit stop', it's one of RCCL's private beaches; so just a day to relax on the sand. You will have a good time at St Martin and the best part of the deal is the ship by itself. Liberty is 'Freedom Class'....let me explain. 7 years ago the largest cruise ships were built for around 2,000 pax (2,000 to 2,500); Freedom is in the 3,500 pax range and upcoming Oasis class is for (gasp) 5,000 pax.

In a 7 day cruise aboard a Freedom (ir Liberty and Freedom of the Seas), you want to enjoy the ship, that is why they stop at 3 places at the most. If you were sailing on a smaller cruise ship, you enjoy both the ship and the ports of call.

It is all up to you (just like watches), what YOU like and enjoy. To me, my 2 cents; I love the Radiance Class ships from Royal Caribbean; they are just under 2,000 pax and very classy.

Enjoy your cruise!

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by pz93c

That's funny.

We have a 7 day cruise with Carnival booked for September out of Galveston. Stops at Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Cozumel. Ship is the Carnival Conquest.

Should be fun.

....do I see a Rolex in the future??

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Hi there. Haiti is a small 'pit stop', it's one of RCCL's private beaches; so just a day to relax on the sand. You will have a good time at St Martin and the best part of the deal is the ship by itself. Liberty is 'Freedom Class'....let me explain. 7 years ago the largest cruise ships were built for around 2,000 pax (2,000 to 2,500); Freedom is in the 3,500 pax range and upcoming Oasis class is for (gasp) 5,000 pax.

In a 7 day cruise aboard a Freedom (ir Liberty and Freedom of the Seas), you want to enjoy the ship, that is why they stop at 3 places at the most. If you were sailing on a smaller cruise ship, you enjoy both the ship and the ports of call.

It is all up to you (just like watches), what YOU like and enjoy. To me, my 2 cents; I love the Radiance Class ships from Royal Caribbean; they are just under 2,000 pax and very classy.

Enjoy your cruise!

Cool, thanks good information ! Our last cruise we took the Voyager of the Seas, which at that time was the largest ship (at about 1100 feet long with XXXX amount of passengers. I wonder how much bigger this ship will be/feel compared to the Voyager ? And regarding the number of port of calls, that does make sence. The Voyager had 4 ports of call, and this one has 3 as you stated. I just love the entire cruise experience. I remember every day you'd get on the elevator to go to the concierge lounge, or promenade deck each day of the week would be on a carpet in the elevator just so you don't loose track of what day it is lol. And, I must admit, the time absolutely FLYS by when your on a cruise.

[GerardoG]

I love cruising and I agree that Freedom (and Oasis) are musts; but once again, it is personal taste. I like the smaller cruises; but my kids had a great time @ Liberty.

I have to admit that I am anxious to see the Oasis; the largest cruise ship ever made. Open air theater, replica of Central Park, garden view and ocean view balconies; it will be massive!

[tekkie]

My suggestion would be to go with Celebrity.

[txrob779]

Wear your Rolex's and let them be seen...on our cruise to Cusumel, I saw Daytona's, Celini Sub, Presidents, tons of the very recognized tt jubilee gold dialed Datejusts and a bunch of Sumariners....Cant remember the AD on Cusumel but I got hit up for some fakes LOL. My wife did buy a beautiful Tanzanite ring...


WEAR IT

[vegaseddie]

I have been on 3 Disney Magic cruises and they have each blown me away. 2 western caribbean and 1 southern caribbean (due to hurricane). Great ship, great food, nice entertainment, great ports of call, and the punk factor was non existent. People who don't know think Disney when looking for a cruise are missing out. Sure lots of famlies, but also lots of singles. I had nothing but great times and I am trying to make another this fall. I think they are about to add 2 new ships.

[Tools]

You will have a good time if you go for the enjoyment of the Cruise Ship itself, and the ports are secondary for you..

I see so many who try to cram two, three, or more shore excursions into their trip, only to find out that timing is late, feet are tired, everybody has their hand out, and just too much is attempted in a short amount of time...

If it's a beautiful Isle and you enjoy exploring...take in the atmosphere and relax, if it's a questionable port, sign onto the ships best excursion and you should be worry free...........the rest of the time, enjoy all the ammenities on board.

Mrs Tools and I try to take two or three Cruises every year.........At some ports, we don't even get off the ship.....

[Mort]

Four years ago we went on a Royal cruise on the Voyager of the Seas. The ship was massive. It had four stops. Labadee RC's private beach, Ocho Rios Jamaca, Grand Cayman ( where I picked up my ML for a good deal) and last Cozumel.

I agree with the post of not taking a day trip at each port of call. Enjoy the ship some. Since we did do the day trips we were worn out when we got back. I do have to say one of the best day trips we took was going to Tulum in Mexico. That is what made us decide to come back to the Cancun area the last two trips and do all inclusive.

Still taking a cruise is fun and the ships have a lot to do on board.

Keep us posted.

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by txrob779

Wear your Rolex's and let them be seen...on our cruise to Cusumel, I saw Daytona's, Celini Sub, Presidents, tons of the very recognized tt jubilee gold dialed Datejusts and a bunch of Sumariners....Cant remember the AD on Cusumel but I got hit up for some fakes LOL. My wife did buy a beautiful Tanzanite ring...


WEAR IT

AD is UltraJewels/UltraFemme

[pz93c]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

....do I see a Rolex in the future??

I doubt it.

I seem to prefer vintage to new.

Go figure.

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by pz93c

I doubt it.

I seem to prefer vintage to new.

Go figure.

...but still a Rolex!