Southern Caribbean Cruise

[Nismo#12]

So Wedding is next friday (thanks for the congrats in advance fellas) the little lady and I leave for a Southern Caribbean Cruise on Royal Car. Adventurer of the Seas ship . Sails out of San Juan and stops at the following islands Barbados, St. Lucia, St Maartin, Antigua, and St. Croix.

Thankfully they allow smoking in their cigar bar and on certain decks.

Anybody have any input on some of the isalnd on place to stop by. and/or some advice for the ship. besides watching our bill with ridiculous drink prices. BTW just curious what are the prices you have expereinced with drinks on the ship??

[andrew s]

Congrats on getting Married. I was down in Antiqua last year for my honeymoon. We stayed at sandals and did most of our stuff around there. Not a very big island but is beautiful, they have a small shopping area that was ok but will look like the rest of the islands.

Last time I was on a cruise I was to young to drink so sorry for not having much advise on that. Just enjoy yourselfs but definetly watch the bill.

[newlifetaxidermy]

Drink prices are commensurate with prices at most bars and restaurants. Daquiris/Margaritas ~$5-6, Beer ~$3-4

[Stench]

It's been 14 years ago, but my wife and I went on a Royal Carbn cruise for our honeymoon. I do remember that Heineken was the same price as a coke...$1! My advice is don't go on all the sidetrips that cost extra. Lots of stuff to do on the boat! Congrats!

[Nismo#12]

3-4 for a beer is fine with me, That what it is at the bars around here (bummer). We have one/two nice excursions planned - a catermaran w/ the turtle swim and we were going to do the Pirates of the Caribbean ship, but it's not longer available. Most of the other we are doing the cheap beach days or lunch/shopping type things.

[Delsana]

Oh long have I wanted to go on a cruise, nearly did but extenuating circumstances prevented that from happening, the breeze, the ocean, the sights.... Hmm.

I'm more a healthy drinker, but from what I know about my research, they have some really good smoothies on the Royal Carib and other such cruise-lines, but heh that's just me, I'm usually happy with anything tastes good.

Edit:

Oh and before I forget...

Have a nice time .

[Rev2010]

Congrats and definitely have an awesome trip!! Sadly though, this time of the year is still considered hurricane season so a lot of nice things/places on the islands shut down until the season is over. For example, we love Saint Martin and go there pretty often now, but the resort we use on the French side (right down at Orient Bay/beach) is completely closed down. We've also been told all the wonderful restaurants/bars down along the beach are all closed down as well. You'll probably still be able to hang around Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island but it's nowhere near as nice as the French side sadly.

Not sure about how things are on the other islands but I think you might run into a similar scene of most things shut down for the season Anyhow, definitely have a great trip and I wish you both all the best!


Rev.

[Cigary]

Congrats Wes and what a great way to honeymoon. All of those islands have great things to do,,tours and things to do on your own if you are adventuresome like the wife and I are. San Juan is loaded with things to do but since you are on your honeymoon my friend,,,do you really want to tour things? lol

Booze is what everyone says it is onboard. We take a bottle of wine and spirits inside our checked luggage and when it gets to our room we have what we need without paying $5 a pop. We have been cruising for 20 years and our liquor always gets to our via our luggage and have never had an issue with it being confiscated. We bubble wrap the bottles and put it inside a leak proof bag and then cover it with a towel or something similar. We are going on the same cruise but different ship in late December. I love the Carribean.

[jaq6plus]

I have been to three of the five islands you mention. Barbados is nice but expensive compared to the others. Cigars prices, there is a local make, are ridiculous. It has become very commercialized. Great resturants in the St Lawrence Gap area and there is a restaurant in the harbour area of bridgetown that does excelent lunch, local fish right out of the boat! Antigua is the better island. St John, the capital is a very pleasant place to walk around and shop and close to the docking area. There is more evidence of the local culture in Antigua. Avoid the shops right in the dock area, also expensive. St Maarten/St Martin has two cultural influences, Dutch and French and two halves. Depends on your taste, I guess but again a nice island.

[rborrell]

Originally Posted by Nismo#12

So Wedding is next friday (thanks for the congrats in advance fellas) the little lady and I leave for a Southern Caribbean Cruise on Royal Car. Adventurer of the Seas ship . Sails out of San Juan and stops at the following islands Barbados, St. Lucia, St Maartin, Antigua, and St. Croix.

Thankfully they allow smoking in their cigar bar and on certain decks.

Anybody have any input on some of the isalnd on place to stop by. and/or some advice for the ship. besides watching our bill with ridiculous drink prices. BTW just curious what are the prices you have expereinced with drinks on the ship??

I did a similar cruise 4 years ago on RCCL except it was on the Serenade not the Adventurer and instead of St. Criox, it was St. Thomas.

I took sticks with me rather than buying on the trip, but I recall going into a shop in St. Maartin. I did not find the prices any more of less than normal US$ based prices.

I smoked on the upper deck near the Sky Bar at night - no one complained but there were not a lot of people around. I have also smoked in the cigar bar and it's a great way to meet other BOTL.

The comments about drink prices are pretty much accurate. Look for the "drinks of the day" as there may be some specials to take advantage of. I also recal that you could buy beers by the bucket - not sure if that is the case any longer. Also, they used to (again not sure if they still do) sell Foster's Lager in the big ass can. I had my beer fix this way because the can is bigger than 2 bottles but not twice as much as 2 bottles and most people don't realize this, Fosters is brewed by Molson here in Toronto for North America. It was the closest thing to Canadian beer - we all know US beer is like making love in a canoe!

As far as excusrsions, we did not book any on board except for the Banks Brewery and Mount Gay rum distillery tours in Barbados. It was inexpensive. At Banks, you got access to a hospitality area that more or less gave you as much beer as you could drink and carry home in an hour. Then back on the bus to Mount Gay where you had 3 rum samples and then access to their store for extermely cheap and extremely good rums.

In Antigua we walked to main intersection and hired a cab to the beach at Dickenson Bay (round trip was $10 each). It's the same beach that Sandals is on. There is a bar there with food service, lot's a water toys to rent and it's close by to the docks.

There is lot's to do on the ships. Make sure you take in the karioke nights. The shows are usually quite good and there is even a movie cinema on board. I also suggest that you book one dinner at the extra-fee restaurant at least once - Chops was our favourite.

have fun

[Delsana]

From what I've found, there is a lot more than just alcohol to partake in...

Look into Scuba diving, there may be a skydiving trip depending on the day and season,there are also a lot of other types of "expeditionary" activities and event, and of course a myriad of restaurants and stores to dine at or look through, despite prices most of it is very good.

[Rev2010]

Originally Posted by rborrell

It was the closest thing to Canadian beer - we all know US beer is like making love in a canoe!

My friend, pleeease don't consider the garbage like Bud, Coors, and the like true american beer. America has some absolutely stellar beers coming out of smaller breweries such as Ommegang, Weyerbacher, Dogfishhead, and hundreds of others Even Samuel Adams is excellent IMO.



Rev.

[Nismo#12]

All great input. Defenitely confirmed prices of things and teh drinks which was more of a curiosity question and so I could plan financially. We have a few things planned. I was super bummed that the Pirate ship thing in barbados is no longer available. Honestly who doesn want to be a pritae for a day. Maybe I can convince her for the brewery tour. Of course she doesn't drink rum or beer for that matter. I swear we are better of doing our own excuriosn LOL.

As for scuba and sky diving, And the bigger excursions, probably not happening. I prefer the beach and relaxing. I think I'l try to do a few excusions and a few things onour own (if I can convice the bull headed one). I for one would love to partake in the local deal Totally Anthony Bordian style.

[rborrell]

Originally Posted by Rev2010

My friend, pleeease don't consider the garbage like Bud, Coors, and the like true american beer. America has some absolutely stellar beers coming out of smaller breweries such as Ommegang, Weyerbacher, Dogfishhead, and hundreds of others Even Samuel Adams is excellent IMO.



Rev.

I agree completely. The unfortunite thing on the cruise ships is they love to sell the likes of Bud and Coors et al. Like I said the Fosters was godsend in that respect.

I have access to a few US "micro-brews". I do enjoy Sam Adams although only the lager is available at my local government outlet.

[Nismo#12]

Originally Posted by rborrell

I agree completely. The unfortunite thing on the cruise ships is they love to sell the likes of Bud and Coors et al. Like I said the Fosters was godsend in that respect.

I like most all beers, like cigars all are unique in their own respect. If I'm sitting in the sun or partying, please give me a domestic light, if its happy hour or dinner a micro maybe called for. Knowing that I have choices and that I can get buckets or oil cans will keep me and my wallet happy.