Survey: Where would you like to go?
Don Hammond
Premise: On 7 day cruises from Florida, the itineraries are something as
follows:
Eastern Cruises generally San Juan, St Thomas + some other places.
Western Cruises generally Cozumel, Grand Cayman + some other places
(Disregard; Southern Caribbean from San Juan.)
Considering the length of the cruise (7 days) and the distance the ship
could cover, how many ports and/or what other places (islands) would you
like the cruise to stop at - or - would you like only a minimum of ports and
the rest of the days at sea?
Personal opinion: Just one or two smaller islands not populated with 10
other cruise ships and the rest of the days at sea.
Don
cruisew...@distantshore.com
Harry Cooper
Don Hammond wrote in message <366e9...@news3.paonline.com>...
>New Survey Says:
My vote, 2 or 3 ports in 7 days, remainder at sea. The ship could cover a
lot of area and keep the iteneraries fresh. British VI, USVI, Lesser
Antilles, lots of places to try without going to Ocho Rios, Nassau, Montego
Bay, Cartegena. Basically, any port without obnoxious, harassing peddlers.
Where is it written that a cruise ship must track the same route, same ports
every week all season. Go someplace different each week and the same
passengers might re-up for more cruises.
One old man's opinion.
Harry
Charles
Don Hammond wrote in message <366e9...@news3.paonline.com>...
>Considering the length of the cruise (7 days) and the distance the ship
>could cover, how many ports and/or what other places (islands) would you
>like the cruise to stop at - or - would you like only a minimum of ports
and
>the rest of the days at sea?
Three or four ports are fine. Having been to many ports already three would
be enough. On a western skip Key West, but absolutely do Grand Cayman and
Cozumal. On eastern absolutely St. Thomas/St.John, St. Martaan and a private
island. Private Islands are similar to a day at sea.
Now the island I would really like a cruise to stop at is Cuba. I was there
in 1984 when it was legal for US citizens to travel there, and it has
magnificent beaches like Veradero and Santa Maria, there is great
snorkeling, there are many dive centers, fishing, it is a beautiful island,
and also has interesting cities. The best of everything I have seen in the
Caribbean except for shopping. It was pretty unspoiled then, which may not
be the case now, 15 years later, due to the recent buildup of tourism from
Europe and Canada.
fis...@mindspring.com
wrote:
>Now the island I would really like a cruise to stop at is Cuba.
One of the major reasons that so many new ships are being ordered is
that there is yearly expectation of Cuba opening. Imagine all that
space on the north coast, where each cruise line will have their own
private 'island' or beach resort area - since I'm sure each owns the
land already. Havana will be a tremendous attraction. It is simply
a matter of time until a) Castro is out of power or b) the embargo
is lifted anyway.
I am just afraid that itineraries including Cuba will take much-needed
money away from smaller economies, namely Haiti.
Chris <-----hopes to be on the first ship in Havana!
Mark E. Lamb
Prince Haiti (yes I mean it), 6) Bahaman ports of Green Turtle Cay, Man O War
Cay & Great Guana Cay and 7) Ponce P.R., for the somewhat less traveled
Caribbean & Bahamian ports. 1) USVI (all), 2) Grand Cayman, 3) Barbados, 4)
Aruba, 5) Curacao, 6) Grenada, 7) Trinidad, 8) St. Martin, 9) San Juan for the
busier ports. 1) Maui 2) Kona (Big Island) 3) Kawai 4) Lanai for Hawaii.
Harry Cooper wrote:
> Don Hammond wrote in message <366e9...@news3.paonline.com>...
nj_b...@ix.netcom.com
>
> My vote, 2 or 3 ports in 7 days, remainder at sea. The ship could cover a
> lot of area and keep the iteneraries fresh. British VI, USVI, Lesser
> Antilles, lots of places to try without going to Ocho Rios, Nassau, Montego
> Bay, Cartegena. Basically, any port without obnoxious, harassing peddlers.
>
> Where is it written that a cruise ship must track the same route, same ports
> every week all season. Go someplace different each week and the same
> passengers might re-up for more cruises.
>
Jerry in NJ
Fred Pimentel
Two no hassle ports in 7 days sounds great. Now, how about making those a 24
hour stay.
Fred
dian...@my-dejanews.com
nj_b...@ix.netcom.com wrote:
> Harry Cooper wrote:
> > My vote, 2 or 3 ports in 7 days, remainder at sea.
> > every week all season. Go someplace different each week and the same
> > passengers might re-up for more cruises.
>I'm with you Harry. I prefer more days at sea and can do without the hassles
>one experiences in places like Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. One of the main
>reasons I never book the same cruise twice is because of the repetitive
>itineraries. The planners for these cruise lines are lacking in creativity.
> Jerry in NJ
I have to agree, but with a qualification. I wish the cruise lines would do
their homework with new itineraries and offer them in such a manner that we
can enjoy them.
Throwing a new port on the schedule with no facilities to dock, thereby
making the ship use tenders (their own, BTW, since new unusual ports have no
commercial tender services) doesn't make for a pleasant port visit. You
spend all your time tendering in boats that are too small.
Case in point, Huatulco - it's a lovely little resort being developed.
People on our cruise bitched up a storm 'cause there is not enough to do in
port. It isn't commercialized (not enough shopping for those who live to
spend their vacation in stores ;-0 ). There is only one really good way to
see Huatulco and that's to use their lovely bays and beaches for water
sports. They have 9 bays and 35 beaches and nice snorkeling sites. Only 30
people (out of 1266) took our snorkel tour and 31 took the "experienced" tour
by boat to two beaches. So 500-600 people wanted to go ashore to shop or do
the bus tour on our small tenders. Huatulco doesn't have 200-300 passenger
commercial tenders under contract to cruise lines like Grand Cayman and other
sites have.
So, going new places, requires a trade off in lack of cruise support
infrastructure. I enjoyed Huatulco; but we only had 5 hours there (those who
didn't want to snorkel were bored with the quaint little town in one hour and
wanted back on the ship). We spent an hour getting there, a 3 hour snorkel
tour, and had a half hour in town to guzzle a 99 cent Corona and take a few
back to the ship for later. <vbg> I know why the bigger ships don't go lots
of places; the passengers would revolt waiting for tender service and these
new places don't have docking facilities with built up areas the shoppers can
use.
Another case, in Guatemala, and in Costa Rica, the ship docked to let off
passengers for in-country excursions. We docked at industrial ports, all
that is available, and small craft markets were set up. Again, the shoppers
screamed. It seems they want St Thomas wherever they go (and to hell with
the tropical paradise - give me a Hard Rock Cafe and a Diamonds International
is their motto). Those of us willing to spend the time and the money to go
into the country had great times (as long as you avoid the bus tours with
"shopping" stops).
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy 10-15 minutes in crafts markets or a chance to
look for a quick gift while we're touring (and those were available on most
tours) but my idea of a great visit is not being dropped off at a shopping
mall for 30-45 minutes. In Costa Rica, a small craft shop was attached to
the restaurant where our raft trip began and where we returned for lunch
after rafting. I got my native wood puzzle box before reboarding our van
back to the ship. -- Diane <-- wants more choices but with some thought so we
have time to enjoy them. Gee, didn't I have a tag awhile back that says my
dream job would be to set up itineraries for cruise ships, PLEASE give me
that job! <vbg> ...
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
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GVocks
at-sea/in-port ratio of take a look at Crystal Cruises. Of a 14-day cruise
only spent 2-1/2 days in port.
Gary Vocks
Let us scan your favorite pictures and slides. E-mail GJS...@aol.com for more
information.
Ronald E. Domb
> Harry Cooper wrote:
> >
> > My vote, 2 or 3 ports in 7 days, remainder at sea. The ship could cover a
> > lot of area and keep the iteneraries fresh. British VI, USVI, Lesser
> > Antilles, lots of places to try without going to Ocho Rios, Nassau, Montego
> > Bay, Cartegena. Basically, any port without obnoxious, harassing peddlers.
> >
> > Where is it written that a cruise ship must track the same route, same ports
> > every week all season. Go someplace different each week and the same
> > passengers might re-up for more cruises.
> >
> >I'm with you Harry. I prefer more days at sea and can do without the hassles one experiences in places like Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. One of the main reasons I never book the same cruise twice is because of the repetitive itineraries. The planners for these cruise lines are lacking in creativity.
>
> Jerry in NJ
You have my vote too.
Ron in San Diego
paristexas
dian...@my-dejanews.com wrote in message
<74og7r$6rg$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>Case in point, Huatulco - it's a lovely little resort being developed.
> They have 9 bays and 35 beaches and nice snorkeling sites.
I wouldn't complain. That sounds like paradise. 35 beaches and 9 bays..
>
>I enjoyed Huatulco; but we only had 5 hours there (those who
>didn't want to snorkel were bored with the quaint little town in one hour
and
>wanted back on the ship).
Perfect opportunity to sip a coffee and watercolor or write in a journal!
>Another case, in Guatemala, and in Costa Rica, the ship docked to let off
>passengers for in-country excursions. We docked at industrial ports, all
>that is available, and small craft markets were set up. Again, the
shoppers
>screamed. It seems they want St Thomas wherever they go (and to hell with
>the tropical paradise - give me a Hard Rock Cafe and a Diamonds
International
>is their motto). Those of us willing to spend the time and the money to go
>into the country had great times (as long as you avoid the bus tours with
>"shopping" stops).
I'm happy most of the time with my journal and watercolors, but I never pass
up a chance to go to HRC abroad because of the change in environment.
Checking out the memorabilia at each cafe is definitely an enjoyable pastime
for me. For music fans, it's like going to the museum because their
collection is a great deal more extensive than the Rock Hall in Cincinatti.
Yup, speaking of tropical paradises, I think I'd rather go to the Hard Rock
in Cozumel or Indonesia than the Rock Hall in Cincinatti! :) Their new
website at www.hardrock.com is a good travel resource, too, because they
list many of the music events at the cafes around the world.
Paris
LMvine
>could cover, how many ports and/or what other places (islands) would you
>like the cruise to stop at - or - would you like only a minimum of ports and
>the rest of the days at sea?
>
If people don't like the ports, then they can stay om the ship and it is like a
day at sea. Actually better because ship less crowded. Loved the
Thelassotherapy on Galaxy when at St Thomas because we had it to ourselves.
Much prefer west carib. I would like to see cruise more focused on
snorkelling/beaches.
Perhaps another option is a shopping focused cruise but much "duty free" at St
Thomas, for example, is a joke IMHO. Dan
Harry Cooper
LMvine wrote in message <19981211103318...@ng-fs1.aol.com>...
>>Considering the length of the cruise (7 days) and the distance the ship
>>could cover, how many ports and/or what other places (islands) would you
>>like the cruise to stop at - or - would you like only a minimum of ports
and
>>the rest of the days at sea?
I wonder if we are identifying a fundamental "problem" that many and perhaps
most of the cruise lines are like geese flying south for the winter. They
follow each other to four or five of the same ports week after week, year
after year. Obviously, a lot of people will enjoy that, returning to
familiar territory and good memories. Just as obviously, some would prefer
more alternatives.
Those who like the sea would enjoy a few ports, changing frequently, with
several days at sea. Those who love to scuba or snorkle would like to try
the best spots with time to enjoy. Theme cruises, golf, food, wine,
whatever, would entertain many. We fall into many categories, and the
current schedules seem to be compromises that really don't fully satisfy
most frequent cruisers.
There is enough variety for those who cruise every three or four years,
Eastern, Western, Southern, that boredom won't be a problem. Cruising once
or twice a year, I start looking for interesting places I haven't seen, or,
alternatively, more days at sea. I would assume the same mind set happens
for the "shoppers", "snorklers", "partiers", or what ever "group" each of us
fits.
Should our survey say "what interest should your cruise satisfy, and where
have you been too often?"
Who knows, but it's fun to compare notes, likes and dislikes. And BTW,
compliments to all who so willingly provide info to posters in need. This
is a very helpful bunch.
96 days to Sydney and the South Pacific.
Harry
Benjamin Smith
>
>Now the island I would really like a cruise to stop at is Cuba. I was
there
>in 1984 when it was legal for US citizens to travel there, and it has
>magnificent beaches like Veradero and Santa Maria, there is great
>snorkeling, there are many dive centers, fishing, it is a beautiful
island,
>and also has interesting cities. The best of everything I have seen in the
>Caribbean except for shopping. It was pretty unspoiled then, which may not
>be the case now, 15 years later, due to the recent buildup of tourism from
>Europe and Canada.
>
Cuba's fine but feedback I got from some people I know that went there was
that there were many long lines in the cities. Where do ships dock when
they go to Cuba? Is it near Havana or Santiago a Cuba?
Ben S.