Holiday Advice - Caribbean Cruise Xmas

Associate
Joined
20 Sep 2005
Posts
2,024
Location
Wilderness of ESSEX
This Xmas ( 2017 ) we are off to P&O Cruise in the Caribbean for 15 nights. I have never been to this part of the world before and would really appreciate some advice and tips for excursions and places of interested for the following Islands;

Barbados, Martinique, Antigua, St Kitts, St Maarten, Grand Turk, Tortola, St Vincent, Grenada, St Lucia.

Any help would be very much appreciated.
 
I have to be honest say I have preconceptions on cruises so maybe their out date or just not true but aren't those sort of holidays full of old people? Also I was told the drinks on these holidays are super expensive unless you by a package deal which includes your food and drink.
 
I have to be honest say I have preconceptions on cruises so maybe their out date or just not true but aren't those sort of holidays full of old people? Also I was told the drinks on these holidays are super expensive unless you by a package deal which includes your food and drink.

See all sorts now, young and old, families, couples, single people. its no different from a package holiday in the Caribbean but your moving.
 
I have to be honest say I have preconceptions on cruises so maybe their out date or just not true but aren't those sort of holidays full of old people? Also I was told the drinks on these holidays are super expensive unless you by a package deal which includes your food and drink.

bareham2016 is right as I have been on two cruises, well one really which was 5 days to Norway and 3 day Xmas market. You do get a wider range of ages now and the P&O ship the drinks prices were the same as an average pub plus you can take a limited amount of your own drink on board !

I do need to get of the ship as I do get cabin fever after 2 days in side a ship. The Norway cruise was in July two years ago and being in the north sea meant going on the deck was a brave move. So no using the pool unless you want hypothermia !
For me a cruise is about being up on the deck, the fine dining, the ball room dancing, DJ & cocktail dresses, shows etc.
The cruise I am on will stop at 11 different Islands and one in particular St Maartin I am hoping to get to Maho beach to watch the 747's fly just over my head while I am standing on the beach !

like this
 
Don't do what we did and do the 11am Mount Gay rum tasting tour on Barbados. We were absolutely ruined by lunchtime. :p
 
I have to be honest say I have preconceptions on cruises so maybe their out date or just not true but aren't those sort of holidays full of old people? Also I was told the drinks on these holidays are super expensive unless you by a package deal which includes your food and drink.
Even if that were true it would be a boon. Old people are generally more civilised, more pleasant, quieter, do different stuff, and lack loud obnoxious kids compared to the average punter. I'd quite happily take my family on a cruise with only old people!
 
I have to be honest say I have preconceptions on cruises so maybe their out date or just not true but aren't those sort of holidays full of old people? Also I was told the drinks on these holidays are super expensive unless you by a package deal which includes your food and drink.

Drinks are no more expensive than in London bars (so sucks if you aren't a Londoner) but the drinks packages are good value if you plan to get on it frequently (usually need at least 5-6 drinks every day to be worth it).

That said, P&O are a bit pants, but I say that as I work for one of the best cruise lines out there :p
 
Last edited:
Drinks are no more expensive than in London bars (so sucks if you aren't a Londoner) but the drinks packages are good value if you plan to get on it frequently (usually need at least 5-6 drinks every day to be worth it).

That said, P&O are a bit pants, but I say that as I was for one of the best cruise lines out there :p

I would agree with that statement as I had some great dinning on my last P&O cruise ship. I am not a heavy drinker so I do not go for drink packages. However as this is a hot location I might look into the P&O drink packages.


You'll have a job watching a 747 they stopped flying to that airport earlier this year...

nooooooooo...........that was one of the main reasons why I wanted to go to this beach...
 
I would agree with that statement as I had some great dinning on my last P&O cruise ship. I am not a heavy drinker so I do not go for drink packages. However as this is a hot location I might look into the P&O drink packages.

Hit me up when you are looking at booking your next cruise, I can get you a bit of a discount and you can experience an even better one :D
 
What cruise line is that? I do many cruises. Usually go on NCL and stay in the haven, Peaceful and quiet. Hotel within a cruise ship and nicer rooms. Usually do a few a year. I like the look of the smaller ones too e.g. Seabourn cruises.
 
What cruise line is that? I do many cruises. Usually go on NCL and stay in the haven, Peaceful and quiet. Hotel within a cruise ship and nicer rooms. Usually do a few a year. I like the look of the smaller ones too e.g. Seabourn cruises.

Celebrity for larger, but I can also wrangle Azamara if you want small and super luxury.
 
You're not likely to see that much of each island you visit tbh. I've visited most places on your list and it takes a few days to get a real feel for the place, explore the island, have a drink with the locals etc. I'm sure 15 days on a cruise ship isn't going to be cheap, I'd be keen to try a week each on two islands with a small flight in between.

The only reason I'm saying this is both times I've been to Antigua, I've seen the cruise ships arrive, drop everyone off at St John's and then all the tourists get off into a massively overpriced street trying to flog watches, jewellery etc. As soon as you move away from the touristy areas, you get into proper Antigua.
 
I have to be honest say I have preconceptions on cruises so maybe their out date or just not true but aren't those sort of holidays full of old people? Also I was told the drinks on these holidays are super expensive unless you by a package deal which includes your food and drink.

My sister got married on a cruise last year and I was quite sceptical about it but I thoroughly enjoyed the holiday enough to book another which I'm going on in a few weeks. As the other guy said there's a quite an age mix on them now.
 
Back
Top Bottom