Galaxy - Southern Caribbean - 23/02/07 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Cat Woman · 10-05-2006, 07:36 AM

Are there any cruiselinefans sailing with us on the February 23/07 Galaxy Southern Caribbean cruise?

cruiseshmooz · 10-05-2006, 09:01 AM

I posted quite a while ago for our cruise and have yet to see a response. Looks like you get on when we get off! This is the closest to a response that I have seen!!!! Well, our cruises are similar, so we can compare notes!

Cat Woman · 10-05-2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiseshmooz

I posted quite a while ago for our cruise and have yet to see a response. Looks like you get on when we get off! This is the closest to a response that I have seen!!!! Well, our cruises are similar, so we can compare notes!

Hi cruiseshmooz, What island(s) are you looking forward to visiting? Any for the first time?

Out of the 8 islands we will be visiting, 3 are new to us: St. Maarten, Tortola, and Curacao.

cruiseshmooz · 10-05-2006, 06:59 PM

Hi! We have been to St. Marten twice. The first time we took a cab over to Orient Beach and as soon as we slathered on the sunscreen, it poured. Not a great experience! The second time, we spent a few morning hours at a beach right off the main street. We enjoyed that and then we "toured" the shops! I had bought some jewellery in St. Thomas the day before, so I don't remember buying anything in St. Marten.

One winter, we spent a few days in Curacao before our Aruba vacation. We LOVED Curacao and we are looking forward to our return. The town is less touristy than Aruba's. It is larger. The Synagogue is lovely. We will probably spend a little time in the town and then visit a nearby beach. Unless we tour the island, which we have never done. I think our cruise is there until 4pm, so there isn't that much time.

We have never been to Tortola. We are there only until 2pm, so we will be restricted.

We have also never been to Dominica or St. Lucia. Originally, our ship was supposed to go to Isla Marguerita, and we are disappointed that it changed.

The most important is that there will be no cold, sleet or snow!

Cat Woman · 10-06-2006, 08:12 AM

St. Lucia is a very nice island - I would recommend an island tour (we did ours through the ship this year).

We were also supposed to go to Isla Margarita but they substituted Grenada instead. Unfortunately we were there this year so I don't know what we are going to do. With the itinerary so jam packed with islands, we may just walk around the town area and then go back on the ship and relax by the pool.

I'm with you - I don't care which islands I'm going to because I know there won't be any snow to look at!

cruiseshmooz · 10-06-2006, 08:30 AM

As to Grenada, the last time we shared a van and driver with two other couples. We probably saw the most interesting sights. I can't remember missing out except that we didn't get to the town market, so maybe we will get to visit it this time. The main problem with walking through the town is that you are accosted each and every step of the way.
Right at the pier, there is a little boat that takes you to the beach. (It's so early in the morning that although I am drinking coffee, the name escapes me!) They charge about $2 pp each way. The beach is quite nice and you can rent chaises, umbrellas, etc. I am sure we will go there for a couple of hours.(I just asked my husband. It's Grande Anse Beach)

We did the same type of tour in St. Kitts, but we didn't have time to visit a beach. So, this time, I would like to do so. There are a few to choose from. I don't know how wonderful they are, but if we could have a nice walk and a good swim, I will be happy.

Barbados is wonderful. We have been there as a port, not for a vacation. We did see quite a bit, but there is so much to see there that we will probably do a little sightseeing. A beach is a must.

Hopefully, that works out, because we don't go on beach vacations anymore and I miss it.

Cat Woman · 10-09-2006, 04:32 PM

We just paid off the balance of our cruise this weekend. We don't usually pay off the cruise this soon but our travel agent will be on vacation when the final payment is due. Also, the business where our travel agent worked and where we booked the cruise is now with another agency. Because of these two issues we thought it best to get the payment in now so there won't be any screw ups closer to the cruise.

In Grenada I forgot about the boat near the pier that takes people to the beach. Must keep that in mind.

I think I've decided that in St. Lucia I will be going on the "Caribbean Pirates Extravaganza". You board the tall ship used in the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" and it takes you to a Pigeon Island, where you can lie on the beach, tour a fort, or participate in a treasure hunt. Have you been on this excursion?

I love Barbados. The last time we were there I did a snorkeling trip. This time I will be doing an island tour. In Curacao I think we are going to tour streets and the shops.

Tomorrow I am joining a gym - no need to lose weight but to tone up. The gym is in a hotel so it has a pool - that was the biggest attraction.

Sue

cruiseshmooz · 10-10-2006, 06:32 PM

Hi Sue! It's actually great that your cruise is paid for. Now it will seem more real!

We have never been to St. Lucia, so I would like to see some of the highlights. It is supposed to be a beautiful island. Someone wrote somewhere that we should wake up very early to see the Pitons as the ship passes them by. I guess that means the ship will pass them when we leave as well?????

In Barbados, I would like to visit the synagague. I was told by someone who grew up there, that it is a gem. I would also like to see Crane's Beach. But that is over on the other side. We won't be able to do everything!

On Curacao is fun to walk around the city. To me this all seems so far away!

Have a great day! Enjoy the gym and swim!

Cat Woman · 10-11-2006, 08:03 PM

St. Lucia is a very beautiful island - very green and lush. We were there this year and took a van drive through the country. We stopped off at several places, including a roadside stop to take pix of the Pitons. I don't get up early enough to go on deck and watch the ship get into port so I cannot comment on if the ship sails by the Pitons. One stop we thought was not worthwhile was the Fond du Estate (I think I spelled that correctly). Too many tours buses were there - the walk through the gardens was ok but I've seen all the plants and flowers on other tours. We also got back later than scheduled so we didn't get any shopping in. We are making sure that next year we find an excursion that is not too long so that we have time for shopping.

Day two of my workout and I'm still standing!

Soon Christmas will be behind us and we will be focusing all our time on our cruises!

Have a great day.

Sue

cruiseshmooz · 10-12-2006, 11:03 AM

Hi! Good for you working out! Ater this, I am going to do my exercises,too!

Yes, shopping is a VERY IMPORTANT part of sight-seeing! Maybe the MOST important part! On our itinerary, Aruba may be the best bet for jewellery and for Gottex bathing suits! Any other suggestions? I have never shopped in any of the other ports. Educate me, please!

Please don't rush Xmas. It isn't even Halloween yet! Some decorations have been out for quite a while already.