Hello everyone I jus t would like to know what is the preferred vacation Island or cruise, I've been to Ocho Rios and I thought that was the vacation to beat all vacations it was absolutlely beautiful but the word on the street is there is no vacation like a cruise so anyone out there that has done both let me know your take on it.

Spritfilled,

I'm not a friend of "beach holidays" but love cruises. So the choice is an extremely easy one for me.

I've done both. Cruising is the best vacation.

The obvious answer your get out of this forum is cruising. But to give you a reason, imagine taking that beach vacation but on a different island each day, without having to pack and unpack or do any travelling. Then throw on top of that having everything planned out for you, shows, entertainment, dinning and have multiple choices for you on each.

I'm sure some people can't imagine being on ship, and love their beach vacations. I can't imagine being stuck at one beach and one resort for 7 days.

Cruising is the onlyway to vacation

Another plus to a cruise is that if the weather is bad at X port, it usually is fine at the next port and so on. I'd hate to book a resort vacation and then get there and have rain for a week. And even if a cruise hits lots of rain during the week, there is so much to do inside the ship that you still don't feel cheated.

we have done both and cruising is far best than resort vacations.

I have done both and we liked the cruising better for the options at night...alot more to do ....broadway shows...karoke...piano bar...casino...movies...etc...basically something for everyone...

I have never done a beach resort but we are looking into doing Sandals in Jamaica, but at this point I would have to agree with the majority here, I think you do more and see more on a cruise, but of course I havent done an island vacation as of yet..

Spiritfilled-If you thought Ochos Rios was great-try stopping there on your next cruise-it'll be even better!

BillyBuzzy

Ron loves staying at the all-incluseive resort. I prefer cruising, so we do both.

Ron prefers the land because he doesn't have to get dressed up for dinner, spends all day reading or playing water/beach volley ball. He likes the laid back, do nothing at all atmosphere. Plus at an all-inclusive the drinks are free.

I prefer cruising because the food is better than all-inclusive resorts, good quality entertainment every night, and I like the sit-down dinners and dressing up for it. There is always something to do on the ship or a port to visit. I get bored just doing nothing.

We prefer Princess because you can choose the "alternate dining" which means you can go when you choose versus first or second seating which is still required on Holland America, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.

Thou I prefer Princess I have gone on all the major Cruise Lines. It comes down to price and where they are going. When we have used Holland America and Celebrity, Ron realizes he must carry more suites -- they have more formal nights something he could do without.

I love cruising and we just finished our 17th Cruise "European Rivers" from Amsterdam to Budapest.

There are so many places to cruise and every cruise line is different. Each cruise line has its "die hard" fans. Make sure you find a Ship that meets your needs.

Hi Spiritfilled,

I have stayed on almost all of the islands in the caribbean - even some of the most remote, off-the-tourist-map islands and islets. I have never been on a cruise ship but have scheduled my first cruise in October. I will let you know my initial thoughts in a few weeks.

As for the islands - I notice that most folks on this website seem to only be familiar with the main stream, high-rise, touristy islands. IMHO, I would prefer to go to Myrtle Beach, SC than most of the touristy destinations - same thing, a whole lot cheaper. Actually I am glad that the really nice islands are not cruise ship destinations - more to enjoy without the ugly cattle call crowd.

What I have liked about staying on the islands is making the acquaintance of friendly locals,
slowing down enough to be alone on a beach while the whales are breaching, snorkeling with a pod of wild dolphin and not having to pay for it, scuba diving with only 3 people on the boat without another boat in sight, not being chased down the street to be coerced into buying some cheesy souvenir, seeing the milky way in it's splendor without all of the panoramic lights, noise and disco music, having my own bungalow 15 feet from the ocean, sharing dinner on the beach with the new neighbors. I have never had a bad trip even when the weather would be considered bad by some. The folks who travel off the beaten bath are probably a different breed than those who go for the disco glitter, casinos, shopping, set dinner times, loud speaker cattle calls, etc. The travelers that I have met in the islands are often people that have interesting passions outside of work, they visit the same island time and time again - for a reason, they do not spend nearly as much money as the glitz crowd although they are often considered eccentric, they enjoy relationship building while on vacation rather than the "entertain me or I'll entertain myself" crowd. .

I have been to the tourist traps - even bought a few bobbles there. I have also seen the cruise ship mobs come into town and watch the locals dealing with some ugly american types. As I mentioned, I will be on a cruise next month and will provide a full report along with my assessment of cruise ship vs island vacation. I suspect that I will find the cruise ship crowd to be of a different nature. This may be the topic of my next book.

J

Jason,

My perception of your post is that you think cruise ship passengers are generally an unruly mob who descend on the poor islanders and try to rip them off, and that those who go to the smaller islands for vacations are somehow more enlightened and noble.

I feel you have already formed your opinion of what cruisers are like, and will only look for things which validate your viewpoint when you cruise on the Freedom.

Yes, it is true - people such as me cruise because we LIKE the things cruise ships offer. Not everyone gets into a Jack Kerouac On The Road experience.

I hope you prove me wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by JasonG:


As for the islands - I notice that most folks on this website seem to only be familiar with the main stream, high-rise, touristy islands. IMHO, I would prefer to go to Myrtle Beach, SC than most of the touristy destinations - same thing, a whole lot cheaper. Actually I am glad that the really nice islands are not cruise ship destinations - more to enjoy without the ugly cattle call crowd.


J

Jason, we live 40 miles west of Myrtle Beach and I can tell you that everything you described as far as visiting islands, you will find at Myrtle Beach during the high season. More expensive, tourists everywhere and traffic backed up for miles. We personally stay away from their for at least 6 months of the year.

I will take a cruise anyday of the week over Myrtle Beach.