We are looking at a eastern cruise in Jan...just a short one this time. I have never been to the eastern side. I see they offer stops ranging from Nassua, St, Thom, St. Martin, Cocoa Cay....any ideas as to which is best to stop at when booking. We really loved Coz as there was the nice water for snorkeling as well as low prices when shopping. Also liked Belize. However, found Grand Cayman very expensive for food, drinks, shopping. Any ideas? Thanks
Never been to Cocoa Cay, but have been to the other 3 you mentioned. Didn't like Nassau very much, although it was cool to see Atlantis, we took the water taxi over to Paradise Island and walked through. St. Thomas and St. Martin are great, nice beaches and good shopping and from St. Thomas, you can take a tour to St. John if you want to, or go on your own by ferry.
What did you think of the prices on St. Martin/ St. Thomas? We loved Cozumel because you could hit the beach and buy a beer...and shop. Grand Cayman was very expensive. We went on the sting ray city trip which we loved but afterwards returned to the ship because shopping was just too high.
Thanks, Karyn
St Thomas is supposed to have the best prices in the Carib. Its always been where we do the big purchases (jewelry, china, figurines, etc). Of course prices vary depending on the item. My hubby got a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses and they werent much of a deal (other than being duty free). Do a price research at home and that way you can compare. Also, I think you can bring back more from St Thomas than other islands since its a US territory. I believe youre allowed more liquor if you buy it from here.
By the time we got to St Maarten, our shopping was done, so we really didnt look around. A lot of the same stuff though, as with all ports. Ive heard some people say that prices are cheaper here. The main thing is: if you see something you like, buy it vs waiting until the next port to see if its cheaper. You most likely wont find it anywhere else.
For some reason I have no idea. i love Nassau. Its not a beautiful place. It is poor place and has many sites of beauty tho. I have been there twice before and we are going back in the spring again. I like the people there and there culture. I like to shop the straw market too. We will swim in the blue Lagoon and shop the straw market this next trip. Have never been to St Thomas or St Maarten either. So we are looking forward to site seeing and shopping too. Happy cruising.
I have been to every place you mentioned except Coco Cay. I would recommend going to St Johns from St Thomas. You will find the most beautiful beaches. What we like to do is shop for a little while and then head to St Johns or vice versa. You just ask a taxi to take you to the ferry and that will take you over to St Johns. St Johns is definitely some where not to be missed. In St Martin the Orient beach is nice if you do not mind some nudity. It is also nice to see the different sides of the island. They are owned by different countries. The Bahamas is okay but I would do a snorkeling tour or something like that. It is kind of neat to see Atlantis but I would never do it again once I have been there. It was kind of expensive for just a tour.
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the beaches over on St. John are just gorgeous, make the efffort to get there. We like to hit the beach in the morning, go back to the ship, drop off beach stuff, take a shower, grab a bite to eat and then hit the stores - either at Havensight Mall at the pier or take a taxi into downtown Charlotte Amalie.
same goes for St. Maarten - hit the beach in the morning, or take a ships excursion - we did the Golden Eagle Catamaran sail and totally loved it, its sailing, swiming, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, and a bit of a party all wrapped up in one, consider it.
then shop in the afternoon. We found the merchants on St.Maarten to be much more relaxed and friendlier than the merchants on St. Thomas. Prices on both islands seem about the same.
Cococay was beautiful and very relaxing, nothing to do except relax on a hammock or snorkle, walk along the beach or eat at the babecue brought to the island from the ship, very limited shopping at the market. All in all a great place to visit
eastern carib....
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