Eastern or Southern Caribbean?

[dmaikui]

We have one vacation a year and want to do a 10-day Caribbean in March 2011. We love the beach and snorkling, minimal shopping. My question is which is better out of Ft. Lauderdale, the Eastern or Southern for beaches and snorkling?

Eastern: St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, St. Thomas

Southern: Dominica, St. Thomas, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba

THANK YOU!!

[sptrout]

We have been to all the islands in your two lists except for Bonaire. They all are nice so IMO it is a toss-up; you cannot go wrong with either. Sorry I cannot give you a more specific answer. If it was me choosing between those two, I would look at the ship as the deciding factor (my luck; is it the same ship?).

[Trip]

Eastern: St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, St. Thomas


On this itin, you have great beaches in all the ports. You can ferry over to St John, from St Thomas, for fabulous snorkeling and beaches. Barbados has Harrisons Cave...a spectaular excursion, to take a tram ride through...



Southern: Dominica, St. Thomas, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba

Dominica has eco touristy excursions, not too much else, Grenada has the worlds top 10 beach, Grand Anse Beach..glorious ..Bonaire is world famous for scuba and snorkeling..Aruba has pretty beaches...


hope this helps a bit......what ships?

[Donna]

Those are really tough to choose from, both look equally as interesting as ports go. Be sure to check into the airfare and then price the two cruises. Unfortunately, the Southern's out of San Juan come with a hefty price on flying there. By the looks of the ports on the Eastern, nice cruise...

Please, let us know which one you go with.

[LisaK]

oh boy that is a real tough choice, both itinearies are wonderful ports, you really can't go wrong either way, it may come down to your ship of choice and airfare

[IslandLover]

What a great decision to have to make!!

I've been to all the ports you have listed for the Eastern and they are all beautiful with lovely beaches.

I would pick the Southern just because it has ports I haven't been to and I really want to go to Aruba. But I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Which ship are they each on??

[dmaikui]

Thanks for the info everyone.........very helpful. The ship for both itn is the Emerald Princess. I personally like Princess for the Caribbean cruises because the pools are all open. On Holland the middle pool is slightly closed due to the overhead closure, which although is open, still gets quit a bit of shade. I am looking forward to relaxing on the beautiful beaches and tasting the local food.