Wedding Blog

Wow, I feel like I’m reading my own post!! We’re in same situation with a bi-ticket previous vacation, new house, and the wedding and have also decided to go the cruise route. After nearly 9 months of planning, isn’t it nice to go on a cruise where your biggest decision is what time to eat?

im with yach! ive done this cruise, and its fab!

in labadee, the inflatable water park is a good time!

I did THAT EXACT CRUISE this last March for my honeymoon - it might even be the same ship. I loved every minute of it. The post from Yach about sums it up - I agree 100% with the Dunn’s River Falls thing. Just take a taxi there and then pay the entrance fee. There’s much less rushing, it’s a LOT cheaper, and yeah, you don’t have to hold anyone’s hand. We also did a horseback riding excursion where we rode into the water. It was pretty fun, but maybe a little silly. Don’t expect to shop for much in Jamaica, do expect the locals to sing a sad song about their pay and living conditions, and make sure you try the jerk chicken if you enjoy spicy or hot foods.

Labadee is fairly uneventful, but good for relaxing. The island itself is hilly and tree-covered, and the beaches are sort of small but relatively nice. Don’t rent snorkeling gear. Buy some gear from home, and bring it with you! You’ll especially want to use it in the Caymans, but it’d be nice to have all along. I really reccommend doing this. Also in Labadee, local bands (wanting donations of course), a straw market with some interesting wares (don’t buy anything that you can’t take back on the plane, however), a zip line that may be finished by then (they were still building it), and some really amazing views.

The Caymans was my favorite - the water is just so clear. Again, don’t book an excursion, just get off the boat and there will be people everywhere, offering to drive you places or take you snorkeling with this or that. Pick one of those, or go it alone, either way works great. Seriously, we sat behind a Burger King for a little bit, and 10 ft. from the drive thru is just sparkling clear water with little blue fish darting around. It’s so strange. We snorkeled, and I’d say that it’s a must - it was probably my favorite thing of the whole trip. They have lots of tax and duty-free jewelry and liquor.

But, if you want tequilla, buy that when you get to Mexico. Senor Frog’s is right as you get off the boat at the port. Now, there’s lots to do in Mexico, but I would suggest you look at the excursions for this day. We went to Xcaret, and we really enjoyed it. I would not try to make this trip by yourself, only with an excursion group. This way, the ship can’t leave without you if you’re late.

As for the ship itself… I think we were on Navigator of the Seas. Go to the shows, lay out in the sun, buy lots of alcoholic beverages, make your then-hubby compete in the Mr. Sexy Legs contest, and make sure you go to The Quest. It’s very entertaining. You’ll see.

And, for anyone who hasn’t cruised, I’d check to see if your cruise line has formal nights for dinner so that you can dress appropriately. Don’t miss out on the dinners each night - the food is just wow. So is the service. One more thing some people don’t consider: if you get an interior stateroom, you will not have a window, so it will be just as dark when you wake up in the morning as it was when you went to bed. If this botrhers you, get a different sort of room. Otherwise, I’d just get an interior - the idea is to spend time NOT in your room! Go to the shows, they aren’t that bad. Have extra money in your bank account (or plan for a credit card) to pay for alcoholic beverages. Bring plenty of all toiletries, film, clothing, etc.: the cost on board the ship is at a premium.

Okay, I’m done. Whew. Hopefully this helps someone.

Definitely go swimming with stingrays in Grand Cayman! And dive the Cayman Trench — if you’re not SCUBA certified, do it before you go — it’s the best diving I’ve ever done, and I’ve been diving all over!

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