To cruise or not to cruise?

activehiker · May 29, 2004

I have not been on a cruise since 1969 when my husband, my eighteen month old son and I sailed on the P & O "s, Oriana from Los Angeles, through the Panama Canal, to Southampton England. This was not a good experience for a number of reasons which are too long to go into now :rolleyes:

So saying, I am looking for a vacation to celebrate our fortieth wedding anniversary in October! I need something which will suit both of us and therein lies the problem :wink:

I, as my screen name would imply, am very active, and would like a trip which includes some (probably guided) hiking, kayaking, snorkelling etc which I could participate in without my husband. My husband is older and not in such good health as me. He likes ancient ruins, museums and shopping (yuk to the shopping :tongue: ) Of course we would like to do some site- seeing together!

Any ideas and or experiences would be appreciated, thanks.

chillhouse · May 29, 2004

Activehiker:

The ships are so much different now than in 1969! You will have a great time on a cruise. A Caribbean cruise that includes Costa Maya or Cozumel for the ruins and kayak adventure, horseback riding in the ocean in Jamacia, etc. We did the horseback ocean ride and it was a blast! I actually found it easier to ride in the ocean! Then if you go on one of the Royal Caribbean mega ships (Explorer, Voyager, Mariner, etc), there's the rock wall climbing. There's just SO much to do, or not to do if you just want to relax! We've also done the Dolphin Encounter on Cozumel (but not through the cruiseline - directly through Dolphin Encounter) and that was something to remember. There were only 6 of us to 2 dolphins. If you booked it through the cruiseline, there were 30 people to 2 dolphins. We had also booked the Stingray City Tour through Captain Matvin (on Grand Cayman) instead of through the ship, and again, the ratio was so much better. There were only 12 of us and 3 crew and when the ship's tour showed up, their boat was so crowded!

Just do alot of research and post alot of questions - we'll be happy to answer all that you have! This board is THE friendliest! alt text

DaCruzNut · May 31, 2004

A cruise to the Western Caribbean may be an option....

Shore excursions on the Yucatan (Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, etc:) include some beautiful Mayan ruins such as Uxmal (my favorite), Tulum and, of course, Chichen Itza.

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Your DH can get his fill of history while you hike around the ruins....

Jamaica offers some terrific hiking and sightseeing, and a walk up Dunn's River Falls. A side trip to Nine Mile, Bob marley's birth, and final resting, place; a raft ride on the Martha Brae; or, a hike in the Blue Mountains (Escorted!!!!), are 'musts!'