Well you never know till you try it!budget conscious, 1st Cruise experiment. Luxury, but cheap(ish).

[cornishfrogboy]

Although a totally new departure for me, this Pretrip (and the Livetrip Report to follow), will be compiled in the same way as all my previous..
To inform any that can be troubled to read it.
To help any ‘Cruise Virgins’ such as myself, who may consider similar.
To hopefully provide humour (in the Live Trip).
To provide Mandie and I with a record of the vacation that we can read in our dotage (provided that we can remember to).

I have had enough of Disney, Orlando, Florida and even to a certain extent, the USA… We have already booked a return to Thailand for Feb 2026, such is our intent to move away from ‘same old, same old.

In truth, I have become totally hacked off with 20% gratuities and the greed associated with them.
Time for change.. but not a total change..

This thread concerns October of 2025 as we have now booked a Cruise that commences on the 12th.
It is Southern Caribbean Cruise with Princess for 14 days. It is also our first Cruise and other than where to be and when in order to embark, I know absolutely nothing at all about Cruises.. but will do and soon enough. I am actually very determined to work this vacation within a sensible budget. My budget is £8500 total including all Hotels, Trains, Car Hires, Flights, Food, Trips etc. £8500 for 24 nights away!

CRUISING?
I have only sailed on Warships. At time of booking..
I knew nothing about how food is dished up, booking tables etc.
I knew nothing about how to get drinks on board.
I knew no tips, tricks and tactics to gain best value from my Cruise investment.
I knew less than nothing about any of the Islands that we will be visiting, what to do, whether to book tours in each case etc.
Crucially though, I did know where I could get sufficient help tips and advice to ensure an awesome trip….. Namely, Here.

I have plotted out the Vacation on this post. It covers what we have, where we are going and for how long.
It is my hope that by the time I travel, this Vacation will be as well organised as any of my other, USA visits.

And so, to the start.

WHO ARE WE?
I am 65 at travel and Mandie is 52. We are not heavy drinkers, but will enjoy Cocktails (or Mocktails). This time, we seek History, Culture, Beaches where snorkelling is good and in general, relaxation. We haven’t done too much relaxation in the past!

We initially viewed the Ship (Boats are Submarines) as primarily a means of transport that would deliver us to a new destination each morning, but soon realised that it could also be a base for evening dining/drinking and also for breakfast. Remember, there is a budget, but with luxuries within.

And so, to the plan..

GETTING TO LHR.
This will be by Train and booked nearer to the time. On arrival, it will be the bus to the Renaissance Hotel, Bath Rd, a Superior Room with a Runway View at £116.86. There will be no breakfast as our flight is at 1235 and with Lounge Access as it is at Club Level.

The Hotel.

Note the view from a Superior Room & Window!

The BA Club Lounge.

LONG HAUL FLIGHT TO WASHINGTON
We will depart LHR to Washington DC on 08 October and 3 nights there before a flight down to Puerto Rico the night before the Cruise. This flight is Club Level, 1235-1540 and is now booked at a cost of 80,000 Avios and £375 for the pair of us. This will be our first Avios Booking and our first ‘Club Class’ experience. To say that we are excited is an understatement.

A BA Boeing 777 - 200.

A Club Class Suite as fitted in B777 .

WASHINGTON. WHAT WILL WE DO?

We arrive at 1540 and anticipate departing Dulles on the Metro by 1740 .. or earlier. We need the Silver Line and then the Blue line in order to arrive at Reagan Int. We have selected the Holiday Inn, Crystal City for our 3 night stay and based on the following rationale.
1. The Location is perfect, near the Washington Mall and also right next to our departure airport.

2. That there is a free transfer to and from Reagan to the Hotel.
3. Cost. To be this near to the Airport and Mall and in a safe area at this price is remarkable. £598 for 3 nights inc Breakfast.
4. Breakfast before we depart each morning.
5. Reviews. Whilst under no illusion as to what a 3.5 star Hotel is, this one gets very good reviews.

It is our intention to book a guided tour of the Capitol as a highlight, provided that it is available. This is seemingly booked at 90 days out. We will not stray too far from the Mall area and will certainly visit ‘Airspace’ and I understand that you now have booked, timed entry.
We will also want to climb the Washington Monument and this can be booked at 30 days out. That will all happen on day 1.

Day 2 will hopefully be a trip on the Metro back to Dulles and some time in the wonderful Hazy Centre as much (or some) has changed since my last visit.

The next day, we will then fly from Washington Reagan to Puerto Rico on 11 Oct.
I am signed up to the Capitol visitors center and can book my tour from 4 months out. I have booked with Delta, a flight 1000-1151 Reagan Int to Atlanta in an Airbus A321

And then 1250 - 1618 on 11/10/25 from Atlanta to Puerto Rico in a Boeing 737- 900

.. all on a ‘through’ Ticket.

PUERTO RICO.

On arrival, it will be a rather short walk to the imaginatively named ‘Arport Motel’ situated on the edge of the Terminal..

£155 inc breakfast.
There are reasons.
1. We do not arrive at the Airport until 1610. I guess that we will not have collected baggage and exited before 1700+
2. We believe that embarkation on our Cruise will likely commence by Lunchtime with a sailing at 1900.
3. Old Town Puerto Rico? We have a day there.. halfway through our cruise in any case.. with no suitcases/baggage etc to worry about as It will remain in our Cabin 😃.
4 A straightforward one, namely cost. Why pay more when we simply want a Bed, Breakfast and then away in a Taxi.. that will be approx $30?
5. Logistics. On the evening of the 12th, I will be eating Filet Mignon with Wine. I can wait until then for the upscaling of food quality!

As in this image, ‘X’ marks the location of the Cruise Terminal and we can arrive at any time stated by the Cruise Line.

THE CRUISE.

The Grand Princess sails from Puerto Rico for 14 days from 1900 on12 October 2025. We have opted for a Balcony Cabin (unallocated) and the ‘Premier’ drinks package. We have $250 on board spends as I am ex Military (Thankyou for the tip, Omega1).

The Perks of the Premier Package at £75/ night (each).

An overview of the Restaurants concerned, some Formal and Speciality, Some Casual and some Shorts + T’s.

We have now fully booked up all of our evening meals.

New Suitcases are ordered as clearly, I am not gonna get away with Hand Baggage only.

Two of these, as with my OCD, I could never tolerate ‘mismatched’ cases.

I may take Dinner Jacket (with Medals), Cummerbund, Best Suit, Chinos, Blazer, Collared Shirts, Ties, Polo’s, Dress Shoes, Oxfords, Trainers, Reefs, Shorts, T Shirts, Best Watch.
Mandie will be buying a dress, I understand..

We have ordered watch type straps for our ‘Medallions’ at £5.97 for two (Thankyou BEVS97).

Here is the route map.

Here is the Cruise Itinerary

I will now list those places in the itinerary by date and duration. These paragraphs can be filled as and when I know what I will be doing!

PUERTO RICO 11 and early 12 October 2025. We won’t even leave the Airport until en route to our Ship.
Currency is US Dollar.

Ships in port
Grand Princess (2600 pax).

WE SAIL.. 12 October 2025 at 1800
Dinner is booked for the Crowne Grill at 2000.

TORTOLA 13 October 2025. 0800-1800.

Currency is the US Dollar

Ships in port
Grand Princess (2600 pax)

No idea.. yet.

Dinner is booked for Sabrina at 2000

ST KITTS 14 Oct 2025. 0800-1800.

Currency is East Caribbean Dollar

Ships in port.
Grand Princess (2600 pax).

The Brimstone Hill Fort and National Park looks good and is near to the Cruise Jetty. (Thankyou, JAF).
Look into a train ride (Recommended by Lynda L).

Dinner is a walk in at Alfredo’s.

DOMINICA 15 Oct 2025. 0800-1800.

Currency is the East Caribbean Dollar

Ships in port.
Grand Princess (2600 pax)

No idea.. yet.

Dinner is at Michelangelo 1930

GRENADA 16 Oct 2025. 0800-1800.

Currency is the East Caribbean Dollar.

Ships in port.
Grand Princess (2600 pax).

No idea.. yet.. but look at Grande Answ beach recommended by Lynda L.

Dinner is at the Crown Grill 1840.

BARBADOS 17 Oct 2025. 0700-1900

Currency is the Barbadian Dollar

Ships in port.
Grand Princess (2600 pax)
Rhapsody of the seas (2416 pax).

Carlisle Bay would appear the favourite, just 5 ship lengths away from the cruise terminal and with 6 shipwrecks, some very close to shore and a very good chance of encountering Hawksbill Turtles.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attrac...-Barbados.html
This one looks good as it departs from the cruise terminal, has complimentary drink and puts you over a wreck. £26pp or thereabouts.

Dinner is a ‘Walk in’ location unknown.

AT SEA 18 Oct 2025.

Even less than no idea.. yet.

Dinner is at Sabbatini 1900.

SAN JUAN 19 Oct 2025. 0700-1800

Currency is the US Dollar.

Ships in port
Queen Elizabeth (2092 pax).
Grand Princes (2600 pax).
Rhapsody of the seas (2416 pax)

No idea.. yet.

Dinner is at Crown Grill 1900

ST THOMAS 20 Oct 2025. 0800-1800

Currency is the US Dollar

Ships in port.
Grand Princess (2600 pax).

Honeymoon Bay looks good on Water Island. You get the Ferry from Crown Bay Marina, which costs $15pp and takes 10 minutes.
Dinghy’s beach bar and grill hires out Kayaks.

Dinner is at Michelangelo 1930

ST MAARTEN 21 Oct 2025. 0800-1800

Currency is US Dollar or Antilles Guilder

Ships in port.
Grand Princess (2600 pax).
Celebrity Reflection (3046 pax).

I want to get blown away by Aircraft Jet Efflux on Maho beach! This is over 10 miles from the Cruise Terminal and therefore must be taxi or organised trip.
Cruise 118 do a Jet Blast beach trip £53pp see great salt pond and Cole bay hill

Dinner is currently a walk in, location unknown.

ANTIGUA 22 Oct 2025. 0700-1700

Currency is the East Caribbean Dollar.

Ships in port.
Grand Princess (2600 pax)
Regal Princess (3560 pax)

Nelson’s Dockyard looks a possible (Thankyou JOCAT).

Dinner is at Sabbatinis 1920.

ST LUCIA 23 Oct 2025. 0800-1800

Currency is the East Caribbean Dollar

Ships in port.
Grand Princess (2600 pax)
Celebrity Reflection (3046 pax)

No idea.. yet. Vigie Beach is nearest and around a 25 minute walk from the cruise terminal, around the Airport perimeter.

Dinner is at Bottachelli 1940.

BARBADOS 24 Oct 2025. 0700-1900

Currency is the Barbadian Dollar.

Ships in port.
Grand Princess (2600 pax)
Celebrity Reflection (3046 pax)
Carnival Venezia (4090 pax)

Browns beach is apparently good.

Dinner is at Sabbatini 2000.

AT SEA 25 Oct 2025.

No idea at all.

Dinner is at Crown Grill 1800.

PUERTO RICO 26 Oct 2025. 0600

Currency is the US Dollar.

Ships in port.
Grand Princess (2600 pax).
Rhapsody of the seas (2416 pax).
Star Pride (312 pax)

After the Cruise, I have booked another Delta flight, Puerto Rico to Boston on 26 October 2025, 1332- 1749 in an Airbus A321.

This should give us plenty of time in which to disembark and get to the Airport as the Ship docks at 0600.

BOSTON/ NEW ENGLAND.

We will arrive early evening on the 26th in Boston Logan and will immediately pick up a hire car, driving the short distance to Falmouth Mass for the evening (arriving around 2000).
The Car is through Jen at DFCH and is an economy with Alamo.
Pick up at Boston Logan 1830 on 26/10/25
Drop at Boston Logan 1800 on 28/10/25.
The price is competitive with rivals at £88, but more importantly, I have complete trust in DFCH.

More than adequate for our humble needs!

We have booked ‘Falmouth Tides’, not too far from the Ferry we intend catching to Oak Bluff, Martha’s Vineyard the next morning and with Free Bicycles on site. Falmouth is a pretty expensive area and this well rated Hotel with great views looks a bargain, being right on the shore.

27 October Well, we have been pretty nautical on this vacation and there is only one place to go for a fitting finale! First thing, collect Bikes, cycle and then the ferry to Oak Bluff,Martha’s Vineyard from Woods Hole. We then Cycle ‘Jaws Bridge’ to Edgartown.
Edgartown is better known as… Amity, home of Quint, Brodie and a Shark so big that they needed a bigger boat. 2025 is the 50th Anniversary of that tragic event and an appropriate time to visit, with many filming locations in the Edgartown area to see.
It will then be a Cycle to Chappaquidick, particularly to see the Bridge where poor Mary Jo Kopechne died and in so doing ended a Senators likely Presidency bid. To this day, the whole affair stinks of utter injustice with Edward Kennedy receiving just a Two Month Jail Sentence… Suspended. As an aside, the very short Ferry to Chappaquidick is relevant to the Hungry Shark!
An evening meal in Falmouth will follow this intrepid trek.

New England 28 October 2025 will be checking out , visiting the Whydah Museum where the tragic tale of the demise of the Whydah, its heroic Skipper, ‘Black Sam’ Bellamy and his intrepid Crewmates.

We will then move on to the Fall River, home of USS Massachusetts, USS Lionfish and USS Joseph Kennedy, before dumping our hire Car at Logan and then checking into a nearby Airport Hotel, the Hampton Inn at Boston Logan.

The Hotel was picked on the basis of both Price and Convenience. We don’t need to be in Boston itself, other than on the last day. The Hotel has complimentary Shuttles to and from both Airport Wharf and Airport. It also comes with Complimentary Breakfast, which with Boston prices, can only be a bonus!

29 October 2025 We will be catching the Ferry (or a Taxi dependent on Hotel) across from Logan to Long Wharf and then spending the day in town. We like Downtown Boston.

We Fly back to LHR on the 2300-0930 flight with BA. Those tickets were 30,000 Avios plus £100 for the pair and in addition, a total of £160 for exit row seats (one with a door intrusion). A Train will then convey us to Falmouth/Penryn.

A Boeing 787

Exit row seats.

Well that is it! The full extent of everything I know about this vacation. Any input on any aspect whatever will be extremely welcome. Thankyou in advance..

COSTS SO FAR.. A RUNNING UPDATE.

GETTING TO AND FROM LHR etc.
Renaissance for 1 night prior to flight. £116.86.
Train from Penryn to LHR.

FLIGHTS
LHR - IAD Club and LOG- LHR economy £475 + 110k Avios.
Seat selections 30a and 30b (Exit row) £160.

Flights Delta, Reagan to PuertoRico and Puerto Rico to Boston £663.

CRUISE
£2590pp including $250 ‘spends’ for Balcony, Drinks, Gratuities etc. £5180 divided by 14 = £370/night.. not bad for Upgraded accommodation, food, alcohol .. & gratuities.

CAR HIRE.
£88 for 2 days, pick up and drop at Boston Logan with DFCH.

OTHER SUNDRIES
Wrist bands for room keys on cruise £5.97

HOTELS

Holiday Inn, Crystal City 08/10 to 11/10, £540 inc Breakfast

Airport Hotel in San Juan, 11/10 to 12/10, £155 inc breakfast.

Falmouth Tides, Falmouth Massachusetts 26/10 to 28/10 £320.

Hampton Inn, Boston Logan 28/10 to 29/10 £196 has free Shuttles.

[JAF]

It is easy enough to get about in Miami using public transport and the buses and metro operate a transfer fee so you pay on the first bus/metro and then the ticket is valid as a transfer to another bus or metro.

Princess has a formal dress code for formal nights and for a 2 week cruise will be 3 or 4 nights however, whereas when we started cruising people did observe a more formal evening attire but now a lot of people just wear a pair of reasonable trousers and a shirt. We have seen some individuals wear shorts and tee shirts and sometimes be allowed into the main dining room and other times refused and directed to the Horizon buffet. We always use any time dining which is turn up when you want when the main dining room assigned to you is open but it is possible and sometimes a good idea to pre book a time if you know when you want as we have found at certain times there can be long queues for the dining room and then they will give you a buzzer.

Some of the speciality restuarants can also get booked fairly quickly so again if you have a date or place you definitely want then would book ahead.

Princess operate on board on a medallion basis so it is possible to order drinks via that on the app on the phone and then the waiter will find you (that doesn’t always work very well though). They have now started charging for some services but this came in after our last cruise with Princess last year so not exactly certain how this works. The Princess plus drinks package is fine for non heavy drinkers as it also includes juices, soft drinks and speciality teas and coffees. Must admit we were still going to the bar to order drinks as it was often quicker than those who ordered by app.

Regarding currency everything on board is billed to your account and assigned to the credit card on account at the end of the cruise. This will be in dollars.

On shore you can use USD in all the ports on your list however, islands which have a local Caribbean $ currency we pay in that on our credit card as the exchange rate is normally better.

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by JAF

It is easy enough to get about in Miami using public transport and the buses and metro operate a transfer fee so you pay on the first bus/metro and then the ticket is valid as a transfer to another bus or metro.

Princess has a formal dress code for formal nights and for a 2 week cruise will be 3 or 4 nights however, whereas when we started cruising people did observe a more formal evening attire but now a lot of people just wear a pair of reasonable trousers and a shirt. We have seen some individuals wear shorts and tee shirts and sometimes be allowed into the main dining room and other times refused and directed to the Horizon buffet. We always use any time dining which is turn up when you want when the main dining room assigned to you is open but it is possible and sometimes a good idea to pre book a time if you know when you want as we have found at certain times there can be long queues for the dining room and then they will give you a buzzer.

Some of the speciality restuarants can also get booked fairly quickly so again if you have a date or place you definitely want then would book ahead.

Princess operate on board on a medallion basis so it is possible to order drinks via that on the app on the phone and then the waiter will find you (that doesn’t always work very well though). They have now started charging for some services but this came in after our last cruise with Princess last year so not exactly certain how this works. The Princess plus drinks package is fine for non heavy drinkers as it also includes juices, soft drinks and speciality teas and coffees. Must admit we were still going to the bar to order drinks as it was often quicker than those who ordered by app.

Regarding currency everything on board is billed to your account and assigned to the credit card on account at the end of the cruise. This will be in dollars.

On shore you can use USD in all the ports on your list however, islands which have a local Caribbean $ currency we pay in that on our credit card as the exchange rate is normally better.

See more...

That is all very helpful, Jaf.

In your opinion, given that we eat medium price point at best and are certainly not fine diners, do I need to pack my Dinner Jacket? I truthfully have no clue. We like decent food, average wine and occasional table service.

[JAF]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

That is all very helpful, Jaf.

In your opinion, given that we eat medium price point at best and are certainly not fine diners, do I need to pack my Dinner Jacket? I truthfully have no clue. We like decent food, average wine and occasional table service.

See more...

DH used to but now, especially in the Caribbean, decided not to bother any more but just wear smart trousers and shirt and possibly a tie.

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by JAF

DH used to but now, especially in the Caribbean, decided not to bother any more but just wear smart trousers and shirt and possibly a tie.

See more...

Mine can stay in the wardrobe, then. 😃

[spenners]

We are cruising for the first time in Sept 2024 from Miami on Royal Caribbean. It’s only a 5 night cruise to see if we like it. DH not taking a jacket, just long trousers, 1 pair, and polo shirts. If we are not allowed in the restaurant, but all the forums suggest we will be OK, we will go to the buffet. DH has the deluxe drinks package as he is a drinker, I have the beverage package so I can have Coke freestyle drinks and Mocktails.

[ERICSMUM]

What NOT to take ! (Basically anythng that heats up - fire hazard)
-an iron
-clothes steamer
-electric kettle
-hair tongs
-candles
- I’m not sure about hairdryers but they are supplied in the cabin.

[myaquarium]

Originally Posted by ERICSMUM

What NOT to take ! (Basically anythng that heats up - fire hazard)
-an iron
-clothes steamer
-electric kettle
-hair tongs
-candles
- I’m not sure about hairdryers but they are supplied in the cabin.

See more...

Jumping in this thread. Doing a small tui cruise in the med next feb. Bit concerned about the iron.
I like to iron my polos and shirts. How is this going to happen. I take it I won’t be able to pack one either

[Pep]

Originally Posted by myaquarium

Jumping in this thread. Doing a small tui cruise in the med next feb. Bit concerned about the iron.
I like to iron my polos and shirts. How is this going to happen. I take it I won’t be able to pack one either

See more...

There will be a laundry room where an iron is provided anyone to use in there or you can pay for a press service

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by Pep

There will be a laundry room where an iron is provided anyone to use in there or you can pay for a press service

See more...

I tend to take Polos, Surf Shirts, Chino’s, Shorts, Hush Puppies and of course, my trusty Reef Flipflops.

Being ex military, I will always do any (rare) ironing myself as when I actually take to an Iron, I seek perfection.