Conference abbott::cruise_travel

272.0. "Trip report - Costa Daphne" by USCTR1::TBERARDI () Mon Mar 25 1991 12:58

    
    
    We just returned from our cruise aboard the Costa Daphne.
    Overall, we had a wonderful time - the itinerary was great
    if you want a flavor of the islands - San Juan to St. Maarten,
    Martinique, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Thomas.
    
    This was our 4th cruise - having cruised with Royal Caribbean,
    Regency and Premier.
    
    Postives of the cruise include:
    	Large rooms
    	Only 400 Passengers, making it easier to make friends, and
        plenty of room in the lounge, and on deck.
    	Great pastries, and pasta
    	Very friendly and helpful staff
    
    Negatives of the cruise include:
    	Mediocre meals (other than the pasta and pastries)
    	Old ship, rugs badly need to be replaced
    	'OK' Entertainment
    	Need an adaptor to use electricity in room (then, need to unplug
        the lamp to use it)
    	Only single beds available unless in an expensive cabin 
     
    
    Some tips:
    
    	Skip the ship's shore excursions - especially the island tours
    	We found that the cab drivers would take you on a better tour,
    	even leave you at the beach for as long as you want, and pick you up,
    	for a much cheaper rate than the tours.  (We paired up with another
    	couple - making the rate very reasonable)
    
    	We found the friendliest islands to be Barbados and Antigua.
    	The people arent pushy - they actually wish you a pleasant vacation
    	when you say 'no' !!! (Rather then pestering you)
                                                                
    	Martinique is great for its flowers and lush landscape
    	St. Lucia - the pitons and the volcano were neat to see
    	
    	Our favorite island was Antigua.. we went to Nelson's Dockyard
    	and the Clarence House - pretty views... we also went to Runaway
    	Beach (Smokey - our cab driver's suggestion)... nice beach and
    	not crowded.  Smokey also took us to a local market where we got
    	Mangos to eat, and cocoa, cinnamon and nutmeg to bring home.
    
    	
        We wanted to go to St. Johns while at St. Thomas, but it rained.
    	Trunk Bay is supposed to be beautiful.  If you do go to St. Thomas,
    	go to Maagen's Bay - beautiful beach, not crowded - We didnt see
    	any beaches on any of the islands which were as nice.
    
    
    	...I want to go back!!!!!
    
    
    		...Theresa
                
    	

    Theresa,
    
     What was the age group on that cruise?  Was it mixed, any singles?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Doreen