Frommer's Caribbean Cruises and Ports of Call 2003 (Paperback)

~ Heidi Sarna (Author), Matt Hannafin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A cruise is a complete vacation, so it's important that you choose the one that's right for you. Frommer's Caribbean Cruises & Ports of Call is the most user-friendly, opinionated, and informative guide you can buy before you set sail. Unlike other guides that try to cover cruises around the entire world in one volume, we focus solely on the Caribbean, so we can bring you much more in-depth coverage.

Unlike those used in other guides, our rating system is simple. We break down the essential elements of a cruise experience (dining, activities, children's activities, entertainment, service, overall enjoyment, and overall value), and rate them from "poor" to "outstanding." Photos of each ship combine with the text to give a better sense of the very real differences among the various lines.

Most important, this is the only cruise guide that provides the real prices people pay for cruises, not just the rack rates. Other guides tell you that a seven-night cruise aboard Celebrity's Mercury costs $1,795. You can pay that if you want to, but only Frommer's tells you that the same cruise is selling for $895. We give both the rack rates and the discount price for every cruise in the Caribbean. This feature alone makes Frommer's Caribbean Cruises and Ports of Call by far the most valuable trip-planning book among cruise guides.

Our author, a noted cruise expert who has personally checked out every ship sailing the Caribbean, offers candid and unbiased opinions on them all. She's completely up to date, with all the latest developments and the newest ships. You'll also get complete coverage of 34 Caribbean port destinations, with advice on how to spend your limited time ashore.

From the Back Cover

Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer. And avoid tourist traps. At Frommer’s, we use 150 outspoken travel experts around the world to help you make the right choices. Frommer’s. Your guide to a world of travel experience.

Choose the Only Guide That Gives You:

• Outspoken opinions on what’s worth your time and what’s not.
• Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip no matter what your budget.
• Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.
• The best hotels and restaurants in every price range, with candid reviews.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Frommers (August 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764566474
• ISBN-13: 978-0764566479
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,857,618 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great for general information, August 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Frommer's Caribbean Cruises & Ports of Call 2002 (Frommer's Cruises and Ports of Call) (Paperback)

The book has alot of general information. The first 93 pages covers "What's New in Cruising," "The Best of Cruising," "Choosing Your Ideal Cruise," "Booking Your Cruise & Getting the Best Price," "Things to Know Before you Go," and "The Cruise Experience." Having been on 3 cruises before, I found these pages useless; however, a first time cruise might find these pages helpful. The next 254 pages deal with "The Ratings," "The Mainstream Lines," "The Ultra Luxury Lines," and "Soft Adventure Lines & Sailing Ships." These pages were very generic and many times the same language was used over and over again. The next 270 pages deal with "The Ports of Embarkation," "Caribbean Ports of Call," and "Bermuda." The information on each of the ports is useful, with some good commentary on avoiding certain places due to crowds. However, the book does not list some attractions that were listed on the official tourism websites for some of the islands - this makes me wonder what else might not be included and how long ago did the author(s) actually go to the destinations. While the book does provide some information about some great sites to see "off the beaten path," there is no information on how to get to these sites, there is merely a reference to hire a tour guide. For most of the islands, a map of the entire island is included; however, there are very few detailed street maps of the downtown, port, or shopping areas. References to street names aren't much help without a map showing where those streets are. Fodor's Caribbean book has much more detailed listings of things available on the islands.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well ballanced must read, November 26, 2001

By	Thomas L. Smith (Denver, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frommer's Caribbean Cruises & Ports of Call 2002 (Frommer's Cruises and Ports of Call) (Paperback)

If you are planning a cruise to the Caribbean, this book is a must read. The first part of the book (and the appendix) focuses almost entirely on cruise ships. The reviews of the ships are well organized by type of cruise (mainstream, luxury, adventure) cruise line, and class of ship. The reviews of the ports-of-call are brief, but it is all you really need since you sill be spending about 12 hours (or less) in port anyway. The only thing the book lacks are pictures of the ports (pictures of the ships are small, black and white pictures of the class if the ship is part of a class of similar ships, or the ship itself if it is not), and a subject index.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Cruise and Port Guide, October 4, 2002

By	DDCapri (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

When I decided to take my first Caribbean cruise I checked out several guide books, but Frommer's Cruises and Ports of Call was the most thorough on each of the ships I was considering and what to expect at each port. When I finally went on the cruise, I found Frommer's information extensive and thorough. Doing a little homework with the book before arriving at port made all the difference in which shore excurions to go on, finding the best places to eat, off the beaten path and where was the best shopping. The only thing I found lacking in the book was too few photographs. Other than that, I found the book to be the perfect resourse.