marjosagb

Having a tough time deciding

 

Snorkeling with the nurse sharks and rays in Belize looks pretty amazing, and Caye Caulker looks nice....but on the other hand Cave Tubing sounds like a pretty unique experience as well.

 

Option A

-Cave Tubing in Belize

-Private tour in Roatan that would include West Bay beach (boat snorkelling at the reef and beach time), West End, and a visit to see the monkeys.

 

Option B

-Shark Ray Alley snorkeling and time at Caye Caulker in Belize

-Private tour in Roatan...same as above but likely without the boat snorkeling portion (and maybe just some shore snorkeling at West Bay beach instead).

 

 

Opinions?

Thx for the info.

 

Wondering what time did they start letting people on the ship on day 1?

Does the CB typically hold a deck party on one of the nights during a 7-night Caribbean cruise like this?

We're on the CB April 19th sailing.

 

Just wondering if anyone knows apx how much a taxi would cost from Bayport Terminal to Webster?

 

Google maps showing an 11 mile trip.

 

We're a group of 7 so would need a taxi van.

 

Thanks!

Just wondering if anyone knows the apx taxi rate to get from Bayport Terminal to Webster.

 

Google maps shows that it is about 11 miles...but I have no idea what the taxi rates from the port might be.

 

There are 7 of us, so we would need a taxi van.

 

Thanks!

Thanks!

Can you visit the monkeys at Victor Boddens on your own...even if you are not doing a tour with them?

 

If so, does anyone know how much it costs?

This is a great thread!

 

 

Just wondering, what is the general consensus on taking a boat out to do some snorkelling VS just swimming from the shore into and around the kidney?

 

 

Also, I came across another aerial photo of the snorkeling spots at West Bay Beach that I though others might find helpful as well...

 

It was a little white dog (not more than a foot long) that had on a sweater labelled "service dog"

 

So what is the dress code for service/companion dogs in the MDR on formal night?

 

Is the sweater okay?

 

Should we start another thread?

 

;)

SEA to downtown Vancouver is about 3 hours plus any potential border waits. So in reality, on a bus transfer, you're probably looking at 4 hours.

 

If you decide to fly into Vancouver (YVR), you can take a taxi into downtown for $35-40...or there is a rapid transit system right at the airport that will bring you downtown. I think you're looking at about $5/ea for this option and it takes about 30 minutes.

 

If your schedule/transportation permits I would allow a day to visit Vancouver as well, before or after your cruise.

 

Downtown Vancouver is very walkable, and the nice thing is that the pier is right there - a short $10 taxi from pretty much any downtown hotel (and even walkable with a suitcase from some hotels).

 

Enjoy!

Caribbean Princess - I've booked 3 interior aft cabins through my TA, all on the same deck.

 

Have just been told that Princess upgraded one of the cabins by 1 category to more mid-ship.

 

Problem is that the upgrade put that 1 cabin mid-forward on a different deck.

 

Our TA knows that it is VERY important to us that all 3 cabins are in close proximity to each other (which is how it was originally booked). Our TA has let Princess know this as well.

 

My question - is there any way for my TA to tell Princess that we are not interested in upgrades?

 

(If it means the cabins will be in different areas of the ship, it's not worth the upgrade to us).

 

EDIT - I have just been told that the cruise lines have the right to change the cabins whenever or as often as they like, so there are chances that they will change them up until the day you depart. Is this true, even if you are assigned a specific cabin number when you booked?

For a great tour of Roatan with opportunities for (if you wish) shopping and beach, we suggest Michael at Roatan Trips & Tours. Contact roatantripsandtours@gmail.com with a web site at www.roatantripsandtours.com They can customize the day for what you want to do and are reasonably priced. You can say that cari and bill recommended them from 2/18/14.

Thanks!

As for snorkeling, we took a cat out on one of our trips down there and we had some of the best snorkeling ever. The ridgeline drops off from about 20 feet to 400 feet, and you can just swim right over. It's like you're in space. And, once your eyes adjust, you can see the bottom - at least we did - sunny day and clear (clear) water.

I've read about that...sounds amazing, especially on a bright day.

 

Where did the cat take you?...was it the West Bay beach area?

 

Do you remember which company you hired?

Mahgoany Bay was really nice, but the best snorkleing is at Tabyana Beach (sp). IT's about $40 pp round trip including beach loungers and transport. Food and drink are extra.

That's where I'd like to go. Looks gorgeous and I hear the snorkeling is some of the best (if not THE best) on the island. For $25pp + tip we might just book a private tour for the day, so that way we have full control of where/when we would like to go. Would also like to make a stop in the West End to do a bit of shopping.

 

As nice as Mahogany beach looks (and as convenient as it is), this is our first time to Roatan, and I feel like if we just spend the day there we might be selling ourselves short and not get a real feel of the island. It really does look like a perfect option for people looking for a relaxing beach day without having to take a taxi from the port.

 

I posted some patters from our cruise if you are interested.

http://salas.smartneighborhood.net/patters.html

I came across these a week ago before we booked, thanks very much for posting, very helpful!

 

***

 

One more question regarding dining - if we book the Traditional Dining, is there any way to request a table by the window for the week? Is this something we could try to request at the MDR when we first get on the ship?

We were in Roatan a few years ago on Easter week and West End was so crowded the police would not allow the taxi to enter down the hill to the beach area.

 

Hope this information is helpful.

Thanks, this info about Easter week is particularly useful.

 

Mahogany beach does look really nice...a perfect free beach day steps away from the dock...but I'm still playing around with the idea of heading over to West Bay beach for some snorkeling, as I've heard it's ranked as one of the best spots in the Caribbean. If not, we'll definitely just walk over to the beach from the ship.

 

 

EddieCruzer - in regards to your comment about Anytime Dining...we went with anytime over traditional because A) there are a few nights we will likely not eat in the MDR, and B) because there are some nights we will eat early, and some where we will eat later. Traditional dining does not seem to give us this flexibility. Our last cruise was with RCI, and their anytime dining allowed us to make reservations for the different times we wanted, but at the same table. We got to know the waiters very well, but were not limited to the same time every evening. Was the best of both worlds for us, and I was hoping we could do the same with Princess. Based on what I am reading it seems like we will be able to do so once on board.

Thanks for the info!

 

I didn't realize the ship docks at Mahogany Bay, and that there is a nice beach right there.

 

We were planning on making our way over to West Bay Beach for the day to do some beach lounging and snorkelling. Figured it would be around $20pp for transportation, plus another $15-20pp for snorkel / lounge chair rentals.

 

But now I am wondering if we should just spend the day at Mahogany Beach instead, which also looks really nice and could be less expensive.

 

-Is there decent beach snorkelling (and gear rentals) there?

 

-If you pay for the aerial chairlift to get to the beach, are loungers included or an additional cost?

7 of us are on the Caribbean Princess on April 19th and just have a few questions...

 

 

-In Roatan does the ship dock at Mahogany Bay or Coxen Hole?

 

-With Anytime Dining can you make reservations ahead of time, or is it best to go to the dining room when we first get on the ship to make them? Also, can we request the same table for multiple nights?

 

-On formal nights will men be allowed into the dining room with a dress shirt, slacks, and tie? Or is a suit jacket mandatory?

 

-Besides the MDR, where can you get made-to-order omelettes for breakfast?

 

 

Thanks!! :cool:

Great review!

 

I was wondering people's thoughts on the Carnival Miracle...

 

Am considering a 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise from LA this spring, and am trying to decide between the Carnival Miracle vs the Sapphire or Crown Princess.

 

There are seven of us - ages 55, 51, 31, 30, 22, 21, 19

-Food quality, nightly entertainment, onboard activities, and overall ship appearance are the most important things for us.

-We were on a RCI Voyager Class ship a few years ago and had a blast, but this time we are looking to sail out of LA.

 

Never sailed on Carnival, and only once on Princess quite a while ago, so any insight would be appreciated!

 

Thanks!

Newbie to Carnival (have sailed RCI & Princess), and trying to decide on a cruise for this spring...

 

7 of us total - ages 55, 51, 31, 30, 22, 21, 18

 

The food quality, daily activities, evening shows, and overall ship aesthetics are all very important to us.

 

We sailed The RCI Voyager of the Seas a few years ago and LOVED it!!

 

We live on the West Coast, so getting to LA or Galveston makes the most sense for our budget. We looked into the RCI Navigator out of Galveston, but the dates that work for us are really expensive.

 

As mentioned, we have never sailed Carnival before, but it seems like it would be a good fit for us and we like trying new things.

 

Cost being roughly the same...trying to decide between:

 

Carnival Magic - Western Caribbean out of Galveston

(Honduras, Belize, Cozumel)

 

-or-

 

Carnival Miracle - Mexican Riviera out of LA

(Cabo, Cabo, PV)

 

 

Any input on these ships would be very appreciated!

(Especially from those who have been on both)

Use goggles that don't cover his nose

Not your problem to solve and suggest best not to get involved.

 

LOL

 

The OP was not asking for advice to fix their marriage. Looking for insight into possible options incase there is a last minute change to their existing booking.

Another +1 for Captain Marvin's

 

$40 gets you a 2.5 hour tour that includes stingray interaction at Stingry City...as well as 1 snorkelling stop, with all gear rentals included.

 

Walking distance from the cruise ship port

 

Great value imo

[quote name='CruiseTobey']
My beef is with those who refuse to impose their view of what formal night is or is not on others. If RCL allows a certain type of dress in the dining room [I]even on formal night[/I], then that is the end of it.
[/quote]

[quote name='jbond']I'm confused by "refuse". Continue would fit better, I think.[/quote]

Is that your [I]suggested vocabulary[/I]? Because it seems like people can get a little funny when it comes to following [I]suggested guidelines[/I] and such ;)

Aside from a few thick comments near the start of the thread, it's been pretty much all "it's your vacation" & "to each their own" type comments, leaving me to wonder, where's the beef?

[insert sly dude with sunglasses face here]

There will be no Park Cafe:(

 

I'm disappointed about Park Café...I've heard so much about those roast beef sandwiches!

 

According to this, there will be a Park Café:

 

http://www.******************.com/category/category/navigator-seas

 

But this was published about 6 months ago...have plans for the Park Café addition since changed?

Actually, it's not hard at all. Plenty of people demonstrate that they can't interpret the phrase. I think those who take it as "wear whatever you want" are clearly misinterpreting it. But those who take it as "wear this or eat elsewhere" are misinterpreting it, as well. It is a guideline of what they mean by "formal" (or casual or smart-casual).

 

For any occasion in life that has a "suggested attire", you are going to be dressed inappropriately, if you veer far from the suggestion. Doesn't mean that you're a bad person or that you'll be kicked out, but it does mean that you'll be dressed inappropriately. :cool:

This thread ends here for me.

 

Very well said.