cessnabmw

We're looking at a Dec cruise from Miami. We're from Toronto and double vaxed. 

Aside from vaccination proof a rapid test before we Toronto, what else would be needed?

Are we allowed to get off the ship at the ports? Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao? Do they need rapid tests too? If they do, how would we get them on the ship?

Can't seem to find the info online.

Thanks!

5 hours ago, CorgiCruiser123 said:

Alright, but the "secret" decks on the Breeze are all the way forward on 6,7,9,10, and 11.

Thanks. That's what I was looking for. The decks that allow you get out past the cabins and view the stars.. We did this on Freedom and Sunshine... So now sure why others are saying there are no secret decks... 

7 minutes ago, grandmarnnurse said:

Your 12 o’clock time is the check in time, not boarding time, but since boarding begins around 11:00, you may very well get right on. What is your boarding zone? That is on your boarding pass that you printed. Example: a check in time of 11:30-12:00 may give you a zone of A10. You board according to that zone. They call out the zones to board. 

Our zone is B11

We're leaving in a couple of weeks and getting excited! 

Have some questions please:

1. Where are the secret decks on Carnival Breeze? 

2. We have 12pm. boarding slot. What time should we arrive at the port? Port Canaveral that is. 

Any other tips? Been 5 years since we went on a cruise. 

Thanks! 

Thanks for the info so far!

If you had a choice between Miami / Fort Lauderdale and Galveston, which one would be better?

We are looking to book a mid-Dec cruise from Galveston on Carnival Vista.

Travelling from Toronto.

How cold doe sit get in Galveston mid-Dec? Is it cold the first few days out to sea as well?

We have cruised from San Juan and Fort Lauderdale. Would prefer not to deal with any cold days.

Thanks!

Heard that they have a midnight on the Journeys cruises. When would it be and how many of these are there?

http://viconsortium.com/featured/stay-away-from-all-beaches-until-further-notice-dpnr-warns/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Article above says to stay away from beaches. We will be there in less than 2 weeks..

Does this mean all beaches should not be entered??

Anyone rented from them before?

I see some reviews on Trip advisor, but they are from 2011 and 2012 only.

We used a taxi to get back and forth to the beach we went to. Worked out well.

Thanks. Not looking to just get to the beach.

Doing a self drive tour around the island.

Looking to rent a car for the date and want to get some feedback / reviews and whether anyone had issues when renting from Tropical Rentals please.

Looking to book asap.

Their website is http://www.tropicalrentalsantigua.com/

Thanks!

We hear that duty free shopping - watches, etc. is cheaper in St. Thomas.

Is this true?

How would it compare to say a sale you find on Amazon or a sale at any local store?

Thanks!

Havensight is a mile from downtown. It's an easy, flat walk on a sidewalk along the waterfront.

Awesome. Thanks!

Always use ship time.

That looks fine to me - we've done this route except for the northern loop up to Runaway Beach. I think that area gets very crowded and busy if a big ship (or maybe 3 big ships) are in port. As soon as you head east you lose the crowds.

Great! Thanks!

I don't see how you will have time to go to the places listed on your itinerary and spend time in Charlotte Amalie unless you are doing a drive by only of the beaches.

 

It will be difficult to find parking in Charlotte Amalie so best to not take rental car there. Less than 2 miles from the dock.

Thank you.

Yes, mostly a drive by. Will pick one of the beaches and spend maybe some time there.

For us, it's more about seeing the Island as a whole.

Yes, I think, we will return the rental then just walk to Charlotte Amalie if we have time.

Question - how far is Charlotte Amalie from the port? Would it make sense to return the car early then just walk downtown and back to the port later?

Anyone?

I booked Hertz through Priceline.

cessnabmw - I'd not do the DickensonBay road or the Hawksbill road. Otherwise, there's a lot to see and enjoy. Personally I'd rather do it in a BMW than a Cessna!

Thanks!

What do you (or anyone else) think of this route then? What are the best beaches to see in Antigua?

Thanks again Drake!!!

I mapped it out. Really excited to go.

I kept trying to do it in google maps but couldn't make it look right so I grabbed a copy of the St. Croix Explorer (available at the rental car office) and hand drew your route. Feel free to skip portions of it as I feel this is a lot to do in the time you have, but I hope this helps steer you in the right direction.

 

In case the bottom gets cut off here's the legend:

1st Leg is Red, Rental car pickup to Point Udall

2nd is Brown, Point Udall to Christiansted via Southside Road (Scenic Route)

3rd is Blue, Christiansted to Cruzan Rum (Buy your Rum here) via Northside Road (Scenic Route)

4th is Green, Cruzan to the Domino Club (Beer drinking pigs in the tropical rainforest, order a Mama Wanna while you are there)

5th is Black, Rainforest to Rainbow Beach

6th is in Dark Blue, straight shot from Rainbow back to the rental place to drop off the car.

You ARE Awesome!

Thank you so much. Will look it over.

Can't wait!! 😊

I've driven around Antigua a few times. Driving is very easy as the roads are fairly empty of other traffic. The main issue in my experience is the conditions of the car you get - even renting from Hertz or Avis doesn't mean a smart and new car, especially if you are off a cruise ship. The best cars are reserved for those staying at resorts and might want a car for more than a day. Also, the car rental companies tend not to have offices at the port so they meet you on the street, do the paperwork there, and give you the keys. This means you can't change your car if it's a wreck. Our last car from Hertz was an old Toyota Corolla.

 

Anyway, you can cover a lot of the island as distances are modest. On our last trip we drove right across the island to Half Moon Bay where we stayed back in the 1980s. The hotel is now a ruin but the beach is sensational and deserted. We drove back along the south coast to Shirley Heights and Nelson's Dockyard (cute but very touristy), we swam from the public beach next to the Curtain Bluff Resort, and back to the port, past some more great beaches. Our favourite was Darkwood.

 

Antigua doesn't have particularly great scenery. In fact, it's quite dull. There are a few pretty villages and churches but that's about it. This is a beach place.

 

I'd recommend renting cars on several islands - Anguilla, Dominica, St Martin, Barbados, St Kitts were the best. Martinique has nightmare traffic, though we did get a brand new Opel Insignia, and St Lucia isn't recommended at all. The ABC islands are also good for car rentals. On Aruba we rented a new Jeep Wrangler - a huge machine - which cost us nearly $200!

Thank you for the help and insight!

Do you think the route below would be do-able in the time we have?

Question - how far is Charlotte Amalie from the port? Would it make sense to return the car early then just walk downtown and back to the port later?

Thanks!! We'll plan to get there around noon. Grab a burger, go on the slides and enjoy the ship!