Denise&Paul STL

Does that $35 include food and drink?

Wondering about the construction and change in ownerships mentioned in another thread about these places. Are these still there, and if so, are they still expected to be there in November and January?

Just wondered if you did get the day pass and what you thought.

When are you going? We are there in early Dec on the Enchantment and noticed the excursion is no longer available. It is not available privately either. Says it is only available thru July. The other sunset sails I found were aver $70 and included dinner which we don't need! I think we will just stay on the ship!

We are going on the January 24 Serenade of the Seas cruise. I have been reading reports of unsafe conditions and warnings and some of our group is staying onboard. Skipping the tours I was considering, and thinking of just staying close.

RCCL has us in port from 1 until midnight in Nassau. At first, when we booked, they offered a sunset cruise which sounded wonderful, and then we thought we would all go to Senor Frogs for a few drinks and back on the ship.

However, they dropped the sunset cruise and have nothing available to book after 3:30 p.m.! Why would they put us in a port where they offer nothing to do for the majority of the time in port?

Does anybody have any ideas of what to do besides Senor Frogs? Most resorts want you out by 5, and I guess we could hang at Atlantis in the casino, but I have no idea what else to tell my group to do!

Help!

Thanks!

We have been to Nassau many times, walked the store areas, Bay Street, cabbed, and even taken the public transportation without any problems at all.

First of all, we leave any expensive jewelry at home and don't wave it around. Second, we don't dress expensive when visiting a poor island like this. We are always respectful of locals and are treated the same back. We have nothing with us for anyone to rob, except a credit card put in an inside pocket unlikely to be found.

The most uncomfortable I felt was across the street from Sandals where the little quick shop had bars across the windows, was locked until you come to the door, and just had a scary vibe.

Stick to main streets, shopping districts, and cruise frequented places and you will be fine. Don't miss these beautiful people out of fear.

That is exactly the information I was looking for! How exciting! I will definitely leave this one on my list. Thank you so much!

Looking for something in Roatan and Belize. Am in a wheelchair, but can walk a little and do a few steps.

I love to scuba, snorkel, see critters and would love to see the monkeys.

Does anyone know what tours or tour providers would be best for this?

Thanks!

Denise

We are booked on this dive in a couple weeks. It is a lot of money for us, but worth it if we really do get to see dolphins in the wild. Assuming they feed the same dolphins every day at the same place to keep them coming back, but wondering what happens if they don't show up. Since it is a straight down to the sandy bottom dive and wait, if they don't show, do they just say too bad so sad? Not worth the money for that for us. Any input from someone that has done that dive is appreciated!

We are also interested in the sharks, rays, island getaway. Sounds fairly authentic and something different. Going in November. Hoping to hear more input from those that have done it.

I have been to Jamaica many times, some with AI and some on cruises. I understand the hesitancy based on cruising into port and not having something lined up. It can be an awful experience, but not true to Jamaican culture or to the beautiful island. Get away from the port, book an excursion ahead of time, such as Marva and Javia Shaw at www.knowjamaica.com or JUTA tours, or through the cruise line, but DO NOT MISS IT!

Last time I cruised into Montego Bay, we went through the warehouse building (which, by the way, I enjoyed much more than Falmouth shopping and other cruise ship ports that are so fake), hopped a cab for $7 to Secrets and did a day pass (which I purchased ahead of time). Beautiful resort, great jerk chicken (from the cart guy), beautiful beach, great drinks. Wonderful time!

Jamaica is one of my favorite countries and so beautiful. Don't miss it!

I had my first wheelchair cruise this year.

Tendering was fine for me as I can very slowly and carefully make it several steps and was able to bring my manual wheelchair. Stinks to not be able to drive around on my own and go where I want instead of where my pusher goes, but at least I get to go! So grateful for him!!

In my opinion, you have to be able to stand steady, walk the few steps across the plank onto the boat in order to be certain to make it, and if the water is rough that day, even that could be impossible, depending on your situation.

They did allow me to sit right next to the plank so I didn't have to maneuver around the tender.

Grand Cayman did allow someone to ride theirs right on, and again that is due to the conditions, boat and captain. Do not count on it if you have to use the mobile scooter and cannot make the walk across.

Good luck!

The e-visa website mentioned above and in other threads is an official site, and it does give information point about the visa waiver for cruise ship passengers:

 

Here is the URL: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/info/do-i-need-an-e-visa-if-i-am-on-a-cruise-ship/

 

For an even more official source, see the website of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Here is that URL: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/frequently-asked-questions.en.mfa

I looked all over that site! THANK YOU so much!! Excellent! Holding my head down in shame at my false sense of researchability! :)

I have seen many offer their expert opinion on whether or not a VISA is required, and as much as I would love to take your word on it, does anyone have an official website, much like the Canadians above, for the US citizens that indicates whether or not while cruising and only stopping for a day in Istanbul and a day in Ephesus a VISA is required? I have read through the official Turkey website on Visas and their requirements and everything indicates one is required.

I would just feel much better about everything if I had an official site to make a decision.

Regardless, all your input, and that of everyone on Cruise Critic is greatly appreciated. We love all the great advice, pictures, stories, and suggestions.

Thank you,

Denise

British Colonial is $65pp (which includes $40 voucher for lunch/drinks).

The beach is 3 steps down, Chaise about 20 feet away and water about another 20 feet or so depending on the tide. They do not have beach wheel chairs.

I don't know of any place that does except Sandals, and you would have to check in advance to see if they are available.

 

Melia beach is right of the concrete, but the water is further away.

Thanks Scubagirl! Great update! You have always been there to help us when we needed it! You have helped so many of us and we are all grateful!!

I have seen the beach wheelchairs at Sandals, so you might check with them, but I think they charge $110 per person.

As I recall, you can get to the British Colonial by street and then through the lobby, and there wasn't much walking to get to a beach chair right off the pool concrete area (particularly if you pay someone to help). As far as what they now charge per person, I don't know - used to be $20 each.

Just places to look into

Take a cab to Junkanoo Beach. There is a nice restaurant/bar, facilities and beach. Great day!

Alternatively, it is a great place to do your dolphin swims. Unexso I think was the place we did ours. Great experience!

In Key West, walk to Duvall Street. I love listening to the various types of music from the bars and the food, particularly at Sloppy Joe's is great!

Nassau offers some free walking tours - you can probably google those. The ones I have are on my computer and I can't seem to upload. I also have maps of Nassau and Key West - same thing. If anyone can tell me how to upload, I will do it!

Regardless, if you get off the ship in Nassau, and after you walk through the terminal security building (long walk in the heat to the building, so wear be sure your mom wears a hat and walking shoes), the waterfront is right there on the right with water taxis you can take, or you can grab a cab up to Atlantis and play in the casino, or walk to the end of that street by the water, and you will run right into the straw market and then Senor Frogs. If you walk through the straw market, on the other side are the usual cruise shops.

Grand Cayman is always a tender port, but it does use island tenders. Not sure what the rule on accessibility will be.

 

I read that as long as you can walk a few steps, you can take the tender. If not, you cannot ride a scooter onto it. Someone has to be with you to carry the wheelchair onboard the tender as well.

Yes...this. Not sure they could PAY ME to go on that one again. On ours, we missed every port and one of the props went out. We were supposed to stop in Grand Cayman and Jamaica, ended up in Nassau on a National holiday so everything closed at 5pm...we got off the ship at 11-12...so 5 hours.

I am on this cruise next week. Why would they skip GC and Jamaica and go all the way over to Nassau? This isn't hurricane season!

I noticed lots of negative and some positive posts. Maybe posting what room you were in would help the rest of us know which rooms to look for/stay away from, etc. I am forward on Deck 8 interior. Is that a really bad idea? I can try to change, although it is probably too late.

Trying to decide between 12 or 14 day cruise and that is the difference between the two besides flying into Sydney and out of Auckland, which is pricier, but may be worth it for the shorter cruise to see Melbourne and Hobart. The longer cruise stops at Bay of Islands, Wellington and Picton.

Would be grateful for any advice, thoughts, and comparisons.

Just off the Sky last week. The only restriction was that no shorts or jeans were allowed in the Palace dining room, although they were allowed in Crossings, and of course in the buffet. Additionally, so few people were dressed up, and so few photographers, that I couldn't tell the difference between formal night and any other night. If you don't want it, leave the dressy clothes at home - we wasted suitcase space with ours, not to mention the jewelry and accessories!

Dianancolin, would you please elaborate on the poker crawl? I have heard of a pub crawl and we are planning to do that on this next cruise. From what I understand, you go from bar to bar around the ship, giving out a card at each bar, and the one with the best hand at the end wins. The prizes range from everyone chipping in at the beginning a set amount, to silly little memoirs of the cruise. Is that the same? We certainly want to get this right!!:rolleyes:

Linda, thanks for the review. I always appreciate everyone's opinions and suggestions. We will be on the 8 day in about a month. Anything you wish you had done, or really enjoyed...particularly at the ports?

J. Sullivan, I wish I were you right now!!! 2 days to go!

We are sailing on Jewel on Feb 9 on the eastern caribbean itinerary. Thank you all for the valuable information found on this thread. Love hearing it all...keep it up!