tpnebraska

On 8/4/2023 at 8:07 AM, chris153 said:

We are on this same tour the end of August.  If you can, and don't mind, could you let us know what you ended up doing for the unplanned time on the tours. It would be very much appreciated. Hope you are having a fabulous time!!

We did the ATV (Side by side) in Denali and the Jet Boat in Talkeetna.  If you are on the land tour, you don't need to do the Jet Boat as it is a lot of the same information.

Extra Excursions Denali Explorer Southbound.pdf

On 8/4/2023 at 12:47 PM, donaldsc said:

 

I assume that you are aware the the North Pole is not The North Pole but is just a rinky town where you can buy Christmas decorations on July 4.

 

North Pole is a small Alaskan city, near Fairbanks. It's known for its year-round Christmas decorations, including candy cane–striped street lights. Santa Claus House is a Christmas store with walls covered in children’s letters to Santa and a huge Santa statue outside. Streets have names like Kris Kringle Drive and Mistletoe Lane

 

DON

What?  Now I suppose you are going to tell me Santa isn't real either 🙂

25 minutes ago, df5250 said:

Sounds like we’ll be on the same transportation to the resort.  There is a shuttle to/from Chema Hot Springs Resort, but schedule is not great. Could take the 5PM shuttle there. coming back would catch the last shuttle at 10pm. It doesn’t allow for a lot of time at the hot spring, but may be what I do.  

Looks like I found you on 2 different boards 🙂  I just asked you on our Roll Call if you had researched Chena Hot Springs, and now I have my answer!! Is the shuttle you mention the hotel shuttle?

We are on the same tour with you.  Also looked at the Chena Hot Springs.  The good thing is that they are open until midnight.  Not sure about transportation getting there though.  I looked at the North Pole as well, but they close at 6 pm so wasn't sure if that would be enough time.  We arrive around 3 pm on the 26th so will probably have the same transportation to the Bear Lodge.  

They are available now.  Just booked for August 2021 Cruise Tour Southbound.

On 7/22/2019 at 12:29 PM, baflagg said:

Recently returned from the 11 day land/sea cruise of the Hawaiian island on the POA.  If you are planning to cruise the Hawaiian island I highly recommend adding in the 3 days at the Hawaiian Village Resort if you can.  We did our own air transportation so chose to fly in on Tuesday then had Wednesday as a free day to hang out at the resort and get used to the time change.  The next 2 1/2 days were filled with tours all arranged by NCL and it's very well organized.  We had the same tour bus driver all 3 days and he was great, we saw a lot and learned a lot. On Saturday after your tour they drop you at the pier and we got right on the ship.  Your luggage is picked up at the hotel on Saturday and taken to the ship so you don't need to even worry about getting it to the pier. 

 

While we are happy to have had the opportunity to see the Hawaiian Islands, I have to say if we were to visit again it would be a land vacation only, we would not go on the POA again. We are frequent cruises and much more enjoy the larger ships (Breakaway, Escape) and all they have to offer.  The POA is rather boring compared to other ships, food was good everywhere we ate and the shows were okay. We really enjoyed the These Guys Worldwide Theatre show and when they sang poolside on the last day, they were by far the best show on the ship. If I recall they said they were leaving when the ship docked back in Honolulu, not sure if they plan to return.   

 

Daily's attached for those interested. 

POA Day 1.pdf 439.39 kB · 105 downloads POA Day 2.pdf 422.75 kB · 65 downloads POA Day 3.pdf 434.99 kB · 68 downloads POA Day 4.pdf 399.54 kB · 54 downloads POA Day 5.pdf 426.94 kB · 53 downloads POA Day 6.pdf 408.25 kB · 49 downloads POA Day 7.pdf 436.05 kB · 52 downloads

Do you by chance have any information on what the pre-cruise tours consist of?  Curious as to what is included in the tours of the Dole Plantation, Polynesian Culture Center and Kualoa Ranch.  Did you have to purchase anything other than food when visiting these sites?  We leave December 4th and at this point, the information given from NCL is very vague.  Thank you!

Do they handle their own payments or do they go through PayPal?  

Make sure you book the Family Oceanview, not all oceanview rooms have that extra room.

Thank you so much for your review.  I think we are on the same DFW - HNL flight you had. Since this is a once in a lifetime cruise, I did splurge for First Class.  I can then cross Hawaii and flying First Class off my bucket list.  I do have a question.  I also have the Journey to Waimea River and Fern Grotto booked through Roberts.  My reservation info shows that the tour is from 8:30 am to noon.  We need to be at the ABC store for a 1:30 pm pick up for Wings over Kauai.  You mentioned that you got back to the  ship around 1:45 pm.  I am hoping you stopped somewhere and were off the tour by noon.  Or perhaps our times are different than yours.  Do you think we can make the 1:30 pm pick up?  Thank you again!

We are booked through the Scenic Tours Antigua so now I am a little nervous.  I don't remember reading any of those things when making the reservation.  I will let you know how it goes as we leave on 2/17.

I hope all is well with you and you are just busy 🙂  Is there any way you could post the remaining Daily's?  You are the only one with a review of this cruise and it is nice to see those before going.  If not, I completely understand.  Am super anxious to read the rest of your review as we leave 2/17.  Thanks again!!

19 hours ago, Ashland said:

You might try asking your question on the rollcall for the exact cruise date your friend is taking or on the Caribbean Boards under San Juan.

This is the San Juan board isn't it?

20 hours ago, VtMac said:

I hope so.  We are leaving on the 15th for PR and sail on the 17th so we get a couple extra days in San Juan during the San Sebastian festival.  Take care up north there, enjoy your next journey!

Have you joined the roll call for this cruise?  It has been kind of quiet but it is picking up now that the holidays are over and it is closer.  

We sail in less than 45 days....  I have been so excited about your review as it is the only one so far regarding this itinerary.  Can't wait to see the rest 🙂

It looks like you are about 20 feet from the casino.

I booked through Barbados Cruise Excursions, $55 per person includes lunch. Here is the blurb from our confirmation letter:

The taxi is aprox $5.00 USD per person and is approximately 3miles or 10 minutes from the Cruise Ship Terminal.

Upon arriving at the Hilton Barbados Resort, please check in withthe Front Desk where you will be required to present this confirmation and topay the balance due..

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Your all inclusive beach break is rain or shine.

You will have the use of non-motorized water sports, chairs,umbrellas, restaurant, bathrooms and outdoor showers.

Tips: Please remember to bring your bathing suit and sunblock.

I have not experienced any of my suggestions yet, as we will be there in February. However, I had reached out to their tourism board and received a packet with lots of information. So, here are the ones in my information:

http://eastislandpr.com/the-amazing-grace-old-san-juan-tour.html

https://sanjuanwatertours.com/

http://www.wesailpr.com/choose-your-sail.html

I hope this helps you.

I am a planner and one that does a lot of research with cost/ratings etc. We booked this excursion. $38 US per person for 6 hours.

http://scenictoursantigua.com/v2/online-bookings/tour/island-experience/

I just searched Booking.com for your date and there are quite a few options for less than $400. We are going in February and staying at the El Canario by the lagoon. Granted, there are 2 of us and the room has twin beds, but it is just a little over $100 for the night. They don't have a pool but the beach is close. We are then staying in Old San Juan for 2 nights post cruise at the SJ Suites. Another option for you may be the Tres Palmas Inn, which is on the beach.

It may be worth a look for you.

We are not getting into PR until after 1130pm. I can't see spending a ton for the first night since we will not be there til after midnight. Where would be a safe area for two women the first night? Not really wanting to spend over $200. Will be moving to a beach resort for the second night before the cruise as a treat to us. Surprise for my friend who will think we are staying at the cheaper place only, LOL

 

Saw the WAVE hotel had good rates, but not sure of location.

 

 

thanks so much!

Tres Palmas or El Canario by the Lagoon

Taxes will be charged. Thirty cents here, thirty cents there....it's all good!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Perfect!! 13 days and that is ours!! Thank you and Taylor for sharing the pics!!;)

Son of a.... by chance do you have any pictures you can post of your cabin? We will be in that cabin in 14 days and interested to see if after dry dock. Sounds like we made a good choice 500+ days ago when we booked the cruise!!

I did find this on Youtube and looks like it would be a few rooms down the hall. I hope it helps.

Thank you so much for asking. When you get back, if you could post here any tips that you feel would be helpful for first time Alaska cruisers on this cruise. We are on the 6/18 sailing. And although it isn't my first cruise, it is our first Alaskan cruise. Used to packing shorts/swimsuits. Not worried about clothing as I have a handle on that, but any tips for the ship itself or the cruise ports and any must see's in your opinion. We have nothing planned for Juneau or Victoria. If you do get off the ship in Juneau, see if you notice many whale watching excursions available for purchase at the port. Not sure that we want to do this so I don't want to pre-book. I hope you have great weather and an awesome cruise. Look forward to your updates when you get home!

Thanks again!