catspaw1

Thanks Mangrove - you are right. I just love to watch the fish. When we used to dive in Bonaire for the winter season, we knew where the seahorses were & would regularly dive to see them. They are awesome. Even got one to hold onto my little finger once- it was by accident as we normally don't touch them. I was just a little to close & he latched on. I got him back but it's always stayed with me.

Thanks Charles for the insight. We were in Bonaire 20 years ago & even then coral bleaching was a big problem. The best places we have found for snorkeling is Las Aves & Los Roques in Venezuela. Of course, it's not safe at all to go there now. We used to snorkel (we had dive tanks onboard but with no where to fill them in both places, saved for an emergency) , collected conch & had conch fritters drinking our $3 case shorty polar beers for lunch. Life didn't get much better than that. When I get asked for my happy place- those are the places I think of. It was Gilligan's Island with almost no tourists. We used to trade with the fisherman - our water for their fish.

I'm definitely open. Will listen to any discounts but also need to see what times are left. The tasting menu at $125 pp plus 20% is ridiculous though. Not at that price. What's the usual first night discount?

I'm ok with any snorkeling. I don't necessarily need wreck. We dove a lot in Bonaire as we spent winters on our own sailboat there for a number of years & dove off our dinghy. I never go inside wrecks but do dive on them only looking from the outside. We haven't been diving & snorkeling for years but it's one of my favorite things to do. BTW I got swim pants from waterless so will see how they work. We are going on the Flora next year to the Galapagos.

We did not book any speciality restaurants.

Great to hear. We are looking forward to going.

Thanks for the input. We sailed our own boat to Bermuda once & know the seas can be rough. If there is a north wind over 15 knots that wouldn't be good either. How was the snorkeling at the alternate site? I have my own equipment.

Thanks for the fast response. I'll see if they offer any deals.

Great idea to get a tour. I can't find anything online about how much a pass costs. Anyone know? If you get a spa treatment, do you ger the garden included?

Eclipse

How was the cruise? We leave on Sunday to Bermuda. Any tips? Crowded?

No thanks on the caves. I'm more interested in snorkeling. Was just at wind cave NP& Jewel cave NM in SD 2 weeks ago.

I just found where the wrecks are. Looks like north of the islands so best winds would be from the south. However, if south that would make horseshoe bay more choppy.

We are PADI advanced divers also but will just be snorkeling this time. I agree when the seas are up, it makes snorkeling uncomfortable. Thanks for letting me know. Boat operators should not go to areas when seas are rough for snorkelers. What side of the island is those wrecks on? I'll look at the marine forecast before I book. Ocean seas are rarely perfect & I would suspect at least 1- 2 feet.

How much is a day Persian garden pass? Do they give any discounts & when? Do they add 20% tip when there actually is no service. Is it worth it?

We had a 1 year sabbatical that we turned into sailing full time for 7 years. We were lucky to do it when we were younger. It was an experience.

I love history also but hows the actual snorkeling? This is the first time I have ever taken a shipboard excursion. We always go out on our own. But we have OBC to use.

Thanks Charles. I wasn't aware of the water toys in tobacco bay now & will hate that. We sailed our own boat to Bermuda 24 years ago & loved the island. It was November so water was cold- not swimming weather. But I went over to it everyday for 2 weeks when we returned in January to continue to sail the boat south. We also went on a cruise to Bermuda before. It was different in the off season. When locals found out we had sailed there, the red carpet came out. It's not an easy sail from the east coast of the US.

Thanks for your fast reply Charles! Do you know if the snorkeling is any good near the 2 shipwrecks the constellation & Montana? Equivalent to tobacco bay? We leave sunday.

We don't have a lot of stuff- just normal beach things. I am not bringing my normal beach chair which definitely would be to big. The helinox chair one is 2lbs & fits in my backpack. I also bring a cooler. So I don't think 2 bags is too much.

Sorry it snorkel- I typed it wrong.

Hi we are avid divers & snorkelers. Has anyone done the shipwreck excursion snorkel tour to the constellation & Montana shipwreck? We have some OBC to use. Leaving Sunday

We put in a low offer. Would be nice but I'm not expecting it. I'll be surprised if we win the move up. But hey I won the digital lottery for Broadway plays in NYC my hometown, two days in a row back in February. So you never know!

Charla, love your TR & really enjoying if. We went to Montalcino in Italy where most Brunello wine is from & it was superb. Also try wines from Montepulciano- the wines are much cheaper & we liked them a lot. Please keep writing.

My husband is not thrilled with cruises, so this is our first in a while. We are very independent travelers & lived abroad for 7 years. We just came back from 17 nights in CO, WY & SD. Loved the badlands. We have always been huge travelers. Next year more of Europe or back to Asia in between other trips already booked! We are spending all of our retirement money while we can still travel! Gotta do it now! Thanks again for all your help!