3Putt77

I did that excursion a few years ago and really enjoyed it. LOVED sailing out and back on the catamaran (even if some of the time it wasn't true sailing).

Thanks Heart! My wife is intent on riding a catamaran so your feedback was really appreciated.

Thanks a million for all the feedback. Moki'smommy, Disney does charge a small fee for the tastings (around $25) but most are listed as sold out when I try to book on line. If indeed more come available when we're on board we should be in good shape. Great tips on the stops. I think we'll play it by ear. With a 10 year old that's typically the way to go.

My wife, 10 year old son and I are doing the 4 night cruise on April 25th to Key West, Nassau and Castaway Cay. Unfortunately most of the on board activities are already sold out. Especially anything alcohol related such as whiskey or martini tasting. Do you think we're out of luck or do they typically add classes? Seems crazy to pay for a premium cruise and not have an opportunity to experience the offered activities.

The on shore activities and mostly available but wondered if we're better off booking when we get there so we can eye up the non Disney service providers in advance? Specifically we're interested in the:

Catamaran Sail and Reef Snorkeling (N14) in Nassau for $59 each. The price seems reasonable but since this would take most of our day I don't want to choose badly.

Also at Castaway Cay they have a Castaway Cay Getaway Package (C05) which includes snorkeling and a bicycle tour for $44 each. The troll boat fishing (C61) might be something my son would love also assuming the fish are biting.

I appreciate any feedback you can provide on these or on any other tours you think would work for a couple with a 10 year old son. This is our first Disney cruise so we need all the help we can get.

Great advice. I've never toured Miami so I don't know the lay of the land. I'll look for something near the beach for my 10 year old. Thanks!

A new Hampton is opening in December which I'm considering booking for an April cruise. Would anyone have feedback on the location? Is it safe and close to shopping or other activities?

3449 NW 42nd Ave., Miami, Florida, 33142, USA

Thanks!

That's why I like this forum. I appreciate the education and did some checking based on it. I'll book a hotel near the airport with a free airport shuttle. Some of them offer port shuttles but typically at a cost of about $10 - $15 per person (we have 3). For that I'll likely book an Uber for slightly less $$ and more flexibility on timing. Thanks!!

My family of 3 is taking a Disney Cruise from Miami on April 25th so I'll need a hotel the night of the 24th. Can someone please suggest a reasonably priced (maybe a Hampton or Choice hotel) close to the dock? I don't know if any provide shuttles from the airport and/or to the docks but that would be a plus. Else we'll just take a cab/Uber. Thanks!

Marshhawk,

Given your quote/motto I thought you and others that appreciate sailing might also enjoy this opening from an obscure but awesome movie.

I want to thank all of you for the wonderful responses to my question. It was WAY more than I expected.

I realize now that there were many parts of our family cruise that warranted more appreciation than I gave. Cruises are quite unique and I agree it puts people in a mood that reflects their better selves. I could watch the sea for hours also.

I'm still a working stiff but hope to be you in a decade or so. Thanks again and God bless!!

Nice topic. I was considering starting a similar thread as I just went on my second cruise after a 22 year hiatus.

One thing that surprised me was the option to dine at a finer establishment for an upcharge. I thought the idea of a cruise was to experience fine dining. I'm surprised to see folks willingly pay more to get what used to be in the basic package.

I guess the cruise lines took a lesson from the airline industry. It doesn't take long for customers to get used to paying for items that used to be included in the base price. Perhaps some customers prefer to dine away from the masses also.

It may seem like a stupid topic but I'm genuinely curious. I went on my first cruise about 20 years ago and just went on my second cruise last month. Obviously there wasn't social media when I took my first cruise so when I started to use it for my second cruise I was amazed at the frequency of cruises for many on these forums.

So I have to ask, why so many cruises? Is it a vacation or more of a lifestyle? What keeps bringing you back?

Thanks,

3Putt77

Did you make advance reservations on line for the ice show and SNL?

I reserved the Ice Show on line (it's free). We did a 4:30PM show and it ended in time for our 5:30 dinner in the MDR. We have a 7 year old so I also booked a breakfast on line with the characters from Madagascar (cost was $10 each).

I do recommend booking ahead as the Ice Show looked to be at capacity.

Our family did the Bermuda cruise on 7/25 to 7/30. Agree the food in the Windjammer was bad which is incredible considering the large number of items. Food in the MDR was average at best.

We heard Saturday Night Fever was lame so we skipped it. We thought the ice show was fantastic and the magician was talented and funny. Will try a different cruise line next time around. Bigger ships just meant bigger crowds.

I carried on a pair of binoculars and got a good view. Given the color contrast you can see fairly well even without them.

Very good. I'll take that advice. I have many things I'd like to give feedback on.

Thanks Fizzlewicket!

I want to also thank you for your review. I just finished the Bermuda 5 Day cruised on LOS and your info really helped. One last question: I'd like to write a formal review also. Is this forum the primary place for that?

Later is probably better. This will give you some time to get off the ship, collect your bags, etc. There were lots of taxis and town cars at the taxi stand which is what we opted to do so we wouldn't have to search for a pre-arranged driver. Unless the transfer to your hotel is free check both prices and then decide.

I went with 9:30AM. Hopefully that will give me a buffer. Also got a phone number for the driver so I'll give a heads up if needed. Thanks!

I got this sales spam from ************* in my email. Normally I'd just delete it but they did give a nice one page review of all the cruise ships rated 3 stars or better. The Liberty of the Seas received 5 stars out of a possible 6. Very good!!

http://www.*************.com/emaillink.cfm?lnk=ships&nr=cus_T9p

If you send an email to rcldining@rccl.com, they might be able to help get it done for you before your embarkation date.

Paulette, you're a Saint!! I tried your strategy and it worked. My family and in particular, my 7 year old can now dine before starvation and sleepiness kicks in. Thank you SO much!!

First, thanks to all the helpful posters. I've had many questions answered without needing to post. Here's something I haven't seen covered.

Our family of four are taking the 7/25 cruise to Bermuda. I booked last minute and only the late dining option was available. I'm on standby for early or MTD. Does anyone have tips for moving up our dining time?

You will be assigned a time to disembark, but you can be proactive by speaking to Guest Services to ask for a time.

 

When I disembarked around 8 am, over half the customs hall was already filled with luggage. The areas for the lower numbers appeared to already be full. In the past I have just walked off the ship when my time came rather than wait for my number to be called. Sometimes RCL doesn't manage the disembarkation well - one time I was behind to catch my bus because I was allocated to D+ instead of "bus" and they called the bus numbers first.

 

My best advice is to be proactive - pay attention to what is happening and ask questions. Don't just follow the herd and sit in a dining room or theater forever wondering what's going on.

Great advice Carol. Thanks!

My wife is Mrs. Proactive so your strategy fits perfectly. Question: Are we assigned a disembarking time prior to the cruise or during the cruise? If I can start influencing it now I will.

Makes perfect sense to me. I haven't cruised in over two decades so I couldn't recall if I would be assigned a time when I had to disembark. Sounds like I have the option so I can be conservative with my commitment to the hotel car service and enjoy a couple more hours on the ship.

First, I want to thank the regular contributors to this thread. You are good people!

I've seen a few posts about the rates from the Courtyard on Glimcher to the port. The Assistant GM at the Courtyard just quoted me

Car - $60

Minivan - $70

That's too early unless you self disembark. It's a Thursday morning and there will be traffic into NYC. I'd consider 9-9:30.

Thank you both for the response.

138east, are you saying I should take my time disembarking so I have a quicker trip to the hotel? I wasn't clear. Thanks.

My family & I are cruising on the Liberty of the Seas to Bermuda on July 25th. We're scheduled to return at 7AM on July 30th. After that we are planning to spend a couple days in NYC.

The hotel (Doubletree Metropolitan) is sending a car to pick us up and is asking for the timing. What would be reasonable? I'm assuming I can call them with status but they want me to state a time for now. If we disembark earlier than expected is there a restaurant or bar we can wait at?

Thanks!