CruisingMom-2016

We're headed to Bermuda for one day on Adventure of the Seas.  Husband and I, early 40s, first timers to Bermuda.

Besides Horshoe Bay (which we may do) - any other recommendations for just one day?

Thanks!

We're headed to Nassau on the 8 ay AOS leaving at the end of the month.  2 adults, early 40's.  Wondering what to do for the day?

We were there with our kids last year and got a day pass to Atlantis w/dolphin excursion (through Resorts for a Day).

But since we get in at noon this time, not sure that a Resort Day pass makes sense.

Any advice?

Thanks!

We are looking at an itinerary that would have us docking in Nassau at noon and departing at midnight. 

Seems like most of the excursions are done by 5 pm. We don't need to book through the cruise line - but wondering what there is to do from 1 pm on? (Assuming it takes time to get off of the shop).  

Thanks!

Thank you for the review!  Considering Freedom for next July - and wondering how the crowds were?

Read some reviews from September that it was very crowded - and as this will be a kid free trip for us - wondering how it will be at the end of July?

Interestingly - we are choosing between this and Harmony (and we have also cruised Allure and Adventure) - so I get your feelings about the class of ship.

Thanks, all.  We are drawn to the Southern Itinerary.

How about the aft cabin on Freedom?  9706.  My husband is concerned about not liking the balcony at the end of the ship.

We're trying to choose between two cruises and need your help.

We are looking at two cruises - leave on the same date - and price virtually the same. Both leave on July 28.  Traveling from Philadelphia and airfare - at least as of now - very similar.

Freedom of the Seas - aft. cabin 9706.  Southern Caribbean. San Juan, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St. Maarten.

Harmony of the Seas - port cabin 9308. Western Carribbean and Coco Cay - Port Canaveral, Coco Cay, Cozumel, Roatan, Costa Maya.

We have previously cruised Oasis, Allure and Adventure (this past May).  We loved Oasis and Allure and also enjoyed Adventure (particularly the slides - but we did those with our kids).

I'm sure we would love Harmony - not sure about Freedom? 

This will be our first time traveling KID FREE - so torn between the Southern itinerary - and the newness of Harmony (but thinking we might feel bad on Harmony without our kids).  Looking forward to relaxing and also taking advantage of nightly entertainment (which we were limited when traveling with young(er) kids)/

Also looking for input on the cabins - particularly 9706 on Freedom. My husband is concerned about lack of breeze (and feeling humid in the room) - and sightlines over the balcony.  I'm drawn to the aft cabin and possibility of a bigger balcony?

Appreciate whatever input you can offer.

Thanks!

CruisingMama

You do know that the swim is a different and more expensive program than the shallow water encounter. You can get lots of info on the Bahamas board: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58

Yes. That's where I started our with this post. The shallow water encounter should be enough of a "swim" for my 8 year old.

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The day pass including the dolphin interaction is $199 pp, so $800 total.

Right. After all of the fees - it's about an additional $350 over booking at the Comfort Suites.

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Any experience with this combo package through Bahamas Day Pass?

We were going to get a room at Comfort Suites and then go to Atlantis, but my kids are really interested in the Dolphin Swim. After adding in all of the fees for CS (not just taxes, the fees in the fine print) - it would cost just under an additional $350 for the four of us to go to Atlantis, have lunch and do the Shallow Water Dolphin Excursion.

Still a $$$ day - but - if we are set on Atlantis - which I think we are - we've never been and have wanted to go - an extra $86/person to eat and hang with dolphins sounds reasonable to me.

We're leaving in two weeks, so before I pay the non-refundable payment :-) - thought I'd see is anyone has any insight or experience.

Thanks!

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Any experience with this combo package through Bahamas Day Pass?

We were going to get a room at Comfort Suites and then go to Atlantis, but my kids are really interested in the Dolphin Swim. After adding in all of the fees for CS (not just taxes, the fees in the fine print) - it would cost just under an additional $350 for the four of us to go to Atlantis, have lunch and do the Shallow Water Dolphin Excursion.

Still a $$$ day - but - if we are set on Atlantis - which I think we are - we've never been and have wanted to go - an extra $86/person to eat and hang with dolphins sounds reasonable to me.

We're leaving in two weeks, so before I pay the non-refundable payment :-) - thought I'd see is anyone has any insight or experience.

Thanks!

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Just to update - we wound up at Reggae Beach Bar at Cockleshell. Loved Cockleshell - and was able to walk to some quiet areas on the beach as well. Would recommend that Beach with kids - we went with Liz Pereira and she was great. My daughter had her hair braided when we returned to the port. (I brought my own comb :-) )

Just to update - we got out of the terminal around 11:30 and took a cab to Hollywood Beach Resort. (Uber would have been less $$). Left our bags at the bell desk and had a great lunch at Landshark Bar and Grill overlooking the beautiful beach. Walked down to the beach quickly and then ubered back to the airport - at airport by 2:30. It was a great way to grab lunch and spend some time - and loved seeing the beautiful beach and palm trees. It was a nice end to vacation before sitting in the airport :-)

We won't have bags as we did luggage valet - so only our carry ons - which are backpacks.

Any good recommendations for lunch before we head to the airport? DH nixed the idea of a cruise line excursion.

We're getting off the Allure tomorrow and our flight is not until 4:30. We plan to stay on ship as long as we can ... but will still have a few hours to kill before our flight.

Any recommendations? We will have 9 and 7 year old with us.

Thanks!

Can't believe it's our last day. Really has been a wonderful trip. Beat box and balloons walking into Windjammer this morning. Complimentary mimosas. We have a nice seat by the basketball courts.

And my dd and I also hit boardwalk donuts first and Johnny Rockets. Sat quickly but was not impressed with the scrambled eggs - thought they would be better but they weren't.

I love the muesli on the ship so while waiting for my other two family members (finding a seat at the pool is going to be impossible!) - I'm having muesli and my daughter is enjoying her fruit loops. Sunday night is going to be a ROUGH return to reality!

Tonight was the second formal night. We skipped it again - in favor of a more low key evening. Stayed at the pool past 6, windjammer again (ugh!) - kids went to kids club, hubby went to Blue Planet and I stayed in the room to pack. Yes - one night early. I've never done that before - but 95% is done now so I don't have to lose time tomorrow doing it. And I enjoyed the quiet time in the room by myself!

Awesome about the Thenford Gray tour. Because my 9 and 7 year olds had been hit or miss on touring - we did the beach day with short stop along the way. Worked out well for us - at some point I would probably want to see more of the island.

I actually do have a pic of the menu from the first night - it's the only one I took! When I realized I couldn't post pics - I stopped taking them

St. Kitts - we wound up using Luz Pereira tours for a transfer to Reggae Beach Bar on Cockleshell beach. Great decision. That area of the beach was a bit crowded - but I walked down just a bit and was in the most beautiful location I have ever been - and had it virtually to myself. Phenomenal and we didn't want to leave. Will try again to post pics.

On the tour now - feeling like we spend a lot - too much - time in the galley. I want to get to the bridge! :-)

Re: soda cup - they told me we need to pay another $8. Haven't done it yet.

About to go on the ship all access tour - waiting for it to start. Interested in seeing it - but kind of wishing I was still by the pool with my kids.

Heading off the ship now. We arranged with Liz Pereira tours to do the transfer to Reggae Beach. I would have liked to do a tour as well, but the family would prefer to head straight to the beach.

Also - we don't feel too much movement on the ship - we're on deck 12 act. This morning though - I think we felt the engines power down - and we felt the vibrations - woke us up. I don't mind - but the 9 year old wasn't too happy about being woken up :-)

Ha! Sorry. Falling down on the job here!! Pulling into St. Kitts right now. Lots to catch up on. St. Thomas yesterday was beautiful.

Mama Mia on Tuesday night was phenomenal! St. Kitts looks like it will finally be a sunny day!!

Hoping to head to reggae beach bar - though my son has asked to stay on the ship to enjoy it. I told him we won't be seeing beaches like this again for a long time - so hopefully I get my family to go!

Mistakes we've made - for some reason, hubby didn't bring much cash which isn't great when you need to pay everyone in cash!!

Also - hubby ordered the wrong drink package AND lost our soda cup :p - not mad, but definitely not getting it money's worth!!

My time dining again last night - Alexander in American Ickn is great! We were happy to be seated with him again even with no reservation.

We enjoy breakfast in the dining room best.

Ship isn't too crowded. - supposedly only 600 kids on board when normally slider to 2000. Had made kids club a bit weird - but also good (for us) because my two kids (9 and 7) are together - which is good for the 7 year old.

Ok - docking and need to see if I can move my family. Maybe we can get moving in st. Kitts (and then get back). I think all aboard will be 4:30 - docking is 8 am.

Will try and have more time to catch up tonight - the last two nights I've been researching what to do since I didn't plan well at all :D

We'll be in St. Kitts tomorrow... last minute planning again :-)

Looking for a clean, clear water beach to go with kids - where we can rent chairs and maybe floating mats?

Also, my daughter wants to get her hair braided. Anywhere to do that in St. Kitts?

Thanks!!

We're on Allure and will be in St. Thomas tomorrow 10:30-6. We had thought about making this a ship day so I didn't make plans - but due to bad weather - we've had plenty of ship time so far and I really want to explore *and* see a nice beach.

Will be there with kids 9 and 7. Want the cleanest, clear blue water we can find - for a relaxing beach day.

I've read about Coki (sounds a bit busy), Magen's Bay (likely to be crowded), Emerald Beach ?, Sapphire Beach and / or St. John.

Would it be easy for us to get off the ship and get a ferry to St. John?

What do you recommend? I usually have everything planned so this is tough for me. Thanks for any advice!

Seriously? Wow! Can't wait to hear the story behind that! I was thinking I wanted to see if I saw anyone running towards the ship - and also that we left a little late - but I had fallen asleep and we were moving by when time I left deck 12 and met my hubby on 15.

Just saw Ice Games - seriously a highlight of the trip - and for us at least - not to be missed. Sorry we didn't see it on Oasis because we loved it. Now my family is watching Ocean Aria from deck 15 - great view and no tickets needed :-)