GeminiBy4

Just got off Sunrise.   I too love mashed potatoes!  However, the whipped/mashed potatoes were inedible as well as the baked potatoes.   Very thing, gray, undercooked, watery tasting.   By the 3rd night, I ended up only eating the bread and desserts for dinner.  and I"m not picky, but the quality was non existent.  

A word of caution.....we sent laundry off and it came back a few shades lighter....it looked like they washed everything in hot/sanitizing mode!  

On 3/31/2019 at 5:53 PM, newbiewaves said:

What time did you get up Gemini? 🛌

On the cruises, many days, 10 a.m., and I see that could be a problem.    I rise at 5 am at home, not sure what is about cruising that is a sleeping pill for me!     

Have you booked your air travel already?  If not I would suggest touring NYC after the cruise, then take the Metro-North train up to New Haven (terminus) and rent a car there.   You will be steps away from I-95, and a straight shot up to Vermont and New Hampshire.

I live near NYC and I always finding when touring the city, that staying in Manhattan is very rewarding.  It is worth the cost.

Metro-North has two other lines as well, that run from NYC.  The Harlem and Hudson lines.

I am curious about your New England itinerary and why you chose those towns?  

We thoroughly enjoyed a catamaran snorkel trip right on the cruise dock.   I believe it was a 2-3 hour trip, sailed/motored out about 20 minutes, dropped anchor and snorkeled.   Probably 20 other people were on the boat.     snorkel and fins provided, as well as paddleboards!  And other tiny toys.    The kids had a blast jumping off the front of the catamaran!  This particular boat served rum swizzles on the way back, included in price.

I have only been to Clearwater.   Yes, it was a chore to get there!  Two city busses and some walking, but I thought it was worth it.   The bus ride was long but 100% scenic!   If you chose Clearwater, I would recommend taking a taxi - it will be very expensive however. 

I hate crowds (why do I go cruising....that's another story).     Other than a group of local children, we were the only ones on the beach.   It is fairly calm water.,  I believe most of the time?  There is a bar/changing room situation nearby.    The highlight was walking over to the next beach area - Cooper's Island Reserve - rock outcrops and amazing scenery.    

....that finding an empty lounge chair is impossible before sunset, two cruises......never successful.  

I have been on a whole two cruises, one NCL, one Carnival.   Carnival's food is much better, my entire party of 10 (that travelled with me on both cruises) agrees.  However, first word that comes to mind with Carnivals' decor is......tacky.  NCL much more luxurious feel.    I'd rather have good food.

Yes the tram is free. I was there mid-July.

My first cruise 3 years ago involved day trips and tendering. A nightmare. Never again.

It was pure heaven overnighting in Bermuda - sleep in if you want, easy on and off ship. We had entertainment booked every night on the ship, so we did not experience Bermudian night life. Otherwise, we would have taken the Ferry to Hamilton for dinner.

FYI, you can take off the ship unopened packages of food like chips and nuts. My father is diabetic and we were concerned about when and where our next meal would be when off the ship.

You can wear t-shirt and shorts in Taste and Savor. I saw people wearing b-suits with cover ups.

IMO Breakfast is better from the buffet....we could not eat anything we ordered at Taste one morning. Perhaps you can just enjoy coffee there after you eat at buffet? Nice place to do so!

Thank you Charles to linking my recent review of Sea Glass beach.

OP -- might I add there are very steep unstable stairs (only wide enough for one person at a time) from road (the road that goes behind the houses) down to Sea Glass Beach. Even if you get dropped off on the main road you have to traverse a rocky shoreline to get to Sea Glass Beach.

I still feel the same as when I made my review....it was so incredibly disappointing.

Regarding O'Sheehans....never had worse food or service! Breakfast and dinner both horrible. Sorry there are better places .....

Aha....we were at a different bus stop! Good to know for my next visit :).

The bus driver actually showed us where the return bus stop was and it appears to be a shorter walk than the one on your map - but we did not have sidewalks :(. I could see the apt building where our bus stop was.

I just posted a review of Clearwater Beach. I was there last week. I had no idea it was a man made beach until someone replied to my review this morning.

Clearwater has scattered rocks so walking into the water is tricky. There are not rocks on adjacent beaches.

I do not think it's worth the trip UNLESS you take the time and walk over to Long Bay and Turtle Bay as previous posters have said. These beaches are adjacent/part of the Cooper Nature Reserve.

We did see taxis waiting and the no 6 bus even came down to the beach but we missed both. So we walked the 1/2 mile to the bus stop - it wasn't as bad as walk as it looks. Just be prepared to wait awhile for the bus.

We booked Rising Son II catamaran two months prior to our cruise (which was last week). We had a group of 10 and it was difficult to find a slot for all of us - so book early!

RISING SON II catamaran excursion IS AMAZING! Captain takes you to a secluded cove where you can snorkel, paddle board, kayak and jump off the boat. Unlimited Rum swizzles on way back included in the price.

We booked directly on their website, not through the ship.

Visited Clearwater July 13 and Sea Glass Beach July 15. Off Norwegian Breakaway.

Review (trying not to repeat what others have said)

Clearwater Beach

This beach is not worth the journey UNLESS you take the earliest St. George's ferry! We took the Hamilton ferry due to timing issues and then #10 bus to #6 bus. Two hours of travelling on way there. We did see the entire island which was worth that, but it was precious time that we could have had on the beach vs. bus ride.

You MUST make the effort to walk past the main beach (past playground, past Gombey's bar) to the edge of the Cooper's reserve. THIS IS where paradise begins!! We only discovered this as we were leaving. We only stayed on main beach. Swam with sea turtles! But if you are looking for quiet - not. Campers screeched for 3 hours. And I mean, top of the lungs screeches.

The 1/2 mile walk, uphill, on a hot road, at the edge of the airport (hint - taking little kids here via bus IS not ideal) was not as terrible as it looks. Also dangerous with small kids. You do have to wait a sketchy apt. building for the bus.

Sea Glass Beach

This is not walkable from the Dockyard. I cannot believe previous posters have said they walked this road to Sea Glass Beach - there are no sidewalks most of the way. Narrow roads, tight corners.

We took a taxi from dockyard. $11 one way without tip. I'm sorry, this beach was a huge disappointment. Garbage everywhere - car parts bigger than a dog, foam, stuffed animals, etc. There was security there ensuring no glass was removed. We had no impulse to take the glass - it was that unattractive.

HOWEVER, there are very small beaches next to it that would make the trip worth it so bring your suit and towel and snorkel gear!! Just thumb it for a ride back via taxi.

Ten of us are cruising July 10. Definately doing Rising Sun catamaran though it seems you only get 1 hr in the water?! And then horseshoe beach and hopefully if there is a more secluded beach for another day?

Do we rush off boat each morning to get to beach for a good spot? Are there parts of horseshoe better than others?

Sorry for the questions but with a large group of all ages we have to be prepared.

Is it worth heading back to ship to eat and maybe return to the beach? Do we have to be back to ship at a certain time?