Krisco

4 hours ago, stefmaia said:

never let fear of a bathroom layout stop you from having a wonderful time! everybody poops! bring some poo-pouri and a "never say die" attitude and try something different! Concentrate on the positives, the Spice H2O is the best in fleet, the itinerary is fabulous and YOU ARE ON A CRUISE.....nuff said.

Agree.  I've sailed on Epic and going again in 2 weeks. It's about the itinerary.  I don't understand the issues with the bathroom layout.  Someone can use the bathroom while another is in the shower or getting ready at the sink.  the separate bathroom keeps the poo-pouri separate.  there is still a door and it's not that opaque.  to me better than the traditional bathroom when 2 people trying to get ready, etc.  

On 11/19/2019 at 12:41 PM, mitsugirly said:

So at Daniels, I see on his webpage that it's $30pp just for the "Hangout". But I read some trip advisors posts and they mentioned something about going to the hangout and also kayaking in the mangroves. I don't see anything about this on his page. He mentions snorkeling and also an island tour. Anyone know about this?

 

Has anyone done the snorkeling with him? Is it in deep water? I kinda remember asking about this awhile back and I "think" someone said the snorkeling is right out in front of his place there.

Hi Kim, we did snorkeling at Daniels a few years ago after hanging out with the sloths and monkeys. It was pouring rain so everyone else bailed so it was just the 2 of us with a guide.  We did snorkel not far from his place as the boat was around the corner.  You could actually see Little French key from there.  Even with no sun it was great. The boat was really an old clunker driven by a little old man who was a relative but it was so personal we didn't care. Great reef and for the price it was good.  I'm sure if it was sunny would be even better.  It helped make an entire day excursion.  On the way back our driver stopped at a resort to have a monkey la la cocktail and she just hung out waiting for us. It made for a nice day as she gave us info on the island.  Very laid back.

Bad typing on a phone.  We had a lot of boats around us, not bats.  And yes had processed and sent home. We had to throw back some halibut as could only take back 1 per person. We probably caught at least 5 more and would put the small ones back if we caught larger.  The cod other fish had more of a limit.  It was delicious.  

On 10/12/2019 at 9:06 PM, Krisco said:

Baronof in Ketchikan. Awesome day. Just 4 of us. First class. Had it packaged no sent home. A lot of bats around us jealous as we were catching fish. Captain was a school teacher who did this in summer.  I did a lot of research on this and glad we went with them.  Provided with bibs and boots and a boxed lunch.  This was mid July 

 

Baronof in Ketchikan. Awesome day. Just 4 of us. First class. Had it packaged no sent home. A lot of bats around us jealous as we were catching fish. Captain was a school teacher who did this in summer.  I did a lot of research on this and glad we went with them.  Provided with bibs and boots and a boxed lunch.  This was mid July 

Ah Kim, feel so bad for you.  Thanks for sharing I love to see that. Same thing happened to me 5 years ago.  X-rays look the same as does the carnage!  I was walking over a chain draped over a driveway entry and did same thing. Right foot got over, but left foot got caught.  I am leery about even walking over a nylon rope now!  Hang in there.  This is the worst part.  Once you get a boot it feels so much better but I cried a lot taking sponge baths until I could get it wet. Invest or borrow a shower seat. That was the best.  Taking the screws out was just an outpatient procedure so not bad.  As for your question on metal detectors, not sure if airport will set them off, but I also have an artificial hip and that sets off in airport but that and ankle hardware do NOT set off sensors on cruise terminal or getting back on the ship so you should be good there.  

I got a little shower basket zip tied to the handles of my scooter and it helped carry things around.  I was back to work but have an office job in a few days and zipped around but I could drive as it was my left ankle.  It's a long time healing and it stinks.  Hang in there.

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

Nope. You have $100 per port. If the cost of the shore ex is less than $100, you get the cost of the excursion. If you don’t use a NCL ShoreEx at a port, you get $0 for that port. Use or lose. 

I think it is $50 per stateroom, not $50 per person so it would be $50 per port, not $100 per port

We preferred Southbound so the longer flight was near the front of the trip, and the land portion is go go go.  The cruise portion was more relaxing even with excursions but the few days glacier viewing were more relaxing.    We had no issues getting off in Vancouver. We didn't even have to show our passports in customs. We just walked through.  

We took the Alaskan Railroad train from Anchorage to Whittier. It was fabulous.  You buy tickets in advance and reserve.  They had some history and site seeing commentary from conductors.  It was relaxing, had a food car and it ends right at the Whittier dock.  If you take the earlier one you have time to do a glacier tour before getting on the ship.  Highly recommend.  

I have never noticed any difference.  If I have copies of MDR menus sometimes that helps determine what nights to do speciality but those could change.  Or I might book a bigger meal like at Cagneys on a day when at a port and might not eat lunch. The quality has been the same throughout to me.  

Nothing was done about the arrangement of the casino and open Atrium. We just got back from the Breakaway.  Most improvements looked to be carpet and chairs, etc.  There is a non-smoking section in the casino by the casino car that was much more pleasant.  But yes you still get the smoke smell in the main atrium area from the casino.

9 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

The time changes to port time.

 

It is a bit odd on this itinerary, as Honduras and Belize are currently two hours behind Miami time, but the Mexican ports are just one hour.

 

We had to put our clocks back one hour on each of the first two nights. Then forward one hour after leaving Belize and another hour after leaving Mexico.

What he said.  Just got back from Western on NCL.  It might be different my company.  On Carnival we always stayed on ship time so I had to make notes when traveling out of times zones to make sure excursion pick up times were correct.  

On 4/21/2019 at 11:46 AM, bjcruiser said:

Please report back on this. We are thinking of doing this as well. 

 

Thank you

Bobbie

Oh she will. She is the queen of reviews.  I've learned so much from Mitsugirly!

On 2/2/2019 at 7:48 PM, Aplmac said:

I think this is Silver Moon -taken at least 5 yrs. ago

making their way out of the Shallow Draught Harbour, Bridgetown Port

.

and before the Destiny became the Sunshine!

On 4/6/2019 at 9:39 PM, Country_Cruiser67 said:

Thought i would share our positive experience with El Tigre in case any other cruisers are looking to book them on your own. We were picked up at the dock right on time by a very friendly driver. He met us at the stand for all personally booked excursions at the end of the excursion platform once you are outside of the main building with all the stores. We had checked in at that booth and the workers let us know when our driver arrived. We were the only cruise passengers on board our ship to have booked this excursion. The 5 hour catamaran tour included 2 snorkel stops, banana bread, coffee for breakfast as well as a buffet style lunch with more than enough food for everyone. The catamaran is very clean and spacious. We did not feel crowded at all. Drinks were flowing from start to finish with more options than most other companies offer. The first stop is close to port and they dock very close to the beach. We did see one sea turtle at this stop. Then you sail along the gorgeous coastline to the second stop where you have lunch and have time for a leisurely swim while the crew cleans up. Treated like royalty by the crew. They always came around refilling drinks and taking dirty dishes away. Felt totally safe on board and while snorkelling. Definitely would not hesitate to book again with El Tigre for sure. We never felt rushed at either snorkelling stop and were back to port in plenty of time.

Looking at options for cruise and this looks fantastic.  I looked at some pictures on Trip Advisor but was hard to tell.  How was the ladder for getting in and out of the water for snorkeling?  I'm not the most agile or a jump in the water gal and always worry about tiny little ladders for getting in and out. Do you remember?  This looks fabulous and good price.

I agree with Syd's comment.  We sailed the Escape last year, Bliss in February and just returned from Breakaway last week.  Like the new options like Brewhouse and observation deck better on the newer ships, but I didn't find anything lacking on the Breakaway.  I think it was refurbished end of last year and carpet, etc all looked updated.  It was a spring break week and it didn't feel too crowded although the trip was port intensive.  A few craft beer offerings in bottle might help with the not having the Brewhouse.  Syd Norman's was small but it was fun and a talented group. Rock of Ages was great.  The only think I can say was a little different were the chairs sitting areas on the Waterfront were not as plentiful or comfortable  and that is not a huge deal.  You will enjoy.

Sending a follow-up on this thread regarding getting back to the port from Nachi.  The taxi ride there was about 20 minutes from the downtown port.  We "thought" we gave ourselves plenty of time to get back by calling for a cab an hour before all aboard.  The taxi took about 7 minutes.  What we had no idea of, is going back to port there is just that main road, and all those resorts along the road heading back with 5 ships in port (about 20,000 people)  the trip back was bumper to bumper and it took almost an hour to get back.  I have never felt so much anxiety in my life. The taxi driver had a statue of Our Lady Of Guadalope and I was sure praying to her.  I am such a planner, but had no idea the trip back would be triple the time and all that traffic.  Heads up give yourself a lot of time to get back.  

4 hours ago, ihopfar said:

Glad you are enjoying Nachi!  Where did you go in Costa Maya?

We went to Maya Chan. Great but didn’t  get in the water. Book early for dinner other place. People were turned away. 

On 4/13/2019 at 4:01 PM, NovCruisin said:

Does anyone have a recent update on the seaweed? Our cruise stops in Cozumel next month (last weekend in May) and I'm debating going to Nachi (I've been twice before) but the last visit was a few years ago and I know all of Mexico has been plagued by seaweed in recent years. Honestly seaweed, especially if they don't clean it for several hours, would ruin my experience.

I am sitting under a Palapa right now at Nachi drinking a Bloody Mary. No sea grass today. Costa Maya was bad yesterday however. It’s beautiful.   

19 hours ago, rocksteady27 said:

I sail out on the Breakaway this Sunday and just got my acceptance notice.

 

Booked a casino offer, had a free comp inside room (paid admin fees of $300 each for 2 people).  Bid $150 p/p for the upgrade to balcony and got a family balcony B2.  

10 hours ago, smashley923 said:

Sail out of breakaway on Sunday. We had a guarantee interior. Bid $125pp ($250 total) and got it!!! They put us in a family balcony B2. We’re so excited!!!

We are on same cruise 4/14 Breakaway and also had a casino offer inside room comp.  My balcony and spa balcony bids were lower than above by about $25pp, but bid in the poor range $50/pp for oceanview and just got it.  One of those at front of the ship.  I had lost hope after the Oasis incident also and ship showed sold out. Pretty good.  

Was on the Bliss in February and the only $5 were at night and in the smoking section.  They also had a $5 3 card poker table.  We toughed it out as most smokers were pretty conscientious as could see we don't smoke so it was not too bad.  

3 minutes ago, Buffett fan said:

In the big scheme, I know the cruise industry is a business and they are in business to make money....but shame on NCL for clearly increasing their costs (and significantly!) due to the misfortune of others.  I am happy to hear some displaced Oasis cruisers may have been able to quickly rebook - but geesh, an increase like that is hard to swallow.  Hope you enjoy your cruise, I've heard that Breakaway is beautiful!

I did read on our facebook page created for our week that someone had this happen with an NCL cancelled cruise, and RCL closed down outside reservations and apparently a recipricol type agreement with other cruise lines.  He said RCL called him directly to rebook on them, so maybe the rates were better if this happened.  Sure hope so. And also if so, kind of a nice thing if they help each other out.  Obviously it's still good for the company taking on all those passengers too!

I am on the April 14th NCL Breakaway out of Miami.  On Monday I was confident a low upgrade bid might be accepted as the ship looked like there were many open cabins.  On Tuesday a dummy booking showed all sold out.  This morning it is showing about 4 spa balconies open at triple the price from Monday.  So much for an upgrade bid and not so full ship, but glad if some of these Oasis passengers can still get in their vacation from Miami.  Just interesting the change in 1 day and the ripple effect.

12 hours ago, cruises42 said:

Thank you! Did you take an Uber back to the airport? If so, is it hard to get one once you leave the ship?

Yes cruises42, we actually took a Lyft from Port of Miami to Fort Lauderdale airport.  It was not hard to get one, it's just a little hard to find them in the rows of taxi's and car services.  We just requested one on the app and told them where we were standing in the cab pickup line.  Had to wave them down but they called us so just stayed on the phone with us until we waved them over to the side.  When I went on app to request a ride there were several you could see waiting.  I think he said they wait in same area as cabs to be called.  Good luck. 

11 hours ago, cruises42 said:

We have never used Uber but we are thinking about it from the hotel to port then to airport. When you go to port does the Uber  have to sit in a line of cars to drop you off or does it bypass cars like some shuttles do and go to the front of the line. 

Our Uber driver went in along with taxis and dropped us right off so there was no long line of cars in Miami.  However, it was pretty early, like 10AM so not a lot of traffic going in, more on the other side going out.  The only issue was we needed to find a porter to take our luggage but again I think because they were all taking off disemarkment passengers as we were so early.  It's easy however.  I have had so many issues with taxi's in Miami. Saying they don't have a credit card machine and need cash, headed to airport instead of port of Miami, etc.  I love Uber and Lyft.