Krisco

We rented from Budget in February. It was $65 for the day. We were on NCL at Havensight dock. Budget office was right there past the gate.  Our reservation was for a Jeep Wrangler but they said they don't have those anymore. It was a Ford Escape. Pretty beat up so make sure you really inspect before. We made notes of things not on damage list. It was great. Easy to drive on left side of road. Just pay attention. Will say signs are bad or non-existent. My GPS had USVI on it and that helped. We went around entire island and stopped at many points of interest and beaches. Tour buses would stop at same road turn outs with 50 people piling out and they kept getting asked if we lived there. Their tour on open buses were $60 pp and we had car for 2 for that price. Roads are really curvy and blind corners so you just have to be smart. Hardest part was pulling in and out of drives into gas station etc. kept going to right side of driveway. We stopped at Saphire beach for few hours and That was great and drove by some nice homes. Think filled gas for about $12. It was a great day. 

I am 4/14 and have not heard yet either.  There is a long forum on this and many say sometimes you will not hear until 2 days before.  They try and sell them outright before accepting bids. Good luck!

We were in line to book laser tag and comedy shows and realized we could book both on the app. It was easy and left the line in a few minutes.  Try that next time too.

Looking forward to first time there in a few weeks.  The map situation seems the most challenging.  ha 

I have used Shoreexcursioneer several times and sometimes there is a costco promo code to save 10%. It is hit or miss.  however I booked directly through Little French Key as the price is the same. But if you have a promo code go for it.  They are reputable.

We did Daniel Johnson's Monkey and Sloth place a few years ago and it poured all day.  They were in covered cages and the area outside the cages had some cover so it was all fine. A little soggy but they didn't cancel anything.  Maybe the same at Bodden's but the set up might be different.  

On 2/7/2019 at 7:39 PM, scubarn1 said:

We enjoyed our day at Nachi and would go back in a heartbeat. We were looking for an atmosphere that was quieter and not a spring break drunk fest. The drinks were unlimited, and you order food from a menu. They did have a vendor taking people out for snorkeling trips, but we were happy just hanging out on the beach. My daughter and I had massage that were very reasonable, and she still talks about the great massage she received.  

 

Go!!!!!

Glad to hear the massages are good. I was a little reluctant but the price seemed very good.  Looking forward to it now. Thanks

14 hours ago, BlueHonu said:

Following along...

I have to say Go Green too... My daughter graduated from Michigan St. She recently completed basic training at Ft Leonard Wood. So we were near you a few weeks ago.

Have a great time!  We are on Breakaway April 21.

Funny thing, we don't usually get much lunch the 1st day. We lose track of time at the Spice bar.

Go State - and we will keep her in good care for you, we will be getting off Breakaway on 4/21  Have fun

The Cuban restaurant we had dinner was Casa Juan. there is a Cantina Fresh Mexican Grill and Anacapri Italian in the same strip mall as the Burlington and Publix.  If you google maps the hotels on the blue lagoon strip and zoom out, the strip mall is on

NW 7th and NW 57th Ave called Airpark Plaza.  That will give you also a good idea on the walk.  There looks like some other restaurants in there like a Subway and Starbucks, etc.  Good luck

11 hours ago, cruises42 said:

We're planning to stay there in a few weeks. Is it a far walk to the restaurants?

It is about 1/2 mile or 10 minute walk as you have to walk back to the main road around the lagoon, but it's a leisurely walk with sidewalks and crosswalk when you get to the main street.  There is even a Burlington in the strip mall we stopped and people were buying last minute flip flops and shorts, etc. if you forget anything.  We decided to stay there again in April as the rate was really cheap also.  And they have a shuttle from the airport.

18 hours ago, purpleally said:

Go Green!  Back to back basketball champions!

I thought the same thing when they said MSU, but I think they are talking Missouri and Not Michigan State... but hey Go Green Go White, Champs!  

We stayed at the Homewood Suites Blue Lagoon which is across a lagoon from Hampton Inn last week.  It was cheaper for us than Hampton.  Nice hotel, big breakfast and little kitchen if you need it.  We walked over to the Cuban restaurant in the strip mall by the Publix. It was awesome.  There is an Italian and Mexican place there also and a Publix and liquor store.  Nice walk and felt safe.  Uber to the port the next day was $15.   

On 3/8/2019 at 4:04 PM, Midwest Sunseeker said:

I read a cc topic a short while ago that said you could not check luggage till 2 hours before your flight. Is this still true or was that just during the government shutdown?  We are traveling out on Sunday.  We use Uber from Fll 17th Street hotels to Port of Miami in the morning because we like to arrive early. Shuttle services that I have talked to pick up in the late morning.  We have found cruise line excursions with Fll drop off a good way to extend the vacation.  Our direct flights are usually 3 or 4 or 7pm.  We have one booked in a few weeks with Celebrity and our flight is 3:05pm. Fll

This was true at FLL last week. We were early for our flight like everyone else in both Miami and FLL ships having to get off and wait at airport. We could not check our bags with a delta and they would call what flights could get in line of or baggage drop. It was chaos. But I guess this prevented the seats at the gate being filled up. Getting to airport early was not necessary. 

3 hours ago, bettyboop16 said:

We used Lyft on Feb 28th from Miami to FLL airport. Cost $36.00 + tip. Arrived at the airport within 30 min. Driver had a Toyota Corolla. His trunk fit 2 lg 2 sm suitcases plus 2 smaller bags. Driver arrived 3 mins. after my request for pickup.

We we did this last week and probably had same driver. $35 plus tip for 2 and 3 suitcases. Has to put one in front seat but he was fine. Nice guy. A little hard to find them in taxi line but a phone call to flag them down is all it takes. Easy

3 hours ago, bettyboop16 said:

 

We took the Tri Rail last week from FLL to MIA airport stop. We lucked out as walked outside airport and only waited few minutes for bus to station. Then arrived and next train was 5 minutes. Bought tickets for 3.75 each. The luggage was a little pain. There was no rack space left on the car we got on so we just stood by it. Ride was smooth and fast. Then took hotel shuttle from MIA to hotel. It was easy. We uber back from POM to FLL on departure day and it was $37 plus tip. Guy was nice so it was $47. A lot easier but tri Rail was good. We had the time and it was easy 

Looking for same as I did a search on this and we are trying on Friday.  Someone posted something on here.  I looked at maps and found some info online.  It looks like there is a shuttle at the FLL airport to the Train station. We are then going to get off at MIA airport stop as our hotel has a shuttle from there.  We have plenty of time day before so are trying it out.  I will post on this thread when we get back and let you know.

The bummer when you upgrade is you only get the inside cabin offers. 

On 2/6/2019 at 4:14 PM, cyndyga said:

Moving from my "free" inside through casino this time was significantly higher $ 500 a person and Oceanview $200 a person ...I have taken a chance on bidding. Both of my bids are high yellow cheaper than direct upgrade if I win...Last year on Escape it was alot less.

Same here.  Upgrading when booking from a land based "free" inside cabin is really high.  I have a bid out for April and was even surprised to get an upgrade email to try.  Good luck

Great review, following along.  Grand Rapids Michigan here!  we are 30 days out on same itinerary.  I hear you on flight costs.  We are driving to Detroit also and to Fort Lauderdale.  Can't wait to see more.  Go Green, Go White

I agree with Dexddd.  We have rented a car from MCO to Cape several times.  One time was a breeze, other 2 times we waited forever for the shuttle on disembarkation day and the rental car place was packed.  Had to give us a utility van that sucked gas.  Other times they didn't have cars.  I thought renting for $50 was great, but if Uber is $55 I agree go for it.  That is good to know for future reference.

3 hours ago, cinnam0n said:

We had a car reserved through the Avis location at Havensight for our cruise last week, got there, and were told "no more cars available."  Have a plan B in place - we wasted a lot of time and money figuring out our next move.

Wow. Thanks for info.  Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode on car rentals.  "you know how to TAKE the reservation, you need to learn how to "KEEP" the reservation.  Yikes

On 11/16/2018 at 7:17 PM, 1964IceCreamLady said:

My Budget reservation for next month (Christmas Day!) also says Havensight.  I will call Budget tomorrow and confirm both location AND car size.  We are a family of 5 and require a larger car ( no Jeep 😣 ).  We also have to be quick about it because we have a fishing trip chartered out of Red Hook at 9 am.  

Great, let me know what you find out or maybe respond after you get back.  My reservation is not until February and you can tell us how easy it was to drive on left side of the road!  or give us some tips for good stops.  Appreciate it.

15 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Going through the booking, I believe that the OP is correct and that the website is showing incorrect info. Not only does the airfare not show up, the 3rd/4th Free disappears and it becomes "Take 4" for balcony bookings.

Anytime you do a booking or mock booking for only 2 guests the 3rd/4th option disappears as it is N/A

On 11/2/2018 at 9:27 PM, Stinger-pr said:

The Budget website shows the Heavensight office still open and accepting reservations. Royal Caribbean uses the Crown Bay docks almost exclusively along with some Celebrity ships. While there's no office AT Crown Bay, there's an office just a 3 minute car ride from the dock. The location at Heavensight is right besides the AVIS office, which is the company I have always used when renting in St. Thomas.

Thanks. My reservation shows Havensight so I think I'm good as our ship docks there as it's NCL. 

Thank you for posting a follow-up.  One question as I was not following the port where the budget office is.  Are you saying there is no longer a budget office at Crown Bay or at Havensight?  I just booked a Jeep ( I hope it ends up being a Jeep) last week and it showed Havensight as location and that is where we will be docking.  Just wanted to make sure. Thanks.