Thrilled2012

I came here to look for an answer to this exact question.  Does anyone have an answer?  Thanks!

On ‎4‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 10:18 PM, marysb said:

Here is my photo blog of Mykonos.  Everything you see in the photos is within an15 min walk.  When you walk along the waterfront, you will see most of the charming old town, the maze of streets, windmills and little Venice.  https://maryandnormtravel.blogspot.com/search/label/Greece Mykonos

Beautiful pictures Mary!  Looks like you had a great time.  Your blog really makes me look forward to our trip coming up in 1 month

On ‎5‎/‎5‎/‎2019 at 3:48 PM, mitsugirly said:

Now we usually cruise spring break with our cruising friend (Kia) and her kids. She had her flights canclled all together and wasn't sure if she would be able to get to the ship in time or would have to fly to our first port stop.

 

She did make it just in time (flying in the day of the cruise) and she let me know that they were having an Easter Egg scavenger hunt and then party after that. Sakari is growing up on me and really wasn't too interested in an egg hunt or a party. I really wanted to be at the sailaway party and dance the day away...but where was it? The Freedom has an odd layout on the pool deck and there's really no place for dancing parties or a sailaway party. That was the one thing I really didn't like about it. They obviously had the sailaway party somewhere else because there wasn't anything going on in the pool area.

 

I finally talked Sakari into going to the dance party. The minute I told her Kia would be there she changed her mind. Kendra had also went to the egg hunt and party so we met them down there.

 

The kids were playing with the hula hoops and balloons.

 

 

We immediately found Kia and I introduced her to Kendra and the kids. They participated in the balloon dance competitions and hula hoop contests while I relaxed and took pictures. Kia and I have the same camera (our last cruise together her camera got water down in it and it didn't recover so she bought a new one). While they were dancing and playing games I took it upon myself to do some pictures and videos with her camera of her and Xander her son. I didn't bother to tell her I did it and I wonder if she now knows? SURPRISE! lol  I figured it would be a nice surprise when she got back home to see them when she downloaded her pictures.
 

 

Great review so far, as usual!  I've only made it as far as here (page 2)  though....and now have to get back to work :(.  LOL, you may know by now that I am worse than Kendra.  I got home and got back to "real life" and haven't even glanced at my pics from the cruise.  So I had no idea until now that you pilfered my camera!  I will certainly take a look as soon as I can.  You are too funny!  We didn't even talk about your pre-cruise stay.  I was so drained and happy to even make the cruise that I neglected to ask you about it :(.  Sounds like your AirBnb was "interesting".  As you know, we didn't get to stay in the one that we booked bc of our flight being cancelled.  We loved the one we stayed at post cruise though.  It was in Ocean Park (adjacent to Condado).  We actually walked to Condado at night to have dinner at a fantastic Argentinian restaurant.  It was right on a beautiful beach.  Way better and less expensive than that hotel (Sandy Beach) that we stayed at last year in Condado.  I am looking forward to catching up on your review and following along to relive our fantastic Spring Break :)

On ‎2‎/‎18‎/‎2019 at 8:29 AM, BigNance said:

The Mellissani Lake excursion is short, I think ours was 15-20 mins. It is a small area. We didn’t do a ship’s excursion, but hired a taxi. Our driver took us to the lake, Drogarti caves (which were interesting), the seaside town of Agios Efthemia (had lunch there on our own), Myrtos Beach for pictures at the overlook, and several other photo ops. We paid 40 Euros an hour and had a 4 1/2 hour outing. There were 4 of us. 

 

He he also got us to the sites ahead of the buses!  We paid to enter the attractions, which weren’t that expensive. 

 

I would recommend that avenue on Kefalonia. A group of ladies we met on the way did the same thing, different company and were out about 6 hours. I think they paid 30 Euros an hour. 

 

I used Trip

advisor to find them

 

Great info.  Thank you very much!

On ‎9‎/‎22‎/‎2018 at 2:55 PM, fraudsterbuster said:

 

 

I was there in August. I booked the Cephalonia Highlights tour offered via Holland America. It took about an hour to get to Melissani lake. There was one busload of folks ahead of us. We stood in line on a downward slope for nearly another hour to board a small rowboat that held about 12 people. The oarsman spoke so fast it was difficult to understand him. He was more busy taking photos of the people onboard trying to increase potential tips. He maneuvered the boat for about 3 blocks length if that pointing to stalactites then turned around. That was it! It was over in 10 minutes. This was the worst shore excursion I have ever taken and I've been on over 30 cruises. I do not recommend wasting your time to go there.

That is extremely disappointing to hear.  I thought this sounded like something that my kids would really enjoy, but maybe I should rethink it if it was only 3 blocks/10 minutes.  I wonder if you noticed if the other guides went further and you just got unlucky....or is that pretty standard? 

The odds of someone stepping or tripping on the tail in the pool is high. Save it for the beach.

I'm trying to visualize how this could happen? The chances would be the same as the chances of stepping on or tripping over a person's legs/feet.

I am so sorry for the loss of that child!

As far as the OP's question goes. I am a friend of Mitsugirly (who writes reviews on this site) and have cruised with her a couple of times. I can tell you that the tails were allowed on the Conquest. There were multiple children with them. I'm sure you are a responsible parent and will be watching your child while swimming. Some children (like Mitsugirly's daughter) are better swimmers with the tails on than they are without them. I had my lifeguard certification for 30 years until I gave it up 5 years ago...I can tell you that this particular child would have a better chance of saving her life doing a dolphin swim than trying to tread water or freestyle swim :). But of course you will need to know your child and their potential limitations and supervise. Have fun!

OMG! Loki is gorgeous!!! With a face like that, I now see why he can get away with his shenanigans :D

It just so difficult to look at your "before" and "after" pics :(. Now THAT's the Le Galion that I remember so well (the web pics that you posted). The pool was super neat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You probably did tell me that we were at Karakter at the moment but we went so many places that it's hard to remember. I had originally thought we were at Karakter, but I took a picture in the parking lot, right before the first picture of the beach, and the sign said "Mary Boon's Parking only", so I thought...well, maybe that's were we were instead. It did seem like we were closer to Boon than Karakter, because Karakter was way down at the end and I had to zoom in on my computer screen to see what it was. You had mentioned to me yesterday that someone came out and ask if we wanted chairs or if we were staying, but I believe that was when we were at Chez Raymond because we came down the steps right at his place. But, I could still be getting things mixed up. It was quite a day.

 

 

Please let me know if I have anything wrong about where we were at in the review. I'm trying to figure things out as I go along.

 

 

It sounds like you guys were in the wrong area. LOL Everyone in our area checked in as they went by to stand in line and they had maybe a list of 10 people that didn't that they called their names out. Most were there and maybe 2 were not. We were there for maybe 20-25 minutes. I have definitely been at longer drills before.

 

 

 

I also read last night that 95% of the island was affected by the hurricane and 60% of the homes/buildings were uninhabitable.

Teehee, I was thinking "I don't remember saying yesterday that a guy came to ask us about chairs". I just re-read my text and I said "I remember asking you if you wanted to stay" (at Karakter). I saw some employees down there and it looked like they were either opening up or had just opened. They don't serve breakfast so things hadn't gotten going yet when we were there. We were parked in the Karakter parking lot but at the far end of it (so that we could walk right onto the beach). That that is why we were further down from Karakter. To the immediate left was Mary's Boon parking.

Yes we were definitely in the wrong spot for muster drill!! lol. no biggie though. I never expect to have a fantastic time at muster anyway :P

Kim...it was so very heart breaking to see your photos of the Island destruction. I am surprised that more hasn't been done to renew it back to the way it was. I have been there so many times and enjoyed how lovely the Island had been.

Actually they've done quite a lot of work since the hurricane in September. The island was just so devasated that it will take a very long time for the island to come back. The Dutch government gave the Dutch side at least $650 million soon after the hurricane and is continuing to assist but the island doesn't have the same resources as we do and things take longer. It's much improved from September however and they are working as hard as they can to bring the island back. I have several friends who lost everything (homes, jobs, businesses, etc) and have moved back to Holland and other places and do not expect to be able to return to live on the island for a couple of years.

Ugh, I almost forgot about the Muster Drill. Thanks for reminding me. :mad::mad::loudcry:

 

-F-:mad:

I'm with you guys on that muster drill. By far the worst and most ridiculous muster I've ever experienced. I kept thinking, why can't you just scan our Seapass cards like other ships instead of incessantly taking verbal role call for each and every cabin, and then yelling at small children for talking when you are keeping them in the heat, packed in like sardines FOREVER when all they want to do is swim or eat or play. I know it is necessary but there are better ways to do it. Ugh, I thought it would never end. But its a small price to pay for a wonderful vacation.

OH NO KIM! I'm so sorry about your pics. Were you able to retrieve them?

I am getting another tear in my eye looking at these St. Maarten pics. Just awful. That pic of the Pink Iguana really hurts my heart. It will be missed! And of course the pics of Pelican Key and my friends' restarant (Bon Apetit...that appears like it may need to be rebuilt if it ever to reopen). Pelican Resort will not reopen for quite some time (2019-2020) and even then, will not be the same.

I could have sworn that when we were in Simpson Bay, I told you that we were at Karakter (we parked in the Karakter parking lot because I knew you wanted to see the place). I thought you just didn't want down to get a better look because the kids and hubs were in the car. Oops :(

Regarding Baie Rouge (my favorite beach on the island), Chez Raymond's was always a bit of a shack. That's part of its charm. It is missing that overhang and tables and chairs now but I would think that will easily be rebuilt. The major change to that beach is just the debris everywhere and of course the missing foliage which provided beauty and natural shade. I still think its a lovely beach though and worth a visit for those visiting St. Maarten.

Since it's a weekend, I can follow along the review if you have questions about where we were or anything :P

I only made it through page 3 and I have to go make dinner for the minions now. But before I go I just wanted to say that I am so happy that you have "a do not avoid" hotel in PR coming up at the end of your review. I was hoping that you would like since I was saying positive things about it. Also, please keep an eye out over the next couple of days for an email from me. I will be requesting certain pics :(, if you know what I mean. (aarrgghhh). Great review so far as always!

Hi there! I decided to pop in here to see if you’ve started your review and it’s already up to page 12!! Hehe, looks like I have some reading to catch up on. Miss you guys 🙁

Thank you for honest report. I love that included the positives and the negatives (not just negatives). I will on Jewel next week for my first Royal Caribbean cruise. Did your kids go to the kids club at all? Any feedback on that? I'm so sorry that your daughter got sick. What an awful way to spend a vacation :(

I just called RC and they told me that YES they are available for sitting while parents go on excursions in port. They said you just have to sign up with them once you get on the ship (there will be a sign up sheet) and it's on a first come first serve basis. I told them their site doesn't really mention "port" days for sitting and she said yes, it's those days as well so that parents can enjoy excursions that the little ones can't go on. :)

Great...thanks so much! Sounds like between the kids club and sitting, we're covered. I'm headed out now but please send me whatever info I need so that I can book and I'll take care of it :)

Wow, good for Kendra buying a home! And, yes you very lucky that you get to fly for free. I'm jealous;p

Yes, booking in advance is often more expensive but you get the peace of mind that you already have your day booked. Hope you enjoyed your day there. How did you like Martinique? We will be there next month and still haven't decided what to do. I'm leaning toward just grabbing a tour once we get there and keeping my fingers crossed that I can find an English speaking guide

Thanks for the info guys! Looks like there is still a chance then :) Yay

Oh no :( Thanks for that info Shanleigh. I am used to NCL and CCL where they are open all day on port days. Bummer. I wonder if I could send him to the kids club and then have babysitting services pick him up there at noon and drop him back off to the kids club at 2. He would much prefer to be in the club than have a sitter. Ugh, this is more difficult than I was expecting.

And Kim, I hope Kendra and Brayden can come! But I am not exaggerating when I say that our airfare was more expensive than the actual cruise.

yes ma'am. I called you back and left you a message :)

OK, well then Michaela and I are in. I figure if Xander can't go to the kids club then it would be about $100-$120 for the babysitting. I don't want to do that mostly because it won't be much fun for him....but at least its a back-up plan.

Hello, I am trying to find information about the kids club on Jewel OTS. I called Royal Caribbean and they said I would have to ask when I get on the ship. That's too late.

I would like to book an excursion (independent vendor) and I cannot bring my 5 year old with me. He loves kids clubs on other cruise lines so I am hoping he'll like this one and will spend the day in there while I take my older child on this excursion. But will it be open early enough? And will they take the kids to lunch or do they expect parents to pick the kids up for lunch on port days?

Thank you!

LOL Kim...do you remember when we booked, one I the first things that I said to you after I looked at the ships amenities was "I think I'm gonna lose a lot of weight on this cruise"? From reading this thread, I guess that is confirmed.

I came on this site to look around for info about times that the kids club is open on port days. I still haven't gotten an answer :(. Maybe I'll just make my own thread.

Another BUMP for OPs question. Personally, I prefer clothed beaches lol...as my kids get all wide-eyed at clothing optional. Topless...no problem. Clothing optional...yikes. I'd rather not have to explain that to the kiddos.

I'm on the same sailing. I dont have insurance so I have no option but to wait. Fingers crossed that things get up and running smoothly. I'd love to visit these islands and spend some money. I can't even imagine what they are going thru right now.

I was on this itinerary a few weeks ago. We were in St Maarten on Saturday visiting friends and sipping cocktails at their bar on the beach and 4 days later Irma devastated the island and that bar is now gone. I used to live there and still have many friends who live there. I have received almost daily updates and pictures from them. All of them have lost their homes, belongings and/or businesses. Still without power, water, etc. There is no way to visit that island unless it is for official business. Our land vacation there in Dec/Jan has already been cancelled. I know you would like to visit and spend money there to help but right now, a donation would be a way to help if you want to spend money. As the people of St Maarten and several other islands are trying to get their lives in order and deal with that and it will be a very long time until they are able to deal with tourists again. It is really heartbreaking.