Timmys_mom

I wrote this review for TripAdvisor, but I wanted to share it here also because of my concerns about cruisers getting back to the ship on time. I've been a member of CC for a long time and have depended upon reviews on this forum to make good excursion choices.

 

This is not the review I wanted to write. I wanted to write about spending a fantastic morning riding through the countryside in Bonaire with my son. Instead, I’m writing this. We were staying on-island and this was our final day. I don’t have many pictures because we were using a GoPro for the first half of the trip. I do have a lot of pictures of the last part because we were going slowly enough for still shots.

 

There were so many red flags we should have heeded. The website that was impossible to navigate, the emails with no response, etc. But we figured a poor web designer isn’t their fault. So, we called and made reservations for a morning, 2-hour dune buggy ride.

 

We arrived at the appointed hour and signed the requisite releases. Our guide brought us out to our ride for the day and told us to not shut it off during the trip because the battery would die. Okay, no problem. My son sat down in the driver’s seat and tried to buckle in, but the shoulder strap would not retract. We were told an obese woman was the last person to use the buggy and now the seat belt was broke. She tried WD-40, but that didn’t help. She then tried to tie a knot in the strap, but that didn’t work either. Sam and I figured something out. This was another point where we should have given up.

 

We took off through the local streets and about ½ mile into the journey, the guide buggy hit a dog. Of course, this was not her fault, but it was a bit traumatizing. The dog ran off and hid, so we spent some time looking for it and the owner. We finally left after about a 20 minute delay. Perhaps we should have turned around then, too.

 

The next hour was fun. We zipped through the back roads and saw a few things. We did notice that our guide was using a large rock for a parking brake because hers did not work and our buggy made sharper right turns than left turns (or vice versa, I don’t remember exactly). We finally reached the furthest point on our journey, a remote area near the start of the mangroves, and we were about to start heading back when her buggy shut down. She tried for several minutes to restart it, to no avail. It was our good fortune that a man was fishing nearby, and he offered to tow her back to a main road where she could be met by Patrick with a buggy that worked.

 

The next 45 minutes were spent puttering behind her and making bad jokes about the exciting tour we were on and waiting for Patrick on the side of the road. I was asked to front $10 for the gentleman who towed her, which I did. The man deserved it for saving us. Patrick did arrive and unloaded the new buggy, jumped into the disabled buggy, turned the key and started it up. Given how crabby we were by this point, he probably should have waited until we were out of earshot before starting it up. He did offer a “Sorry” as we drove away, which we acknowledged with a shrug. At this point, where more is there to say?

 

Given the delays, we were now running behind schedule. At the first stop we told our guide we needed to get back and no further stops were necessary. So, we drove non-stop back to the shop.

 

I should add that I have been on 15 cruises and have always booked my excursions directly with vendors. I have had good luck the vast majority of excursion vendors and bad luck with a couple. The two that did not meet expectations offered to refund my money before I even asked. They knew when they screwed up. Apparently, that morning was not considered a disaster by Bon Bini standards. When we reached the shop, she returned the $10 she had borrowed and then asked if we were paying by cash or card. No discussion about a full or partial discount, just the bill of $190 for the two of us.

 

We attempted to reach out to Bon Bini after we returned home to discuss the issues and obtain at least a partial refund of our payment. Not only was it difficult to get a response, the one we did get was “I’ll discuss it with the “manager” and get back to you.” Perhaps the manager is on vacation, because we have yet to hear back and no refund has appeared in my account.

 

In summary, if you are okay with poorly maintained equipment and don’t have a ship to catch – go ahead and roll the dice with this outfit. Otherwise, I would steer clear of them.

Again, put it in your suitcase. Give the suitcase to the porter. Don't tot it around.

I've seen the way porters toss bags around and there is no way I would trust them with an expensive medical device. My CPAP was damaged at the start of a trip a couple years ago. Not only did I have to pay to replace it when I got back, but if the hotel hadn't been full, my SO would have paid for a second room to he could get some sleep. :eek:

We will be in St. Kitts at the end of October and I would like to find a kayak tour. I checked with Dive St. Kitts and they have suspended their tours for a while during some construction at the hotel they are based at.

 

Any other suggestions?

Would you get upset if you had a coupon for 50% off of a non sale item at your favorite store? Similar premise here. You can use their "coupon" (KSF offer) but you can't use it on an item already on sale. (another discounted rate)

 

This is the most accurate comparison I have seen here.

 

I, too, thought this was a thread about the "Worst Kids". I had my popcorn all popped and was ready for some entertainment. You guys haven't been very fun. :p

We got it from Carnival for $2058 total, taxes insurance and fees included :)

That is an amazing price for seven days on the Magic in a suite. For that price, even my cheapskate of a SO would have taken the offer. Enjoy!!!

I agree that the lemonade is a little bit too strong straight out of the machine. I like to mix mine 50/50 with vodka. :D

I concur.

Is there tap water available with meals or do you have to buy bottled water?

Tap water is available at dinner at no charge.

I have stayed in an aft cabin on the Glory on deck 6 and we were able to hear the bass thumping a bit in our room. To be honest, it was very muffled and you had to listen closely to figure out what it was. Since the music didn't go on all night, it was never an issue, because we were usually still out and about until late anyway.

 

Can't speak to the entertainment on a 2 night cruise, as I have never been on one.

I have booked a suite on a Fantasy class ship, but I knew exactly what I was paying for. The room is no bigger than a balcony room on any other class of ship, and the balcony is very tiny, but you are paying for a "suite."

 

IMHO, Carnival is being a little disingenuous by calling these cabins "suites". Unless the room is larger than a standard room, it should be referred to as a balcony cabin and priced as such.

I think he is really busy at work these days. I wish he'd come back though. I can't wait to see how this ends.

When you have pictures of The Rental with his lily white butt out a bus window, I'm sure it doesn't end well.

I love the picture of Jimmy with his a$$ out the window !!

He makes me so proud.

Shelly...we saw her and brought her back for Allen...:D

No wonder he spent the next two days in his cabin! :p:D

Jim, I know you are sorry you missed out on this little sight! She was all dressed up for Carnivale and just waiting to be picked up!

 

I remember passing you guys when we were on our bus. All I know, this day goes downhill from here. :eek: :cool:

WOW, those were some nice pictures.....almost like they were taken with a brand spankin' new camera :)

And obviously they weren't taken with a cheap camera that could be easily misplaced. It had to be one that cost at least as much as a nice pair of diamond earrings. :p

Oddly enough, I never was in the piano bar either. Can't even tell you why. I must have been busy trying to keep Jimmy out of trouble.

We seem to be stuck in Grand Turk. Can we move on, please?

Knowing these 2 I can only assume this was their first Tourist Stop of the day...

 

 

Actually, it was our first tourist stop of the day. Unfortunately, it was about 8:30 in the morning and they didn't open up until 9:00. They had to dip into their reserves until we came upon a liquor store that was open.

I sent a link to this review to the groom. He showed his mom! :eek: :eek:

 

I have warned him that I will not be accepting any more "balloon animal", or "champagne wire and button" or "garbage bag twist-tie and plastic jewel found on the street" rings. The next one has to be for real-sies. (Jimmy if you are reading this remember, size 7.5 sapphire will do just fine.)

 

Review on, Jim. I'll know it is almost over when PeeWee drops his kickstand.

I'm getting a little teary myself as I relive my cruise wedding. Good thing there were pictures, the details are a little fuzzy.

 

Allen, you made a great father-of-the-bride, and thanks to my MOH, Donna.

 

There was a rumor that a video was shot, but I have yet to see it.

I "get it" as for various reasons I brought a bunny on a few cruises.

 

He first showed up because it was the first vacation I took by myself after my divorce and without my kids. Bunny has two hearts inside him, one for each son. After that, Bunny became the target of numerous plots by my cruise buddies. I even left him behind at Paradise Beach with Tom so he could greet the group when they arrived a few weeks later. Especially on those solo cruises, it was nice to have something to take a picture of, other than scenery and shots of strangers on the ship.

 

Bunny and me on formal night

Finally finished ours for S&S6. I took the design to a local screen printer and they are doing them for $20 a screen (3 colors x $20) plus the cost of the t-shirts. They came out to be about $15 per shirt.

 

 

 

And the front pocket:

 

Phew! I finally got a bid accepted on Priceline. We will be staying at the Hyatt Regency downtown on 10/22-10/23 for $90. Rack rate was $200.

 

Now that I have reservations, I know that Jessemon mentioned that perhaps there was a wine store nearby - but I'm hoping for a liquor store (need some Grey Goose for the cruise).

 

I checked with the valet, and he said that a shuttle to the pier was available for $3.00 per person.

 

Any tips Ken or JMon?

I'll try the priceline tip. I still have plenty of time to be cheap, cheap, cheap :D

But what about those of us who do not have Hilton Points? The embassy suites is over the $100 mark.