CelK

6 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

Then you will be at Coxen Hole. 
 

You will meet your driver just outside the gate. However they have taken to parking some distance away. They used to have you wait while they brought the car round but recently we have had to follow to where the car is parked. I don't know if they would bring it if walking is an issue.

When we met Arnold he asked if we were able to walk to the car (or he'd bring it around).  it's not a far walk - few minutes only.

On 1/16/2020 at 9:22 AM, rnr4thatsme said:

Cozumel Surfing - is that far from the port?    My 16 year old daughter wants to try it, and I'm also nearing 50 and a little apprehensive!!!   Sounds fun!

Honestly - you should give it a shot.  He was really helpful and encouraging and never made me feel like I couldn't do it.  We booked a ride with him ($20 per person) and it works really well.  We meet him just a short walk away from the port.  There's a restaurant they'll drive you to (sometimes they do the surfing lessons right there, depending on weather) that's worth spending a little time at after.  And he makes sure you get back to the port in PLENTY of time.

51 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

where did you go for lunch?

I'm sorry - I can't remember.  It wasn't that popular French Key (we drove through) - I think it was on the West End somewhere.

Without a doubt, this was the best thing we did on our cruise. Arnold was our driver for the day and he was WONDERFUL (seriously - cannot say enough about him!). We are a couple with a 16 year old son and our only "requests" were to visit the monkey/sloth sanctuary, somewhere great for lunch and then have a tour around the island. Arnold was awesome - he loves and feels very proud of Roatan (as he should) and he showed us everywhere - taking us to many different areas of the island (and they are all different and beautiful - worth seeing) and sharing stories and history of each with us. We went to a great place on the beach for lunch (we asked him to join us! so fun). All in, an amazing tour and I would definitely do it again the next time we're in Roatan.

Rony's is amazing.  Our only requests were to see the monkeys/sloths and go somewhere good for lunch and to tour around the island.  Arnold was our driver and he was AWESOME.  Loved the guy.  He took us all around the island and showed us the many different areas (and explained it all).  Was totally open to what we wanted to do.  Even joined us for lunch (we asked him) - all in, a terrific day.  

We've used both Rony's and Bodden and they were both great.  This last cruise (December/January) we had Arnold at Rony's and he was the BEST.  We loved him.  If you can ask for him specifically, you should.  He is very proud of and loves the island (grew up there) and it was so interesting and lovely to hear his stories.  One of our best excursions we've ever taken - by far.

I'm not young (nearing 50) and not in the best shape of my life, but decided to give surfing a try with my 16 year old son (who did this with Nacho at Cozumel Surfing last year on the cruise and loved it). I was nervous - almost backed out - but Nacho was wonderful and encouraging and assured me that I'd be fine and would be able to do it. His instruction was great and he was so helpful (along with the other guys he works with) and finally I did it - I got up (multiple times!) and it was awesome. It was so much fun and I have to thank Nacho for all of that. It's a great thing to do in Cozumel (and if I can do it, so can you!) and I would HIGHLY recommend. We'll definitely be back and do it again the next time we're in Cozumel.

We've taken multiple Caribbean cruises (+ 1 Hawaii) - most recently on the Escape (3x) which we loved - and are thinking about maybe something a little different this year.  We always take the New Year's cruise.  Anyone have any thoughts on the Mexican Riviera (it would be the Bliss)?  I've read it's not as beautiful as Caribbean for some, but any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated!  I'm sure either would be fun, but am torn whether to do the "same old" or try something different.  (We're a couple with a 16 year old son BTW).  Thanks for the help!!

We've always sailed out of Miami - considering something a little different for the next cruise.  I've been trying to find information on whether the "clientele" is different when sailing out of different ports.  Should I expect a similar number of teens on board as what we'd expect out of Miami?  (We have a teen son)  Looking at the Bliss maybe.  TIA for the input!

We've always traveled on Norwegian and most recently on the Escape (3 years).  We've been avoiding the newer ships because they don't have a sports court (and we have a 16 year old son who will go and play basketball at least once a day).  But we are thinking that something "different" would be fun.  I know people will jump down my throat for asking this, but for those of you with active teens - is there enough for them to do?  I've heard of "issues" with the go-carts and lazer tag and I'm a little concerned that there's not enough "physical" activity for him.  Would appreciate any thoughts or feedback!!

Thanks so much for this!  We're on the Escape for the NY cruise.  By any chance did you happen to get any pictures of bar menu(s)?  I've been toying with the idea of upgrading our beverage package and wanted to get a sense of which wines are available (and and what price) by the glass.  Thanks!!

We were on the Breakaway (or Getaway) last year and LOVED Sid's Pour House - the live music was so much fun!  We've been on the Escape before (going again for the NY cruise this year) and wondered if anyone had any suggestions for live music on board?  I know they don't have this same bar, but wondered if there were any alternatives someone might suggest?  TIA!

Agree with the above 100%.  We didn't make our son sign up and go the first cruise we took (with him as a teen) and it was hard for him to meet people (he's an only child - happy to play basketball alone but always nice to have some friends around).  Subsequent cruises we "forced" him to go on night 1 and then it was basically used as a "meeting place" (unless they were doing anything particularly fun) and really made the cruise a much more enjoyable experience for him.  Even if they don't use it a lot it's definitely a good idea for them to sign up.

We switched from a booking on the Bliss last year back to the Escape (or the Gettaway - I forget) after discovering that the new ships no longer have a sports court.  Our teen spends hours on it on sea days.  I'd rather have him outside and exercising and playing than inside playing video games while we're on vacation.  The new ships (while laser tag and go-carts sound like fun) would not work as well for him.  There's not enough physical activity for him to do - teens can't even use the gym until they're 16 (and most of the pool area is "adult").  Being "bored" doesn't signal that they are ungrateful kids, in my mind - it signals that they need to burn off some energy.  I do wonder whether complaints of teens being in the way / causing issues are higher on the new ships...

I noticed that your departure was from New York, can anyone who has taken the ship out of Miami confirm whether the vibe pass is usable or not? I know it's a relative question and depends a lot about the weather forecast, which is a tossup, but we're sailing on the Jan 13 Escape and would appreciate any feedback that someone who has sailed out of Miami recently might share. Thanks!

We sailed out of Miami - NY was referring to New Years - sorry... We weren't "sun bathing" on our cruise (weather and just who we are) so our Vibe passes went un-used.

We just got back and were in cabin 8722. We loved it. Balcony was HUGE, we were very close to everything and didn't hear a single sound. We did have a couple of things thrown down on our balcony but it was a New Year's cruise, so I expect a little of that.

We had a couple of things thrown down on our deck (drink in a plastic glass and a cigarette butt) but honestly the size of it made up for that. An awesome balcony and we really didn't miss Haven that much.

We just got back (NY cruise) - our second time on the Escape (NY last year too). Overall, love the ship. Few "tips" from our perspective:

- Vibe: We got it and used it only once for 15 minutes. Weather wasn't great for sitting and lying in the sun. Check weather forecast before trying to go for it. ALSO - we were always able to find a spot outside to sit (deck 8 - waterfront - just not a "sun deck" which is fine by us)

- Bayamo: lovely, but really quite expensive (had the SD "package" but needing to pay +$15 and pay for our son's meal made it expensive). Value for money not there for me

- 5 o' clock somewhere: outside bar was great - Chocolate Cowboy is the bartender and he's AWESOME

- District Brewhouse was fun, but every time we went it was the same "kitchy" sing-a-long stuff and it got a little boring

- We didn't love Cellars - we were on the UDP and I thought there white wines by the glass were pretty much the same as everywhere else on the boat. I always found a decent glass of wine to have, but was a little disappointed that Cellars didn't have a more extensive "by the glass" menu

- not sure what room you're in, but we had the mini-suite large balcony on deck 8. Great room and great location. We had the Haven last year and were worried about really missing it and we didn't!

- Food Republic seriously is a must. It got busier as the week progressed - if you don't want to wait go the first or second night.

Have fun!!