cruzin4our10th

I have a group of 14 going to Aruba for the first time in August. I am looking to find somewhere that a few can take a discover scuba, while others can enjoy the beach, bars, and snorkeling . . .maybe shops. We'd really like bathrooms and changing facilities with the little ones. I have found dive operators at both Baby Beach and Palm Beach. I love the fact that Palm Beach also has parasailing and other water sports available but fear it may be too commericalized and crowded. Both dive operators said they would have to take the discover scuba group elsewhere and bring them back.

Anyone with any insight whom has been to these beachs, dove with these operators or has another option would be greatly appreciated.

My husband and daughther parasailed at HMC in July 2011, they loved it. Not sure if its still offered or not, but it was at one time.

 

In this photo you can see how the partition partialy blocks the window.

 

 

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! This is just what I was looking for and has me even more excited!

Mike ~ I have been following your review since the beginning an love it. I was wondering if you could put up some pictures of the balcony with the divider open. I have heard that the view for one of the rooms is blocked when it's open and I was just wanting to see what it looked like. We'll be on the Freedom in 108 days and I can't wait!

That's the price for 4 people. There is an extra charge I believe per extra person above 4. Also when we went to HMC you had to book these once you got onboard, you couldn't book online ahead of time. Not sure if it's changed or not.

I agree that this closed loop cruise will not require a passport (unless they change the laws once again). What I am extremely concerned about is the repeated posting of misinformation about the "Western Hemisphere". The reason I am concerned is that if you believe that, you might also believe that you can go to the following countries without a passport (all within the Western Hemisphere):

 

• Algeria
  
• American Samoa (United States)
  
• Burkina Faso
  
• Cape Verde
  
• Cook Islands (New Zealand)
  
• Faeroe Islands (Denmark)
  
• Fiji
  
• France
  (but some territories and possessions of France, namely, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Clipperton Island, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon lie entirely within the Americas)
  
• French Polynesia (France)
  
• Gambia
  
• Ghana
  
• Guinea
  
• Guinea-Bissau
  
• Iceland
  
• Ireland
  
• Ivory Coast
  
• Kiribati
  
• Liberia
  
• Mali
  
• Mauritania
  
• Morocco
  
• Niue (New Zealand)
  
• Pitcairn Island (United Kingdom)
  
• Portugal
  
• Samoa
  
• Senegal
  
• Sierra Leone
  
• Spain
  
• Togo
  
• Tokelau (New Zealand)
  
• Tonga
  
• Tuvalu
  
• United Kingdom
  
• Wallis and Futuna (France)
  
• Western Sahara
  

Unless you want to risk refused entry into a a country, please check with your TA, the cruise line you are sailing on and at least one other source prior to assuming it is okay to have a birth certificate and drivers' license (unless you have a passport. . . . and, in many cases, a visa)

Not entirely sure where you got the idea I was even considering these countries . . . or if you had read my entire post you would see that I do have a passport and was inquiring for my sisters for this specific cruise and listed the specific ports two of which are US territories. Post like this are what continue to make me a lurker on the board . . . they just don't help.

To everyone else Thanks really . . . I waited two days to ask the question scared of all the responses since I know how many are slammed for not just getting their passports.

Thanks ~ we're sailing Carnival, although I'm sure it should be the same, they don't want to turn people away anymore than the next line. Like I said we did this same cruise in 2008 and my girls didn't have passports and it was never an issue. I'm more concerned this time because neither of my sisters really can afford the extra cash for passports for 4. Of course they will if necessary but that doesn't seem to be the issue.

Thanks njhorseman . . . I read that as well and is what I thought but you know the government site's make it clear as mud. I shouldn't say that but there are some many links the first one you click on is a table showing cruising to caribbean/mexico requires passport or passport card. I see farther down the page that there are exceptions which take you to the same page you attached. Again thanks . . . I'm stressing and I'm not the one without a passport:eek:

July 2011 I will be cruising with my family . . . and extended family on the Carnival Valor. Close loop cruise out of Miami. I read and re-read the goverments site and Carnival's and all other information I can find in regards to DL/BC. There are several in the with out passports, some are childern some have just expired. Due to cost (I know the $10 a month saying) they really would prefer to not layout $400+ for a family if not necessary. This cruise was paid by our father so this is definatley a once in a life time trip for them. We will be docking in half Moon Cay, St Thomas, San Juan & Grand Turk. I did this exact itinerary in July 2008 and was only asked for my daughters birth certificates but that was before rules changing in June of 2009. I am not asking if a passport is the best thing to have, because I know it is . . . I just need to know if we can make due with DL/BC for this cruise? Thanks!

I used Enterprise at MIA in July 2008 and dropped off at the Hyatt downtown. We then took at cab to the port. I didn't use the rental on the return so I'm not sure if they rent from the Hyatt location. The cab ride from the Hyatt to port was only $5. My sister works for Enterprise so the discount was worth the $5. I would check with the Hyatt location, if you can rent there I would, since "they pick you up". You would just need to call once in port.

Coki is the only beach we've ever been to in St. Thomas and while I realize it's not super clean, I have never had a problem there and we love the dive club there. We are cruising again in January and had decided to try something new, Sapphire Beach looks like the winner however a trip to Trunk isn't out of the question. We had planned to rent a car, make our beach/dive/snorkel stop and then tour the island at leisure. I'm not usually a worrier, however in ligh of recent events I'm not sure if we should be drivig by ourselves, where we could accidently end up somewhere we shouldnt be. . . . but this is really what we want to do:(

To the OP ~ FYI Meagan's Beach while beautiful doesn't have snorkeling, or so I've read many times on CC.