PrincessMinion

Thanks for the review! We board in 2 weeks. Really looking forward to checking out this ship and visiting these ports again.


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PrincessMinion:  Have you been to Belize, Roatan or Grand Cayman?  If so, are there free wifi places at any of these ports?  We're stopping in Cozumel also, but my cell plan includes Mexico.  If there are options at these ports, I see no need for me to purchase a wifi package on board.  Also, I see that you mentioned the hub app is free to use with the wifi on board, is there private messaging in the hub app?  We will be with another couple on board and would like to be able to text.  Thank you.

Since you had 3 stops you may not know the answer to this but:
we are going on the Mexican riviera March 2 and it has an overnight in Cabo. Since it’s a tender port do the tenders run 24/7? If not are we able to take a water taxi back to the boat or do they close boarding at a certain time? I’m looking on viator to try and plan some activities. 
 
When you took the water taxi to the rays and arch did you also go by a beach or was get in the water anywhere? I have a 5 and 14 year old that want to do water stuff. We live in the desert these days so I’m with them on this. Lol. 
Thanks in advance! 

3 hours ago, Knighton said:

My plan charges me 5 cents for any texts I receive and 50 cents for anything I send.  Would I be able to text for free with the social wifi plan?  I don't use anything like facebook or any of the other social media platforms.  All I do is text and check email with my phone and if I text alot that could really add up!  Thanks!

The social plan only covers things like Facebook messenger. I have had texts through iMessage go through on the social plan but I think that was luck and definitely not intentional. Texting needs a cell service unless it’s something like iMessage or Facebook messenger. 

The WiFi will only run the hub app if you don’t pay for a plan. I get the social plan every time we cruise to be able to message my mom through Facebook. She house/pet sits for us as well as taking care of my business so contact with her is important. The social plan works fine for Facebook, Instagram, etc. Just be aware that if you order a plan on the ship that it will be super slow compared to what you get at home. I try to use it early mornings before most get up and are online. 

You will have to contact your phone provider to see what your plan covers. That will vary pretty widely. Most ports have places with free WiFi, like a Starbucks or McDonald’s. You could always pop into those places for a drink and use their WiFi as well. I’ve never been to the ports you’re going to so someone else will have to advise what is available for WiFi in those particular locations. 

14 minutes ago, Mommawo said:

How much are the fishbowls?

I honestly don’t know. I’m hoping someone else comes along who does. I just learned of their existence in another thread on here recently. 

In the comedy club you can get pitchers for about $35. We could get 5-6 drinks out of one pitcher. My hubby and I loved the pitchers since we could each get nearly 3 drinks each for the evening. Pitchers work best if you have someone to share with. They started making them stronger and stronger as the cruise went on because they knew us so well and we always tipped extra. We plan on doing this again and have heard that we can get fishbowls (same concept) in other bars around the ship. We pick a new drink each time and enjoy several glasses without the need for a refill. We honestly don’t drink much beyond the wine we bring aboard, a drink or two during the week with dinner, and the pitchers at night and those don’t happen every night either. We typically spend about $200-$250 total in drinks so cheers has never been worth it. Plus if I tried to drink enough to make cheers worth it I’d be sick. My stomach and head can only handle so much alcohol, especially vodka. 

17 minutes ago, Panthers65 said:

Thank you everyone!

 

Would love to get down a day early, but we have 3 kids we'll be dropping off for school in the morning. We had plans to leave right after dropping the last one off at 8:30. Is 2 hours really not enough of a buffer for a 5 hour trip? 

 

One more question, I know carry-on and checked luggage is recomended, but I've also read the one of the big mistakes is overpacking. My wife and I are pretty simple on packing, what is y'alls recomendation here? I was thinking 1 large suitcase with 2-3 sets of clothes each, electronics and then a smaller roller carry-on with drinks, toilitries, bathing suits, wallets/ID and 1 change of clothes. Are there size limits for the carry-on like the airport, or whatever I want to drag with me? 

It’s so dependent on traffic and everything going just right. Many people drive/fly in the day of and make it just fine. It makes me super anxious to do so. We drive to Vegas a couple days in advance and then drive to Long Beach the day before so if something goes wonky we have time to get it taken care of. Our interstate out of town has been known to be closed for hours because of an accident or weather. We know we have to give ourselves plenty of time for the unknown. If you live where there’s several possible routes it’s less of a risk. I live in Wyoming where that’s not really an option and we could get snowed in pretty easily. You live where that’s much less likely to happen. 

Yep that’s not a problem. We bring on the cheap stuff too. I much prefer a very sweet wine. 

Departure: Just a suggestion but if possible go the day before and get a hotel. Getting in at 1p for a 3p cutoff would make me a nervous wreck. Going the night before would allow for an easygoing start to your cruise. It would stink to get stuck in traffic or have car trouble on your way down and then not make it on time. 

Drinks: I just ask one of the bartenders when I pass a bar if I can have a couple wine glasses. They have yet to tell me no. I believe you can ask your room steward as well for a couple to have in the room. I fill mine before dinner and then take to the MDR. 

I don’t handle small spaces well at all and have never had a problem with an inside. It’s about the only thing we book. I can’t even ride the elevators without feeling super claustrophobic but have never had a problem with an inside room. I love how dark they are at night. I sleep so well! However, YMMV. 

They are currently working on making tap a talk work then they will be getting the branded app up and running again. I’ve been following a thread in the help section about it. Hopefully in a month or two the app will be back. I used the app a lot and miss it. 

26 minutes ago, Crazy4Camping said:

I totally get this because I am a planner too!  Many of the responses refer to evening shows, etc. but what if the OP is talking about morning activities?  I've been racking my brain trying to figure out how to get a workout(jazzercise, yoga, etc.)in and still get off the ship in time for excursions.  Maybe OP wants to know what time yoga is so they can plan excursions before they get on the ship.

 

As for the app, can you access this without wifi?  If not, then everyone who says they use it paid for the access?
 

The hub app can be used by connecting to the ship WiFi but you don’t need to pay for a plan. My husband never gets an internet package and can get on the hub app no problem. 

Enjoy! She’s one of my favorite ships. Loved the layout and ease of getting around. 

1 hour ago, BENHANDEL said:

 

Crafting? Or craft beer? Newbie here...

Crafting...  last time we made bracelets when I cruised. They do crafts for weirdos like me who love making things while on vacation.  

- Comedy Club

- Love and Marriage Show

- Craft at Sea

Following. We will be on this ship in March so I’m excited to read your review.

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The punchliner is awesome! It’s gin, vodka, rum, blue curaçao, lemonade, lychee syrup, and club soda. It’s only found in the comedy club.

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I learned that taking a new cruiser on their first real vacation is so much fun!

I learned that excursions can be really fun in places I don’t particularly enjoy exploring on my own.

I learned that my mom wanted to do more then I did and that some of those things I would have never done, like Tea time, are fun and I would totally do them again.

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Been on both and love them both. Not really any difference. Layouts are nearly identical. Decor will be different but otherwise I get them mixed up all the time because they’re so similar. I’ve done 3 short cruises and never felt like any were “booze cruises”. February should be a good time of year for a quieter crowd, especially if you want to avoid spring break college kids.

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When I first cruised 9 years ago the decks only seemed to have loungers which I’m not a fan of. I love all the new clam shells and different types of seating now available.

I like that the dining rooms now have varied seating arrangements and not just big tables for 8-10. We enjoy meeting new people but don’t always want to be at a table for so many.

Also love the alchemy bar. We don’t drink much on a cruise, but really enjoy watching them make drinks and trying something new or different.

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Looking forward to this review. I have sailed on 3 fantasy class ships including imagination. I really enjoy the fantasy class and am looking forward to reliving those trips through this review.

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219...March cannot get here soon enough.

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If this stays the same through March we will have lee on the splendor. He’s about the only cd I’ve remembered and enjoyed. Though his support staff was amazing too, especially gorgeous George the comedy club host. I’m just waiting for him to get promoted.

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My husband and I are gamers. I just booked our 5th cruise for March 2019. We take our portable systems with us and either find a shady spot that doesn’t fade out the screen or find an empty table or chair by a window inside and play games while watching the ocean and just talking. We also bring a travel set of dominoes and cards and play games on the lido deck at the tables during non peak hours. My husband does not sit still well so sometimes he will just wander around the ship while I watch the ocean. We prefer sea days and love the ability to just do whatever we feel like without feeling rushed. At night we hit up the comedy shows while enjoying a pitcher of some mixed drink and sometimes see a show if it’s something we’re interested in. We have also just walked the track and talked or played mini golf or something similar. I know many would consider us playing on our 3DS’s a waste of vacation but for us it’s something we love and rarely do at home because of work schedules and just life in general.

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