My3Cents

I know there was a lot of uproar on here over the Norwegian Sun cruise, but I didnt expect it to make the headlines. Below is the article in the NY Post

 

https://nypost.com/2018/04/05/never-ending-construction-turns-cruise-into-16-days-of-hell/

That is horrific. I think lawsuits will be coming.

I have not been in a tub since I was a baby .I stay out of pools . The last time I was in a pool was 1986.

Wear shower shoes in any public place like a pool and even a hotel, gym, cruise cabin shower after getting a single plantar wart on my heel, that expanded to about 30 of them, and took over 6 medical procedures (all quite painful) to get rid of them! And, those suds floating on the top of the water in hot tubs? That is the deodorant, perfumes, clothes detergents, etc of all those floating in that water before you. No thanks. Hate to be the bearer of the disgusting, but honesty is the best policy.

I can totally respect different people's comfort zones, and them making decisions on their activities based on those. That applies to looking at death rates from flying, driving in a car, SCUBA diving, visiting marine parks, or doing a cruise.

 

If a highly prominent person being killed means you are uncomfortable doing something, then nobody has the right to try to tell you that you should go ahead and do it.

The prominence means nothing. It could be anyone killed by swimming with sting rays that would deter me. I don't fault anyone else for choosing the activity. But, some might not know the danger when words like "kitten or cat rubbing against you" are used. Swimming with sharks is dangerous too....but most do know that.

That's disappointing. I'm curious, what sort of warning was it? I heard there was one for Cozumel recently too, and it kind of seems like the whole area has troubles. :(

Forgot to mention that I receive the warning for Jamaica about 10 days ago and I've received two others for Mexico in the last month, from the bombs planted on tour boats that killed all those people going out for some excursion in the Tulum area. There was a second boat with a bomb that did not denotate as intended, so no one hurt on that one. I forget which major cruise line stopped using that tour company but that was on the national news about those attacks. I will be in Costa Maya soon and won't venture further than the port shopping area, specific for cruise ship passengers. I do not feel safe. In Jamaica, I'm going with a large group for a driving tour.

That's disappointing. I'm curious, what sort of warning was it? I heard there was one for Cozumel recently too, and it kind of seems like the whole area has troubles. :(

I've already deleted the emailed warning so can't share the specifics, but it warned of going into various areas due to armed robbery and physical harm to tourists. If you go to the federal website for travel warnings and put in any location, you can see what they are advising.

I know the Taxi is cheap, and there is no problem with that. My question, since we are docked at Costa Maya, can we walk to the Malecon, or do we need a Taxi to take us there? We don't mind walking a few blocks.

What is the "malecon"?

Anyone know of snorkel masks that can be worn over glasses? Can't wear contacts.

Do Stingray City trip. It is a boat ride out to a giant sand bar where stingrays come for feeding. Your kids will LOVE it. Nothing cooler than stingrays swimming around you, rubbing against your legs like a cat, asking for food.

 

I always remember Steve Irwin. He was simply floating with them. Can't get in the water with wild stingrays. Out of my comfort zone.

Anyone recently at Costa Maya port area? If you tried negotiating on prices, the outcome?

I am a parent of 3 (now grown). If it were me, I would stay on the ship in your situation. Enjoy the ship with few passengers in safety. I signed up for alerts from the state dept (Fed agency), and have received a recent warning about Jamaica. I think a single female is risky. One wirh a toddler, more so. Groups safer.

I complained this week after the customary 30+ minute wait for them to answer. It's the same thing every time and happens no matter which selection you make on the phone, whether customer service, reservations (existing) or excursions! This has been the case over the last 2 months for me, no matter time of day or day of the week!

You must call to get the credit. I have done that recently and asked the same question. Must call. After you call to reserve excursions, the website will show you only the excursions you booked, not all that are available, should you think of reviewing to change your mind. You must go onto the website and search excursions by port and open each to see if it is available on the cruise ship you're taking. You can call to make changes to excursion choices as long as there are vacancies for those you want.

cruise bubble is the fenced area surrounding the ship docks. Many stores, flea market type areas and eating venues (margaritaville). I was told that royal caribbean invested heavily in the port. Very nice, newer buildings and facilities. We were there last week. Did not leave the fenced area. Talked to folks that did. They were immediately hounded by the “locals”. Turned around and re-entered the fenced area.

 

 

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thank you!

Going on the Escape very soon and plan to use a $25.00 onboard credit towards a meal in one of the specialty restaurants and likely need to reserve that. Which one had the best food in your experience? Thanks in advance!

Hi. I've looked at a few Falmouth posts but didn't see these:

 

Food - it's clear that most people advise staying in cruise bubble. Is there any good, authentic Jamaican/Caribbean food? I gather there are a bunch of American chain restaurants there, but if I'm in Jamaica I want run punch and roti/patties/coco bread.

 

 

Beach - my ship has an excursion to Chukka beach. Thoughts? Is there a better beach very close?

What is "cruise bubble"? I'm there for the first time in about 4 wks.

My husband and I went to Blue Lagoon for the Sea Lion excursion. It was an amazing experience! Blue Lagoon is clean and the people working there are so helpful and knowledgeable. We didn't swim at the lagoon but there were people there that looked like they were having a blast! There are signs everywhere so you always know where you are going or how to get there. Like someone else said, there is a board near the dock telling you the times the boat will leave for your specific ship. We watched the dolphins and the sting rays while we were waiting for our boat. I would go there again in a heartbeat! Have fun!

Hooray! Sounds like it's a good excursion choice afterall! Way more positive reviews than negative. It's often the other way around. People sometimes tend to post only bad experiences. Not the positive. Thanks!

By far the best way to "see" Blue Lagoon Island in advance of going there, is to watch the many good videos on Youtube. BTW this is advisable for any cruise excursion. Just about every one is on there, some good videos, some not so much. But better than reading about it is to see it.

 

This one is a good example of a fairly recent video from Blue Lagoon:

 

When I go in April 2018, I will make a new video and post it here on CC.

 

Happy travels.

Good advice. I'm going the week of April 7th so will be there for the 1st time, week before your trip. The water looks extremely shallow! I'm going to check out the beach areas and may pay the extra amount for the adults only section, based on crowding, depth, beach sand vs rock. Appreciate the video link.

You can rent umbrellas but not too sure how much. I also believe this area was adults only. It’s to the right as you get off the boat/tender.

 

 

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Much appreciated!

Thank you for sharing this! I needed to know.

I booked it yesterday so I guess I will see how I feel about it when I get there. At least I will get to see the ocean allot on the ship :). Mostly I needed to know if there was a way to get out of the sun or to come back earlier if I need to and that has been answered. Thanks everyone.

I booked the same excursion on the same cruise. Will be my first time too.

I am going on this same cruise and have booked the same excursion. Will be my first time there too. If I don't find shade, I won't be there long. Bought a waterproof case that hangs around the neck so I can get in the water without leaving things unattended. Solo.

For a waterproof pouch I have been very happy with the Loksak Splashsak waist pack. It comes with two special waterproof bags that fit inside.

Thank you. Will check it out.

the Everglades tour is tons of fun and it's perfect for your timing. Bonus if you have shore excursion credits!

THANKS! Where did your bags go while you went on the tour? And did the tour company take you to the MIA airport?

Can you book a post cruise excursion that ends at the airport?

 

As I understand it, your luggage is loaded onto the excursion bus and off loaded at the airport when you get off.

There's a city of MIami bus tour that leaves at 9 am and gets to the airport at 11:00 am. My plane doesn't leave until almost 5 pm. Bags are stored in the bottom of the bus for passengers. There are few excursion choices w/the cruise line. Two bus tours (2 hr and the hop on/off I've canceled due to horrendous reviews about broken down buses/safety and other things). There's also the everglades tour which I've asked another responder about.

We did this Everglades tour a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it! I highly recommend it. We were dropped off at the airport, ate lunch and had a couple of hours to 'de-cruise' before flying home.

Hmmm. Questions - who stored your bags and where were they stored to pick up, so you could take the everglades tour? It would be paid for by my cruise credit. Lastly, I'm picturing needing sunscreen and bug repellant and perhaps coming away from the tour needing to shower (no idea, please share). And, the everglades tour took you to the MIA airport after tour ended? THANKS FOR THE HELPFUL INFO!