ReikiontheRun

Reikiontherun, I think you will love HMC. But I don't think it is the best place for snorkeling right off the beach. The water is so clear and the bottom pure white sand, and I don't know if you will see lots of fish. There might be excursions you can do that will take you out farther to snorkel. I know there is a glass bottom boat tour you can do. Whatever you do, enjoy your time on HMC.

It's our favourite beach.

Thanks. I know it will be beautiful. Little bummed because we were supposed to go to Princess and I was just informed about the change in itinerary. I know the snorkeling is better there, but I think they have a kid's area at HMC, so they will like that.

You should have gone to the Holland America board to get this answer.

It gets beyond annoying when every other post is...go somewhere else. Sorry for thinking people who have been to HMC might be able to answer my question. And I'm cruising Carnival.

Tomorrow!

Sorrty to bring up an old thread, but my cruise just got diverted to HMC. Not sad. Which way do I go after I get off the ship for the best snorkeling?

Thanks, guys! We leave in 5 days, and are so pumped! I am very excited about them getting to try all the new things I wouldn't necessarily spend my money on when we are out. I'm not into wasting at all, and we usually split things, but I am going to try to not feel bad and see how many new things we can try while not being wasteful! They already agreed to try cold soup and escargot! WOOHOO! I think they are most excited about getting their OWN desserts! Hahaha!

Haha! That's an old paradigm.

Wow. I'm not on social media and haven't been on a board in a long time. Now i remember why. Thought I'd jump on here and find some people who love cruises to get excited with me and share their joys and thoughts on what to do, but whew! The judgement and complaining on this board are thick! The angry energy is palpable. I'm out! Happy cruising, y'all!

You are a lovely friend. An underwater throw away camera would be fun! A book of Mad Libs to play while you wait random places, like for everyone to show up at muster, etc. They are always great for a laugh! I love the metallic temporary tattoos, too! Have a blast!

I think I'd like to do this, too! 2020 sounds good.

Now, off to find the man!

I'm cruising with my two boys in 13 days. They are in bed nightly at 8:30. All bets are off on the cruise! We have dinner at 8:15! We are going to live it up and party late! I'm not going to worry much about sleep and let them sleep in if needed.

I would probably determine everyone's comfort level once on the ship. Yes, there could be dangers in letting her sleep without you there, but there are dangers in crossing the street and I refuse to live in fear of everything.

Listen to your gut. Our intuition, especially as a mother, is quite powerful. Go, enjoy your time with your husband. Ease up on the sleep requirements and see how it goes. Trust yourself. HAVE FUN!

13!!!

Hi!

I had a WONDERFUL time enjoying the beach day at Princess Cays. I went all the way to the end of the beach to the right as you exit the tenders. I have seen it marked as "Little Bay" on some maps, others note it as "swimming/snorkeling area". There weren't many people at this part of the beach, and as another poster mentioned, there were loungers in the shade! I found the snorkeling good in the morning (high tide), but when I tried to go back in the afternoon the water was too shallow. Pay attention to the tide and I think that will help. I saw some interesting fish, including a flounder while swimming around. It's nothing like some areas I have been too, but it's great for beginners as the water is shallow and calm. Very clear too. Enjoy your visit!

Awesome! It will be my boys' second time, and the first was here in Florida, so they will love it if they even see one fish! Thanks! I'll head right!

Ok. I see what you meant! I can avoid those! Sooooo glad!

We are really pumped for them to get to try new things! Hoping to add some variety to our current menu at home! They know they aren't allowed to say "eeew" or "gross", and they are already prepped for trying escargot!

Thanks, you all have been so helpful! They are over the moon and so am I. Will be so fun! 13 days...but who's counting?

I can only echo the above, if they want to try it they certainly may. (Of course if it's a surcharge item then you'd have to pay that, but that goes without saying which is probably why no one said it:).)

Oh. That'd be a bummer if there was a charge. I'd probably pass then. We were pretty excited about them getting to try things I wouldn't normally order.

Pizza and nuggets...ick!

My eyes don't see as well, either, and don't get me started on my hearing problems and the arthritis that makes it more difficult for me to type and such.

 

Here is an interesting article about why things don't taste as good as we remember:

 

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/05/05/526750174/why-taste-buds-dull-as-we-age

Maybe it's that.

I'm the "pensioner" in my 60's and wife is in her 50's.

Anticipated demographics is very important whether our holiday is a cruise or if we are enjoying an All Inclusive.

We want out atmosphere to be lively and hopefully family oriented. I love the sound of young people filled with laughter. Whether it be Disney, Beaches Negril All Inclusive, or yes, even if it's Spring Break with loud music.

 

The last thing I want is listening to old people talk about their skin lesions, portfolios, and impending strokes.

But there are so many varieties of lesions...flat, raised...

I feel like there's a drop in food quality in general. Outside of ships. Things just don't taste as good as they used to. More hormones and chemical additives? Who knows...but may play a part as well.

If pricing is an issue, then cruise the first week of December, when it's the cheapest week of the year. Or cruise at the beginning of the school year over Labor Day, when it's still cheaper than April and they will only miss four days of school.

Brrr! I'm a Florida girl! Haha!

They are only missing four days. Wow. I'm surprised this is a concern to others...I thought I was a super n a z i about making sure they were in school every day, and it's surprisingly not bothering me.

I won't be letting mine run free, though. No way Jose. I considered allowing them only to walk for ice cream together, but the last comment has me rethinking this idea. While my kids are respectful and not brats, they don't have much experience using soft serve machines, and I could see this ending badly...

This is a family vacation for me. I won't be getting drunk while they snorkel around the hot tub! Although now I want to snorkel around the hot tub!

Aren't schools in Florida done before Memorial Day? So you're taking your kids out for a week when they will then have about 3 weeks of school left? :confused::confused::confused:

Judge away!

I'm a single parent. Prices double when they get out. Florida schools only teach for the tests anyway, and they will have taken them by then. Side note. My kids have only missed one day of school...ever. A sick day.

Haha! My kids never miss school, but I'm pulling them out the last week of April to go on our cruise for the same reason...I don't want it to be overrun by kids! I think this makes me some type of hypocrite!

The beach area to the right as you get off the ship and cross the bridge ( Little Bay ) is marked as a swimming and snorkeling area. Is the snorkeling any good there

Thanks

Did you go? Was it good?

This has been a great thread. I'm a divorced mom, cruising with my two boys, almost 9 and 10 this month for their first cruise.

Our goal is to have the most fun possible. I told them I'll take them to the kids club, then check back in an hour or so to see how it goes. One or both can choose to stay or go with me. Dinners together for sure. Comedy for sure. Ports for sure. Other than that, if they think it will be most fun to hang out in the club, awesome!

Now I'm slightly worried I'll be ditched and wandering around solo! Haha! I think I can handle it!

it's amusing how petty some people are and that they feel THEY are the say all on fine fashion. If it doesn't have ANYTHING to do with you then WHO cares? just do what you want to do and the others with theirs noses in the air can get bent. Give them something else to gossip about in another CC thread.

Man I need to find me some kind of over the top lanyard to wear next month.

My 02

Michael

Haha! Between your comment and your signature, I think I love you.

I'm taking my two boys on their first cruise. Carnival Liberty . We aren't a kid's meal family. My kids prefer to split things off a regular menu because it tastes better.

Sorry if this has been asked, I couldn't find a search function on my phone! Thanks so much!