JerseyGirlJen

I also already booked for December 2021, Sunrise.  We are supposed to be Breezin' this December...Mom is 77 and after all the arm twisting I did to have her agree to come along I pray we will sail 🤣

You can book about a year in advance, sometimes 11 months out, on the Hilton website.  

I'm not aware of any renovations going on at this hotel.  I do know that Hilton Marina did a compete renovation in the past year.  

On 6/15/2020 at 10:29 PM, setsail1975 said:

 

 

 

On top of it according to my employer they are telling me if I travel out of the country via cruising I may be subject to self quarantine for 14 days on my return, which is a whole other issue. Cause I’m not approved for those additional 2 weeks off, even though they are telling me I have to.....

 

I would contact an employment attorney to see what your legal rights are and where the line is drawn on what your employer can legally require you to do--unpaid.

3 hours ago, EatonDoolittle said:

I took this excursion with them in Cozumel a few years back.

Someone on our boat did get very sick, right on the boat floor, so it does happen.  The water was was not overly rough. I've done it 3 or 4 times total, and in my opinion, it's not a day for kids or queasy stomachs. 

 

It cost us the race,  as the Captain had to slow and let the crew clean up. The guy was mortified and no one  was rude to him, but there was plenty of disappointment - it is a race , after all, and does attract some competitive types.

 

NOTE - the t-shirt upgrade  (if they still do that), will work between islands, I traded in a reggedy St Maarten one for a Coz one. Also other non-active roles include timekeeper and bartender.

Please just don't get sick on the fellow sailors! 

Thanks!  I'm going to make sure I'm all set with Bonine....we're embarking on the cruise on Saturday so I'll be taking a pill each day so by the time I get to St. Maarten I'll have a few days worth in me.  I think I'm going to give it a shot,  but I will keep my fingers crossed for a calm day!  I'll keep my eyes out for the t shirt upgrade too.

5 hours ago, cruiser61262 said:

I have done this on three different occasions.  Highly recommend.  I was the Winch Wench because of past sailing experience.  I have done it on windy days and  a somewhat calm day, every time was a great experience!!  Definitely sign up for it early because it does sell out.  As far as sea sickness, never seen anyone having an issue, I think the exhilaration and Adrenalin  rush overshadow any discomfort

Thank you!  I'm looking forward to it and will report back when I get home in December. 

1 hour ago, gtaylor said:

And sometimes it is just another lazy day on the water.

 

 

Nice, is that you guys?  If so I'm glad you enjoyed it!

On 5/29/2020 at 1:17 PM, crewsweeper said:

Just now seeing this.  My BIL and I did this back in 2012, along with a guy off our roll call.   But all 3 of us are off-shore sailors and I have had 12 meter sailing "experience"--not racing but onboard for practice runs with America 3--a totally different experience from this excursion.  Most of the people with us had little or no sailing experience.  While given "assignments", they mostly just enjoyed the ride.  There are at least 2 "races" between the boats.  On the up wind leg the leeward side can drag in the water if the wind is strong.  But downwind legs  it's pretty smooth.  

You are inside the bay, but I would guess if the water is too choppy, they would cancel.  But this is NOT a leisurely sunset sail type of an excursion.

Thank you for your information and advice.  I think I'm going to stay with it and see how it goes.  I've watched a bunch of youtube videos of the excursion and it doesn't seem like anything I can't handle.  I will probably pop an extra Bonine just in case if I see that it's extra choppy out there.  Thanks again!

On 5/22/2020 at 11:38 AM, Ombud said:

I think I'll spend the $7 and take their shuttle! 90° is okay in California where the humidity is low but horrible in areas with high humidity. Now just trying to decide between Hyatt 17th St and Embassy Suites (belong to both Hilton & Hyatt -- my go to hotel chains)

Wise choice on the shuttle.  I've stayed at Embassy a number of years ago and the location is excellent and the pool is beautiful, but from what I've read in the past couple years is that it needs a serious refresh.  I am not picky so I'd probably be fine with it, but who knows.  They also offer a free hot breakfast.  Everyone seems to really like Hyatt, but I've never stayed there.  They are pretty much almost right next to each other so one isn't any better than the other in regards to location.   This time we're doing Hilton Marina, just down the road in walking distance to everything and it just got completely renovated.  Pool deck is awesome, right across from the Port.

You could check out hotels down in Cocoa Beach.  A little further south but nice beaches and the pier, and in walking distance to things.  Hampton Inn is on the beach and is solid choice.

I have been looking for it too, I didn't even realize it was released.  If so, I guess they removed it due to the extended break from cruising and they'll probably revamp or update it when they confirm we're a Go for August.

December 5th 2020 on the Breeze and then December 4, 2021 on the Sunrise.🛳️

That's a really nice upgrade you got there, enjoy it! 😀

17th street is a fantastic location, Hyatt Place is easily walkable to Publix grocery, Total Wine, banks, Walgreens, Ross, TJ Maxx, many restaurants--everything from Panera Bread to steak/seafood places.  Its also very close to the cruise port and just a quick ride from the airport too.  I'm staying at Hilton Marina this year but being within close access to 17th street shopping was important to me...at least if it's not a beach/pool day you can walk to shopping to occupy yourself.      

Has anyone done this in St. Maarten?  I saw this years ago and said if I ever get to St. Maarten I'd love to do it, but I've read a few things here or there that people have gotten pretty seasick. Is it really that bad or is it like at Disney where almost every ride has the motion sickness warnings on it? 

This will be day 4 of the cruise....we will be there in early December (if that matters with the swells in the bay)....I will be taking Meclazine daily on the cruise because I don't want any problems.  I've never been sick on a cruise ship, just don't want to jinx myself so I always take it in case.  🤪  If it's that intense I will probably choose something else.  Any tips are appreciated. 😀

I will look into Grey, thank you for the info. I would LOVE to hike the volcano but it's too much for my Mom, and I don't want to leave her alone for the day so we're going to do a tour probably...either with Grey, Javin, or Pereira.

Depends on the port, if there is something that I am really interested in I'll do an excursion, either through Carnival or through a private tour company.  My next cruise we're going to St. Kitts (still up in the air about what I want to do there....my Mom is 77 so while I'd love to hike the volcano it's too much for her), St. Maarten (booked the 12M regatta through Carnival), San Juan (doing our own thing walking the Old City), and Grand Turk (beach and Jack's Shack).

Sending you good Breeze vibes.  I hope you go off without a hitch.  All we can do is keep fingers crossed.

I would go with the Breeze.  I'm actually doing that itinerary this December.  St. Maarten you could do the 12 M Regatta yacht racing, St. Kitts they have nice beaches, Grand Turk is a known beach spot with snorkeling and a few beach bars right on the sand.  San Juan is not a port that you're docked at for a long time...at least we aren't in December...we're only there from 7a-2p.  Most people do a walking tour of the Old city, but I have seen people mention the beaches too. 

I agree that it has to be midship/fwd/aft.  I'm on the Breeze next in an 8C, which is a midship balcony on deck 7.

Congratulations on that great deal!  I wish you smooth sailings, enjoy!! 😃

I read that somewhere on the form, in the last couple years.  To play it safe, every time I fill one out I put in capital letters that I do not want to change my room and if this price drop will cause that then to disregard. I have never had an issue, nor has Carnival ever denied my new price either.

I had friends go last fall and they said it was $14.95 for unlimited shows.

March is college spring break, but those schools on the rare trimester schedule may go at a different time.

April, typically the week leading up to and the week of Easter, is spring break for K-12, but not always. Your best bet is to google when Easter is that particular year and go from there. If it’s late, go early in the month.

That being said, my first cruise was during Easter week...my bad on not first checking the Easter date that year, and once we realized our error we were ready for chaos. We ended up being very pleasantly surprised. I didn’t feel as though it was overrun with kids...in fact you didn’t really see them that much because they were in the camp.

While I wouldn’t purposely choose to travel that week as my first choice, If that happened to be the only time I could go I wouldn’t let it hold me back, unlike other times of the year. I’d much rather go on a k-12 break than a college break, wouldn’t go Christmas week, etc.


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I'd do the Sunshine or Magic.  Both have great waterworks areas that kids and adults and can enjoy, and with the Sunshine you can enjoy a day or two in Charleston prior to, or after, your cruise.