99florida

I'd just bit the bullet and pay the $20 per day and park right at the cruise terminal. Easy access, no shuttle wait, secure.

That's what we are going to do for the Miami port. I guess we are just so use to Ft. Lauderdale with ParkandGo. So simple reliable, safe, inexpensive, and close to the port.

Keith, Where can I find the Florida departure board?

Come over to the Florida Departures Board.

 

There are properties but again you will find out there is risk to them too.

 

I truly believe that the port parking is far more secure then any hotel parking either.

 

Keith

Thanks for your input. Our thought was to save a few $$ however in the end there will be less hassle after disembarking the ship. So for a wee cruise parking will be $160(+) for a Sat. to a Sat. unless the price has gone up.

Do park at the port. It is not only convenient but safe.

 

There are too many horror stories when people park off site.

 

This is a case where paying more money up front will likely save you money in the end.

 

Keith

This is the plan unless we can find accommodations close to the port that includes some kind of package where we can leave our car on their secured property.

In the end it might just might be less of a hassle by parking at the port. Any hotel suggestions that may have this package. We are currently staying at the Marriott Key Biscayne. Thanks.

Agree with the others - visitors and locals alike on these boards say to park at the Port of Miami if you want your car to be there when you get back from your cruise. Seriously. There was one report of a man who was sleeping in a passenger's car who had parked off-site. Don't do it. :eek:

I am so thankful that I had asked! With three females traveling (girl trip - leaving hubbies at home this time) trouble is the last thing we need. Any thoughts to the above remarks from my previous post above?

Agree 100%.

Well this is pretty much unanimous and should follow suit. We are staying at the Mariott Key Biscayne the night before we set sail. I'm sure we could leave the car there but would most likely cost more than the port.

Any recommendations for a decent, clean, safe, and somewhat reasonable accommodations that have parking (hotel/park/cruise) packages? I'm finding a few near the airport but that is now staying much further away from the port.

If there's nothing port parking will be the only option. Too bad that the Miami area is like this whereas Ft. Lauderdale is a snap, convenient, and affordable.

If you will do a search on this subject you will find many, many posts from people who live in the area and they do NOT recommend off site parking in Miami.....only parking at the port. Other ports yes.....Miami no!!

 

One poster in particular likes to always say "do you feel lucky"????

Oh no........seriously?? Dang.... The price to park in Miami's cruise port is steep 😔😔😔

Need help with off cruise port parking in Miami that is close by, reasonably priced, secure, with free shuttle service to and from the ship.

Recommendations good or bad (for guidance) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all.....🚢⚓️🚢⚓️

Can anyone recommend off cruise port parking that is close by, safe, reasonably prices, with free shuttle service to the cruise port (Miami)???

Thanks :)

It's a private access area with upgraded loungers, a hot tub, a misting area and its own bar. Kid free but limited to, from what I've been told, 80 people a week hence all the Vibe questions. Most people, myself included, want tips, tricks and strategies for scoring them. NCL seemingly insists on keeping this idiotic Amazing Race like policy of getting them where to even have a chance, you have to get there when security opens the doors around 9am, hang around doing nothing for 2-3 hours then run like lunatics to Headliners on deck 6 in hopes of getting one.

But with 4,000+ onboard, including lots of screaming kids and basically one tiny pool, people have promised me it is worth the aggravation to be able to find peace and quiet for the week.

Seriously!!! Only 1 pool for 4000(+) guests?? I'm sailing on this ship with some gal friends. We usually sail RCCL and decided to try a different line for a change. I'm already beginning to doubt our decision with one pool and SO many people. Are you sure that there's only one pool? Great :(

I'm on a girls' cruise next month sailing one the escape. I usually cruise RCCL and haven't cruised on NCL since the beautiful Norway so I'm very far behind with NCL. So...... Can you tell me please, what is the Escape Vibe?

 

Thanks - :):)

Nevermind, I did my research.... Wow the main pool(s) do look very busy!! I hope the adult area is not so packed.

Hello everyone,

Any and all tips on the best way to get Vibe passes would be great!!!

 

A couple of questions:

 

1.) How many passes do they sell or how many people do they allow in Vibe?

 

2.) What is the earliest we can get in line to board to get to the desk to buy passes?

3.) How many passes can each person in line buy? Should each member of your party buy their own or can you buy for a whole group, of say 10 if available?

4.) Can you purchase these passes ahead of time, before boarding or do you have to go right when you board the ship? And can you purchases later in the week, say day 3 of your cruise?

 

Thank you all for any advice!

I'm on a girls' cruise next month sailing one the escape. I usually cruise RCCL and haven't cruised on NCL since the beautiful Norway so I'm very far behind with NCL. So...... Can you tell me please, what is the Escape Vibe?

Thanks - :):)

This is a follow-up to my previous post which contained general questions about the Serenade. There were conflicting reports regarding the comfort of the beds. Some said they were really hard (and painful as a result) and still others (one who preferred soft mattresses) said that it was fine.

 

I have trouble tolerating "firm" (aka hard as a rock) mattresses and it was reported that egg crate mattress toppers are no longer available, and that the best that RCI could do was foam pads.

 

I would like to hear from others (particularly those with a preference or need for a soft mattress) as to how the beds were for you. And apparently RCI had just recently replaced the beds on the Serenade, so recent experiences would be the most accurate.

 

Thanks in advance!

We just (literally) got off the Serenade and the beds were awful!!! We were on deck 10 balcony and I did complain. We've cruised over (30+) times with RCCL and this was the FIRST time I had an issue with the bed. They are in the process of changing mattresses so I guess our room didn't make the "list" for our cruise. Our room stewart tried everything on a full sailing. By day 3 put of 10 nights, a new mattress appreared b/c (as we were told) a passenger departed. I guess I missed or didn't squeak loud enough after the first night and demand a new mattress. They were already passed out with other complaints. Long story short , the new mattress made a WORLD of difference. I have a low back problem so it was not good at first. Hope this helps.

I went to carambola last year and paid a lot of $ for nothing. I was disappointed that there were no chairs. Also the beach wasn't what I expected. This year we went to Reggae Beach club and it was amazing! White sand, great snorkeling, water sports, clean bathroom, bar and restaurant

I didn't think that there was white sand on St Kitts. Where is Reggae Beach Club, prices?, food? Chairs?, showers? Etc....

Good to know. Mine not included. Wondering from anyone that got it--- might this include diamond or above discounts?

 

 

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We are Diamond Plus and I don't think that it has anything to do with one's status. It just showed up for our 3/18 sailing on the Serenade so grabbed two packages. No need to rush getting ready for the Lounge. So happy 😊🍾🍷🍻🍸🚢🌴😜

Thanks so much, I was able to grab the 20% off discount! I've been on the fence about whether or not to purchase a package since I'm not much of a drinker, but this tipped my hand. I would never have thought to look for beverage package sales if I hadn't seen it posted here. Gotta love CC!

 

Anthem 4/8/16 is currently running 20% off alcoholic beverage packages (not replenish nor refreshment.) Current prices are:

Select - $31/day

Premium - $39/day

Ultimate - $47/day

 

For a 10 day cruise, I paid $472 for the Ultimate package just now, so I'm guessing the $47 included tip.

Ditto on the Serenade sailing on 3/18 YAHOO!!!

Ok, so I know there have been a few threads floating around about decreases in drink packages due to a misunderstanding of the price structure and whether or not gratuities were actually included.

 

However, there appears to be a promotion that just started this morning for 20% off of drink packages. I know for sure it applies to the Ultimate and Premium packages and that is only good for "certain sailings". I could not find this promotion on the RC website though so I don't have many helpful details!

 

As such, I do not know for sure which sailings as the representatives I spoke to weren't super clear on this but it did apply to our Anthem sailing. I was also assured by three separate representatives that it DOES includes gratuities! We have already cancelled our higher priced drink packages and re-purchased at the reduced rate and printed out all the confirmations so we do know that it is in fact a truly reduced rate!

 

So, to anyone who has already purchased or is interested in purchasing a drink package, check out your cruise planner to see if it pops up with a 20% off!! :D Good luck!

Thank You!!!! I just checked my sailing and it too was reduced 20% and that sure does help when buying two packages. I've been asking and reading on this board and no one seemed to have any straight answer. I'm so glad that I just checked again while packing.

This shouldn't be so difficult (which it has been and still is for so many) however, my ?'s have been answered and in a positive way. YAHOO!!!

Anyone have the drink menu for Carambola? Wondering how much a bucket of Carib runs? or per beer?

 

If we have our chairs paid for at Carambola, will they be saved if we want to walk down to Shipwreck for an hour or so?

 

Thank you!

We were able to reserve 2 chairs and an umbrella! Yahoo :) This will be our second time visiting and yes, the 1st time we left our stuff on the chairs, took a nice looooooong walk/visit to Shipwreck, came back, and our stuff was left untouched :)

You've paid for them whether you sit in them or not. As long as your stuff is there indicating that you have not left, then they'll be there when you return.

The entertainment was varied - a young Elvis impersonator - great !! A pianist

one show and a violinist another - both very talented but not exactly our cup of tea

One of the shows was a comedian/ magician ( good) and a Russian balancing act that were amazing !! The 2 production shows we saw were very entertaining .

Sorry - didn't hear the pub singer except when walking through to the theater - never seemed to be anybody in there. The piano bar guy was terrible - I heard he was a replacement for the usual guy - listening to him sing was painful !!

Had a band playing in the atrium most nights - Pulse - those guys were great and could play and sing all kinds of music !

Enjoy your cruise - our favorite class of ships !!

Jane

Do you recall if they offered a discount on the ultimate drink package? Some say various ships offered this to C&A members for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle.

Anyone have knowledge of this so-called discount for C&A members based on status: Diamond, Diamond Plus, Pinnacle? Read that some ships are offering once on board vs. pre-purchasing packages.

Would love to know what's going on as C&A 800 number has no clue however, many are saying that they had this offer.

their e-mail address from the web site : reservations@carambolabeachclub.com

 

They are also on facebook, maybe your date conflicts with a scheduled event there and are not taking reservations ?

This is where I sent my email request (twice) with no response. Maybe so, but it would be nice to hear back one way or another. Oh well, thanks for trying. I appreciate it.

I have never heard of a "Day Pass" at Carambola, they do take reservations for a lounger & umbrella.

Where do I look or go to find out how to make reservations then? I've been on the site and FB, sent an email, and no response yet.

We're going to Carambola Beach resort on a day pass at St.Kitts Jan 7. Is anyone else going there wants to share a cab ride? I realize it's not a pricey ride, just thought I'd ask in case there's more ppl, we could do a minivan. marilyn dot graef 17 AT gmail dot com

Where can you locate information about the day pass? I sent an email to them but have yet to hear back. Thanks

Antigua has several beaches. I originally wanted to go to Valley Church Beach which I read great reviews on. But as I stated above our fast talking taxi driver said Ffrye beach was the place to go. Just like most beaches there it was beautiful but pretty remote. Only one restaurant bar up a hill and nothing else. Chairs were $10.00 a piece. If that is what you like it was beautiful, but another taxi driver took us to just as beautiful of a beach that was at Jolly Resort. The chairs were $5.00 to rent and there were beach bars and restaurants with facilities. Not for sure about the showers, but I think you can buy a day pass to the resort. It was a busier beach, but more what I picture a Caribbean beach to be like and we wanted the activity. We were never crowded though and never hassled by vendors, but there were hut stores if that is what you like and places to rent snorkeling gear. It is all in what you want but I like the resort area better, beautiful area. I can not remember the taxi cab prices. The first one did seem a little high and beach food and drink prices were reasonable on Jolly beach. We got most of our drinks at Sandras Beach bar. Just a little hut bar. They had WIFI for $3.00 but he did put the code in all our phones. The bar restaurant at Ffryes beach we did go up to for a minute while we waited for a cab. It was very nice and an awesome server that found us a new taxi driver, we had one drink there but the prices were high and would not wanted to pay that price all day.

Thank you very much! This is exactly the information that I was looking for when we visit. :)

Take a right (south) a block or two in

Nb from pier on Market St. Continue until you see a large statue of a man's head. Market is on left, bus station across street on right. You want the #22 bus. Fare a couple of bucks. Maybe 15 min depending on stops.

 

When you return bus stop will be on left side of the road.

Do you know how often the run and how late in the day?