BeadBabe

I make it easy on myself...get the drink package. Bring a nice glass water bottle (or two), empty of course, with you from home.

Then whenever you are headed back to your room (like back from the gym, breakfast/lunch, wherever), stop by a bar and get a glass of wine. Take it back to your room and pour it into your glass bottle. If you and DH/DW are doing this, you will always have a glass or two on hand in your room. :D

Thanks Mike!!

As for drink service on any Freestyle deck...the answer is "not regular service". However if you find a beverage crew member working the deck nearby and tell them you are up there and want to be checked on...they will do so. I slip them a couple of bucks and my drink stayed full and chilled and I never had to get dressed to venture down and fetch drinks.:D

I'm leaving for the Sky tomorrow!!

Thats to funny but like the post above some navy was happy lol. :)

Maybe but at least they weren't calling on my cell phone saying "put your top on!" :eek: lol

lol

Gotta love friends right? :cool:

Funny story, BeadBabe! Wow I thought this topic was dead after so many people ganged up on me for posting the question and I quit paying attention to it. I'm still hoping to be able to enjoy nature on my terms while we're cruising when we set sail on the Epic on October 16. But from my research on the weather in that area at this time of the year, I"m a little concerned that it may be a little chilly to do so. Oh well, I guess I'll find out once we get there. The impromptu litmus test will be the 2 days pre-cruise we are spending in Barcelona. I plan on checking out the CO beach areas there and getting some sun time in there, hopefully. Regardless, exactly 2 weeks from today I will be on a plane bound for Barcelona and a glorious birthday trip!!

Mike, is that the repo cruise back to Miami?? I have friends on that voyage, but I think that leaves Barcelona on the 23rd. I'm sailing the Epic on the 10th of December. So post back and tell us all about it! :D

Go for it Mike! If someone has an issue with you going CO,heck with em! It's your vacation so you should enjoy it whether you choose to wear clothes or not. You're paying extra for a balcony so you should enjoy it to the fullest extent. In the morning if it's a bit chilly I'm sure a cup of coffee and a hat would be perfect.

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise. My Epic reivew is linked in my signature if you would like to check it out.

 

P.S. One thing I would like to see is how long you would last in the ice bar wearing a speedo. :p

I'm with you Nathan...it's my balcony and there are full side walls. Don't want to risk seeing something you don't want to see, then don't peek around! :cool:

I have a funny story though...my group of friends (I'm the tour guide) sailed the Pearl on the repo cruise thru the Panama Canal. Due to the Swine flu breakout in 2009, our last two Mexico ports were canceled but they added San Diego! Now I live in California, so I decided to stay on board and enjoy my balcony. The rest of my group got off and went to go tour some GIANT naval ship a few docks down. So there I am...ahhhhh....peace at least....the gang off ship and I have some quiet time...mojito in hand, slip out of my swimsuit top....ahhhhh:cool:

But wait...my cell phone rings. Oh that's right we are in port so I answer as it's one of my friends, who I'm sure is no doubt lost somewhere and needing help. "Hello" I say..."put your top back on" says he. "What???" I say..."look to your right, straight across on the yellow deck of the naval vessel". :eek: Yup, there they are...binoculars in hand pointed right at me. :o

"Perv!", I responded....I hear gaggles of laughter on the other end, and hang up! :D

Thanks BeadBabe!

You bet! :D

i think the freestyle decks were just on the gem stype ships. We have seen both men and women co on the the deck.:)

Beetle...you could be right. Athough I know the Epic does too. Maybe just the larger NCL ships. Well I sail on the 31st of October, so I'll find out and post here when I get back! :cool:

Is there a FreeStyle deck on the Sky?:)

Ahum....just wondering how many passengers will be "in the buff" on their balconies on an Alaska cruise.....in September....;)

The Polar Bare Club Rawks!! :cool:

Sounds like most people who have purchased cameos bought pendants, or earrings. Any rings, or unset cameos suitable to have set as a ring? I love the cameos, but never wear necklaces.

Diana

They have many "loose" cameo's as well as finished set ones. The set ones are in pendants, earrings, broaches, rings, hair accessories, cuff links, and just about anything you can imagine. There are plenty of loose ones as well.

There are some real beauties! :D

I agree.

I bought one (paid about $100 for one that was set and I love it!!) back in March 2008. My girlfriend also bought one and she loves hers as well.

I wear mine quite often.

I'll be back in Roatan in Feb and would love to get another.

Halos...weren't they lovely???

If I go again...I'm going to buy that rough cut one that I passed up on.

Best to you in 2010!

BeadBabe

Hi everyone

I'm just off NCL's Jewel for the Dec 13, 2009 sailing.

Our group arranged for a private guided tour of Roatan that included a stop at the Cameo Factory. It was larger than I expected. It's a simple building with over a dozen show cases with assorted types of cameo's. Both loose cameo's and finished ones set in jewelry. In the back were two 8' tables with two artisans working. You couldn't stand too close but you could stand and watch them work. The "Master" was not in the day we were there.

The prices range from $50 to $2500 and about everything in between. The more costly are more detailed of course. The quality is not the same as found in Italy, but that does NOT mean they aren't exquisite!! They are lovely, in my opinion. What I loved about them is the island and ocean themed ones. The typical Renaissance styled ones just didn't seem to capture the artist behind them. It was like they were trying to mimic Italy. And they didn't need to!!! The ones with island and ocean themes were truly lovely works of art.

My favorite piece was actually quite raw and rustic and actually had a large part of the spiny conch still visible. I'm still sort of kicking myself for not buying it. It was already set into a necklace, and I guess that is why I didn't purchase it.

The prices they were charging for the finished set pieces seemed a bit high for the setting. You would be far better served to buy a loose one and have it set on your own. There is a case right in the middle of the store that has cameo's $50 to $250 and your best bargin's are there. The prices for the more affordable cameo's were not negotiable, but the larger ones are. So survey the whole shop and see what you can do.

The factory is very close to the pier, so it doesn't take much time to include it in your tour, stop by and check it out. It is worth the stop in my opinion, but then I'm the BeadBabe and jewelry and wearable art is my thing. :D The others in my group ranged their opinions from "ooooo that's nice" to "can we go now" (some of the guys). So it's really a matter of taste.

The sales people are very VERY shy and not pushy at all. You will have to really ask to get helped, but once you engage them, they are very friendly and knowledgeable.

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them!

Best to you in 2010!

BeadBabe :D

Just checking in....anyone been there recently?

going to Roatan on November 17th and touring with Victor Bodden. We have the Cameo Factory on our list of things to see. I'll post here when we get back with any pertinent info.

Awesome!! Thank you!!

Been awhile since there has been a post here, but I thought I'd tweak the thread and try.

Has anyone been there recently? Are they still carving cameo's on site so that we can watch them made? I saw they had a website but it seems to be down now.

I'd appreciate any information.

Thanks!

Hey guys...this thread sounds like a great place! Two quick questions.... how is the shore snorkeling since Wilma? I've been reading some say it is best further out from a boat, but others say the boats come close into shore anyhow. Do you get out near a reef? We have our own snorkeling gear and may want to just snorkel on our own offshore, but ask about an all-inclusive for entrance, food and drink. Can't wait to get there....we will be in Coz on Jan. 26th! Thanks, all!

Seasprite, snorkeling out from the boat is better of course. However, I did shore snorkeling all day at Uvas and saw lots of fish. Clearly it's still recovering from Wilma, but the sea life is plentiful. The off-shore snorkeling trip that Playa Uvas offers is GREAT. You will see TONS of sea life, as the guides know where the lobsters and eels hide. If you snorkel on your own, you'll see plenty too, just not as many of the critters that you don't know where to look for.

I think there is one dive shop about 45 min. from where i live..and we don't have a REI or big 5. I think I may wait until I get to Galveston. I'm sure they would have some! if not there is always cozumel!

 

Thanks again!

Galveston stores (Walmart, KMart, Walgrees) will have some for sure.

Since this time of the year is "winter" I can't find any water shoes or aqua socks?

Does someone know where if Playa Uvas sells them there? And if they do about how much do they cost?

 

Thanks BeadBabe & Endi for your great review! I can't wait to get there!!

Lady in Tx...did you try your local Walmart? Or try a local sporting goods store (REI, Big 5) or a local dive shop. Or if you are arriving in your outgoing US port of call early, I bet a local Walgreens will have some. If not, most all the pier towns I went to had swim gear available, just more spendy than they would be at home. In Cozumel, there are tons of little tourist shops right off the pier, someone is bound to have them...if you can't find them anywhere else.

How long is the boat ride?

CN...oh wow, now you are making me think...:rolleyes:

We left the pier and high tailed it to Livingston, I'm thinking not more than 30 mins at full speed. The more leisurely boat ride down the river was a good couple of hours all together, but it's a lovely trip and a stop about half way to walk the jungle. The jungle walk, by the way, is pretty flat walking on very easy paths. You don't have to do the walk, and can just wait at the landing. Then there is the sit down lunch and the Garifuna dancers. So you don't feel like you are in a boat all day. Then again a full speed trip back to the pier another 20-30 mins.

It was my favorite excursion of the trip. And I think a few of my fellow cruisers felt the same way.

Thanks for the great review!! Question- did you just show up or did your prebook to go there? If you pre booked-did you go to their site or what? It sounds like a great place. I am hesitant of the all inclusive as it is almost impossible to eat and drink $80-$90 worth for two people!! Did you happen to check out their ala carte prices? Thanks!

Karen...you need to prebook as if its a busy day, you won't get in. The all-inclusive is very worth it. Lunch was great, it was a good $15 a plate sort of lunch. Drinks are about $9 each on the ship. So just food and drink wise, the math does work. You are guaranteed nice lounges and waited on hand and foot. Plus the snorkeling and kayaking.

There are no water toys. It's nice, quiet and peaceful. It's a place to relax and enjoy the sea. If you are looking for the parasailing, jet ski type action...then prolly some of the other beaches might be more for you. I'm just less of a crowd person.

I didn't check out the ala carte menu, however you can purchase just a entrance pass for $7 then pay as you go for everything else. Did you see their website? It's http://www.playauvas.com/default.asp

And the price list for the various types of inclusiveness is http://www.playauvas.com/images/PlayaUvasPackages.pdf

Go to the website and email Eduardo, he is a wealth of information!:D

80spit covered my review in a nutshell. We had a great day, a GREAT day. We will definitely be at Playa Uvas again on our next visit to Cozumel. I'll just add a few things.

One thing to know about Cozumel is, it's a very busy cruise town. The day we were in town there were 4 ships in port. (Thats 10,000 cruisers, not counting the other tourists.) So it's important to make plans that allow for the extra heavy crowds at the open beachs or more popular spots that the cruise excursions visit. With that in mind Playa Uvas is a great option. They don't overbook the facility and it's a private club.

Playa Uvas is a short cab ride from the pier. Walk to the end of the pier and cross the main boulevard to the line of taxi's. There are plenty of sedans and a pretty good number of vans. If you are two or more, you can spread your arms out real big to say (GRANDE) and they will allow a van to pass up the sedans to accomodate you. We were 4 adults and 1 very charming little girl, and it was $15 for the ride.

Carmen was warm and wonderful. Our waiter was ever diligent and we never had an empty glass. (This can be a problem if you have the open bar option!! LOL Those margaritas are GOOD!) Playa Uvas is host to several of the cruise excursion folks, so they come and go all day. But this should cause you no concern whatsoever, as the staff makes sure that their day resort guests get first priority. We had beach lounge chairs and a couple of umbrellas (included). We even got one of those incredible beach beds (also included). The key here is...arrive earlier than later in the day. Although there were plenty of beach chairs to be had, there are only 6-8 of those beach beds, and they get scooped up quickly.

The clear kayaking was fun, but a pretty good little work out with the seas being pretty active that day. But again, don't be concerned, if you get a little tired, one of the guides paddles up next to you and will tow you in. No one makes fun of you, frankly they are jealous! :D

If you are kayaking and snorkeling, they will try to get you to go in the very next group. I'm sure this is because they want to make sure you have the optimal experience, but don't be afraid to say "no gracias" and take a little siesta in your chair and join a later group for the other half of your adventure. They are more than accomodating for any variation of your day that you want to have.

Lunch was excellent. Order the fresh catch, whatever it is.

I never made it into the little shop, but the restrooms were very clean and there are lockers (extra fee) available. I rented one, but never used it....however I managed to forget to return the key. Sorry Eduardo! :o But that's prolly why they charge the fee! LOL

And yes, the massage is apparently heaven...so don't pass that up.

Just also want to point out, the beach is course sand and not a white sandy powder beach. Flip flops will do just fine to protect those nicely pedicured toes. Also the water line is rockier rather than smoother. This isn't a problem for me, as those rocks make great places for fish to hang out for snorkeling. But I would suggest that you bring aqua socks or water shoes to protect any delicate tootsies.

This time of year, the water is 79ish. So cool when you enter, divine once you are in.

Again, I repeat....We had a great day, a GREAT day. We will definitely be at Playa Uvas again on our next visit to Cozumel.

Thats tropical for me. I leave near the Jersey Shore.;)

Familycruzer....lol....I hear you! I'm in California and the water here is a chilly 55F most of the time. But originally I'm from Miami....now 85F is PERFECT!:cool:

Jwitt and Others: I'll be on the Sun next week and taking Gus' tour. I'll be sure to post the details when I get back!

Eduardo...how is the water temp this time of year? Should I consider finding a 1 or 2 mil snorkel suit?