Cras108er

Jungle Breeze zipline is the best, check Tripadvisor for Independent tour operator

Thanks for the info!

We arrive in Aruba at 7am. We're scheduled to depart at 12:30 p.m. Is there enough time to do an ATV? I have seen some private operators who depart at 8am for a three hour tour. Some do four hour (half-day) tours, but that is a little too close for us. Anyone else ever had similar short timeframes? Thanks!

The far better place for your research would be the Costa Rica board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=198

Thanks for the tip! Not sure why I didn't think of that. I just "assumed" since I was going on a Panama Canal cruise, this was the place to ask the question. Silly me! Yes, I have asked the question over there. Thanks!

We will be in Limon in early April and are looking for Zip Lining Recommendations. I have a Cooke questions:

1. There are five times offered by the Princess (7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30. The 8:30 and 9:30 times are almost sold out, and they are the most expensive times. The 7:30 and later times are cheaper, and pretty much empty. I can only assume that has to do with temperature - especially for the later ones. Can people give me any inside information on things to consider in terms of weather. I assume the 7:30 is empty because it is pretty early to be up and off the ship.

2. Are there operators that we can book with privately, either before hand or at the port, that are cheaper (and an equivalent experience to the cruise line's, which is "Original Canopy Zipline Tour at Veragua Rainforest? I think I need to make a decision fairly quickly. I've heard of an operator named "Oscar Brown." Not sure if he is the same person. Also, looks like we'd have to arrange our own transportation to and from the excursion. Is it worth the hassle?

3. This is a buck list item. Neither of us are "crazy about" heights, but I think we can manage. What should we know as first timers?

4. The ship's tour suggested bringing bug spray. How bad are the bugs? Are they mosquitos?

Thanks. All responses are appreciated!

How easy is it for a befuddled old lady to find the doors that go out on the bow and stern for viewing on Caribe deck on Coral?

 

 

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As you can see from the picture, there are aft viewing areas from Baja, Caribe, Dolphin, and Emerald decks. There are no actual aft balconies, so that viewing area becomes a public area, but is not heavily trafficked (from my understanding). It shouldn't be too hard to find. Just go to any of those decks, and make your way to the rear of the ship.

Anyone do zip lining in Limon Costa Rica? I'll be on Princess. There is a ships tour, but I am curious as to whether there are any private vendors who operate near the port, and whether it is worth it to risk doing a non-ship tour? Any other tips? Thanks!

I agree with others. The challenges on the ship will be nothing new to this gentleman. He's faced them all his life. He likely doesn't give it a whole lot of thought at this point.

The most significant challenge will be the bathrooms, as it is usually a step up (about 6") from the rest of the cabin, but if memory serves me correct, the ceiling is the same height.

At just under 6' I find the shower (which is another 2-3" step up) an ego boost. He'll likely call it something else.

Others have said the ceilings are 8'. I think they might be slightly lower. Standard heights in a house are 8'. I'd say they might be more like 6" lower. I haven't been on a ship in a bit though, so I might be off.

The three lines I have cruised all have had pretty standard cabins. I don't think there is a line that caters to taller passengers.

Dunk a basketball. I was trying to be funny. I guess it didn't work.

 

I wish I was 7 ft tall. LOL

Be careful what you wish for. lol

It's kind of like wishing for twins (or triplets).

In a legal sense, it is not only unethical....but is breaking a contract. When you purchase a drink package you actually enter into a contractual relationship where you receive a package in consideration for your payment. Like any contract, this relationship comes with provisions/rules. In theory, once you violate the rules the cruise line would be within their rights to suspend the package and arguably keep your entire payment. It is not much different then your cruise contract (nobody ever reads the fine print) which gives the cruise line the right to toss you off a cruise (without any refund) for breaking the rules.

 

Hank

The visual on this is "disturbing." lol

I withdraw my question. My only experience with the package was on a Carnival ship, where there is a specific limit, and everyone in the cabin over the age of 21 is required to purchase it. Some fellow passengers had purchased it, so I didn't even have direct experience with it. I was just a casual observer. I wrongly assumed that the break even point was at or near 15 drinks.

My argument was from the perspective that, if one purchases a certain quantity of drinks that one should be free to do with those drinks as they choose. As I said earlier, I questioned why it made a difference if those drinks were consumed by one person or two people. The net effect would be the same. It felt like the Cruiseline had unfairly stacked the deck in their favor.

I just looked at the [Carnival] package again [as well as packages from other Lines], and realize the break even point is MUCH MUCH lower - more like 5-6 alcoholic drinks, and includes a multitude of nonalcoholic beverages too.

Based on that math, I no longer see the counter argument as an equally valid perspective.

The drink package is per person and a limit of 15 drinks per day. You aren't paying for 15 drinks a day. Yes, it is unethical. Here"s a hint, anything you ask if it's unethical, it is.

Just so you know, that made absolutely no sense. You bought a package with a limit of 15 drinks per day, but you aren't paying for 15 drinks a day? So, what am I paying for then? Just so you know I actually fell on the other side of this discussion (that it is unethical) but it's not nearly as black and white as you are making it out to be. Why are we as consumers often more interested in looking out for the interests of big businesses, than our own.

Why is it unethical for the consumer to get the full value of what they are paying for, but it is not unethical for the corporation to charge full price for something for which The consumer only get partial value. Isn't it two sides of the same coin? I get the whole idea of a contract, but that does not necessarily make it equitable or ethical. As I said, this is more of a philosophical discussion.

Personally, I would never buy the package, because there is no way I would/could ever consume 15 drinks a day. On the other hand, I might purchase the package if I could buy it for my spouse and I. We still would not consume the full complement of drinks, but together we'd be closer to the break even point. What difference does it make if the ten hypothetical drinks was purchased by one person or two. The net effect is the same, right?

Was having a philosophical discussion with a friend. We came to different conclusions. Decided to post it here. If I buy a beverage package that allows me to consume up to 15 drinks a day, and a provide a drink or more to my friend, is that dishonest? What if in total, we only consume say ten drinks? Why is it okay for the cruise line to "overcharge" me for the 3-5 drinks I do consume. Didn't I pay for 15? Should t I be allowed to do anything with the fifteen drinks I wish?

Mailed ours on January 17th. Got them back on February 2nd. Very fast. I went to a place that specializes in passport photos and ID's to get our picture. Only cost $10 a piece, I think. Easy Peazy!

I have been flying at least a day before the cruise. One year the flights were cancelled and I missed the ship! Waited in San Juan two days until we met up with the ship. Our room was changed and our dinner table was changed next to the kitchen door! What a nightmare! Never made that mistake again. Just saying.

 

 

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Not to mention the fact that you might see two days of the cruise you paid (and waited) for. Sorry, I'm not chancing it.

Thank you guys. It's just my daughters work. If we are flying for our cruise departure I always book a flight day before but my daughters work are trying to make her work a extra day.

What does that mean exactly? They're trying to make her work an extra day? How much time is she taking off exactly? Does she work in a sweat shop? If she has earned the leave, why in the world would any manager try to squeeze an extra day out of their employee. Don't they know that would cost them so much more in the long run? Okay, stepping off my soap box.

So don't specifically remember running on the Star, but on other ships I have run on the deck above the Lido. you just have to get out there before all the sun worshipers make their appearance. I find that jogging tracks are very small, and are like a hamster on a wheel. They're almost as bad as a treadmill. If you are creative, you can find somewhere to run.

Thanks for the great review Stevenr. We're doing this cruise in April, and your insight was extremely helpful. I have heard different opinions about whether to get off the ship in Panama or not. Sounds like you found it worthwhile. We may give it a shot. It's our first time, so I think we owe it to ourselves. 😀

Why are you taking g a break? I tend to obsess with cc in the months leading up to a cruise. After the cruise the allure is just not there anymore. I may not check back for months/years. As soon as I get the cruise bug, I'm back. Don't fight the feeling. 😀

There should be a hyperlink by the notification. If you hit it you'll see a drop down menu for "Friend Requests, Request to Join Social Group, Invitation to Join Social Group, and one other option. I have had one friend request for several years now. I never selected it because I didn't know this site had a friend option. It has shown "1 Notification," for years. Hope that helps.

Looking to book Balcony cabin on Coral Princess for Panama Canal. Recommendations for "best" cabin of that type and ship location? Have booked Mini-Suite other cruises on Princess in past and enjoy them. Which would have to largest balcony? Thanks

Looking forward to seeing answer to this question. Are you planning a balcony or minisuite?

Just did my renewal. I went to the government website and filled out the form via their online form and printed it. I got my photos at CVS for about $8. Then I went to my local post office and asked them the best way to send the our for a passport renewal. It was like $3 to send the document with picture, and my old passport.

 

I sent it off the first week of January and got it back on like around the 23rd. They sent my old passport back separately about a week later.

I didn't know they sent the old one back. Also, I sent ours in at the post office. I put the items in the envelope right in front of the clerk. She never suggested (and I never thought of asking) that she would review my form. It's pretty straight forward.

We leave on the Crown for a B2B in the Caribbean in just over six weeks. Our passports expire in June 2017. I know we can travel with a birth certificate and state-issued photo ID as back up, but I may just bite the bullet and send our passports off for renewal. Has anyone renewed their passport recently and can share the wait-time for it to be returned?

I've been hearing the turn around is two weeks too. Our passports expired last month. As you can see, we're leaving in two months. We just sent ours in fo renewal on January 17th. I'm expecting them back any day now.

My 2nd cruise (1st one without an experienced cruiser) and I am bringing my 75 year old mother in law who is going to be very dependent on me. I booked Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas due to Port/Price/Dates. But now I am having panic attacks as a friend told us--OMG why would you go on such a big ship...Its going to be packed. I am so naive I didn't realize that Cruise ships vary that much...I know I should have done more homework but we are leaving in MAY!!!

Uhm, you ARE an experienced cruiser. :)

Thanks everyone for the quick responses. I'm not one who'd want to give up a night on board, but the hubby was dying for a night of DnD with our friends so he'll have to wait until our next visit! LOL

Yeah, I was trying to figure out why anyone would pay to go on a cruise, then give up a night (or two). Made me wonderi just how "close" these friends are. :D

Yes, I went "there." lol

Only had one time where we had dinner with a table mate who was pretty boorish about his political beliefs. If memory serves me correctly, it was either "anytime dining," or we made it so. Otherwise, most people discussions have been conspicuously absent. I think that is even more important these days, when we are even more divided. I want my vacation to be enjoyable, as does everyone else, I am sure. :)