Karmalady

The ship stays on Central time.

We are on the Vista Nov 4. I also want to do Reefs Ray's Rumpoint . Ship time says 7 am to 2 :30...very short. I'm not sure there is time.

I have been trying to contact Nativeway with no luck through email. Filled out the form, it says incorrect address. I called once and left message..

Really getting frustrated. Does someone have a correct email as the one on web is not working for me. Thanks

Booked a cruise with girlfriend and we are in spa inside room. I typically cruise with hubby and we always get balcony. I'm thinking the total darkness might drive me wacky. The spa Oceanview looks like they have public walkway in front. Has anyone stayed in these rooms? I'm thinking that could be balcony-ish. Is it easy to access? Just looking for comments on spa inside and Oceanview. Thanks.

The last West Bay thread the forum had no longer has pics, it is a fairly old thread.

 

Roatan, while it has heaps of reef some of it is difficult to access due to the distance from the shore or because the beaches are inside a resort. West Bay is one of the easiest to access reef snorkel spots on the island. West Bay beach is also the premier beach on the island.

This map shows the boat free reef snorkling between Infinity Bay's L shaped dock and the Wall. Along the beach toward the wall in this area are Infinity Bay (offers day passes) Tabyana ( cruise ship only excursion) and Grand Roatan (no day passes I know of). If you wish boat free, reef snorkeling steps from your lounger your best bets are Tabyana or Infinity (their day pass can be high and limited, best to contact them directly)

 

This is a link to a Trip Advisor thread with a recent video of snorkeling West Bay. There are several more on Utube.

 

With regard to transportation, there are two cruise ship ports on the island, one Mahogany Bay, belongs Carnival, it is a healthy 45 mins from West Bay and Coxen Hole which is about 20min from West Bay. Taxi on the island are not regulated, if are adventurous, are willing to take your chances walking out to the main road, enjoy hagging and know some Spanish you maybe be able to get a taxi to sort you for a lower price than you would closer to the port. If you choose the route make sure you arrange round-trip transport and pay upon the return.

 

Often times it makes more sense to hire a private driver from one of the local tour operators, the rates from Mahogany Bay range from 25pp to 30pp depending on how many in your party, I have seen the rate as low as 15pp but that was a group of 10.

 

You also have the option of a group transport either with a ship excursion or of the tour operators.

 

The option I like most is to connect several of the resorts on West Bay that offer transport included day pass option. Bananarama, Beachers, Mayan Princess, Foster's, and Infinity Bay, Paradise Beach Club, there may be others I am forgetting.

 

I hope this helps many in their planning.

Thank you for this information. Of the options you've listed, which place would you recommend? I have heard over and over that West Bay was beautiful....but not many details on the accommodations. Thank you!

To the OP I hope someone answers you because I would like to know the same thing! 😁

Thank you for such a fun review! It was delightful to read and I found myself laughing with you at some of your stories. We are on the same ship with the same itinerary or almost in September. It helped a lot to read all the ship and port info. Have fun in Alaska! I look forward to that review too.

I have enjoyed this thread.

We seem to try to see and do it all. We like the dining, shows, comedy shows, music, etc. We always snorkel or beach time which sometimes includes drinking. :D After a few cruises we started claiming one night as a major chill night. Usually on a port day when we come in tired, we shower get in our robes and take the night off to relax in the room and spend time on our balcony. We have a bottle of wine or a bucket of beers and order room service. As much as we love the hustle and bustle, the constant noise begins to be too much. We've found this break is greatly needed and always ends up as one of our favorite nights. :)

We tend to pack a little less each cruise also.

How fast do these things affect you?

 

I'm wondering if you could order something "super safe" like a simple white wine on the first night ... but have just a taste of a girlfriend's "questionable" drink ... and if you have a reaction, you mark off that drink. But never taste more than one drink, or you won't know which one caused your reaction.

 

Perhaps you could strike up a conversation with a friendly bartender at a low-drinking time -- like mid-morning, when they're first beginning -- and ask for advice.

 

Also, are your problems caused ONLY by food? I'm wondering if sun is one of your triggers. If so, you wouldn't want to mistakenly believe that ____ drink caused you trouble, when it was really the sun.

The hardest part of all of this is not getting the Funship Drink of the Day when we board. I LOVE that drink. It says to me, that I am officially cruising.

I am not sure how fast things hit me, I think pretty quickly if it's a true allergy. I thought I was having lots of issues with possible food allergies but could not pin point it...turns out it is not the food usually but the sauce or flavoring. You know the ketchup on the fries, the sweet and sour sauce on the nuggets, the red sauce with shrimp.

The allergy to fragrance blew me away and I found out it is quite common. I can't even have mint in toothpaste or gum or candy so probably it's best I don't worry about drinking. <sigh> I just had a feeling that there were others out there with the same allergy that might have some insight or suggestions.

I've had a couple glasses of white wine with no issue; red doesn't seem to work anymore.

I don't think it's a sun issue with me; it's fragrance and flavorings.

Thanks for your replies!

Read a can of coconut mix that goes in pina colada. I'd be very surprised if there aren't some fruits in the mix. Surely there must be pineapple?

 

I was going to suggest cranberry and vodka but didn't think you could have the cranberry.

 

I think I might could get by with a little cranberry juice like one drinks' worth. Not sure this is all so new.

Thanks everybody! Going to the bar is a good idea but still not sure what is possible without the citrus. The only thing I can think of is cranberry and vodka. And pina coladas are kind of like milkshakes if they leave out vanilla. LOL I'm not sure how I would react to pineapple. This is all new to me; I may have to experiment before I go. My old favorite carnival drinks were the sailaway, mojito, bloody mary. I like a little sweet but not too icky sweet. I enjoy beer and wine but both of those also cause reactions sometimes. Anyway, maybe the bartender can come up with something good. :)

Thanks for your suggestions. I found a Carnival page that listed drinks and ingredients and it looks like I am pretty much out of luck on mixed drinks as all but a few have citrus in it. Oh well, I can have wine or beer. I might be able to throw in a pina colada as well. Thanks! We are sailing on The Carnival Triumph May 4.

I am not even quite sure how to word my question. After months of extreme skin disturbances, I've been diagnosed with allergies to Fragrance 1 and Fragrance 2 Mix and Balsum of Peru. I've changed all my personal products I use such as makeup, toothpaste, cosmetics, hair products, etc. I can live with this although it would be not my choice. However; there is a cross over on fragrance to food and drink issues. Cinnamon, citrus, tomatoes, vanilla, citrus peels are also issues. I can pretty well figure what to stay away from on foods but what about drinks? I am not a heavy drinker at home but I do like to imbibe on cruises. What alcoholic drinks would be safe to drink specifically none with citrus or citrus additives or acid. ?:confused:

I am so hoping that someone out there is familiar with this issue and can guide me. I'm doing a girls cruise in May. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

We did the Uxmal tour through the ship and not Auto-Progresso. I was afraid of not getting back on time because it is quite a ride. The tour took all day and we got back in time to get on the ship; no shopping. There is a little shopping at Uxmal and we had a wonderful lunch there as well. We have used Auto-Progresso for other things and they are a wonderful company. I don't think you will have much time to do anything else this day with the Uxmal tour.

Uxmal is amazing. ! :)

45 days to a girl's cruise. We are all turning 60 this year so it's Sixties Sailing. Carnival Triumph May 4. :)

Hub and I had massages there in January. We were impressed! Very nice! :)

We were in 8418 over Christmas. I actually loved the location. Stairs close by , easy access to Lido. Didn't hear anything or smell pizza.

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Just a FYI I always book Casino rate , and I get price drops until sailing , I just call my PVP and he takes care of it for me , if it is after finali payment he adds on the OBC

 

He told me a long time ago , the casino rate will always be the lowest possible and i can always get OBC for any rate drop

We booked casino rate this time, the price was about $120 lower than the other rates posted. We are now 9 days our of sailing and the rates have dropped substantially. I put a call in last night and was told there was nothing I could do but I remember PVP saying I could get rate drops after final payment was made. (I know this is contrary to what has been said). I didn't talk to my PVP but did leave her a message. I am so hoping for some OBC. The person I talked to suggested I call promotions once she saw we had a casino rate (this was after she said there was nothing that could be done).

I'm just saying it's all confusing and I have a feeling "they" can do what they want to. I'm off to make more phone calls. Wish me lots of luck. :)

A must have downy wrinkle release!

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What ports? I keep seeing this comment, but aside from the St Thomas, St Marteen, San Jaun route, which has been overdone, what ports can you not get to From Galveston? The only ones are the southern Caribbean ports (Aruba, Curacao and the DR) I bet those would even be poissble if they put a couple of 8 or 9 day trips out of Galveston. How about a Grand Caymen Domincan Republic, Aruba, Curacao run? You could een throw Jamaica in there

Is it too far from Galveston to go to Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, St Thomas, St Lucia, St Kitts, Barbados, Aruba? I don't know.....just love those ports...Haven't done Aruba but have done the rest. It would be nice to have different choices. :p

It is certainly nice having more ships available in Texas. It would be even nicer if the itineraries would change some! I love sailing out Texas for convenience but would love seeing some of the beautiful ports that Florida cruising offers! Keeping fingers crossed ! :D

Thanks for all your answers. We have had several cameras including one that hub got for underwater pics. It does take underwater but seems to hesitate a few minutes to take out of water. You click and then ... ... ... it takes. As several of you have mentioned, it could very well be the photographer and not the fault of the camera. :eek: I was just thinking it might be time to try something different and knew the best place to ask was the expertise of the CC board. Thanks! :D

I am looking for a new camera that is a point and shoot basically but takes great pictures. I see lots of great pictures pictures and am wondering if any of you have suggestions of a good camera to purchase that is not too expensive or difficult to operate? Thanks for your replies.

I'm somewhat of an in-between...I don't like everything being planned and I don't like no plans at all. We usually cruise with another couple and always do shore excursions, snorkeling, or beach time. We all love that. We all love eating anytime dining in the dining room. We all love the shows and comedy acts. We all love karaoke, etc. But sometimes I think geeeee...do we hafta go to another show...do we hafta eat in the dining room? I think some of our best times were on the balcony (cove with the divider open)...where we just sat, drank, watched the water, talked, and chilled. Of everything we have ever done...this simple pleasure is one of the best. :)

I think the neatest thing about cruising is that there is something for everyone and it is fascinating what makes different people's hearts sing. I've been on 10 cruises and have not yet been to one Trivia event. Maybe this cruise.

Happy Cruising! :D

OMG Karl with a K was the BEST CD ever! Last year on the Liberty, he was sick all week with a cold but every time you turned around there was Karl. Out of all my cruises he has been the most hands on CD. So sad he's not with Carnival anymore

I agree with you. I never paid much attention to CD's at all but Karl with a K had an energy that ignited everything. He was awesome. Where did he go? I had him on a couple of cruises...just curious as I thought he was really delightful. And I won my first ship on a stick with him! :D