GJClay

My husband and I were on this cruise March 16th and switched to Odyssey Southern Caribbean after the alleged enhancement. We are also second guessing our decision. Switched out of fear they would cancel  the original cruise altogether but now that it seems to be a go I’m a little sad. I really wanted to go to Cartegena. I guess there is no perfect  scenario. 

I have also seen it go the other way when booking third party. This is not cruise related, but we once booked the Omni in San Francisco through hotels.com. Upon our arrival, hotel employees were on strike and were standing outside our window at 7:00 a.m. banging louder than you can imagine on pots and pans in protest; there were no amenities, no food available and on and on.  Hotels.com moved us AND gave us some free nights.  Omni couldn't have cared less and wouldn't have helped in any way, since they were the culprit. I guess you just never know.

I also booked the new Wyndham Garden on Federal Hwy on lastminutetravel.com for 145.00 or so for January. I think it finally opened last week.

My back up was going to be Staybridge Suites in Plantation which was about 200.00 per night.

We stayed at the Rodeway Inn two years ago which I got on a blind booking through hotwire (3*). They put us on the outside section and it was really not nice at all. My husband, who is a very street-wise guy, said he felt like we could have been mugged walking to our room at night. There were very unsavory looking characters hanging around and the hotel manager literally screamed at us because we decided to take a taxi to the port instead of the hotel shuttle. Wow.

I haven't stayed in one but have one booked for March. I have looked at the tripadvisor reviews and it seems that a lot of them have great reviews but others not so much. It sound like some of them have been updated and others not? I'm really not too worried about it, though. I'm sure it will be fine.

I've never had this said to me and if I were ever told this, there is no way I would go back to that salon. Wondering, does your salon give you the bill before you receive service?

No, but several I've been to have a small sign at the cash register that says 5% discount for cash payments, and they ask if you will pay in cash in a very encouraging manner.

To a Brit this whole thread shows the insanity of the US tipping culture. It has got out of control !! Any job where a person just does what they are paid/ contracted to do, and does no go above and beyond does not need tipping.

This is so true. I always tip where it is customary here in the states, including the longshoremen people, but things are way out of control. At nail salons, for instance, they pretty much let you know that if you pay your entire bill, plus tip, in cash, they will do a better job. I finally realized they are not wanting to pay taxes and I say to myself "wait a minute, I pay taxes, why shouldn't they?"! The first time I went to England I tipped 20% in all of the restaurants and later realized this was probably a huge waste of money; am I correct?

If I were a good doc, I could work New York or Beverly Hills pulling down 6 figures a year. Or work for a cruise line and get paid a small fraction and live in a 10 x 12 foot room with a port hole. You do know if you have anything worse than a broken finger, there's a very good chance you'll be put off the ship at next port.

Our experience when our fourteen-year-old came down with pneumonia on an RCI ship was that she received excellent care from the Australian female physician. She was given the correct antibiotic, seen three times per day for breathing treatments and recovered nicely. There was no talk of putting her off the ship. She has suffered a lot with upper respiratory conditions and this is the best care she ever received.

get a guidebook on your ports...or google them. Find out which have the best snorkeling, if that's your thing...

 

Many caribbean countries are relatively "poor"....(at least, according to our standards)...but that doesn't make them a "dump"! It's simply a different way of life.

Love

GJClay

 

Could I beg a massive favour & request a copy of your "very long Caribbean playlist" please?

It's on spotify under gladys.jean. I don't know how to share it on here but I do need to edit it, because it has become somewhat of a catch-all. I have a great 80's one on there, and others too but I don't know what kind of music you like.

Yes, I keep comparing 4 star all inclusive resorts air/resort vacations in the Caribbean to Caribbean cruises and YIKES! By the time you add drink package and air, gratuity.................Cruises are very high.

True, but for me personally, I just can't get excited about going to an all inclusive anymore. I have had skin cancer so can't be in the sun for EXTENDED periods of time and I no longer drink so I find there is very little to do at all inclusive's; therefore, last time I went to one I spent a lot of money taking excursions. On cruises there are activities all day long, many of which are free, and in port, we don't HAVE to spend money to walk around most ports (I'm speaking from experiences of Caribbean cruises only). Of course, sometimes we do pay taxi's to take us around, but we have also stayed on the ship and still had a great time.

Also, the food at even four star all inclusive's, to me, is practically inedible so we often end up leaving the resort for meals. This is just my opinion and I realize many people enjoy the all inclusive experience so that's great for them. I guess if one drinks a lot of alcohol the all inclusive is definitely a better deal.

I have been looking for the same thing, and found on lastminutetravel.com Wyndham Garden Inn Fort Lauderdale Airport and Cruiseport on Federal Hwy for 160.00 per night after taxes for a double room (well, I actually had to book five, hence the need for a good deal). This new hotel had not even opened yet as a couple of weeks ago but was supposed to open the end of August. It looks like they have a restaurant in the hotel? I'm not sure. We get in so late it probably won't be open for us but for the price we are paying, I think we'll just order food in. It seems too good to be true, actually compared to prices at other Fort Lauderdale Hotels in January.

I’ve received spa services on every major cruise line and they’re all the same with the hard sell and the insults. One pedicurist chastised me the entire time about my dry feet which was what the pedi was supposed to fix in the first place! I complained to the manager and was given a free re-do by a different worker during which the original nail tech sat right next to me and glared at me the entire time. I’ve been told I’m fat, wrinkled and on and on in these spas. I still keep going back because my TA provides a spa credit but this year I’m going to tell them that I’m in my fifties and feel very good about the way I look, thank you, which I do. As they’re insulting me I always wonder if they have looked in the mirror lately?

And Under the Boardwalk by The Drifters

Pass the Dutchie by Musical Youth

Drift Away by Dobie Gray

Dreadlock Holiday by 10cc

Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads

Wild Night by Van Morrison

Riptide by Vance Joy

Island in the Sun by Weezer

Maria by Ricky Martin

Island Girl by Elton John

Cupid by Sam Cooke

Whenever, Wherever by Shakira

Get the Party Started by Pink

Baby Boy by Beyonce

Bialamos by Enrique Eglasias

Greeting by Half Pint

Aye Como Va by Santana

Fireball by Pitbull (this a a snippet of my very long Caribbean play list!)

Good to know. Thanks.

We land at FLL at 9:35pm on January 5, 2019 for our cruise on Regal Princess on the 6th. We're staying at Hampton Inn on Stirling Road and am wondering if there are any food options within walking distance other than the McDonald's and Taco Bell I've read about in reviews? I'm doubtful that we'll have time to grab anything to eat at the airport where we have our connecting flight, so am hoping there is something a little better than fast food. If not, we'll make the best of it. Thank you.

The area is slightly isolated. But the hotel is connected to various restaurants and pretty close to the heart of downtown. There is the free metromover (which has elevator outages often though) and there is a trolley that is free as well that goes around town.

 

Brickell is a better location and you won't need to take any transportation to get to have endless options for dinning as Brickell is home to so many different places. I would check out East Miami and Hampton Inn Brickell.

Thank you.

We are three ladies in our fifties taking a cruise from POM in March 2019. I've booked the Doubletree Biscayne Bay two nights pre-cruise and am wondering if this is a good location? I recently read that this area may not be safe at night. We travel a lot and are not easily frightened but of course, want to be safe. I'm not very familiar with Miami and have always stayed in Fort Lauderdale in the past. My sister has mobility issues and this hotel offered an accessible room with a Bay view, plus, I've read that there is some type of free shuttle located very near the hotel. The hotel also has a restaurant which is a plus in case she isn't feeling up to walking around.

My sister is not in a wheelchair at this time, but is fast deteriorating due to her condition, hence, the need for an accessible room.

I have read about the Brickell area as well but am not sure which location is better?

Put the cruise cost at $0 or $1.

There will not be any Trip Interruption, Trip Cancellation, Baggage Loss, or any of those coverages. But you will still get medical, evacuation, and repatriation coverages.

 

I probably wouldn’t cover a $600 investment either, but I would cover my health.

Okay, thank you. I didn't know that could be done.

I normally take 7 nights or longer cruises and always buy insurance. I am planning a ladies trip, four nights to the Bahamas and am wondering if insurance is necessary? I would only insure the cruise which is about 600.00 pp, and not flights since we fly Southwest which has no cost change fees, and fly to departure port two days ahead of time. The primary reason to buy insurance in this situation would be in case of medical emergency, I would assume? My insurance covers emergency medical care outside of the US, but am not sure about the other travelers.I am fine with buying insurance, but don't want to do it if it's an unnecessary endeavor.

One of the travelers does suffer from a rare neurological disorder and will probably continue to deteriorate physically before the cruise, which is almost a year away.

Thank you!

We were on Oasis in January, we had rough seas, and my husband who does get seasick was bed-ridden the first day. He had on his wrist bands from the time we left the hotel and also used bonnine but to no avail). He finally went to the acupuncturist in the spa for sea sickness treatment and it really did make a difference. He had 4 sessions all together; it was of course, expensive, but worth it. One of our traveling companions who rarely gets sick was ill as well. She also got relief from acupuncture.

I will say on night two in the club with the live band we were rocking tremendously while trying to dance and practically falling down. I don't get sick so didn't mind. I didn't find with rough seas to feel any less motion and this was my first time on a mega ship. I don't want to frighten you but want you to know you can still get sick on a large ship.

I am torn between the Mariner and Enchantment for a ladies trip in March, 2019. Background is that we are a group of 5 women in our fifties. I know it's spring break and there will be kids but we are locked into this week because one of us is taking a job as a teacher next year. I have cruised 15 times on all different kinds of ships and am not picky, so am really trying to plan something that will be the best experience for the others.

My sister who is going on the trip was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease and has mobility issues though at this point is not in a wheelchair. This trip is something she wants to do since she has never cruised and will one day possibly not be able to travel.

Both ships have basically the same itinerary, and of course Enchantment sails from PC and Mariner from Miami. I have made my own pros and cons list, including expense of pre-cruise hotels, expense and convenience of flights (too early to tell really but typically flights from Kansas City to Orlando are more plentiful and less expensive). We plan to fly in two days early and will stay at the Courtyard Cocoa Beach if doing Enchantment and I have not selected a hotel yet but probably would stay in Fort Lauderdale pre-cruise if doing Mariner). Your opinions would be appreciated.

This why so many don't even bother posting here. CC are some of the snottiest and rudest people ever.

There are a few nice ones but to make a come back like this? Actually it is what it is. Life happens here or anywhere. People are shot daily. Guess I'm going back to ignoring this board like all of my cruise friends.

I agree, I used to get a ton of great information from this board but now I just get upset because of all of the hate. Of course, it's not everyone, but there is an underlying snarky tone to so much of the conversation.

I am especially sad about all of the bad press Jamaica gets on here. I just don't understand it. I've been there on land vacations and cruise stops and have had nothing but lovely experiences; feeling safe at all times. All of the guides I've had in Jamaica have taken SUCH good care of us. Why does Jamaica get such a bad rap as compared to other Caribbean ports? In my home town of Kansas City there were over 160 murders last year, but no one should ever visit here by the philosophy some people apply to Jamaica.

I digress, but for a vacation message board this sure is a stressful place.

I was also on this cruise and am now back in the Midwest trying to decide what tacky tattoo to get next. Wow; judgmental much? People who make such sweeping disparaging statements about others to make themselves feel superior must live in very small worlds. Maybe you should rent a villa on an island next time to avoid all of the riff-raff.

As someone else mentioned; I'm curious as to what classy, sophisticated region of the world you're from where people all live the way you feel they should.