sarahsema

Is the AI option at Sanchos buffet only?

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Has anyone been to Simpson bay since Irma? Are there any activity rental options like paddle boards?

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We are traveling to St. Maarten soon with 3 kids, two have food intolerances....

And we ALL want a fun day with activity options (snorkeling, paddle boards) ...

Trying to decide between a cruise excursion to Simpson bay resort or just on our own to Karakter Beach bar.

Anyone been to either post Irma with insight?

Please and thank you!

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I would still look at the cruise tours. They may have secured the best of the limited private excursions on St. Maarten things are different now.

 

 

 

If you are looking for a beach day in St. Maarten check our Karakter Beach Bar on Simpson Bay Beach.

Have you ever done a day pass at Simpson bay resort? It just opened on our activities options... we were set to go to Karakter but think this might be good...

anyone been there on a day pass?

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Our server on the Fantasy this past week said that he was told that it would be Western itinerary for at least 5 more weeks.

 

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Does anyone have any inside updates on this? The advisory is gone from the website. ?,,,

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Are there Jedi academy options on a "non sw" cruise?

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We have done both of these in the last 5 years. Playa Mia is great for kids, but can be very crowed. It has an inflatable waterpark that is fun to climb around on and a good snorkel course. It also has a nice pool and a good buffet.

 

 

 

Isla Passion is hard to get to if your ship doesn't offer tours there. When it is offered it is either the Twister Jet Boat tour or a Catamaran sailing tour. I have seen it available on other excursion booking sites, but it is land transport only that takes 30 minutes each way followed by a short flat-boat ride to the island. The beach is a lot less crowed, they have some inflatables for kids to play on and a good buffet. I was there last January and the service was outstanding, but the chairs and tables where really looking worn out. We've gone there twice and both times were by Twister Jet Boat. That was a lot of fun and gets you there really fast, but it does have age restrictions.

 

 

 

Both are good all-inclusive day trips. Isla Passion is a very relaxing place however, if you're going with multiple age groups, Playa Mia may be the best choice.

Thank you!! I'm leaning toward IP... do they have a menu to order food as well? My kids have food restrictions and can't do the cross contamination at a buffet.

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Need some help...

We're a multigenerational family traveling over New Years and are thinking our itinerary is about to get rerouted from eastern to western.

We're looking for a nice beach day, NOT a party, but still good options for food (some of our party has hefty food restrictions), drinks for the adults, and water activities like paddleboarding for the kids (ages 6-12).

I've seen Playa Mia is good for kids, but is it busy?

Aimed at younger kids?

Isla Passion looks more rugged, which we don't mind, but how are the facilities?

We went years ago to paradise beach and loved it but don't want something that busy with this group, especially in light of how many ships are likely changing course soon.

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Do you have to enter all of the passport numbers and personal info before it allows you to chose a PAT? I am getting ready for our midnight check-in and want to be ready! [emoji12]

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A simple google search turned up over 100 reviews. I would not pay to do a beach excursion thru DCL. What you want is sun' date=' sand, a beach chair, and transportation. This can usually be done at far less cost on your own than what DCL charges, although in your case it may depend on the ages of the kids. DCL does not extend their careful management of allergies anywhere off the ship except Castaway Cay. You are at the mercy of the tour operator. Bring something pre-packaged that is safe for those needing special care.[/quote']

 

 

 

I hear you Mokis but what I want is MORE than sand and a beach. Packaged cookies aren't enough for any kid to get through a day at the beach so I need somewhere that serves food too.

 

 

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Okay pros...

I need some help.

We will be on a DCL cruise over New Years, with three kids, two of whom have food allergies.

We want a nice beach day, area to play or paddleboard, and a MUST is somewhere with clean bathrooms and reliable food.

And GO!!

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We cruised on the Fantasy last year (and are going again in December) with two kids with Celiac. It was MAGIC!!!!

I don't think I ate our first few meals because I was in awe and in tears watching my kids have every option they've never had and be treated so well.

My few pieces of wisdom that I will do differently this time...

1. Be sure to eat in the dining room available for lunch the first day and find your serving team. They will allow you to pre-order even your first dinner!!!

Every day after that we could pre-order at dinner for the entire day after. However, my daughter quickly learned that the fun chefs at the grill we're happily able to make her anything she wanted at any time too!!! And that "chefs special" for dessert was better than what she could dream up. :)

2. I don't know about your ship but there was one night on ours in animators that the kids got "decorate your own cupcake". They didn't have an option for my two for that and my number 3 got it. It was awesome. I will be calling ahead this time to make sure they have it ready gf.

3. Be sure to go to the main dining rooms for breakfast the days you are getting off the boat. Your amazing staff will shower you with pre-packaged stuff that you can take off the ship. We had so much we brought most of it home!!!

And enjoy!!! There are few times asa Celiac parent that you can watch them indulge and not worry. Disney magic makes that happen all week long. ❤️

And yes, the Mickey bars are safe and amazing, and there are more ice creams, cookies and brownies than you can imagine!!!

And donuts, muffins, and more!!!!

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Looking for more details on what amenities are available while at Abi Beach and Secret Sands.

We're a multi generational group all with different interests...

looking for a limited crowd, Beach, and available chairs/food/drinks....

kids from 6-12...

Also dealing with food intolerances...

:)

Anyone been on these excursions with DCL recently?

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I went on this excursion on my recent cruise and boy it was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. It starts on an open taxi drive that takes about 30 minutes going to the other side of the island into a park. then you arrive and are greeted by a nice man who takes care of everyone from the excursion. you will have loungers, snorkeling gear, kids toys, floating noodles, sodas, waters, beers, and rum punch. as much as you want. all included in your excursion but he does stress the tip part, which he deserved a little something extra, the guy will help you with anything from getting you drinks to moving your lounger to anywhere you want. the water is crystal clear and no buildings around. the beach had maybe 50-100 people when i was there but its not crowded at all. the swim are is all sand but if you swim just past, there is a huge reef full of colorful fish. i think we had 3 hours on the beach total. then we left on the same taxi and stopped at one of the highest peaks where we could take pictures of the bay ( overlooking where the cruise ships park) and then back to the pier. In total it was 4.5 hours. and was hands down amazing. totally worth it. I will do this again if I go back!

 

 

 

my little review :)

What cruise line were you on? I'm seeing some posts that there are NO chairs/food, and others say yes... trying to decide if this is a viable excursion for a family with kids... who will need to EAT!

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Not prescription related, but health question.

My DS (5 yrs old) is hypoglycemic and celiac.

We are traveling on the Fantasy and know they are great about food, but we will need to bring incredible amounts of corn starch for a drink he needs twice daily, and a specific drink for emergencies.

Also need milk and gluten free ice cream twice daily to make the drinks.

Yes, it's a lot, but we feel safe traveling as long as we can secure these things.

Questions...

1. Has anyone travelled with something like corn starch (I know, white powder).... as we only use a non-gmo kind and I don't want to rely on "whatever they have" on the ship.

2. Can we bring our own juice if it's medically necessary?

3. Would the milk/ice cream thing be a dining room need every day or can I contact services and get it sent to our room every day?

TIA!!

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Does anyone bring cases of bottled water! I'm considering using Garden Grocer to deliver water to the airport hotel where we're staying the night before our cruise. Wondering if it's worth it and wondering if they will take it and store it with our luggage when we board....

Any opinions?

Thank you!!!!

Do we need to bring towels from the boat?

Bottled water?

Thank you!!!

Need some help from fellow Celiac/allergy parents...

We are traveling on the fantasy and both DDs want desperately to have a Bippity Boppity Boutique experience. I was lucky enough to get them appointments for formal night, but need to know if there are any gluten in the products they use.

Any gluten touching her skin causes reactions....

Or anyone know who to contact besides "special services" where I get generic emails and no details.....

Thank you!

In some pictures I've seen those floats for lounging in the ocean. Are these available at Nachi now? And paddle boards??? Some posts say no, but I'm seeing both in review photos.....

Does anyone know about gluten friendly food at Nachi? We are planning a day there and have two kids with Celiac....

Go to honest.com and buy a re-usable swim diaper! They are so cute and easy to wash by hand and use every day. Much cheaper and easier to pack than swim diapers!!!

Does anyone know if you can use the chase visa rewards to pay for tips in board as well as other on board charges? I just got the premier card and with our cruise a year away I want to be sure to maximize my rewards.

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Has anyone had experience taking a child on the Fantasy with multiple allergies and Celiac?

My daughter has Celiac and is also allergic to milk and eggs. We have booked a cruise on the Fantasy, but I want to be sure NOT ONLY that they will accommodate her but that she will enjoy it and feel special.

Most of life with those food issues is her being the "other" or different. I am hoping that a DCL cruise will follow in their theory of all kids being special!

Any experience?