mikebz

So, we did the cabana on CoCo.  We had maybe eight people.  I picked up the cabana, and everyone chipped in for the tip.  Probably $10-$20 per person.  Hope that helps.

They will pack something "to go" for you if you ask.  Talk to the head waiter before and there should be no problem.  On one cruise, I was not feeling well enough to go to the MDR.  The waitstaff insisted on my wife bringing something back for me.  Some sort of clear broth.

On another cruise, someone in our party really wanted fettuccine alfredo.  Not on the menu, but they were able to make it the next day for dinner.  Be respectful and ask, and the staff usually will accommodate you. 

Been to St. Kitts three times.  The railway was fun, I enjoyed it, but would not do it again.  There is nothing wrong with the railway, just other things to do.

Therford has an excellent tour.  Very flexible and fun.

We were just there in December, and decided to do the rainforest excursion.  Again, there is nothing wrong with Therford's tour, we just wanted to do something different.

The next time we go, Therford might be an option for us, now that we know more and can be more selective in the sites we visit, or Nevis is also an option.  Rommey Manor and the fortress are also excellent options.

Honeymooned on Monarch in 2008 LA to Miami (17 days). Still married, and still cruising.

The information here is correct. You can upgrade from the single ride, but the difference is so small, I just opted for the all day pass. It was not busy when I went, so there was no line. The first time I went, I didn't know what to expect, but after the first time, it was a blast. Worth the money in my opinion.

Regards,

Mike

We have been there, and it is five different stores, besides the main store. I liked walking around Freeport. Hands down, the best chowder I have ever had was in Freeport. I do not remember the name, but it is off the main street across from the LL Bean main store where the ground slopes away, so the place is like in the basement. When you order, it is either cup or bowl, and type (cod,halibut,clam,etc.). Someone ordered in front of us, and wanted Manhattan clam chowder. The look on everyone's faces was priceless.

This is the best resource:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html

Just type in the country and search for their requirements.

Regards,

mike

We do the paper as well. I also make some notes as particulars in each port, usually what items I am looking for gifts for people when I return.

This link will help, but it looks like Crown Bay.

http://www.**********/cruise/ship-schedule/8-2018/

Replace ***** with vinow (dot) com

Regards,

Mike

We live in New Jersey, and last weekend, we were driving to a baseball game. As we are getting closer to Bayonne, my wife says: "This is the way to the ship". Yes, it was. Less than an hour drive for us. We will be on Anthem in December. You might look into booking Anthem. Bigger ship, different things to do, For us, it will be an 11 day cruise, so lots of time to unplug. Love and Marriage, and The Quest are both tons of fun. Adults only, but we have participated in both. Had a blast. Glad you had a great time.

Regards,

Mike

File > Print

While this method works, the printout is not legible in some spots. I have tried printing my upcoming 11 day cruise, and some parts print badly, also the page breaks in the wrong spot. This was not the case before RCCl changed their website. So, if anyone knows of a better way to print the cruise planner, please post.

Regards,

Mike

It's courteous to your wait staff and tablemates (if any) to let them know if you will be a no show.

I agree with this. Unless we are eating in a specialty restaurant, we eat in the MDR. I do not find anything wrong with the speed of service, or temperature of the food. It does take longer, but when we have tablemates, we pass the time with conversation. That being said, the past two cruises we have been alone at a table for four, and a table for eight.

On our upcoming cruise, we will be dining in specialty restaurants the first two nights, but I will let our waitstaff know this on the first night. I think this helps with planning, and that they are not waiting for us either. I also agree that the WJ is perfectly fine if you wish. Our last cruise, I was not feeling up to dinner one night, and went to the WJ before dinner to see if I could eat anything. It looked pleasant with a good selection. Wife went to dinner (second formal night, I did not want her to miss dinner because of me), and the waitstaff sent back something for me. In this respect, this is why I like the MDR for a more personal experience.

Just my opinion. It is your vacation, so do what you like.

Regards,

Mike

I would call RCCL. The 90 day window is not really a good guide. I am on Anthem in December, and I was able to book shows a few days ago.

Another "embarrassing" moment. This did not happen to me, but one of our tablemates at dinner. This woman was travelling with her daughter, who was in her twenties. One night, we invited this woman to attend The Quest. Most moments happen in The Quest. Anyway, during The Quest, there was a moment when they ask for women's bras. We completed the task, and then people were passing the bras back to the owners. One gets passed back to the woman we were with, and she remarks that this looks like one of her daughter's bras, but she was not with us.

Anyway, the next night at dinner, she asked her daughter about it. Her daughter's response: "Yes that was mine, you won't believe how fast I can get it off". Needless to say the mother was a bit red faced over that comment.

I always laugh at The Quest, because you don't know what you are in for.

Very first cruise, first night show, girlfriend (now wife) says to sit in the front row. The act was a ventriloquist, guess who was picked to be the "dummy"? Those lights are hot on stage. The rest of the cruise, people were calling my name on the ship, pier, everywhere. Next show, I said we were not sitting up front. Guess what, people in the audience still recognized me and asked why I wasn't sitting up front anymore.

Got more involved in the later cruises to the point during my honeymoon cruise, guess who was on stage for the "Love and Marriage Show"? Now the wife was on stage. We won, but the next day while waiting for an excursion, people came up to us to say how good we were. We now do the Quest, even team captain. It's all part of the vacation experience now. Laugh with yourself, nobody is perfect.

Hand's down book Bernards in St. Marten. Did this the first time we were there, and it gives a good overview of the island.

Booked in May 2019 for wife's fiftieth birthday. We plan on going to Universal afterwards. Can't wait as I booked the panoramic suite. Cocokay looks to be amazing as well. I wish it was a longer cruise. It is about 45 minutes from Orlando to PC, and I am trying to get more people to go for the celebration.

Hi,

We will be in San Juan in December, but have been there many times. I had booked a tour with RCCl, and they cancelled, but then it reappeared, so I booked it again.

That being said, I have walked around Old San Juan, and if RCCL cancels again, I will use this site to plan a tour.

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/old-san-juan-walking-tour-4/

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Mike

They are aggressive, but Cosumel was far worse, and don't even think about Jamaica. Wife refuses to go down the straw market, so she sticks to the building. I have found some unique items in the market, and I just chalk it up to the experience. I know it is all about just surviving, so I do my best to support them.

First cruise was in 2005. Midnight buffet and ice carvings were still there. I was "volunteered" to participate in the welcome aboard show. Miss the cruise in review. More people dressed for dinner, and the wait staff was more attentive. Remember giving the tips on the last day. Much less upselling back then. I really miss the temporary (Henna) tattoos. I also remember the "newspaper", but with multiple news channels available, it makes sense. As far as the islands go, you can get a better idea of what it was like in the past by going off on your own.

I agree with KiwiGall117, rent a car. I have done this multiple times. Drop off at FLL and then taxi to the port.

Another vote for Blue lagoon. We did the Sea Lion interaction. One of the better excursions we have done. Depending on your length of stay, you can also walk around downtown a bit.

Please do not stay on the ship. I was there on December 17, 2017. We hired a local guide and went to Pinel Island for the morning. The afternoon, we spent in downtown Phillipsburg. Beaches are still there, and everyday more and more businesses are open. Yes, it will be better once the "land" tourists are there, but cruise passengers need to be onshore until then.

Regards,

Mike

I have to add another vote for Cosol in St. Lucia. Well worth the money.

Kind of similar situation. After cruising for a while, we are also getting our first hump cabin. Cabin #11290 on Anthem. Sorry for hijacking the thread. Wife was reluctant to book when we did, but when I said it was a "hump" cabin, her reply was: "Book it!, Book it!, Book it!". Really looking forward to this cruise. 11 Day Caribbean leaving from Bayonne.

Regards,

Mike