gamecockinnc

We cruise on the Breeze tomorrow getting ready to head to the airport now to fly to Miami. I am looking for a relaxing beach day in Aruba?

Any suggestions? It is just my husband and myself and possibly other adult couples. Looking for ease and comfort. I know we cab taxi to De Palm beach but if we do please provide details and suggestions exactly where to go.

My just get a day pass. If anyone knows about the Renaissance or Occidental please let me know.

How did you book a day pass at the Aruba Occidental? They haven't answered me and we set sail tomorrow? Also, how much was the day pass, what did it include, how far from the port is the Occidental and for anyone who's been there do you recommend it?

Thanks,

TA

How did you book a day pass at the Aruba Occidental? They haven't answered me and we set sail tomorrow? Also, how much was the day pass, what did it include, how far from the port is the Occidental and for anyone who's been there do you recommend it?

Thanks,

TA

Hi Bluewater,

You have given us good advice in the past and I was curious about the Seavis Tours you have recommended on several threads. I was initially looking for a beach day pass like at Dreams but you have be interested in looking into the Seavis Excursions. But if taxis are hard to get and expensive and this company is located by Dreams which you said is about a 20 minute ride each way does the price add up once transportation is added and is it risky being 20 minutes away from the port and going on a non Carnival sponsored excursion?

Any suggestions or help would be very appreciated as we will be there in October on the Breeze.

Thanks!!!

GC

Tried to delete the post but it wouldn't let me but I figured my question out,

Thank you!

Has anyone recently returned from the Indie who can tell me what drinks were available with the soda pass and unlimited fountain soda and cup?

Trying to decide before we leave Saturday. Thanks!

We leave Friday to fly down to FLL for the 8 night Indie. I am trying to pack and have a question about my power strip. Traveling with a tween and teen a power strip is needed. But the one I was getting ready to pack has 3 prongs. Will this be a problem? When I cruised on the CCL Breeze in October the 3 prong power strip didn't fit in the cabin. Do I need a 2 prong power strip for the Indie?

Just make it things easier do you recall where on the ship they will punch a hole in the card for the lanyard. The boys like the lanyards that don't have the plastic pocket there fore needing the hole punched.

I hate to complain on a RCCL board but I do have to say that I do appreciate that CCL does have the drink stations 24/7 with lemonade, punch and a mango punch. For those of us who don't drink a lot or any sodas it is great to have those cold drink stations available especially in tropical environments.

Ok here are the other questions :confused:

1. Has anyone used RCCL's "Royal Connect Phones"? The website states they are $30 per phone and can be used to keep in touch with each other while on the ship.

2. Does anyone know the current wifi package prices? We will have at least one iPad and iPhones.

3. Has anyone used. Verizon's cruise ship rates?

4. Has anyone used one of the many Apps ie WhatApp to communicate with those at home?

5. Trying to decide if the soda package is worth it. We really don't drink a lot of soda but the boys do drink fruit punch, lemonade, sports drinks etc. And I must have one diet caffeine soda a day. But I am not sure how much RCCL charges for their sodas and if they offer free drinks such as lemonade or fruit punch?

Ok that is it for now :confused:

Thank you in advance for your help!

T

Hi,

Sorry to post more last minute questions but I appreciate any and all help.

We are sailing this Saturday on the 8 night Indie.

1. We are flying into FLL Friday afternoon and staying at the Embassy Suites. I believe it is very close to the port so the cab ride should be relatively short. What time should we truly arrive to port?

2. When are the the formal nights? Are there 2 formal nights or one formal and one semi formal?

3. We are scheduled for the early dining but I believe we can switch to the "my time dining" option. How do we do this once on board?

4. Will my sons require a wrist band they wear to id them? I can't recall from our FOS cruise.

I know I have more questions but can't find my sticky note at the moment. But I need to start ironing and packing. I appreciate you all taking the time to read and help answer these questions.

T :)

Thank you so much. Regarding the lanyards I have ours out to pack but was curious if RCCL can punch a hole in the card so the boys can use the type that hold the card on the lanyard. I like to use the lanyard that has a clear plastic pocket.

Also, when are the formal nights on the 8 night Indie?

What time should we arrive at the port Saturday? We are flying in Friday afternoon.

Lastly, what are the soda package options and how do they work? Do you get a cup, a sticker on our cards etc?

Thanks again for all of your help and advice!!!

We are sailing in the 8 night Indie this coming Saturday. I have a few questions that I hope someone can answer.

1. Are thee self serve laundry facilities or do I have to send laundry out? I know they have special days where you can fill the bag they give you and it cost around $25 I think. I take liquid Woolite and liquid laundry detergent to wash things by hand but with the 2 older boys I may need to do some laundry.

2. I can't remember from the last time we sailed on RCCL if they have lanyards to hold our cards. I know Carnival does this for free if you go to the casino but we have always taken our own lanyards so I wanted to know if RCCL has any options for lanyards?

3. What about taking a surge protector for charging batteries, tablets etc.?

4. Does the Indie have shampoo and body wash dispensers in their showers? Was curious for the boys. I take my own shampoo, conditions and body wash and of course a bar of soap but was curious if the Indie has the dispensers?

Thank you for any information you can share.

T

Sent from my iPad

Thank you everyone for your replies and advice!

Hi,

We leave April 12th on the 8 night Indie. I am cruising with my 2 eldest sons. Our flight arrives in FLL around noon on Friday the day before the cruise leaves. I am looking for a nice hotel with shops, restaurants and hopefully a drugstore to pick up last minute items. Is the Embassy Suites a good choice or does anyone have any less costly alternatives? I can get the military/government rate if available which helps a lot.

I know I am behind but have good reasons.

As always through the years I appreciate all of your answers, advice and the time we all take in this amazing forum to help each other.

Thank you!

TA

Another question what is around the Embassy Suites? When I mentioned the Miami port I only meant it is nice to stay at the JW Marriott and then walk to the Bayside Market and then grab dinner and hit a store or two for last minute supplies.

Another option I saw was the Marriott Spring Hill Suites which is only about $40 less than the Embassy Suites rate.

I am sorry. Yes I am saying we are flying into FLL and cruising out of Port Everglades on the Indie for eight night.

I am traveling alone with my two oldest son leaving hubby and our little one at home. We arrive in FLL around noon and I can book the Embassy Suites for a good rate. But wanted to find out about other options. Since it is the 2 boys (16 and 12) and myself maybe a suite would be best for one night. They will be wired and ready to go and I will be grabbing my kindle and wanting to read.

But I need to book a hotel ASAP. This all came together pretty quickly and I am scrambling.

For those of you who have stayed at Embassy Suites I am traveling in April with my 2 eldest sons. We haven't cruised out of Port Everglades in a while and I was hoping to find something like the JW Marriott and Bayside Marketplace when we sail out of Miami.

The Embassy Suites is near shops and restaurants and I believe it includes breakfast the next morning too.

I can get a good government rate at the Embassy Suites but am not sure if I want to pay $50 more for the shuttle from the airport and shuttle to the port. It looks like a taxi from FLL to the hotel is about $15.00 plus tip. I can't find a quote for a taxi from the hotel to the port but know its about a mile ride.

I personally hate the cruise shuttles. The pushing and rushing just drives me nuts. I am on vacation and want to relax. Any advice or experience in taking taxis and not the shuttles.

We have stayed at the Marriott Biscayne Bay and it was fine. But in October we stayed at the JW Marriott and it was excellent.

I would definitely stay in the port area as there is walking distance to Bayside Market and several stores for last minute purchases. There is a CVS and Walgreens close by.

Hi,

I am cruising with my 2 eldest sons on RCCL Indie and need some hotel help. We have only cruised out of Port Everglades one time usually cruising out of Miami and Cape Canaveral.

Our flight arrives around noon the day before our cruise leaves Saturday. I was hoping to find a nice hotel with shopping or restaurants nearby. I know we enjoy the Bayside Marketplace in Miami. We have stayed at several of the Marriots there and it is easy to walk to dinner, grab last minute items from CVS and look around the Market.

Anything similar or suggestions?

Thanks so much!

TA

I am taking my eldest two sons on the RCCL Independence of the Seas in April. They are 12 and 16. My husband and I have vacationed on St. Kitts and he has hiked the volcano but I don't think I can do it.

There are not a lot of excursions and many are already filled up. But does anyone have any opinions about the

St. kitts catamaran sail and nevis beach getaway excursion?

I can't find much information or any reviews about it.

It looks as if we can do this excursion through the ship or through Blue Water.

I need to book something ASAP. Any advice would be great.

First off thank you for everyone who took the time to comment. I did book the Independence of the Seas. I can admit to you all that I think I wanted to check out the Oasis Class but the boys were consistent in ranking the Independence as their first choice. And since we have sailed on the FOS and the Independence is a sister ship and they really liked the eastern itinerary we are booked on the Independence.

I did spend a tiny bit more to get on deck 9 as deck 6 was open and only a handful of cabins on deck 7 that were connecting cabins or outside of the elevators.

Thank you again for your input.

TA

The price is pretty much the same with ship board credits factored in. Though the FOS is about $325 than the other two. Though it sails out of Port Canaveral and is 169 miles closer than Port Everglades.

The boys like the IOS. I asked family members who have been on both and they like FOS or IOS.

So I think it will come down to the location of a balcony cabin. And if they want the IOS then that is their choice and I will respect it. I guess I was just surprised for 3 years they have expressed a desire to go on the Allure/Oasis.

Though I am still collecting advice!!! And a big huge thank you for all of your advice and input.

Ps: to the one poster than asked about my "safety comment". If you check I explained or tried to explain that comment and wish I had never said it. It is not how I feel.

First off I didn't mean to offend anyone and in retro spect I shouldn't have shared that comment about safety.

We have sailed on Carnival a lot and our last 2 cruises have been on Carnival. We just sailed on the new CCL Breeze in October. We choose the cruise for the ports (Antigua, Tortola BVI, St. Thomas etc.). And in fact had done the same exact itinerary on the CCL Valor the year prior.

There are NO safety concerns and I am NOT trying to start rumors or one cruise line against another. We have sailed on CCL, Disney, Princess and RCI. I honestly don't favor one over the other.

I believe what my husband was referring to was the ships environment and activities. And choosing a cruise that will keep the boys occupied and give me the rare moment to read or have my own thought (lol). I also think my husband made that comment to justify the expense (lol) which is very sweet but he can't cruise with us but wants us to go and have a good time.

I can remove that sentence if you all wish because as I said it did not come out as I intended and I am making a muddle of explaining it.

But for those of you who will forgive my faux pas I appreciate it.

Back to your comments. The ironic thing is I would like to choose the Oasis. The itinerary though western seems much more laid back to me. And we haven't had the chance to sail on this class of ship.

It is the boys who ranked their first choice as Independence of the Seas. When I questioned them my 12 year likes the ports and my 15 year says he likes a YouTube video he saw : - () and they both like having the extra night at sea.

So, obviously I am paying so I get to pick. But if you would keep the comments coming. I just sent them back to look up the Oasis again. As I said we haven't sailed on this class have seen the Allure in port and it was a sight to behold.

I am leaning toward the Oasis now based on your comments. Plus we arrive back on a Saturday which gives us the day to drive home (830 miles) if I can't find decent air fare. And we would be home for Easter. I would hate to miss our 3 years Easter and church.

Ahhhhh.........so confused.

Hi,

I posted yesterday about trying to decide on a last minute spring break cruise. We chose RCI over CCL and NCL because I am sailing with our 2 eldest sons alone and my husband wants us to be safe but I need your experience and advice.

Our choices are:

1. Independence of the Seas 4/12 (8 night sailing eastern itinerary)

2. Oasis of the Seas 4/12 sailing (7 night western itinerary)

3. FOS 4/13 sailing (7 night western itinerary)

We are experienced cruisers and have we have sailed on the FOS and done this exact itinerary. But the boys were younger and are now almost 16 and 12.

But I will be honest and say the western itinerary isn't my favorite (for example Jamaica) but we approached this as choosing a safe cruise line, a ship with lots to do for a 12 and 16 year old boys and lastly the ports.

I think most of us that have sailed a lot know these ports so I know the boys like Labadee and Cozumel.

They like St. Martin and walking the old fort in Puerto Rico. They have never been to St. Kitts though I have (on a land vacation) and think it is lovely but need to check out excursions.

The FOS sails out of Port Canaveral so that is a shorter drive from eastern NC. We can drive to FLL though it will be a longer drive if the airfares don't come down some.

I realize the FOS and Indie are pretty much the same. And the Oasis is a sister ship to the Allure.

So lay it on me and if you have experience sailing with a teen and tween on these ships let me know. Also any deck or balcony cabin suggestions at this late date we won't have much choice.

I am looking forward to alone time with my two oldest sons though we will miss our 3 year little man so much ( he was a wonderful late in life surprise)! But also some alone time reading too. This trip is to celebrate my eldest son turning 16 and also a early birthday gift for our 12 year olds birthday in May.

Thank you in advance for your patience with this confusing post and your advice.

TA