hydro1570

HI all, this will be our first time in Antigua. Should we choose a beach day here or do the Celebrity Cat w/lobster lunch excursion?

Would like to do a beach day at least once on this sailing but not sure which port. 

On 4/18/2023 at 9:26 AM, BoozinCroozin said:

We have a Jeep reserved through Top Drive. Great price for the day at $160 including insurance. We have it the entire day. Since we leave at 10PM, we will get a good 10+ hours with it.

10 hours ago, hydro1570 said:

They are letting you return it that late? I was going to rent from another company but they said we must have it back by 6pm when we also leave at 10. 

8 minutes ago, BoozinCroozin said:

Yes, I contacted where I rented. Top Drive responded that it would be dropoff in the lockbox regardless. We are there 8am-10PM. The absolute latest we would drop it off would be 8PM and most likely 7PM. Don't want to take chances getting back to the port area.

Nice, that is convenient. Do you know which location is the best one to choose for being the closest to the port? Do you plan to walk to it? 
Also, the other company I was going to book with includes insurance this one I see you have to add it in & there are so many options. 

On 3/4/2023 at 1:16 PM, Halfpound said:

I also rented a jeep from Jays car rental with extended hours because our ship is there from 1pm to midnight. I rented it from 1:30 to 9:00pm and will pick up at the cruise terminal. I’m paying $220. We are there with our two grandchildren 11 & 14 wanting to do some site seeing, beaching with some wave runners and then go back to ship freshen up and go to dinner at a fun place. Am I overestimating what we can do and if not any suggestions of where to go? Thanks

I just booked through Jays today but they told me I must have the car back by 6pm so now I’m debating if it’s even worth it since we don’t dock until 11am. Wonder how you got extended time with them? 

They are letting you return it that late? I was going to rent from another company but they said we must have it back by 6pm when we also leave at 10. 

I got everyones recommendations for jeep rentals on here, but I’m wondering if it will be worth it since we dock at 11am & rental has to be back by 6. Do you guys think we will be able to see enough like this or should we choose another option/excursion? 
 

Does anyone know of a company that goes out with divers & snorkelers? Hubby wants to dive here but rest of the family only snorkels. Wondering the best way to do this. 

Just curious if the people that choose to continue masking will ask their room steward to not make up their room for the week. I mean they clean how many rooms nonstop daily? Then go in yours using the same cleaning supplies, so I would be more concerned with that in reality if you really think about it. 

Anyone ever book a private boat/yacht to go from STT to STJ for the day or half day? I see some available and wondering if it could work better than taxing and ferry over.  

5 hours ago, styxfire said:

Is the advantage of the Vibe that you can probably get a chair, and hot tub access, whereas if you’re relegated to just the normal deck you may never get a chair or hot tub space?

 

I’m asking because if a person has a weeklong spa pass, then they can get in the spa hot tub whenever they want…, so then the only advantage of the vibe would be a guaranteed sundeck chair?

2 hours ago, styxfire said:

I read his.  Is it correct then that for a person with the spa pass, the advantage of vibe is narrowed down to just better chance of chair availability?  Trying to make sure I’m not losing something in the comprehension.

I guess kind of, but also you will have a bar that isn’t crowded and servers you get to know throughout the week. Also, I think I read they pass out fruit Kebabs and popsicles but I’m not 100% on that. You can also rent a cabana within the vibe for the week. 

So if you are already booked in a balcony cabin then you cannot use points to get an upgrade? Is it only for inside to balcony for the upgrades on cabins? 

Does Vibe on the Encore have a pool? How many hot tubs? Does it ever seem crowded in there? Trying to figure out if it’s worth getting since we will already have the thermal spa passes. TIA 

Hi all, does anyone have any experience with these family balconies on deck 8 forward. I have read a couple not so appealing things and am starting to get worried. I can’t actually find a photo of what the balconies look like in this area either. 

My daughter really wants to go to Atlantis, but I just checked and there are 5 ships in port that day. Is it even worth going to at that point? I mean won'y it be extremely over crowded? I know the RCI excursion is $189pp and I don't want to pay so much and have long lines and not be able to see/do everything.:confused:

I am very reluctant to book this because I never do such a short cruise & the prices seem high for really only 2 days of fun/3night cruise. My dd wants to do a bday cruise with only mommy and it was a toss up between this ship and NCL Sky. I just can't justify paying so much for so short! I just took a 5 night cruise with my mother in Feb for $950 on Independence and now this one is almost the same price for 3 nights on older ship.:eek: I know I am probably being frugal, but I prefer that $ go to a longer cruise again. It is just her bday month she is in college, so I can't really have her missing classes.

Anyone have any experience on this particular ship/Itinerary (Coca Cay/Nassau? Should I just go with the least expensive room on deck 2? I am reading things about mold and smells and now I am starting to worry!

I've sailed those 3 lines and just did a trip on the Divina. My kid is a lot younger so I can't speak specifically to your kids, but what do you like on a cruise and what do you not care about? I really enjoyed our cruise and your 10 year old will sail free so that's something to consider

I know I will like it because I enjoy any cruise you put me on really, I am just concerned with the rest of the family having a good time I guess. I think if dinner is only formal then my family may not like that part of it, because they liked NCL last time not having to dress up for dinner and all the options of different places to eat. Shows are always a big plus too!

We have cruised on Carnival, RCI, & NCL.... Carnival is out & we wouldn't do again, but we love both RCI & NCL now. Not sure how we would like MSC Divina.... My hubby is scared to venture out of our norm, but the price is calling me! Anyone have any experience coming from these other lines and then going on MSC? I have a 17 year old dd and a 10 year old dd. Thanks!

Its a tough choice! We like carnival and royal carribean. We don't have a preference in terms of company. Itinerary is about the same for us...no preference.

 

My family of five is debating between the new family panoramic ocean view on liberty of the seas vs 2 adjoining balcony cabins on the breeze for this summer.

 

They both are priced about the same. Any thoughts?

Can't really help much because I have never sailed on the Breeze, but I do prefer RCI over Carnival normally. I love the Freedom class ships myself! Hard call because of the difference in cabins as well. How old are the children, because sometimes the double bathrooms will seal the deal for me.

Anyone who was on the fence about purchasing trip insurance, might want to if sailing to Labadee. There are several cruise specific policies available that offer $750+ for itinerary changes. You might actually make money on the policy. Lol

I am confused with that whole insurance thing. I always purchase it before sailing, but this last time we had a port canceled due to that hurricane in September and we did not get anything back. It said $500 for trip interruption/missing a port etc. They denied it when I put in a claim, so I am confused. Apparently it only covers excursion costs that are non refundable.

Can't wait to hear back as I am trying to make the same decision for the specialty restaurant package on the Independence.

My family would all vote Blue Hole... we did it last November over Dunns River and glad we did. It was amazing and my kids say the best of all excursions they ever been on!

Oh yeah that would help lol the Getaway

Hi all, I am hoping you guys can help me out. This is our first time booking a cruise with NCL and I know nothing about the ships. I have been readin through reviews on here trying to figure out our best option for a cabin. We want a balcony and I have seen and read how tiny they are. There are no more large balconies available for the sailing we chose. I have a courtesy hold on cabin 11240 right now. This seems to be a cabin on the hump. Does anyone know if this is a good choice for cabin?. Please let me know whatever you may know as far as balconies go. Thanks!

So we have sailed both Carnival & Royal... we have stuck with Royal for the most part. Don't think I could even drag my hubby on another Carnival cruise. I kind of got him hooked on Royal. Although are last sailing on the Oasis was not all that. So we are looking to try another to see if we like it. I notice they are running a good deal now for 3rd & 4th guest free, but then I am also reading reviews of people not happy lately because they are charging for things other lines do not change for. Can anyone explain this?

We do like to order room service a lot to eat on the balcony, so is this something we would be charged for? I am looking at the Getaway or Escape because close to home port. I know NOTHING about Norwegian ships though. Do a lot of families with children travel on this line?

Thanks in advance!

This little pool has always been my daughter's favorite spot on both Liberty & Oasis.. She would stay there all day if I allwoed her to. She is a very good swimmer and I was always still worried about that pool even on out last November sailing as she is now 9yrs old. The current can be very strong in that little whirl pool!

Take the hint....THEY DON'T. CARE!...

Starting to think that myself! :(