satbeachbill

San Juan has a bio bay,

I read somewhere yesterday that the Bio Bay in San Juan went dark. There are some scientists there that don't have a clue as to why.......

My guess would be 8:15 or so.

Where would you rent bikes or golf carts on Water Island? The 2 times we were there, no one was around the landing or post office. We'd be interested in renting something. Thanks

Oh - yeah - I forgot about Cuba - yeah - Cuba - that's it.

Can you believe that, 316,000 views!

Mike,

Another terrific review! (I think I've read them all). It's like we were reliving it with you!

Thanks again,

Bill

Originally Posted by Mark27284

You never saw the head waiter? We were on the dream a few weeks ago and our head waiter took the mike during every meal and talked to us, introduced the dining entertainment etc. he was also at the main entrance to tell everyone goodnight when the meal was over.

 

We had several nights when we were the last to be served our main course, but we also had table mates who were ordering multiple appetizers and they would not serve the main course until that was taken care of.

 

I completely agree about the lines, the buffet hours, and the small size of the areas like the comedy club. They needed to have the comedy shows in the main theater.

 

I was on the same cruise with Mark27284 and he is 100% percent correct. But check out this photo i took of our waiters, what should I do?

Why don't you send this in an email to the maitre'd?

His address is drmaitred@carnival.com. Give him your sailing date.

I'll bet he'd like to see that!

blue_water, you make it sound so easy and I'm sure it is but thats just too much traveling for me to feel comfortable. I wish we had one more hour in St. Thomas so I can book with New Horizons and be done with it but their excursion just cuts it to close for my comfort.

Why not contact New Horizons and see if they will adjust their schedule to fit yours? You really don't want to miss the adventure!!

Port of Miami is $20 per day, 7 day cruise - $140. There are less expensive ways to park just a few blocks West of the Port. Some people say they are happy, others not so much. We've used both on and off site lots. We used Premier Parking last November. You save a pretty good chunk by using an off site lot. They seem to be located in not the best area of town. The locals say they wouldn't be seen there at nite. We used a site located near the elevated tram/rail line. It was an outside lot. There was considerable confusion after the cruise as to which bus to take back. Several buses/vans- with signage of our lot - drove right by. They said the buses ran every 10-15 minutes. We waited 20-25 minutes or so, and by that time others had gathered for the same bus. Well, the bus holds about 12 people. That were 30 standing there. It was quite the push and shove to get on. That to me was a deal killer, especially when I could have walked across the street, got in my vehicle and been 30 miles up the road by the time I got back to the off site lot. When we returned to the lot, my vehicle was covered with "rail dust", the little fragments of rust from the elevated rail system. It was A MAJOR PAIN to remove. There is an off port lot that in a a parking garage. Maybe someone can help with the name of that one.

Just my experience.

Good luck if there's a problem. You won't be dealing with Carnival, but an independent contractor, even with the so called Carnival Guarantee. I'd rather deal with an established jeweler. There's plenty in the islands, and most have service centers in the states. It ALWAYS pays to do your homework first before you begin seriously shopping.

FYI....You are "supposed" to declare all your purchases to Customs. Whether you do or not, that's up to you. Carnival gift shops WILL declare your purchase to Customs, and have your name on a list when you disembark......just to keep you honest.;)

Certified by GIA or AGS - only. If you haven't already checked, maybe look and do some comparison shopping first. Plug your diamond numbers in here and see if your jeweler is pricing things fairly:

http://www.diamondreview.com/diamonds/

Well, I for one don't think even platinum is all it's cracked up to be. We took the Valor out of Miami Dec 2nd. Arrived about 12 noon( later than we usually do). The VIP ticket desk went just fine, then we were immediately directed to go up the stairs and board. Well, we went up the stairs and stopped. There were 800 people in line - ahead of us - just standing there. The line was barely moving. It took 25 minutes to hear that first PING of our cards. So much for VIP.

The last morning, we elected to do self assist disembarkation. We (as VIP's) were directed be in the theater at 730 sharp. - ok -. We got there at 715 - along with 300 other people!!..and 1000 bags of luggage..... and we sat and sat and sat. We didnt' start off until 800 am....although we had seen others already leaving. So wants with that? VIP?............it's worth about what we paid for it........:mad:

Heck, on CCL you can probably get away with it on Elegant nite. Nobody seems to care....not the cruise line.....nor a good deal of the passengers. :rolleyes:

We target these rooms. 6287,89 and 91. They are especially quiet. Between 6291 and 6293 is a barrier that extends to the below deck that seperates the lobby bar from the casino. If you stay in the forward three cabins, 87,89 or 91 it is very quiet and is also out of the main hallway.

These cabins are more square than rectangular like all the other cabins. If you compare the width to the other cabins, they are 1 1/2 times as wide, and shorter. In reality it gives you a perception of a larger cabin. (just one of those little secrets).

NewCruiser, that's really a shame. I would be beside myself with anger.

With all the information available through this and other websites about how to prepare to shop for diamonds, it's a shame this can happen to anyone.

With the price of quality diamonds approaching the cost of a house 30 years ago, it only makes sense to bone-up on ones' knowledge prior to such a

purchase.

Websites such as Pricescope, Diamondreview, Colorediamondsinfo,..... the information is available from participants in the forums that are eager to

share their experience with quality diamond purchases. They do it on a daily basis......just folks willing to help educate someone so they can make the

right decisions about their purchase.

Sorry for your experience.

One way to resolve this would be to use their trade in policy for a different diamond, this time one that has been graded by GIA or AGS and NO ONE

ELSE. It wouldn't ease the pain of this transaction but it will put a diamond on your finger you would be proud to wear!

Hey crazycruiselady, I totally agree. That's one reason I deal with Dazzling Gems. Danny used to work for "one of those big guys" and didn't care for some of the company policies towards customers. So he opened his own shop years ago and has his own following......just like several other jewelers in St Martin.

You just need to find someone you can TRUST and feel comfortable with.....and do your homework about diamonds.....before you go on vacation.....before you get caught up in all the glitter in those display cases. It can really be overwhelming to say the least. :eek: :D :p.....and it sure is fun.

We've been very pleased with our jewelry purchased from Dazzling Gems. Somewhere @ 10 Front st, at the head of town. Danny is the owner and he'll go above and beyond to help you get what you want, even if he doesn't have it, (give him 30 minutes and he will). You need to go see him before you make any diamond buys. :D

The best review I 've followed yet. ....living the life!!!! nice job.....

Been there -done that with the kids and breaking curfew. Good luck with that!!

Terrific review!!! You are doing a great job.

Hogladyrider:

You can find the ferry schedule easily through a google search. It gives all the times and prices. :)

It's $48 per person to go to Trunk Bay from the ships' pier - round trip - on your own - vs what - $79 - $89 per person on a shore exursion? or more...

Cab from Havensight to red hook -$10

Ferrry to Cruz bay r/t 12

taxi -Cruz bay to Trunk Bay -r/t 12

trunk bay entry fee 4

cab from red hook back to ship 10

--

$48

AND STAY ALL DAY- not 90 minutes......:D

Years ago, we booked a tour through the cruise ship to Trunk Bay and it was terrific. On a return visit we decided to go there on or own. Actually, we took the same ferry to Cruz Bay as a ships' tour. We mostly arrived at Trunk Bay at the same time. It happened to be lightly raining with lightning (in the distance) that day and the tour guide said "No one in the water--sorry". Well, we weren't with any group - just on our own so we went down the beach and went swimming and snorkeling while those folks on the tour had to sit on the beach. :D That would have really bummed me out..:mad:..being on that tour.

The eventually got about 30 minutes snorkel time and the tour had to leave.

We stayed, had lunch and returned AT OUR LEISURE. What a great day.:D

Satbeachbill, Bill & Linda, Satellite Beach, Fl

Most beaches on the French side are topless, not so much accepted on the Dutch side.

We ve been to Pinel several times - and yes - it's on the French side. Just expect it.