mystone99

I’m not trying to dump “ this mess “ on traditional dining per se, but if a traditional diner eats elsewhere, no one takes their place and their space is wasted. If a traditional diner arrives too late for their seating, they can be directed to Select Dining, thereby taking a seat from a select diner or making a select diner wait longer. Traditional dining works better for those that enjoy it because they can guarantee their time and table. Unfortunately select diners are being squeezed into less choices and less flexibility.

We were on the Jan 26. Silhouette sailing with the select dining because we couldn't get on the early traditional dining. We only had to wait with a beeper the first night, and after that showed up without a reservation, usually between 6:30 and 7, and were seated immediately. Twice we were walked downstairs to an open table in the traditional dining room, so that does happen.

The thing we noticed was since this was an 9-day cruise the crowd was older and early dining was always packed. If you waited an hour so there were empty tables, and the one night we ate later the MDR was maybe half full.

You will like Celebrity. Having sailed both, the two lines are more alike than different.

What we have noticed - Celebrity has better food. The main dining rooms are close, but buffet much better and Celebrity's specialty dining is wonderful. Don't know which ship you are on, but on The Lawn Club Grill, The Porch and Murano's are not to be missed. Celebrity has a more relaxed atmosphere in general, and especially on the pool deck. No hairy chest contest on Celebrity. Fewer kids and teens on Celebrity, and the average age is probably late 50s, early 60s. Better casino and specialty shops.

Carnival has better shows and to us better entertainment overall. We've seen the discos and karaoke going well passed midnight. Their kids and teens programs are better. It costs less, although not by as much as it use to.

Just what we have noticed. Hope it helps.

Sorry you had a bad time. Like Optotronics, we used Spencer's and had a great experience. Our tour was last week. We got dropped off at Anse Chastanet and had about 1-1/2 hours of snorkeling there before heading to the beach between the Pitons.

The snorkeling was great at both sites - the water was crystal clear and there were plenty of fish.

Yes, there were fewer loungers on the public side of sugar beach and the entrance to the snorkeling area was very rocky. We ended up sharing two loungers with another couple when we weren't in the water. When we go back to St. Lucia, we will use Spencer's again

Is that the 3 - 3 1/2 snorkeling trip? Sounds like its longer than that. I love Anse Chastenet and Jalousie beach snorkeling. I may contact Spencer. He just switched me to the Jalousie beach one. I'm sure he won't mind. And do you think that the people who were snorkeling on the 2 stop went longer than 3 hours?

We just did this on Spencer's and had a great time. 4 of us got dropped off at Anse Chastenet and had a little more than 1 1/2 hours snorkeling time there while the rest of the group went to the mud bath. One of Spencer's guys stayed with us and took care of everything we needed. The snorkeling was great, water clear and plenty of sea life. Because there are two resorts on the beach there is a bar with food and drinks, for a price, and a gift shop.

The boat came back for the 4 of us, we picked up the group from mud bath and boated down to Jalousie beach, between the Pitons. Snorkeling again was good - water clear, plenty of fish. But we were on the public side of the beach, which was very rocky and had fewer chairs. The beach on the resort side was much nicer, but we were told it was $50 to use one of their chairs. We were on that beach for a little more than 2 hours, which included a lunch of roasted chicken and some veggies.

We had a great time and would definitely use Spencer's again. Hope this helps

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!:(

Shipwreck is still open, DW and I were there last week and had a great time. Monkeys there too. Just remember Shipwreck is a beach bar with tables, loungers and a swimming/snorkeling area, so there will be people drinking. They also have a nice tradition of people putting their names on the tables and wood support beams.

Hi Adam.

Thanks for the review of the ship and your cruise. DF and I will be getting on the Silhouette when you guys are getting off and your review as heightened our anticipation of the cruise.

Keep up the good woork

Were on the Reflection last month. There was a 30 percent discount for LCG offered on sailaway night on our cruise as we entered the ship. It was so good we ended up eating there twice.

On our cruise last month girlfriend and I ate at the Lawn Club Grill and the Porch. We tipped an extra $20 because of the service and extra attention we received.

Went to Shipwreck earlier this month and it was great.

Here are some pics.

We were on the Reflection earlier this month. Classic package covers drinks up to $9, so drink of the day was covered.

The only thing you are missing with the Classic package is top shelf brands, and if that's not important to you, you'll be fine

Classic package was offered as one of four free perks on our Reflection cruise earlier this month, but once on ship didn't see any discounts.

There was a 30 percent discount on specialty restaurants on sailaway day offered.

Hope this helps

Newb;

Enjoying the review. My Girlfriend and I were on the same cruise and had a wonderful time.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I too would love to have an e-mail of dailies when you get a chance.

mystone99@yahoo.com

Thank you

Yes, have used Rony's twice and had a great time both times. They will customize tour to what you want to see - from the whole island to just the West End.

Thanks for the review Halos. DW and I were looking at this cruise for next year. Like you, DW likes the sea days. I'm just worried I'll get a little bored.

Did you do your own laundry on the cruise? Thats one of the things we're also worried about.

Looking forward to more.

DW and I discovered at Jack's on our last cruise and loved it. We hung out there all day, either in the ocean or at the bar. Jack and Janet treated us well, the jerk chicken was great and having Jack teach DW a few bartending tricks was a plus. One of the highlights of the cruise for us.

Great review and great pics. Looks like you guys had a blast.

The Cove balconies are great. It is wonderful to be that close to the water and not be disturbed. You are going to have to ride the elevators either way to get to something (lido deck, MDR, shops, theater, etc.) during your cruise, so there's not much difference there.

Hope you have fun.

After two western Caribbean cruises, we're looking for an eastern or southern Caribbean (out of San Juan) Carnival cruise for our next trip.

 

Can you post your favorites/ not favorites, and why.

 

Also, please note if a particular ship is a factor as well.

 

Thanks for all the great info provided on this site!!

DW and I just did 8-day Southern on the Miracle. We loved Aruba and Grand Turk was a close second.

Roatan is another favorite, and we enjoyed St. Maarten.

Disliked Nassau.

I know, two pretty different places lol. First time to Coz in a few weeks and after hours and hours of research I've narrowed it down to these two. It will just be hubby and I, leaving the kids at home with grandma.

 

I want quiet, which I know NC is. But Mr Sanchos is appealing b/c you can pay as you go, has really good food apparently, seems like better service than NC, and if we do choose to do the all inclusive, the snorkling gear, etc are included as well as all you can eat food. NC doesn't include the non-motorized stuff in their AI. From what I've read, NC's food is only ok and it's not all you can eat. But the beach looks awesome and love the idea of quiet-we are not drinkers (no drinking at all)or into the party scene whatsoever. Trying to decide if I want to compromise the quiet for better/more food and really just getting by with paying less-we aren't rolling in dough at all. And there's only a small chance we may do snorkling, but there is a possiblilty.

 

If you've been to either or both please shed some light for me! (Oh and Mr Sanchos doesn't have a limit on people per day does it?)

DW and I have done Nachi twice and loved it. Best beach day ever. The beach and the pool are beautiful. The service and the food are both great, so I'm not sure why you think its better at Mr. Sanchos. However, since Nachi is an AI and you guys don't drink, you may be better off somewhere you can pay as you go. But if you are willing to pay for the AI, you can't beat Nachi.

DW and I had a cove balcony on the Dream and didn't have any problem with water or a wet balcony.

Great job with the review so far. Love the pictures. This is going to be our 2012 cruise so I am excited to hear about the ports. Keep it going.

DW and I enjoying the review and the beautiful pictures. Thank you.

I see lots of posts on here about ideas how to smuggle liquor/drinks on board.

have you ever been caught?

what happens when you are?

has anyone been caught using those "fool proof" rum runner flasks?

We are going on fifth cruise next month and have used rum runners every time. There hasn't been a problem yet.