caribtravel

You could take a dollar bus to sapphire beach---just walk to K-Mart and ask any local. When you get there you have about 10-15min. walk down to the actual beach from the bus stop but totally worth it.

Thanks everyone. As promised here's a post-cruise update: We left the ship around 9:10 and made the 10:55am flight at FLL with tons of time.

Thanks everyone for your helpful input. Lots to think about. I think I'm going for it and hope I can be off by 8:30 and at 12:30 from Miami. I'll post after the trip to help the next person decide +/-...

Safe Travels:)

My ship returns to FLL at 7:00am. How soon can I disembark with only "carry on luggage". I would like to fly out at 11:00am.

We'll be going back to Princess Cay & thinking of exploring this time. Anyone ventured out of "private island"? If so, please share your tips. thanks

I hope we can agree that a day where our big problem is what gorgeous beach to visit is a blessed day:) starting from there you can't go wrong.

We actually Love HoneyMoonBeach on Water I not just b/e of distance but mostly because the views are amazing, it's quiet, the water is clear and little if any waves. We don't like the party COKI style beaches with +chairs and vendors than people but that's us. We've taken the early am ferry and been the only people on the beach for hours. There is a store where you wait for the ferry to get drinks and snacks and we're set for a few hours. Usually after noon/1pm some of the ship excursions start to show up for lunch (1-2 small places to eat-usually not open when we get there)...This trip we won't be at Crown Bay so we'll probably head to Sapphire or Lindquist Beach (even less people) with the $2 bus...

We're so blessed to have so many choices. Good luck and safe travels:)

You are so lucky. with Princess you come into Crown Bay. NO need for taxi or $ bus if you want BEACH DAY just walk over to the Water Island Ferry $10/rt. From there walk to the beach. PERFECT DAY!!! We've been blessed to visit most of the carib. islands and this is top on the list. Go early and you'll have the beach to yourself, before the $70+ tours arrive...let me know if it's still as I remember. We're going in 2/2014!!!

A few years ago we walked to town and then many bus options from CA to various beaches. Can you get to Magen Bay from CA by $1 bus. thanks

Very easy to drive in P.R. highways just as good or better as any big city. Start making some rental reservations now--don't need to put any $ down but you'll lock in some prices.

1- I love El Yunque---Drive there in the am and then spend the day a Luquillo Beach--AMAZING!!! Super safe, you pay about $5/car, they have showers, lockers, food, everything you need and IT"S REAL--not like some of the fake/man made beaches on some islands. We're flying in at noon and going directly to Luquillo (about 1hr from airport)

2. I've stayed at Conquistador and it's wonderful but very $$$. If you're going to be out all day, coming back to sleep, I'd stay in a local B&B, with free breakfast, free parking, local flavor and 1/2 the $$$.

3. Aside from the SJ think of driving south to Ponce (second largest city). Under 1hr. on highway. google Ponce for ideas.

4. Easily spend the night or keep driving west to Mayaguez (3rd city). Explore the observatory at night (check schedule). Also beaches of Rincon and best PR seafood in small town of Joyuda.

5. On your final day or pre-cruse you can drive back from Mayaguez on "old road" about 3 hrs. right in the middle of island with plenty of photo stops, and local food dives, street vendors, and a feel of real PR hospitality OR get back on the highway and you're back in SJ in no time.

We've also done a day trip from SJ to Mayaquez--leaving on the scenic road, and after eating in Joyuda back on the highway to SJ. (this is an all day tour which is why I would spend the night if you've never done it before)

6. Of course give yourself at least 1 one relaxing morning/afternoon to just wander the Old forths of OSJ and take the free trolleys around.

7. When you're done you can take a bus right from Old San Juan to the perfect beach of Ocean Park (between Condado and Isla Verde). Pick up a cheap cooler, some food/drinks and forget about your boss.

Caution: If you start with Ocean Park you might not want to leave.

enjoy-

La Mallorquina has been around since 1848!!! Good food but you're really paying for the experience. It closed in 2012 for renovations, scheduled to open Nov.2013--still waiting:( At the Hilton they'll know if it's open by the time you get there or you can call 787-722-3261.

Down the street is Cafe Manolin-very good food. So if Mallorquina is closed you won't walk far. (get's very busy noon-1:00pm)

Another fav. is La Fonda del Jibarito (a.k.a El Jibarito) While Manolin looks more like an old dinner that you'd find in any city, El Jibarito has the vibe and decor of P.R.--if you take a picture of the place when you get home you'll remember where it was taken. It is further away from cruise but worth the extra blocks and both restaurants are about the same price--you can get a HUGE lunch special for +/- $10...

+ you have the FREE trolley to take you up/down and around Old San Juan...

I've been to el Yunque several times--worth going. Don't miss Luquillo Beach a few minutes away from El Yunque. Even if you don't like the beach, it's worth visiting to take in the view...

Also, FYI-Bacardi is not P.R. rum, good but not originally from P.R. Across the pier you'll find a DonQ store, with a little hx of the rum and free pina coladas or whatever rum mix you want--DonQ visit is FREE and you'll be getting P.R.

If you still want to visit Bacardi you can do so with a cheap ferry ride to Catano (you can see the ferry from the main cruise terminal) and from there any pubic bus can drop you outside Bacardi. It's interesting to see the rum making process, just know it's not originally from P.R.

Hope this helps.

Hello Shiley-

We just got back yesterday (missed the Cancun rain!) As agreed here is my unpaid no perks review post cruise:rolleyes:

TRANSPORTATION: We used Budget from MCO to port. Both pick up and return where among the worse we've ever had abroad and the absolute worse experience in the USA but maybe they had an off day 2x.

HOTEL: Stayed at 4Points EXCELLENT!!! We were upgraded to the largest suite and service felt more like a Sharaton. If you don't have a car, it's close to everything (walgreens, super, restaurant accross the street) and 1 block from the beach.

FOOD: We tried Coconuts on the Beach--fun place on beach for happyhr

Sunrise Diner, very simple looking place with AMAZING home cooked Greek food, made by Dimitri the owner--- Cara Mia, pretty and wonderful service but food not so much.

RENTAL RETURN: DO NOT RENT AVIS if time is a factor for you. We're told by port staff that they start pick up later. After seeing all other rental company vans several times and 3 Budget vans we asked the driver to take us to Budget or contact Avis since it's the same owner.

When Avis finally arrived there was no apology or explanation given at pickup or the office and although we're the first and the lot was full they told us they did not have the car category we reserved.

HIGHLIGHT: Many but we enjoyed meeting you at The perfect Gift. The shop feels very Key West cozy with all the flowers and gift ideas. Anyone wanting to send something special to somoene on the ship check out www.theperfectgift.cc

SHIRLEY THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND EVERYTHING YOU DO ON THIS SITE FOR EVERYONE!!! (free of charge)

Shirley-

Thank you so much for the updates on #295. Everything I can think of is there. Travel would be that much easier if there was a #295 for all ports. Also, just wanted to share with you all how wonderful Joe P. the GM for Radisson has been. I sent him an e-mail this week and he took the time to respond within a few hours from his vacation and cc someone at the hotel so we can get the service requested when we arrive on Friday. I haven't been to Cocoa Beach yet but I'm already so impressed with the service.

I'll let you know how it went when we get back in mid-September. Thank you again

Where did you find the rental for $50? I just booked a rental using AAA rates for less than 24 hours and it was $80.00.

Try Avis or Budget. We have an Avis rental for $37 from Cruise to MCO with a code I posted earlier (I was told that code no longer works) but do a google search for Avis/Budget codes (they change all the time) or from airlines/hotels or check some of the codes that have been posted on the Florida thread. Hope this helps you. Let me know how it works or if you find better codes.

Hey Alex - the Italian restaurant close to 4 Points is called Brando and if you go there ask for Eryn and if you tell her you are off the CC board, she will give you a dessert at no cost.

The food and presentation is awesome.

Cara Mia is in Cocoa located at Cocoa Village

Since we'll have a car it might be fun to drive to CV. Sounds like we have similar taste. I saw some pictures of CaraMia remodel and it looks warm and cozy and I guess we can walk the carbs off at CV...Coconuts looked like a simple/fun place for some snacks right on the beach, which you confirmed by "not so bad";) but we'll save room for cake at Roberto' (Would Sunrise Diner be in the same not to bad category?) Low key, relaxed and not to far are the only requirements for this trip...

I'll let you know how these places turned out when I get back.

Alex

Hello Alex,

Yep feeling better - just had a bug for a few days or just maybe it has just been so darn hot, that it zapped me - anyhow I know we have a few places listed around here with supposely theme park discounts but never really checked into them and know nothing about them - have you thought of writing our Chamber of commerce and asking them for I do know they will be more than happy to help you and also mention you got their information off of this board

you can drop Michelle a note and I know she will be able to answer any/all of your questions and also just maybe someone here will give you more info.

mlamb@cocoabeachchamber.com

 

BTW have you looked into visiting our local Brevard Zoo - I had never been, tried it and was really quite impressed and maybe doing this won't kinda of stress you out with just one day at the theme park - we also have Cocoa Village which is a neat place to walk around and then of course how can we forget about the Dinosaur Store here in Cocoa Beach - just thoughts ok - I will see what I can find out and get back to you but don't know if it will be this week or not -

Meanwhile have a smily day - we all need them :-))

Hi Shirley,

Thanks for the e-mail. Worse case we'll just hang out at Coconuts on the Beach, how bad can that be;) I told Michelle, that the Chamber should give you an official tittle for all the effort you put into making such an enjoyable and easy visit for anyone on this board going to Port Canaveral.

Some final quick questions-

1-Cara Mia Riverside Grill for Italian close to FourP--Any +/-

2-Aside from the zoo if you anything special is going on 9/3 or 9/4 keep me in mind.

3-How/where do we start that Shirley petition

thanks again for all your help:D

Alex

We're thinking of visiting Universal Studios for 1 day. I can only find good deals for passes of 3+days. Any suggestions on local sites to seach for just a 1 day discount?...Shirley glad you're feeling better and posting updates again.

thanks

Alex

Good Morning Alex - it is my sincere pleasure to help when I can (and yes Joe P. is a great guy) now I have to agree with Peg, but let me see what I can find out and get back to you.

 

Kentucky - also let me check a couple of things out and also will back to you.

Hope everyone has a great day today - keep smiling :-))

Hi Shirley-

We found a one way rental from port back to MCO for under $40!!! Worked out that everyone on our rollcall already had transportation plans. Now we have a few extra hours to explore before our flight.

Thanks again for your help:)

Alex

Good Morning Alex - it is my sincere pleasure to help when I can (and yes Joe P. is a great guy) now I have to agree with Peg, but let me see what I can find out and get back to you.

 

Kentucky - also let me check a couple of things out and also will back to you.

Hope everyone has a great day today - keep smiling :-))

Hi Shirley-

Thanks again. I was thinking of posting a new thread asking if anyone needed trasnportation on 9/9 to MCO. Worse case, we'll rent a car back to MCO rather than spend $60 on a bus...

Kentucky-Avis let's you rent Sat-Sun

Ask on your rollcall if anyone is interested in sharing a ride. That is the best place to coordinate it because you'll all be there at the same time.

Thanks. I tried that but no response from my small rollcall:confused:. This particular cruise has only a hand full of people so far so I thought I'd venture out and ask the pros. for ideas.

Hi Shirley-

First, THANK YOU so much for the detailed information on #295. It helped us narrow the rental from MCO to the port. Also, I echo what has been said earlier, the Mr. Panackia (thanks for the contact information) from Radisson is incredibly helpful.

I have a question about the return to MCO from port, (C. Sensation on 9/9) I noticed prices of less than $12/pp for groups of 10, compared to $30+ for 1 or 2 in a shared van or $80+ for a car rental to MCO. Any suggestions on how to get a MCO shuttle group going on this board? I'm sure at least 8 other people would like to save some $$$. If there is a thread for this already I can't find it.

Thanks again for all your detailed information.

Alex

Not necessarily true. We just received notification from our TA that our Crown Priincess cruise in April doe not qualify for the passport exception and we do need one. We already have passports, so no big deal to us. I am not sure why it doesn't quailify. It is a Western Caribbean cruise to Roatan, Grand Caymen and Cozumel.

You are both right, yes Roatan is part of WHI--BUT only until March 6. After 3/6 Roatan, Panama, other Latin America will no longer be part of WHI (fortunately we leave 1/30)

To make things more "interesting" be aware that different countries have different time lines for how long your passport must be valid. For instance, Roatan is a few months. (One more reason not to miss the ship at end of the day;))

4. DON'T DO IT!! I know so many people that have gotten into trouble in Cozumel renting a car. If you have any type of accident, they take you directly to jail. There have been numerous posts on CC over the years with horror stories of $800+ fines. I have a good friend that barely made his ship after a taxi hit his rental while it was parked. They hauled him to jail....jail first, questions later and the questions are in Spanish. The cruise lines will not help you out if you rent a car and get into trouble so be warned. If you want to see the island, rent a taxi for the day and let them do the driving.

Thank you for clarification on Uvas/Chankanab. On the map they're next to each other so I was trying to figure out why someone would pay $16 to get into one when you can get into the other for $7 and you are in the same place when it comes to snorkeling.

We're renting a car on the other islands and Cozumel is the only one I've felt conflicted about, based on my experiences driving in Mexico (particularly bad in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta). Another cc suggested a chepo "open car type" but now I think I'll play this one safe (wouldn't want the ship to leave without us should something happen). A cab to Uvas is probably safer. From what I keep reading about their food we might need to walk back to the ship.

1-I just noticed on a Cozumel web that they have a public bus system, looks good on paper, have you tried it?:confused:

2- I see you've been on tons of trips. Is there any other island you'd put w/ Cozumel in terms of avoiding a rental?

thanks again and enjoy your trip next week

Alex

UVAS UPDATE: They just e-mailed me back and you can no longer do the clear kayak directly with them.

The Playa Uvas website is back up and working fine today!

 

I'm hopeful that this link will work:

 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10012&id=100000008393160&l=ba603d5340

 

These were taken the last week of October 2009 when Eduardo arranged for me and my crew to visit with Professor Benavides and Sandra Dutton and help with the turtle nesting.

 

After our wonderful day at Punta Sur with the Professor, we stopped by Playa Uvas for lunch before our return to the Ecstasy. We have visited Playa Uvas about 10+ times since March of 2005, so are very familiar with Playa Uvas. We found the place in wonderful shape, grass was green and landscaping in perfect order. We (myself, my friend, my brother and sis-in-law, and my sister and her husband) spent the remainder of the afternoon lazing around Playa Uvas, instead of shopping downtown as was our original plan after lunch at Playa Uvas.

The food was superb! Probably the BEST we've ever had there. We were very impressed with the food in the past, but had no idea it could get even better. I don't drink alcohol, so can't speak to that other than to say that the others thought the margaritas were the best they had during our trip!

Photos of some of the gargantuan amount of food we consumed are posted at the above link, at the end of the album.

Enjoy the little baby turtle photo! He wasn't ready to return to the sea, so we re-planted him into his nest. Wish I could have stayed another week so that I could have gotten in on his return...

 

I can still highly recommend Playa Uvas. It's not as big as some of the beach clubs, not as loud, and there aren't as many children. I'd call it a bit more Euro, and perhaps a bit more upscale. The lounge area by the fresh water pool is very nice for sitting and relaxing out of the sun. The loungers on the beach are very nice and sturdy. Service is superb, and the food is quite plentiful and tasty.

Thank you for pics. Sounds like you are a Cozumel regular. This will be our first time so all this information is great and I'd appreciate your feedback:

1. How would you compare the sand at Chankanab with Uvas for a just hanging out adn walking on the beach?

2. Do you know more or less the distance/cost from Puerto Maya?

3- Can I just do the clear kayak without paying for food/drinks? It's our first time so we'd rather just kayak. Do you remember the price?

4-We're thinking of maybe renting a car to try to make it to both places?

HAve you ever rented a car in Cozumel, if so can you suggest a company?

Many thanks-

Alex