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one.new.island.a.year

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Posts posted by one.new.island.a.year

    Deshaies Botanic Garden and Beach

    in Guadeloupe

    Posted

    This is too late for the OP, but for anyone else, we took this tour in Jan 2023. We had about an hour at the botanical gardens and 30 minutes at the beach. The water was chilly and waves a bit rough, so 30 minutes was ok. If the weather was different, we would have wanted more beach time. We spent a LOT of time on the bus. 
     

    The gardens were nice. We followed a one-way path and saw colorful birds and flamingos along the way. Many of the plans and trees were labeled (in French). There was also a waterfall and koi pond. 
     

    They offered a small snack, but I’d recommend bringing water and a small snack or granola bar if you need it. Remember to bring Euros if you plan to make any purchases or tip. 
     

    It was a nice way to see the island. There is not much to see in the port area. If you don’t book this tour, I’d recommend booking another ship tour for this port. 

    Aristocat Charters to Jost Van Dyke

    in Tortola

    Posted

    We had a different experience. We were supposed to go “beach hopping” to Sandy Spit and JVD (Sandy Dollar). They were supposed to return at 4pm, but our all-aboard time was 4:30, so we asked them to bring us back at 3:45 (15 mins early). When we got to the Soggy Dollar, the captain said we had until 2pm, which was a LOT of time. When we got back on the cat, he said there wasn’t enough time for a second stop. So we basically had a catamaran ferry to the Soggy Dollar. I was disappointed. 
     

    The catamaran was nice, the crew was professional. They served drinks, water, and crackers. They brought out a light lunch/snacks when we were getting off the cat to swim ashore, but the crew finished all the food while we were ashore, so there were only crackers for a snack. Drinks included beer, truly, rum punch, water, soda. 
     

    It was a nice day, so I hate being negative, but I would recommend confirming the itinerary and setting your expectations before you leave the dock. I expected a second beach stop. 

    Princess compared to Celebrity

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    On 12/12/2022 at 2:45 AM, C4HCG said:

    Thanks to everyone for the responses, much appreciated. Conclusion at this point in time is we will try Princess one day but perhaps not for Hawaii. Maybe a land based island hopping holiday would work for us there to avoid the sea days but recognising long flights first to the US then there.

     

    thanks again 👍


    We did a 2-week land vacation to Hawaii last summer (June ‘22) and loved it! We had many early morning & evening experiences that we would have missed if we were on a cruise. Enjoy!

    • Like 1

    Enchanted Thanksgiving 2022 Southern Caribbean review with patters, menus, and pics of food

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    47 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

    .We always bring a sweatshirt/sweater with us for theater and MDR use, and this time we had to use them in the theater as it was a bit chilly. MDR, though, had a pleasant ambient temperature every night. The buffet is very chilly during dinner time in the bistro area, but once you go further down to the end - it's much warmer. During the day on hot days the buffet's AC is working overtime, but barely manages to keep it cool, especially close to both ends when doors to the outdoors keep opening every 10 seconds.

    Thank you for this! Super helpful to know what to pack. 

    • Like 1

    What happened to Native Ways?

    in Cayman Islands

    Posted

    I called Sharon at Native Ways directly at (203) 681-8665. I’ve taken her tour before and loved it! She now has the contract with Princess, so if Princess is in Grand Cayman, her tours carry 40 passengers instead of their usual 25 max. She was easy to get ahold of via phone, but I had to remind her a couple times to send an email confirmation. If you want an easy booking process, look elsewhere. For me, a couple of phone calls were worth it. Sharon is super nice. I’ve been on Native Ways and Captain Marvin’s, and I like that Native Ways offers a full-day tour with lunch and Rum Point Beach.

    Best Beach (In General) For Our Itinerary

    in Belize

    Posted

    We are planning a Norwegian cruise for January of next year.  We pretty much know what we are going to do in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  However, we will have four other ports of call.  At one of those four ports of call, we would like to have a top-notch beach day (no snorkeling...just beautiful beach, WHITE sand, and decent waves).  Here are those other four ports:  Costa Maya; Roatan (Bay Islands, Honduras); HARVEST CAYE (Belize); and Georgetown, Cayman Islands. [The more quiet the beach--if that's possible--the better)  Other suggestions for any of these ports of call are welcome....especially for HARVEST CAYE (private island as opposed to Belize, in general).  Would also like to include a decent Mayan ruins site at one of these ports of call.  Thank you so very, very much.
     

    I don’t think there will be many waves, but IMO the best beaches will be 7 mile in Grand Cayman and West Bay in Roatan. Both will be crowded.

    “Must Pack” items?

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    Over the years we have found that the more we travel the less we take. A lot of the must haves from years gone by no longer seem like such a necessity. This has made packing and travel so much easier.

     

     

     

    Maybe that’s what I’m feeling. I’m not forgetting something: I just travel with less these days. :) Thanks!

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    What We Like To Do In Barbados

    in Barbados

    Posted

    Never having been to Barbados before we have 2 days pre cruise to do some excursions can you recommend a couple of must see places to get a taste of Barbados ?

     

     

    Unique to Barbados: Harrison’s Cave and the coast near Bathsheba (Soup Bowl). World famous resorts are Sandy Lane ($$$spa$$$) and Crane Beach. You’ll recognize Crane beach if you go there, but be sure to check the forums on TripAdvisor about seaweed if you’re traveling this summer. The local specialty is “flying fish,” and if you like spicy, be sure to put some of their spicy pepper sauce on it. Snorkeling with turtles is also popular. Barbados is a large island, so cost of taxis can get pricy. An island tour might be a good way to go to see the island. I once rented a car, and it was easy to drive on the island, but the roads were not well marked, so I do not recommend it. Have a great time!

    “Must Pack” items?

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    Thank you! Love the watch tip. We once left a beach way too early because we didn’t know if our cell phones auto-updated with the local time (v ship time).

     

    Anna, do the cabins have lotion, shampoo, hairdryer, etc? (My last few cruises were Princess.)

     

    Anyone have a good source for Sunscreen in TSA sizes? My DS only uses spray, so I may have to fork over big $$$ on the ship.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    “Must Pack” items?

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    We are on the FOS July 14, and I am so excited! I used to cruise a lot, but it has been a while, and I’m rusty. It’s also my first time with more than 2 in a cabin. I have a nagging feeling that we are forgetting something on our packing list.

     

    We are light packers. We will each have a carry-on roller bag and 1 personal item (beach tote for me, backpacks for DH and DS). With that in mind, what “must pack” item should we add to the packing list?

     

    Thanks!

    Monica, Atlanta GA

     

     

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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