richfrommo

I highly suggest heading over the Blue Kay. It's really simple to get there and I guarantee you'll spend less than $40 pp (actually it will probably be that or less for you both combined).

 

It's only a few minutes away, cheap to get there, free to get in and just eat and drink there during the day and they are happy.

 

The snorkeling was pretty good and very easy to do.

 

I have a complete review listed in my signature line with TONS of photos of what it is like there. :)

Can you take the open air bus down & back to Blue Kay or do you need to get a taxi ? How often does the bus run ? Thanks :) :) :)

:)

yes and the queue at the 'make change' lane on the Beachline can be 15 or 20 cars long. This usually means only a 5 or 7 minute delay but it can SEEM LIKE an hour as you watch the electron lanes zip by at 70 (plus)

We will driving down from Tallahassee to Cocoa Beach the day of our cruise. What would be the approx. toll for that ? So I can be prepared for it . Can you use dollar bills and quarters if needed ? Thanks :)

You are very welcome. I think you will be very pleased there.

 

 

 

You can snorkel at any of the beaches and see fish. I seen quite a few things just by doing that. However, it's not going to be A LOT of fish since most of the area is a sandy bottom beach.

 

When we were in the canoe, we seen more coral than anything. We did see some fish and some urchins, but I would imagine if I was actually down in the water at that point, I would have seen more. With moving the oars in the water and the movement from the canoe, it's hard to keep the water still enough to tell. If it was me, I would do the snorkeling tour out to the reef with the boat. JMO.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate that.....:)

Sorry I have never been diving but have been to LFK twice now. This last visit (a few weeks ago) I missed my snorkeling trip out there and decided to take a canoe out. We were in the fairly shallow water (maybe up to 10') and the coral was absolutely AMAZING!!!! I can only imagine what it looks like out where you snorkel and dive (that the boat takes you to).

 

I have pictures that I took of the coral located HERE and I took all these pictures from the canoe above water and also sticking the camera under the water. The coral was so huge and it came all the way up to the service in some areas or just right below the canoe (never hitting any of it). But still very amazing.

 

The coral pictures start on page 12-13 of that folder.

We have a cruise booked in Feb. & were thinking about doing LFK. Do you know if it is possible to snorkel from the shore or do you need to take the boat out. Could you see fish from the canoe ? :)

Jamaica does not have the really good snorkeling. :o

LuLu

How is the water temp. in mid Feb. in Mexico ports ? Do you need wet suits to do it at that time of year ?

We enjoyed the Freddie Saints band; they played music thru the decades...a lot of fun. We thought they were very good. There was also a DJ Jaz, who played the Top 40 hits. We didn't actually manage to make it to him because it was so late...usually starting at 11:00 or midnight until "very late". The Freddie Saints band usually started about 9:30 and played until "late".

 

Let me note that there was a wide range of ages on this cruise...lots of active older folks like us, lots of younger people who appeared to be in their 20's. A really nice range of ages, and I think the music available reflected that. Those people who think Celebrity is just for older, grey-haired passengers would definitely be wrong about that on this cruise at least.

 

When we sailed the Equinox out of Rome the passengers were older, and we went when younger passengers might be in school. So I'm sure the demographics change based on the calendar, length of cruise and possibly the expense.

 

There was a string trio called Tango for 3; a guy named Justin Wade who did guitar and vocals; the Garnettes, who did easy listening and jazz; and another guy named Jim Long who did piano and vocals. Also a party band called Magnitude. So, I think you'd be hard pressed not to find something you'd enjoy. So that makes 7 musical options to cover a wide range of tastes.

 

Not sure how late people were up and about, because we were usually down for the count around 11:00 due to the excursions, but there were lots of late night options, some of which started at 11:00.

Was there any place that played new or old Country Music to dance to ? :)

I work at a hotel just a block from there and you are about 1.5 km or about a mile to the south side of Stanley Park. Definitely walkable and their are a couple of place within a few blocks of the BWDT to rent bikes. You will be about 3.5 blocks up from the seawall which will stretch about 15 km from in either direction from that point. It's a great ride down to Stanley Park or a beautiful stroll with a lot to see. The BW has a great guest services team and will be able to assist you in arranging bike rentals.

Thanks so much for the info !! :)

How far is it from The Best Western Downtown hotel to Stanley Park ? Is it walkable or how would it be to ride a bike there ?

Not sure,model # is SKU ZRZRS842.

I recently just bought a pair Zen Ray 10 X 42 Vista waterproof with argon 330 ft field of view at 1000 yds. I am very satisfied with them I bought them off Ebay brand new with warranty for $ 139. total ( no taxes or shipping ). I have a pair of more expensive binoculars and these are very comparable . Yes you can buy a lot more expensive ones & a lot better. It just depends how big your pocket book is. Not bad for the money. :)

This August I will be going on an Alaskan inside passage cruise. As I am 59 and do not own of her binoculars - I have not had a need for pair to date.

 

I would like to get a pair that are reasonably priced but also of some quality. I've done a fair amount of research and have decided on certain variables that I would like them to have. The one question I have is how important is it that they be waterproof, assuming no overtly"wet" excursions (i.e. kayaking)?

 

Thanks,

Stan

I just bought a new pair of Zen Ray binoculars 10X42 for my wife for our trip to Alaska this summer for $ 139 off Ebay same price as Zen Rays web site less shipping. I have not got to use in field much but seem to be very clear. I also have a set from Cabela's 10X42 both are water proof that we will be taking also :).

The BW-Downtown is situated toward the south end of downtown peninsula and is some 12 blocks to Canada Place and 18 or so blocks to Stanley Park....so it tends to be a bit out of the loop locationally. That said it is modern, clean, quiet, has a White Spot Restaurant on the ground floor, offers a free shuttle to Canada Place and is very popular among cruisers. I am certain that you will be very happy with your choice.

Thanks Putterdude ! Appreciate your input ! I think BW has a free shuttle to Stanley Park also.

:)

I have been away for several weeks so am a bit late into this. However some thoughts would be to make a refundable reservation at the Comfort Inn and then watch Hotwire and do some bidding on Priceline as you may well end up with a better hotel at better rate. In incidentally, I was once very involved in the re-make of that hotel and frankly it would be very low on my "stay list"

 

The Vancouver Trolley is a great way to see a lot of Vancouver in a short period of time. What we tend to do with HOHOs is do the full loop(s) then go back and visit what we really want to see. As for Granville Island, there is much to the Island then just the market and if you want to take it all in then I would be inclined to budget about 3 hrs....with maybe about 30 mins or so for the Public Market, as you are not likely going to be purchasing much there.

Thinking about staying at Best Western downtown in June 2013. Anybody have any thoughts on this hotel as far as quality closest to downtown area and Stanley Park ? :)

Vancouver cabs have all been downsized to Prius sized cars that will handle 4 average to small sized persons and luggage. However about 17% of the cab fleet are mini-vans that will handle up to 5 persons with a flip seat in the rear. Plan that a fare from YVR to most hotels in downtown Vancouver will run about $35 per cab and about $10 from hotel to Canada Place.

 

Depending upon the location of your hotel the Canada Line may be an option.

Is the taxi fee $ 35 US or Can. currency. Will they accept US cash Going to Comfort INN DOWNTOWN WILL THE FEE BE ABOUT THE SAME ? :)

Can you access the CW from the Breakers & which way is the most scenic & easiest walk ? :)

We are going to be in Newport on a Norwegion cruise Sunday Sept,12 2010. My question is. We would like to do the Breakers & some of the cliff walk. Would it be better to do the cliff walk first or the Breakers ? We will probably take a cab out & bus back. Where do we want the cab to let us off & where would we be able to catch the bus back to the tender ? :)