nurse kate

:confused:We took our daughter on a cruise for her high school graduation in 2012, and last week she gets a letter offering her a free cruise. Ironic though....you must be 25 to book a cruise unless you are married. So she'll have to take me if she wants to go...LOL:D

We did this tour last November. Definitely NOT too pleased with it. Let me begin with this is the first time I've written a negative review of a cruise excursion, so I'm not too hard to please. I'll give a few details so as to appear objective.

1. We were told there would be someone at the terminal with our names and would direct us to the correct van to bring us to their tour office. Did not happen. In fact, it was utter chaos. We were nervous about getting on the wrong bus that may not get us to where we wanted to go. And the transfer was something we paid an extra $15/pp for also. Finally, several of us decided to proceed together and we explained to the driver that we were going to the ProExcursions tour Co. Anyway, we did get there finally.

2. When we got there, we waited, and we waited some more. We did meet some very nice young people who worked for the company. After almost an hour, we were directed (35 of us) to a boat that would likely be rated in the U.S. for no more than 15 people. Packed like sardines doesn't even begin to describe. The tour guide was a very personable young man. He was obviously trying to do the best with what the company gives him to work with. There were no appropriate life preservers for small kids either, which made me a little uneasy, even though I didn't have any kids there. My husband and I decided we'd look out for those parents with multiple kids in the event of any mishaps.

3. We took a ride past some minor sites, and then went to an island which did have some very nice palms and chairs. They provided a tasty lunch, and this was enjoyable. they did provide punch and cold beer also. There were numerous vendors which would approach every 5 seconds. I was reading a book, so I really didn't get approached too much. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that locals have to make a living, and I'm cool with this at a public beach, but when I've paid $65/per person to go to a "private beach" I do not wish to be approached by vendors every 5 seconds.

4. After we packed ourselves back in the boat, we went to a place that appeared to be remnants of a pier or something with some old concrete pilings where we were "invited" to snorkel if we'd like. First, no one was given any fins, and people would just jump in with about 4 or 5 other boats in the water too. I think about 7 or 8 from our boat jumped in. All in all, as avid snorkelers and divers, this was a potential danger on so many levels. Boats in and out with swimmers in the water everywhere. Fortunately, everyone stayed safe. Once back to the tour office, we were driven back to the cruise terminal, and did feel a little shortchanged for what we had paid in comparison to other cruise excursions we've booked over the years. :rolleyes:

We visited on the Breeze last November. Booked a Sonny Binns tour in advance, and it was a great tour. He was so hospitable and gave a very informative tour in a secure, air-conditioned van/bus. There was even a group which was tardy and he (after an okay from the rest of the group) turned back and picked up the tardy ones. All in all, he's a terrific guide. It was just a few hours, but covered all the island's high points. google him and you can easily get to his web page. He's great about responding promptly. Very reasonable rates too. I think it was $30/per person. He's holding a sign up so you can easily find him.

Frank actually finished 3rd. A fellow named Thomas, I think from Texas, was the lucky 1st prize winner. :cool:

:rolleyes:Hi, my husband and I went on the Breeze PokerPro Challenge. I actually came in 2nd place, which was a prize of 25K, before uncle sam took his share. It was a lot of fun. Met a lot of great people. This was our 2nd time going on the PokerChallenge annual cruise. Next year's is Oct. 19 on the Dream out of New Orleans.:):cool:

;) Just returned from our Breeze cruise from Miami, during which the Carnival PokerPro Challenge Tournament took place.

Happy to say I, a woman, took 2nd Place in the Tournament for a $25K prize, before Uncle Sam took his share!!! Troy and his team run a great tournament!!! I think this was their 6th or 7th annual tournament.

The cruise was fantastic!!! No complaints whatsoever, and I would feel the same even if I hadn't placed in the tournament. The service was top notch, the food was excellent. We dined as Anytime diners, and it just works for us. We got to meet new folks each night, and really enjoyed ourselves on all fronts.

We will definitely go on our 3rd PokerPro Challenge Annual Cruise again next October 19th on the Dream from New Orleans.

Back to the real world now.... Will write a more detailed review at a later time.