PhotogalMB

We are also driving to Miami for our cruise (next January, but I like to plan way ahead) and the best deal I have found so far is La Quinta East $156.6 plus tax for the room and 7 nights parking. Additional 7 nights (we are doing a B2B) is $35. Price includes one way shuttle to the port. I also found QLS for the return trip at $9 pp. We used them round trip last year when we stayed at the Baymont Suites. We also parked there for a week for free. Price for Jan is $144 plus tax

Can you take a golf cart to Jacks? We are thinking of renting one and going to the Lighthouse, downtown then Jacks Shack after. Just wondering if we should return it and walk or if we can drive it there.

Hello,

 

we're planning to do Stingray City in combination with a Jet Ski tour and maybe snorkeling. Any recommendations for tour guides?

 

Unfortunately the search function is down, so I can't search for it via cruise critic. I found some tour guides via google, e.g. Ebanks Watersports. I'm interested in personal experiences for this or other tour guides.

 

Thank you in advance. :)

We used Island Marketing in St Thomas and they were great. I would assume it would be the same quality here. I know some who used Fat Fish and liked them as well. We will be doing this in Jan 2015 and will probably go with Island Marketing

Love the pics and the review. I always have great intentions of doing this but haven't done one yet.

Mary

We were there last December and are returning again in December of this year. Last year there were 4 of us and we rented a car (Hertz at the port, $60 for the day) and drove ourselves around. We went to Orient Beach, Marigot, and Maho Beach but didnt' get to spend as much time in Phillipsburg as we wanted. This time there will probably just be the two of us (most of the group are doing other excursions) so we are debating between another car and going back to Orient Beach, or just getting the bus to Marigot, then to Maho, and back to Phillipsburg. We would take the ferry into Phillipsburg from the port. $7 pp for all day. How reliable are the buses between Phillipsburt-Marigot, Marigot-Maho, and Maho-Phillipsburg. It seems like the cost would be about half that of renting a car. Of course if we decide on Orient Beach we will just rent the car, but not sure if it is really worth driving back there or not. I'd rather spend more time in Phillipsburg.

Just Got back from our cruise,

Noel is an outstanding guide and by the far one of the best tours we had.

That's great to hear! We were originally going with Bernard's tours, but he was inflexible as to the start time of 9am. Since our ship gets in at 7 we really wanted to start earlier. For $5 more pp than Bernard's, Noel will start our tour at 8, and customize it for less time at Orient Beach and more shopping time! We are really looking forward to it

What happens with wine/liquor bought while in SJ for a shore excursion?? I will be on NOS and we have a short day. Have no idea what pier.

We stopped in SJ on Freedom in January. Bought a bunch of liquor at the discount duty free store as we were getting back on. We had several bottles bagged, and tried to get one thru in our carryon but it was spotted and we had to turn it in at the "booze table". We got them all back on the last night. We are cruising out of SJ on Victory in December and I'm hoping I can find some cheap booze at the grocery store and get it thru in my bag. Time will tell I guess

I would like to know what all you packed that you didn't need. I am going on my first cruise and I don't want a bag full of extra things that I will never use!

 

We were on the Freedom 2 weeks ago (just booked the Victory for December) and I have totally revised my "must take per Cruise Critic and friends" list.

Over the door shoe bag..our door had robe hooks on the inside and it wouldn't fit, walked into it on the outside, and there were plenty of shelves for all our bathroom stuff in the bathroom.

A drink container to make up Crystal Light drink mix for drinks (will bring the smaller individual mix instead.

Dress Shoes! I wore my dress sandals with dress pants and they were fine

Hiking shoes.. Sketchers sandals are cooler and more comfortable

Wine, we never drank it and carted it back home.

Magic Bullet blender for milkshakes and Pina Coladas...never used it

 

What I WILL bring, clothespins to hang clothes in the shower, highlighters, bonine, ginger gum (saved me more than one night), water shoes for beach days, dress sandals and walking sandals, rum runners, less clothes (granted last trip we drove to FLL this time we are flying which limits the luggage), buy club soda, ginger ale and cranberry juice at CVS before boarding.

 

 

DH says I totally overpack, well I did go a bit overboard on the last cruise but because we drove it was ok.

 

I can't wait to get back to San Juan, it was our favorite port on the last cruise and we are staying for a week after (provided we can get into a timeshare of course) to see some of the other attractions we never had time to go to.

Mary

Here's the one I got at BJ's for $10. Although I don't think they sell it anymore, or at least, last time I was there they didn't have them. Maybe they'll come back for spring.

http://www.californiainnovations.com/products/ci/Coolers/45-can-live-green-reusable-thermal-tote/

Didn't leak and didn't sweat. Folded up nice and flat for my suitcase and became padding for stuff in the suitcase going home.

Found it on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00314FBVA?ie=UTF8&tag=4sarasotacom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00314FBVA

I have that one, got it at Sams. We fly out west then go to different National Parks each year and it is great. Packs in the suitcase easily, and if we need to use it as a carry on for all the purchases on the return trip we do. I am bringing it on the cruise unless I can talk DH into letting me buy one on wheels that fits the 12x12x12 dimensions.