MCManders99

Are any special needs involved? I know a lot of lines make those accommodations. My high functioning Autistic 7 year old was in the 3-5 group years ago with Royal Caribbean. 

1. Harmony April 3, 2022

2. Harmony April 3, 2022

3. Would not be devastated but disappointed as our last cruise was in 2017. 

1 hour ago, Ashland said:

 

We had originally booked our Thrill Water Park cabanas for May 2020 for $499 per cabana. That cruise was cancelled and we booked for May 2021 our same cabanas were now going to be $599...However I will continue to watch pricing and rebook if the price goes down.

 

Thanks to both of you for asking ...hope this helps with your price points....but remember it changes from cruise to cruise.

Thank you. My cruise is in 2022 and the Thrill WaterPark Cabana is $699. Since it’s still so far out I’m hoping for $599 or even $499 would be great. I know it’s spring break time but not over Easter Week so hopefully I will get lucky. Maybe Black Friday it’ll go down. 

I just L&S my Oasis April 2021 sailing to Harmony April 2022 and these are the current prices in the cruise planner

Thrill Waterpark Full Day Pass $79

Coco Beach Club Full Day Pass $79 Adult $55 Child

Thrill Waterpark Cabana And Full Day Pass $699

Coco Beach Club Floating Cabana And Full Day Pass $1049

Chill Island Cabanas $549

Coco Beach Club Cabana And Full Day Pass $999.
Oasis Lagoon Cabanas $549
Breezy Bay at Chill Island Full Day Beach Bed Rental $149

South Beach Full Day Beach Bed Rental $199

i am keeping an eye on Thrill WaterPark Cabana hoping for a lower price. Love the price of the floating Cabanas but I think my kids will want to be at the WaterPark especially once they see it when they arrive. 

On 7/23/2020 at 12:33 PM, Ashland said:

When you see at a good price go ahead and purchase...you can then keep checking pricing and cancel and rebook.

I've reserved two Thrill Waterpark cabanas for May 2021 at what I know is a good price point. Also keep in mind all cabanas have a limited number available so no reason to wait,

If you don’t mind, what is considered a good price point? For my April 2022 cruise on Harmony they are currently at $699 for the Thrill WaterPark. 

On 6/27/2020 at 2:46 PM, sippican said:

 

This is a great resource. https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=4135#:~:text=The%20Coco%20Beach%20Club%20includes,for%20up%20to%20eight%20people.

 

Cabanas tend to sell out very quickly!  We decided to splurge for the beach cabanas at Coco Cay Beach Club (adults who have no interest in the water slides, etc.)  My son and family, rented beach beds at South Beach, figuring that the older kids would be in the water park for most of the day and the cost of cabanas is pretty high. They decided against the Thrill Waterpatk cabanas because they wanted to have a beach expereince and a bit less chaos. FWIW, our cruise was cancelled so I can't speak from actual experience.

That is great information. Not sailing till 2022 now and considering a thrill waterpark cabana. Right now it’s $699 and hoping for it to drop. Would love to purchase the over the water ones for $1049 in the Beach Club but I don’t think my kids would enjoy those as much as I know they would want the water park. 

I say May 2021 since spring breaks are still going on in April. Get some sailings in before the busy summer season begins. 

1 hour ago, ONECRUISER said:

I'm ahead of the Curve. Never want be within 6ft from most people anyway   😎

DH is the same way, he says he’s been training for social distancing his whole life. He’s never been a people person and even on cruises he rarely talks to people other than the staff and keeps to himself. 

15 minutes ago, BLAMBKY said:

Following along as we are April 2021 and considering this too. We tried one in Cozumel and enjoy it a lot. And lol, it is not to early to think about things. I am using my research as a mental break from all the negativity of late.

I completely agree. Never too early to research, and I’d rather read up on cruise news to get that mental break from reality. 

Thank you for this. One of the private tours I am considering has their boat by Havensight and we will be at Crown Bay so trying to determine taxi prices within my budget to get us back and forth between the two. 

I know this is an older thread, but it comes up in search and my last cruise in 2017, The Allure Staff was so accommodating to my autistic son, who was 6 at the time of sailing. We had priority boarding and boarded with the suites, we were in a balcony. AO was great for both of my special needs kids. My 6 yr old was in the 3-5 group and wasn’t accustomed to it at first but once he found out they had trains, he sat in a corner and played. Some kids came over to him and some of the staff played with him as well but he’s also self sufficient so was happy. When he wasn’t the staff went above and beyond to make him happy and only once they called because he was just having a bad evening. Every kid is different but I felt they were very accommodating to the autism children on board. We went during spring break so it was a sold out cruise and packed. 
 

My next cruise is booked with Autism on the Seas (travel group) but their non staffed cruises. They are my go to between me and the special needs dept. 

On my last cruise in 2017 on the Allure, when we arrived at the port at check in, a lady came over to us once everything was done and walked us over to the pictures, had us go through and skip any line , then took us over to the suite area since it was quiet and less stimulating and we waited and boarded with the suite passengers ( we were in a balcony). So we were one of the first to board. We did the normal muster - we stood in the back - but my autistic son, it did not bother him. He actually liked the video. I love Royals attention to my sons needs. We were supposed to go this year but right now have moved it to next year. 

I agree it all depends on the child. Connecting rooms to me are like one big one as long as the door is open between. This year we would of had two connecting balconies with DH and I in one and the kids (12 & 9) in the other. Next year the cruise we have booked, we are back to one room as the price is much more for connecting balconies then being in 1 so we opted for one with a Pullman. I won’t put my kids in another room unless it was connecting. 

My April Oasis Cruise is still showing $71 for the Deluxe package. $30 for refreshment package and $27.99 for the key. Still holding out for better prices. 

9 hours ago, blue_water said:

Lindquist is arguably the nicest beach on STT, and I believe the cruise line excursions include lounges and drinks. However it is a short day and more popular with folks also looking for shopping or exploring Charlotte Amalie. So for a nice beach day you could grab a lunch and drinks and just taxi there with no lounges. But not a very adventurous day for DH and the kids...

 

For a water activity I think your first two choices are both very good and although we have not taken either I have read great reviews for both. Friends and other folks we’ve met on this forum consider the STJ Champagne Cat excursion one of their favorite excursions, especially for families. This daysail is an extremely popular excursion and I often see it is sold out.

They say the cat is very nice with great reviews for the crew (at least pre-COVID-19). You sail to Caneel Bay and moor off the cays near Honeymoon Beach for the snorkeling. You can choose to snorkel in the deeper water there, or the crew will take you by dinghy in to the beach to relax there or snorkel closer to the shoreline. Depending on when you go and the sea conditions then, the current can be very swift, and when we were on a sailboat in the same place Honeymoon Beach was almost entirely covered in water. But this is when we were staying on STT in January, and there were very high swells that particular month. Normally it is a great spot for off-the-boat snorkeling, and Honeymoon Beach is a lovely, less crowded beach.

I’m sure others who have taken the other excursion can give you their feedback. For St Kitts  we would choose a cat sail there but you do want to plan different activities and STT is another great daysail port. Does the cruise you are considering include to Maarten or Tortola? I ask only because there are amazing cat sail excursions from Tortola to “Treasure Island” (Norman Island) and other snorkel spots with tales of the pirate history that kids would enjoy. And the Golden Eagle daysail on SXM is one of our favorites.

 

Your time in port may allow for other more adventurous excursions, even including a powerboat excursion to the BVI! So if a 10 hr or longer port time be sure to check back - enjoy your research!

Thank you, lots to research and plenty of time to do it 😁 I’m even considering private excursions as well as I read more of these boards. With my son, I am always concerned of large group, not that he doesn’t do well, sometimes people are more in a hurry when there are more people and my guy can be slower to adjust like getting off the boat to snorkel. Our time in St Thomas is 7-4. So if I book privately probably a half day tour would be good. Shopping not too important, may just grab a couple tshirts for the kids, my daughter loves del sol. 
just St Kitts and St Thomas and then CocoCay for this cruise. We’ve been to St. Maarten a couple times and my DH loves Maho Beach since he is a pilot and flown into that airport before. 

I know it’s a long time away and things can definitely change but has anyone had any experience with any of these specific excursions? These are the three that caught my eye in the cruise planner. We are a family of 4 and the kids will be 10  & 13. The 10 year old has high functioning autism but is very adventurous. I am considering a dune buggy tour in St. Kitts so a water excursion would be cool. We have been St Thomas before and did the Island tour and been to Emerald Beach 2X. DH does not like just sitting at a beach so need some activity. We will be on Oasis in April 2021. 
 

Caribbean Sail To Christmas & Honeymoon Coves

St. John Half Day Champagne Cat Sail Beach & Snorkel
 

Secret Sands Beach Exclusive And Skyline Drive

I voted no, I will wait. That’s not my idea of a vacation. Sitting on the pool deck with a mask in the hot sun. No thank you. And plus my autistic son will wear one when required but he constantly touches his face and fidgets with it. That’s the sensory part of it. 

27 minutes ago, ONECRUISER said:

All the Security didnt change on 9/12. Was on Cruise week of 9/11 with my kids. In Orlando in Oct2001 when Anthrax scare hit there and got off Cruise in Dec2001, flying home day of Shoe Bomber. Until that day in Dec didnt take my shoes off and could still take liquids through Security onthat day. Shoot flew to Florida and Boarded a Cruise in Feb2002 with BC and Marriage Licence, as my Ex forgot her Wallet/ID(had my ID). Point is most stuff was added LATER!   ....After Royals announcement other day I said WJ still be there. At most might have have plate filled at the stations by Servers, at most Waiters at Tables. Which those are how you ate in WJ when I first started Cruising on Royal. They even had Waiter at Dinner, Menus and Table Cloths then. Though also still see that Freestyle Coke Machines used by passengers to stop. Crew will have fill one use cup, and/or go back to getting Bar Fountain Coke only 

I see freestyle coke machines not being self service . I would hate for them to go away completely- I loved the never ending choices. Only time will tell. 

My April 4, 2021 cruise still sits at $71 pp for the beverage package. I read somewhere it’s for sailing March 31,2021 and before. Too bad, I was willing to buy if the price was right but $71 is still too expensive. 

I am thinking of booking a dune buggy tour in St Kitts for my family of 4. We will be there in April 2021. Has anyone had any experience with the private operators and can recommend a tour? 

2 hours ago, MCManders99 said:

My April 2021 Cruise on Oasis is showing 20% off at $71 per day. Not purchasing yet, hopefully it drops more. 

I forgot to add mine a couple days ago was sitting at $89 per day for regular price. 

My April 2021 Cruise on Oasis is showing 20% off at $71 per day. Not purchasing yet, hopefully it drops more. 

54 minutes ago, WatchHill said:

The Hyatt House Dania is not within walking distance of the port. Best option is inquire at the desk upon check-in and they will let you know the options - shuttle, uber, taxi, etc. 

 

We stayed at Hyatt Place and from the parking lot I could see the street with multiple restaurants - maybe 5-10 minute walk at the most. Also some major shopping venues.  We've always found Hyatt to be very good at making dining suggestions.

 

Like you, we found there was a significant price difference between the 17th st Hyatt and Dania. The do have an airport shuttle

 

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/florida/hyatt-place-ft-lauderdale-airport-cruise-port/fllzd/maps-parking-transportation

 

Darcy

Yeah I knew it wasn’t walking distance to port, we would use the shuttle or get a taxi, more curious on the restaurants as we won’t have a car to drive around. Last time at 17th we walked to outback. 

I booked the Hyatt House in Dania for my cruise next year. So can you walk from the hotel to any restaurants? Do you know roughly how far it is from the port? We always stayed at the Hyatt on 17th but the price difference is too much for 1 night pre cruise. I’m going to keep checking 17th but I reserved Dania in case prices increase. I’m a Hyatt member so I prefer Hyatt over other hotels. 

There's a chance it goes down, but there is no rhyme or reason (unless its not selling well).  Booking further out may allow for a drop.  I booked 2 connecting balconies on my 2020 sailing and the price dropped about $100 per cabin.  I booked a tad higher than i wanted to for this spring break cruise and hoping for a couple more drops but I just adjusted my budget for the higher  price and if it drops within my original budget, I'll have extra spending money or leave it there to start the saving for my next one.