MCManders99

We rented and had no trouble with leaving the bike etc. but it was in 2009 so many things could of changed. We are returning to st Martin this April but we have kids now so no renting a bike for us. We are just taking a taxi to Maho.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Another momma here- I understand the guilt. Haven't been on a cruise since 2009 , did not take 1 year old at that time. But I wanted to celebrate my 40th on a cruise( because of prices too months early) but decided to take kids since we hardly ever go on vacation and I always have that you never know what can happen. I've lost some friends at a young age and now their spouses are single parents. But to make the experience even more enjoyable- we invited my parents who are very excited to take a cruise with the grandkids. My dad has had medical issues in the past and hopefully this won't be the only cruise they enjoy together but life is short. Do what makes you happy and satisfied.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I'm going on Allure in April- no price drops for my cruise- actually no balconies available for 4 people anymore.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I originally booked with discount deposit. I ended up changing dates/ships and didn't have to pay more. Then I noticed a price drop and when I called the rep said I had to pay the additional deposit to get the full deposit in order to take advantage of the new price. Not a big deal to me. I just paid it.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

On the ocean side of the island (not in the Lagoon), you can snorkel around the rocks. We saw some people snorkeling there the last time we were there.

 

 

 

The snorkeling beach:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have more pics of the island in general. Leaning towards blue lagoon.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Curious as well. I'm between pearl island and blue lagoon as those two are offered by the cruise line. We are in Nassau a short time so sticking with ship excursions that port.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I saw this as well and was wondering for April Allure Cruise. Originally was looking at Blue Lagoon- now this looks good as well and includes lunch.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Are the Itineraries identical, same stops, same times at those ports. Sometimes that can be a determining factor if one line stops longer at a desired port. DH and I are high 30's but love Princess. Yes its not as lively as Royal, but its still a great time. I don't think you could go wrong either way. We are doing allure next year because the kids are going and for us, its the biggest factor since we want to make sure if they don't like the kids club, there is stuff to do elsewhere.

Good Luck in your search.

This post is answering a lot of our questions. We too will be traveling with grandkids...four in all ages will be 8,6,6, and4. We will be on the Allure in April during school vacation week. Our concern is that our four and a half year old will want to be with the older ones. Sounds like staff may have some flexibility. She is tall for her age. Hope it all works out:)

What sailing in April are you going on the allure? We are going April 9.

And it works the other way too, which is nice. The AO staff had no problem letting my son participate in the 3-5 yr group at 6 yrs old, since he is on the autism spectrum and developmentally has much more in common with 4-5 yr olds than 6-8 yr olds. We were very happy they were so flexible.

This is great to hear, as this reason has been my concern. My now 5 yr old is on the spectrum and my now 8 year old has an intellectual disability. They will be 6 & 9 at sailing. Both are small for their ages, most kindergarten kids are the same age as my 8year old and most 3 year olds are the size of my 5year old. I was told since both have disabilities I can request them to be aged down once onboard. I know my kids get lost a lot with kids their own age unless they are same age special needs as well. If in the general population they need adult support to keep up with their peers. But I understand AO is great so looking forward to it.

Lived in Orlando 6 years , wouldn't chance It.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree - I lived there for 8 years and would not chance it. Getting to the airport might be ok, but sometimes the lines at the airport are crazy busy, especially if its a weekend.

This sounds like a great excursion. Trying to figure out what to do in Nassau for our April spring break cruise. It was either do a ship excursion, walk around port and maybe to Junkanoo or just stay on ship .

We are on the Allure sailing in April - Spring Break week - and are in Nassau 7am-2pm and I do not know what to do. I am traveling with Hubby and my kids age 6 & 9 at sailing. Thinking of leisurely getting off the ship and shopping near port maybe walking to Junkanoo. Spend an hour then then spend the rest of the day on the ship. If we do a tour - I'm unsure if we should book through the ship.

Our next cruise is eastern because for one St Martin is a must for my husband but also the ports have some nice excursions that can include my two special needs kids 6&9 at time of sailing. Or ones that I know would keep their interest for more than 30 minutes.

Thanks for all the experienced input. What a great community of cruisers.:D

 

We are now thinking of either Feb 18th or the Mar 4th Freedom cruise. Was looking at Navigator 9 night Southern also. So many decisions just to relax. ;)

 

Partial to the Mar 4th cruise. It's the least expensive cruise week and according to Theme Cruise Finder, the 2017 DECADES OF ROCK & ROLL[emoji768] CRUISE. We're assuming the college crowd doesn't want a cruise filled with oldies singing oldies.

 

Can you tell I have a difficult time making decisions? :)

While in college I would of loved the decades of rock cruise and that was late 90's. I always disliked the modern pop music and stuck listening to classic rock and oldies, with the exception of a couple 80's rock bands I was always an old sole in a young body.

I live in an outlying county in Richmond VA, and ours is the week before Easter as well April 8-16. I have Allure booked for that week so far.

When looking at the cruise personalizer, does it state save 20% off or do you have to go into the package and see a reduced price. It's not offered for my sailing as of now but just wondering what to keep an eye on.

We did this excursion back in 2009. They gave a map and some advice on navigating the island. It was our favorite excursion since we had the freedom to go where and stop we wanted to. DH is an experienced rider so we had no issues. They called a taxi when we were done. We toured the entire island and stopped for a couple hours at Maho.

Price is a big factor and school schedules play into it for us. Having 2 special needs kids , even though they are young, we do not want them to miss school for vacation. So we vacation less since we have to save more money to go during summer/spring break

The tips are used to fix the robots when they break down. [emoji23] sorry I'm in a silly mood today and had to comment

I priced an eastern on fantasy in July and it was over 9,000 for a balcony for 2a2c. I cannot pay that kind of money. Granted royal ain't much cheaper for similar dates, but there prices do drop where I never see dcl drop significantly unless you are booking last minute and in non peak season.

I agree the prices are a bit much. I currently have Easter Week in a JS for 4 us and total was around $6K ( I booked last June) and I need to switch due to our schools switched spring break to the week before Easter. I was going to switch but now a JS for the 4 of us is just under $11K. There is no way I am going to pay that much. I was expecting maybe $2K more at that but not 5K more. Just waiting before I switch or I will cancel altogether and do something else for my 40th bday.

I did the same thing last June and April booking two different cruises not knowing the school schedule. I booked the Navigator 4/14/17 and Harmony 4/8/17. I did this because as of late I realized if Passover is the week right before Easter they end up choosing the Passover week. Recently found out the new 2016-2017 school schedule and I was right.....4/8/17, so I am thrilled as I prefer Harmony over the Navigator even though it is 2 less days and more money.:rolleyes:

 

We normally cruise in the summer time and I just knew that the Harmony prices will be very steep. Now I am waiting for the Anthem Summer 2017 schedule. I'm happy knowing that I have Harmony booked as my back up in April in case the Anthem prices for the summer are very high which I am fully expecting. Fun part is playing "musical" cruises.:D

I do wish I would of booked 4/8 along with the 4/15 one. Now I have learned my lesson. I haven't cancelled 04.15 yet, hoping to transfer it eventually.

Same scenario. We have connecting balcony rooms on Harmony for April during spring break and was looking to move it to the summer timeframe, end of August. The same rooms are close to $2K more.

 

 

 

Pricing is just insane, so for now we are leaving April and will monitor summer pricing and see what happens.

Yes, I booked Easter week last June before our schools released the calendar, and to my luck they moved spring break to the week before Easter instead of after for 2017. Now I have to switch, if prices don't drop I will eventually cancel altogether. It's supposed to be for my 40th birthday but I will make other plans if need be.

Here's hoping once some of the other lines release their prices, maybe royal will price drop some in a comparable nature. Or the other lines will follow and sky rocket prices. I need to switch my April harmony cruise to June but I am not doubling my price for a lesser cabin.