Scott2.0

One more question! Getting excited as our trip is less than 50 days away! Can you tell me the location of the bed in this cabin? Near the bathroom or near the balcony? Did it face forward or aft? Just need to put a vision to my daydreams, ha. Thank you!

I don't remember which way it faced, but it was closer to the balcony. Enjoy, I'm jealous!

I know this is totally off topic but I saw you had a thread a couple years back where you were staying in Cabin 1077 on Silhouette. We have that cabin booked for our April sailing. How was the cabin? Did you have any issues with view or darkness as you feared? Thank you!

It was great! Perfect location and there was no darkness to speak of. You'll love it!

No worries at all! I hope the surgery went well. Again, I completely agree that there are much bigger fish to fry. Having really looked forward to that day in port it was a disappointment but surely not the end of the world. We ended up having a great, albeit short, evening in OSJ.

I've been on a number of cruises where I completely missed a port. Still had a great day since I was on a beautiful ship.

I'm thankful that we're at least going to stop and be able to get off. SJ is the main reason we chose this itinerary. The ship is beautiful, but cabin fever is beginning to set in.

I realize this is hardly a serious problem compared to other challenges people may have. I didn't mean to suggest that this was the worst thing one could go through.

We're now getting in at 6pm so sorry, 2.5 hours late. Apparently it is due to weather getting out of Miami that we must have tried to go around. I was excited for a later arrival and departure (3:30-10p), so we could shop, have dinner and a few drinks in town. I wish they would try to make it right by giving us a few hours back on the back end.

We're arriving three hours late into SJ and our day is ruined. Why wouldn't they give us the time back by departing later? Our next port call is nearby. Not happy with this. Basically it is what it is and tough if you don't like it. I was really looking forward to having the whole afternoon in OSJ. Just venting more than anything I suppose.

I debated this too- in the end I decided to pre-book because I wanted an earlier time slot, and knew I'd use the OBC on other stuff too....

 

But I was always under the impression that they only pre-book a certain percentage of the tour, and then save some for booking onboard. I experienced this last year when the tour I wanted was sold out online- I went to the Shore Excursion desk right away when I boarded and was able to reserve it there. I don't know if that's standard procedure, but that's what I've heard, as well as what my experience was.

 

The utube videos of this zipline look really cool- we are scheduled to do it at the end of the month.

Thanks! With free gratuities, drinks and a lot of OBC, I just don't know if we'd use it all without a shore excursion taking up some. I really want to do this one but think I'll wait and hope that I can book onboard.

If you leave right away for Marigot via taxi and don't have an extended lunch then I think that you will have the time to get to Maho before two and stay for an hour - an hour and a half and taxi back to the ship in time. The good news is that taxis are readily available at the port, Marigot and Maho.

 

St. Maarten won the faviorite eastern caribbean port by cc members in September of this year. I just read that earlier today and the diversity of a day such as you mentioned helped it do just that I think. :)

Great plan, thanks! I think we may enjoy doing just that.

We did a tour with Bernard's Tours in St Maarten and enjoyed the tour. I don't know what you mean by too touristy, but the island lives from tourism.

 

On the tour that we did there were 7 passengers and the driver/guide in a modern mini bus. We liked watching the planes land at Maho beach and we had plenty of time in the market. However, it isn't one of our favourite Caribbean islands, it is a bit brash.

Thanks for the insight! I just meant that being in a tour van with strangers being carted around from sight to sight doesn't sound ideal on paper. I realize it may actually be a great way to see the island though.

Hi there, we'll have a Tuesday on the island from 9:30a-6pm. Last time I was there, we missed Marigot so I'd really like to spend some time there at the market, the shops and then for lunch. Following that, a couple drinks on Maho and hopefully a plane sighting sounds fun.

As wonderful as Bernard's Tours sounds, the thought of being on a tour van sounds like it may be a bit more touristy than I'd like (or maybe I'm completely wrong!). Should we give the tour a try, simply take taxis around the island or perhaps a different tour company?

Thanks in advance!

Joyce sounds like an excellent option. Would you be willing to share what the cost is?

Anyone? Concerned about this booking up versus being able to use OBC. Thanks!

That is really good to hear. What kind of music did the bands play? Any Latin music? Also, what is there for late night food options? Thank you again!

Good question about the bands, I honestly can't remember. I believe there was some Latin music and maybe even salsa dancing. I remember pop music playing out by the pools during the day. I think the Caribbean cruises tend to be geared toward a bit younger crowd which I enjoyed.

Late night food was a let down. In fact, I just started a thread on that topic. Great minds think alike! Here you go: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2415414

I'm your age and like to do the same stuff. I really liked Celebrity, but the ship I was on died out around 1am. The bars were a lot of fun up until that point though. Given that, the food, service at atmosphere were plenty to compensate for it getting a little sleepy early on. I loved my Celebrity cruise and just booked another.

Great ideas all, thanks! Does the buffet have a limited selection out late at night? That seems like an easy way for the cruise line to address the needs of those looking for a little snack without having people forage beforehand. What time does it close?

After a night of fun, it can be nice to indulge in some greasy food that we normally don't eat regularly. My 3am Taco Bell runs are long gone! On NCL, I'd enjoy some mozzarella sticks or buffalo wings on occasion at their sports pub as a late night snack.

I don't remember anything like this from my last Celebrity cruise. This time, we'll have the premium bev package and may imbibe a bit more. What options are available for late-night eats?

I really want to do the zip line in St. Kitts and have lots of OBC to use up. Ideally, I'd like to book once onboard to use the credit to pay for it but I'm afraid of it booking up. Does this tend to be fully booked prior to sailing? It appears that we are the only ship in port that day. Should I book it now and pay out of pocket or should I be OK to wait until onboard to use my OBC?

Thanks!

More good info, thank you! Brain Freezee looks awesome on Yelp! I guess it would help to mention that we'll be there on a Monday. Being a tourist town, I was hoping that wouldn't damper the liveliness too much.

Yes. I recommend La Cueva Del Mar, Brain freezee, La mala vida. For drink you can't miss Los 3 Cuernos where you can find the "chichaito" shot in 20 or more flavors.

 

 

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Thank you! If you say Los 3 Cuernos is a can't miss, we'll be there! Are any or all of the restaurants you recommended traditional PR cuisine? Looking for pernil, mofongo, pastelillos, etc.

If we hit the town around 4pm, slowly walk around, shop, get dinner and then bar hop for a bit, do you think we'll have plenty to do over a period of 5-6 hours? I'm trying to avoid a planned, touristy excursion and just want to see as much of the city as possible while on foot.

Hi there! We'll have a good bit of time in port and I was thinking we'd play it by ear, do some shopping, have a nice dinner and then hit a couple spots for drinks.

Is this all doable in Old San Juan on foot? Any recommendations? I'm really going in fairly blind but since we have the whole evening there, I want to make the most of it.

Thanks in advance for any tips, insight and recommendations! :)

John&lala, my point was it is semantics. Maybe he used the wrong phrasing. He really only wanted to know about a new to him ship. I know I don't always choose the right words in a text either and then I go back and read it and say "what the heck did I mean by that"! But, I am old so I forgive myself and move on. I am not arguing with anyone, just trying to help out a new to Royal cruiser because we love to cruise so much and I hope everyone else will enjoy it too. It is hard to set a tone in a text message but I am really easy going and enjoy everyone. Maybe we will sail together some day.

Thank you! I'll never understand why some people get so bent out of shape over a well-intentioned question. Oh well, cheers!

But to ask if the original version of a ship that is currently in production is still modern? He would have been better to ask is she worn out. Big difference.

 

Plus I politely asked if he could clarify what he means by modern, and he can't. Glad to see he is going to Epic. That's a but ugly ship according to many around here.

Yay, you're still here! I think you're being a bit too sensitive if you're justifying rudeness based on my initial question as to whether or not the ship still (after 8 years and millions of people, mind you) feels modern. I stand by that as being a valid inquiry. Furthermore, I have no need to further elaborate for you. Just because I won't indulge you, doesn't mean I am unable to. I know exactly what I was asking and so did those that responded with something of substance.

I sailed Epic previously and while I agree that the exterior of the ship is unattractive, it was a nice ship and we had a great cruise. It's looking like Oasis or Reflection this time around. Perhaps, I'll see you soon! :D

Your questions:

 

1) What was the purpose of that and what point were you trying to make by doing so?

 

Answer: Asking the same question twice in one question gets bonus points - the point was that someone else posted about you having made similar requests in other threads...and some deep digging (about 10 seconds worth required) illustrated they were correct. The point was to substantiate the other poster's comment - easy mission accomplished.

 

Haha, you got me there! My questions were repetitive. I'm still not sure what relevance it had that I posted another question on a different board. That thread wasn't similar at all. I was asking for insight comparing two particular sailings on different lines. Here, I was seeking information on a particular ship. I don't believe that is against the rules, so I still don't see what you tried to prove by highlighting it, other than adding to the snark.

 

2) I didn't intend to make it something that it's not. Still, as consumers we have choices. Just trying to make an educated one.

 

Answer: It's fair to assume that no one holds a monopoly on seeking information nor making choices. Success is based on the level of effort made, the attitude in requesting help, and the demeanor in communicating.

 

I have the information I need so I guess this was a success. My demeanor was respectful from the get-go, but I won't respond to rudeness (calling my question absurd, tired jokes that add no value, a failed attempt to show that I posted duplicate threads) with pleasantries. I suppose I shouldn't have stooped to that level.

See above.

Can you expand on what you meant by a 'modern ship'

 

I think that may have been the source of the raw nerve reactions you think you received.

LOL, didn't you leave the conversation three or four different times now? Maybe one more irrelevant dog pic, for old time's sake. :D

I have all the information I need. Thanks to everyone who responded with an on-topic response; it's been helpful! And those that didn't, thanks for the entertainment!

If you're wondering why your posts and thread have been met with some of the negative responses from others (including some of the most seasoned, knowledgeable, and helpful people anyplace on the internet)...you may want to read your own highlighted sentence above.

 

As someone who also made 2 attempts to provide you with legitimate information towards your original post/questions...good luck trying to find anyone else willing to help you with your "dilemma". :rolleyes:

The sentence that you highlighted was in reference to you digging up another thread of mine. What was the purpose of that and what point were you trying to make by doing so? Are posters prohibited from starting more than one thread?

I realize my "dilemma" is hardly that in the grand scheme of things. We're all fortunate to be bickering about vacations. I didn't intend to make it something that it's not. Still, as consumers we have choices. Just trying to make an educated one.