Giantfan13

We will be arriving in St Lucia from the RCCL Anthem in about 10 days. We have been here before and did an island tour, so we really don't want to repeat the same experience. Unfortunately, I do not do beaches as I have had several cases of skin cancer and prefer to be out of the sun more often than not. From where the ship docks, are there enough things to do in that area to keep one occupied for some of the day? We are seniors but we get around, so we don't mind walking a bit. We were looking at a sort of Tour to Pigeon Island. Is this more of a beach day or are there other things to do there? Are there people at the dock like Txi's who do tours, or vans if we so desire to do something like this? Any info would be most helpful. Happy Holidays Cheers Len

I see so many topics about the beaches, but we are arriving via cruise ship in a couple of weeks and I was wondering what is there to do that does not include beaches. I have had several cases of skin cancer and I try to avoid the sun most of the time so we really don't beach. Is there enough to do where the ship docks to keep one busy for some of the day? Do e need to do a sort of tour to see many of the things on the island? If so, are there usually taxis/vans available at the dock, that are looking to do island tours and about at what cost? Finally, my DW usually manages to get car sick if she is subjected to winding mountain roads, like we have been on in several other Caribbean Islands. Would this be one of those?? We leave in 8 days so any help would be most appreciated. Happy Holidays Cheers Len

We are also on this sailing and thanks for the heads up about the reservations. I just made one for us. Cheers Len

Thanks, good to know. Cheers Len

We are on the Anthem, for the first time in January. Are you required to make reservations for any shows beforehand? Cheers Len

We disembarked the Voyager in Sept and needed a ride to the South Amtrak terminal. We had loads of luggage so there was no schlepping for us. We didn't know the routine, so we got a porter to take our luggage out of the terminal and once he told us where we had to go for the uber, we just took a standing taxi that were right there. I assume it was off the books as he gave us a fixed charge $20 with no meter running. We were happy with that, and he dropped us off right at the entrance to the Amtrak terminal. As we drove by the spot where the people were waiting for their Ubers, there had to be well over 100 people waiting there. Cheer Len

Maybe a silly question, so please excuse me on this. We just became Diamond on our last cruise so our Jan cruise we will get the benefits. I understand the 4 drinks per day, but I am puzzled by the 'voucher' expression. Are the 4 drinks per day loaded on our sea pass card and all we do is give the card when we want to get a drink, or do we physically have vouchers that we have to hand in when getting a drink? Also, we are really not big drinkers. In fact, we are more like 'tiny' drinkers, maybe getting one or two a day, at the most. So, what are our other options. We do not buy the soft drink package, but my DW can get a coke or something like that with a voucher? What else can we get instead of an alcoholic drink--coffee? Again, thanks for all the help with this. Cheers Len

WE also were on the Voyager, in Sept, for 21 days and had a 6:45 reservation for each night. As I said in another thread, we usually showed up about 6:30 to try and get seated a bit earlier, and most nights we were able to. We also wanted to sit in a particular section to take advantage of a terrific wait staff there and again, most nights it was no problem. We also watched the line for no reservations, and really, there wasn't much of a wait there either, except on dress up nights, when more people tend to eat there. The only thing I cannot say for sure is if the people with no reservations, sat wherever they could or were able to sit in the same section every night. If you don't care about something like that, then forego the reservation and just head on down when you are ready. Just my opinion, but times between 6:45 and 7:15 are usually the busiest, and also, it would depend on how full the ship is. On our cruise, they closed the upstairs dining room as there weren't enough diners to use it. Cheers Len

My DW and I both became Diamond and are scheduled for a Jan cruise on the Anthem. I know about the drink vouchers, and I know, as Diamond, we get a free day of internet, but is that one day for each of us, or per cabin? Cheers Len

Unless you have miles to use, or are part of any particular loyalty program, or have a real like or dislike for any particular airlines, I would go with whichever is the cheapest unless cost is of no object to you. With certain airline's loyalty programs, you get free checked bags, maybe a free meal, but, for me, we look for the best deal that fits into our schedule. Cheers Len

We are on the Anthem in January, for the first time. Do you need to make reservations for any of the shows? Cheers Len

To limit 1000 people per day would basically eliminate just about every cruise ship. Bar Harbor is a great port, and it is only alive because of tourism. If they don't want more tourists, then let them survive off the others. After Labor Day, except for weekends, the place is dead, so let them enjoy the 'off season' with our money. Cheers Len

We were on the Voyager on a TA in September and also had a MTD for 6:45. We used to show up at 6:30 and if something was available, we were seated then. Most days, as long as we were flexible and not wanting to sit in a specific section, we were able to be seated as soon as we arrived. I would assume that this would be the case on most ships, if there is space why not seat the party, even if they had a later reservation. We are on the Enchantment for a TA in April, and I signed up for MTD, the earliest they had was 7:00, which is a bit late for us, so we will try that same procedure again. Would anyone know when the early seating is for the Enchantment, and would a TA, which has many sea days, affect the time of the seating? Cheers Len

First of all, we aren't 'beach' folks. I grew up on the beach and have developed multiple cases of melanoma, so I try to avoid the sun at all costs. Last year, on a cruise, we stopped at Coco Cay and like you, thought we wouldn't get off the ship. But we wanted to see this new adventure, we went, and decided to take the tram to one of the more remote spots, and just find a palm tree and sit in the shade, So we found out NO palm trees to sit under, but there were lounges, all with umbrellas and that is what we chose. We did wander about the shoreline, and we ended up walking back, sort of exploring the rest of the island. Many spots were crowded, and we prefer a more seclude spot, and whichever you prefer, it is there. My DW and I both agreed it was a nice day, even if we didn't partake in anything that was offered. Cheers Len

We also just turned Diamond and will be sailing on the Anthem in January. Besides drinks, what other benefits will be gain by becoming Diamond? Is there free laundry? Free Internet? Free pix from photo shop? Free money to gamble with? I looked at some chart, but none of these were motioned. What are some of the minor benefits of becoming Diamond? Cheers Len

We just got off the Voyager about a month ago, and we also had MTD reserved for 6:30 First, it is very easy to get a table for two. In fact, most of the tables now are for 2. We asked to share several times and the answer usually is, NO, most people would rather play safe and eat at tables for 2, so there is no worry on your part. Second, we found 6:30 to be the start time for MTD and was usually crowded at that particular time. We opted to arrive closer to 6:45 and most days, if there was any wait, just because we wanted to sit in a certain section with a waiter, we were very comfortable with, we never waited more than 10 minutes and that was not that often. Cheers Len

Ok just got back from an Artic Crossing, stopping in this particular port. We were also suppose to stop in Nuuk but it was cancelled, another port supposed to replace that, but it also never happened. So, just OUR experience in Qaqortoq. We were on the RCCL Voyager and tendering was very easy. That was the good part. We did not book any excursions as there were only a couple and very expensive, so just decided to go off, do our own thing, as we do in many ports. To be honest, we found this port about as boring as any port we have ever been to. Maybe I was a bit naive, but I expected a cute little village with nice people and what we found, was a basically a run down town with whatever was open, extremely expensive. The best thing here was the local grocery store. And we didn't find the Greenlanders that friendly. Sorry. We encountered some guys cutting up what we were told was a whale and they basically wouldn't even look at us. We wandered around and saw more junk laying around. Sorry, for us, it was just not a nice cruise destination. We wandered around for maybe 2 hours, saw whatever there was to see and couldn't wait to get back to the ship. Sorry for being so 'cruel' but again, this was nothing as to what we expected. But there were no bugs--Hooray. Cheers Len

We were just on an Artic crossing, via Iceland and Greenland and we were able to view the Northen Lights on 4 separate nights. As was said, you need a basically clear night and to our advantage, we were on the RCCL Voyager, which allowed people to go as far forward as possible, up onto the heliport where it is almost completely without most glaring lights. We were easily able to view the Milky Way. Mars and, as I said, the Northern Lights. We did the majority of our viewing from about 11:30-about 1 AM when the sky had become completely black. We did a B2B and we were on the ship for 21 days, but many nights were foggy, cloudy and a couple it was so windy, it was impossible to stay out in that area, but again, we did have the persistence to try when we could, and we were rewarded for that effort. Some nights were much better than others, but we did manage 4 views of the Northern Lights. Cheers Len

Why not, the info we get here is really priceless to us travelers who need that info. About 10 years ago, we did a Baltic cruise and the info we got on CC for each port was truly invaluable. One gentleman went out and took pics of the area we were inquiring about, just so we wouldn't get lost. I literally spent the next couple of years coming here trying to also help as many people as I could, answering their questions and trying to give good advice. We will be in London next year, so beware, we may need your advice. ☺️ ☺️ 😉 Cheers Len

We ended up on the Voyager last month for their Artic Crossing, via several Lift and Shifts from previous cruises, so we cannot say how fast they sell out. What I can say is that this particular cruise was loaded with Pinnacles and Diamond Plus passengers and was said to be 'special' whatever that means. Unlike my fellow cruiser was also on this ship, we were out most nights when it was clear enough to see something and we had the good fortune of seeing the Northern Lights on 4 separate occasions. This as our 5th TA and we have 2 more booked for 2023. Love those sea days Cheers Len

We are back from our Artic cruise, and I just had to come one and say thanks to all who answered my questions, some silly, some meaningful, and gave me some really great advice. Some of the questions we asked were silly and some meaningful to us, but when asked and answered, it helped us enjoy our time in several of the ports. A big shout out to all who give out such great advice to us travelers in need. Cheers Len

We are scheduled to arrive in this port on Sat Sept 3rd. Doing a long-range weather forecast, it did indict that there was a very good chance of that day being a bit wet. We were going to book a walking tour, but if the weather is wet, e would rather not. Any good indoor sites or activities for a possible wet day in Aarhus? If the weather cooperates, we can always book it at the last minute. Cheers Len

We are far from being able to just go and do what we want money wise, but sometimes you have to do what is best for you. We are older seniors, and we have two large suitcases and a couple of smaller carry ons and just the thought of hauling them around is daunting. So, that said, we pre booked a taxi, probably at a higher rate, but they will meet us at the arrivals and help with some of the shlepping. For us, it was more worthwhile than the lesser cost of finding a taxi and getting all our stuff out to it. Cheers Len

WE are doing a TA and we will be in Iceland Sept 9-11 and Greenland a day or two after that. . Cheers Len

Thank you all so much for the great suggestions. Some appeal to us, while we would probably pass on others, but I'm sure we will find something so we can go home and say we ate something special in each port. Cheers Len