SRV FAN

February 23, 2019

On ‎2‎/‎18‎/‎2019 at 2:02 PM, Nanarrow said:

The walk to the pick up area is a good walk- made longer because the pier is long.

I am partially paralyzed and can make this walk. Cut through the Bakery, go to the right, and you will end up outside the port. There is a sidewalk in the center of the street- use it. It is only a few blocks.

The pick up is on the right.

Don’t complicate it. The walk is worth it.

Where is the Bakery?

February 23, 2019

13 hours ago, Soundview77 said:

............visited Maya Chan in early February. I was part of a group of 4. I'm an early riser, the other 3 aren't. Since I was up early, I decided to do some recon and walk to the spot outside of the port where you meet up with the Maya Chan representative to check in and get transportation.

Starting from Deck 9 (Indy) used the stairs to Deck 1, exited the ship, took the long way out of the port, and located the rep sitting outside a little shop opposite the taxi stand flying the Mexican flag just like they said. This walk took almost 30 minutes and I was walking with purpose. The walk time should have been less but I was constantly dodging moving roadblocks made up of other cruisers walking slower than me. (I didn't see the pier shuttle/tram that I've seen during prior visits to this port, not sure what's up with that).

I checked in with the rep letting her know that my group of 4 was getting a late start and would hopefully be back to meet her at 10:30am. She said she might still be there but if she wasn't, we should go to the nearby taxi stand and take one to Maya Chan. She also said I should bring my reservation paperwork to show the taxi driver that we had a paid reservation as the taxis will hesitate to take you there without you being able to prove you have a reservation.

My group left the ship at 10:10am, located and took the excursion exit shortcut (mentioned in an earlier post, saved a lot of unnecessary walking within the port) without being challenged and went to the Maya Chan meeting spot. The rep was gone, so was the Mexican flag, but I knew what to do. Went to the taxi stand, had to show proof of the reservation and the 4 of us taxied to Maya Chan. Upon arrival, Maya Chan paid for the taxi. The have a fixed rate they worked out with the taxis, but they don't tip the drivers, so we tipped him ourselves.

........just sharing my experience with the walk, exiting the port and getting the transportation without the rep.

On the return trip, the taxi will drive onto port property and drop you off within the port. For us, this was a multi passenger taxi van, I think there were 12 of us on that trip back to port. Maya Chan paid (and we tipped the driver).

Thanks for sharing your recent insight!

Now...can you further expound on ….. "located and took the excursion exit shortcut (mentioned in an earlier post, saved a lot of unnecessary walking within the port)"...… ?

Maya Chan's map says to walk all the way around the outside/backside of the port area as to avoid all the shops...is that what you're referring to? Or is there a true "shortcut" outta there?

THANKS!!

February 22, 2019

So I am seeing a trend over on facebook.... apparently hiding little rubber duckies onboard & when people find them, they are instructed to post pics of their ducky “find” to a particular facebook page is a “thing” now.

Looks like fun, but wondering how the cruiseline feels about all these tiny little guys being hidden all around the ship....

Anyone hear anything negative yet... I sure don’t want to get in trouble if I participate in the fun!

February 18, 2019

1 hour ago, Nanarrow said:

The walk to the pick up area is a good walk- made longer because the pier is long.

I am partially paralyzed and can make this walk. Cut through the Bakery, go to the right, and you will end up outside the port. There is a sidewalk in the center of the street- use it. It is only a few blocks.

The pick up is on the right.

Don’t complicate it. The walk is worth it.

Great thanks! The map Mike sent us says to walk all the way around the outside of the port area..... because the port people are blocking off all the "cut-throughs" trying to keep you in port.

THANKS!

February 18, 2019

35 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

It IS a long walk from the ship to the taxis.

The instructions supposedly have suggested meeting times for the different ships but i dont think it is set in stone. After you leave the port area ( which is a long walk in itself) continue walking down the road with a central pedestrian walk way. There will be a small shop (pharmacy) on RHS and a representative with a sign for Maya Chan. They will organize groups for a taxi to Maya Chan.

i think how long they are there will depend on what other ships are in port and their hours. They were will have your name on a list so I am sure they will wAit a reasonable time no need to rush. You could always email Mark to ask about your particular date. You also have a telephone contact number. If by chance they have packed up you can take a regular taxi and Maya chan will pay fare on

it sounds complicated but getting out of the port is the most difficult part the first time there.

Thanks! We have been to this port a few times & even went out & grabbed a taxi to a closer beach area. But that was long before they made the cruise port area so HUGE! I guess I just need to stop fretting. We have our young grandgirls with us & I am just a worry wart. Thanks for your insight!

February 18, 2019

Just got our email instructions for our upcoming visit to Maya Chan.... reading thru them, it seems very complicated. Almost like TOO MUCH INFO. It seems like a LONG walk to the meeting place. How long will they be there after we dock? Do we need to rush off the ship to meet our taxis? I've read that we can just get off at our leisure & take a cab.... but I just wonder how they will be there actually meeting guests.... any insight on this would be appreciated! THANKS!!

February 16, 2019

1 minute ago, rock the boat said:

Anyone ever done this and what did you think?

We did it once on Liberty. We thought it was hoaky, but fun. It is performed by the entertainment staff & over acted a bit. You have a team (decided by the people you sit by at the dinner table) who work together to try & figure out "who done it". We were NOT impressed with the food that was served.... While I had fun... the hubs was just ok with it. He did it cuz I wanted to...this stuff was not his thing. I thought the food would have been better & it was not worth the extra price to me.

February 10, 2019

8 hours ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

A first time Cruiser may book a Full Suite and trump most others.

And i love Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Me too! SRV forever! 😊

February 10, 2019

8 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Do you feel the same way when a first time cruiser books a suite, and gets access over you?

I understand that the cost of a suite should come with certain perks.... making it ok.

February 9, 2019

1 minute ago, twangster said:

Good call. I can only imagine on smaller ships like Vision class The Key is there simply for newbies who don't know any better.

Yes! I agree. And that is what bugs me...I have worked long & hard to get to the status I have & to be "trumped" by a first time cruiser in the Priority line, really gets me..... Oh well. As others have said...Loyalty goes both ways... wish Royal understood that.

February 9, 2019

THANKS everyone for your input! I have my answer. Our "home" port is Galveston. Our upcoming cruise is on Vision. They are offering The Key for $19.99. The only thing is on this small ship, there isn't a Flow Rider or Studio B. So, not all the perks The Key offers are available. I am Diamond and don't see a benefit in getting it.... I just wanted to know basically if I am going to have to wait for The Key holders to board. I don't care about show seats or early debarkation at ports. While I am sure on larger ships... it may be beneficial.

February 8, 2019

I am sure this has been asked already, but there are so many posts on this topic I can't find my answer.

So here goes: As a Diamond (soon to be Diamond+) member of the Crown & Anchor society …….. that comes with certain perks...as in Priority Check-In & Embarkation. And sometimes reserved seating in the theaters. My question is if a first time cruiser purchases "The Key", do THEY get priority check-in & boarding over Diamond/Diamond+ status folks?

If there is anyone who has experienced the process personally it would be great to hear from you!

TIA

February 8, 2019

3 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Reposting to see if any info.

Can anyone who has done this excursion answer a few more questions.

How long was excursion

Where did they pick you up at?

Were you transported to an area to get the boat or did it dock close to the pier?

When it was done how did you get back to ship? The boat or a cab?

Was a lunch included, or an option to buy on board the boat?

Were you able to go on shore at Maho beach?

Thank you

I have done a lot of research on this excursion & can answer a few of your questions...according to my research...the boat docks at the pier, so you can walk to the boat & get on. It's a 30 minute boat ride each way to Maho Beach.... and they only spend a couple of hours there. You do NOT have beach access (they do not allow you to swim there either). The boat ties off to a buoy off shore. They have food & drink for sale. You basically just swim/float in the water or stay on the boat & watch the planes come in. They say there is snorkeling ...a guide "takes" you (by swimming) to a shipwreck close by...but the reviews aren't too good for that. I think we'll do this ….it sounds as good as anything. BTW...if you look at videos on YouTube of this place... you'll find the beach can VERY crowded. Sunset Beach Bar is "next door" and it also is very crowded.

February 8, 2019

On ‎2‎/‎6‎/‎2019 at 1:39 PM, Dett said:

Yes, there is a restroom.

THANKS!!!!! YAY!!!

February 6, 2019

On ‎3‎/‎18‎/‎2018 at 7:25 PM, gaylemh said:

I did this excursion last year and really enjoyed it. There is a platform that they lower that you can sit on, but it does bounce around. (at least the day I went) I only remember a ladder going into the water from the platform, but from pictures I'm now seeing it looks like the ladder is gone from the platform and there is now a ramp to go into the water at the back of the boat. People were also jumping into the water from the upper deck. It was nice floating around in the water with a noodle watching the planes. I was told the water where they anchor is 20-25 feet.

Can anyone tell me if there are restrooms on this boat? I have searched & searched for that answer....

January 31, 2019

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Not on embarkation day, that I assume is an IT glitch.

I assumed that at first too, but because the ship is sailing without guests prior to docking in Galveston I'd think as soon as they can get the terminal staff on the clock we can board. The ship staff itself should be ready to receive us early! IDK! Just guessing.

January 31, 2019

22 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

The crew will be enjoying the ship without guests!

Good for them!!! 🙂

January 31, 2019

22 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Earlier than normal, yes, doubt 8AM tho (the 8AM is for checkin - not necessarily boarding) - the cabins should be ready by the time you board, instead of waiting till 1PM.

Thanks Biker.... but you can actually BOOK the 8:00AM spa appointment in the cruise planner!! They would have to let us onboard BEFORE then, right?

Great point about the cabins being ready!!! YAY! I like that!

January 30, 2019

This is a question for the cruise critic pros...

Vision OTS is moving to Galveston on Monday March 11, 2019, doing one 7 nt. cruise before starting 4 & 5 nt. sailings.

She will end a cruise in New Orleans on March 9, 2019. So that leaves two days for her to move from NOLA to Galveston (I assume without any guests).

I know that Galveston has two large ships in port on Sundays, so I know they can't fit her in with them, so I get the Monday port call.

Question 1): I wonder what (if anything) will they be doing on her while she sails in the gulf - empty - for two days. I think she just was in Dry Dock back in November…. right? I wonder what they did during that Dry Dock?

Question 2): Since she will be the ONLY cruise ship in port on that Monday & I assume she will arrive without guests, does that mean we can board her earlier than normal? If you look at spa appts in the cruise planner, they are offering 8:00 AM appts on embarkation day! So, that tells me we can board very early! Does anyone know how this might work?

Sorry for all the questions...but I know the pros out there will have the answers!

TIA!!

September 11, 2018

Boy! I had no idea my question would be so confusing! Sorry ‘bout that. I have my answer.... we can all move along now. Thanks everyone.