kellyshantz

We were at DR on May 10. Our ship was suppose to dock in Puerta Plata and a ship had hit the dock. We docked at Amber Cove. We had no plans this time. I have been there many times. When you get out of the port, there are only taxis and no one selling tours. We decided to spend the day at the pool at the port. You go to the right after you exit the ship and their tours. We were the first because our ship was leaving earlier than planned. We reserved 2 chairs, umbrella, floats and WiFi for $70.  They had a waitress that came around with a drink and food menu. The Carnival Mardi Gras docked soon after. The pool filled up but it wasn’t too crowded. You could use chairs outside of Yvette VIP area. They also had water slides and zip lining. It was so convenient. We had a great day for our last port. 

I wanted to do let you know my recommendation for this. We got off the ship and walked across the floating bridge and checked out the area. They have taxis that are minivans. You will go to were the Central Market is. You can go straight down Breedastraat and turn left on any street heading East. De Ruyterkade is the street parallel to the market. Most people from the ship go to Sunscape. No always good to Cabana Beach. You can rent chairs and umbrella for $28. You have a waiter for drinks and food. A hotel is part of the beach club. Souvenir shops are nearby. The ride is $4 one way for 2. I hope this helps 

I was in Cartagena on May 6. I used Dora tours recommended on Cruise Critic.  We were joined with 6 others. They were at the port when we got off the ship. We had an all day tour. We saw lots of places ahead of cruise ship passengers. Dora is the owner and her niece conducted the tour. It was excellent. Her website is dora@cartagenattour.com. There was an artiste side of town I would have liked to spend some time at. Maybe next time. 

Port Limon on 5/4/2023 on the NCL Joy. This was a recommendation on Cruise Critic. We had a wonderful time. 7 tours were offered. The company is Port Limon Tours and Jorge Ramirez was our guide. He was waiting outside the port with our names on a sign. We picked tour 3 and we went to the Rain Forest, Boat ride at the National Park and the beach last. The beach was a short time. Internet, drinks and food was available. No swim time at the beach. The rain Forrest was active with lots of stairs and very hot. I probably would have done the boat ride at the rain Forrest instead of at the park. We didn’t see many animals. Jorge was an excellent guide. We learned a lot of history. I highly recommend him. This email is info@portlimon.com. He responds quickly. We were the only ship at port. Also the last for the season. 

Just got back from Aruba. I did the same as last time. I got off the ship and walked outside the port and caught the public bus. Most cruise passengers go to Eagle Beach. I got off at the stop after. I went to the beach. It was the Hilton Hotel. The RIU was next door. The bus was $4.00 for 2 of us one way. We rented 2 chairs and 1 umbrella for $30.  There is a waiter to bring drinks and food.  There is a pier with a restaurant near us. We went there and got a drink. They were singing and it was lots of fun. I would have loved to have booked a sunset cruise on my own. It would have needed to have been done ahead of time on line. Our ship was delayed. We would have only been able to have done that.  There was a sunset cruise leaving the pier at this location. The beaches are beautiful here. No rocks and white sand. 

We went to LA a day early. Took an Uber from the airport to the Best Western near the port.  My COVID test had a mess up. I received the message on the way to the airport. I found Urgent Care near the hotel. The hotel staff were very helpful. We used the hotel shuttle to the port the next day. 
 

we ate dinner at a cute Mexican restaurant. I can’t remember the name of it. This review might not be the best. I use Cruise Critc all the time. I used the hotel from here. 
 

Honolulu we had a relative that took us around. We did a hike to a waterfall. 
 

Kauai we did the Blue Hawaii. Helicopters in the AM. We used an Uber. I cancelled the Grotto Tour for the afternoon. When we got off the ship there was a line for the taxi. They said there were only 5 on the island. We walked down the street. Getting an Uber or Lyft took a long time. We tried walking back. I wouldn’t recommend it. 
 

Maui I had a whale watching tour booked with Boss Frogs. We saw whales and this was excellent. We took an Uber in the AM and went to a beach close by the port. I highly recommend this tour. We caught a ride back with other cruisers. 
 

Hilo we just got off the ship and booked a tour with a guide. He took 12 of us. It was great. We got to climb a volcano. Alex Galdones was the guide with Fun Tours Hawaii. I highly recommend him. we saw Rainbow Falls, Japanese Orchard, etc. 

Ensenada was better than I expected. I had a tour booked to do 4 wheelers and a winery. We walked around town and visited a pharmacy. I decided that we needed a cab to go to the Glam Camp for the tour. It was 40 minutes away. The driver charged us $100 and stayed till we were done. There were no cabs to get. The tour was good. I wish we visited more than one winery. The tour owner was new. 
 

The cruise days on the way were cold except one day. They days on the way back we’re also cold. I do recommend going on this cruise. We met so many nice people. 

Thanks for letting me know. 

Thanks for everyone’s reply. Some ships on other lines have the game in the morning on the basketball courts. 

I’m sailing on the Encore on November 14. I’m wandering if they have Pickleball Courts on this ship?

I’m sailing on November 7 on the Horizon. Do they have Pickleball Courts on this ship?

My DD and I will be on this ship on 5/14. Can't wait. She just finished her Junior yr in college. She is 20. Your review is getting me excited. I haven't been on the Oasis class ship. We have a balcony overlooking the Boardwalk. Thanks for taking the time on the review. We will get to FL on Friday for 2 nights. I haven't purchased the dining package. I have read so many reviews on that.

I wanted to write a review since this site helps me so much. I had read a recommendation for Errol Bowen on here. I emailed him and asked if he picked up in Montego Bay. He responded promptly. I told him that we wanted to zipline. I am 51 and took my 18 year old daughter, her bf and roommate. He took us to do whatever we wanted. We got off the ship ASAP. Waited for about 15 minutes. Errol had to get permission to come into the port. We were the first to get to the zipline. We toured the Grand House, ate lunch at a place that served jerk chicken. Then we went to the beach for an hour. Errol was very informative about Jamaica. I definitely have a different opinion of Jamiaca. We were back to the port on time. It was a very nice day. We all enjoyed it. I forgot to say the company is Travel Jamica.

Jubilee was my first cruise. It was our honeymoon in "87". I have been addicted ever since. I'm up to 25 cruises now. It was a great first cruise.