first_state101

In Feb. we'll be docking at Crown Bay. We've always docked at Havensight. We want to go downtown for a couple of items and then do an island sightseeing tour. I was wondering if there are tour operators at Crown Bay or do we have to find a tour downtown. Any idea on the cost of transportation. to and from Crown Bay.

Thanks

It's the combination of timing, historical pricing, popularity of that sailing and a few other things that determine the optimum point to book.

 

For an early June sailing you might already be too late - unless it's some weird unpopular route, it is likely to have increasing rates. It's not the fleet wide sale one should look for (rare with not many benefits) , but the individual sailing. Look on the RCI UK web site for cabin inventory and track that once a week for a month. At the same time track pricing. The direction of inventory and price will tell you when to book. I would book now (maybe an inside) and watch for price drops till final payment o/a March 1. Then look for upgrade opportunities.

Thank you! Good points - I'm going to book now.

Their bean counters and marketeers have years of data - their bottom line been good - why would they take advice from any consumer?

I was wondering when RCCL would have another sale. I found out that they are having one now!. But it's very deceptive since the rates for passengers 1 and 2 have been jacked up and then the discount is applied. Bottom line is that we're paying as much now as before. I'm looking at a June 1st cruise. I have time but am not sure when to book. No perks or lower deposit is being offered now.

I'm very excited about this. We sailed on her in May 2001 from New York to Bermuda. Back then the smaller ships could go to all three ports in Bermuda. When we were in Hamilton there was rain and a parade in honor of Queen Victoria was canceled. It will be interesting what RCCL has planned for with the Empress.

We've sailed out of Baltimore many times. Quite often sailings are sold out. However a few openings occur due to cancellations near the final payment due date. So for the February 13 sailing go ahead and check frequently. Hope it works out for you.

I was wondering if there are any special events at the Dockyards in Bermuda on Monday evening? About three years ago there was a marching band, bagpipes, and dancers. It was very festive. Vendor stands were set up. Do they still have this type of event?

It sounds like you need a private tour, because the public tours don't usually spend 30 minutes at some sights. Contact http://www.stthomastour.com/About-Us.html. According to their website they have 4 person minimum. Read the reviews. Very good people.

Thank you! This is very helpful for what I'm looking for.

Lucky: Many of the taxis do an island tour-shopping-beach trip. Just tell the dispatcher when you get off the ship and they will set you up....

There will be five of us. Three have never been there. About how much do they charge for an island tour? Is it per hour? There are a couple of places that we may want to spend about 30 minutes and then move on to other sites. Any suggestions? Thank you

wow. some awesome pictures and now I am all excited about being on her in Seotember.

 

my particualr favorite is the dolphin shot!

I was on it since it was refurbished. It was terrific - had trays of snacks both hot and cold items. I was recently on the Explorer and they served no food at all. One night they had peanuts and raisins. Has anyone been on the Grandeur recently? How was it?........

Now to convince my inlaws to bring two bottles of wine. My father in law loves the wine we drink. Question... Lambics....how big a bottle can we bring to be considered "wine bottles"?

Yes I love wine and will bring two bottles. What kind do you like?

Private cab will cost $11 for 2 ppl / $3 for ea. additional person.

If there is a shuttle van going that day, it's $4 pp Plus tip, of course.

Thank you for this information. Going on our own will save lots of money. The ship's excusion is very expensive.

We were there several years ago and enjoyed it very much. Our family of six will be on a cruise in December. I was wondering approx. what the current cab fares are from the cruise port to Ardastra. Would it be better to take a bus?

we are actually doing a cruise with the grandparents, ourselves and the grandchildren over winter break. our kids are almost 13 and 11. I am hoping that there are more kids for my children to hang out with.

 

i know for a fact my children are very well behaved and don't act like rats.

 

my kids got excellent grades and earned this vacation.

 

if you are worried about kids on the boat over winter break- don't go. :)

Well said! Thank you for your comments. Some folks need to travel with kids. We need to adapt.

Hi,

I booked Chase Suites - and they do have comp. shuttle from/to airport.

I also checked Quality Inn - also free shuttle.

There are others with free shuttle mostly the hotels not far from the airport and in Rocky Point and westshore.

 

I can not suggest any for you to book ..... I have not been to Tampa yet.

Thank you for responding. I will take a look.

Will be arriving at the Tampa airport on Oct. 25th and cruising on Oct. 26th. Looking for suggestions for a hotel. Would like one that would have a van to pick us up at the airport. Thank you!

Are there any hotels that provide a van for pick-up at the airport? We will be staying one night and then need to get to port for a cruise. I can check with the Hyatt but wondered what others are suggested?

Thanks

The 1454 is the average price per person with the promo. The 1939 is the regular price that they then take 50% off of. It does look confusing as you are not getting the 50% off the first price you see as it is already factored in.

I was wrong this morning. I was confused when I looked at the way the prices were listed. You are correct as the 50% savings is factored in. This is a great savings.

Caution! This is not really a sale. I did several mock bookings and saw where they increased the prices for passengers 1 and 2 then took off 50% for passenger 2. So the end result is that the bottom line is like there was no real reduction at all.

Just got off the phone with Ferry Terminal and the gentleman who answered the phone reports that there is no ferry service from the Dockyard to St Georges until 5/28/2014.

Also spoke with people at Bus Terminal who state that busses to St Georges and Hamilton will run from /dockyard and back every 15 minutes..... on Monday 5/26 which is Bermuda Day. Neither of these statements sound correct, is here anyone out there more familiar with the bus/ferry schedules for the holiday? I can't find them on any website, just that service on holidays and sundays are different than on week days. Thanks for any info!

http://www.seaexpress.bm/Documents/Ferry/Summer%20Ferry%20Schedule%202014.pdf

I believe it starts April 28th.

Are you sure that's Grand Cayman? Never heard of a HoHo Trolley in Cayman. Key West, yes.

Here is the short description - Royal Caribbean; I don't remember the hop-on hop-off trolley either. It is listed on the Feb. 8th 10 night Western Caribbean Cruise out of Baltimore. On the web site there is a longer description.....

Hop-on Hop-off Grand Cayman Trolley - GCI4

Experience the best sites of Cayman as you ride in comfort and style aboard Cayman's only Old Time Trolley Bus fleet, which puts the fun back into transportation. The unique Trolley Buses are fun to ride, bright and airy, with a quality of craftsmanship and attention to detail and have a nostalgic appeal as well. Ride in air-conditioned comfort with fully-padded seats and Hop on or Hop off at your leisure.

Ready to reserve this excursion?

Has anyone used this? I was trying to find some reviews or comments. It looks like a good way to do some sightseeing. It is listed as an RCCL shore excursion.

Besides the Hop-on Hop-off trolley, what type of transportation have you or intend to use in Grand Cayman?

Has anyone used this? I was trying to find some reviews or comments. It looks like a good way to do some sightseeing. It is listed as an RCCL shore excursion.

Has anyone else noticed that when the price drops the taxes and fees increase?

Actually mine stayed the same. They kept the taxes and fees the same..The insurance dropped. Overall I saved about $600.00 on the reduction...

we save a BIG BUNCH ($370 pp) on our A2 cabin. Also be aware that OBC comes from the TA's commission which went down so the OBC will go down a bit as well. Also, insurance is based on the total cost of the cruise which, of course, went down as well.

 

See you in 20 weeks !!!

 

Steve

Steve: This is great! I saved about $300pp and I'm very pleased. Will you be on the May 18th sailing?

Thanks for the good information. Just had our TA call and take advantage of the price drop for our May 18 sail date. Could have upgraded to CC for a little more than we originally paid, but we liked our location and have never been too excited about CC amenities for the extra cost. When we first booked we also got the drink package and some OBC. Got to keep those as well.

Here's hoping for good weather in May!

Glad that this worked out for you as well. We opted to keep our same cabin. It is an inside cabin but on a higher deck (7) than we usually get. We were able to keep the OBC. Also the price of the insurance droped. Did you register for Celebrity Connections Roll call? Hope to see you on board......