19Ladybird67

We are looking at possibly taking a 4 day cruise out of FL that stops in Nassau and at CocoCay. We are U.S. residents and fully vaccinated. I understand we have to be tested 48 hours before boarding, but if we disembark in Nassau or at CocoCay are we required to test to re-enter U.S.? I know that air passengers must provide a negative test prior to entering U.S., but I cannot find if U.S. cruise passengers who visit other countries also need to test prior to returning to the US. If yes, can we be tested onboard or would we have to arrange testing in the Bahamas while there?

Thank you!

RC is supposed to release their "Seasonal Caribbean" itineraries next week. What does "seasonal" mean? Does it refer to specific months? I tried searching, but couldn't find an answer. Thanks!

When the website asks how many staterooms you want to book I thought the staterooms would all be on one reservation. Thank you for the clarification.

Looking at booking a 2019 southern caribbean cruise. Our party would consist of myself, DH, and DD in one stateroom and my parents in another stateroom. My parents will be 76 at sailing. They're in good health now, but given their ages I know that could change. Aside from getting trip insurance, are there any advantages or disadvantages to making one reservation with two staterooms versus two separate reservations?

When will the Southern Caribbean cruises for summer 2018 be released? I don't see them on the website yet. And, sometimes I get the advance booking emails and sometimes I don't.

Thank you. I am not that familiar with the NCL website and would not have thought to look under "Gifts and more" for the UDP and UBP pricing.

The sailing I'm looking at offers a choice of promotions. I obviously want to choose the promotion that will give me the best deal. Where can I find the information about the cost of the UDP, UBP and what the rate is for stateroom gratuities so I can make that determination?

Hi Lady bird!!

We are staying at the Alhambra as well!! I would love if you could give me a review when you come back from your vacation...I posted on this thread a page back and Royalcruz gave suggestions to my questions! Have fun!

We stayed at the Alhambra Beach Resort for two nights 8/16 & 8/17. We enjoyed our stay. It was just a short walk to the beach. They have chairs, umbrellas and towels you can borrow to take to the beach, at no charge. The hotel was very quiet. The owners are meticulous. The hotel is immaculate.

There are restaurants within walking distance. The closest is Casablanca Café, which we didn't care for. The service was extremely slow. We had to ask for our drinks three times, they didn't leave off the onion on my father's burger as requested (he's allergic to onions) and they never brought the side of mayo my mother requested for her burger. The food itself was just ok, but pricey. We preferred The Quarterdeck just a few blocks away. Service there was great and the food was very good. The hotel offers coffee, orange juice, milk, bagels, cereal and prepackaged baked goods for breakfast.

I would definitely stay there again.

We have always gone to Revolutionary and Civil War sites since she was young, but seeing the places of the ancient civilizations was a different experience for her.

I am really enjoying your review. I would love to do a med. cruise with our DD11.

Do you do any civil war re-enacting? DH has been doing it for almost 30 years.

Hi Lady bird!!

We are staying at the Alhambra as well!! I would love if you could give me a review when you come back from your vacation...I posted on this thread a page back and Royalcruz gave suggestions to my questions! Have fun!

Absolutely! I will come back and post my thoughts on the hotel. I'll check out your previous posts. Thanks!

We are staying at Alhambra Beach Resort. We're sailing on the Allure on 8/18. We're flying in Friday afternoon and our cruise leaves on Sunday morning. Our party consists of me (46), DH(43), DD(11) and parents (70).

I hadn't planned on renting a car. We figured we would just take a taxi from the airport to the hotel and do the same going to the port. I assumed we could just hang out at the nearby beach or at the hotel pool. However, now I'm second guessing myself.

None of us have ever been to Ft. Lauderdale. Is there something we should see while in town that would appeal to everyone? Also, will there be enough reasonably priced food options within walking distance? Would we be better off renting a car?

Since I get a vote, larger!

Call and speak with them. You should be able to get a price reduction, on board credit, or an upgrade.

I understand you made YOUR final payment, but is it past final payment due date? If not, you can get a price reduction.

First timer, sailing this August on the Allure - eastern itinerary. Can't wait to read more of your review, hopefully in larger type if possible! Small type is tough on us old people! :)

I have also made a reservation for Alhambra for August. I will be sure to come back and let everyone know of our experience.

I'm thinking about taking a return flight out of West Palm Beach. It would get us home a couple of hours sooner than leaving out of Ft. Lauderdale. What are our options and the cost involved for getting from Port Everglades to the West Palm Beach airport? There are two adults and one child.

You're very welcome! I'm glad you liked it!

 

I had read someones review a while ago and they mentioned a travel binder so I figured I would try it too and see. I won't cruise without one now! Sounds like it will be very helpful to you as well!

My mom and step-dad (both 70) will be cruising with us, but coming from a different part of the country. They've never really traveled, nor have they been on a cruise. This will be only the third time my mom has ever even flown on a plane. I already started putting their binder together. I think it will be very useful to them, especially to help ease the travel anxiety. I'm going to create a separate binder for my family.

Thank you for taking the time to post your review. I really enjoyed reading it. I also like your tip to create a travel binder. I usually just have a travel folder, but sometimes I have so much information in it I can't lay my fingers on the piece of paper I'm looking for.

Thank you for taking the time to do this! We're sailing on the Allure in August - Eastern itinerary!

How did you hear about the Aqua Theater backstage tour? Did you have to sign up? Did it cost extra?

I'm enjoying your review! I'm a newbie and have a few questions.

I'm really interested in seeing Oceanaria, but in looking at the schedules that are posted for cruises over the next 6-8 weeks they only have Oceanaria scheduled the first few days of the cruise. I was wondering if they offer additional times once you're on the ship, particularly for at sea days, or do they really only offer the show at the beginning of the cruise?

You mentioned making sure to stay on ship's time. Is ship's time Eastern Standard Time? Sorry if this is a really stupid question.

Final question, we are considering staying at Embassy Suites. Would you return? How was the breakfast? Is it in a decent area of town? Plenty of places nearby to eat? I'll be traveling with DH44, DD11 and my parents who will both be 70.

Hi, there. That LaQuinta has been our go-to hotel for the past 6 cruises. If this is info you already have, ignore it please:

We originally selected it because it has free pick up (until 1:00 AM) from the airport and free drop off to Port Ev. (make sure you book this in advance the night before). They have a decent free breakfast (it's ok enough to fill you up before the cruise) and the pool area is right next to a lake. It's tucked a little bit away from the Oakwood Plaza, so very quiet. About a 5-10 min walk to a cinema, Sweet Tomatoes restaurant, TGIF, a fairly cheap (although very nice) nail salon for pre-cruise pedicures, Quizno's, Red Lobster. About a 15 min walk from the hotel, you'll find a K-Mart, Ross, Marshall's (these last two are where we pick up our dining room attire - so cheap for someone who lives about 3,000 km from the nearest Ross!), Dollar store, a diner, an alehouse/pub, etc. Sorry if that was too much info! This hotel/location has never failed our needs. If I were staying longer, I might want something in a fancier area, but for a night or two and convenience sake, I don't think it can be beat.

 

On the other hand, if someone out there knows of something that will fit my needs and is even better, please do pass along the info.

Is this the LaQuinta at 2620 North 26th Ave in Hollywood?

I'm looking forward to your review. We'll be traveling next August as a family so the more I know in advance, the better!

Will let you know if the #1 rating is warranted on Trip Advisor ;-)

I'd really appreciate that! I'd love to hear from someone who has actually stayed there.