bucky0926

Looking for a beach that has snorkeling from shore and also amenities like chairs, umbrellas (or tree shade), drinks.  The bad part is that we are second ship into the port and I don't want to go somewhere and then realize there are no more chairs or umbrellas.  Anyone have any good suggestions?

Don't dive go snorkeling with the manatees in crystal river.  Truly a life changing event.

On 12/16/2023 at 9:22 AM, bookbabe said:

DH says Cheeseburger reef by Burger King is better than the one by Cemetery Beach, so that’s maybe an option if you end up DIYing.

Is there an actual beach there where we could rent chairs and an umbrella?

Looking for a beach with amenities (chairs, umbrellas or shade, bathrooms, food and drink).  Also must have snorkeling from the beach. Reef can be far out I'm a strong swimmer but would prefer no currents.  Something like Blue Bay Beach on Curacao or resort like Chogogo Dive and Beach Resort on Bonaire.  Been to both and they were fantastic.  Does Aruba have something in the same vein?  Thanks in advance for your advice.  

16 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Are they really going to give people 4 or more of these on the WC?

OK I'm showing my ignorance again, what does WC stand for?

OK a one time credit of 10% on wine/beer/soda and 2 coupons for 50% discount on wine/beer/soda.  Is that correct?

45 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

It's a one time discount.  Not for every drink.  If you somehow got them to honor it for all rinks you lucked out.

 

3 A one-time discount per sailing will be applied toward the purchase of any glass of wine, beer, or soda. Gold, Platinum, and Emerald members receive a 10% discount. Diamond members receive a 20% discount. Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members receive a 25% discount.

Yeah its good for 2 wine/beer per cruise but they weren't honoring it for any.  Then its supposed to be 10% off wine/beer for the rest of the cruise.  For some reason their POS system can't keep track and even if you tell them it doesn't always happen as it should.

As you can see I did not get the color one, just an etched one.  It is a different font than the first one posted.  I guess I got the number two where they are all in caps.  I guess some people cherish them and others do not.  That, my friends, is what makes the world go round.

Just now, Anton said:

Some display them on a shelf or in a cabinet (like me), some don't care a bit about them and leave them in the box or sell them on eBay.   I have a dozen of the old style and yes, they make dusting a chore.  I'm due for another block in July.  If it's the new style I don't know if I'll continue displaying them.

Can you show a picture of the old style one?  If not no problem.....

Just now, Ourusualbeach said:

Wish they still had the classy look.  Not impressed with the new ones

Could you explain the difference?  What made the older ones classy looking?

Just now, OCSC Mike said:

 

They're excellent dust collectors! Some people sell them on ebay. I got my first one last year... it's still in the box. Harmony like yours...

 

 

Hey if it fetches a good price on ebay.....

Got one on my last cruise on Harmony of the Seas (the ship I was on).  Just curious, what do people do with these?

 I am not Diamond but Emerald and I am supposed to get 50% off 2 wine or beer per cruise and then 10% for all after that.  You tell them to do it and over half the time its never done.  Then down to guest services to get it fixed.  This last cruise they just took off all the drinks in total-so that was great (I think it was a total of 3 for me and DH).  But you would think if it is part of the loyalty program that the system would keep track-it doesn't.

On 4/23/2023 at 10:31 AM, mahdnc said:

 

 

 

@bucky0926, sorry for the delay.  @wonton, thanks again for the reminder. 

 

Here are the dimensions of our Wavy Bowl: The wavy crown measured 9 inches at maximum diameter.  I measured the crown across two different points to make sure.  The height is 5 3/4" (note in the photo that there is about a 1/4 inch gap between the end of the ruler and where 0 begins which I took into account).  The base of the bowl is about 5 inches in diameter (in the photo that dimension is not that clear, but I measured 5 inches).  Tap or click on the individual photos to make them larger and the ruler more readable.

 

Please remember that these pieces are custom made by hand and the dimensions will vary.  When it is made, there are no rulers or weigh scales used.  For that reason, it would be valuable if others posted dimensions of their Wavy Bowl.

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much.  Sorry for my delay but just got off a cruise yesterday.  
At least I have an idea of what I am dealing with size wise. 

12 hours ago, pengu1n said:

I don't like the float strap, because it messes with my arm movement. I use a wrist strap with a slider, so it's snuggly attached to my wrist.

I must be dense because I thought the float strap was a wrist strap.  What am I missing? 

I was at blue bay end of March 2023.  It was me and my DH and we took a cab for $40.00 from the terminal.  We asked the driver to come back at a certain time and he was there and it was $40.00 back to the pedestrian bridge so we could shop.  I tipped him $10.00.  It was $12.00 per person for access to a chair and beach and we went under one of those huts to get out of the sun.  The snorkeling was great, fish were abundant and so was the coral.  The dive shop was right behind us and plenty were going out for shore dives as it drops pretty fast.  Clean, great snorkeling, bathrooms, full bar/restaurant (but we did not partake).  A little pricey but highly recommended and IMO worth every penny.  A ship excursion would be more and then I am on their time and not mine.  I was impressed with Blue Bay and my snorkeling site on Bonaire so much that as soon as we got home we booked another cruise  next year to the ABC islands.

1 hour ago, donaldsc said:

 

Just remember that some of the underwater cameras including the TG series DO NOT FLOAT.  This means that if you let go of it underwater they sink.  I bought a positive buoyancy strap for mine.  Test whatever you buy at home in the bathtub before you leave.  https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Camera-Float-Strap-Underwater/dp/B00YR8ZNDU

 

DON

So if I get a housing for the T6 I think it will sink.  After all with the housing and the camera I don't think there is a float strap strong enough to hold up both. 

Just came back from there and didn't do any snorkeling because didn't really find anything while researching or even in port.  Also heard (but didn't experience) beaches weren't clean.  Did not find either port worthwhile for future stops if beaches and snorkeling are on your agenda.  The only good things about those two ports were that they led to the ABC islands where the beaches were clean and the snorkeling some of the best I've ever done.  Came back and immediately booked a cruise for next year to the ABC's with a stop in Grand Cayman.

• 25% no tear baby shampoo and water.  Spray and rub around.  Do NOT rinse with anything.  Once you put it on do not let the air get to it.  If you take it off, for any reason, be prepared to spray and rub again.  I learned this on a snorkel trip swimming with manatees.  We were in the water for 2 hours straight and my mask didn't fog once.  Have since snorkeled numerous times and don't fog any longer.

I second FlightMedic555.  Blue Bay was beautiful with great snorkeling, chairs, bathrooms and restaurant.  The dive shop is right on the beach and the people coming back from dives said it was amazing.  Also was not very crowded.

Use a safego (on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/SAFEGO-Portable-Indoor-Outdoor-Combination/dp/B017RR15YI/ref=sr_1_16?crid=2KNYRQNJLEFDP&keywords=plastic%2Bvacation%2Bvault&qid=1681271025&sprefix=plastic%2Bvacation%2Bvault%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-16&th=1).  We bought one for our son when he went to camp in 3rd grade (it was called a vacation vault then).  He is now 27 and my DH and I have commandeered it for the past15 years or so.  We attach it to both our chairs so they can't just take one chair.  It will hold your phones, cash/cc, sea pass, some smaller kindles.This way we don't even have to take it in the water with us.

4 hours ago, pierces said:

If all you want to take is casual shots, consider a GoPro.

A go pro is too complex for this senior woman.  I've read too many nightmares where people who know what they are doing couldn't get the photos/videos off the card into their computers or phones.  I need something easy.  Just would like a video or 2 that I am really proud of and some great stills.  Just got back from a cruise that went to Bonaire and Curacao and the snorkeling was outstanding.  Going back next Feb. on an ABC cruise and would love a great camera.  Going on my next cruise 4/22/23 so really thinking of getting something as I can use it on the cruise and if something happens I can come home and return it.  Just a chicken to pull the punch as I've explained in a message above.  I'm really jealous of people who don't really have to think about spending $1000.00.  To me that is a big purchase and one not to be taken lightly.

4 hours ago, sight-sea-er said:

Have you considered using your cellphone?

Have not considered that b/c they are older (have 2 samsungs an S8 and S10+) and not waterproof in anyway and I don't trust the "housings" they have for them.  Can't lose my info and replacing phones is more expensive than buying an underwater camera....