paggs

Take half the clothes and twice the money you think you might need

We had a similar situation some years back. We did the Everglades and it was well worth the time and money. We learned a lot and saw things we may never see again.

Just a suggestion.

I have a coworker who has done the experience while staying on St Thomas and says it is on the Do Not Miss list. Thus, I will be doing the zip lining in March when I am in St Thomas.

Also, depending on how long you are at port, you can do this one yourself. Google them and then call direct for prices. I suspect the price is much less than thru NCL.

Hope that helps.

Ask your steward for wine glasses. I always keep a wine opener in my suitcase.

Just make sure the cork screw is in checked baggage. A cork screw is forbidden by TSA.

That was the best ship's excursion we've ever taken this side of the Atlantic.

 

Yeah, the cruise ship goes thru the Gatun locks, but you're 17 stories above them and can't really see the lock. In the smaller ferry you get a sense of the scale of the locks which is incredible.

Totally agree! Not only can you see the locks and what is going on better, you can reach out and touch the side of the lock. That simply cannot be done while on the cruise ship.

Agree that first WOW moment was how big the ship was!

Things we took on second cruise:

1. A lanyard for on board card

2. A sign we hung on the back of the door showing which was fore and aft on the ship. It can get confusing at first. Once seasoned, didn't need as much

3. Less luggage. We overpacked big time!

4. Get to know your room steward--they are the biggest source of information available once on board

I am so glad! Feeding these guys takes a second job, a second mortgage and multiple trips to the grocery store weekly! A gallon of milk lasts just about a day. It's amazing what they eat! Glad they will have a great eating experience on this cruise!

And the thing that excites them the most about this cruise is they will be old enough to go to the weight room and work out. Last cruise they weren't old enough even though they knew how to use the equipment.

We are taking our twin boys (age 18) on their second cruise in March, 2017 on HOTS. These guys are both athletes and eat in excess of 5,000 calories per day. It's quite simply like watching a garbage disposal at work!

Will they be able to get multiple entrees in dining room? On our last cruise (Princess) they each had 3-4 entrees and multiple desserts and was wondering if RCCL was a similar situation.

Thanks!

PAGGS

Tree Limin' Extreme in St Thomas is what I hear is the best. I have a friend who was on the island this past December and says it's a "don't miss"

We will be doing it in March 2017

 

Just so you know, it's still illegal to bring them back into the US so if you do find them, smoke 'em there. :)

There is a way to bring them back undetected. Simply take the band off and put in another part of your luggage until you get home. It's impossible to look at a cigar and say it's Cuban. I have done this and had no problems. Illegal? Yeah. But it's a stupid law in the first place and our forefathers taught stupid laws should be broken.

One other thing--

first thing you do upon leaving the port is sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. Be ready to take pictures because from the pacific side of the bridge it's almost always clear. The pictures are awesome! Be at the back of the ship for the best pictures.

We have done SFO to Alaska and had a blast.

I agree on the idea of layers. Partial to that recommendation is where you are from. We live in Midwest and didn't find 60F cold in the summer months, but saw people on deck wearing down ski parkas and stocking caps. Rain showers were often and very short. We also had very nice days.

Have also been on Grand Princess on another venue and loved the ship. Does not feel as big as she is by any means. Theatre is very comfortable with no bad seats in the house.

As for water package, the tap water on board the ship is very high quality so this becomes your option. My wife carries a refillable water bottle and we never use the bottled water while on board. This is a personal preference that you will have to sort out!

Enjoy your first cruise! You will come home addicted as we all are!

PAGGS

Many open ended questions come to mind:

1. where are you coming from

2. What airport/destination port?

3. Cruise line?

4. Length of cruise?

12 years ago we got rerouted to MIA with a hotel in Ft Lauderdale sailing out of Port of Everglades. Taxi for 2 was $75. Will easily be that today.

Here would be my question: why not fly to MIA instead of FLL? Factor in the cost of ticket variance with the cost of taxi to determine best move.

Good luck

When the time finally comes and you board the ship, and the cabins are ready

so you get to see your very first cabin..... :) take a moment to to see if your cabin is port or starboard, and which direction is forward or aft.

 

Our first cruise I was turned around for most of it. :D

That was me on first cruise. I even forgot cabin number so decided I would walk around hallway until something looked familiar. Two laps around the deck and of course that didn't work. (Seasoned cruisers know it's because all the doors look the same! UGH when you are lost!) Finally had to swallow my pride and go find DW to get cabin number. She still laughs at me about that one!

Enjoy cruising. We certainly do!

PAGGS

my FIL felt same way.

He didn't like the broken English of the crew.

He didn't like the beds.

He didn't like the menu in the MDR changing every day.

He didn't like waiting for the elevators.

He didn't like the ports of call.

He wouldn't take a day trip in Miami because he was afraid he would miss his 4 pm flight

He never relaxed and had a good time and he hasn't been back. Wife and I are on cruise #7 and still going strong. MIL would love to go again but his negativity tends to rub off on her. So--

THEY AREN'T OUR CRUISING PARTNERS!!

Cruising isn't for everyone even though I don't understand the thought.

Happy sailing!

PAGGS

do other lines have that type of a site?

I read on another post about punch cards. We are sailing on Harmony. Will they have punch cards as an option (10 drinks for $80)?

we have 2 cabins and are traveling with 18 year old children.

2 bottles or 4 of wine going to be allowed??

Thanks!

PAGGS

Here are 2 dumb questions:

1. Do they charge per night or per day? IE is disembarkation day charged also?

2. Does everyone in same cabin need same package?

Thanks!

PAGGS

Hey there! First time cruising for us. Carnival, Glory.

Wondering about an average price for a soda/juice drink for the kids

 

Our kids don't consume soda on a daily basis (pretty much never), so we are curious if we bought them a drink or 2 a day is it more cost effective to buy the package of $5 a day or buy the drinks individually when they want them?

 

Thanks!

That is a tough question. My experience with my twin boys was the drink pass was the bargain of the cruise! I didn't have to worry about what they were doing and gave them free reign on board. Did they drink too much pop? Probably! But, we were on vacation, so who cares! They were 12 at the time.

We now have senior cruise booked for them and they will even have their own cabin. What a vacation it's going to be for us!

PAGGS

IMO Stringray City is a must do. Seven Mile Beach is beautiful but then, so is the entire Caribbean!

When we did stringray city, we used a disposable underwater camera and the pictures we came away with were amazing. We have pictures of us holding a stingray. They are huge and feel like a mushroom. Really cool to feed them. I would definitely look at tours outside of those offered on board depending upon your timeframe on the island.

As for mayan ruins--if you are ever going to see them, this is the time and this is the place. Boat ride to the ruins can get a little rough but the ruins are worth seeing along with learning about their culture.

Other than ruins, I have scuba dove in Cozumel and the water is good visibility. Or there is always shopping.

We ate lunch at a sidewalk café and I heard my wife say "OMG these prices are outrageous!" She forgot to translate from pesos and thought 750 was pretty steep for a cheeseburger! We have laughed about that for 15 years!

Happy sailing! Cozumel is a port town which means you can come and go as you like. Cost of a taxi to town was about $10. No tender boats makes the day much more relaxed. IT's nice not having to wait for the tender to take you on or off the ship.

PAGGS

We always stay at the Holiday Inn Airport on Sheridan. Has airport shuttle to get you to hotel from FLL at no charge. Then to Port Everglades at cost of $10 per person. From port back to FLL we always grab a taxi for about $20 total.

Holiday Inn is close to everything we needed, was super clean and friendly and if you are a priority club member includes a free drink with check-in.

Their pool is above any I have seen at a hotel in a long time.

Hope that helps!

PAGGS

We will be in St Thomas in March, 2017 (Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas) and want to zipline while there. Tree Limin Extreme looks like the perfect opportunity. BUT, on their website it indicates we are responsible for transportation to and from the resort.

Thus, my questions:

1. Is Tree Limin Extreme as good as their website states?

2. About how much will taxi for 4 run and can we connect at the pier?

3. Any caveats I haven't thought about yet?

Thanks everyone for your help!

PAGGS