Purplsmurf

We are sailing out of Ft Lauderdale next week. Due to the high cost of flights we found it the cheapest to fly into Orlando, rent a car and drive to Ft Lauderdale. It is approx 3hrs 15 mns. We originally thought it would be VERY expensive to rent a car in Orlando and drop it off in Ft Lauderdale, but with tax it is only $58!! We will fly home from Ft Lauderdale so we don't need to rent another car.

What is the web address for the Web Cam? Thanks

If you are looking for where to request the wave it is http://www.portevergladeswebcam.com/wave

I just told my daughter about the pastries. We didn't know that when we sailed on the Summit last year!! She wasn't happy.....but since we will be on the Silhouette soon she is looking forward to it! :)

I have to agree with the majority.....Princess!!!!

I just got the new price list for Canyon Ranch. They have a Gel Polish change for $39 and a gel manicure for $90.....hope this is what you are looking for!!

We sailed the Summit last year and loved it.....going on the Silhouette in two weeks. Anxious to see our comparisons.

Princess is definitely a step....or two.....above NCL. We have sailed both and would definitely choose Princess in a heart beat over NCL even if it is more expensive. It is like comparing apples to oranges.....just my opinion tho! ;)

I just read on a different post that craps was $5. Doesn't really matter to me, but my hubby loves craps. Did you happen to see what the 3card minimums were?

Of course, Bermuda is also "...off St. Thomas...". Buck is right next to St. Croix. I grant that there are tours to Buck from St. Thomas -- but they must be fairly long, as it has to be at least two hours each way, leaving limited time for snorkeling.

Really?? I won't even go any further on this thread. We are just trying to give the OP some ideas of things to do in St Thomas. If one has never even been on a Buck Island excursion from St Thomas and others of us have why even speculate what the excursion is all about. We wouldn't give the OP the idea if it wasn't possible!!......good luck in your decisions OP!! I'm sure whichever excursion you choose you will enjoy it!!!

P.S......for the record, it WAS NOT 2 hours there and 2 hours back!!

Weren't those tours from a cruise call at St. Croix, and not St. Thomas, which is what OP is talking about?

Nope. Definitely St Thomas. I remember them well. Also, of all the cruises I've been on I've only been to St Croix once and that was last year. We rented a jeep and it rained all day! :(

Buck Island is about 40 miles from St. Thomas. You won't have time to get there and back.

 

 

 

I would suggest St. John. There is a ferry that goes right from the waterfront in Charlotte Amalie. Takes about 45 minutes. Or you can cab it to Red Hook and take the much shorter ferry ride, but then you have to deal with St. Thomas traffic.

 

 

 

Honestly, I wouldn't bother with shopping in Charlotte Amalie. Over-crowded, aggressive shop personnel, and the deals aren't that great. If you are looking for something in particular, like a camera, be sure to price it before you leave home and compare. I'd also go in the afternoon when the crowds have dissipated.

 

 

 

On St. Maarten, if you like airplanes, Maho Beach is the place to be. Tons of fun. The big planes come in between about 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and getting a cab back to the ship is easy; they drive by almost constantly with signs saying "back to ship". Tower is 118.7 if you're a real airplane geek like I am and bring an air-band radio. :D

 

 

 

I also liked Philipsburg. Some nice shops and an interesting little museum with a small but cool gift shop with lots of local crafts.

I have done two shore excursions to Buck Island on 2 different cruises and went to Buck Island on a private catamaran on a third. The first 2 were cruise line excursions so it is possible! Well worth it as well!!

It you can find a snorkeling tour in st Thomas to Buck Island it is fabulous!!

The classic NON alcoholic package DOES NOT include smoothies. One would have to get the Premium NON alcoholic package......however, the classic ALCOHOL package DOESinclude the smoothies.....hope this helps!!

We had no problem getting ours but when we did receive them I was bummed that my kids got theirs but I didn't get mine.....then I opened the envelope. They sent both together!!!

Awesome review! We will be on the same itinerary April 13. Looking forward to it....and we LOVE the martini bar!! :)

Nice review! We will be on the silhouette in 2 weeks. I do have a question tho.....why buy the prom dress in San Juan? Was it cheaper? My daughter is going to prom after we return from our vacay and although she has her dress....which is returnable.....I was wondering what it is about getting it in San Juan. We have nothing planned for that day in port so maybe we will have to go to that mall!

I sent them an email not too long ago. By the time they actually answered, which was probably 10 days or so, I totally forgot that I even sent it!!

No problems here. Was actually on earlier finishing up online check in and printing everything.

Off Topic!

 

 

 

If you choke a Smurf, what color does he turn? :cool:

In my world.....PURPLE!! ;) my husband came up with this name over 20 years ago! Still don't know why, but a good conversation piece! :)......just mention Purplsmurf and we will probably answer!

I think your kids are going to be bored to death on a Celebrity ship. there are much better options available.

I can't disagree with this more! My kids LOVE Celebrity! Actually it is their favorite cruise line! When we asked then what they warned it do for Spring Break this hear a Celebrity cruise was their first choice!'

My take:

 

My personal favorite is always the Mediterranean...

 

BUT...taking ten people on a cruise to Europe from Wisconsin would get very pricey--airfare, pre-cruise hotel stays, expensive tours/excursions...

 

I don't know the financial status of the grandparents here, but, I will presume they aren't looking at dropping a small fortune here.

 

Even Alaska can get very pricey...For us, it was one of the most expensive vacations we ever took (We brought our then 18 and 20 year olds with us, booked two Sky Suites and did the 13 night Cruisetour and added 2 nights post-cruise in Vancouver...Plus, we did expensive excursions like the Helicopter Glacier Landing)...

 

From Wisconsin, it would be the most cost effective to fly down to Houston or Fort Lauderdale or Miami and do a 7-night Caribbean...where the typical port days might be walking around town and shopping or heading to a beach...

 

 

 

That would likely keep the kids happy...

 

 

 

BUT...IMHO...keeping the kids happy is only of secondary importance here...

 

The purpose of this cruise is for the GRANDPARENTS...and, if they've never been to Alaska, THAT IS WHERE YOU SHOULD GO...

 

The kids should learn to be gracious ...and to be thankful that they've been invited...

 

We dragged our kids on lots of cruises that weren't their first choice...and, you know what? They always found a way to enjoy themselves...

 

What is not to like about being on a cruise? Anywhere?

The kids aren't the ones who don't want to go to Alaska.....it is the parents! To be honest, I didn't originally and now I am excited about it. My husband was so so, but looking forward to it now. My brothers family really wasn't interested, but I'm sure they will be once we start the planning. My son...the youngest of the kids at 15.....is the one that REALLY wanted to go from the start. We have been on many Caribbean cruises with them so that isn't an option this time. They are all about making the kids happy and want to go where the kids want to go. If we wouldn't go to Alaska this time they could go on their own another time, but think our plan is now in motion. We aren't going until next summer so it will be awhile before I report back on this cruise. Thank you again everyone for the input. I really appreciate it!!!

Definitely RCCL without a doubt!!!!

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I would make sure that the excursion is planned for the morning then you would be ok!

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We love Select as well. We make our reservations ahead of time and choose to sit at a table with just the 4 of us. If you like your server you can ask to be there each night and if you don't then you can sit somewhere else! Very flexible!!

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No, there is no limit. Upgrading to premium is 11.50/day ($10 +15% gratuity). If there was a limit we surely would've gone over!! When I had wine at dinner the sommelier kept refilling my glass before I even finished! I finally had to ask him to stop! If there was a limit he wouldn't have done that....I don't think. I will be looking for that flyer when we board next month, I'm curious what it was.

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