Daonlyone2000

If you really must avoid surf, Le Galion is your best bet. My favorite is Dawn Beach, facing the Atlantic and usually with some surf - except for the occasional days when the winds have been out of the west, and it can be flat calm -- but it is hard to determine without going there.

I went to Le Galion the first time in St. Maarten and HATED it! It could have been because it was the last day of the cruise or it could have been that it was boring. I do like some action on the beach.

Greetings fellow CCers. I will be traveling to St. Martin for the 3rd time in June and I am having some issues deciding what to do. I have been the Le Galion beach (walked over to Orient as well) and Great Bay on my previous trips. I loved Great Bay, but with all the pollution issues I have read about I don't think I could go back. I don't want to do a tour because I love going to the beach. Right now the top of the list is Divi Little bay(I know they have one restuarant bar tied to the hotel). I have seen some of the reviews and it appears to be a good beach with some amenities. I actually was hoping for a place with a few more beach bars. My problem is I can't take a rough surf. I would probably opt to go to Orient, but when i was there a few years ago, the surf was really rough. I wanted to really go to Pinel, but getting a taxi back is iffy (that is really my number one choice). What beaches do you all suggest that has some beach bars/restaurants and a fairly calm surf? Oh I should add that I am NOT interested in Maho beach. The thought of a plane crashing into the sand (and me) frightens me to death. Thanks for taking the time to respond because I really need some help.

Does it have to be delivered to the ship?

She is looking all pretty with her new bottom! Ready for the water! She should be floating by this afternoon! Everything else is finishing touches and Cleanup mode. She is right on target for timeline... Offload the trash and containers, re-load the lifeboats and shine and polish and wash! She should be pretty for everyone boarding in a few days!!

 

For the cabins, they all got new matrasses, curtains and covers laundered, carpets deep cleaned and replaced where needed, flat screen TVs installed, balcony floors sanded and redone and general touch-up but no major changes in overall designs.

 

Thanks so much Poz222 again for the additional pictures and the information on the cabins!

Thank you for the pictures and the information on how things work during dry dock. I figured people were working 24/7 with so many things to be done. I just didn't realize the amount of people that would be working. Do you happened to know what kind of work is being done to the cabins?

I live in Charleston and would NEVER sail any ship that they have here permanately. Why? I need a slightly larger and newer ship with more amenities. I have been to a few all inclusives and I honestly do my best not to compare the two. I understand this is hard to do, but you should try. I agree with the others that you probably can find most of what you miss in u'r AI on a larger ship, but you will not find everything. I cruise because I get to see more Island during the course of a week. When I want to just stay put on one Island, then I choose and AI.

I have used before and just sync via bluetooth.

I went on this Itinerary back in 2013. It probably was my best cruise to date. All of the island are wonderful and the only excursion we did was in St. Lucia (excursion to the Pitons via water). The other islands we went to a beach. We went to PR a day early just to make sure nothing happened with delayed flights and returned home the same day. If you can spend an extra day in PR at the end of the cruise, I would recommend. I have been wanting to redo this cruise, but not so sure about the older Fascination. I would read the reviews on that ship.

When I asked him about the upgrades a few months back, he said no to the Blue Iguana Cantina and he was wrong. I hope is is wrong twice. :eek:

I guess time will tell.

Do you think the staterooms will get new, interactive televisions? We have been spoiled sailing on the newer ships.

Nope, they will not be getting the new interactive TVs. Just asked John H. and he said nope.

I have a question about the room. Since this is forward, do you find you feel the motion of the ocean more? I have always been nervous about being forward of Aft because of seasickness. How is it for you? Do you tend to get sea sick?

I received my gift card codes by email and have already applied them to my balance.

I added mine to my payment information; but it doesn't deduct the amount when i hit submit payment. I do have a balance left, but that is for the second person in the cabin. Is there a trick?

What is the cost of the Tervis cup?

SUCCESS! Thanks for the information.

Read this today on the goccl page.

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Updated 03/07/2016 11:11 AM

The following ships are scheduled for Dry Dock in 2016 and 2017.

During all dry docks, vessels receive routine hotel maintenance and cosmetic enhancements in lounges and public areas such as new carpeting, wall coverings, tile work and lighting. As details are confirmed, the information below will be updated.

Carnival Valor Dry Dock: 4/23/16 - 5/08/16

Confirmed upgrades will include.

Guy's Burger Joint

BlueIguana Cantina

Redfrog Rum Bar

BlueIguana Tequila Bar

Redfrog Pub

Alchemy Bar

Skybox Sports Bar

Cherry on Top

Camp Ocean

Have you thought about washing your clothes on the ship the day before you disembark? I have always taken a roll of quarters and laundry detergent on every cruise I have gone on. Just pre-measure and pack your detergent in zip lock bags and wash the clothes the day before you leave the boat. You can find the location of washing machines on various websites. Just google your boat and location of the washing machines.

Thanks Blue. You are very knowledgable. Any other recommendations is greatly appreciated.

So if I were planning a trip to st. Thomas and wanted to stay at sapphire, what condos would you recommend? I am really interested in going there for a week and doing a few day trips to various islands near by. I also doubt that I would drive there. I live in the flat lands of SC so I would prefer taking taxis.

Blue, we caught a taxi over to Brewer's Bay first thing. It was a crazy ride up the mountain and back down (more so than going to Magen's bay). Once we arrived, my breathe was taken away. There was a small area at the entrance that wasn't spectacular but the beach as a whole was nothing like I have seen before. I must admit I was a little freaked out by the number of fish in the water; however a few drinks later I didn't care. Brewer's Bay by far is my favorite beach thus far in the caribbean. My second favorite would be Magen's Bay. Also this time around I loved going to St. Maarten more so than the first time. We just caught the water taxi over to the beach by the Cruise ships and had a fabulous time. Also lots of wonderful shopping.

I just got off the Liberty on Sunday and we had the new menu. I was very worried that I would not like the new menu (I can be picky) as I really enjoyed the old. I was honestly pleasantly surprised. The food was tasty and they still had plenty of options to choose from. The only things I didn't care for was the calamari (it was overcooked) and the lobster bisque (I thought it was going to be cream based). I ate a good bit of beef and shrimp.

I was on the cruise from the 17-24th and it was a ship full of sick people. Five out of my family were terribly sick including myself. I did enjoy the ship and thought it was great. My cabin was also clean, but our room steward was very good.

bwelborn, how long were you all sick? I am leaving on this ship on Saturday and terrified about getting sick. I do plan on cleaning all surfaces when i get to my room but still nervous.

Thanks for doing a review of the Liberty. I will be on the ship in 19 days doing the Eastern Carribean. I am looking forward to reading more of your review (especially dinner options in the MDR).

Great review. I am on the liberty next month going to Grand Turk, St. Thomas, Tortola, and St Maarten. Can't wait.

Blue, that is great advice. I think I will take you up on that. Do you know if taxis are readily available at brewers beach? I believe I read they are at CGB. I just need to know if I need the cab driver to pick us up from Brewers to head to CGB or can i just get one from BB. I am also assuming that CGB is not walkable from BB. True? Thanks again to Blue and LuLu for helping me!

Thanks LuLu. I am pretty sure we are going to go to Brewers bay. Looking forward to it!