Suzyrn89

I'm seeing on other posts that Kids Sail Free is coming soon to NCL, sounds like starting 1 Feb, anyone have any inside info of KSF on RCCL? Last year I think we caught KSF in Feb or March. I have one booked for July KSF but need to add another person and thats making the costs too high.

Can anyone who has been on oasis post-dry dock (Cats musical) tell me when the 70s party is (day and time) for western itinerary. Trying to schedule for it. Thanks!

 

 

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Went on Western itinerary in Nov on the Allure, 70s night was the 4th night, we actually planned our shows so as to get a good seat up in the schooner bar for the show. I think we got up to the bar area about 9:15 at the latest. Hope that helps. I dont know if this is the same for Oasis but I would expect it might be.

Has anyone ever been charged the corkage fee on NCL for wine you bring on board? I read they charge a fee even for wine you are going to consume in your stateroom, really, how do they know, are they doing it by wine in checked luggage, just really curious as I've never been charged a fee on Royal?!?!?!

We just did the Getaway and Oasis back to back. We definitely prefer the Getaway. The Oasis has lots of things to see - just not as much for our family to do on a daily basis. We have done the Epic(3 times), Allure, Oasis, and Getaway. We prefer NCL.

Hello,

Curious about your family, we are booked on the oasis and getaway (just holding both until we decide) for this summer, there are 6 of us going, the price difference is the oasis is $3,000 more than getaway plus getaway perks of obc and beverage package. My kids are 15, 9, 9 all boys. My question is how old are your kids and how does the soda package work on the Getaway, is it dispensing machines or do you have to go to a bar/restaurant to get refills. We love Allure and Oasis but are having a hard time agree to pay that much more for the cruise. Any info you can provide would be great.

Whew.. that is good news!! Thanks so much again for all this great info,, I'm so glad I found this message board. I was getting a little freaked out reading the RCI website and all the FAQS and looking at the price of the water and the beverage packages. This is making me feel much better that we are going to have a decent time and not be nickel and dimed to death on this cruise. Like I said earlier this is my first cruise since 1990 back when everything was included in the price.

Sailing on Adventure out of San Juan, please tpadul, tell me how the wine purchasing went. We are considering taking on 2 bottles of white in our checked luggage and then getting back off and buying 2 bottles of red to hand carry on. We will arrive the day before and would buy the wine in town if we can take them on the same way as buying from the pier shop.

Any info about the pier checkin and the cruise would be appreciated!

It will be cheaper and you'll have more choices if you stop at a CVS, Walgreens or a local grocery store. Easy to do if you're overnighting in San Juan before your cruise.

Does Pan Am port have you check wine in luggage or hand carry it on? Wondering if we can send our luggage through with our favorite wine from home and then pick up some other wine locally and hand carry it on?

Thanks!

If my memory serves me correct it is the second to last night.

Depends on if its E or W route. just came back from W route on Allure and think it was 4th night.

And that's all I've got for you. Thanks for reading it! If you'd like to read reviews from some of the other cruises I've been on, with that same level of detail and including photos and videos like I did in this review... head on over to my web site at www.jimzim.net

Thank you so much for taking the time to post these amazing reviews. We have been on Allure and Oasis multiple times and love the ships. We are taking a chance and doing the Getaway this summer, I'm worried I will be disappointed compared to Allure but when I look at the cost difference and taking multiple family members we decided to give Getaway a try. Any thoughts on comparison of the Getaway and Allure?

Hi. How do we get to Sapphire Beach from the Oasis?

 

Will there be taxis waiting by where the ship docks to take us there? How about getting back to the ship? First time on Oasis. Not even sure where it docks... I guess I should look it up! :rolleyes:

 

Thanks!

We love the Oasis, have been to St Thomas on it before, there are plenty of taxis at the port, I've not been to Sapphire before. Enjoy the ship!!!

Yes, I would definitely expect Coki to be crowded. Otherwise Coki checks all of your boxes. If you'd prefer a less crowded beach I'd look st Sapphire or Secret Harbor. SH has a true restaurant on the beach, and I'm told that you can reserve umbrellas and lounges through AA Divers. sH is also a smaller bay and space and rentals can be in limited supply if you're not there early.

No snorkeling at Lindbergh (aka Emerald). Taxi to any snorkeling beach is ~$10pp each way.

Blue Water,

Thank you so much, really appreciate the reply, we were planning Coral World and Coki as have kids that are intersted in it, maybe we will do the sea turtle and snorkling excursion instead as we have onboard credit to use. I dont really want a crowded beach, which Im sure is hard to find since we also want amenties. In July expect Coki to be crowded?

Any thoughts on beaches close to the port in tortola? It is also one of our stops although I'm seeing the dock may not be operational by July and some of the cruise lines are canceling it as a port. I'm sort of hoping it will cancel as I would rather take the kids to St Maarten and let them see the planes over Maho.

Tortola is a Dock .....no tender !

Anyone know any updates on the dock in Tortola, seeing posts that it is under construction and RCCL has cancelled it as a port on their E. Caribbean.

For the first-timer - and even a return visitor - there are indeed a ton of opinions about the various beaches, and we too are certainly biased in our rankings. But each beach has a unique or distinctive vibe or setting that can help one choose based on their situation that day. Some are located near a port while some take much more effort to get to but reward that effort.

 

The East End beaches of St Thomas are preferred by many who are looking for the nicest beach on STT. These include Coki, Smith's Bay, Sapphire, Secret Harbor, and Cowpet Bay (Coki and Smith's Bay are actually on the north side but are on the east end of the island). But others are also very nice and may work best if you have limited time or just want a nice beach to relax at that is closer to port and may be less crowded. And of course the beaches of St John are also gorgeous and should be experienced when possible. Trunk Bay, like Magens Bay, is highly-touted and so a bit touristy most days, but Cinnamon Bay and others less frequented are also beautiful.

 

For St Thomas -

 

Coki Point is a gorgeous beach set in a very small bay with good snorkeling off the beach. You'll find one of the nicest beaches you've seen here, but it will have a lively vibe as it gets very crowded. Several vendors renting stuff and selling food and drink. Taxis are readily available. We love Coki and find it a very intimate and romantic beach when ships are not in port.

 

Smith's Bay Park and Lindqvist Beach is a beautiful, maintained beach (both Smith's Bay Park and Magens Bay are maintained by the Magens Bay Authority and charge a small entry fee) but is much quieter and offers very few amenities. Here you would find natural beauty and relative quiet that you might have expected to see decades ago and not today. Grab your towel and a lunch and drinks from Gourmet Gallery and enjoy the beauty while it's still here. There may be chair rentals and portapotties there now, and you may need to have a taxi return for pick-up.

 

Sapphire Beach is a gorgeous beach in a larger bay with abundant natural shade, nice island views and great snorkeling off the beach. There is a reef area, a sandy swimming area, and a sea grass area where turtles and rays may be spotted. Home to 3 condo properties with food and drink options, but currently there are no chair rentals or public restrooms. So a very nice spot to be for condo guests on big ship days. And those cruisers young at heart (and body) that can be happy with a towel in the sand and the sapphire-colored sea for relief will be rewarded with paradise here. Taxis were stationed here but with fewer cruisers coming here you'll want to have the driver return or call a taxi when ready.

 

Secret Harbor is a small bay that is home to one condo property and has a quieter vibe more like Sapphire. However the water is dead calm at SH and there is no shade available to most day visitors. Good snorkeling and a restaurant on site and nice beach though.

 

Cowpet Bay is very close to Secret Harbor and is home to the Elysian Resort (condo resort) with a small beach and snorkeling. Primarily suited to guests of the condo but still a public beach.

 

Magens is on the north side and is a deep bay with a a nice, calm beach that's maintained (small entry fee) and is touted as one of the top 10 beaches in the Carib by Frommer's, cruise ships, etc. It has that rating for a reason, and it sees many people and so is touristy. No snorkeling here, and for some folks Magens doesn't have the charm or character some of the other beaches do. But it is a beautiful beach that is great for toddlers and kids because it is so dead calm, and it offers restrooms, small restaurant, a gift shop and available taxis.

 

Lindbergh Bay (aka Emerald Beach) is closest to Crown Bay and is a popular beach for folks docking there. A nice enough beach with rentals and food and drinks available at the Best Western Emerald Beach Plus Resort. You can also rent a room for the day to take advantage of a shower and changing room. Nice option if Magens and the East End beaches are too much effort.

 

Honeymoon Beach on Water Island is another popular destination for folks docked at Crown Bay because the ferry to Water Island is very close. This beach has become very popular however and gets crowded during the day.

 

Morningstar Beach is closest to Havensight and is a popular spot for folks docking there who are looking for a quick beach stop following an excursion or other tour. Home to the Marriott and you can use their services or just pick a spot on the beach for your towel and take a lunch if you'd like.

 

Hopefully not confusing the choices even more! And here's a map showing the beach locations for those not familiar with the island, just click on the map for a larger view -

http://www.virginislandsthisweek.com..._road_map.html

We will be in port on a day with only 2 ships, do you think Coki will be crowded, how much is taxi for 6 from Havensight to Coki and we are also considering Emerald, what would taxi cost to there. We are a family traveling with kids ages 9-15, would like a relaxing beach with snorkeling from the beach, lounge chairs, and some food options. We welcome any suggestions.

Hopefully I didn't miss a post about this before I ask but has anyone ever parked at the airport, gotten the free shuttle to the hotel, gotten a shuttle to the port and then returned to the airport after the cruise? Is this possible and what is a good CLEAN hotel that won't charge an arm and a leg to do this? Hopefully I didn't make that too confusing :) I figured I would get my parking through the airport and go from there as if I flew in.

we have 6 people going, 4 of us driving in the day before and 2 flying in the day before, we are looking at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami-Airport/Blue Lagoon and for what we can get a room for that will hold all 6 of us and use the secure parking option it seems to be cheaper, the secure parking is a free shuttle for 4 of us.

Have you found any other options?

We hate sailing from Miami, not only because of the 4 hour drive to get there, but mainly the Port of Miami Parking Rip Off. $ 20 a day is ridiculous. We finally took a chance on our last cruise with Safe Cruise Parking. Total cost for 7 days $ 55.93. ($7.99 a day).

I dropped off my passengers and luggage at the port and drove to the lot. The lot was fenced and I was greeted by the attendant as I entered, gave him my reservation, and shown where to park and lock my car. I was then directed to a van, which was loading passengers and their luggage (into a trailer). They left for the port immediately. My round trip from port to lot took under 30 minutes.

On returning I called for a ride, and was picked up within 5 minutes and driven to the lot. Again, I preferred to return to the port to pick up my passengers and luggage, but it seems those taking the van and luggage to the lot had no issues. I would definitely use Safe Parking on my next cruise from Miami.

Thanks for the info for safe parking? I have 6 of us and most of the hotels only provide transportation for 2 people. Thanks

Good Afternoon,

 

I just joined and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Darrin and I live on St. Croix, not too far from the cruise ship pier. I thought that an unbiased local's opinion might be useful to everyone here since I don't work in the tourism industry. Feel free to ask questions.

 

Thanks,

Darrin

Hi Darrin, thanks ahead of time for any info. We have never been to St Croix before, it will be our 5th island so we will have done a couple of beach days and a couple of island tours. What is something that is a "must see" for St Croix. we will have already snorkeled...have already done some historic tours, so we are looking for suggestions. Thanks again.

We will be in Tortola on a Sunday in April from 8:00am - 5:30pm. This is what I have planned...but, please let me know if something doesn't look right or I should add/remove something. Thanks in advance!!!:D

 

- Head to Ferry Dock (Road Town)

(10 min Walk)

 

- Take Ferry to Baths

Speedy's

Depart @ 9am / Arrival @ 9:30am

Return @ 1pm or 4:30pm

OR

Smith's

Depart @ 10am

Return @ 3pm

 

- Take Cab to Baths

 

LUNCH:

Top of the Baths

(@ the Baths)

 

Mineshaft

(Off Baths - Take Cab)

 

- Tour of Tortola Island (IF WE HAVE TIME LEFT) :eek:

(Catch a Tour Inc: Cane Garden Bay, Scenic Photo Op and Brewers Bay, Maybe Smuggler's Cove)

Dont mean to jump in on your post but just curious, where The Baths are located and can we do a cab back and forth? I will be traveling with a group of 3 adults and 3 kids.

Are there any all inclusive day passes/beaches in Tortola. We have done these in other places and they have included drinks/food, beach chairs, etc. We will be in for a day with kids ages 9-15 and would love to have a snorkeling area on the beach and food options.

Is there free Wifi anywhere in Tortola?

Right now price is within 100 bucks . also, costo has 190 dollar credit plus100 dollar credit on dining. One has a better ports but, the other has more to offer on the ship. Costo does not sell carnival at all- so I have to go to carnival site to do the price difference.

 

 

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Please tell me where you are finding the oasis and carnival breeze for the same price, I'm considering the breeze but afraid I will be disappointed as we love the oasis, so if I could get the same price or very close I would do the oasis.

Can anyone tell me what night the Allure has the Promenade party with the disco show and around what time it is? We dont want to miss that party, we are going with friends and had such a blast last time we ant to see it again.

Just a guess, but I suspect the part about price being valid for interior staterooms was lifted from some other promo where they had prices showing. The wording does not make sense to me in this context.

Agree it doesnt make sense by the wording, hoping they dont keep at interior, I'm shopping for a couple of them for next year.

Sailing today and have next cruise picked out. My question does Royal do promotions further into the cruise and raise onboard credit amounts for decide now bookings later into the cruise? Should I book whennI have time or wait til later into the cruise and hope for a promotion? Just not sure they do any promotions...any suggestions?

If you have a family (we are four), renting a car is the best. You can travel at your own pace and detour when you want. Taxis are not cheap, they charge per person, full price for kids, and rental cars are a value, albeit the most expensive we have found in the Caribbean. Our last car rental was $75 total plus fuel, inside the gate. We are researching others outside the gate for a better value, when we will be returning to St. Maarten 12/24. Hopefully we will have better info to share after that.

Just wondering what you found for a car rate? We want to go from the port to Marigot, to Maho to phillipsburg. I'm concerned with parking and road closures, we have a gps and there will be 4 of us, so do we rent a car or do a taxi?