Mitsugirly's extensive back to belly sun & sky review

[mitsugirly]

Today I got as far as you boarding the boat to Passion Island. Forced myself to stop reading so I can go get some sleep since it is now after 3AM.

 

I really love your detailed excursion reviews! I want to go swim with the sharks! Those looked to be some pretty good size sharks you had there! I have actually seen a few either snorkeling or on scuba dives, but it seemed like at least some of the people on your tour had some pretty good interaction with them. There is no way I would have left there without petting a shark. I am sorry you and Sakari didn't get the interaction you wanted with them.

 

Blue Kay looked pretty nice. I'm not sure DH would like it as much as I would though. He is not the beach person I am. I did notice dive flags in some of your pictures. Did you happen to notice if they had a dive shop there, or if they ran dive trips?

 

Sounds to me like Sakari had a pretty good Christmas. Santa knew just what to bring her. Besides being an artist, she's quite the swimmer, too!

 

I will be interested to hear what you thought of Passion Island. I had considered going there, but I'm afraid that after the awesome scuba dives I did there this past October, it will take a lot to get me to consider doing anything else. Maybe you will convince me. I still want to get to Chankanaab based on your reviews. I guess I need to schedule more cruises that go to Cozumel! What the heck, I just need to schedule more cruises! :D

 

 

 

Swimming with the sharks and rays was awesome. The only draw back was really not getting to touch or hold one and of course...getting that "picture" of it. I know this wouldn't have been the case if we were on a private tour. So, hopefully when we go again, we might get to try this again...if we don't decide to go to Goffs instead to try it out.

 

 

What are the 5 flags you are referring to at Blue Kay? I'm not sure I noticed that. LOL I'm not sure if they have a dive site or not. I looked on their website and it just mentions snorkeling, but yet they have a picture of diving??? :confused:

 

I don't know if you have got to my Passion Island review part yet. But if you haven't, you won't find me trying to convince you to go there. ;)

[MJKennedy]

Practicing a little tilt shift...it doesn't work as well on the land as when you are high up looking down.

 

 

 

Sakari's treat never came and neither did my cheesecake. I decided to walk up to the restaurant and ran into Roberto. That's when he explained that he was the head chef. So, he was not only running and taking orders, but he was going back and cooking them as well. At that point I felt sorry for him. They need more help obviously. He apologized for the wait on the desert and said he would have it right out.

 

Sakari loved the swings at the bar.

 

 

 

She finally got her icecream and it was a special ice cream...

 

 

 

My cheesecake arrived too. It was good, but not out of this world. It had somewhat of that "foamy" texture that I really don't care for. I'm more of a New York Style cheesecake girl. But, it was good enough for me to eat it all I can tell you that.

 

 

 

A bird sat in the trees and sang to us while we finished our treats. These birds have such a beautiful voice. So different than the ones back home.

 

 

 

 

It had been a beautiful, perfect day that we didn't really want to end. However, it seemed like a very long day too and we kept looking at the time thinking it should be close to time to go and it never would be. I loved that.

 

 

 

We decided that we wanted to take a walk down the malecon before we left and Roberto came over and we settled our bill. It only came to $48 for all 3 of us for the entire day!!! Wow! We felt like we were eating and drinking all day and this was a pretty darn cheap day for the 3 of us. I gave him a very nice tip. He told me that the cheesecake was on him since he forgot to bring it back to me.

 

I ask him about getting back to the port and he said whenever we were ready, he would call a cab for us and they would be there to pick us up within 15 minutes.

 

I ask if we were allowed to store our things in the lockers and he said he would give us the lockers for free for buying so much food and drinks. That made me think that just maybe this is a hidden gem and since no one really knows about it and since it's located kinda away from the other places on the malecon, maybe they don't get a lot of business. Nice for us, but I guess not for them.

 

We put our things in 2 lockers and away we went for our walk along the malecon.

 

 

I am so enjoying your review. I have been reading it for days now prepping for our cruise on the Sun on the 11th.

I have a couple questions about Blue Kay:

Do they take USD? Credit cards?

The taxi ride back to the port was only 5 minutes? How much were you charged.

Thanks! I like to be prepared... And this review is certainty helping me with that.

I talked my DH into going to LFK instead of Maya Key because of your review of it.

[mitsugirly]

I am so enjoying your review. I have been reading it for days now prepping for our cruise on the Sun on the 11th.

I have a couple questions about Blue Kay:

Do they take USD? Credit cards?

The taxi ride back to the port was only 5 minutes? How much were you charged.

Thanks! I like to be prepared... And this review is certainty helping me with that.

I talked my DH into going to LFK instead of Maya Key because of your review of it.

 

Yes, they take USD. I don't know about cc since we never use them in port. You could probably email them and ask that question. They are usually fairly good about emailing you back promptly with responses.

 

The taxi/bus ride to Blue Kay is $3 for adults and $2 for children. The taxi ride on the way back in $2 pp plus any tip you want.

 

LFK...well worth it! :)

[perfect match]

Swimming with the sharks and rays was awesome. The only draw back was really not getting to touch or hold one and of course...getting that "picture" of it. I know this wouldn't have been the case if we were on a private tour. So, hopefully when we go again, we might get to try this again...if we don't decide to go to Goffs instead to try it out.

 

After reading your rewiew about your shark dive I decided to google it and what I found was more infoon whale sharks than shark dives like you did. I would actually love to do both! We have no plans at present to cruise the western caribbean any time soon, but I may have to add it back into my priority list. I'm right there with you about private tours as being the way to go.

 

 

What are the 5 flags you are referring to at Blue Kay? I'm not sure I noticed that. LOL I'm not sure if they have a dive site or not. I looked on their website and it just mentions snorkeling, but yet they have a picture of diving??? :confused:

Not 5 flags, DIVE flags. They are red rectangular flags with a white diagonal stripe across them. I'm not sure if I saw actual flags, or pictures of them on some of the signs you took pictures of there, like the one of Sakari under the sign with the "leaves"on it. Usually when you see a dive flag, there's divers around somewhere. They are actually used out on the water when one is diving or snorkeling to let boaters know you're there so they won't run over you. Keeps you safer.

I don't know if you have got to my Passion Island review part yet. But if you haven't, you won't find me trying to convince you to go there. ;)

 

I read that section tonight. You're right, I am not likely to be going there. It is beautiful, though. I was sorry to see that Sakari got bit. She was very brave. It's amazing what a little bit of vinegar will do. I can't say I've ever heard of using a tomato, though. I'll have to remember that one.

 

We do door decorations on our Disney cruises. They require them to be magnets. I have heard of a number of people who have had theirs stolen. I always personalize ours with our names or board name and cabin number and I've not had a problem yet. I was glad you got your door decoration back. Wonder what the people whose door you found it on thought when they saw it was gone.

 

I was sorry to hear about the lost stone from your ring. I was sure you were going to say it was the one you got on the Getaway. I hope you are able to get it fixed. You handled it far better than I think I would have.

 

DH and I are both wondering why you decided to fly from Tampa to FLL. It would be pretty easy to rent a car in Tampa, drive down I75 across Alligator Alley. just a couple of hours and you're there. Plus, you would have the use of the car for any stops you might want to make. Knowing your tendency to try new things you probably won't be cruising from those same 2 ports again "back to belly" like you did this time, but you might want to consider it if you do.

 

Now that I'm done here, it's time to move on to the Sky. Not tonight though. Time to ring in the New Year! I hope your New Years is a happy one!

[mitsugirly]

After reading your rewiew about your shark dive I decided to google it and what I found was more infoon whale sharks than shark dives like you did. I would actually love to do both! We have no plans at present to cruise the western caribbean any time soon, but I may have to add it back into my priority list. I'm right there with you about private tours as being the way to go.

 

 

What are the 5 flags you are referring to at Blue Kay? I'm not sure I noticed that. LOL I'm not sure if they have a dive site or not. I looked on their website and it just mentions snorkeling, but yet they have a picture of diving??? :confused:

Not 5 flags, DIVE flags. They are red rectangular flags with a white diagonal stripe across them. I'm not sure if I saw actual flags, or pictures of them on some of the signs you took pictures of there, like the one of Sakari under the sign with the "leaves"on it. Usually when you see a dive flag, there's divers around somewhere. They are actually used out on the water when one is diving or snorkeling to let boaters know you're there so they won't run over you.

 

I read that section tonight. You're right, I am not likely to be going there. It is beautiful, though. I was sorry to see that Sakari got bit. She was very brave. It's amazing what a little bit of vinegar will do. I can't say I've ever heard of using a tomato, though. I'll have to remember that one.

 

We do door decorations on our Disney cruises. They require them to be magnets. I have heard of a number of people who have had theirs stolen. I always personalize ours with our names or board name and cabin number and I've not had a problem yet. I was glad you got your door decoration back. Wonder what the people whose door you found it on thought when they saw it was gone.

 

I was sorry to hear about the lost stone from your ring. I was sure you were going to say it was the one you got on the Getaway. I hope you are able to get it fixed. You handled it far better than I think I would have.

 

DH and I are both wondering why you decided to fly from Tampa to FLL. It would be pretty easy to rent a car in Tampa, drive down I75 across Alligator Alley. just a couple of hours and you're there. Plus, you would have the use of the car for any stops you might want to make. Knowing your tendency to try new things you probably won't be cruising from those same 2 ports again "back to belly" like you did this time, but you might want to consider it if you do.

 

Now that I'm done here, it's time to move on to the Sky. Not tonight though. Time to ring in the New Year! I hope your New Years is a happy one!

 

I would love to do the whale sharks one day as well. Sakari has watched them online and is very fascinated by them. But I think I want her to be a lot older before we try it. One opening of the mouth and she will become krill. LOL (I think this is what happened to Cameron Diaz when she did it...she was sucked inside and then came back out when it opened it's mouth...I'll always have that in the back of my mind now lol).

 

Oh ok, I know what the dive flags are. I have watched a lot of divers going out in the water from the beach at different places and seen them with the flag that float at the top of the water. I knew what they were, but didn't know what you meant in the review. I don't recall seeing any there and I definitely didn't see anyone going out in the water with gear on.

 

We were originally going to do a car rental and drive, but then decided to fly instead because we got the flight for free and it would put us at the airport minutes before the rest of the family arrived. Had we drove, we would be getting there a lot later and they would have been waiting on us for hours. So, it just made since. I believe when I did the google maps, it said around 3 hours or so driving (with all the potty stops I do, make that 5 hours lol) versus 30+ minutes...the hubby said it was a no brainer..."book it!" LOL :D

 

 

 

Happy New Year to you. Ours was a quiet and safe one at home with a few drinks. :p

[bjcruiser]

We headed back to the room to finish the little bit of unpacking I still had left to do and daddy fell asleep watching t.v.

 

For some odd reason, I decided I didn't like what he was "not" watching at the time and switched the channel. What did I see?????? THE FRICKEN BRIDGE IN THE FRONT CAMERA!!!! OOHHHH EEEMMMM GEEEEE!!! I completely forgot about passing under the bridge in approximatley 2 hours after departure. What was I thinking. I started up my panic mode, grabbed my camera and told Sakari "LET'S GO!!!" We raced up to the pool deck and right as well walked out the doors, this is what I seen:

 

 

 

We were already passing right under it!! D*(&%^@!#*)*&^%!!!!!! Grrr, I couldn't believe it.

 

I was able to get some pictures after we passed under, but still, not what I was wanting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was officially hitting myself in the forehead now for not remembering this.

 

After returning to the room, Sakari found us a little present under the bed:

 

 

Yes, that's exactly what you think it is...boys underwear left behind! Glad to know they clean so well.

 

Also, this is the first time that we have came to our room and didn't have ANY ice in our ice bucket. I really needed some caffeine and of course my soda wasn't cold yet since it was only day 1. I called housekeeping and they did not answer. I called customer service and ask them about getting some ice and they said they don't fill ice buckets until the evening. Now I know I have had ice in my bucket before the evening on the other cruises.

 

I also told customer service about the dirty underwear left in our room. They sent a manager to our room and he ask where it was, I pointed on the floor and he reached down and picked it up...without gloves. I wanted to puke a little in my mouth, but hey, his hands not mine.

 

I might also add that if I can't get something done, I'll do it myself. I located a cart with a cooler filled with ice and went in and got it myself!!!

 

 

 

 

 

What setting do you have your camera on for these bridge shots. I got a new camera for christmas for this same cruise in Feb. I've been practicing so that i can get great pics.

 

 

Thanks Bobbie

[mitsugirly]

What setting do you have your camera on for these bridge shots. I got a new camera for christmas for this same cruise in Feb. I've been practicing so that i can get great pics.

 

 

Thanks Bobbie

 

Well, it's really hard to tell what setting I had it on at the time I shot it since it's a point and shoot camera. This all happened so quickly that I just used whatever setting it happened to be on when I rushed out the door. It's obviously not on anything like the night shot because it would have ended up pretty blurry on that setting since we were moving so fast under the bridge.

 

If you have a dslr, I can give you the info that the camera set for the shot:

 

f/3.9 on all pictures

exposure 1/15 sec. to 1/30 sec.

ISO 1250-1600

aperture 3.93

flash was on auto (which kinda tells me I must have just had it on a daylight setting???) and a few were on "no flash, compulsory"

And white balance was set to Auto

 

 

I hope that helps. :)

[bjcruiser]

Thank you!

 

we will see how mine come out. I'm a BEGINNER with pic taking. But the pics are all about making memories it's not like they will be in any travel magazines....lol

 

Bobbie

[MJKennedy]

I have another question for you, Kim. Regarding the kids club: You mentioned a few times that they wanted to know where you were and if you changed locations. How would you tell them that you changed locations? I don't plan on using my cell phone on the cruise for anything but pictures.

[mitsugirly]

I have another question for you, Kim. Regarding the kids club: You mentioned a few times that they wanted to know where you were and if you changed locations. How would you tell them that you changed locations? I don't plan on using my cell phone on the cruise for anything but pictures.

 

 

You have to go around the ship looking for a phone on the wall...then call the kids club and let them know you are no longer at ______ and are going to _____. Super pain in the arse! By the 3rd or 4th day, I started calling every time I moved...going into store, going to get a snack, going back to room to put away purchases, going to casino, going to show....are you sick of me yet??? :cool: :rolleyes: If only they could adopt was the Sky does and give you the neatest little thing to wear around you neck. It's a beeper, but yet you can talk back and forth from it. Super cool.

[MJKennedy]

Yeah, that's what I imagined when you mentioned it in your review. But I was reading a review from another cruise line and they gave them phones. That sounded really good, and made a lot of sense if they want to have contact with you at a moments notice.

[CarolinaColada]

I loved your review of the Sun! We will be sailing March 29 and you gave us so much information. We are a family of 4 and we normally rent snorkel gear when we intend to snorkel. It sounds like we may have many more opportunities to snorkel on this trip, so considering taking gear with us. What gear do you normally pack-mask and snorkel only? Where is the best place to purchase masks that stay pretty clear, but aren't too expensive? We are certainly novices at this. Thanks for any insights.

[mitsugirly]

Yeah, that's what I imagined when you mentioned it in your review. But I was reading a review from another cruise line and they gave them phones. That sounded really good, and made a lot of sense if they want to have contact with you at a moments notice.

 

It's weird that every ship seems to be different. I have carried a phone before, did the beeper, nothing at all and so on. Each ship seems to have their own method. :confused:

 

I loved your review of the Sun! We will be sailing March 29 and you gave us so much information. We are a family of 4 and we normally rent snorkel gear when we intend to snorkel. It sounds like we may have many more opportunities to snorkel on this trip, so considering taking gear with us. What gear do you normally pack-mask and snorkel only? Where is the best place to purchase masks that stay pretty clear, but aren't too expensive? We are certainly novices at this. Thanks for any insights.

 

After our first cruise, we decided to purchase our own gear. We carry it all: snorkel, mask, fins...and I have added over the years the snorkel socks (since I do so much snorkeling I added the socks so I didn't get blisters and it's nice when you take off the fins, it's like having a thin pair of shoes on and easier to walk on rocks/sands) and we have also added the snorkel vest.

 

A lot of people on here will suggest going to a dive shop, being fitted for a mask and so on....which to me, that = $$$$ and they are a lot higher than buying an entire set off of an online dealer or even amazon.

 

I bought the kit that everything comes in a carry bag and the fins are the smaller kind (as in not as long as your normal fin). They work awesome!!! They fit in my bag easily and also in the suitcase.

 

They are from US Divers. I bought one for my husband and one for myself.

 

 

 

The snorkel comes with the purge valve and it is a submersible snorkel as well, so you can dive down if you see something and explore without getting water in your snorkel or having to take it out of your mouth.

 

 

 

 

They come in this bag, so everything stays together.

 

 

 

 

My set was called the divers DIVA, but I have seen other names mentioned as well. Don't worry about the fins being smaller, they work excellent and I like them better than normal fins because they "feel" lighter, which to me, lighter means easier to kick without being worn out. Sears also carries this set as well, but you'll probably pay more for them there. But, it could give you a chance to check them out maybe before buying.

 

 

I think I paid around $50 for the entire set if that. But you have to shop around to find the best deal. I know we have definitely got our monies worth out of them and was probably one of the best investments we've made so far for our cruise "stuff". :p

[luvcruzing]

Yes, they take USD. I don't know about cc since we never use them in port. You could probably email them and ask that question. They are usually fairly good about emailing you back promptly with responses.

 

The taxi/bus ride to Blue Kay is $3 for adults and $2 for children. The taxi ride on the way back in $2 pp plus any tip you want.

 

LFK...well worth it! :)

 

If you walk to the taxi stand outside the port area that you passed on the way to Blue Key, it's $2 per person, and they'll drop you exactly where you want to go.

[Jeep108]

I walked over to get her picture. I wanted it as a keepsake and to see what a....fine job she did? yikes

 

Like I said, painting is NOT her thing.

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OMG - I Love reading your posts so much. You should definitely write a blog. And your daughter reminds me of mine at that age (she is now almost 11 but very creative and an absolute fish). Love this!

 

Yes - I'm trawling through your reviews again - just decided to switch my Costa Maya plans from Tropicana to Blue Kay based on this review. :D

[mitsugirly]

OMG - I Love reading your posts so much. You should definitely write a blog. And your daughter reminds me of mine at that age (she is now almost 11 but very creative and an absolute fish). Love this!

 

Yes - I'm trawling through your reviews again - just decided to switch my Costa Maya plans from Tropicana to Blue Kay based on this review. :D

 

Thanks so much for the comments. I appreciate it so much and glad you enjoy them.

 

I am going to be forced to write a blog and take all of my information from all of my reviews and put them on there since I'm out of space here on cc and can't fit any more in my signature line. :( I don't know anything about blogs so I have no idea where to start to look or how it works. :o

 

You will LOVE Blue Kay...seriously. It's so pretty there and you can't beat the price. :D I just wish I would have discovered it before now instead of wasting my time on down the malecon at Nohoch last time. :(

[CruiseIreland]

I really hope you do set up your own blog as I enjoy your trip reports and I would like to be able to browse for my Caribbean cruise(still planning in my head). You are one of the quality trip reviewers on CC. Thanks, Ken.

[Jeep108]

I am going to be forced to write a blog and take all of my information from all of my reviews and put them on there since I'm out of space here on cc and can't fit any more in my signature line. I don't know anything about blogs so I have no idea where to start to look or how it works.

Check out Wordpress for quick and easy (and free) blogging tools. If you can use a keyboard and mouse, you can use wordpress. Would work great with all your pictures. Maybe when you choose a blog name, you could keep cruise in the title somewhere so that cruise critic fans can find you. For sure, love the reviews. It would be nice to see them all in one place.

[marymunro]

I had the same thoughts.. You seriously could be a Pro travel blogger, with significant followers - getting cruise lines and hotels to sponsor you!

[mitsugirly]

I really hope you do set up your own blog as I enjoy your trip reports and I would like to be able to browse for my Caribbean cruise(still planning in my head). You are one of the quality trip reviewers on CC. Thanks, Ken.

 

I will figure something out. No worries. It just might take me awhile. :D

 

Check out Wordpress for quick and easy (and free) blogging tools. If you can use a keyboard and mouse, you can use wordpress. Would work great with all your pictures. Maybe when you choose a blog name, you could keep cruise in the title somewhere so that cruise critic fans can find you. For sure, love the reviews. It would be nice to see them all in one place.

 

I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the information. :)

[mitsugirly]

I had the same thoughts.. You seriously could be a Pro travel blogger, with significant followers - getting cruise lines and hotels to sponsor you!

 

 

Wonder how this works? :confused: How can you get cruise lines and hotels to sponsor you? Do they just pay for the hosting site?

[mitsugirly]

Check out Wordpress for quick and easy (and free) blogging tools. If you can use a keyboard and mouse, you can use wordpress. .

 

My husband just informed me that he has a word press that he never used that came with his hosting site and that I could pick whatever blog I wanted and could host it on his host. I guess I had never thought of that since he has a business and also an online website that he already has a host. LOL :p

 

 

Meanwhile, using a "shortened" url site worked for me to be able to get all of my recent reviews onto my signature line for now. :D At least everyone will still be able to look them up.

 

I did notice that some of my older reviews before I started doing the lengthy reviews have broken links within them. :( I don't think I was as organized as I am now and switched things around and put into different folders on my smugmug site, which left post with broken links to the "additional" pictures....which equals still a need for a blog to cover everything. :)

[ttnc4me]

Between the lack of amenities (slide/rock wall/etc...) and show offerings we would never likely not ever choose the Sun but I appreciate your review and your positive spirit.

The picture reviews and time you take to share your stories on this site are second to none.

Thank you.

[mitsugirly]

Between the lack of amenities (slide/rock wall/etc...) and show offerings we would never likely not ever choose the Sun but I appreciate your review and your positive spirit.

The picture reviews and time you take to share your stories on this site are second to none.

Thank you.

 

 

You are very welcome. You should try the Getaway/Breakaway/Epic if you want the best entertainment and things to do. Those ships are awesome. :D

[bluemoon12]

Love, Love your reviews! We will be in Mahogany Bay in September. Because of your reviews both times ,I am going to LFK! I will make sure the owners know why I am there. Thanks for the awesome reviews you do!!