cruise newbie

[hokkeika]

My mom and I will be taking our first cruise ever in two weeks on Rotterdam (7 day Western Caribbean). Very excited! I've tried to research as much as I could but sometimes it seems more I research, more questions I have. And I hope I haven't done some horrible logistical mistake yet.

1. Our flight arrives at Tampa at 11:16. We will have only one checked in bag. I think we will be fine to check in in time, correct? (and OMG if not!) Airport seems to be only 15 min away from the dock....

2. Can we still walk on promenade and watch sail off there... somebody mentioned it's only for veranda people? (our room will be on the Main deck)

3. Planning to book 2 excursions with HAL: Tikal in Guatemala and Chacchoben with Blue Lagoon in Mexico. Tikal is crazy expensive ($649 per person) but seems like once in a lifetime opportunity to see this historical site. Also it's not exactly a safest country, and seems like booking through HAL is the best option. Has anybody taken that excursion? has anybody taken Chaccoben and Blue lagoon excursion in Mexico? 

4. I am thinking to book a taxi on Roatan, and do our own private tour. Has anybody have any recommendations as to a proffered taxi company they used  or must see things there?

5. Somebody mentioned somewhere that if the ship undersold I can ask for a free room upgrade at the time of embarkation. Is it true or is it an urban legend? 

 

Thank you! 

[freestyling]

Welcome to CC. If you haven’t joined your roll call you should. Plenty of discussions on the what, where and hows for ports, etc.

I will take a stab at a few of your questions

1- flight arrival should be fine. Need to be on ship by 3:00ish. Mandatory muster is usually at 4:00 if sail out is 5:00. There will be a program to watch about muster on your TV before you join muster.

2- you can be on any public deck for sail away. If weather is pleasant lido deck and top deck is nice.

3 - don’t know. We book private tours...ask on your roll call

4 - same..ask on roll call

5- call however you booked with to have them inquire with HAL on possible upgrade (free) or up sell (cost) 

[OlsSalt]

Did the Tikal excursion and yes, the best way is to do it with HAL - tricky connections and long distances to get there - and you don't want to miss  the ship if you try this on your own. Expensive yes, but this is a very small plane and the only game in town. It starts very early in the morning and is a long, and often hot and humid tour once you get to the location itself.  

 

You can move at your own pace  once you are there and maybe not climb each pyramid if it gets to be too much. The guide offered limited historical information; just the logistics of getting around the site so the more you read up ahead of time, the more interesting this visit will be.  

 

One of the best side features of this tour is seeing from the plane windows the string of many volcanos - some active- that dot this part of Guatemala. We did this tour for exactly the same reasons you stated - as long as we are there and may never get back, this is the one to do. 

 

Rotterdam is a smaller, easy to negotiate ship - one of our own favorites - traditional design built, for those who like to travel and see new places. She has taken us to many wondrous spots all around the world. Hope you enjoy her too. 

 

Our trick to remember is food is in the back (baby back ribs -food)  and entertainment is in the front of the ship (front row seats -entertainment). Each of the three elevator and stair banks will take you more or less directly to these different interest areas.

 

Front elevators to the Crows Nest and the Show Lounge (front row seats - forward elevators) - back elevators to the lovely two-story dining room and the Lido back splash pool and buffet. access Middle elevators take you everywhere, with only a little walk one way or the other. Carpet design in the hallways by the elevator/stair foyers will point to either the front or back of the ship.

 

 Rotterdam still has a lovely library space for quiet seating, reading and viewing. 

Edited January 14, 2019 by OlsSalt

[Crew News]

I have been on the Cacchoben excursion with a long bus ride and lots of walking.  Here is my photo review:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/place/mexico/chacchoben

[crystalspin]

7 hours ago, OlsSalt said:

Our trick to remember is food is in the back (baby back ribs -food)  and entertainment is in the front of the ship (front row seats -entertainment). Each of the three elevator and stair banks will take you more or less directly to these different interest areas.

 

Front elevators to the Crows Nest and the Show Lounge (front row seats - forward elevators) - back elevators to the lovely two-story dining room and the Lido back splash pool and buffet. access Middle elevators take you everywhere, with only a little walk one way or the other. Carpet design in the hallways by the elevator/stair foyers will point to either the front or back of the ship.

 

I don't have any added advice for the OP, having never been to that part of the world, but you are on a great line so enjoy the ship and the service and not just the ports! At dinner, if you want two entrees, pick one (pasta works, steak not so much) and ask for a half order as your starter. This goes the other way, with a double order of a starter as an entree, or any combination. Your dining room stewards and apparently the chefs are there to make you happy!

 

As for @OlsSalt -- why didn't I think of those memory cues! My DSM (my step-mom) never did know which way to turn in a two-week cruise!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

We have also done the flight to Tikal.  Well worth it.  It is a long day.  Agree with everything that OlsSalt said. Booking it through HAL is the best way to do this tour. 

 

Yes -- you can walk around on the promenade deck -- it is not just for verandah people.  There are even lounge chairs that you can use.  But for sail away -- I would want to be on an upper deck to see the views.

[HamOp]

I see from your roll call posting that you are from Russia, now living in the US.  Your mother having joined you just 2 years ago,

I am wondering about the needed passports for your trip.  Make sure you both have passports that are valid for 6 months after your return to the states. HAL will not allow you to travel with out them.

 

[JimnKaren]

Be sure to take bug spray with you to Tikal.

Jim

[mcrcruiser]

Good info  We will be taking Rotterdam  in April Western Caribbean cruise  .Now have it all planned out 

[hokkeika]

4 hours ago, HamOp said:

I see from your roll call posting that you are from Russia, now living in the US.  Your mother having joined you just 2 years ago,

I am wondering about the needed passports for your trip.  Make sure you both have passports that are valid for 6 months after your return to the states. HAL will not allow you to travel with out them.

 

I am an american now and she has a green card. I checked the requirements - looks like all places are ok with the russians come to visit them without getting the visas in the consulates. But I will double check! (thank you for the reminder!)