Just back from the Voyager, 2/01/09

[mikefast]

We just made it back home from the Voyager cruise. We were at the pier in Galveston about 6:30 this morning. Disembarkement was about as smooth as anytime we can remember. Earlier in the week you were given a card to write down the time you would like to leave the ship. You were assigned a place to wait, and it was not at all crowded. We wanted to get off about 9:30, but they called our color about 25 minutes early. Even customs went smoothly. Was cool on our sea days, so it was pretty crowded inside the ship. At port, the temperature was about perfect for us. I was quite disappointed in Roatan, never have I seen people so pushy. They would follow you for a long ways trying to take you on a tour or whatever. Costa Maya was very nice. Very clean and pretty. Food was so-so. We ate all our evening meals in the main dining room. I ordered a steak one night that was inedible. It was so tough, when I offered my wife a piece, she couldn't even stick her fork into it. Other than that it was pretty good. The Windjammer food was about the same every day except for the carving station. That had a different meat every day. The cooking demonstration was hilarious. They made a black forest cake, and with cruise director Erick Dowis taking part, it was a scream. Derek Lewis had his usual karaoke in the Pig and Whistle. He was his usual great self, the only problem there is the Pig and Whistle is too small for that kind of show. There was a big crowd outside. The ice show was very good also. We had early dining which was 5:30 except for the first night it was 6:00. Our service in the dining room was the slowest we have ever had on any cruise, so we missed the show the first night. I don't know what the problem was, our waitress was a very sweet girl with a terrific personality, but it seemed like everybody else got there food before she did. It really wasn't that bad, her sweet disposition made up for it. There is just too much to do on a ship that big, we didn't come near to doing everything we wanted to. Oh, my wife spent a little time in the casino, and she did come out ahead. Not much, but at least she came out with more than she put in.

[bigredaggiesmom]

Glad you are back safe and sound and that you had a good time. How did everyone else like the cruise?

[CruisinManiac]

Thank you for the review.:)

 

Were the sea days cool because the weather was unusually cool, or is that the norm this time of year? Was it raining?

 

I am sorry to hear that the food and service were not up to par. Hopefully, it was just a fluke, as I have read good things about both with this ship.

 

You mentioned the cruise director, but do you recall any of his assistants? our friends have a son on the ship, who is an assistant. His name is John.

 

PS - I have heard that you are better off booking an excursion in Roatan. I read a book from an author that says Roatan is her favorite Caribbean port, and she recommends some beaches.

[mikefast]

Glad you are back safe and sound and that you had a good time. How did everyone else like the cruise?

 

We went with two of my sons and their wives, and an ex brother in law and his wife. One daughter in law had heard horror stories at work about getting sea sick, so, in spite of what we had told her, and her taking bonine, she was scared. She never did get sea sick, and it wasn't until the last day that she really loosened up. All the rest loved the cruise and even she on the last day admitted she had a great time.

 

The only assistant to the cruise director that I remember was a young lady from England, her name was Traci. She and Erick seemed to have a certain chemistry and they really worked good together.

 

About the food, that one time was really the only bad meal I had. I think I just ate too much, and by the time dinner rolled around I just wasn't that hungry. I enjoyed breakfast in the Windjammer, even though it was always the same. But, all I need is a cup of coffee, a glass of orange juice, some eggs, bacon, sausage, a pancake, and maybe a sweet roll, and I'm happy. The problem with dinner was, there were so many things on the menu, it was hard to make up my mind what I wanted. So, we usually took a couple of appetizers, and maybe a couple of desserts.

 

All in all, it was a good cruise. I was very pleasantly surprised at Costa Maya. Very clean, very pretty.

[mikefast]

Thank you for the review.:)

 

Were the sea days cool because the weather was unusually cool, or is that the norm this time of year? Was it raining?

 

 

PS - I have heard that you are better off booking an excursion in Roatan. I read a book from an author that says Roatan is her favorite Caribbean port, and she recommends some beaches.

 

I'm sorry, I didn't answer this before. We had cruised in January several times before, and this was the coolest we have ever had it. It rained just a bit in Cozumel. Other than that the weather in port was perfect. But, the three sea days were quite cool. I agree that you would be better off booking an excursion in Roatan. We did that the first time we were there, but this time, my wife wanted to spend some time SHOPPING. :mad: We walked at least a mile getting to a store that was recommended by the so called shopping expert on board, and even my wife said it wasn't worth it. And the vendors were extremely pushy there. Even a firm NO! didn't seem to make any difference

[sptrout]

Were the sea days cool because the weather was unusually cool, or is that the norm this time of year?

 

The sea temperature in the northern half of the Gulf of Mexico is in the mid-50's this time of year so that is going to be the outside air temperature. The only chance for a little warmer area is a place protected from the wind and still in the sun (assuming it is not cloudy).

[hollon]

What about the shows, did you see any? Have you every cruised in Dec. out of Galveston? I have a cruise on the voyager for Dec. 13.Was the ports warm? :)

[KJunCruiser]

What about the shows, did you see any? Have you every cruised in Dec. out of Galveston? I have a cruise on the voyager for Dec. 13.Was the ports warm? :)

 

We cruised out of New Orleans last Christmas. We left home in jackets and were in shorts by noon the next day. The ports were very pleasant - between 70 and 80 degrees. We were in Cozumel and Progresso

[mikefast]

What about the shows, did you see any? Have you every cruised in Dec. out of Galveston? I have a cruise on the voyager for Dec. 13.Was the ports warm? :)

We saw five shows. The first night they only had one show, and our dinner ran too late to see it. He was a comedian, and we saw him on T.V. in our room. I don't think we missed that much. There were two shows with the RCCL orchestra, singers and dancers, which were quite good. One night they had Kenny James. He was a talented singer and dancer, but not my type of music. Another night was Kyle Knight and Misty, a magician, who I thought was very good. The last night was a gymnist, Lance Ringnald. I was pleasantly surprised. He put on a pretty good show, not only gymnastics, but also played the piano and sang. Also on that show was the comedian, and of course being the last night, they introduced the crew. All in all, I thought the shows were pretty good.

 

We have cruised out of Galveston once in December, and three times in January. The weather is usually pretty cool until you reach the ports. Then it is quite comfortable. warm enough to use the pool or the beach.

[CruisinManiac]

Thanks so much for the information!

 

I have been in the Gulf before during February, and the temperature was warm.

[WomanRN]

Mikefast - we're goin on her for spring break and I was just curious? While it's still fresh in your mind - which dinner night would you have skipped between Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights??? We're trying to decide which night to eat at Portofino's:D And it's got to be one of those 3...so which was your least favorite night as far as the menu was concerned???

 

Thanks!!!

[mikefast]

Mikefast - we're goin on her for spring break and I was just curious? While it's still fresh in your mind - which dinner night would you have skipped between Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights??? We're trying to decide which night to eat at Portofino's:D And it's got to be one of those 3...so which was your least favorite night as far as the menu was concerned???

 

Thanks!!!

 

That is so hard to say as food is an individual taste. For me, I think Thursday was my least favorite. I believe that is the night I had an Angus steak that was so tough it was inedible. I wish I had chosen something else but I love beef. Just to be fair, the other nights the food was quite good.

[WomanRN]

I appreciate any and all food for the most part...especially on a cruise!! Just didn't want to miss the 2 formal nights and Sunday night is the wine and dine package and Wednesday night is the Mystery Dinner in Portofino so...Thursday night it is!!

 

Thanks so much for your opinions....

 

Now, off to watch her depart....

[wsantelope]

We did this itinerary last year and Roatan was our favorite port....the most native...least commercialized. Sorry you didn't like it.

We did a private tour with Victor Bodden and it was incredible!

We also went to West Bay Beach which was the same.....

Sounds like they've got some new shows and it's too bad that Derek Lewis wasn't on our sailing.....we missed him!

Glad you're back safe!

[mikefast]

We did this itinerary last year and Roatan was our favorite port....the most native...least commercialized. Sorry you didn't like it.

We did a private tour with Victor Bodden and it was incredible!

We also went to West Bay Beach which was the same.....

Sounds like they've got some new shows and it's too bad that Derek Lewis wasn't on our sailing.....we missed him!

Glad you're back safe!

 

I can understand why Roatan would be your favorite port. If we had taken a tour I think it would have been completely different. My dear wife wanted to go SHOPPING. :mad: And it was because of this that we were hounded more than at any other port. We did take a tour some time back, and the island is a beautiful island.

[Cruiserccl]

Did you go to your Meet And Mingle party at all?

[Rancher Dave]

Nice review. Glad you had a nice cruise.

[Snoozeman]

Glad you enjoyed it Mike. What happened to global warming? It was cool in January too. It wasn't that way last several years.

 

BTW-Detailed Voyager review on my blog.

[satxdiver]

I was sorry to hear about Roatan. I have been there on a diving trip and two years ago on a ship port of call. Both times the people seemed to be relaxed and not pushy at all. It was much like I experience in Cozumel. I guess with the port becoming more of a stop, the locals are getting more aggressive. I will not like that personally and will cause me to stay on the ship on future sailings. I am on the VOS later this month, so I will experience the locals first hand. Thanks for the warning.

[mikefast]

Did you go to your Meet And Mingle party at all?

 

No, I didn't. My wife and I were registered but she went to that stupid rip off shopping show and didn't get back in time. I, like a good husband, :) waited for her to get back to the room. If there is anybody that loves shopping more than her, I have yet to meet that person. Anyway, by the time she got back to the room, it was too late to go. :(

[jasonteller]

Here's a link to my report from this same cruise:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=17984060&postcount=441