First cruise - CARIBBEAN - questions
jarz...@poczta.onet.pl
place - Caribbean, time - December, we found too many nice cruises and
now we are confused what is the best for us? We need some help.... :)
We have three types:
1) 7-night Caribbean-Western - from Miami with Royal Caribbean -
Voyager of the Seas
- Labadee, Haiti
- Ocho Rios, Jamaica
- Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
- Cozumel
2) 8-night Caribbean-Eastern - from Fort Lauderdale with Royal
Caribbean - Radiance of the Seas
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
- St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda
- Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
- St. Martin - Sint Maarten
- Nassau, Bahamas
3) 10-night Caribbean-Ultimate - from Tampa with Celebrity Cruises -
Zenith
- George Town, Grand Cayman
- Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
- Colon, Panama
- Roatan (Isla Roatan), Bay Islands, Honduras
- Cozumel, Mexico
We have a lot of questions, we are under 30, we would like to see a
lot, we like snorkeling, exotic places, good fun etc. It will be our
honeymoon, but we want to spend it in active way. We don't want to
spend all day on the beach.
Do You think 1st cruise for 10 nights isn't too long for first timers??
Is it better to take 7 nights?
Is it big diffrence between these lines ( royal and celebrity ) ? Is it
really bad to stay at interior room or it's better to pay a little bit
more for oceanview? what we should know about additional charges? Is
some lines better for "young" people? ( beside disney's ship )? What
about shore excursions? Have You tried something? What can You
recomend? Is it better to organize our time by ourselves or buy some
excursions? We would love to hear everything what You know, every
suggestion, specialy from people who tried one of those cruises.
It's our first time and we would like to know everything before we book
the cruise
Thank You soooooo much
Eve
Ed
Personally, we prefer the Celebrity cruises.... as far as the ships go.
On the other hand, we have taken a Celebrity cruise similar to the route
in your number 3 example, and having done that, I tend to think that the
stops on your number 2 example look more interesting.
Ed
Mark
All of those are good. Depending on your budget, I'd get a balcony or
oceanview if you can. Nothing like having coffee or a nightcap while
watching the ocean go by. For me 10 nights is too long and this is after 8
cruises. It sure is fun but the richness and cost get to you after a little
bit. Lots of people like longer but that's just my opinion.
Regardless of the ports, for the most part you can always find something to
do. Snorkeling on excursions can get expensive so we usually pick beaches
with snorkeling available, hang out for a while, and then hit town for some
shopping.
Look at port times also, even though there may be a lot of ports on an
itinerary, the time in ports may limit your options.
Personally I hate sea days, there's lots you can find to do on the ship but
I prefer to check out the local culture and stop for a beer here and there
while walking about. A lot of the same stuff is available on the ship on
port days so you don't have to get off if you don't want to.
If you think you'll like good full port days then also check out Adventure
of the Seas out of San Juan or Crown princess. If you have to fly it's about
the same price as flying to Miami. Make sure you check out message boards
like www.cruisecritic.com and www.cruisemates.com for reviews and stuff
also. It'll make your head spin reading all that stuff but once you decide
what you really want to do then it'll be easy to narrow it down to the
cruise that fits your taste.
<jarz...@poczta.onet.pl> wrote in message
news:1162502965.3...@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
Dick G
If you have never cruised before, I'd do seven nights to be sure you are not
miserable for ten.
> Is it big diffrence between these lines ( royal and celebrity ) ?
Royal Caribbean owns both lines, but there is a big difference. Just as
Carnival has the "fun ships", Royal Caribbean is the more active ship, with
fun and games at the pool, and certainly easier to get bar service.
And although I haven't been on either line in over a decade, being that I am
an oldtimer who prefers the laid back ambience of Holland America, back in
the day Celebrity food was far superior to RCL.
> Is it really bad to stay at interior room or it's better to pay a little
> bit
> more for oceanview?
It depends. After 20 cruises I like the outside, but since it is your
honeymoon, you may either spend or not spend a lot of quality time in your
cabin. Decide how much actual physical space you need.
> what we should know about additional charges?
Just about everything is extra. Be prepared.
Have a wonderful life, and spend your honeymoon living that life.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ
Tom K
My reasons:
I've been on about 14 Celebrity sailings and about 10 Royal Caribbean
sailings, so I have a decent perspective.
Celebrity is my favorite line, but for me, for very specific reasons. And
the 2 lines are rather different.
But the first place to start is the ships. Zenith is an old, small ship
without any balcony cabins. She's nice for an itinerary like Bermuda, when
a small ship is important to get into the tight channels. But in the
Caribbean, you want BIG, BOLD, SPLASHY. And NEW.
Radiance is a pretty class of ship, but NOTHING compared to Voyager class.
If you pick Royal Caribbean, do the Voyager, or one of her sister ships.
If you look at Celebrity, the advantages it has over Royal Caribbean are the
better food and more relaxing type experience. More elegant. More chic.
More pampering. But you didn't mention any of those. And the Zenith is the
worst of the Celebrity ships.
Royal Caribbean's advantages over Celebrity are the more dramatic looking
ships, the non stop activities, ice skating rink, Johnny Rockets burger
place, etc. It's more into action. Disco open till the wee hours of the
morning. Hot casinos. Just a more "happening" type cruise experience.
If you really decided that you wanted the pampering and better food of
Celebrity, than go with one of the newer ships instead. Otherwise, go with
Voyager, or one of her sister ships Explorer, Adventure, Mariner, Navigator.
Or even the newer Freedom. That way the ship is the destination.
--Tom
<jarz...@poczta.onet.pl> wrote in message
news:1162502965.3...@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
Splenda
is very reasonable next month. So much on the ship to keep you active and
entertained.
True the food isn't that wonderful but you can live on it.We cruised on
Voyager and weren't happy though we did enjoy the ice skating.
We love to cruise and Celebrity is our 1st choice. We are old folks and that
probably had a lot to do with it.
We are about to take Celebrity Constellation, after that cross the bridge
and NCL . January we will cruise with the Zenith, one of our favorite ships
(our 6th Zenith cruise) Then B2B RCCL Enchantment, ONLY because our favorite
shipboard entertainer is on it.
Whatever you choose, if you like it you will probably be hooked on cruising.
<jarz...@poczta.onet.pl> wrote in message
news:1162502965.3...@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
kdar...@basit.com
jarz...@poczta.onet.pl wrote:
> We decided to buy our first cruise:
> place - Caribbean, time - December, we found too many nice cruises and
> now we are confused what is the best for us? We need some help.... :)
Ship: Your age... do Voyager. Lots to do onboard, and the food is good
enough. The downside is you might find later cruises to be too small a
ship for you after a monster like that one :-)
Length: I don't know how anyone could have a bad time on a cruise!
After a few days, you're wishing it could last at least two weeks! So
personally I'd take the longer, but seven days is okay for the first.
Cabin: I can't go without a balcony. Just to look at the stars and
moon in private and listen to the water going by.
Kev
lj
I would pick #2, mainly bcs I like those ports, but I do hope to do the #3
cruise at some point.
I like Celebrity & did a 10 day one before. It was a good cruise, but I
prefer the 7 day. I also went on the 10 day cruise in December.....I was
late 30s and was one of the youngest on the ship. We had several passengers
die during that cruise which has never happened before. Celebrity is a nice
line, a bit more upscale overall, but the ship is not as big or up-to-date
as the other lines.
So basically it just boils down to personal choice, but given your age and
that you've never cruised before, I would pick #2 (I just do not like
Jamacia).
Sue and Kevin Mullen
jarz...@poczta.onet.pl wrote:
> 1) 7-night Caribbean-Western - from Miami with Royal Caribbean -
> Voyager of the Seas
> - Labadee, Haiti
> - Ocho Rios, Jamaica
> - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
> - Cozumel
>
> 2) 8-night Caribbean-Eastern - from Fort Lauderdale with Royal
> Caribbean - Radiance of the Seas
> - San Juan, Puerto Rico
> - St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda
> - Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
> - St. Martin - Sint Maarten
> - Nassau, Bahamas
>
> 3) 10-night Caribbean-Ultimate - from Tampa with Celebrity Cruises -
> Zenith
For you I think that the Voyager or the Radiance of the Seas would be
a better choice. Both of these ships cater more to a younger crown,
both have rock climbing walls and the Voyager has an ice skating rink.
Both of them have good itins, so just reasearch the ports on
cruisecritic.com and see which you prefer.
The Zenith is a lovely ship, but a 10 day sailing is going to attrack
an older crowd. Also it is an older ship and wouldn't have as much for
you. I love the ship and the service, but I am more then double your
age and what I look for is much different(grin).
> Is it
> really bad to stay at interior room or it's better to pay a little bit
> more for oceanview?
There is nothing wrong with an interior room if you want to save a few
dollars. I would not take one, mainly because I love to watch the
ocean while we are in our cabin. I think a balcony would be wonderful
for a honeymoon, but you would also be fine with an inside cabin if
that is what works best for you.
what we should know about additional charges?
$10/day/person for tip, any sodas or alcohol that you drink and also
whatever you spend in the casino. There will of course be costs for
any excursions you take, cruise line or on your own.
I think the best thing for you would be to find a good cruise travel
agent and have a good talk with him/her about what would be best for
you. Also it is better to book through a TA, then to go directly to
the cruise line.
Once you decide which cruise you are booking, let us know and we can
help you plan your excursions.
sue
Rosalie B.
If I were picking by ports, which I do, I'd prefer the Radiance of the
Seas itinerary. I don't know anything about the ships.
El Moro (fort and lighthouse) make San Juan the most dramatic
entrance of any harbor in the Caribbean There were people at the end
of the dock offering a city tour for $10 (way cheaper than the boat
tour). There is another fort (San Cristobal) to visit in addition to
El Moro, or you can take a ferry over to the Bacardi factory.
Charlotte Amalie - there are several places to go to the beach for
snorkeling (Coki Beach which is next to Coral World, or over to St.
John), and that is where a lot of people go shopping. St. John is
mostly National Park, and there are a lot of hiking trails.
St. Martin has a very nice zoo type of place, and also Orient Beach is
clothing optional.
Cozumel and Roatan are mostly known (by me anyway) as places to scuba
dive.
Warren
Tom K wrote:
> If you look at Celebrity, the advantages it has over Royal Caribbean are the
> better food and more relaxing type experience. More elegant. More chic.
> More pampering.
Tom,
This past year I've done a crossing on Royal Caribbean's Legend of the
Seas and Alaska on Celebrity's Mercury. This was my re-introduction to
both lines after 10 and 7 years respectively. The two products - at
least on these two similarly sized and vintaged ships - are, IMHO,
completely indistinguishable down to the china and flatware used in the
dining room.
Warren
Warren
> I've been to Haiti and there is a real good reason people risk their
> lives at sea trying to get here.
Labadee is RCI's private enclave in a remote corner of Haiti. It's
mainly tropical beaches surrounded by mountains. Most people have no
idea they are even in Haiti when they stop at Labadee.
Warren
Brian K
While everyone here will have different opinions about this...I can
suggest two things. Get some travel books from your local library.
Read up on the different islands and what they have to offer. Also,
Google "Adventure Travel", and / or "Adventure Cruising". That seems to
be the kind of trip that interests you. Rather than a large cruise
ship, you might want to look into sail driven cruises. Luxury sail ships
have a much lower draft and can get into ports in accessible to the big
ships. Excursions are more individualized when the number of passengers
is in the hundreds rather than thousands.
You may benefit from contacting a Travel Agent who is a full service
agent specializing in cruising. Note: By this I don't mean a cruise
consolidator. Rather, I am talking about the kind of agent who will
listen to *you* and will craft some cruise options based on your needs.
Also check into Cruise Critic on line which features reviews of the
various ships and cruise lines.
--
________
To email me, Edit "blog" from my email address.
Brian M. Kochera
"Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"
View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951
Charles
<Zomby...@Zappa.net> wrote:
> I've been to Haiti and there is a real good reason people risk their
> lives at sea trying to get here. Not something you want to see while
> on a romantic getaway, pretty much samething can be said about the
> poverty of Jamaica as well.
Labadee is RCI's "private island" (okay it is not an island) but it is
a walled off from Haiti so don't see anything of Haiti except for a
craft market. It is a beach day with beautiful beaches and scenery and
a BBQ supplied by RCI.
--
Charles
RICK DAVIS
mostly being your first cruise Voyager and Radiance class ships are very
very smooth. You will hardly ever feel the ship move. The Zenith is a
very old ship. Nothing wrong with older ships its just you will enjoy
Voyager or Radiance more. If you can swing it get a balcony cabin. Be
warned: YOU WILL BE SPOILED AFTER THIS. You will want nothing else in
the future. But it is your Honeymoon. Any other cabin you get will be
fine. You have nothing else to compare it to so you'll be happy.
I've taken 20 cruises and 10 nights is just about the perfect length for
a cruise. 1 week flys by and 8 days is nice but 10 is best. I would
suggest if you take the 7 or 8 day cruise and you have the time take a
few extra days on your return to spend in florida. You will be so happy
you did. While your going to enjoy your cruise you will be exhausted
when you get off the ship. Being this is your first cruise you will try
to do everything thats offered. You will be up early in the morning for
your arrival into each port and you will be up late at night (casino,
disco, hanging with new friends). The day you get off the ship is also
a very early morning so no sleeping in. Trust me....take the extra time
to just sleep and relax after your cruise.
As far as ships tours I never take them. I always do my own thing. But
my comfort level is high because I've been to all the ports many times.
The average snorkelling price on a ships tour is between $25-$35 (and
up) per person. So you and your new husband will pay between $50-$75
(and up) just for a 3 hour snorkel tour. Where you can do snorkelling
yourself for $0 to $10 (taxi) for both of you for example. The ships
tours are very expensive but they lead you by the hand. So its really
all about your comfort level and expendable money.
Extra $$ costs: Tipping, Mixed Drinks (wine & beer packages), Casino,
Spa, Bingo, Photos, Ships Stores (Duty Free Shopping), Ships Tours,
Extra Charge Dining, Laundry, Room Service Tippin Dollars, Art Auction.
It can get pretty expensive if you want to do it all. Have I forgotten
anything?
Anymore questions just ask.
Rick
G&G
when the cruise ships arrive, all sell cheap t-shirts, etc. You won't be
able to tell which island you are visiting. Too touristy.
G
Warren
RICK DAVIS wrote:
> The Zenith is a
> very old ship. Nothing wrong with older ships its just you will enjoy
> Voyager or Radiance more.
Voyager's construction started roughly only 5 years after Zenith's
debut. If Zenith is "very old" then Voyager must be considered "old."
just saying...
(I agree about the OP probably enjoying Voyager or Radiance more)
Warren
RICK DAVIS
Von Fourche
> place - Caribbean, time - December, we found too many nice cruises and
> now we are confused what is the best for us? We need some help.... :)
There's no doubt that BIG ships are in flavor. You can't go wrong on a
Voyager class ship. I was on a seven nighter on the Mariner of the Seas, a
sister ship of the Voyager. Mariner was amazing.
As others have said, a ten nighter may attract an older crowd. Seven
nights sound perfect, especially since this is your first cruise.
As for balcony/window/inside cabin. When I was planning to go on my
first cruise (the Mariner of the Seas) I asked if I should get a balcony or
not. The best advice I got here was - there is so much to do on these big
ships that you don't really spend much time in your cabin, so you probably
wont miss a balcony. However, since this was my first cruise I decided to
get the balcony. I will say it was nice having the balcony. But we did not
spend much time out on it.
Since this is your honeymoon and first cruise I was say shoot for the
balcony but you really wont miss it if you get a window only room.
Tom K
"Warren" <oceanvoy...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1162534671.8...@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
Having done Navigator, Jewel and Mariner OTS the past 3 Decembers with the
Viking gang, I can honestly say that RCI food is pretty much below my
minimum level. Your Legend sailing may be an exception... but to me, RCI
food isn't close to Celebrity food, other than the night that Celebrity has
the stupid lamb shank. Over that same period that I've gone with the Viking
gang, I've done 3 Connie sailings, 4 Zenith sailings and 1 Century sailing.
So I think I have a decent point of comparison.
I've simply nibbled-without finishing too many RCI dinners over the past 3
years to consider the food up to Celebrity's standards. It gets to the
point where I don't even bother asking the waiter for something different...
And I won't even bother with RCI's fish of any kind. The hake and congrio
fish on Celebrity are excellent. Salmon is lousy (over cooked and bone dry)
on both. And the desserts on RCI are so bad. The only good dessert I've
had on RCI the past 3 years was the exceptional apple pie that they serve in
Johnny Rockets. Now I'm not saying all the Celebrity meals are top notch.
They're not. But I get a lot more good meals on Celebrity than on RCI.
Though it may help that I know what to pick on Celebrity based on
experience.
To me, Celebrity and RCI aren't even remotely close in terms of food.
Though maybe I'm just pickier than other. I know that a lot of the RCI
meals that I just picked at, others at the table devoured to the last drop.
They're sending back clean plates, and I'm sending back most of the meal.
So maybe I'm more fussy.
--Tom
Tom K
If you go to the huts where the locals sell stuff... you quickly realize
you're in Haiti.
The Jamaican's at Ocho are amateurs compared to the Haitians.
--Tom
Charles
<tkan...@optonline.net> wrote:
> To me, Celebrity and RCI aren't even remotely close in terms of food.
> Though maybe I'm just pickier than other. I know that a lot of the RCI
> meals that I just picked at, others at the table devoured to the last drop.
> They're sending back clean plates, and I'm sending back most of the meal.
> So maybe I'm more fussy.
I am one who does not think RCI food is that bad. I think it is getting
better. And I think Celebrity food is getting worse. I think the food
on both is close. Honestly I was happier with the food on Crown
Princess than the food on Zenith or Mariner of the Seas.....
--
Charles
Ermalee
The food on the Zenith a couple of weeks ago was better than I've had on
a cruise ship for a long time. However, they fell short with their ice
cream. The Mercury in May had the best ice cream ever. I'm still
gaining weight just thinking about it.
Ermalee
Dick G
news:2kT2h.602$AQ6...@newsfe11.lga...
>
> Having done Navigator, Jewel and Mariner OTS the past 3 Decembers with the
> Viking gang, I can honestly say that RCI food is pretty much below my
> minimum level. Your Legend sailing may be an exception... but to me, RCI
> food isn't close to Celebrity food, other than the night that Celebrity
> has the stupid lamb shank. Over that same period that I've gone with the
> Viking gang, I've done 3 Connie sailings, 4 Zenith sailings and 1 Century
> sailing. So I think I have a decent point of comparison.
>
> I've simply nibbled-without finishing too many RCI dinners over the past 3
> years to consider the food up to Celebrity's standards. It gets to the
> point where I don't even bother asking the waiter for something
> different... And I won't even bother with RCI's fish of any kind. The
> hake and congrio fish on Celebrity are excellent. Salmon is lousy (over
> cooked and bone dry) on both. And the desserts on RCI are so bad. The
> only good dessert I've had on RCI the past 3 years was the exceptional
> apple pie that they serve in Johnny Rockets. Now I'm not saying all the
> Celebrity meals are top notch. They're not. But I get a lot more good
> meals on Celebrity than on RCI. Though it may help that I know what to
> pick on Celebrity based on experience.
>
> To me, Celebrity and RCI aren't even remotely close in terms of food.
> Though maybe I'm just pickier than other. I know that a lot of the RCI
> meals that I just picked at, others at the table devoured to the last
> drop. They're sending back clean plates, and I'm sending back most of the
> meal. So maybe I'm more fussy.
>
> --Tom
Clearly, TK, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and while it has been
some time since I have sailed either RCI or Celebrity, there was, as of my
last sailing, no comparison in the quality of the food. I always felt that
having a pirate attack me with a fake sword while I was dining was an
attempt to distract me from the quality of the food. That was RCI.
I always felt that having the table captain ask if there was anything
special we would like, and having one of our tablemates ask for Seafood
Louie, a dish I was not familiar with, and having him provide this marvelous
feast at lunch put that line a notch above the rest. That was Celebrity.
And we love lamb shank. <VBG>
Charles
<ehm369.@.comcast..net> wrote:
> The food on the Zenith a couple of weeks ago was better than I've had on
> a cruise ship for a long time. However, they fell short with their ice
> cream. The Mercury in May had the best ice cream ever. I'm still
> gaining weight just thinking about it.
There is something wrong with the ice cream on Zenith. I don't know if
it is how they are making it or storing it. But that is recent.
Crown Princess had great ice cream. Ten times better, I had some almost
every night on the side of my deserts. I only mention Crown Princess
because I am going to have a lot of ice cream in three weeks.
--
Charles
Sue and Kevin Mullen
Charles, would you please do me a favor and check out the hot tub
situation on the Crown Princess. I am curious to know if they ever got
all of them working.lol
sue
Charles
<kjmu...@comcast.net> wrote:
> Charles, would you please do me a favor and check out the hot tub
> situation on the Crown Princess. I am curious to know if they ever got
> all of them working.lol
They got the second one working at the Lotus Pool. I don't recall, was
there something wrong with another hot tub somewhere else?
--
Charles
Sue and Kevin Mullen
Charles wrote:
The aft one was fixed and then broken again. I think it was only the
Lotus Pool hot tub and the aft one that had problems. As I am sure you
remember us complaining, it was a long walk to find the hot tub not
working.lol
sue
Charles
<kjmu...@comcast.net> wrote:
After you complained they fixed the one at the Lotus Pool. There are
two at the Lotus Pool. The one they fixed had hotter water. I never
used the one at the aft. I think there were little kids in that one
when I was around there and I avoid hot tubs frequented by toddlers....
--
Charles
Ermalee
I've always wanted to do one of Sue's annual 'junkets', but I am
thankful that I didn't book this one. We are dealing with a case of
congestive heart failure at our house. May involve hospital time if
there's no improvement this weekend with home care. Dr. is stopping by
daily.
Ermalee <---also glad we didn't go on the Sleazy; I guess 3 cruises this
year is enough :-)
Warren
RICK DAVIS wrote:
> Warren, Zenith is 14.5 years old. I consider that old.
You said "very old" s/s Norway was very old. QE2 is very old.
My point was that Zenith isn't that much older than Voyager of the
Seas. So if you consider her "very old" then Voyager by your definition
is merely "old."
Warren
Warren
Tom K wrote:
> Your Legend sailing may be an exception... but to me, RCI
> food isn't close to Celebrity food
To your palate perhaps. However, the menu on both ships was nearly
identical and once again while I enjoyed my meals on Legend of the
Seas, I had to send back a couple on Mercury. Sorry, but I have to say
that Celebrity's cousine is no great shakes - and slightly less than
what I experienced on Legend of the Seas. They even use the same china
and flatware.
And be careful about suggesting that Mercury isn't as up to snuff
within the Celebrity fleet. Otherwise I'll have to remind you about how
you react when others say the same regarding Carnival and your opinion
of Density. ;-p
Warren
Warren
Charles wrote:
>Honestly I was happier with the food on Crown
> Princess than the food on Zenith or Mariner of the Seas.....
I completely agree, Charles. When I had lunch aboard Crown Princess I
said to my partner "this is what the food SHOULD have been on
Celebrity!"
Warren
Warren
Dick G wrote:
>it has been
> some time since I have sailed either RCI or Celebrity, there was, as of my
> last sailing, no comparison in the quality of the food.
And, IMHO, your perception is outdated. There was nothing special about
the food or service on Mercury. Your description of the attention to
detail by the dining room staff described what I experienced on RCI.
Go figure.
Warren
Charles
<ehm369.@.comcast..net> wrote:
> I've always wanted to do one of Sue's annual 'junkets', but I am
> thankful that I didn't book this one. We are dealing with a case of
> congestive heart failure at our house. May involve hospital time if
> there's no improvement this weekend with home care. Dr. is stopping by
> daily.
I am sorry to hear that.
--
Charles
Rick
Warren wrote:
> RICK DAVIS wrote:
> > Warren, Zenith is 14.5 years old. I consider that old.
>
> You said "very old" s/s Norway was very old. QE2 is very old.
s/s Norway is not very old....its extinct. QE2 is very
old...agreeed.
>
> My point was that Zenith isn't that much older than Voyager of the
> Seas. So if you consider her "very old" then Voyager by your definition
> is merely "old."
I still consider Voyager new "ish". 5 years in ships life is
about the same as dog years. I do admitt that I thought Zenith was
older than 14.5 years. I thought about 18+ years. Celibrity also
attracts an older crowd than Voyager or Radiance will. Note: every
week is different on a ships voyage. There is no way to tell the
passenger make up on any given voyage so my age comment may not be
accurate either. But Royal C. WILL offer more to do especially for a
younger couple.
>
> Warren
Crabman
> We decided to buy our first cruise:
> place - Caribbean, time - December, we found too many nice cruises and
> now we are confused what is the best for us? We need some help.... :)
>
> 1) 7-night Caribbean-Western - from Miami with Royal Caribbean -
> Voyager of the Seas
> - Labadee, Haiti
> - Ocho Rios, Jamaica
> - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
> - Cozumel
>
>
> We have a lot of questions, we are under 30, we would like to see a
> lot, we like snorkeling, exotic places, good fun etc. It will be our
> honeymoon, but we want to spend it in active way. We don't want to
> spend all day on the beach.
> Do You think 1st cruise for 10 nights isn't too long for first timers??
> Is it better to take 7 nights?
>
> Eve
>
Eve, My family has only been on 4 Cruises so far. I can tell you this,
we are hooked for life!
My recommendations would be:
.7 days on your first cruise
.Go to Grand Cayman and book a snorkel trip with Captain Marvins to swim
with the stingrays(THIS CAN NOT BE MISSED, and has been one of the
greatest experiences of our lives. No Joke.)
.Go with an open mind as to what to expect and you will be amazed at how
enjoyable cruising is.(like being royalty for a week)
Just my perspective!
Clay
Sue and Kevin Mullen
The funny thing is that both the Lotus Pool and aft hot tubs were
fixed after we spoke to the pursers desk and the man in charge of that
stuff. The Lotus hot tub continued working, but the aft one closed
again, don't know what the story was with it. We never saw kids in the
aft hot tub, but doesn't mean there weren't any. Since you are up
early and got a lounger every day, you were better off in the lotus
pool area.
sue
Tom K
"Ermalee" <ehm369.@.comcast..net> wrote in message
news:zrudnX0eH8bAiNHY...@comcast.com...
>
> I've always wanted to do one of Sue's annual 'junkets', but I am thankful
> that I didn't book this one. We are dealing with a case of
> congestive heart failure at our house. May involve hospital time if
> there's no improvement this weekend with home care. Dr. is stopping by
> daily.
>
> Ermalee
Sorry to hear that Ermalee. Hope everything works out.
--Tom
clint
"ZombyWoof" <Zomby...@Zappa.net> wrote in message
news:6mipk2t08uhmquja0...@4ax.com...
> On 3 Nov 2006 08:55:14 -0800, "Warren" <oceanvoy...@yahoo.com>
> wrote something wonderfully witty:
>
>>ZombyWoof wrote:
>>> I've been to Haiti and there is a real good reason people risk their
>>> lives at sea trying to get here.
>>
>>Labadee is RCI's private enclave in a remote corner of Haiti. It's
>>mainly tropical beaches surrounded by mountains. Most people have no
>>idea they are even in Haiti when they stop at Labadee.
>>
> desire to got to anywhere with Haiti in the name. I'll take your word
> that they may have created a "Tourists" only enclave somewhere and
> that all cleaned up it might be quite lovely, but the money generated
> is only being generated to further corrupt & subjugate the local
> people so I'll pass. The whole place is corrupt as corrupt can be.
>
> --
>
> You can run, but you'll only die tired.
>
> ZombyWoof
Warren
Rick wrote:
> s/s Norway is not very old....its extinct.
That's why I said "was"...but when she was in service she was indeed
very old. I sailed aboard many times during her 20+ years of service as
Norway, including her 9/11 "first annual farewell crossing."
> Celibrity also
> attracts an older crowd than Voyager or Radiance will. Note: every
> week is different on a ships voyage. There is no way to tell the
> passenger make up on any given voyage
Agree with you 100% and I think the OP of the thread should choose a
Voyager class ship. Interestingly enough the passenger mix on Mercury
skewed younger for the Alaska repositioning than Legend of the Seas
during the crossing.
Warren
Ermalee
Thanks, Tom. The Dr. came by again today, and we got a much better
report. Home care is working well, so, no hospital. Yea!!!
Ermalee
rick...@webtv.net
Warren wrote:
> Agree with you 100% and I think the OP of the thread should choose a
> Voyager class ship. Interestingly enough the passenger mix on Mercury
> skewed younger for the Alaska repositioning than Legend of the Seas
> during the crossing.
>
> Warren
Agreed, Voyager Calss ships are Great!! Very easy to move about.
Morning donuts in the pastry shop are the best. Rival any donuts you
would get in any bakery at home. Will be intrested to see what the
Original Poster makes as a final desission. I hope she lets us know.
Cindy
did one of those procedures to stop and then restart my stepdads heart (I
guess it was about 6 weeks ago).
I will be thinkng of you.
Cindy
"Ermalee" <ehm369.@.comcast..net> wrote in message
news:zrudnX0eH8bAiNHY...@comcast.com...
>
Surfer E2468
Only know you from your post's on RTC,but am sorry to hear someone is
ill,please take care,and keep me informed on the person's progress.
surfer e2468
<
cruise lover>
Surfer E2468
friendly people,and a beautiful island,but that was manyyyyyy years ago
<
cruise lover>
Sue and Kevin Mullen
Ermalee wrote:
> The Dr. came by again today, and we got a much better
> report. Home care is working well, so, no hospital. Yea!!!
This is wonderful news!!
sue
Ermalee
Thanks very much. Bill had a flare up of congestive heart failure and
we increased some medication. The Dr. came today and found the
condition to be much improved, and hospitalization will not be
necessary. We're breathing a deep sigh of relief here.
Ermalee <--knows growing old ain't fer sissies :-)
Margaret Caldwell Ott
>Thanks very much. Bill had a flare up of congestive heart failure and
>we increased some medication. The Dr. came today and found the
>condition to be much improved, and hospitalization will not be
>necessary. We're breathing a deep sigh of relief here.
>
And all of your buddies in New York City are also breathing a deep
sigh of relief for both you and Bill, Ermalee!!! Do take careful care
of yourselves!!! (Please note the use of the plural form!!)
PegNDerek
Tom K
"Ermalee" <ehm369.@.comcast..net> wrote in message
Excellent!!!!!!!!!
--Tom
Charles
<ehm369.@.comcast..net> wrote:
> Thanks very much. Bill had a flare up of congestive heart failure and
> we increased some medication. The Dr. came today and found the
> condition to be much improved, and hospitalization will not be
> necessary. We're breathing a deep sigh of relief here.
Very good. Glad that his condition has improved and that he can stay
home.
--
Charles
Ermalee
Thanks, Peg and Derek. We need a cruise with you two before we give up
cruising. We appreciate your concern.
Ermalee <---didn't need a cruise ship for climbing the walls this week <g>
Margaret Caldwell Ott
Come along with us on the Norwegian Spirit for Christmas and New
Year's (December 21, 2006) or back to back voyages on the same ship in
July (July 7 and July 15, 2007)!!! Not sure where we will be for
Christmas 2007/New Year's 2008--looks like a choice between Norwegian
Gem, back to backs on Century, or possibly Explorer of the Seas--the
family is still discussing!!
Filakia!!
Peg
sheree
sheree
"Tom K" <tkan...@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:wCa3h.7693$t14....@newsfe09.lga...
Tom K
"Ermalee" <ehm369.@.comcast..net> wrote in message
>
>
> Thanks very much. Bill had a flare up of congestive heart failure and we
> increased some medication. The Dr. came today and found the condition to
> be much improved, and hospitalization will not be necessary. We're
> breathing a deep sigh of relief here.
>
> Ermalee <--knows growing old ain't fer sissies :-)
What medication is he taking for CHF?
--Tom
Ermalee
leaving in early January for Florida for several weeks. I hope we have
no more health scares! Thanks.
Ermalee
Ermalee
members over the years. I have learned words that I never knew existed,
and could never be a nurse as a career.
Thanks.
Ermalee
Ermalee
Double up on the lasix and making sure his potassium level is ok.
Gave 120 mg one day, but usually 80. Symptoms left and now back to 40.
E
The Captain
jarz...@poczta.onet.pl wrote:
> We decided to buy our first cruise:
> place - Caribbean, time - December, we found too many nice cruises and
> now we are confused what is the best for us? We need some help.... :)
>
> We have three types:
> 1) 7-night Caribbean-Western - from Miami with Royal Caribbean -
> Voyager of the Seas
> - Labadee, Haiti
> - Ocho Rios, Jamaica
> - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
> - Cozumel
>
> Caribbean - Radiance of the Seas
> - San Juan, Puerto Rico
> - St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda
> - Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
> - St. Martin - Sint Maarten
> - Nassau, Bahamas
>
> 3) 10-night Caribbean-Ultimate - from Tampa with Celebrity Cruises -
> Zenith
> - George Town, Grand Cayman
> - Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
> - Colon, Panama
> - Roatan (Isla Roatan), Bay Islands, Honduras
> - Cozumel, Mexico
>
> We have a lot of questions, we are under 30, we would like to see a
> lot, we like snorkeling, exotic places, good fun etc. It will be our
> honeymoon, but we want to spend it in active way. We don't want to
> spend all day on the beach.
> Do You think 1st cruise for 10 nights isn't too long for first timers??
> Is it better to take 7 nights?
> really bad to stay at interior room or it's better to pay a little bit
> more for oceanview? what we should know about additional charges? Is
> some lines better for "young" people? ( beside disney's ship )? What
> about shore excursions? Have You tried something? What can You
> recomend? Is it better to organize our time by ourselves or buy some
> excursions? We would love to hear everything what You know, every
> suggestion, specialy from people who tried one of those cruises.
> It's our first time and we would like to know everything before we book
> the cruise
> Thank You soooooo much
>
> Eve
The Captain
Hi Eve,
The interent is great for looking but you end up with information
overload. Ok, first off. If you want to be active most everyday then
book out of San Juan. The ships from San Juan typically are in port
more often. This will keep you busy. If you want more sea days book a
cruise out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale etc. I suggest you stay with a
7-day honeymoon cruise. Typically you will find a younger crowd on
Carnival but every sailing date can be a different mix of ages and
people. There are a lot of factors that can effect the sailing.
Royal Caribbean owns Celebrity. Celebrity tends to be more queit than
Royal Caribbean. Your mass market cruise lines are NCL, RCL and
Carnival. Your premium cruise lines are Holland America, Princess and
Celebrity. Food tends to be a little better on premium cruise lines.
I suggest you pick a budget, pick the destination that appeals to you
the most, pick a ship and sail for 7 days. As far as the stateroom you
can go two ways. One it sounds like you will not be in the room very
much so an inside might work. The problem is it is your honeymoon and
if you want to enhance your experience then book an oceanview or
balcony. This will add life to your room and experience.
Shore excursions-- You can pick up taxis etc depending on the port of
calls. Make sure you negotiate price up front with a clear
understanding of what you want and expect from you tour. Make sure you
will be back at the ship in time. (very important the ship will leave
with out you. Booking a shore excursion with the cruise line
eliminates this problem. It easy but will probably cost more and you do
not have as much flexibility.
The Captian
www.theluxuryships.com
ddis...@knology.net
Caribbean Cruise for 7 days. The contemporary ship such as Carnival and
Royal Caribbean lines are geared for the younger crowd with more
activities. Celebrity is considered a premium line with limited
activites and more on focus on individualized service. The shore
excursions can be purchased on the ship. Each cruise line has
authorized suppliers that provide excursions for the cruise lines.
Interior rooms are not the way to go if you want a view. The balcony is
definitly the way to go. If you are looking at price differences the
oceanview and balcony cabins usually are a few dollars per day per
person more to upgrade. Please don't forget the passports. The new
federal passport laws go into effect on January 1, 2007.
If I can answer any questions or assist in making any travel plans;
please give Derryl or Amy a call at A&D Travel (866) 435-TRIP or visit
our website at www.adtravelga.com.
Congratulations on the wedding and have a great Honeymoon.
Ray Goldenberg
>. The new
>federal passport laws go into effect on January 1, 2007.
Hi Everyone,
As a clarification, the new passport law for cruisers was postponed
and does NOT go into effect on January 1, 2007.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
--
Dick G
news:junsk2djeii9q5ddb...@4ax.com...
Yes, Ray, but Eve, the original poster appears to have posted from an ISP in
Poland, which would change all of the rules.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ
Charles
<badad...@nosuch.com> wrote:
> Yes, Ray, but Eve, the original poster appears to have posted from an ISP in
> Poland, which would change all of the rules.
That is the e-mail address they show in their "From header" but it was
posted from Verizon Net. Just like your "From header" reads @nosuch.com
and you posted from Comcast you can't go by the From header. By the way
there is a nosuch.com domain so I hope you actually own that e-mail
address there. If not, and I doubt it, you should not use that address.
If you want to use a fake domain to munge your e-mail address use
@.invalid or @.example or @.localhost or @.test because no DNS activity
will take place and you won't accidently use someone elses e-mail
address and you won't also waste bandwith with DNS activity.
--
Charles
Frank F. Matthews
At this point it is really unclear what the need is for a passport. As
you say they have delayed the requirement that returning US citizens
have a passport when returning with the cruise. What the situation is
if you leave the cruise is unclear. I suppose you can always swim the
Rio G and ask them why they think you were ever out of the US.
If you fly in it could get touchy at some point.
Ray Goldenberg
wrote:
>Yes, Ray, but Eve, the original poster appears to have posted from an ISP in
>Poland, which would change all of the rules.
Hi Dick,
It does not change the laws that were recently enacted.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
--
Joseph Coulter
news:jeu3h.5735$lx6....@tornado.texas.rr.com:
>
> At this point it is really unclear what the need is for a passport. As
> you say they have delayed the requirement that returning US citizens
> have a passport when returning with the cruise. What the situation is
> if you leave the cruise is unclear. I suppose you can always swim the
> Rio G and ask them why they think you were ever out of the US.
>
> If you fly in it could get touchy at some point.
>
At this point it is just silly not to get the passport. the requirement for
flying is a passport as proper documentation. Airlines are fined for not
having all pax with proper documents and will not allow a pax on board
without proper credentials. So one is on a cruise and has an emergency and
needs to come home from say St Martin - without a passport, no plane home.
--
Joseph Coulter
Cruises and Vacations
http://www.josephcoulter.com/
Brian K
2006, as will most airlines for international flights. It doesn't make
sense to bank on not needing one for repatriation after travel abroad.
After planning and paying out bucks for a cruise, I would not want to
risk denial of boarding. I say it's better safe than sorry. I already
obtained my digital passport in 2005.
--
________
To email me, Edit "blog" from my email address.
Brian M. Kochera
"Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"
View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951
Charles
K <brianb...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Regardless. Cruise lines will require a passport after December 31,
> 2006,
Which ones? I just did a check of Celebrity, Princess, HAL and Royal
Caribbean. None of them now require it next year for travel to the
Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico if no air travel to
those places is involved. They only recommend a passport.
--
Charles
Ray Goldenberg
<brianb...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>Regardless. Cruise lines will require a passport after December 31,
>2006, as will most airlines for international flights.
Hi Brian,
As a clarification, the above is wrong in regards to the cruise lines.
The cruise lines lobbied Congress and got the law to exempt them.
Check with your sister, the knowledgeable travel agent. <;+)
Dick G
news:051120061800258742%fo...@his.com.remove.invalid...
Sorry, Charles, I saw the ".pl" in the OP's return address and never looked
beyond that.
BTW, I wasn't trying to hide my identity, just trying to stem the flow of
SPAM into my gmail account.
Charles
<badad...@nosuch.com> wrote:
> BTW, I wasn't trying to hide my identity, just trying to stem the flow of
> SPAM into my gmail account.
I know but you are using someone's real domain, nosuch.com to do that.
Nosuch exists, it is registered to someone. So if any spam is diverted
you are diverting it to someone else. How would you like it if someone
diverted their spam to you?
--
Charles
Dick G
God has punished me for my transgressions, Charles, and I will attempt to
correct them, and apologize for those who wish to killfile me.
In spite of my being on the national do not call list I had my dinner
interrupted last night by a call from no less a luminary than Joe Piscipo,
who told me that he was calling all of his Italian friends.....and that is
where I hung up.
Today Joe called back, only this time he was just my friend, and lo and
behold, he wanted me to vote for (gasp) the Republican candidate for the
senate.
FWIW, I also hung up on Bill Clinton.
Brian K
speaking "Mexican" while in the US...that they should speak "American".
Charles
<badad...@nosuch.com> wrote:
> In spite of my being on the national do not call list I had my dinner
> interrupted last night by a call from no less a luminary than Joe Piscipo,
> who told me that he was calling all of his Italian friends.....and that is
> where I hung up.
I have hung up on about 15 of them. Both from the Democrats and the
Republicans. Of course they don't know I hung up as they were all
pre-recorded. If there had been a real live person on the line I would
have chatted with them.
--
Charles
Sue and Kevin Mullen
I don't care who they are, I am not listening to any political
recordings. I am tired of coming home to find 3 messages on my
answering machine and all of them are political messages.
sue
Surfer E2468
the phone,let my answering machine take them and then just discard
them,they are a pain in the butt with the phone ringing all the time.
<
cruise lover>
Dennis Roy
time ashore and time aboard the ship. We had a day at sea between each
port which we enjoyed.
Sign up for any special excursions (ie - swimming with sting
rays) VERY early as they tend to fill up rapidly.
jarz...@poczta.onet.pl
We decided - 7-night Caribbean-Western - from Miami with Royal
Caribbean :))) We decided to take just oceanview cabin, it was huge
diffrent between balcony cabin (at this date), we think it's better to
stay in Miami longer.
Ehhh... It took 3 weeks, but we booked our first cruise, finally....
Now we have more questions than before, I'm exetremly happy I found
Your group and You are so helpful... THANKS!!!
BTW, We are from Poland, we have polish passports and we will be back
before 31st of December, so i think we don't have "passport" problem.
We have valid american visas.
Our plan:
1.Labadee : ??? we don't have any plans for this place, we thought
about excursion from RCI but we couldn't find any intresting beside
SeaTrek Parasail, do You have any idea what to do there??? Have You
ever tried parasail in Labadee?
2.Ocho Rios: We thought to rent a car and go to Montego Bay, but we
worry is it enough time? We would like to see Dunn's Falls also, do You
know how far is it from the port? Where is the best place for shopping?
We read about Ocho Rios and we afraid it's typical industrial place and
there is nothing to do. Any sugestions?
3.George Town: snorkeling, can You recomend any place? We didn't want
to take our equipment, where we can rent something? We heard there is a
place where we can see stingrays during snorkeling, do you know
anything about it?
What do You think about visiting turtle farm? Is it anything
interesting in Hell? :)
What else do You recomend?
4.Cozumel: is it enough time (9 hours) to get to Tulum? how is with
ferrys? How did You spend Your day in Cozumel? I really would like to
see ruins in Tulum, but we afraid it is too complicated?
5. If You know anything about our ports of call (Labadee, Haiti; Ocho
Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico) we would
love to "hear" everything, all kinds of information would be very
helpful
6. How does it work with arrival and departure times?
For example: departure time is at 4:00 PM what time we have to be in
the port? at 4pm we have to be on the deck or we have to be earlier?
7. What kind of transportation did You use? taxi, rent car, bus?
8. Is it only one meal included? Do we have to decide what time we want
to eat? Should we do any reservation before? What about room service?
Can we just order our meal to the room or we have to eat at the dining
room? I read somewhere room service is included, What does it mean?
food is included or service charges?
I'm sure most of the questions are silly but it's our first cruise and
we would like to know everything and prepare our honeymoon as good as
we can
If You know anything what we should know and we didn't ask, we will be
greteful.
We appreciate Your time ( spent by computer ) and all of Your advices.
Thank You
Eve
Rosalie B.
>Thank You sooooooooooooooooo much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>We decided - 7-night Caribbean-Western - from Miami with Royal
>Caribbean :))) We decided to take just oceanview cabin, it was huge
>diffrent between balcony cabin (at this date), we think it's better to
>stay in Miami longer.
<snip>
>3.George Town: snorkeling, can You recomend any place? We didn't want
>to take our equipment, where we can rent something?
The cruise line will rent you equipment or equip you if you take their
excursion. If you take a non-cruise line snorkeling boat, the boat
will give you equipment, but I personally would take my own mask and
snorkel. I don't mind using other people's fins, but I like to have a
mask and snorkel that fit, and they don't take up that much room in
the luggage.
>4.Cozumel: is it enough time (9 hours) to get to Tulum? how is with
>ferrys? How did You spend Your day in Cozumel? I really would like to
>see ruins in Tulum, but we afraid it is too complicated?
I have not been to Tulum - personally if I were to do that kind of
tour from there, I'd fly rather than take the ferry. I've been to the
ruins in Belize and Tikal, but mostly in Cozumel I did scuba diving-
none of them from a ship though.
<snip>
>6. How does it work with arrival and departure times?
>For example: departure time is at 4:00 PM what time we have to be in
>the port? at 4pm we have to be on the deck or we have to be earlier?
>
I'm assuming you are talking about departure at a port where you have
stopped for the day?? They will tell you something like - departure
is 4 pm, be back on board at 3:30.
If you are talking about boarding the ship for the first time, the
boarding times are usually something like noon to 3.
>7. What kind of transportation did You use? taxi, rent car, bus?
>
Depends on the port. Sometimes one and sometimes another. Sometimes
you don't need any transportation.
>8. Is it only one meal included? Do we have to decide what time we want
>to eat? Should we do any reservation before? What about room service?
>Can we just order our meal to the room or we have to eat at the dining
>room? I read somewhere room service is included, What does it mean?
>food is included or service charges?
On board the ship, all meals are included. Breakfast and lunch are
usually buffet style, although you can go to the dining room to eat if
you want to. Dinner you will be assigned a time and a table, although
you can usually still eat at the buffet if you miss your time or
something. You can order room service, and the food is free, but you
will need to tip, or maybe there is a service charge for it.
Brian K
the cruise line's web site and view excursion information as well as
port information specific to your cruise.
An excursion to Tulum is doable. They usually split the time between
Tulum and Xcaret which includes snorkeling in a huge cenote. It's kind
of like being in a very big aquarium (no sharks). You just let the
current take you through an underground river to the ocean where guides
help you out.
If the weather and ocean conditions are good enough for the captain ok
tendering to shore in Cozumel the ferry will be running. Just for a
margin of safety go with the ship's excursion to Tulum. You could take
the ferry on your own it's inexpensive, and then negotiate a tour once
you arrive in Playa del Carmen; you might get a better deal. But since
that tour operator is not connected to RCL, they may not be as aware of
your time constraints. On a good day, the Cozumel / Playa del Carmen
ferry takes between 30 minutes to 45 minutes to make the crossing one
way. Even on the best of days, that patch of ocean has a certain amount
of chop. Expect the ferry to pitch and roll a little.
Chakanaab Park was totally trashed by Wilma. Hopefully by now it's been
rebuilt. It's reachable by cab. It's a beach park that offers a snack
bar, beach chairs by rental, for additional fee snorkel or scuba
excursions can be had.
When you arrive in port there will be all sorts of tour operators
hawking everything under the sun. Just like jewelry and tourist
souvenirs, you negotiate the price for your tour. You pay cash, US$ is
accepted. If you are good at haggling you might choose to go this
route. Just be sure that your tour operator is clear about what you are
getting for your money. Some will offer a free day pass at one of the
All Inclusive Resorts. All you pay is transport to the resort. What
isn't always made clear is that you have to listen to 90 minutes of hard
sales pitch for purchase of a time share. Those who cave and make the
purchase on the spot, get the VIP free days pass. If you resist the
sale they will try to back out of the free day pass. They may even
leave you up to your own efforts to get back to port. In most cases if
you are persistent they will give you a pass to one of the lesser
properties that they hold. That in itself is not bad, it's just that
the A I they give you the pass for isn't their newest holding.
Alternatively, you can take the ferry to Playa del Carmen, do some
shopping on Fifth Avenue. Then take a cab up to one of two beach clubs
in the north end of town.
In Grand Cayman you tender ashore. At the port you won't find as
frenetic a bunch of tour operators as in Cozumel. There's a bus that
goes out to Seven Mile Beach. It's inexpensive. The only downside is
that they wait until the bus is full to go out and return. If you opt
to do this, just be sure you get back to the bus or be ready for it 2.5
hours before you plan to be back in Georgetown.
Stingray City is a sand bar where the stingrays gather. The water is
chest deep on most people. You need a mask and snorkel so you can watch
the stingrays. One of the parts of this experience is feeding the
stingrays bits of squid. Stingrays have no teeth so the sensation is
not unlike an aquatic vacuum cleaner. If you feel squeamish about
feeding a stingray -- you don't have to do it. Before you leave home,
pick up one of those disposable underwater box cameras or two. You'll
want to take pictures there and perhaps other places you snorkel. Hell,
Grand Cayman. The attraction there is to send a postcard home from
Hell. Big whoop. Some tour operators combine a stop in Hell with a
trip to the Tortoise Sanctuary and Farm. As an eco tour the Turtle
thing is quite interesting with some "hands on" opportunities. I'd
rather do Stingray City or go to Seven Mile Beach.
Georgetown used to be known for great prices on tanzanite jewelry. No
so anymore. I've seen better prices on Overstock.com or QVC.
Ocho Rios is a good section of Jamaica, there are some good beaches
there. But you'll probably want to do the excursion at Dun's River
Falls, or tour Rose Hill Plantation.
Charles
<jarz...@poczta.onet.pl> wrote:
> 1.Labadee : ??? we don't have any plans for this place, we thought
> about excursion from RCI but we couldn't find any intresting beside
> SeaTrek Parasail, do You have any idea what to do there??? Have You
> ever tried parasail in Labadee?
Labadee is a beach day. You don't need to do anything. If you would
like to parasail this would be a good place to do it.
--
Charles
Charles
> 2.Ocho Rios: We thought to rent a car and go to Montego Bay, but we
> worry is it enough time? We would like to see Dunn's Falls also, do You
> know how far is it from the port? Where is the best place for shopping?
You don't want to rent car in Jamaica. And Montego Bay is really to far
away anyways from Ochos Rios. Do Dunn's River Falls.
--
Charles
Charles
> 3.George Town: snorkeling, can You recomend any place? We didn't want
> to take our equipment, where we can rent something? We heard there is a
> place where we can see stingrays during snorkeling, do you know
> anything about it?
Definitely do an excursion that does snorkeling and stingrays. If you
do an excursion equipment will be provided.
--
Charles
Charles
> 4.Cozumel: is it enough time (9 hours) to get to Tulum? how is with
> ferrys? How did You spend Your day in Cozumel? I really would like to
> see ruins in Tulum, but we afraid it is too complicated?
Tulum is worth doing. Take a ship's excursion and it won't be
complicated as they take you there and back. When you get back stop at
Carlos and Charlies for a drink.
--
Charles
Jean O'Boyle
Answered Inline:
<jarz...@poczta.onet.pl> wrote in message
news:1162872570....@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Thank You sooooooooooooooooo much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> We decided - 7-night Caribbean-Western - from Miami with Royal
> Caribbean :))) We decided to take just oceanview cabin, it was huge
> diffrent between balcony cabin (at this date), we think it's better to
> stay in Miami longer.
> Ehhh... It took 3 weeks, but we booked our first cruise, finally....
> Now we have more questions than before, I'm exetremly happy I found
> Your group and You are so helpful... THANKS!!!
Eve,
We just got off the Carnival Conquest this past Sunday, and I ended up with
a bad cold (zimno i kaszel) so I did not read your post until today.
Having sailed on the Royal Caribbean Radiance and the Celebrity Zenith, I
would have chosen the Radiance over the Zenith.
Not only because the ship is so beautiful but because I prefer the ports
that it is visting. I would NEVER have taken the Zenith for a 10 day
cruise...She has no balconies and the experience that we had on a 7 day
cruise to Bermuda on the Zenith in 2003 was terrible. From recent reports
and after talking to a friend who just returned from a cruise on her, she
has improved...But ten days on a ship like her would not be my cup of tea,
for sure!
I have never been on the Voyager of the Seas, but have heard good things
about her...at least she will be more enjoyable than the Zenith for your
very first cruise!
> BTW, We are from Poland, we have polish passports and we will be back
> before 31st of December, so i think we don't have "passport" problem.
> We have valid american visas.
I knew right away that you were from Poland...not only from your name but
the* poczta* (mail) and pl
I correspond with some friends in Poland and can read some Polish as my
parents were both born in Poland.
> Our plan:
> 1.Labadee : ??? we don't have any plans for this place, we thought
> about excursion from RCI but we couldn't find any intresting beside
> SeaTrek Parasail, do You have any idea what to do there??? Have You
> ever tried parasail in Labadee?
>
> 2.Ocho Rios: We thought to rent a car and go to Montego Bay, but we
> worry is it enough time? We would like to see Dunn's Falls also, do You
> know how far is it from the port? Where is the best place for shopping?
>
> We read about Ocho Rios and we afraid it's typical industrial place and
> there is nothing to do. Any sugestions?
>
> 3.George Town: snorkeling, can You recomend any place? We didn't want
> to take our equipment, where we can rent something? We heard there is a
> place where we can see stingrays during snorkeling, do you know
> anything about it?
> What do You think about visiting turtle farm? Is it anything
> interesting in Hell? :)
> What else do You recomend?
>
> 4.Cozumel: is it enough time (9 hours) to get to Tulum? how is with
> ferrys? How did You spend Your day in Cozumel? I really would like to
> see ruins in Tulum, but we afraid it is too complicated?
>
> 5. If You know anything about our ports of call (Labadee, Haiti; Ocho
> Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico) we would
> love to "hear" everything, all kinds of information would be very
> helpful
Others have replied to your questions so I will make mine brief.
Labadee..no excursions as it is a stop at a beach where you tender in for
water activiites and a lunch prepared by the ship.
There are some natives who sell trinkets there if you are interested in that
kind of thing.
Ocho Rios...I would not rent a car to go to Montego Bay. Since this is your
first cruise experience, I would check out what the ship has to offer
excursion wise...Ocho Rios is a very poor place and not a very safe one,
where you will be stopped and pressured continuously to buy anything from
native made goods to drugs and you have to be VERY firm about saying *No*
and walking away. It is not a very pleasant experience and being this is
your first time there, I would play it safe by going with a group organized
by the ship. After several visits there, you learn where to stay away from
and whom to avoid.
Georgetown....you have shopping, Seven Mile Beach (which we were told by a
guide who took us to Cpt. Marvin's Stingray and Snorkle Excursion, is now
Five Mile Beach) because of the destruction caused by the last hurricane
there. Arranging a snorkel excursion is not very difficult..You can do it on
the internet and there are many vendors at the dock holding up signs.
You will be tendering from the ship into Georgetown, also. Captain Marvin's
Website is www.captainmarvins.com and you can see what he has to offer. We
took the 10:45 am, 2 hour stingray and snorkeling tour just last Thursday
and it was a lot of fun..There is not that much time on that one for
snorkeling so you might want to choose a longer one that visits two reefs
instead. It was a lot of fun.. the the stingrays were very tame. They swim
around you and when they brush against you they feel velvety... more like a
"slimey" mushroom!
We have been to Cozumel many times but never to Tulum, so I can't give you
any information there.
There are some nice beaches there and lots of shopping...Margaritaville and
Senor Frogs, etc!
We always play it safe and are on board the ship at least one hour ahead of
the departure time...You definitely do not want to be left behind somewhere
like Ocho Rios! If you are on your own, be sure to be onboard before the
designated time..If you are with the ship's excursion, it is their
responsibility to get you back on board on time and if they are a bit late,
the ship WILL wait for them, but it will NOT wait for you if you are on your
own adventure!
We use a taxi when we go. A group of us will get together and split the
fare between us...We all talk over and decide where we want to go, for how
long and what we want to see. We then talk it over with a couple taxi
drivers or dispatchers and see who will do what we want for the best price.
Do NOT get into a cab without confirming a rate first. Sometimes we take a
taxi van if there are more than four of us. I prefer taxis over buses
because you can decide to shorten or lengthen your times at different sites,
while on a bus you have to go by the bus schedule and then I'm not patient
about stragglers and having to sit on a bus waiting because someone decided
to go buy something they forgot.
Happy planning i piekna pogoda fo your cruise! ;-)
--Jean
Jean O'Boyle
"Jean O'Boyle" <j.ob...@removefudged.sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:8R54h.5902$r12....@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
>
> Happy planning i piekna pogoda fo your cruise! ;-)
That was meant to be, "Happy planning i piekna pogoda FOR your cruise! "
--Jean
Dillon Pyron
RCI is requiring passports for cruises returning after Jan 8. So that
makes the rest of the discussion moot for them (I haven't seen
anything from Celebrity, I assume they are doing so as well).
--
dillon
If you can't figure out how to unmunge my
address, email me and I'll explain it.
Dillon Pyron
Charles, the last press release I have from RCI says that they are
requiring them, due to the possibility of having to fly home. DCL is
"strongly recommending" them for much the same reason. I have an
email in to my Carnival DSM about it, we'll see what she has to say.
Charles
<dmpyron...@austin.rr.com> wrote:
> Charles, the last press release I have from RCI says that they are
> requiring them, due to the possibility of having to fly home. DCL is
> "strongly recommending" them for much the same reason. I have an
> email in to my Carnival DSM about it, we'll see what she has to say.
I am going by what they say on their web site. They do highly recommend
them but don't require them. Of course it would be prudent to have a
passport because of the possible emergency need to fly home. I would go
as far as saying it is stupid not to have one because of that
possibility.
--
Charles
Jean O'Boyle
"Charles" <fo...@his.com.remove.invalid> wrote in message
> I am one who does not think RCI food is that bad. I think it is getting
> better. And I think Celebrity food is getting worse. I think the food
> on both is close. Honestly I was happier with the food on Crown
> Princess than the food on Zenith or Mariner of the Seas.....
>
> --
> Charles
I agree, Charles, I saw nothing on Celebrity that was as good as what we had
on the Crown Princess.
We felt that the Carnival Conquest had the best food until we took the Crown
Princess this past August.
The Conquest has moved to the #2 spot as far as the quality of food since we
took her just this past week. The food on the Conquest did not seem to be as
good as the last time we took her, but she still had better food than the
Celebrity ships, Zenith, Infinity and Mercury.
The Crown Princess is # 1 in my book as far as food, service and friendly
staff. The ship itself is also very beautiful. A ship of any mainstream
cruise line will REALLY have to work hard to surpass the Crown Princess
experience we had on August 25th!
--Jean
Ray Goldenberg
<dmpyron...@austin.rr.com> wrote:
>Charles, the last press release I have from RCI says that they are
>requiring them, due to the possibility of having to fly home. DCL is
>"strongly recommending" them for much the same reason. I have an
>email in to my Carnival DSM about it, we'll see what she has to say.
Hi Dillon,
Royal Caribbean changed their policies several weeks ago. See my
other post on this subject where I quote Royal Caribbean's current
policy.
Ray Goldenberg
<dmpyron...@austin.rr.com> wrote:
>RCI is requiring passports for cruises returning after Jan 8. So that
>makes the rest of the discussion moot for them (I haven't seen
>anything from Celebrity, I assume they are doing so as well).
Hi Dillon,
As a matter of clarification, the above is not correct. Royal
Caribbean dropped the passport requirement after the law was changed.
The cruise lines lobbied heavily for this law change.
From Royal Caribbean:
Domestic Sailing Requirements:
U.S. Citizen Passport Requirement
Air Travel
Effective January 8, 2007, passports will be required for all U.S.
citizens flying to or from all international destinations. This
includes all areas of the world in which our ships sail, such as the
Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central
and South America.
"Cruise Travel
As early as January 1, 2008, subject to U.S. Government amendment,
passports will be required for all U.S. citizens cruising to or from
all international destinations. This includes all areas of the world
in which our ships sail, such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the
Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central and South America.
Until that time, the following travel document requirements apply:
International Travel
A valid passport is required; visas are required where they
apply. This includes Europe, Asia, Central and South America.
Domestic Travel
For domestic travel which includes: the Bahamas, Bermuda,
Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, a passport (valid or expired) is
highly recommended.
In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original or
a certified copy), plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state
or local government agency is required.
A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not
considered to be proof of citizenship.
Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID.
Ermalee
OOOPS, watch out what you say about the food on Zenith. I have been on
this ship very recently and the food is by far, the best cruise food
that we've had in 35 cruises. I have to agree that the Conquest (last
year) had better food than the Mercury (this year). I will be sorry
when we can no longer cruise on the Zenith. Fantastic ship!
Ermalee <---still prefers home cookin' :-)
Jean O'Boyle
<ddis...@knology.net> wrote in message
news:1162761936.4...@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
> As a travel agent and a seasoned cruiser, I would recommend the Royal
> Caribbean Cruise for 7 days. >
> If I can answer any questions or assist in making any travel plans;
> please give Derryl or Amy a call at A&D Travel (866) 435-TRIP or visit
> our website at www.adtravelga.com.
>
> Congratulations on the wedding and have a great Honeymoon.
This sounds like out right soliciting which is a big NO NO here on rtc!
--Jean
Tom K
"Jean O'Boyle" <j.ob...@removefudged.sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:8R54h.5902$r12....@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
>
>
> <jarz...@poczta.onet.pl> wrote in message
> news:1162872570....@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>> Thank You sooooooooooooooooo much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>> We decided - 7-night Caribbean-Western - from Miami with Royal
>> Caribbean :))) We decided to take just oceanview cabin, it was huge
>> diffrent between balcony cabin (at this date), we think it's better to
>> stay in Miami longer.
>> Ehhh... It took 3 weeks, but we booked our first cruise, finally....
>> Now we have more questions than before, I'm exetremly happy I found
>> Your group and You are so helpful... THANKS!!!
>
> Eve,
> We just got off the Carnival Conquest this past Sunday, and I ended up
> with a bad cold (zimno i kaszel)
Isn't zimno cold as in temperature, not as in illness? At least that's how
it is in Slovak IIRCl
--Tom
Jean O'Boyle
"Tom K" <tkan...@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:qq84h.46$qZ1...@newsfe08.lga...
>
> "Jean O'Boyle" <j.ob...@removefudged.sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:8R54h.5902$r12....@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
>>
>> Answered Inline:
>>
>> <jarz...@poczta.onet.pl> wrote in message
>> news:1162872570....@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>>> Thank You sooooooooooooooooo much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>>> We decided - 7-night Caribbean-Western - from Miami with Royal
>>> Caribbean :))) We decided to take just oceanview cabin, it was huge
>>> diffrent between balcony cabin (at this date), we think it's better to
>>> stay in Miami longer.
>>> Ehhh... It took 3 weeks, but we booked our first cruise, finally....
>>> Now we have more questions than before, I'm exetremly happy I found
>>> Your group and You are so helpful... THANKS!!!
>>
>> Eve,
>> We just got off the Carnival Conquest this past Sunday, and I ended up
>> with a bad cold (zimno i kaszel)
>
> Isn't zimno cold as in temperature, not as in illness? At least that's
> how it is in Slovak IIRCl
>
> --Tom
As used in the English language and the word, cold,.....zimno can be used as
an adjective or a noun. I added kaszel, which meant cold with a cough.
--Jean
Jean O'Boyle
"Ermalee" <ehm369.@.comcast..net> wrote in message
news:-Iednc56xYQMjczY...@comcast.com...
If I had not been on the Zenith in 2003, I would not have been able to
compare, Erm. That is unless she has improved food wise since. You will
have to experience the food on the Crown Princess to really judge fairly
now!... ;-) Of the 34 cruises that we have taken, the Crown Princess still
holds the #1 spot in food, service, cleanliness, decor and beauty for us!
--Jean